Best Laid Plans (6/11) - Mag 7/SPN/SV
This is the sequel to Ghost Town which should be read first.
Title: Best Laid Plans (6/11)
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 Winchesters return. Sam helps Chloe and Mathew with the legal issues while Dean heads to Four Corners to search for the reason behind Sam's visions
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
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JD, Josiah, Vin, Chris, Buck, Nathan & Ezra
banner by scrollgirl
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 6
Mathew arrived at his office to see Chloe already in the conference room. He felt drained from the night’s excursion. The conversation with Josiah weighed heavily on his mind and he was still no closer to finding out why he was having nightmares about Vin. He did not agree with Josiah’s pronouncement that his ancestor was in hell. That was something he wouldn’t allow himself to believe.
He stopped to greet Annie and noticed the full coffee pot. “Bless you,” he said as he grabbed a cup.
“Self preservation,” Annie laughed.
“Funny,” Mathew quipped. It was well known that he seemed incapable of making a decent pot of coffee. At least that was the prevailing opinion of the office but he never tasted anything wrong with it.
“Travis in?” he asked.
“He’s in court on the Hanover case,” she replied studying him. Mathew knew he had dark circles under his eyes but she seemed to sense he wasn’t in the mood to talk about it. He also knew that if he didn’t get some rest soon he’d be of no use to anyone. For the present, large amounts of caffeine seemed to be his best option until he figured out how to get a good’s night sleep.
“Good.” Mathew wanted to be able to talk freely with Chloe and didn’t want his associate interrupting. He’d been so wrapped up in the Four Corners lawsuit that he’d almost forgotten that they had other clients besides The Historical Society.
“How is our intrepid reporter this morning?” Mathew asked as he entered the conference room trying to portray a cheerfulness he did not feel.
Chloe had made herself at home. Her laptop was fired up and her files were spread out on the table, including the blueprint that she’d shown him yesterday.
She raised her coffee in salute. “Better now.”
He returned the gesture and settled into a chair opposite Chloe with an audible sigh.
“You look like hell. Didn’t you get any sleep?”
“Gee thanks, and no not really.”
“Well let me show you what I’ve found and maybe we can get rid of some of that stress.”
As much as he wanted to see what she’d uncovered, he really needed to talk about the nightmares and what Josiah had told him. Chloe had shared some of her more colorful meteor freak adventures on the ride home last night and he thought maybe dream interpretation might be one of her skills. She seemed to be good at just about everything and accepting of even the most outlandish logic if it made sense to her.
“Chloe before we get started, I wanted to talk to you about something. Maybe you can help me understand.”
“Sure I’ll try. What is it you don’t understand?”
“You already know what happened with the Winchesters,” and when she nodded he continued, “After they left, I started having these nightmares.” He went on to describe them in detail and didn’t hesitate to share what Josiah told him about Vin’s death hoping she might see a correlation.
Chloe listened intently and without interruption; often nodding sympathetically as Mathew imparted his story. “I’m not one for dreams as messages but considering what has happened over the past week, there might be some connection,” She offered as he finished sharing.
“But what? And do you really think Vin is - you know.” He couldn’t bring himself to voice the possibility of that horrible fate.
“Raised Catholic so I know what I’m supposed to believe," she said sympathetically but failed to elaborate. "As for the rest,” Chloe shrugged. “If it’s not based on meteor rocks, I’m afraid it’s a bit out of my realm of expertise. I hate to say it but I bet your Winchester friends would know,” she suggested and when he frowned she continued, “I know you can’t ask them because of the whole ‘ghosts being gone charade’.”
Mathew chuckled ruefully at the irony. The people best able to find a possible connection between his nightmares and the situation at Four Corners were the only ones he couldn’t ask. “You know what. Forget it. Let’s look at what you’ve found. Maybe I’m making too much of it and Vin simply represents my subconscious worry that we won’t be able to prove Saunders claims are false in time for court next week.”
“That’s a good explanation too.”
