Universe: ATF
Rating: PG-13
Main Characters: Vin and Ezra
Disclaimer: The Magnificent Seven belong to CBS, Mirisch Entertainment, Trilogy, and MGM. Original characters belong to me (although I can't think of any).
Author's Note: Thank you to Mog for the ATF universe! I must also think Michelle, my beta extraordinaire! Even though she doesn't usually read or work in this universe, she did it for me.
Vin looked at the box and sighed. He wasn't really in the mood to heat up the TV dinner. After tossing it back into the freezer, he leaned against the refrigerator for a moment before straightening. Four steps brought him to the living room, and he looked at the simple furnishings.
There was a sofa, a 19-inch television sitting on a square table he had found at the Salvation Army, a scuffed coffee table, a CD boombox, and some fruit crates that held his meager collection of books. There was no indication it was Christmas.
Because the holiday fell on a Wednesday, the team had celebrated the weekend before at Chris' ranch. The time had meant a lot to the Texan. During the two years Team 7 had been together, most major holidays were spent at someone's home celebrating.
Today though, on a cold Christmas Eve, Vin Tanner was alone, and he discovered he didn't much care for it. Before joining the team, he had spent most of his time alone and didn't really mind it. Working with the other six had definitely changed him. While he didn't really enjoy the solitude on this day, he knew he would see the others soon enough.
Deciding to get out of his apartment, he bundled up and headed downstairs. Other tenants were either celebrating with families or getting on with whatever business that allowed them to eke out a living. He climbed into this jeep, giving it several moments to warm up before pulling out onto the sparsely traveled road.
The brightly lit building caught his eye, and he pulled into the parking lot. As he parked the jeep, he caught a glimpse of a familiar vehicle and frowned slightly. He paid for his ticket, stocked up at the concession stand, and headed to the theater.
Standing still for a moment in the dim light, Vin let his eyes adjust. He sauntered down an aisle then moved across the floor before sitting down. He waited for a moment, observing his friend, before leaning forward.
"Did ya mix the M&Ms with the popcorn?"
There was a moment of silence.
"I would nevah desecrate the sanctity of that delectable chocolate treat by debasing the shelled coating with popcorn buttah." Ezra turned around and arched an eyebrow. "Would you care to join me, Mr. Tannah?" He waved a manicured hand at the seat next to him.
"Thanks, Ez." Vin smiled as he dropped several items into Ezra's lap before climbing over the seats.
The Southerner held up a package of Sour Patch Kids between his thumb and forefinger. "What are these?"
"Came with the combo." The younger man shrugged before taking back his candy, napkins, and straw.
The movie started a few minutes later. They sat there for thee hours, caught up in the story. The credits finally rolled, and both men stretched before heading out to the lobby.
"What are your plans for tonight and tomorrow, Mr. Tannah?"
Vin shrugged. "Guess I'll heat up that TV dinner."
Ezra frowned. "You are not sharing this evening's repast with our fearless leader?"
"Chris was goin' to Mary's. Everyone else had somethin' planned. Didn't wanta impose." He zipped up his jacket as they moved towards the door.
The two men were quiet as they made their way across the parking lot.
"Mr. Tannah."
Vin stopped and looked at Ezra.
"Would you to join me for dinner?"
"It's okay, Ez. I don't wanta bother ya none. Thanks though."
"You will not be intruding, Mr. Tannah."
Seeing his friend hesitate, Ezra said the one thing that settled the discussion. "Please."
A true smile filled the Texan's face. "Sure, Ez. I 'ppreciate it. Do I need to stop and get anythin'?"
"No, I believe I have everything. I will see you there."
They nodded at each other before climbing into their vehicles. Twenty minutes later, Vin parked in front of Ezra's condo. Since the two men took different routes, he had to wait a few minutes before the Jag pulled up in the driveway and then disappeared into the garage. Moments later Vin was shrugging out of his coat and toeing off his boots. Ezra walked into the kitchen after talking off his coat and began to fix cups of hot chocolate. The younger man wandered around the living room. He had been there many times, and every time he came there was something different about the room. Ezra would make the slightest change to see if Vin noticed. It had become a game between the two men, and both enjoyed the challenge.
After setting the cups down on the coffee table, Ezra lit a fire. They stretched out on the sofa as their dinner heated in the oven. The warmth from their cocoa and the fire mellowed them both.
"Ya got a fav'rite Christmas?" The Texas drawl had slowed.
Ezra was quiet for so long, Vin thought the other man hadn't heard the question. Green eyes were locked on the fire crackling in the hearth for long minutes. Just as the younger man was getting ready to tell his friend to forget it, the Southern began to speak.
"When I was six, I stayed with a favorite aunt. She helped me make a gingerbread house, laughing as I tried to stick those orange slices to mah cheeks instead of the roof of the house. We made cookies and left them and some milk for Santa. Then she ushered me to bed, where she read 'Twas the Night before Christmas' to me."
He was quiet for a moment. "Imagine mah delight when I woke the next morning and found the cookies eaten, the milk drunk, and a thank you note from the man himself."
Vin smiled as he listened to his friend. Then Ezra's face changed.
"What happened, Ez?"
"Mutha happened. She showed up the next day and whisked me off to meet husband #3. She told me on the plane that there was no such thing as Santa." He paused a moment. "I nevah received my wish either."
"What was it?"
"A teddy bear."
Vin was very surprised. He couldn't imagine his friend asking for one "A teddy bear?"
