Chapter 10: Left Turn At Albuquerque - Mag7/HL/Ironman
It's been two years since I updated this story and I'm not sure that anyone is still interested in reading it but I figured it was about time I at least tried to finish it. I have completed a few more chapters so there is more to come I promise
Title: Left Turn At Albuquerque (10/?)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Iron Man (Marvel Movie 'verse)and Magnificent 7 (Part of the Aces Immortal Highlander AU)
Beta: ithildyn
Rating: PG
Characters: From Iron Man: Tony Stark, Pepper, Rhodey. From Mag7: Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Buck Wilmington, JD Dunne, Chris Larabee. OC's from the Aces Immortal 'Verse: Charlotte Sparrow (AKA Pearl Black) and Cecily Desjardins.
Summary: Stranded in the past, Tony runs into some familiar faces. In this chapter, Ezra confronts Tony about the inconsistencies in his story
A/N: This is part of the Aces Immortal series created by me and ithildyn, which means that Ezra Standish is Immortal in this story.
Banner by ithildyn
Chapter List
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11
Chapter 10: Left Turn At Albuquerque
Vin had been about to enter the saloon when Stark had come stumbling out and ran right into him. The impact had knocked Stark off his feet.
Vin was enjoying the sight of the man fumbling around on the ground trying to figure out why he was no longer standing. Vin only wished he’d run into him harder. Something about the stranger rubbed him wrong and he didn’t know exactly why nor did he care to analyze his feelings.
Stark began chuckling as he looked up at Vin. “So much for my dramatic exit.” He raised a hand toward Vin. “A little help, if you don’t mind?”
Vin resisted the urge to ignore Stark’s request and step around him into the saloon. As much as he enjoyed the idea of leaving Stark sitting on the ground, he couldn’t bring himself to be that rude.
Without a word he grasped the outstretched hand and yanked him to his feet. Nothing said he had to be gentle about it.
Stark grabbed Vin’s shoulder to steady himself. “Thanks for the assist,” he said.
Vin very deliberately shrugged off the contact. Stark didn’t seem to notice that he was annoyed, but then the man was drunk as a skunk
“Didn’t expect to…”
Vin didn’t wait for Stark to finish. Instead, he brushed past him and through the swinging doors, paying no heed to Stark’s final, “Hey, I was talking.” It did give him some satisfaction to ignore Stark who, thankfully, did not feel the need to follow Vin back into the saloon.
Vin’s eyes were immediately drawn to Ezra who looked just about as confused as Vin had ever seen him.
“You ok, Ezra?” Vin shook his friend by the shoulder when Ezra failed to respond.
“Vin?” Ezra seemed to be trying to collect his thoughts. “Sorry. I’m fine… I think. Maybe not.” He picked up the bottle of Scotch from the table, realized it was empty and set it back down with a thud. “I need a drink.”
Vin fingered the second bottle. “Two bottles of your private stock gone. Are you sure you want more?”
“I did not partake of them by myself,” he said, a note of exhaustion in his voice
The recent drunken departure of Stark told Vin exactly who had been sharing Ezra’s best liquor.
“Why you been drinking with …him.”
Ezra shook his head. “I can assure you that it was not because I enjoy the man’s company. I was trying to discern the truth of who he is and why he seems so enamored of my family.”
“Why don’t we just kick him out of town?” Vin would be happy to lead the charge to get rid of Stark.
“I would love to, but I think that Charlotte would not be happy with us if we deprived her of her dinner guest.”
“You ain’t gonna let him go back to the ranch?”
“I don’t see that I have much of a choice. My cousin is very interested in meeting him and…, “ Ezra paused, “and he seems very keen on attending as well.”
Vin knew that Ezra had stopped short of mentioning Cecily, but Vin had to ask. “You think he’s got intentions toward Cecily, don’t you?”
“As you well know, my sister is a head strong young woman and she finds our visitor intriguing. Unfortunately, I fear that Mr. Stark has sensed that he might have a chance with her.”
Vin shook his head. “That ain’t right.”
“But that is not your concern, Vin.” Ezra sighed. “I’m sure that I can protect my sister from his advances on my own.”
Ezra was right. Vin had made it very clear to everyone that he didn’t want to be with Cecily any more. But the truth was that he did. He loved her and probably always would; he just couldn’t be the man he knew she needed.
