Agent Fox Mulder (i_want_2) wrote in multi_fiction, @ 2008-04-20 02:07:00 |
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Entry tags: | au, het, magnificent 7, rated: explicit, slash |
Fic: Freak Show 2/2 Magnificent Seven
Title: Freak Show
Author: Lopaka Tanu (lopaka_tanu@yahoo.com)
Disclaimer: I do not own Magnificent Seven.
Characters: Ensemble
Words: 14,285
Prompt: Supernatural (Powers)
Fandom: Magnificent Seven
Pairing: JD/Vin - Nathan/Rain
Rating: Adult
Warnings: Language, Het (trans gender), Gender Bender, Slash, Religious Themes.
Summary: Welcome to Mr. Travis' Magnificent Traveling Carnival of Oddities.
Author's Note: Circa 1930s, Magnificent Oddities AU - Open.
______________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
His time piece read eleven, the lightning flashes giving him extra depth to his sight. Closing the lid, he slipped it back in to his pocket. Leaning over the fire place, he watched the small chips burn. "His behavior was unacceptable, but I understand."
"He's still out there." Tumbler clutched between his fingers, Chris looked out the one window in the trailer. "I sent Buck to look for him, but he came back empty handed. How long should we wait before we strike camp?"
"I want us gone by tomorrow evening. If he's not back, we leave without him." As another bolt struck the ground, Travis glanced over to Ezra. "You got anything to add to this?"
"It's already too late." Comfortably ensconced in his easy chair, Ezra coaxed the small bird in his lap to raise its beak. When its neck was exposed, he gently ran a finger down the soft feathers. "What has to happen is now well on its way to completion. I suggest you tell Mrs. Wells she needs to start learning new music."
"Mrs. Wells? What are you going on about?" Chris started to rise up from his chair, but the weight of his own hair kept him in place. Choosing to frown instead, he looked over the arm rest at Ezra.
"How much did they make off with?" Travis didn't want to admit it. Ezra had been right, he knew it was going to happen.
"Close to four hundred. They also took one of the good trucks. We will have to secure a new one before we leave if you wish to bring the animals." Finishing off his drink, Ezra laid his head back in the cushions. "I never cared for Mr. Royal and his ruffians anyways. A true southern gentleman never carries on like that, it's just unnatural."
"Will we recover anything?" Checking his watch again, Travis was tempted to smash the damned thing in anger.
"Nothing. Young JD will be found tomorrow, though. Send him and Josiah for a truck, he will know where to look." A secretive smile crossed Ezra's features. He leaned forward to put the Canary back in his cage before standing up. "If you will excuse me, I must retire. This evening's events have left me in very ill spirits." Slipping passed the former Judge, Ezra stepped through the bedroom door and shut it firmly behind him.
"Why is he always in such a hurry to leave your presence?" Chris, by now, was in a drunken daze. Head lulling, he watched Travis' posture for any tells. He was sorely disappointed when the man remain unchanged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Snatching the head off a cat tail, JD used his thumbs to pluck the feathery cap. When his hands were covered in plant fibers and sap, he dropped the sticky mess. JD considered tasting them for a moment. He'd had far worse in his mouth earlier that night. With a sigh, he wiped them off on his hands. No matter how hungry he was, cat tails weren't a solution.
Clouds blocked what had promised to be brilliant moonlight. At least the lightning flashes gave him ample light to see by. The threat of the clouds releasing their burden drove him onwards across the field. He didn't know how long he had been wandering, but his legs were aching from the far flung hills.
The wind blew across the uncut grass, making it sway and his skin shiver. Reaching down, JD grabbed the strings from his costume and tied them together. He was retying the one under his left arm when a far drop of water hit his shoulder. Glancing up in alarm, he was pelted with another couple drops.
He had to get out of the open and fast. Climbing a nearby hill, JD glanced about in the hopes of finding a place to wait out the storm. As luck would have it, he could just make out the roof of a barn over the next hill. Moving quickly, he jumped over a fallen fence post until he reached the bottom of the hill. Climbing the next was made hard by the shifting layers of grass.