*********************
For the past hour Chloe had been walking Mathew through her research and he was very impressed. “This is just brilliant.”
“Thanks. But there are still some holes. I haven’t had a chance to finish my investigation into the Tanners to solidify their claim on the land.”
“I noticed that but then you only found out the Tanner part of the equation yesterday.”
“True but there’s more work to do,” she said as she stationed herself in front of her lap top. “Land records form the turn of the century aren’t always where you’d expect to find them.”
“Then maybe I can help.”
At the new voice, Chloe looked up from her computer to see a tall, shaggy haired man standing in the doorway.
Mathew jumped to his feet. “Sam! I wasn’t sure if you guys were really coming.”
“Are you kidding? Dean wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to actually get paid,” he laughed. “Plus -,” Sam pointed over his shoulder toward the lobby.
Chloe looked past where the men were standing to see a stocky man with short hair, leaning on Annie’s desk. Dean Winchester she surmised. He appeared more interested in chatting up the receptionist than joining their meeting.
“Is Dean still pretending to be Agent Raimi?” Mathew asked. Chloe snickered as she recalled the story Mathew had shared about how the Winchesters had tried to pass themselves off as government agents.
Sam shrugged. “I try not to think too hard about what my brother tells women.”
Looking at Sam, who was clad in jeans, a blue stripped shirt and a worn tan jacket, she found it hard to envision him successfully convincing anyone he was a government agent. Plus he was too cute to work for the government. Chloe stilled mentally. She did not just say that. Focus Sullivan she thought.
Chloe stood and cleared her throat, turning the men’s attention to her.
“Oh sorry. Sam Winchester, this is Chloe Sullivan. She’s with The Daily Planet and an old friend who agreed to help with our research.”
Mathew and Chloe had decided that since she wanted to talk to the brothers about their ghost hunting adventures, being an old friend would explain the reason she knew all about what had happened last week in Four Corners.
Sam shook the petite blonde’s hand. “Wow it’s nice to meet you. I’ve read some of your stuff about Smallville, Kansas.”
“I guess our little town would be very interesting to a professional ghost hunter,” Chloe said, enjoying the double take Sam threw at Mathew.
“I hope you don’t mind that I told her,” Mathew explained. “It kind of came up when she wanted to go say hi to the ghosts.”
“Oh,” Sam said sheepishly. “Guess you’re kind of mad about that then.”
“Mathew explained and I think ultimately it went down the only way it could,” she replied sending him one of her blinding smiles and taking pleasure in the fact that the double meaning of her words was lost on Sam.
Sam smiled back. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Even though he was smiling Chloe sensed hesitancy in his voice. She studied him trying to figure out why and then looked away when she realized she was staring.
“So, why don’t we take a look at what Sam’s found?” Mathew said and turned to call into the lobby. “Hey Dean you gonna join us?”
The older Winchester threw an annoyed look at Mathew before bidding farewell to Annie.
Chloe had taken the seat next to Sam and they exchanged folders. As she looked at the work he’d compiled she was very impressed.
Dean entered the conference room. “You already got Sam. You don’t need me. Who’s the chick?” He asked Mathew when he spotted Chloe.
“This chick is Chloe Sullivan, a reporter for the Daily planet and she doesn’t appreciate being called a chick,” Chloe snapped.
“Whoa sweetheart. Unbunch your panties,” Dean smirked. Chloe felt her anger building. She glared at Dean who seemed to find her discomfort humorous
Sam must have recognized the brewing storm. “Dean knock it off,” he commanded.
“Fine,” Dean said as he plopped down into one of the chairs like a petulant child.
Chloe couldn’t believe that this Neanderthal was related to Sam. They seemed so different. Ignoring the five year old in the room as he rearranged a small pile of paper clips, Chloe returned her attention to the material that Sam had collected.
Soon they were comparing the different ways they’d used to hack the information. “I hadn’t thought to look at it that way,” she said.
“Well it is relatively illegal,” Sam admitted and they shared a conspiratorial grin.