When he’d gone to Denver to bring Cecily back home for Charlotte, he’d found her in the swanky hotel restaurant with her rich friends. They were dressed all elegantly and Cecily was laughing; happier then he’d seen her in weeks. It was in that moment that he knew that this was where she belonged, with those fancy people in that fancy place. He had been fooling himself into thinking that she would ever be happy on a ranch with a simple man like him. He’d decided that he was the one who’d have to be strong, to be cold, because she was just too stubborn to see the truth: They would never work.
Vin may not think he was the right man for Cecily, but he knew damn well that Stark shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near her. He owed her that much; to protect her from the likes of Stark.
“Maybe…”
“Yes, Vin?”
“Well seein’ as how Charlotte’s been nagging me to come out ta Sunday dinner…”
“That is true.” Ezra smiled as he continued, "Though, I wouldn't use the word nag to her face."
"I'm serious, Ezra. And just to be clear, I’m only coming to make Charlotte happy and to help keep Cecily safe from him." Vin really disliked the guy more with each passing minute. He should have never brought Cecily back from Denver. The sooner she was back in the big city where she belonged the better. Then again how many more slick fellas like Stark were out there waiting to take advantage of a beautiful, innocent woman like Cecily? She was just too damn trusting. Vin would worry about that later. Right now he had just had to keep her safe.
“Of course, I am all for making Charlotte happy."
Vin pointed a finger at Ezra. "I know what you’re thinking. But this ain't about me and your sister. This is just me helping a friend keep his family safe."
To Vin's eye, Ezra was trying just a little too hard not to smile. "I understand, Vin. I have long accepted that you no longer have an interest in my sister and I would not presume to use this dire situation as a catalyst for your reunion."
Vin tilted his head and stared at Ezra trying to gage the truth of his words. "Just so we're clear," he repeated and shook his head. "I just don't trust that guy."
"I don't trust the mysterious Mr. Stark either. I will gladly accept your assistance: one friend to another. Nothing more than that."
Vin nodded his belief at the promise. Ezra’d been the only one who hadn't stuck his nose into the business with Cecily and Vin really appreciated that. “Good. Besides, I'll feel much better if I'm there watching your back."
Ezra smiled. "Well it is your official job to watch my back after all."
Vin felt himself relax for the first time since that Stark fella had ridden into their lives. "That's true. Now how about you share some of that fancy swill with me." He pointed to the empty Scotch bottle. "You must have more stashed somewhere."
“As much as I would like to continue drinking, I think my head should be clear for tomorrow. I think I shall take a walk before turning in. The fresh air will do me good.”
Vin stared at his friend. “You? Going for a walk?”
Ezra did not respond but simply placed his hat on his head. With a two fingered salute and a cheeky smile he was out the front door.
Vin watched the doors slowly swing before turning to get a much needed drink. He knew he was walking into a hornets’ nest tomorrow, but Cecily was worth it. Everyone else could read into it what they wanted, but she needed protecting. He would never let anything bad happen to her no matter that things were done between them.
**************************
Ezra sucked in a calming breath and let it out slowly as he exited the saloon. He hadn't had time to digest the crazy story Stark had shared with him before Vin had arrived. The irony of this evening was not lost on him. After weeks of stubborn refusal, Vin had volunteered…volunteered to come to Sunday dinner all because of jealousy over Stark. Vin could deny his motivation all he wanted, but Ezra knew jealousy when he saw it. Which led to the second bit of irony. He was going to have to seek the aid of a man that he neither liked nor trusted to make sure that nothing went awry on Sunday.
Ezra couldn't wait until morning to talk Stark about all of this. The story he'd told of the future was obviously a drunken tall tale intended to make Ezra look foolish. Still, it was clear that at some point Stark had found out about Immortals. He tried to come up with some logical, non time travel, explanation of who might have told Stark about them, but was unable concoct any scenario that fit all the facts as he knew them.
His musings carried him into the boarding house and up to Stark's room. He paused as he collected his thoughts and steeled himself for the indignity of having to admit that he was supporting Stark's crazy plan for Vin and Cecily tomorrow.
Ezra raised his hand to knock and stopped when he heard voices coming from within. Confused as to who Stark could be talking to in the middle of the night, he leaned in closer and carefully pressed his ear to the door.
"I believe you can remove the camera as well," said a cultured English voice that Ezra did not recognize. "That should give you the smaller connector that you require.
