Best Laid Plans (3/11) - Mag 7/SPN/SV
Jul. 12th, 2008 10:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
strangevisitor7This is the sequel to Ghost Town which should be read first.
Title: Best Laid Plans (3/11)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
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: Chloe meets the ghosts of Four Corners. Buck is enchanted and Chris is not happy.
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 byscrollgirl
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 3
Chloe had assumed they were headed to some clandestine meeting place in Cornerstone so that Mathew could introduce her to the actors playing the ghosts. She was little surprised when he turned his car toward Four Corners.
“This is the way to your ‘ghost’ town,” She said stating the obvious.
“I know. This is where they live.”
“You have them camped out in the town?” Chloe thought about this. “Makes sense, then they’re available for last minute performances.”
“Not exactly,” he said cryptically.
“So who are these guys? Out of work actors?” Chloe asked. Mathew was awfully closed lipped about the situation which was putting her reporter’s instinct into overdrive.
“You’re not very patient are you,” he said smiling. “And I’m guessing silence won’t work either.”
“Didn’t get to be at the top of my game by sitting quietly on the sidelines.”
“Fair enough but I have to admit I’d rather have your unbiased assessment of the situation.”
“Little late for that.”
“Patience and you will see that I am that honest lawyer you thought I was.”
“Oh really?” Chloe couldn’t wait to see the rabbit he was going to pull out of his hat to turn this into a positive situation. Still, she wasn’t above using a few underhanded techniques in dealing with the Luthors and she hadn’t become a top notch hacker because she always did things above board. If she were being honest, the idea of winning against Saunders using a bit of movie magic didn’t seem so bad compared to the stunts she knew these billionaires were not above pulling. “I‘m envisioning a bit of a Scooby Doo-type haunting.”
Mathew laughed. “I promise no rubber masks or projections of pirate ships.”
He made the final turn and the town came into view. Mathew debated taking her to the graveyard for the big reveal but it seemed a bit over the top. Instead he pulled up to the cordoned off main street and parked the car.
As he looked down the deserted street, Mathew realized that he’d never arrived unwelcomed; one of the six, usually Chris, was always there to greet him. At least they were behaving themselves and staying out of sight. He hoped they would come when he called or Chloe was going to be one pissed off reporter.
“Come on,” he said as he maneuvered around the sawhorses and headed for the saloon. The sun was still high in the sky so the building would be fairly well lit.
“How do you keep this place so well preserved?” Chloe asked as she followed him down the main street.
“Not me. The caretakers you’re about to meet. They take the preservation of this town very seriously.”
“Caretakers? Is that what you’re calling them?”
Mathew paused to hold open the bat-wing doors and ushered Chloe inside the saloon. It was empty. Chloe turned to glare at him silently demanding an explanation.
Mathew held up a finger and prepared himself for the confrontation to come. “Chris,” he called out. “It’s Matt,” he chuckled as he called out his own name. He was very insistent to the point of obsession that everyone called him Mathew. Only the six ever called him Matt and in some quirky way he felt it made him part of the group.
“Seriously, Chris. I know I told you guys to stay out of sight but if you don’t want the Winchesters back here after this lovely lady publishes some very damning photos, one of you needs to make an appearance right now.
“Why would they hide from you? Don’t they work for you?”
“Actually it’s more the other way round, ma’am,” came a deep voice from behind them.
The two spun around to see a tall mustachioed man standing in the door way. “Buck,” Matt said. He wasn’t surprised that the infamous ladies man would be the one to make ‘first contact’ with Chloe.
“Chris is as mad as a hornet and wants to know ‘what the hell y'ur thinking, boy?’. I figured it was best I came instead,” Buck said before turning his attention and his megawatt smile on Chloe. “Lovely lady, who might you be and what brings you to our humble little town?”
Mathew got the distinct impression that if he could have, Buck would have grabbed Chloe’s hand and kissed it. He knew that touching people required a lot more concentration than handling inanimate objects and usually they didn’t have the finesse to do that delicately. Mathew had found himself on the ground more than once when Buck had tried to clap him on the back.
“Impressive costume and the likeness to the photo I saw of Buck Wilmington is remarkable,” she said as she studied the ghost.
“So you know me,” he said seductively. “I wonder what I might call this vision of loveliness standing before me.” Buck returned her scrutiny until Chloe found herself blushing under his naked approval.
Mathew had to stop himself from snickering because Buck was completely aware of the affect he was having on Chloe.