“Ok that’s it for me,” Dean said after half an hour and stood. “Mathew, take care of the geek squad. I’ll be back to pick Sam up for dinner; that is if you can tear him away from his new girlfriend.”
Dean left, ignoring the glare Sam threw at him on his way out and with a wave to Annie, he was gone.
“Wow, you two are so different. It’s hard to believe you're brothers.” Chloe said.
“Sometimes I wonder if I wasn’t switched at birth,” Sam laughed.
“Definitely a plausible theory.”
*****************************************
Dean allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. He could tell that Sam found that blonde chick - what was her name? Chloe -- attractive. Guy blushed up a storm; it was almost embarrassing.
The plan was for Dean to leave anyway. He was headed out to Four Corners to check on their handiwork and see if there was anything out there that might explain Sam’s visions.
Dean wondered if it wasn’t just guilt. Most ghosts would rather kill you than talk to you. But the six were nicer than some living people he’d met and all they wanted to do was swap stories and play poker.
Dean entered the saloon, gun held loosely in his left hand and EMF meter in his right. He was looking for anything else supernatural that they might have missed.
“I knew she couldn’t be trusted. I knew you’d be back,” a voice behind him growled.
The elder Winchester swung around to see Chris Larabee standing in the doorway and he didn’t look happy.
“Son of a bitch. I had a feeling it didn’t work.” Dean said. Ever since Sam had mentioned his visions, he wondered if it wasn’t a sign that they’d failed but he hadn’t wanted to voice it until he was sure.
Chris didn’t say anything. Just stood there, dark eyes filled with fury pinning Dean in place.
“Ooookaay,” Dean said unsure of what Chris was waiting for. He glanced around looking for the others. Ignoring Chris, he called out “Hey Ezra, show yourself, I know -”
Dean was flung backwards to the ground as Chris threw himself at the hunter. His shotgun skittered across the ground out of reach. Looking up Dean only had a moment to register what had happened before Chris’ fist connected with his chin.
“Knew she couldn’t be trusted. I knew you’d be back,” Chris repeated, while continuing to pummel Dean.
Dean’s vision swam as he tried to role away from Chris’ assault. Larabee was straddling his chest. He threw his arms up trying to block the blows but they passed through his hands to continue to land on his body and face. “Guys!” Dean shouted to the others he hoped were lurking out of sight. “Help! Ezra, Bu - ”
Dean’s cries were cut off as Chris’s hands encircled the hunter’s throat. “You have to die,” he growled as he tightened his choke hold.
Clawing at the ghost’s hands without success, Dean felt himself losing consciousness. “You have to die. It’s the only way to be sure,” the ghost repeated.
Dean’s eyes rolled back into his head as the darkness began to over take him, and then suddenly he could breath again as the weight was lifted from his chest.
He lay there, coughing as he filled his oxygen starved lungs.
“Dean. Dean! Answer me.”
He opened his eyes to find Nathan bent over him concern etched on his features.
Like a shot Dean was scrambling backward until he bumped against the bar. He sat on the floor leaning against the wooden structure. “Stay away,” he croaked out, hand reaching up to massage his injured throat.
Nathan was on his knees in front of him. “I’m not gonna hurt you,” the healer said; his hands held out in supplication. “I just want to make sure you’re not hurt.”
“I’m fine,” Dean lied and looked past Nathan to see Buck and Josiah wrestling with Chris. JD stood in front blocking their leader’s path back to Dean.
“I do hope that you are uninjured, Mr. Winchester.”
Dean glanced to his right to find Ezra seated on the floor next to him, leaning against the bar in identical repose.
“Took you long enough,” Dean snapped.
Ezra nodded. “I am sorry. It had not occurred to us that Mr. Larabee would so foolishly reveal our ruse and thus our response was delayed.”
“You played us, Ezra. Not happy about that.”
The gambler remained reticent refusing to justify what they'd done.
“Dean, are you sure you’re alright?” Nathan asked as his moved to mirror Ezra’s pose on Dean’s left. “Chris left some nasty bruises on your face.”