By the time he made it over, his costume had come undone and drug the ground when he was forced to climb with both hands. He didn't have time to redo the strings as another strong gust brought rain with it. His hair billowing about him in the strong currents, he put a hand over his eyes to keep them free. He could just make out the ramshackle building down the rise.
Between him and it, though, was a barbed wire fence. Though rusted, it was still sharp enough to cut him if he dared cross it. Ear shattering thunder drove him on, heedless of the threat. When he reached the bottom of the hill, he stumbled and fell. He came to a stop at the base of the fence.
This gave him a clear view of just how tight the squeeze would be between the rows of wire. His best bet was to squeeze under the bottom line. Tugging his costume over his back, JD twisted his head and slid under the barbed wire. Halfway through, his ass caught on a barb. Eyes wide, he backed out slowly, then slid quickly under the wire.
No sooner than his feet cleared the fence, then he was up and running for the barn. Rain had started to come down in waves, soaking him in an attempted to knock him flat. Lightning illuminated the barn for him as he came near. Finding a side door, it took all his strength to pry it open so he could fit through.
Once inside, he hissed at the pain from the scrapes and bruises he attained. Looking himself over, it took him a moment to realize the light he was seeing by wasn't coming from outside. Carefully, he raised his head to see whose barn he had invaded. Two of the most clear blue eyes he had ever seen were watching him from under a crop of wild curls and not much else.
Swallowing, JD averted his eyes. "I'm sorry! I didn't know this barn was... I mean, it's rainin outside, I can't go back." Turning his back, he forced himself not to look at the naked girl standing behind him. From what he had seen, woman would be the more accurate term. Clearing his throat, he smoothed down the back of his head, flushing water from his hair. "My name's JD, what's yours?"
Soft fingers slid down his back, tracing the path the water had taken. JD shivered as they trailed over the top of his costume where it was belted to his waist. Clenching his eyes shut, he fought with the urge to see what she was doing next. The hand on his waist slid up his back and was joined by a second as it reached his shoulder blades. He shivered.
Her fingers splayed over his skin, tracing circles over his flesh. "You are injured."
"Yeah." His tongue felt thick and heavy, making speech damn near impossible. He swallowed in an attempt to wet his mouth, but only seemed to make things dryer. The fingers trailed over each of his cuts and bruises, knowing where to touch without causing pain. "Fell down a hill. Had to climb under the fence."
"It shows." The thumbs slid up his spine to rest just under the bony protrusion of his skull. "You are cold." Her left hand slid down to grasp his. She tugged at him, bidding him to follow. "Come."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. You being naked and all." Still, he allowed her to drag him further in to the barn. Now, he could see the light came from a pair of ancient oil lanterns. That same bright glow illuminated the swell of her hips as they descended in to long legs. His eyes trailed up, where her shoulder pulled back to allow her arm to remain comfortable in his grasp and exposed her breast to him. "Oh, god."
She snickered, but didn't say a thing. Pulling him along, she drew him in to the heart of the barn. Spread out over and between bales of hay were several large blankets. From the patterns, he guessed they were hand stitched and very old. Several had come apart, including the one she stopped over. Turning to face him again, she pushed on his shoulder. "Sit."
"Yes, ma'am." Going to his knees, JD looked up at her. The breasts were what drew his attention, but the rest of her soon beckoned to him. A slim waist gave way to broad hips. His momma used to call them child bearing hips. The pert swell of her ass could be seen from the angle and he couldn't bring himself to look away. "Oh, god."
"You said that." Her voice echoed in the barn, a whiskey growl that spoke of desire. She pushed him back on to the blankets.
JD was momentarily surprised by the softness of the ground beneath him. He wanted to test it for more, but she knelt down beside him and he lost all thoughts of that. Unable to stop himself, he reached up a hand to cup her right breast. "You're real."
She blinked. When her eyes opened again, she reached out and took his other hand. Placing it upon her other breast, she tilted her head. "Very."
"Oh, god." He squeezed them firmly. "So damned real."
Throwing her head back as he squeezed again, she hissed. "Do you long for me?"
"Yes, oh, god, yes!" Sitting up, he was about to kiss the skin between her breasts when she lowered her head to stare at him again. He froze in her intense gaze.