"Good idea, Jarvis," replied Stark.
Ezra straightened up having heard enough. Edward Stark obviously had an accomplice; someone that he had met up with here in town. Anger flared once again as he flung open the door.
"Mr. Stark, I demand to know…" He stopped short, scanning the room looking for the mysterious Englishman. There was no way the man could have disappeared. The window was closed and there was nowhere to hide in the simple room. Ezra bent down to quickly glance under the bed before straightening to confront Stark. "Where is your associate?"
"Ezra!" Stark stood hurriedly to face him while at the same time trying to toss a blanket over the pile of metal spread out on the table behind him. "What a pleasant surprise."
Ezra reached around him and snatched the blanket away. "What is all of this?"
"Oh nothing." Stark tried to act nonchalant, but Ezra wasn't buying it. "Just my latest invention."
Ezra stared at the stuff on the table. He wasn't much for mechanical things, but he'd never seen wires so thin or metal worked in this fashion. He picked up something that looked like a helmet, but he couldn't be sure. It was glowing and attached to other pieces on the table by thin wires. He tilted it to look for the source of the glow, but it seemed to be coming from the metal itself.
Feeling just a little over whelmed, Ezra set it back on the table and stared at Stark. "What the hell is that thing and where's that Englishman I heard you talking to earlier?"
Stark sighed and shook his head. "Ez, I swear you don't want the answers to those questions."
"I think I do."
"Fine! You always could be a stubborn bastard."
"And stop talking to me like you know me!"
"But he does know you, Master Ezra."
Ezra jumped, popped his derringer and scanned the room wildly looking for the source of the ghostly voice. "What the…" His heart was racing
"Well, that was worth it." Stark was laughing at his distress. "Javis, is..uhm..he's my time machine."
Ezra retracted his weapon and stared down at the pile of metal. "Your time machine?"
"Well technically he's the computer which controls my time machine."
Ezra was hearing him clearly, but he had no idea what a computer was. "You really are from the future." It wasn't a question. Ezra realized that he believed the wild tale. Stark was like his very own ghost of Christmas future. As he thought about the Dickens story he recently read, Ezra wondered at the reason for Stark's appearance at this point in his life. "Have you come to save my soul?"
Stark chortled. "Unlikely, but I would say that knowing you and Charlotte saved mine."
Title: Left Turn At Albuquerque (10/?)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Iron Man (Marvel Movie 'verse)and Magnificent 7 (Part of the Aces Immortal Highlander AU)
Beta: ithildyn
Rating: PG
Characters: From Iron Man: Tony Stark, Pepper, Rhodey. From Mag7: Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Buck Wilmington, JD Dunne, Chris Larabee. OC's from the Aces Immortal 'Verse: Charlotte Sparrow (AKA Pearl Black) and Cecily Desjardins.
Summary: Stranded in the past, Tony runs into some familiar faces. In this chapter, Ezra confronts Tony about the inconsistencies in his story
A/N: This is part of the Aces Immortal series created by me and ithildyn, which means that Ezra Standish is Immortal in this story.
Banner by ithildyn
Chapter List
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11
Chapter 10: Left Turn At Albuquerque
Vin had been about to enter the saloon when Stark had come stumbling out and ran right into him. The impact had knocked Stark off his feet.
Vin was enjoying the sight of the man fumbling around on the ground trying to figure out why he was no longer standing. Vin only wished he’d run into him harder. Something about the stranger rubbed him wrong and he didn’t know exactly why nor did he care to analyze his feelings.
Stark began chuckling as he looked up at Vin. “So much for my dramatic exit.” He raised a hand toward Vin. “A little help, if you don’t mind?”
Vin resisted the urge to ignore Stark’s request and step around him into the saloon. As much as he enjoyed the idea of leaving Stark sitting on the ground, he couldn’t bring himself to be that rude.
Without a word he grasped the outstretched hand and yanked him to his feet. Nothing said he had to be gentle about it.
Stark grabbed Vin’s shoulder to steady himself. “Thanks for the assist,” he said.
Vin very deliberately shrugged off the contact. Stark didn’t seem to notice that he was annoyed, but then the man was drunk as a skunk
“Didn’t expect to…”
Vin didn’t wait for Stark to finish. Instead, he brushed past him and through the swinging doors, paying no heed to Stark’s final, “Hey, I was talking.” It did give him some satisfaction to ignore Stark who, thankfully, did not feel the need to follow Vin back into the saloon.