“Yeah. Just peachy,” he said as he wiped some blood from his split lip. In truth his head was aching and he was still seeing stars. He decided sitting was the most prudent course of action. The three sat silently as they watch the others struggle with the man in black.
“Damn it, Chris!” Buck snapped as he jerked his friend to face him. “What in hell were you thinking?”
“That girl betrayed us. When you gonna stop thinking with you downstairs brain?” Chris shouted.
“That ain’t true. Chloe wouldn’t have said nothing. She promised,” Buck insisted.
Dean recognized the blonde reporter’s name, but said nothing. He wondered who else knew they’d been punked.
“You’re a fool Buck. We won’t be safe until he’s dead,” Chris yelled and pointed at the hunter.
“Thou shalt not kill,” Josiah intoned as he kept a meaty hand on their leader’s shoulder, restraining him. “Think about what you’re saying Chris. You’re threatening an innocent.”
“Not gonna let you hurt him Chris. You’ll go through me first,” Buck said.
“Why are you against me on this? You know I’m right!”
“No Chris,” Buck said trying to calm his friend. “You’re the one who messed up our plan. You’re the one who’s put us all at risk.”
Chris glared at the mustachioed man but Buck didn’t back down.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions. But you are wrong in this case,” Josiah said; holding his own against the maniacal glare as it shifted to him.
Finding him self surrounded, Chris deflated, the anger running away from him as he lowered himself into a chair.
Buck took the opportunity to send Dean a look that held a wealth of sincere apology. Dean nodded finding he couldn’t be too angry with the big man; not with the way he’d defended him to Chris.
As the realization of his stupidity weighed down on him, Chris sagged in the chair. Removing his hat, he ran a hand through his hair as if trying to dispel the madness. His gaze settled on the hunter. There was still crazy in those eyes as far a Dean was concerned.
Feeling a little recovered, Dean struggled to his feet. Nathan did his best to assist him. Nodding his thanks, the hunter went to retrieve the shot gun. Dean turned, cocked it and without preamble blew Chris away.
“Now let’s talk before crazy boy returns,” he said.
Title: Best Laid Plans (6/11)
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 Winchesters return. Sam helps Chloe and Mathew with the legal issues while Dean heads to Four Corners to search for the reason behind Sam's visions
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 6
Mathew arrived at his office to see Chloe already in the conference room. He felt drained from the night’s excursion. The conversation with Josiah weighed heavily on his mind and he was still no closer to finding out why he was having nightmares about Vin. He did not agree with Josiah’s pronouncement that his ancestor was in hell. That was something he wouldn’t allow himself to believe.
He stopped to greet Annie and noticed the full coffee pot. “Bless you,” he said as he grabbed a cup.
“Self preservation,” Annie laughed.
“Funny,” Mathew quipped. It was well known that he seemed incapable of making a decent pot of coffee. At least that was the prevailing opinion of the office but he never tasted anything wrong with it.
“Travis in?” he asked.
“He’s in court on the Hanover case,” she replied studying him. Mathew knew he had dark circles under his eyes but she seemed to sense he wasn’t in the mood to talk about it. He also knew that if he didn’t get some rest soon he’d be of no use to anyone. For the present, large amounts of caffeine seemed to be his best option until he figured out how to get a good’s night sleep.
“Good.” Mathew wanted to be able to talk freely with Chloe and didn’t want his associate interrupting. He’d been so wrapped up in the Four Corners lawsuit that he’d almost forgotten that they had other clients besides The Historical Society.
“How is our intrepid reporter this morning?” Mathew asked as he entered the conference room trying to portray a cheerfulness he did not feel.
Chloe had made herself at home. Her laptop was fired up and her files were spread out on the table, including the blueprint that she’d shown him yesterday.
She raised her coffee in salute. “Better now.”
He returned the gesture and settled into a chair opposite Chloe with an audible sigh.
“You look like hell. Didn’t you get any sleep?”
“Gee thanks, and no not really.”
