Chapter 11: Left Turn At Albuquerque - Mag7/HL/Ironman
As promised another chapter and it only took a week!
Title: Left Turn At Albuquerque (11/?)
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 11: Left Turn At Albuquerque
The Present
"You saw the suit? You knew about him becoming Ironman?" Charlotte had interrupted Ezra's story, clearly upset. "You let him go through that hell?"
"Whoa Cousin, I didn't know anything about Ironman or Afghanistan."
"But…"
Rhodey interrupted. "It doesn't matter, Charlotte. Even if Ezra had known, he had to let things unfold without prejudice in order for the future to remain intact."
Ezra took Charlotte's hand in his. "All Tony told me was that the thing I saw was his time machine. He never told me when or under what circumstances it was built. In fact, he spent most of that night trying to convince me he wasn't some sort of specter come to foretell my doom."
"You thought Tony was a ghost?" Charlotte smiled
"Not a ghost so much as a warning from my future. If you recall, I had just finished reading 'A Christmas Carol'. And let's not forget that business with the cursed necklace or our own immortal nature."
"I suppose a supernatural herald would make as much sense as time travel."
Rhodey chuckled. "Tony Stark as your very own Jacob Marley, come to set you on the straight and narrow." He emphasized his delight with the idea by adding his own spooky sound effects and laughing. "Guess, it didn't work."
Ezra glared at Rhodey before breaking into a cheeky grin. "No, not really. Though by the end of the night, I did come to believe he was a time traveler."
"But if he was so intent on preserving the time line, why admit anything?” Pepper asked.
"He was quite drunk when the first admission was made," Ezra reminded her. "And as you well know, Tony is terrible with secrets."
"I am Ironman," Rhodey intoned in his best imitation of Tony.
"Exactly! I think he'd wanted to tell me something all along. He certainly hadn't been very good and pretending he didn't know me."
"But why interfere with Vin and Cecily?" Pepper asked
"I think at the time, Tony was convinced that their reunion was exactly why his 'time machine' had brought him to that time and place." Ezra smiled remembering the convoluted tale Tony had spun. "I believed him, especially when he pointed out what dismal failures the rest of us were at getting them together."
"I never thought of Tony as a match maker." Pepper said before addressing Charlotte. "You really never made the connection?"
"I feel foolish to say that I didn't."
"You shouldn't," Ezra said. "It was a crazy time in our lives and time travel is not the most obvious explanation under the best of circumstances."
"Now that I think about it," Charlotte continued, "I remember that I once had a conversation with Howard, Tony's father, about his ancestors who'd gone west. From the story he told me, I just assumed that the Edward Stark we met was the same one he'd mentioned."
"Wait, Howard said he had an ancestor named Edward Stark who'd traveled to California?" Ezra did not like the conclusions his mind was drawing.
"You don't think…" Charlotte trailed off.
"That Tony never makes it back and somehow becomes his own descendant." Ezra finished. He shook his head. "No, that's impossible. I saw him leave in the suit."
"But that doesn't mean he makes it back to our time once he left," Rhodey said voicing the unwelcome scenario that they were all contemplating.
Pepper broke the silence. "Ezra, you have to finish the story now. I need to hear about Vin and Cecily."
Ezra sent her a grateful smile. They needed to enjoy the story and not think about Tony's continued absence. "Of course." Ezra settled back on the couch between Charlotte and Pepper and took up the story again. "After a night spent convincing me of the validity of time travel and a little strategic planning for the next day, we grabbed a few hours sleep."
*************************************************************
THE PAST
Ezra entered the stable and set about saddling his horse. The mindless activity was welcome after the tumultuous night he’d had.
Time travel. Ezra still had trouble wrapping his mind around the concept. Even after he’d held a full conversation with the disembodied voice that Stark called Jarvis, it was still hard to accept.
He had been very convincing. If Stark wasn’t a time traveler then he was the best con artist Ezra had ever come across and that included his mother.
“Ready, Ezra?” Tony greeted him with a slap on the back as he moved to saddle his own horse.
“As I shall ever be.”
“Why the long face? It’s a beautiful day. 'Operation Reunion' is a go and my time machine is finished. What could possibly go wrong?”