Chloe cleared her throat and stuck out her hand. “Chloe Sullivan. I’m a reporter for The Daily Planet.”
Buck looked down at her hand and then at Mathew who shrugged. “Go for it,” he encouraged the ghost.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” he drawled and successfully focused enough to bring Chloe’s hand to his lips without hurting her.
Much to her chagrin, Chloe giggled and pulled her hand away.
“I’m impressed. Buck. The last time you tried to shake my hand I ended up with a sprained wrist.”
“You ain’t worth the effort to be gentle,” Buck chuckled.
“Buck, Chris says to stop flirting and get to the point or he’s coming out himself. Not sure how much longer Josiah can keep him under wraps. He’s - ,”
“Yeah, I know JD, he’s mad,” Buck huffed. “When ain’t Chris mad these days? I’m working on it.”
Chloe looked to her left at the new arrival. “How’d you get in here?”
“You ain’t told her?” JD asked.
“I was kind of hoping she’d figure it out,” Mathew admitted, “but you guys keep popping up out of her line of sight. Can you just get everyone here, please? Chloe needs to know the truth.”
“And what truth would that be, Mr. Tanner?” Ezra asked as he appeared right in front of Chloe.
She took a startled step back. “How did you do that?” Without waiting for an answer, Chloe stepped forward again and reached out to touch Ezra but her hand passed right through his shoulder. He flickered before becoming solid again. Not understanding exactly what had happened, she pushed her hand through him and waved it around, finally causing Ezra to blink out in disgust and come back on her other side.
“Now was that entirely necessary, Miss Sullivan?” he said as he tugged on his coat as if to straighten imaginary wrinkles. “I believe that my instantaneous arrival should have put to rest any thoughts about my current state.”
Chloe whirled on Mathew. “I thought you said no Scooby Doo projections.”
Mathew threw his hands up in surrender. “I swear Chloe. They’re the real deal. Ghosts of the town's heroes.”
“You’re saying that that is Ezra Standish and that is the real JD Dunne,” she said pointing to the men behind her. While it wasn’t beyond her personal experience, having been possessed once herself, she hadn’t ever expected to find this type of supernatural occurrence outside of Smallville.
“Well, I have been accused of being many other people in the past but I assure you that I am and have always been Ezra Standish.”
Chloe threw him a look that said he needed to be quiet now.
Buck laughed. “She’s a feisty one,” and shut up when she shifted her glare to him. Turning back to address Mathew, she was startled by a stocky, gray haired man that appeared between them.
“And I am Josiah Sanchez, lovely lady.”
Chloe stepped back. “I don’t – “
“Nathan Jackson, ma’am” said the African American man who appeared next to him
“Josiah, you were supposed to watching our fearless leader. I do not believe his presence would be prudent at this time,” Ezra chided.
“Enough,” Chloe shouted thrusting her hands out as if defending the space in front of her “All right you’ve had your fun. I get it. They’re ghosts. But if one more of you tries to startle me, I swear I’m going to pull out my gun and start shooting.”
“Ooh, I like her,” Buck cooed.
“Shut up, Buck,” Nathan snapped.
Mathew ignored the ghosts. “I’m sorry Chloe. I had told them to stay out of sight - “
The arrival of the last ghost was not aimed at Chloe. Chris Larabee appeared right in Mathew’s face, backing him up against the bar. “What were you thinking? We finally get rid of those ghost hunting Winchester brothers and you bring her here,” he shouted as he pointed at Chloe.
“Now Chris, calm down and let me explain,” Mathew begged.
“That’s enough, Chris,” Josiah said as he pulled their leader away from Mathew. “That boy’s never let us down. If she’s here, he has a good reason.”
Chris jerked away from the preacher. “Stay out of this Josiah.”
“No, I won’t. You’re out of control. So just take a deep breath and listen to him.”
Chris stared at the older man who gave equal to what he got. Most times Chris won these battles of wills but not today. He broke contact with Josiah and turned to look at Mathew, the anger having receded only slightly.
“Explain yourself, Matt,” he demanded.
Chloe studied the latest arrival. Unlike the others he looked a bit deranged, almost manic. This was more like how she expected a ghost to behave. She found Chris Larabee to be a bit on the scary side.
Silence filled the room as the ghosts waited for Mathew to enlighten them. Into that void came the ringing of cell phone. Horrified, Mathew dug into his pocket and groaned when he saw the caller ID.