Pushing him down, she rose up enough to throw one leg over his body. As she sat back, she could feel his erection through the pants of his costume. Rubbing her bottom against it, she laid a hand upon his chest. "Will you give yourself unto me?"
"Oh yes, ma'am, I will." Breathless, he closed his eyes. He felt her fingers trail down his chest, over his abs, to rest upon his buckle. His hips jerked from side to side as she made quick work of it. He raised them as she jerked the costume down his body. A moment later, he gasped as she returned to her position over his erection.
As she sank down upon him, he cried out. The intense heat and soft wetness of being inside her was too much. With a groan, his eyes rolled up in his head and he came within her. His hips bucked weakly a few times before he lay there boneless.
A smirk upon her lips, she climbed off JD and lay down beside him. She trailed her fingers down the thin patch of hair growing over the center of his chest. While his breathing evened out, her fingers grew thicker, small calluses forming on her palms.
Just before he fell asleep, JD could swear he was laying next to a man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morning came to the camp grounds with the crowing of cocks from the Odds and Ends tent. Word quickly spread through the tent as official orders came down from on high. The big man himself was offering a cash reward for the heads of Guy Royal and his band mates. There would be no second night in this county and the carnival was to be on the road by dusk.
Nursing a bad hangover, Chris stretched out languidly over a picnic table. On the benches to either side of him were empty beer bottles and wrappers from various foods. All of it would be gathered by the children over the next few hours and burned just before they left for wherever Travis chose next.
Since they were leaving early, the posters they had placed in the next county over were now useless. With the hit to their strong box the night before, they barely had enough to cover the cost of fuel and food for a trip to another town. The smart thing to have done would wait a few more nights before they left, that way they could get enough to secure the expenses. But Travis had his reasons.
Whatever they may be, Chris was sure as hell not going to be interrogating the man on it. If he said pack up the fucking carnival, bearded girl and all, then that's what he would do. Before he could get to that, he had one other stop to make first.
Groaning, Chris pushed himself up in to a sitting position. He wasn't sure how he had gotten on the picnic table, but it wasn't a very good place to sleep. The cricks in his back and neck attested to the inviability of it. Twisting, he put his feet over the edge of the table and slid off.
He was stretching out his sore muscles when the giant form of Josiah appeared between two tents.
As if summoned, he came to Chris and placed his hands on both hips. "Morning, brother. I hear from Ezra that you've got a task for me this morning." Grin a mile wide, he watched as Chris clutched at his head. The man reaped what he sewed with his drinking. "I need the keys to your truck before I can complete it."
"What?" Clearing his head with a shake, Chris frowned at the former preacher. "You're not trading my truck!"
"As much as that may appeal to some, Brother Ezra has kindly donated in his words 'the necessary currency for this exchange'." Putting his hands together, Josiah rubbed them expectantly. "Now, if you'll quit stalling, I have a truck and a wayward lamb to retrieve."
Eyeing Josiah, Chris reached in to his hip pocket for his keys. "How much did Ezra give you, exactly?"
"Enough." Snatching the keys before Chris could change his mind, Josiah tipped his hat to him then strolled out towards the vehicles.
Chris watched him go, suspicion and anger warring in his gut. If he was right, Guy Royal hadn't been quite as lucky as Ezra made him out to be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first thing Nathan became aware of as the sun came sparkling through his ten flaps was that he wasn't alone in his bed. Morning dew lit up the face of his beloved Rain. He was half tempted to lay back with her, but his resolve was strong. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he climbed out of his hammock. He pulled on a pair of fresh denim pants before grabbing his soap and scrub cloth.
Stalking out of his tent, he noticed the ground was soaked. If it weren't for the strategically placed straw the entire bit would have been a mud bog. Walking the well trodden path, he came to the hand pumps at the center of the camp. He grabbed a bucket from a nearby table and filled it with water. Carrying it, he walked over to the partitioned shower tents.