Ezra sighed. “I cannot believe you voiced that question aloud. I can think of several things that could go wrong with your outrageous plan.”
Tony chuckled. “Well, I suppose Vin could shoot me. Chris could shoot me. Charlotte might hate me and then shoot me, but other than that...” Tony shrugged. “I figure as long as you’ve got my back, and you don’t shoot me, it’s all going to work out perfectly.”
“Have you always been this annoyingly optimistic about your ideas?”
“Only when I’m right. Which is, now that I think about it, most of the time.” Tony finished tightening his saddle and smiled at Ezra. “So yes.”
“And we really are good friends in the future?”
“Admit it, you find me irresistible.”
Ezra chuckled in spite of himself. The man could be maddening, but ultimately in a charming sort of way. “I think that I will with hold off on my final assessment until after our plans come to fruition.”
Tony shrugged then clapped his hands together. “Ok! Now once Vin gets here, follow my lead about Cecily. And don’t forget, you find me annoying.”
“I don’t think that will be a difficult assignment.”
“Ezra!” Vin’s voice came from outside the stable. “You ready to go?”
“Showtime,” Tony said gleefully as he led his horse from the stable.
Ezra steeled himself for what he suspected might be one of the most uncomfortable horse rides he’d ever taken and followed Stark out of the barn.
*************************************************************
“Vin! This is going to be fun.” Tony clapped a friendly hand on the tracker’s shoulder. “A real chance for us to get to know each other.”
Vin glared at the hand resting on his should as if it were a dead animal. Tony raised his hands in surrender and backed away. “Sorry. My mistake.”
“Mount up,” Vin said as he climbed on his horse. Without waiting for them, he headed out of town.
Ezra shook his head. Vin had had his fair share of moody days, but his behavior toward Stark was a new level of grouchiness for the normally even-keeled tracker.
Tony and Ezra mounted their horses and quickly caught up to Vin. With Tony in the middle, they settled in for the ride. Ezra hoped that Stark would keep quiet for a little while, but that was not to be.
“Do you think I should have brought flowers?” Tony asked. “I didn’t notice a flower store in town.”
“That’s because there isn’t one,” Ezra informed him.
“Too bad. After all, I am a guest and I should show her I’m grateful for the invitation. I would have gotten violets.” Tony smiled at Ezra and then winked. “I have a feeling Mrs. Larabee would be fond of violets.”
Ezra stared at Stark. Charlotte had a strong sentimental attachment to the delicate purple flowers. More evidence, he supposed, that Stark knew his cousin very well. “You are correct, Mr. Stark, they happen to be her favorite.”
“Really, I never would have guessed.” Tony pivoted to look at Vin. “What about Cecily. What’s her favorite flower?”
Vin said nothing. He did not even acknowledge that Tony had spoken, which of course was all the motivation Tony needed to keep talking.
“I’m guessing you brought her wild flowers. You seem like that guy, but I don’t see Cecily as the wild flower kind of girl.” Tony chuckled. “Nope, I’m guessing the more exotic or expensive the flower, the more she’d like it.” He looked to his other side. “Am I right Ezra?”
Ezra shook his head. “I must disagree with your assessment of Cecily. My sister would appreciate any gift, regardless of its nature, if given with affection.”
He tried to catch Vin’s eye as he emphasized the truth of this sentiment, but Vin was staring straight ahead; the strain on his face the only sign that he was upset by the conversation.
“Ok, good to know,” Tony conceded. “Still after living in Europe, New Mexico is a real step down for someone of her sophistication. I’d love to show her New York City; the opera, the symphony, the art museums…”
Tony paused as he caught Ezra in his peripheral vision shaking his head. Tony leaned over to whisper, “Not yet?” Ezra nodded confirming the mistake. “Too bad.”
It was obvious to Ezra that Stark had never been to New York City in this time. New York might someday have all those things, but as far as he knew there wasn’t much to recommend the city now. Ezra wondered if New York might be a good place to find financial opportunity in the future.
“Or we could go to go to Paris.” Tony said more loudly, directing his comments once again toward Vin. “I think she’d enjoy traveling with me. I do know all the best places and we could have a really exciting time.”