“Sam Winchester,” he announced as he held up the phone. “I should take this he might have information about Saunders.”
Chris threw up his hands in disgust. “Take it,” he said as he stormed out of the saloon.
Buck moved as if to follow when Josiah stepped in front of him. “I got this,” he said. Buck nodded as the preacher followed the man in black out of the building.
Mathew sent an apologetic look to the remaining group and moved off to the side so that he could answer the call in relative privacy.
Chloe turned her attention to the four who remained. She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that they were ghosts and that Mathew appeared to be friends with them.
Ezra had seated himself at one of the tables and had produced a deck of cards. “Well, gentlemen it appears we have a respite in the festivities. Shall we play?”
“Hell Erza, ain’t no fun ta play with you when we always lose,” Buck groused but sat down across from the gambler anyway.
JD grabbed the seat to Buck’s right. “Sure was fun watching Dean beat him though,” he said.
“I allowed Mr. Winchester to win. I do not understand why I must keep explaining the sound logic in that decision to ya’ll.”
“Not from where I was sitting. He had your number but good,” Nathan laughed as he took the seat to Ezra’s left.
Ignoring the teasing from his companions, Ezra looked up at Chloe. “Care to join us Miss Sullivan?”
Chloe was studying the men as she approached the table. They seemed so normal. “So, ghosts?” she asked.
“Yep darlin’ but that don’t mean we can’t be sociable.” Buck smiled and patted the empty chair next to him.
Chloe returned his smile and took a seat. “I was so convinced that you had to be some kind of projection. The ghost thing kind of took me by surprise.”
“Projection?” JD asked.
“You know like a movie,”
“Saw one of them once.” Buck said. “Remember when Matt brought that silver box and showed us – what was it - a DVP.”
“A ‘DVD’,” Ezra corrected.
“Oh yeah. ‘Magnificent Seven’. That was funny,” JD said as he and the others laughed at the shared memory.
“Ridiculous tripe,” Ezra said dismissively. “I do believe the only thing it got right was Mr. Larabee’s penchant for wearing black.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow at the gambler. “Are you saying that movie was based on you guys?”
The four nodded. “At least that’s what Matt told us,” Nathan explained.
Chloe couldn’t believe it she was sitting here with real live – well not live - heroes from the old west. The stories they could tell would be amazing. She definitely needed to find time to come back and interview them about their experiences. “This is just so unbelievable,” she said and as if to prove that they really were ghosts she poked at Ezra’s shoulder, again.
When he finished flickering, he slammed the cards down on the table. “Miss Sullivan could you please refrain from doing that? If you find it necessary to continue to test the nature of our existence, may I suggest you poke Mr. Wilmington. I assure you he will not mind the attention.”
Chloe turned to face the ladies man, who favored her with a wide grin. “Poke away, darlin’.”
Unable to resist his offer and because the idea of sitting around a card table chatting with ghosts made her giggle, she reached out her hand toward the big man and it passed right through.
“That is so weird,” she laughed.
“Glad you find us so amusing,” Ezra quipped.
“Ezra, don’t be snippy. She’s trying to get used to the idea,” Buck said and smiled at Chloe. “If it makes you happy, you can do it again”
“No, I think I’m good now.”
“It’s obvious that you’re not a ghost hunter like the Winchesters, so why’d Matt think he needed to share the truth with you?” Nathan asked.
“Ghost hunter? I don’t understand. Who are the Winchesters?”
The four took turns sharing the story of the brothers’ recent visit and their failed attempt to send them to the great beyond.
“Guess they aren’t very good ones, if you all are still here,” Chloe laughed.
“Oh, they think we’re gone,” JD explained. “Performed some funny bonfire thing and burned our stuff.”
“It was a masterful moment. A better con could not have been played if I’d planned it myself,” Ezra acknowledged.
“You didn’t answer Nathan’s question. Why have you been let in on our little secret?” Buck asked.
Chloe quickly explained what she’d seen the night before and how she was going to be helping Mathew.
“She’s a reporter. Like Mary,” JD said smiling.
Chloe mentally sorted through the information she’d collected on Four Corners. Mary Travis had been the owner and operator of the Clarion Newspaper. She smiled. “Yes, exactly like Mary Travis. She’s was quite the newspaper woman from what I’ve read.”
The four nodded their agreement and seemed impressed by her knowledge of their long departed friend. Chloe knew at that moment she’d won their trust.
