There was a challenge issued to the M7fic list asking for scenes or fics dealing with common, irrational fears the guys might have. Since I can't resist a challenge, I had to whip this little snippet together.
Let me know what you think, but no flames please... I'm sensitive.
Disclaimer: I do not own or claim any rights to the Magnificent Seven characters; Mirisch, Trilogy,and MGM have that privilege.
Completed July 17, 2000
Ezra was jerked from his sleep by a loud boom and a flash of light. He sat up in the bed, rubbing his eyes, wondering if perhaps he'd been dreaming. He was just about to lay back down when another loud crack rent the air, sending him flying out from under the covers and scrambling for his clothes.
Taking only long enough to pull on his pants and shirt, Ezra moved quickly to the door and silently eased it open. Vin had said this was going to happen tonight, but he'd desperately hoped that for once the intuitive tracker was wrong.
Ezra stood listening for a moment, trying to decide if he should stay in his room or if he should continue on down the hall. He wanted to get to Buck, but...
While he hesitated, another burst of light and a loud crash shook the building and made the decision for him.
Ezra stumbled out of his room and pressing himself tightly against the wall, slowly inched his way down the hall toward Buck Wilmington's door. His hand shook as he wiped away a cold droplet of sweat that trickled maddeningly down the side of his face. His heart was pounding wildly in his chest, and he swore against the irrational fear that surged through him. Ezra gasped sharply and nearly jumped out of his skin at the next blinding flash of light and the earth-shattering noise that followed close behind it, his usually calm and cool demeanor disintegrating under the onslaught of sight and sound.
The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, and he was sure he'd never make it, but his need to reach Buck was so great, he forced himself to push back his fear and keep going. After what seemed like hours, but was in fact only a matter of minutes, Ezra finally stood outside the scoundrel's door and with a trembling hand, fumbled for the latch.
Buck awoke, heard the blasts of sound and knew Vin had been right again. He was just pushing himself out of bed when he saw his door slowly swing open. The intermittent crashes had now become one long continuous rumble accompanied by constant bursts of light that gave the room an eerie glow and clearly illuminated the slender figure that slowly crept across the floor toward him.
Buck eased himself back down on the bed and waited. Soon he felt the mattress give slightly and grinned into the darkness as the trembling body of the Southerner slipped under the covers and pressed itself against his back.
"Didn't think ya'd ever get here, Ezra." Buck heard his friend heave a sigh of relief before answering.
"Never fear, Mr. Wilmington." Ezra's voice shook slightly as another loud boom exploded around them. "I know how you feel about thunderstorms, and I would never leave you to suffer through one on your own."
Buck smothered a laugh and reached back to pat Ezra's shoulder. "Thanks, Ezra. I sure do appreciate it."
"Anytime, Mr. Wilmington." Ezra assured him as he pulled the covers tightly over his head. "Anytime."
The End