Witnessed - BtVS/M7-OW - FRC
Title: Witnessed
Author: Beriaearwen
Crossover: Buffy the Vampire Slayer / The Magnificent Seven
Characters: Buffy Summers, Dawn Summers, Vin Tanner, OC's
Series: same series as One Day In Town, Girls At Work and Safe to Crack
Rating: Suitable for all ages
Word Count: 839
Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to Mutant Enemy, etc. The characters of The Magnificent Seven belong to MGM, Trilogy, etc. All are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes/Warnings: use of the word "ain't", I have no idea how a wagon wheel is actually attached to a horse-drawn wagon and don't have time to google it just now.
Summary: Buffy is witnessed doing something "unnatural"
Witnessed
By Beriaearwen
“I can't believe it fell off,” Buffy grumbled as she and the rest of her family stood looking at the wagon.
“At least it's not broken,” Dawn pointed out.
A warm hand rested on her shoulder. “If you'll lift it up, Dawn, Imogene and I should be able to get it back on. Then you can tighten it down,” Clive instructed.
Buffy nodded and moved into a position where she could most easily lift the wagon. “Why do these things only happen when I'm in a dress,” she grumbled, raising the wagon up.
Imogene set off to find the nut to keep the wheel on while Clive an Dawn lifted the wheel and set it back in place.
Just as Imogene reached them with the nut, one of their horses snorted, drawing their attention. They family of four saw one of the local peace keepers sitting perfectly still on top of his horse, staring at them.
Buffy felt her heart twist as she easily recognized Vin. Consciously she hadn't thought much more about him than he was extremely attractive, but the way she felt now indicated it had gone beyond just an appreciation or infatuation.
“Mr. Tanner,” Imogene said, the first to recover, and the only one to see the expression on Buffy's face. “Please, let us explain.”
Vin just stared at the older woman, his eyes wide and disbelieving.
Clive hurriedly finished with the wheel and told Buffy to lower the wagon, which she did.
“Vin,” Buffy whispered just loudly enough to carry, a slight break in her voice.
His eyes locked on her as he just stared. “What are you?” he asked, a maelstrom of emotion in his voice.
“Just a girl,” Buffy responded automatically, wishing that it was true, that he wouldn't turn from her.
Vin shook his head. “No girl can do that,” he walked his horse back a few steps and moved the reins as if he was going to turn and leave.
That motion caused panic in both the Summers girls and the Danvers. They may live in the latter part of the 19th century, but something 'unnatural' like Buffy's strength could still result in a witchhunt. If he spread the word, Dawn and Buffy would have to cut off all ties and disappear.
“Wait!” Dawn called, taking a step forward.
“Why should I?” Vin retorted, his face reflecting fear.
“Because you're not a coward,” Clive stated, his voice confident and issuing a challenge.
No man in the West, especially one who had made his own way since childhood stood idly by while being called a coward. Men had died for lesser insults.
Vin's fear quickly turned to anger at the implied insult. He was many things, but he was not now, nor had he ever been a coward. Straightening his back, he looked at the family and nodded. “You're right. I may be a lot of things, but coward ain't one of them.” Shifting his grip on the reins one more time, he dismounted his horse and led the animal over toward the small family. “So you tell me how a wee thing like Miss Buffy can lift a wagon and it not be unnatural.”
Looks were exchanged by the small family. Imogene and Clive relaxed slightly, confident they could explain. Dawn looked defensive and angry. Buffy's face easily showed her anxiety.
Vin took in all their appearances and felt himself soften as he saw the anxiety and fear on Buffy's face. As they moved to the shaded area under a tree to continue their discussion, he asked himself if knowing this about her made her any different than the woman he cared for.
As he settled on a rock, ready to hear what they had to say, a whisper from his heart answered, “no”.
End
Author: Beriaearwen
Crossover: Buffy the Vampire Slayer / The Magnificent Seven
Characters: Buffy Summers, Dawn Summers, Vin Tanner, OC's
Series: same series as One Day In Town, Girls At Work and Safe to Crack
Rating: Suitable for all ages
Word Count: 839
Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to Mutant Enemy, etc. The characters of The Magnificent Seven belong to MGM, Trilogy, etc. All are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes/Warnings: use of the word "ain't", I have no idea how a wagon wheel is actually attached to a horse-drawn wagon and don't have time to google it just now.
Summary: Buffy is witnessed doing something "unnatural"
Witnessed
By Beriaearwen
“I can't believe it fell off,” Buffy grumbled as she and the rest of her family stood looking at the wagon.
“At least it's not broken,” Dawn pointed out.
A warm hand rested on her shoulder. “If you'll lift it up, Dawn, Imogene and I should be able to get it back on. Then you can tighten it down,” Clive instructed.
Buffy nodded and moved into a position where she could most easily lift the wagon. “Why do these things only happen when I'm in a dress,” she grumbled, raising the wagon up.
Imogene set off to find the nut to keep the wheel on while Clive an Dawn lifted the wheel and set it back in place.
Just as Imogene reached them with the nut, one of their horses snorted, drawing their attention. They family of four saw one of the local peace keepers sitting perfectly still on top of his horse, staring at them.
Buffy felt her heart twist as she easily recognized Vin. Consciously she hadn't thought much more about him than he was extremely attractive, but the way she felt now indicated it had gone beyond just an appreciation or infatuation.
“Mr. Tanner,” Imogene said, the first to recover, and the only one to see the expression on Buffy's face. “Please, let us explain.”
Vin just stared at the older woman, his eyes wide and disbelieving.
Clive hurriedly finished with the wheel and told Buffy to lower the wagon, which she did.
“Vin,” Buffy whispered just loudly enough to carry, a slight break in her voice.
His eyes locked on her as he just stared. “What are you?” he asked, a maelstrom of emotion in his voice.
“Just a girl,” Buffy responded automatically, wishing that it was true, that he wouldn't turn from her.
Vin shook his head. “No girl can do that,” he walked his horse back a few steps and moved the reins as if he was going to turn and leave.
That motion caused panic in both the Summers girls and the Danvers. They may live in the latter part of the 19th century, but something 'unnatural' like Buffy's strength could still result in a witchhunt. If he spread the word, Dawn and Buffy would have to cut off all ties and disappear.
“Wait!” Dawn called, taking a step forward.
“Why should I?” Vin retorted, his face reflecting fear.
“Because you're not a coward,” Clive stated, his voice confident and issuing a challenge.
No man in the West, especially one who had made his own way since childhood stood idly by while being called a coward. Men had died for lesser insults.
Vin's fear quickly turned to anger at the implied insult. He was many things, but he was not now, nor had he ever been a coward. Straightening his back, he looked at the family and nodded. “You're right. I may be a lot of things, but coward ain't one of them.” Shifting his grip on the reins one more time, he dismounted his horse and led the animal over toward the small family. “So you tell me how a wee thing like Miss Buffy can lift a wagon and it not be unnatural.”
Looks were exchanged by the small family. Imogene and Clive relaxed slightly, confident they could explain. Dawn looked defensive and angry. Buffy's face easily showed her anxiety.
Vin took in all their appearances and felt himself soften as he saw the anxiety and fear on Buffy's face. As they moved to the shaded area under a tree to continue their discussion, he asked himself if knowing this about her made her any different than the woman he cared for.
As he settled on a rock, ready to hear what they had to say, a whisper from his heart answered, “no”.
End