“Well let me show you what I’ve found and maybe we can get rid of some of that stress.”
As much as he wanted to see what she’d uncovered, he really needed to talk about the nightmares and what Josiah had told him. Chloe had shared some of her more colorful meteor freak adventures on the ride home last night and he thought maybe dream interpretation might be one of her skills. She seemed to be good at just about everything and accepting of even the most outlandish logic if it made sense to her.
“Chloe before we get started, I wanted to talk to you about something. Maybe you can help me understand.”
“Sure I’ll try. What is it you don’t understand?”
“You already know what happened with the Winchesters,” and when she nodded he continued, “After they left, I started having these nightmares.” He went on to describe them in detail and didn’t hesitate to share what Josiah told him about Vin’s death hoping she might see a correlation.
Chloe listened intently and without interruption; often nodding sympathetically as Mathew imparted his story. “I’m not one for dreams as messages but considering what has happened over the past week, there might be some connection,” She offered as he finished sharing.
“But what? And do you really think Vin is - you know.” He couldn’t bring himself to voice the possibility of that horrible fate.
“Raised Catholic so I know what I’m supposed to believe," she said sympathetically but failed to elaborate. "As for the rest,” Chloe shrugged. “If it’s not based on meteor rocks, I’m afraid it’s a bit out of my realm of expertise. I hate to say it but I bet your Winchester friends would know,” she suggested and when he frowned she continued, “I know you can’t ask them because of the whole ‘ghosts being gone charade’.”
Mathew chuckled ruefully at the irony. The people best able to find a possible connection between his nightmares and the situation at Four Corners were the only ones he couldn’t ask. “You know what. Forget it. Let’s look at what you’ve found. Maybe I’m making too much of it and Vin simply represents my subconscious worry that we won’t be able to prove Saunders claims are false in time for court next week.”
“That’s a good explanation too.”
*********************
For the past hour Chloe had been walking Mathew through her research and he was very impressed. “This is just brilliant.”
“Thanks. But there are still some holes. I haven’t had a chance to finish my investigation into the Tanners to solidify their claim on the land.”
“I noticed that but then you only found out the Tanner part of the equation yesterday.”
“True but there’s more work to do,” she said as she stationed herself in front of her lap top. “Land records form the turn of the century aren’t always where you’d expect to find them.”
“Then maybe I can help.”
At the new voice, Chloe looked up from her computer to see a tall, shaggy haired man standing in the doorway.
Mathew jumped to his feet. “Sam! I wasn’t sure if you guys were really coming.”
“Are you kidding? Dean wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to actually get paid,” he laughed. “Plus -,” Sam pointed over his shoulder toward the lobby.
Chloe looked past where the men were standing to see a stocky man with short hair, leaning on Annie’s desk. Dean Winchester she surmised. He appeared more interested in chatting up the receptionist than joining their meeting.
“Is Dean still pretending to be Agent Raimi?” Mathew asked. Chloe snickered as she recalled the story Mathew had shared about how the Winchesters had tried to pass themselves off as government agents.
Sam shrugged. “I try not to think too hard about what my brother tells women.”
Looking at Sam, who was clad in jeans, a blue stripped shirt and a worn tan jacket, she found it hard to envision him successfully convincing anyone he was a government agent. Plus he was too cute to work for the government. Chloe stilled mentally. She did not just say that. Focus Sullivan she thought.
Chloe stood and cleared her throat, turning the men’s attention to her.
“Oh sorry. Sam Winchester, this is Chloe Sullivan. She’s with The Daily Planet and an old friend who agreed to help with our research.”
Mathew and Chloe had decided that since she wanted to talk to the brothers about their ghost hunting adventures, being an old friend would explain the reason she knew all about what had happened last week in Four Corners.
Sam shook the petite blonde’s hand. “Wow it’s nice to meet you. I’ve read some of your stuff about Smallville, Kansas.”
“I guess our little town would be very interesting to a professional ghost hunter,” Chloe said, enjoying the double take Sam threw at Mathew.