Ezra was too stunned by the forwardness of Stark’s ramblings to react, but Vin didn't hesitate to take action. He grabbed Stark’s arm and reigned in their horses. “If you think you’re going to run away with her…”
“Hey!” Tony yanked his arm away. “You checked out of that relationship, so you don’t get to decide what she does.”
Ezra pushed himself between the two. “But I do! You are out of line, sir.”
“Damn straight. He ain’t going anywhere near Cecily. I’m happy to escort him back to town and beyond.”
“I don’t think so.” Tony smirked.
Vin reached around Ezra trying to get at Tony.
“Gentlemen, enough!” Ezra yelled as he pushed Vin back. Stark had gone too far in laying the ground work for their little plan. He was lucky Vin hadn’t tried to shoot him then and there. “Mr. Stark is invited to the ranch and I am not yet willing to override my cousin’s invitation
“Ezra, you can’t let this…this…miscreant anywhere near Cecily.”
“I’ll handle this, Vin. You ride ahead and wait for us. Mr. Stark and I need to have a little conversation about his attitude before we get to the ranch.”
Vin sent one last death glare toward Tony before taking off.
Ezra waited until Vin was out of earshot. “What in the world were you thinking?”
“Too much?”
Ezra threw his hands up. “Too much? Yes! Too much! I know you want to upset Vin enough so that he will defend Cecily's honor when the time comes, but goading him into a rage now won't accomplish anything. Don't you know anything about moderation?”
"Moderation?" Stark snickered. “Not a concept I really embrace.”
"Well try or I will let Vin take you back to town."
"Come on, Ez, I know what I'm doing."
"I'm starting to have my doubts."
"Will you just chill out?" Stark paused when Ezra sent him a quizzical look. "It means to relax, take it easy. I know you haven't figured out how to do that yet, but you will…in the future… with my help."
Ezra shook his head. “Are you sure we’re friends?”
“Stop asking me that. Why do you find the idea so hard to accept?”
“Because you’re an annoying ass.”
Tony shrugged. “Well, there is that.”
Title: Left Turn At Albuquerque (11/?)
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 11: Left Turn At Albuquerque
The Present
"You saw the suit? You knew about him becoming Ironman?" Charlotte had interrupted Ezra's story, clearly upset. "You let him go through that hell?"
"Whoa Cousin, I didn't know anything about Ironman or Afghanistan."
"But…"
Rhodey interrupted. "It doesn't matter, Charlotte. Even if Ezra had known, he had to let things unfold without prejudice in order for the future to remain intact."
Ezra took Charlotte's hand in his. "All Tony told me was that the thing I saw was his time machine. He never told me when or under what circumstances it was built. In fact, he spent most of that night trying to convince me he wasn't some sort of specter come to foretell my doom."
"You thought Tony was a ghost?" Charlotte smiled
"Not a ghost so much as a warning from my future. If you recall, I had just finished reading 'A Christmas Carol'. And let's not forget that business with the cursed necklace or our own immortal nature."
"I suppose a supernatural herald would make as much sense as time travel."
Rhodey chuckled. "Tony Stark as your very own Jacob Marley, come to set you on the straight and narrow." He emphasized his delight with the idea by adding his own spooky sound effects and laughing. "Guess, it didn't work."
Ezra glared at Rhodey before breaking into a cheeky grin. "No, not really. Though by the end of the night, I did come to believe he was a time traveler."
"But if he was so intent on preserving the time line, why admit anything?” Pepper asked.
"He was quite drunk when the first admission was made," Ezra reminded her. "And as you well know, Tony is terrible with secrets."
"I am Ironman," Rhodey intoned in his best imitation of Tony.
"Exactly! I think he'd wanted to tell me something all along. He certainly hadn't been very good and pretending he didn't know me."
"But why interfere with Vin and Cecily?" Pepper asked
"I think at the time, Tony was convinced that their reunion was exactly why his 'time machine' had brought him to that time and place." Ezra smiled remembering the convoluted tale Tony had spun. "I believed him, especially when he pointed out what dismal failures the rest of us were at getting them together."