Vin’s eyes were immediately drawn to Ezra who looked just about as confused as Vin had ever seen him.
“You ok, Ezra?” Vin shook his friend by the shoulder when Ezra failed to respond.
“Vin?” Ezra seemed to be trying to collect his thoughts. “Sorry. I’m fine… I think. Maybe not.” He picked up the bottle of Scotch from the table, realized it was empty and set it back down with a thud. “I need a drink.”
Vin fingered the second bottle. “Two bottles of your private stock gone. Are you sure you want more?”
“I did not partake of them by myself,” he said, a note of exhaustion in his voice
The recent drunken departure of Stark told Vin exactly who had been sharing Ezra’s best liquor.
“Why you been drinking with …him.”
Ezra shook his head. “I can assure you that it was not because I enjoy the man’s company. I was trying to discern the truth of who he is and why he seems so enamored of my family.”
“Why don’t we just kick him out of town?” Vin would be happy to lead the charge to get rid of Stark.
“I would love to, but I think that Charlotte would not be happy with us if we deprived her of her dinner guest.”
“You ain’t gonna let him go back to the ranch?”
“I don’t see that I have much of a choice. My cousin is very interested in meeting him and…, “ Ezra paused, “and he seems very keen on attending as well.”
Vin knew that Ezra had stopped short of mentioning Cecily, but Vin had to ask. “You think he’s got intentions toward Cecily, don’t you?”
“As you well know, my sister is a head strong young woman and she finds our visitor intriguing. Unfortunately, I fear that Mr. Stark has sensed that he might have a chance with her.”
Vin shook his head. “That ain’t right.”
“But that is not your concern, Vin.” Ezra sighed. “I’m sure that I can protect my sister from his advances on my own.”
Ezra was right. Vin had made it very clear to everyone that he didn’t want to be with Cecily any more. But the truth was that he did. He loved her and probably always would; he just couldn’t be the man he knew she needed.
When he’d gone to Denver to bring Cecily back home for Charlotte, he’d found her in the swanky hotel restaurant with her rich friends. They were dressed all elegantly and Cecily was laughing; happier then he’d seen her in weeks. It was in that moment that he knew that this was where she belonged, with those fancy people in that fancy place. He had been fooling himself into thinking that she would ever be happy on a ranch with a simple man like him. He’d decided that he was the one who’d have to be strong, to be cold, because she was just too stubborn to see the truth: They would never work.
Vin may not think he was the right man for Cecily, but he knew damn well that Stark shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near her. He owed her that much; to protect her from the likes of Stark.
“Maybe…”
“Yes, Vin?”
“Well seein’ as how Charlotte’s been nagging me to come out ta Sunday dinner…”
“That is true.” Ezra smiled as he continued, "Though, I wouldn't use the word nag to her face."
"I'm serious, Ezra. And just to be clear, I’m only coming to make Charlotte happy and to help keep Cecily safe from him." Vin really disliked the guy more with each passing minute. He should have never brought Cecily back from Denver. The sooner she was back in the big city where she belonged the better. Then again how many more slick fellas like Stark were out there waiting to take advantage of a beautiful, innocent woman like Cecily? She was just too damn trusting. Vin would worry about that later. Right now he had just had to keep her safe.
“Of course, I am all for making Charlotte happy."
Vin pointed a finger at Ezra. "I know what you’re thinking. But this ain't about me and your sister. This is just me helping a friend keep his family safe."
To Vin's eye, Ezra was trying just a little too hard not to smile. "I understand, Vin. I have long accepted that you no longer have an interest in my sister and I would not presume to use this dire situation as a catalyst for your reunion."
Vin tilted his head and stared at Ezra trying to gage the truth of his words. "Just so we're clear," he repeated and shook his head. "I just don't trust that guy."
"I don't trust the mysterious Mr. Stark either. I will gladly accept your assistance: one friend to another. Nothing more than that."
Vin nodded his belief at the promise. Ezra’d been the only one who hadn't stuck his nose into the business with Cecily and Vin really appreciated that. “Good. Besides, I'll feel much better if I'm there watching your back."
Ezra smiled. "Well it is your official job to watch my back after all."