“I hope you don’t mind that I told her,” Mathew explained. “It kind of came up when she wanted to go say hi to the ghosts.”
“Oh,” Sam said sheepishly. “Guess you’re kind of mad about that then.”
“Mathew explained and I think ultimately it went down the only way it could,” she replied sending him one of her blinding smiles and taking pleasure in the fact that the double meaning of her words was lost on Sam.
Sam smiled back. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Even though he was smiling Chloe sensed hesitancy in his voice. She studied him trying to figure out why and then looked away when she realized she was staring.
“So, why don’t we take a look at what Sam’s found?” Mathew said and turned to call into the lobby. “Hey Dean you gonna join us?”
The older Winchester threw an annoyed look at Mathew before bidding farewell to Annie.
Chloe had taken the seat next to Sam and they exchanged folders. As she looked at the work he’d compiled she was very impressed.
Dean entered the conference room. “You already got Sam. You don’t need me. Who’s the chick?” He asked Mathew when he spotted Chloe.
“This chick is Chloe Sullivan, a reporter for the Daily planet and she doesn’t appreciate being called a chick,” Chloe snapped.
“Whoa sweetheart. Unbunch your panties,” Dean smirked. Chloe felt her anger building. She glared at Dean who seemed to find her discomfort humorous
Sam must have recognized the brewing storm. “Dean knock it off,” he commanded.
“Fine,” Dean said as he plopped down into one of the chairs like a petulant child.
Chloe couldn’t believe that this Neanderthal was related to Sam. They seemed so different. Ignoring the five year old in the room as he rearranged a small pile of paper clips, Chloe returned her attention to the material that Sam had collected.
Soon they were comparing the different ways they’d used to hack the information. “I hadn’t thought to look at it that way,” she said.
“Well it is relatively illegal,” Sam admitted and they shared a conspiratorial grin.
“Ok that’s it for me,” Dean said after half an hour and stood. “Mathew, take care of the geek squad. I’ll be back to pick Sam up for dinner; that is if you can tear him away from his new girlfriend.”
Dean left, ignoring the glare Sam threw at him on his way out and with a wave to Annie, he was gone.
“Wow, you two are so different. It’s hard to believe you're brothers.” Chloe said.
“Sometimes I wonder if I wasn’t switched at birth,” Sam laughed.
“Definitely a plausible theory.”
*****************************************
Dean allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. He could tell that Sam found that blonde chick - what was her name? Chloe -- attractive. Guy blushed up a storm; it was almost embarrassing.
The plan was for Dean to leave anyway. He was headed out to Four Corners to check on their handiwork and see if there was anything out there that might explain Sam’s visions.
Dean wondered if it wasn’t just guilt. Most ghosts would rather kill you than talk to you. But the six were nicer than some living people he’d met and all they wanted to do was swap stories and play poker.
Dean entered the saloon, gun held loosely in his left hand and EMF meter in his right. He was looking for anything else supernatural that they might have missed.
“I knew she couldn’t be trusted. I knew you’d be back,” a voice behind him growled.
The elder Winchester swung around to see Chris Larabee standing in the doorway and he didn’t look happy.
“Son of a bitch. I had a feeling it didn’t work.” Dean said. Ever since Sam had mentioned his visions, he wondered if it wasn’t a sign that they’d failed but he hadn’t wanted to voice it until he was sure.
Chris didn’t say anything. Just stood there, dark eyes filled with fury pinning Dean in place.
“Ooookaay,” Dean said unsure of what Chris was waiting for. He glanced around looking for the others. Ignoring Chris, he called out “Hey Ezra, show yourself, I know -”
Dean was flung backwards to the ground as Chris threw himself at the hunter. His shotgun skittered across the ground out of reach. Looking up Dean only had a moment to register what had happened before Chris’ fist connected with his chin.
“Knew she couldn’t be trusted. I knew you’d be back,” Chris repeated, while continuing to pummel Dean.