“Then we are much appreciative of your help.” Ezra spoke for the group. “But the important question is, do you play poker?”
Title: Best Laid Plans (3/11)
Author:
strangevisitor7Beta:
lyl_devil and pen37Rated: 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: Chloe meets the ghosts of Four Corners. Buck is enchanted and Chris is not happy.
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
banner by
scrollgirlChloe had assumed they were headed to some clandestine meeting place in Cornerstone so that Mathew could introduce her to the actors playing the ghosts. She was little surprised when he turned his car toward Four Corners.
“This is the way to your ‘ghost’ town,” She said stating the obvious.
“I know. This is where they live.”
“You have them camped out in the town?” Chloe thought about this. “Makes sense, then they’re available for last minute performances.”
“Not exactly,” he said cryptically.
“So who are these guys? Out of work actors?” Chloe asked. Mathew was awfully closed lipped about the situation which was putting her reporter’s instinct into overdrive.
“You’re not very patient are you,” he said smiling. “And I’m guessing silence won’t work either.”
“Didn’t get to be at the top of my game by sitting quietly on the sidelines.”
“Fair enough but I have to admit I’d rather have your unbiased assessment of the situation.”
“Little late for that.”
“Patience and you will see that I am that honest lawyer you thought I was.”
“Oh really?” Chloe couldn’t wait to see the rabbit he was going to pull out of his hat to turn this into a positive situation. Still, she wasn’t above using a few underhanded techniques in dealing with the Luthors and she hadn’t become a top notch hacker because she always did things above board. If she were being honest, the idea of winning against Saunders using a bit of movie magic didn’t seem so bad compared to the stunts she knew these billionaires were not above pulling. “I‘m envisioning a bit of a Scooby Doo-type haunting.”
Mathew laughed. “I promise no rubber masks or projections of pirate ships.”
He made the final turn and the town came into view. Mathew debated taking her to the graveyard for the big reveal but it seemed a bit over the top. Instead he pulled up to the cordoned off main street and parked the car.
As he looked down the deserted street, Mathew realized that he’d never arrived unwelcomed; one of the six, usually Chris, was always there to greet him. At least they were behaving themselves and staying out of sight. He hoped they would come when he called or Chloe was going to be one pissed off reporter.
“Come on,” he said as he maneuvered around the sawhorses and headed for the saloon. The sun was still high in the sky so the building would be fairly well lit.
“How do you keep this place so well preserved?” Chloe asked as she followed him down the main street.
“Not me. The caretakers you’re about to meet. They take the preservation of this town very seriously.”
“Caretakers? Is that what you’re calling them?”
Mathew paused to hold open the bat-wing doors and ushered Chloe inside the saloon. It was empty. Chloe turned to glare at him silently demanding an explanation.
Mathew held up a finger and prepared himself for the confrontation to come. “Chris,” he called out. “It’s Matt,” he chuckled as he called out his own name. He was very insistent to the point of obsession that everyone called him Mathew. Only the six ever called him Matt and in some quirky way he felt it made him part of the group.
“Seriously, Chris. I know I told you guys to stay out of sight but if you don’t want the Winchesters back here after this lovely lady publishes some very damning photos, one of you needs to make an appearance right now.
“Why would they hide from you? Don’t they work for you?”
“Actually it’s more the other way round, ma’am,” came a deep voice from behind them.
The two spun around to see a tall mustachioed man standing in the door way. “Buck,” Matt said. He wasn’t surprised that the infamous ladies man would be the one to make ‘first contact’ with Chloe.
“Chris is as mad as a hornet and wants to know ‘what the hell y'ur thinking, boy?’. I figured it was best I came instead,” Buck said before turning his attention and his megawatt smile on Chloe. “Lovely lady, who might you be and what brings you to our humble little town?”
Mathew got the distinct impression that if he could have, Buck would have grabbed Chloe’s hand and kissed it. He knew that touching people required a lot more concentration than handling inanimate objects and usually they didn’t have the finesse to do that delicately. Mathew had found himself on the ground more than once when Buck had tried to clap him on the back.
“Impressive costume and the likeness to the photo I saw of Buck Wilmington is remarkable,” she said as she studied the ghost.
“So you know me,” he said seductively. “I wonder what I might call this vision of loveliness standing before me.” Buck returned her scrutiny until Chloe found herself blushing under his naked approval.
Mathew had to stop himself from snickering because Buck was completely aware of the affect he was having on Chloe.