"I never thought of Tony as a match maker." Pepper said before addressing Charlotte. "You really never made the connection?"
"I feel foolish to say that I didn't."
"You shouldn't," Ezra said. "It was a crazy time in our lives and time travel is not the most obvious explanation under the best of circumstances."
"Now that I think about it," Charlotte continued, "I remember that I once had a conversation with Howard, Tony's father, about his ancestors who'd gone west. From the story he told me, I just assumed that the Edward Stark we met was the same one he'd mentioned."
"Wait, Howard said he had an ancestor named Edward Stark who'd traveled to California?" Ezra did not like the conclusions his mind was drawing.
"You don't think…" Charlotte trailed off.
"That Tony never makes it back and somehow becomes his own descendant." Ezra finished. He shook his head. "No, that's impossible. I saw him leave in the suit."
"But that doesn't mean he makes it back to our time once he left," Rhodey said voicing the unwelcome scenario that they were all contemplating.
Pepper broke the silence. "Ezra, you have to finish the story now. I need to hear about Vin and Cecily."
Ezra sent her a grateful smile. They needed to enjoy the story and not think about Tony's continued absence. "Of course." Ezra settled back on the couch between Charlotte and Pepper and took up the story again. "After a night spent convincing me of the validity of time travel and a little strategic planning for the next day, we grabbed a few hours sleep."
*************************************************************
THE PAST
Ezra entered the stable and set about saddling his horse. The mindless activity was welcome after the tumultuous night he’d had.
Time travel. Ezra still had trouble wrapping his mind around the concept. Even after he’d held a full conversation with the disembodied voice that Stark called Jarvis, it was still hard to accept.
He had been very convincing. If Stark wasn’t a time traveler then he was the best con artist Ezra had ever come across and that included his mother.
“Ready, Ezra?” Tony greeted him with a slap on the back as he moved to saddle his own horse.
“As I shall ever be.”
“Why the long face? It’s a beautiful day. 'Operation Reunion' is a go and my time machine is finished. What could possibly go wrong?”
Ezra sighed. “I cannot believe you voiced that question aloud. I can think of several things that could go wrong with your outrageous plan.”
Tony chuckled. “Well, I suppose Vin could shoot me. Chris could shoot me. Charlotte might hate me and then shoot me, but other than that...” Tony shrugged. “I figure as long as you’ve got my back, and you don’t shoot me, it’s all going to work out perfectly.”
“Have you always been this annoyingly optimistic about your ideas?”
“Only when I’m right. Which is, now that I think about it, most of the time.” Tony finished tightening his saddle and smiled at Ezra. “So yes.”
“And we really are good friends in the future?”
“Admit it, you find me irresistible.”
Ezra chuckled in spite of himself. The man could be maddening, but ultimately in a charming sort of way. “I think that I will with hold off on my final assessment until after our plans come to fruition.”
Tony shrugged then clapped his hands together. “Ok! Now once Vin gets here, follow my lead about Cecily. And don’t forget, you find me annoying.”
“I don’t think that will be a difficult assignment.”
“Ezra!” Vin’s voice came from outside the stable. “You ready to go?”
“Showtime,” Tony said gleefully as he led his horse from the stable.
Ezra steeled himself for what he suspected might be one of the most uncomfortable horse rides he’d ever taken and followed Stark out of the barn.
*************************************************************
“Vin! This is going to be fun.” Tony clapped a friendly hand on the tracker’s shoulder. “A real chance for us to get to know each other.”
Vin glared at the hand resting on his should as if it were a dead animal. Tony raised his hands in surrender and backed away. “Sorry. My mistake.”
“Mount up,” Vin said as he climbed on his horse. Without waiting for them, he headed out of town.
Ezra shook his head. Vin had had his fair share of moody days, but his behavior toward Stark was a new level of grouchiness for the normally even-keeled tracker.
Tony and Ezra mounted their horses and quickly caught up to Vin. With Tony in the middle, they settled in for the ride. Ezra hoped that Stark would keep quiet for a little while, but that was not to be.
“Do you think I should have brought flowers?” Tony asked. “I didn’t notice a flower store in town.”