"I really wanted a kitten, but knew I would never be able to keep it. A teddy bear could be stuffed into a suitcase, and it would nevah reveal mah secrets."
The two men sighed. The oven timer dinged, and they headed for the kitchen. Vin set the small table in the alcove while Ezra slid the food onto plates. He poured each of them a glass of wine before taking a seat.
Vin lifted his glass. "To friends."
Ezra smiled. "To friends."
The meal was consumed, the dishes were placed in the dishwasher, and the men retired to the living room with snifters of cognac.
"What about you, Mr. Tannah? Do you have a favorite Christmas?"
A gentle smiled indicated the Texan did, indeed, have one. "'Fore my ma got real sick, we had a real good un. She'd gotten a decent job, and they even let her off for the day. We didn't have a lot, but she made it real nice. Gave me my pa's harmonica, said Santa brought it from heaven just for me. It was better'n the telescope I asked fer."
"Why a telescope?"
"Figgered I might see my pa. Ma always looked up when she talked about him. I thought that telescope would let me see him in heaven." He quieted again. "She got sick in February and passed on in May."
The only sounds in the room were the spitting and popping of the flames and the faint sound of the Christmas carols playing on the radio. Neither felt it necessary to fill the silence.
Later that evening, Vin slowly rose and took his coffee cup to the kitchen. He then moved to the foyer to pull on his boots, coat, and gloves, wrapping the scarf around his neck and pulling his stocking cap down on his head. When he opened the front door, his eyes widened.
"Wow!"
Ezra appeared behind him, arms wrapped around his body as he shivered in the cold air. He smiled briefly as the sparkling white snow that covered everything.
"It appears you will not be venturing anywhere this evening, Mr. Tannah."
Vin sighed and closed the door. He took off his outerwear and hung it back up before turning to his friend and grimacing slightly. "Sorry, Ez. Knew I shoulda just gone home. Now yer stuck with me."
Ezra shook his head. "Nonsense. I told you it was not an imposition. How about some more cocoa, and we can watch 'A Christmas Story'?"
At the suggestion, the younger man laughed. "I love it when that kid gets his tongue stuck to the flag pole."
Just before midnight, the two men said their goodnights before disappearing into the bedrooms.
Vin rolled over, blinking at the somewhat familiar ceiling. He remembered the evening before, smiling at the memory. Climbing out of bed, he pulled on his clothes and wandered towards the kitchen to make some coffee. He passed by the living room and then stopped. Turning slowly, he stared at the sight before him. Spinning suddenly, he raced for the master bedroom and hurriedly opened the door.
"Ez, get up! Get up!"
The elegant comforter and silk sheets were yanked away as green eyes opened slowly to glare at the man looming over the bed.
"Mr. Tannah, unless there is a catastrophe of biblical proportions bearing down upon us, I would suggest you leave."
"C'mon, Ez. Ya gotta get up now!" Vin tugged on his friend's arm, thankful the silk helped him slide the body towards the mattress edge.
The Southerner grumbled as he was finally pulled off the bed and pushed towards the hall. If Vin didn't know what was waiting, he would have run into his friend's back as the older man stopped abruptly at the entrance to the living room.
"What?!?!"
Neither man really knew what to say as they looked into the room. After a glance at each other, they separated and headed for the telescope and large stuffed bear. Stockings were laying next to the gifts, their names stitched on the white fur.
Ezra simply gaped. As he turned to look at his friend, he caught sight of the note on the coffee table, arranged next to a plate and an empty glass. He picked it up carefully, wondering if he needed to get it dusted for fingerprints.
"What's it say?" Vin peered over his friend's shoulder.
"Dear Ezra and Vin,
Merry Christmas. I know these are a little late, but I think your letter may have crossed in the mail. Enjoy!
Love, Santa
p.s. The crème brulee was not as good as those cookies you made, Ezra."
"I don't understand." Vin scratched his head.
"Neither do I, Mr. Tannah." Ezra sat down on the couch and frowned.
Both men froze when they heard movement in the kitchen. Since neither of them had their weapons handy, they reached for the first available thing they might be able to use. Ezra rolled his eyes and replaced the Chinese vase the sharpshooter had picked up with a Louisville Slugger he pulled out from beneath the couch. He then picked up a lamp as they crept towards the kitchen.
They almost dropped their chosen weapons when a small black kitten with a large red bow tied around her neck sauntered into the room. Vin was the first to react, picking up the kitten and looking at the tag. He grinned and handed it to Ezra.
"Says her name's Delilah, and she's yours."
The other man sputtered. "But...but...whatevah am I going to do with a cat? I cannot have a pet with my job."
"I'll take care of her iffen need be." Vin reached out and scratched behind her ear, listening to her purr.
Ezra's protests began to quiet as the kitten rubbed her head against him. Finally, he sat down and began to stroke the soft fur. "At least she is not a long-haired cat."
Vin went back to his telescope, running his fingers over it. As he moved around it, he happened to glance outside.
"Look!"
Ezra joined him at the window, still petting Delilah, and the tracker pointed out the small hoof prints that were scattered on the patio.
"Are those.?"
"Cain't be sure. Never seen nothin' like 'em before."
It was quiet for several moments.
"Perhaps we should keep this to ourselves, Mr. Tannah."
"Think maybe yer right, Ez."
Then they turned around and looked at their gifts.
"Merry Christmas, Ez."
"Merry Christmas, Vin."
Finis
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