Chloe cleared her throat and stuck out her hand. “Chloe Sullivan. I’m a reporter for The Daily Planet.”
Buck looked down at her hand and then at Mathew who shrugged. “Go for it,” he encouraged the ghost.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” he drawled and successfully focused enough to bring Chloe’s hand to his lips without hurting her.
Much to her chagrin, Chloe giggled and pulled her hand away.
“I’m impressed. Buck. The last time you tried to shake my hand I ended up with a sprained wrist.”
“You ain’t worth the effort to be gentle,” Buck chuckled.
“Buck, Chris says to stop flirting and get to the point or he’s coming out himself. Not sure how much longer Josiah can keep him under wraps. He’s - ,”
“Yeah, I know JD, he’s mad,” Buck huffed. “When ain’t Chris mad these days? I’m working on it.”
Chloe looked to her left at the new arrival. “How’d you get in here?”
“You ain’t told her?” JD asked.
“I was kind of hoping she’d figure it out,” Mathew admitted, “but you guys keep popping up out of her line of sight. Can you just get everyone here, please? Chloe needs to know the truth.”
“And what truth would that be, Mr. Tanner?” Ezra asked as he appeared right in front of Chloe.
She took a startled step back. “How did you do that?” Without waiting for an answer, Chloe stepped forward again and reached out to touch Ezra but her hand passed right through his shoulder. He flickered before becoming solid again. Not understanding exactly what had happened, she pushed her hand through him and waved it around, finally causing Ezra to blink out in disgust and come back on her other side.
“Now was that entirely necessary, Miss Sullivan?” he said as he tugged on his coat as if to straighten imaginary wrinkles. “I believe that my instantaneous arrival should have put to rest any thoughts about my current state.”
Chloe whirled on Mathew. “I thought you said no Scooby Doo projections.”
Mathew threw his hands up in surrender. “I swear Chloe. They’re the real deal. Ghosts of the town's heroes.”
“You’re saying that that is Ezra Standish and that is the real JD Dunne,” she said pointing to the men behind her. While it wasn’t beyond her personal experience, having been possessed once herself, she hadn’t ever expected to find this type of supernatural occurrence outside of Smallville.
“Well, I have been accused of being many other people in the past but I assure you that I am and have always been Ezra Standish.”
Chloe threw him a look that said he needed to be quiet now.
Buck laughed. “She’s a feisty one,” and shut up when she shifted her glare to him. Turning back to address Mathew, she was startled by a stocky, gray haired man that appeared between them.
“And I am Josiah Sanchez, lovely lady.”
Chloe stepped back. “I don’t – “
“Nathan Jackson, ma’am” said the African American man who appeared next to him
“Josiah, you were supposed to watching our fearless leader. I do not believe his presence would be prudent at this time,” Ezra chided.
“Enough,” Chloe shouted thrusting her hands out as if defending the space in front of her “All right you’ve had your fun. I get it. They’re ghosts. But if one more of you tries to startle me, I swear I’m going to pull out my gun and start shooting.”
“Ooh, I like her,” Buck cooed.
“Shut up, Buck,” Nathan snapped.
Mathew ignored the ghosts. “I’m sorry Chloe. I had told them to stay out of sight - “
The arrival of the last ghost was not aimed at Chloe. Chris Larabee appeared right in Mathew’s face, backing him up against the bar. “What were you thinking? We finally get rid of those ghost hunting Winchester brothers and you bring her here,” he shouted as he pointed at Chloe.
“Now Chris, calm down and let me explain,” Mathew begged.
“That’s enough, Chris,” Josiah said as he pulled their leader away from Mathew. “That boy’s never let us down. If she’s here, he has a good reason.”
Chris jerked away from the preacher. “Stay out of this Josiah.”
“No, I won’t. You’re out of control. So just take a deep breath and listen to him.”
Chris stared at the older man who gave equal to what he got. Most times Chris won these battles of wills but not today. He broke contact with Josiah and turned to look at Mathew, the anger having receded only slightly.
“Explain yourself, Matt,” he demanded.
Chloe studied the latest arrival. Unlike the others he looked a bit deranged, almost manic. This was more like how she expected a ghost to behave. She found Chris Larabee to be a bit on the scary side.
Silence filled the room as the ghosts waited for Mathew to enlighten them. Into that void came the ringing of cell phone. Horrified, Mathew dug into his pocket and groaned when he saw the caller ID.
“Sam Winchester,” he announced as he held up the phone. “I should take this he might have information about Saunders.”