As he washed away yesterday's grime, Nathan wondered how long he had to wait. There wasn't a place he could stay for too long without a hotshot with a badge coming to question him. With a warrant out on his head, he couldn't exactly afford that. Still, he couldn't stay with the carnival forever. Eventually, he would settle down and raise a family.
That came back to Rain. Would she still be waiting for him when he was ready? Would he still want her when she was? There wasn't a whole lot of guarantee that anything thing would happen. Still, he wanted there to be a promise between them. If for nothing else, than to ease the burden of being alone.
By the time he finished and had let his body air dry, he was no closer to a solution than he had been any other morning since it started. With a grim outlook, he pulled up his pants and wandered over to the outhouses. A life of shitty prospects deserved to be thought over in a place with flies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scratching his ass, Buck slunk his way to the coffee pot in the center of the worker camp. The set up teams had gotten up half an hour past the ass crack of dawn. Already hard at work tearing down the tents, he was the only one above the age of ten not dressed and helping them.
For the great depression, it certainly was filled with happy people with money to throw his way. Not that he was complaining, it beat riding horses in the big top for a mere pittance and none of the beautiful lovers. Still, he longed for the financial security working at the circus had provided. So long as he could do his job, there had been people willing to pay.
That had all changed in the fire, but that was neither here or there. A lot of good things and people were lost that day, not just his cushy job. Five years was a long time to mourn a job and a dead horse. Still, if Chris could pick up and move on with the burden on his conscious, he could too.
Drinking down a metal cup of the sludge they called coffee, he felt his world speed up. Nothing like three hour old diesel fuel to get one started in the morning. Buck took a moment to shake it off. When he was certain he could walk straight, he headed back to his tent. He had a lotta packing to do before he could get on the road.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Checking the address on the paper, Josiah peered through the dusty windshield. For a world that seen near torrential rain the night before, everything was so damned dusty. It was truly a forsaken land. The sooner he got this exchange over with, the sooner they could leave.
Pulling up to what he assumed was the driveway, he rolled down the window to look at it. There was evidence it had once been a driveway, had even been used recently. Aside from the single set of tracks, though, weeds covered everything else. To either side, once proud fences lay in pieces or were missing all together. Nothing there spoke of having an occupant.
Sighing, he pulled off to the side of the road. There was no point in risking the one good truck he already had. Taking the keys from the ignition, he climbed out of the truck and started down the driveway. Mindful of snakes, he kept his steps even and light. If he touched one, he wanted the option of getting the fuck away before it struck.
After what felt like a quarter mile, he came to an old farm. It hadn't been plowed or cut in ages. An old tractor he hadn't seen the like of since he was a kid sat rusting in front of a derelict house. The one barn looked more suitable for habitation than the collapsed shack. Feeling foolish, Josiah started to turn and go back the way he came, when a shadow in the barn's entrance startled him.
He faced it, hand ready to go to his hip. The gun he had tucked down the back of his jeans was old, but it would still do the trick. "Any body there?"
Arms crossed, she stepped far enough out the door to lean back against the barn. The animal hides she wore barely covered her obvious assets, leaving no doubt to her femininity. "Howdy, what can I do for ya?"
Taking his hat off, Josiah ran a hand through his hair to settle it. "I beg your pardon, but I was sent here looking for a truck."
She nodded. "I got one of those."
Josiah frowned for a moment, taking a step towards her in confusion. "By any chance, are you willing to part with it?"
"Not likely." She quirked her lips, shaking her head. The movement caused her hair to fall from the tie holding it in place. Once freed, long strands of curls fell about her face.
Catching his breath, Josiah fingered his hat, worrying it over as he watched her breathe. "Uh..." He had to clear his throat and look down in order to begin thinking again. "We are looking, that is, the carnival I travel with, need a truck. I was sent here by someone who believed you would be willing to sell yours."
"I'm not selling anything." She resettled her arms, brushing up her breasts in the process. Feeling them, she looked down and frowned. "Blasted things, always getting in the way."
Before Josiah could say word one, she was pulling open her top and shuffling them out in clear view. Feeling a little faint, he closed his eyes and muttered a silent prayer. What for, he wasn't quite sure. When he opened his eyes, it was to see her watching him in shock. "Ma'am."
