Best Laid Plans (10/11) - Mag 7/SPN/SV
This is the sequel to Ghost Town which should be read first.
Title: Best Laid Plans (10/11)
Author: strangevisitor7
Beta: Lyl_Devil and Pen37
Rated: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent 7, Smallville, Supernatural
Characters: Sam and Dean Winchester; Chloe Sullivan; The Seven: Chris Larabee, Buck Wilmington, Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Josiah Sanchez, JD Dunne; OMC - Mathew Tanner; Eventually - Sam/Chloe
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators. Mathew Tanner is mine
Chapter Summary: The Reunion you've been waiting for. The seven are complete again but are the Winchesters willing to just walk away and let the ghosts continue to exist.
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11: Epilogue
JD, Josiah, Vin, Chris, Buck, Nathan & Ezra
banner by scrollgirl
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 10
At the sound of the strange voice, Dean, Sam and Mathew rose to their feet to study the new arrival.
Mathew stared with disbelief at the figure dressed in a buckskin coat and wide brimmed hat; bandanna slung loose around his neck and a sawed off shotgun at his hip. He was struck by how young he looked; as if he’d just stepped out of the framed picture Mathew kept on his shelf.
“Looks like those symbols were protecting something else,” Sam said.
Chris still hadn’t moved or said anything. His mind was trying to register what he was seeing; what he was feeling.
“Best shut your mouth, Chris, ‘fore you start catching flies.”
Finally finding his voice, Chris whispered, “Vin?”
The figure laughed and nodded.
In one swift motion, Chris moved past the others to grasp Vin into a bear hug. “I can’t believe it,” he choked out; the emotion of the reunion spilling out of him.
Vin returned the embrace. “Believe it, Chris,” he said quietly.
The two held the embrace and then Chris stepped back, leaving his hands clutching at Vin’s shoulders. He studied the face before him as if waiting for the ruse to be over and his friend to disappear.
“Ain’t goin’ no where,” Vin said as if reading Chris’ mind.
Chris let out a joyous shout as he pulled Vin into another embrace. The two spirits were laughing and reveling in the reunion as they separated. “Damn, I’ve missed you,” Chris said as he squeezed the younger man on the shoulder, holding on as if still afraid Vin might disappear at any moment. “What the hell took you so long to get here? Thought you never got lost.”
Vin smiled. “Took the long way.” He looked past Chris to where Sam, Dean and Mathew stood watching the emotional moment.
The younger Tanner took a tentative step forward. “Vin Tanner. Wow, this is unbelievable,” he said. “That’s Sam and Dean Winchester,” he indicated the hunters before pointing to himself, “and I’m Mathew - Tanner.”
“I know you Matt. My descendant,” Van said as he studied the lawyer.
Mathew cocked his head as confusion crossed his face. “But how do you know me?”
“Can’t explain it. Just do, you’re one of mine. I feel the a connection,” Vin replied before leaning over to Chris. “Boy, looks a lot like me, don’t ya think?”
Chris nodded. “Spittin’ image. Was spooky the first time I noticed but I always knew it meant something.”
“I ‘spect so and I suppose I owe my release to you, Matt. Thank you,” he added sincerely.
“More to the Winchesters,” he said.
Vin tipped his hat in acknowledgment of what they’d done. “ ‘Preciate it fellas. I’m glad to be back.”
“Usually we send ghosts on not bring them back,” Sam said. “But it does explain Mathew’s dreams and my visions. You were trying to contact us; trying to tell us how to release you.”
The bounty hunter shrugged. “I can’t really say, but I’m here now.” Vin wasn’t much for introspection.
“Does this mean he wasn’t in hell after all?” Mathew asked.
Vin chuckled. “Think I’d remember that.”
“I doubt he was. Because Vin’s appearance coincided with the destruction of the box that he carved, probably means that he never crossed over in the first place,” Sam explained.
He turned to Dean for his input but his brother was intent on studying Chris. “What are you thinking?” Sam asked.
“I’m thinking that maybe we don’t have to worry about Larabee going vengeful anymore,” Dean said as he observed that the once dark spirit was practically glowing with happiness.
Chris let out another laugh. “I’ve never felt better.”
“So it seems,” Mathew observed.
“Sam, Dean, I just want to say - ” Chris hesitated not knowing how to express the profound gratitude he felt for the return of their seventh man.
Dean waved off the sentimental moment. “Hey we get it,” he said. “But more importantly, I get to finish that poker game with Ezra. I need to show him that I’m the better player.”
“Where is everyone else?” Vin asked looking around. “Sure would like to see ‘em.”
Chris got a mischievous gleam in his eye. “Wait here,” he said as he blinked out.