Chris threw up his hands in disgust. “Take it,” he said as he stormed out of the saloon.
Buck moved as if to follow when Josiah stepped in front of him. “I got this,” he said. Buck nodded as the preacher followed the man in black out of the building.
Mathew sent an apologetic look to the remaining group and moved off to the side so that he could answer the call in relative privacy.
Chloe turned her attention to the four who remained. She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that they were ghosts and that Mathew appeared to be friends with them.
Ezra had seated himself at one of the tables and had produced a deck of cards. “Well, gentlemen it appears we have a respite in the festivities. Shall we play?”
“Hell Erza, ain’t no fun ta play with you when we always lose,” Buck groused but sat down across from the gambler anyway.
JD grabbed the seat to Buck’s right. “Sure was fun watching Dean beat him though,” he said.
“I allowed Mr. Winchester to win. I do not understand why I must keep explaining the sound logic in that decision to ya’ll.”
“Not from where I was sitting. He had your number but good,” Nathan laughed as he took the seat to Ezra’s left.
Ignoring the teasing from his companions, Ezra looked up at Chloe. “Care to join us Miss Sullivan?”
Chloe was studying the men as she approached the table. They seemed so normal. “So, ghosts?” she asked.
“Yep darlin’ but that don’t mean we can’t be sociable.” Buck smiled and patted the empty chair next to him.
Chloe returned his smile and took a seat. “I was so convinced that you had to be some kind of projection. The ghost thing kind of took me by surprise.”
“Projection?” JD asked.
“You know like a movie,”
“Saw one of them once.” Buck said. “Remember when Matt brought that silver box and showed us – what was it - a DVP.”
“A ‘DVD’,” Ezra corrected.
“Oh yeah. ‘Magnificent Seven’. That was funny,” JD said as he and the others laughed at the shared memory.
“Ridiculous tripe,” Ezra said dismissively. “I do believe the only thing it got right was Mr. Larabee’s penchant for wearing black.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow at the gambler. “Are you saying that movie was based on you guys?”
The four nodded. “At least that’s what Matt told us,” Nathan explained.
Chloe couldn’t believe it she was sitting here with real live – well not live - heroes from the old west. The stories they could tell would be amazing. She definitely needed to find time to come back and interview them about their experiences. “This is just so unbelievable,” she said and as if to prove that they really were ghosts she poked at Ezra’s shoulder, again.
When he finished flickering, he slammed the cards down on the table. “Miss Sullivan could you please refrain from doing that? If you find it necessary to continue to test the nature of our existence, may I suggest you poke Mr. Wilmington. I assure you he will not mind the attention.”
Chloe turned to face the ladies man, who favored her with a wide grin. “Poke away, darlin’.”
Unable to resist his offer and because the idea of sitting around a card table chatting with ghosts made her giggle, she reached out her hand toward the big man and it passed right through.
“That is so weird,” she laughed.
“Glad you find us so amusing,” Ezra quipped.
“Ezra, don’t be snippy. She’s trying to get used to the idea,” Buck said and smiled at Chloe. “If it makes you happy, you can do it again”
“No, I think I’m good now.”
“It’s obvious that you’re not a ghost hunter like the Winchesters, so why’d Matt think he needed to share the truth with you?” Nathan asked.
“Ghost hunter? I don’t understand. Who are the Winchesters?”
The four took turns sharing the story of the brothers’ recent visit and their failed attempt to send them to the great beyond.
“Guess they aren’t very good ones, if you all are still here,” Chloe laughed.
“Oh, they think we’re gone,” JD explained. “Performed some funny bonfire thing and burned our stuff.”
“It was a masterful moment. A better con could not have been played if I’d planned it myself,” Ezra acknowledged.
“You didn’t answer Nathan’s question. Why have you been let in on our little secret?” Buck asked.
Chloe quickly explained what she’d seen the night before and how she was going to be helping Mathew.
“She’s a reporter. Like Mary,” JD said smiling.
Chloe mentally sorted through the information she’d collected on Four Corners. Mary Travis had been the owner and operator of the Clarion Newspaper. She smiled. “Yes, exactly like Mary Travis. She’s was quite the newspaper woman from what I’ve read.”
The four nodded their agreement and seemed impressed by her knowledge of their long departed friend. Chloe knew at that moment she’d won their trust.
“Then we are much appreciative of your help.” Ezra spoke for the group. “But the important question is, do you play poker?”