“That’s because there isn’t one,” Ezra informed him.
“Too bad. After all, I am a guest and I should show her I’m grateful for the invitation. I would have gotten violets.” Tony smiled at Ezra and then winked. “I have a feeling Mrs. Larabee would be fond of violets.”
Ezra stared at Stark. Charlotte had a strong sentimental attachment to the delicate purple flowers. More evidence, he supposed, that Stark knew his cousin very well. “You are correct, Mr. Stark, they happen to be her favorite.”
“Really, I never would have guessed.” Tony pivoted to look at Vin. “What about Cecily. What’s her favorite flower?”
Vin said nothing. He did not even acknowledge that Tony had spoken, which of course was all the motivation Tony needed to keep talking.
“I’m guessing you brought her wild flowers. You seem like that guy, but I don’t see Cecily as the wild flower kind of girl.” Tony chuckled. “Nope, I’m guessing the more exotic or expensive the flower, the more she’d like it.” He looked to his other side. “Am I right Ezra?”
Ezra shook his head. “I must disagree with your assessment of Cecily. My sister would appreciate any gift, regardless of its nature, if given with affection.”
He tried to catch Vin’s eye as he emphasized the truth of this sentiment, but Vin was staring straight ahead; the strain on his face the only sign that he was upset by the conversation.
“Ok, good to know,” Tony conceded. “Still after living in Europe, New Mexico is a real step down for someone of her sophistication. I’d love to show her New York City; the opera, the symphony, the art museums…”
Tony paused as he caught Ezra in his peripheral vision shaking his head. Tony leaned over to whisper, “Not yet?” Ezra nodded confirming the mistake. “Too bad.”
It was obvious to Ezra that Stark had never been to New York City in this time. New York might someday have all those things, but as far as he knew there wasn’t much to recommend the city now. Ezra wondered if New York might be a good place to find financial opportunity in the future.
“Or we could go to go to Paris.” Tony said more loudly, directing his comments once again toward Vin. “I think she’d enjoy traveling with me. I do know all the best places and we could have a really exciting time.”
Ezra was too stunned by the forwardness of Stark’s ramblings to react, but Vin didn't hesitate to take action. He grabbed Stark’s arm and reigned in their horses. “If you think you’re going to run away with her…”
“Hey!” Tony yanked his arm away. “You checked out of that relationship, so you don’t get to decide what she does.”
Ezra pushed himself between the two. “But I do! You are out of line, sir.”
“Damn straight. He ain’t going anywhere near Cecily. I’m happy to escort him back to town and beyond.”
“I don’t think so.” Tony smirked.
Vin reached around Ezra trying to get at Tony.
“Gentlemen, enough!” Ezra yelled as he pushed Vin back. Stark had gone too far in laying the ground work for their little plan. He was lucky Vin hadn’t tried to shoot him then and there. “Mr. Stark is invited to the ranch and I am not yet willing to override my cousin’s invitation
“Ezra, you can’t let this…this…miscreant anywhere near Cecily.”
“I’ll handle this, Vin. You ride ahead and wait for us. Mr. Stark and I need to have a little conversation about his attitude before we get to the ranch.”
Vin sent one last death glare toward Tony before taking off.
Ezra waited until Vin was out of earshot. “What in the world were you thinking?”
“Too much?”
Ezra threw his hands up. “Too much? Yes! Too much! I know you want to upset Vin enough so that he will defend Cecily's honor when the time comes, but goading him into a rage now won't accomplish anything. Don't you know anything about moderation?”
"Moderation?" Stark snickered. “Not a concept I really embrace.”
"Well try or I will let Vin take you back to town."
"Come on, Ez, I know what I'm doing."
"I'm starting to have my doubts."
"Will you just chill out?" Stark paused when Ezra sent him a quizzical look. "It means to relax, take it easy. I know you haven't figured out how to do that yet, but you will…in the future… with my help."
Ezra shook his head. “Are you sure we’re friends?”
“Stop asking me that. Why do you find the idea so hard to accept?”
“Because you’re an annoying ass.”
Tony shrugged. “Well, there is that.”