Mathew looked at his companions who were similarly bemused by Chris’ demeanor. “This new Chris is going to take some getting used to.” The Winchesters nodded their agreement.
*******************************
“I’ve read a little about you adventures in some of the historical records,” Chloe said as they settled around one of the saloon’s tables. “I got the impression that you really didn’t know each other before Judge Travis hired you to protect the town.”
“Best to start with the story about the Indian village,” Nathan suggested. “That was the first time all of us rode together, though Josiah and I had known each other for a while."
“And I’d been friends with Chris for years,” Buck added.
“But the rest of you?”
“We just kind of found each other. There were these Confederate soldiers. Well, the war was over but they sure didn’t act like it.” JD explained, growing more animated as he got into the role of storyteller. “They were threatening to kill everyone in the village if they didn’t give them gold but there was none. ’Cept their leader he didn’t believe it and...”
“Hold up,” Chloe said raising a hand to stop JD’s rambling. “Why don’t you start at the beginning; how you actually met.” She took out her notebook, ready to capture all the details.
Buck took over the narratve and Chloe sat fascinated by the tale of the adventure that had forged them into a team. She wasn’t sure how she was going to turn their stories into an article but she was glad she would have the opportunity to preserve this history.
“What about the gold? Was there a mine after all?’ She asked as the story ended with the safety of the village assured.
“Sadly no,” Ezra replied. “It had long since caved in when I found it.”
“I knew it,” Nathan said. “You did go off looking for it.”
“Now Nathan, I don’t think this is the time to bother Chloe with that aspect of the story.”
The healer laughed. “I guess not but I always wondered.”
Chloe watched the easy camaraderie between the men; they had so many stories to tell. Somehow she was going to have to convince the Winchesters that she needed more time.
“But you all chose to stay in Four Corners after that?”
“Judge Travis made us an offer we couldn’t refuse,” Ezra said.
“You mean you couldn’t refuse,” Buck laughed and explained. “Ezra got himself a pardon from some charges pending up north. The rest of us really had nothing better to do.”
“I assure you it was a simple misunderstanding that we need not share,” the gambler insisted.
Chloe laughed. “It seems to me, Ezra, that there are many things you don’t want to share.”
Ezra was about to respond when the bat wing doors flung open and Chris strode in. Buck sprang immediately to his feet and placed himself between their leader and Chloe.
If Chris was here to make trouble, Chloe knew that there was no way she’d be able to stop the brothers from completing their ritual. She hoped Buck could convince their leader to make himself scarce.
“Now Chris, I won’t let you near Chloe,” he said, holding his arms wide ready to push the other man back if he charged. Josiah and Nathan stood to flank Buck while JD and Ezra position themselves on either side of the reporter. “It ain’t her fault that Dean found out.”
“I promise I’m not here to hurt Chloe,” Chris paused, a small smile played across his face as he thought of their reaction to Vin’s resurrection.
“You feeling okay, Chris?” Josiah asked as he studied their leader.
“Been asked that a lot today. I never felt better,” Chris laughed, enjoying the confusion on his companion’s faces. They’d been waiting over a hundred years for this reunion and he wanted to savor the moment of revelation. “Ya’ll need to all come outside right now.”
“We’re not finished,” JD protested. “Chloe had lots of questions and we ain’t ready to go.”
“It’s okay, JD. I promise I’m about to make you all very happy. Just come outside.” When none of the ghosts moved, he finally grabbed Buck by the arm and thrust him through the doors of the saloon.
Buck stumbled down the two wooden steps to the street, “Damn it Chris, -” Buck stopped as he came face to face with Vin.
“Howdy, pard,” Vin quipped as he enjoyed the stunned look on the big man’s face.
Without hesitation Buck let out a whoop of joy and grabbed Vin into spinning bear hug. At the sound of Buck’s laughter the others spilled out of the saloon.
“It’s Vin!” JD exclaimed and rushed forward pushing Buck aside to have his chance to hug their lost companion.
“Hey JD,” he huffed as the younger man impacted him. Vin untangled himself and was immediately embraced by Josiah.
“The Lord has answered my prayers,” the preacher said before stepping aside for Nathan.
“We’ve missed you. Where have you been?” The healer asked as he took his turn.
“Couldn’t say.” Vin shrugged. “Seems like I’ve been waiting a long time ‘sall I know.”
“Mr. Tanner your timing is impeccable. You have snatched victory from the jaws of death,” Ezra said.
“Good to see you too, Ez,” he laughed as he stepped forward to embrace the gambler.