Vin felt himself relax for the first time since that Stark fella had ridden into their lives. "That's true. Now how about you share some of that fancy swill with me." He pointed to the empty Scotch bottle. "You must have more stashed somewhere."
“As much as I would like to continue drinking, I think my head should be clear for tomorrow. I think I shall take a walk before turning in. The fresh air will do me good.”
Vin stared at his friend. “You? Going for a walk?”
Ezra did not respond but simply placed his hat on his head. With a two fingered salute and a cheeky smile he was out the front door.
Vin watched the doors slowly swing before turning to get a much needed drink. He knew he was walking into a hornets’ nest tomorrow, but Cecily was worth it. Everyone else could read into it what they wanted, but she needed protecting. He would never let anything bad happen to her no matter that things were done between them.
**************************
Ezra sucked in a calming breath and let it out slowly as he exited the saloon. He hadn't had time to digest the crazy story Stark had shared with him before Vin had arrived. The irony of this evening was not lost on him. After weeks of stubborn refusal, Vin had volunteered…volunteered to come to Sunday dinner all because of jealousy over Stark. Vin could deny his motivation all he wanted, but Ezra knew jealousy when he saw it. Which led to the second bit of irony. He was going to have to seek the aid of a man that he neither liked nor trusted to make sure that nothing went awry on Sunday.
Ezra couldn't wait until morning to talk Stark about all of this. The story he'd told of the future was obviously a drunken tall tale intended to make Ezra look foolish. Still, it was clear that at some point Stark had found out about Immortals. He tried to come up with some logical, non time travel, explanation of who might have told Stark about them, but was unable concoct any scenario that fit all the facts as he knew them.
His musings carried him into the boarding house and up to Stark's room. He paused as he collected his thoughts and steeled himself for the indignity of having to admit that he was supporting Stark's crazy plan for Vin and Cecily tomorrow.
Ezra raised his hand to knock and stopped when he heard voices coming from within. Confused as to who Stark could be talking to in the middle of the night, he leaned in closer and carefully pressed his ear to the door.
"I believe you can remove the camera as well," said a cultured English voice that Ezra did not recognize. "That should give you the smaller connector that you require.
"Good idea, Jarvis," replied Stark.
Ezra straightened up having heard enough. Edward Stark obviously had an accomplice; someone that he had met up with here in town. Anger flared once again as he flung open the door.
"Mr. Stark, I demand to know…" He stopped short, scanning the room looking for the mysterious Englishman. There was no way the man could have disappeared. The window was closed and there was nowhere to hide in the simple room. Ezra bent down to quickly glance under the bed before straightening to confront Stark. "Where is your associate?"
"Ezra!" Stark stood hurriedly to face him while at the same time trying to toss a blanket over the pile of metal spread out on the table behind him. "What a pleasant surprise."
Ezra reached around him and snatched the blanket away. "What is all of this?"
"Oh nothing." Stark tried to act nonchalant, but Ezra wasn't buying it. "Just my latest invention."
Ezra stared at the stuff on the table. He wasn't much for mechanical things, but he'd never seen wires so thin or metal worked in this fashion. He picked up something that looked like a helmet, but he couldn't be sure. It was glowing and attached to other pieces on the table by thin wires. He tilted it to look for the source of the glow, but it seemed to be coming from the metal itself.
Feeling just a little over whelmed, Ezra set it back on the table and stared at Stark. "What the hell is that thing and where's that Englishman I heard you talking to earlier?"
Stark sighed and shook his head. "Ez, I swear you don't want the answers to those questions."
"I think I do."
"Fine! You always could be a stubborn bastard."
"And stop talking to me like you know me!"
"But he does know you, Master Ezra."
Ezra jumped, popped his derringer and scanned the room wildly looking for the source of the ghostly voice. "What the…" His heart was racing
"Well, that was worth it." Stark was laughing at his distress. "Javis, is..uhm..he's my time machine."
Ezra retracted his weapon and stared down at the pile of metal. "Your time machine?"
"Well technically he's the computer which controls my time machine."
Ezra was hearing him clearly, but he had no idea what a computer was. "You really are from the future." It wasn't a question. Ezra realized that he believed the wild tale. Stark was like his very own ghost of Christmas future. As he thought about the Dickens story he recently read, Ezra wondered at the reason for Stark's appearance at this point in his life. "Have you come to save my soul?"
Stark chortled. "Unlikely, but I would say that knowing you and Charlotte saved mine."