Dean’s vision swam as he tried to role away from Chris’ assault. Larabee was straddling his chest. He threw his arms up trying to block the blows but they passed through his hands to continue to land on his body and face. “Guys!” Dean shouted to the others he hoped were lurking out of sight. “Help! Ezra, Bu - ”
Dean’s cries were cut off as Chris’s hands encircled the hunter’s throat. “You have to die,” he growled as he tightened his choke hold.
Clawing at the ghost’s hands without success, Dean felt himself losing consciousness. “You have to die. It’s the only way to be sure,” the ghost repeated.
Dean’s eyes rolled back into his head as the darkness began to over take him, and then suddenly he could breath again as the weight was lifted from his chest.
He lay there, coughing as he filled his oxygen starved lungs.
“Dean. Dean! Answer me.”
He opened his eyes to find Nathan bent over him concern etched on his features.
Like a shot Dean was scrambling backward until he bumped against the bar. He sat on the floor leaning against the wooden structure. “Stay away,” he croaked out, hand reaching up to massage his injured throat.
Nathan was on his knees in front of him. “I’m not gonna hurt you,” the healer said; his hands held out in supplication. “I just want to make sure you’re not hurt.”
“I’m fine,” Dean lied and looked past Nathan to see Buck and Josiah wrestling with Chris. JD stood in front blocking their leader’s path back to Dean.
“I do hope that you are uninjured, Mr. Winchester.”
Dean glanced to his right to find Ezra seated on the floor next to him, leaning against the bar in identical repose.
“Took you long enough,” Dean snapped.
Ezra nodded. “I am sorry. It had not occurred to us that Mr. Larabee would so foolishly reveal our ruse and thus our response was delayed.”
“You played us, Ezra. Not happy about that.”
The gambler remained reticent refusing to justify what they'd done.
“Dean, are you sure you’re alright?” Nathan asked as his moved to mirror Ezra’s pose on Dean’s left. “Chris left some nasty bruises on your face.”
“Yeah. Just peachy,” he said as he wiped some blood from his split lip. In truth his head was aching and he was still seeing stars. He decided sitting was the most prudent course of action. The three sat silently as they watch the others struggle with the man in black.
“Damn it, Chris!” Buck snapped as he jerked his friend to face him. “What in hell were you thinking?”
“That girl betrayed us. When you gonna stop thinking with you downstairs brain?” Chris shouted.
“That ain’t true. Chloe wouldn’t have said nothing. She promised,” Buck insisted.
Dean recognized the blonde reporter’s name, but said nothing. He wondered who else knew they’d been punked.
“You’re a fool Buck. We won’t be safe until he’s dead,” Chris yelled and pointed at the hunter.
“Thou shalt not kill,” Josiah intoned as he kept a meaty hand on their leader’s shoulder, restraining him. “Think about what you’re saying Chris. You’re threatening an innocent.”
“Not gonna let you hurt him Chris. You’ll go through me first,” Buck said.
“Why are you against me on this? You know I’m right!”
“No Chris,” Buck said trying to calm his friend. “You’re the one who messed up our plan. You’re the one who’s put us all at risk.”
Chris glared at the mustachioed man but Buck didn’t back down.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions. But you are wrong in this case,” Josiah said; holding his own against the maniacal glare as it shifted to him.
Finding him self surrounded, Chris deflated, the anger running away from him as he lowered himself into a chair.
Buck took the opportunity to send Dean a look that held a wealth of sincere apology. Dean nodded finding he couldn’t be too angry with the big man; not with the way he’d defended him to Chris.
As the realization of his stupidity weighed down on him, Chris sagged in the chair. Removing his hat, he ran a hand through his hair as if trying to dispel the madness. His gaze settled on the hunter. There was still crazy in those eyes as far a Dean was concerned.
Feeling a little recovered, Dean struggled to his feet. Nathan did his best to assist him. Nodding his thanks, the hunter went to retrieve the shot gun. Dean turned, cocked it and without preamble blew Chris away.
“Now let’s talk before crazy boy returns,” he said.