Ezra broke the brief clinch and stood smiling at his friend. Vin smiled back and then with a mischievous gleam in his eye, reached past Ezra to snatch the bowler off JD’s head.
“You still wearing this stupid hat?” Vin chuckled and then tossed it to Buck as JD reached for it.
“Very funny, give it back.”
“I tried to tell him a real man don’t wear such a prissy hat but you know JD,” Buck said he pitched the hat to land in Chris’ hands. It was soon a full-fledged game of keep away with JD the good natured man in the middle.
Chloe walked over to join the Mathew, Sam and Dean. “How did this happen?” She asked the Winchesters.
“We’re still trying to figure that out,” Sam admitted but told her of their destruction of the wooden box.
“I’m guessing that whatever ritual Vin did to try and join the six upon his death backfired. Once the items in the box were destroyed, something changed that allowed him to reach through to me and Mathew,” Sam speculated.
“So he was trapped in the box?” Mathew asked.
“Looks that way,” Dean said.
“If he wanted me to destroy the box, why didn’t he just say so,” Mathew groused. “His cryptic messages were driving me crazy and I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in a week.
Sam chuckled. “Welcome to my world. Visions never tell you what you really need to know. But afterward their interpretation seems so obvious.”
“Guess that’s true because Vin got what he wanted in the end,” Mathew said. He smiled as he watched his ancestor reconnect with the men who’d meant so much to him that he had risked damnation for them.
“What about the pouch?” Chloe asked.
Sam pulled the article from his pocket and handed it to Mathew.
“Protect that,” he said. “If they ever do become dangerous, you will have to burn it. That is the real anchor that’s keeping them here.”
“You sure this time?” Mathew chuckled as he tucked the pouch into his jacket.
Smiling Sam, shook his head. “I suppose not but it’s all that’s left, short of burning down the town.”
“Does this mean you’re not going to try to send them on?”
“No reason to now,” Dean said as he watched Chris laughing with the rest. “I don’t think Larabee’s a danger any more.”
“I’m very relieved to hear that,” Mathew said.
In silence, the four continued to watch the happy reunion. JD had finally retrieved his hat and the seven were laughing and talking over one another in their joy at being together again.
Ezra broke from the circle at the prodding of the other six and walked over to the mortals. “Thank you all,” he said. “We are quite grateful for everything you’ve done that has returned Vin to us, but we are curious as to what your next move will be.”
“I’m thinking poker,” Dean grinned.
**********************
Title: Best Laid Plans (10/11)
Author: strangevisitor7
Beta: Lyl_Devil and Pen37
Rated: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent 7, Smallville, Supernatural
Characters: Sam and Dean Winchester; Chloe Sullivan; The Seven: Chris Larabee, Buck Wilmington, Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Josiah Sanchez, JD Dunne; OMC - Mathew Tanner; Eventually - Sam/Chloe
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators. Mathew Tanner is mine
Chapter Summary: The Reunion you've been waiting for. The seven are complete again but are the Winchesters willing to just walk away and let the ghosts continue to exist.
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11: Epilogue
JD, Josiah, Vin, Chris, Buck, Nathan & Ezra
banner by scrollgirl
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 10
At the sound of the strange voice, Dean, Sam and Mathew rose to their feet to study the new arrival.
Mathew stared with disbelief at the figure dressed in a buckskin coat and wide brimmed hat; bandanna slung loose around his neck and a sawed off shotgun at his hip. He was struck by how young he looked; as if he’d just stepped out of the framed picture Mathew kept on his shelf.
“Looks like those symbols were protecting something else,” Sam said.
Chris still hadn’t moved or said anything. His mind was trying to register what he was seeing; what he was feeling.
“Best shut your mouth, Chris, ‘fore you start catching flies.”
Finally finding his voice, Chris whispered, “Vin?”
The figure laughed and nodded.
In one swift motion, Chris moved past the others to grasp Vin into a bear hug. “I can’t believe it,” he choked out; the emotion of the reunion spilling out of him.
Vin returned the embrace. “Believe it, Chris,” he said quietly.
The two held the embrace and then Chris stepped back, leaving his hands clutching at Vin’s shoulders. He studied the face before him as if waiting for the ruse to be over and his friend to disappear.
“Ain’t goin’ no where,” Vin said as if reading Chris’ mind.
Chris let out a joyous shout as he pulled Vin into another embrace. The two spirits were laughing and reveling in the reunion as they separated. “Damn, I’ve missed you,” Chris said as he squeezed the younger man on the shoulder, holding on as if still afraid Vin might disappear at any moment. “What the hell took you so long to get here? Thought you never got lost.”
Vin smiled. “Took the long way.” He looked past Chris to where Sam, Dean and Mathew stood watching the emotional moment.
The younger Tanner took a tentative step forward. “Vin Tanner. Wow, this is unbelievable,” he said. “That’s Sam and Dean Winchester,” he indicated the hunters before pointing to himself, “and I’m Mathew - Tanner.”
“I know you Matt. My descendant,” Van said as he studied the lawyer.
Mathew cocked his head as confusion crossed his face. “But how do you know me?”
“Can’t explain it. Just do, you’re one of mine. I feel the a connection,” Vin replied before leaning over to Chris. “Boy, looks a lot like me, don’t ya think?”
Chris nodded. “Spittin’ image. Was spooky the first time I noticed but I always knew it meant something.”
“I ‘spect so and I suppose I owe my release to you, Matt. Thank you,” he added sincerely.
“More to the Winchesters,” he said.
Vin tipped his hat in acknowledgment of what they’d done. “ ‘Preciate it fellas. I’m glad to be back.”
“Usually we send ghosts on not bring them back,” Sam said. “But it does explain Mathew’s dreams and my visions. You were trying to contact us; trying to tell us how to release you.”
The bounty hunter shrugged. “I can’t really say, but I’m here now.” Vin wasn’t much for introspection.
“Does this mean he wasn’t in hell after all?” Mathew asked.
Vin chuckled. “Think I’d remember that.”
“I doubt he was. Because Vin’s appearance coincided with the destruction of the box that he carved, probably means that he never crossed over in the first place,” Sam explained.
He turned to Dean for his input but his brother was intent on studying Chris. “What are you thinking?” Sam asked.
“I’m thinking that maybe we don’t have to worry about Larabee going vengeful anymore,” Dean said as he observed that the once dark spirit was practically glowing with happiness.
Chris let out another laugh. “I’ve never felt better.”
“So it seems,” Mathew observed.
“Sam, Dean, I just want to say - ” Chris hesitated not knowing how to express the profound gratitude he felt for the return of their seventh man.
Dean waved off the sentimental moment. “Hey we get it,” he said. “But more importantly, I get to finish that poker game with Ezra. I need to show him that I’m the better player.”
“Where is everyone else?” Vin asked looking around. “Sure would like to see ‘em.”
Chris got a mischievous gleam in his eye. “Wait here,” he said as he blinked out.
Mathew looked at his companions who were similarly bemused by Chris’ demeanor. “This new Chris is going to take some getting used to.” The Winchesters nodded their agreement.
*******************************
“I’ve read a little about you adventures in some of the historical records,” Chloe said as they settled around one of the saloon’s tables. “I got the impression that you really didn’t know each other before Judge Travis hired you to protect the town.”
“Best to start with the story about the Indian village,” Nathan suggested. “That was the first time all of us rode together, though Josiah and I had known each other for a while."
“And I’d been friends with Chris for years,” Buck added.
“But the rest of you?”
“We just kind of found each other. There were these Confederate soldiers. Well, the war was over but they sure didn’t act like it.” JD explained, growing more animated as he got into the role of storyteller. “They were threatening to kill everyone in the village if they didn’t give them gold but there was none. ’Cept their leader he didn’t believe it and...”
“Hold up,” Chloe said raising a hand to stop JD’s rambling. “Why don’t you start at the beginning; how you actually met.” She took out her notebook, ready to capture all the details.
Buck took over the narratve and Chloe sat fascinated by the tale of the adventure that had forged them into a team. She wasn’t sure how she was going to turn their stories into an article but she was glad she would have the opportunity to preserve this history.
“What about the gold? Was there a mine after all?’ She asked as the story ended with the safety of the village assured.
“Sadly no,” Ezra replied. “It had long since caved in when I found it.”
“I knew it,” Nathan said. “You did go off looking for it.”
“Now Nathan, I don’t think this is the time to bother Chloe with that aspect of the story.”
The healer laughed. “I guess not but I always wondered.”
Chloe watched the easy camaraderie between the men; they had so many stories to tell. Somehow she was going to have to convince the Winchesters that she needed more time.
“But you all chose to stay in Four Corners after that?”
“Judge Travis made us an offer we couldn’t refuse,” Ezra said.
“You mean you couldn’t refuse,” Buck laughed and explained. “Ezra got himself a pardon from some charges pending up north. The rest of us really had nothing better to do.”
“I assure you it was a simple misunderstanding that we need not share,” the gambler insisted.
Chloe laughed. “It seems to me, Ezra, that there are many things you don’t want to share.”
Ezra was about to respond when the bat wing doors flung open and Chris strode in. Buck sprang immediately to his feet and placed himself between their leader and Chloe.
If Chris was here to make trouble, Chloe knew that there was no way she’d be able to stop the brothers from completing their ritual. She hoped Buck could convince their leader to make himself scarce.
“Now Chris, I won’t let you near Chloe,” he said, holding his arms wide ready to push the other man back if he charged. Josiah and Nathan stood to flank Buck while JD and Ezra position themselves on either side of the reporter. “It ain’t her fault that Dean found out.”
“I promise I’m not here to hurt Chloe,” Chris paused, a small smile played across his face as he thought of their reaction to Vin’s resurrection.
“You feeling okay, Chris?” Josiah asked as he studied their leader.
“Been asked that a lot today. I never felt better,” Chris laughed, enjoying the confusion on his companion’s faces. They’d been waiting over a hundred years for this reunion and he wanted to savor the moment of revelation. “Ya’ll need to all come outside right now.”
“We’re not finished,” JD protested. “Chloe had lots of questions and we ain’t ready to go.”
“It’s okay, JD. I promise I’m about to make you all very happy. Just come outside.” When none of the ghosts moved, he finally grabbed Buck by the arm and thrust him through the doors of the saloon.
Buck stumbled down the two wooden steps to the street, “Damn it Chris, -” Buck stopped as he came face to face with Vin.
“Howdy, pard,” Vin quipped as he enjoyed the stunned look on the big man’s face.
Without hesitation Buck let out a whoop of joy and grabbed Vin into spinning bear hug. At the sound of Buck’s laughter the others spilled out of the saloon.
“It’s Vin!” JD exclaimed and rushed forward pushing Buck aside to have his chance to hug their lost companion.
“Hey JD,” he huffed as the younger man impacted him. Vin untangled himself and was immediately embraced by Josiah.
“The Lord has answered my prayers,” the preacher said before stepping aside for Nathan.
“We’ve missed you. Where have you been?” The healer asked as he took his turn.
“Couldn’t say.” Vin shrugged. “Seems like I’ve been waiting a long time ‘sall I know.”
“Mr. Tanner your timing is impeccable. You have snatched victory from the jaws of death,” Ezra said.
“Good to see you too, Ez,” he laughed as he stepped forward to embrace the gambler.
Ezra broke the brief clinch and stood smiling at his friend. Vin smiled back and then with a mischievous gleam in his eye, reached past Ezra to snatch the bowler off JD’s head.
“You still wearing this stupid hat?” Vin chuckled and then tossed it to Buck as JD reached for it.
“Very funny, give it back.”
“I tried to tell him a real man don’t wear such a prissy hat but you know JD,” Buck said he pitched the hat to land in Chris’ hands. It was soon a full-fledged game of keep away with JD the good natured man in the middle.
Chloe walked over to join the Mathew, Sam and Dean. “How did this happen?” She asked the Winchesters.
“We’re still trying to figure that out,” Sam admitted but told her of their destruction of the wooden box.
“I’m guessing that whatever ritual Vin did to try and join the six upon his death backfired. Once the items in the box were destroyed, something changed that allowed him to reach through to me and Mathew,” Sam speculated.
“So he was trapped in the box?” Mathew asked.
“Looks that way,” Dean said.
“If he wanted me to destroy the box, why didn’t he just say so,” Mathew groused. “His cryptic messages were driving me crazy and I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in a week.
Sam chuckled. “Welcome to my world. Visions never tell you what you really need to know. But afterward their interpretation seems so obvious.”
“Guess that’s true because Vin got what he wanted in the end,” Mathew said. He smiled as he watched his ancestor reconnect with the men who’d meant so much to him that he had risked damnation for them.
“What about the pouch?” Chloe asked.
Sam pulled the article from his pocket and handed it to Mathew.
“Protect that,” he said. “If they ever do become dangerous, you will have to burn it. That is the real anchor that’s keeping them here.”
“You sure this time?” Mathew chuckled as he tucked the pouch into his jacket.
Smiling Sam, shook his head. “I suppose not but it’s all that’s left, short of burning down the town.”
“Does this mean you’re not going to try to send them on?”
“No reason to now,” Dean said as he watched Chris laughing with the rest. “I don’t think Larabee’s a danger any more.”
“I’m very relieved to hear that,” Mathew said.
In silence, the four continued to watch the happy reunion. JD had finally retrieved his hat and the seven were laughing and talking over one another in their joy at being together again.
Ezra broke from the circle at the prodding of the other six and walked over to the mortals. “Thank you all,” he said. “We are quite grateful for everything you’ve done that has returned Vin to us, but we are curious as to what your next move will be.”
“I’m thinking poker,” Dean grinned.
**********************