"Name's Vin. Nothin else, just Vin." Tieing the strings of her top back, she jerked her head back towards the barn door. "Might as well come in and see it, seein as you came all this way."
"I'm much obliged." Putting his hat back on, Josiah was a little disappointed with the fact that she got her body back under control. He followed along behind her, watching the way her hips moved ever so slightly from side to side. This time, he knew exactly why he prayed, and kept his hands on his belt to make sure it was kept.
Pushing aside the massive doors, she revealed a large green cargo truck. The wooden slats on the back looked new and well hewn right down to their shiny bolts. Standing back, she placed her hands on her hips and smiled. "A beauty, isn't she?"
"Stunning." Slowing down in his tracks, Josiah raised up a hand to slide along the hood as he neared. He examined every inch he could see, bending down to check inside the wheel well. A large winged stallion sat above the radiator cap, glistening in the morning light. "Where did you come by such a wonder?"
"I won it fair and square." She stood back, watching him take it in. "You said you were from a carnival. Got any freaks?"
"Oddities." Taking a break from his examination, he turned back to her. Again, he was struck by her looks. "We call the side show Oddities." A shuffling in the bed of the truck drew his attention. Glancing up over the bales of straw in the back, he saw a weed patch of black hair appear. "JD?"
"Huh?" Half asleep, JD glanced about the barn, pulling a piece of straw from his hair. "Josiah, that you?"
"Morning, son, Ezra said you'd be around." To his amusement, it looked as if JD wasn't wearing anything but a sleepy expression. He turned back to find the woman smiling. "You have something to do with this?"
"May be." Crossing around behind Josiah, she headed to the side of the truck where a metal foot rest was hanging down. Placing one on the bottom rung, she climbed up the side of the truck. Her rise caused her breast to bounce and the top to come loose. By the time she threw a leg over the railing, the strings were flying and she was bared to the world. "Damn it all to hell!"
"Here, let me help." Standing up, JD started to reach for her until he realized he wasn't wearing any clothes. Eyes wide, his hands quickly went down to cover his cock. "Shit, why didn't ya tell me I was naked?"
"I ain't got much room to talk." Grabbing the edges of her top, she pulled them tight again, this time leaving them in several knots. When she was finished, she looked up at JD who was watching her in expectation. "What?"
"Where'd ya throw my clothes?" He started scuffling through the blankets and straw with his toes.
"I just slid them down your hips. Ya must have kicked them off last night." Bending over, she turned her back to him and started lifting up the bales. Going down on her knees, she pushed aside the blankets until she hit the truck's bed. Moving over to the other side of the truck, she came upon the edge of his costume. Pulling it out, she raised it with triumph. "Found it."
Turning back to face JD, she found his hands weren't enough to cover his crotch again. With a sigh, she handed the costume over to him. "You're supposed to be thinkin about your costume."
Grinning, he took it and quickly slipped it on. When it came to his belt and buttons, he stood there watching her. Slowly, he did up the buttons before stuffing himself down in the costume. Affixing his belt, he slipped it through the buckle and locked it back in place. "Done."
"So I see." A cleared throat drew Vin's attention back to Josiah. Noticing they'd been watched the whole time, her skin colored brightly. "Sorry, the truck's not for sale."
"What you need a truck for?" Leaning over the arm rail, JD switched his attention between Josiah and Vin.
"Guy Royal and his crew took off with one of ours and the till. Travis is so mad he called for the camp to be struck and everyone to pack up." This time, Josiah glanced over to Vin. Reaching for the weight in his pocket, he pulled out the silk wrapped bundle. "Our friend said you'd have a truck we could use. He gave me this to give to you for payment."
"What is it." Vin eyed it suspiciously. That fancy of silk never meant anything good in her experience.
"I'm not exactly sure. He told me not to unwrap, that was just for you." Holding it up, he handed it off to her when she reached for it.
Taking the silk bundle, Vin felt a tingle pass through her. She held her breath as she pulled on the knotted string to release it. When the flaps came open, she nearly dropped it. Catching herself, she clenched the bundle tightly shut and stuffed it deep between her breasts. "You got yourself a truck."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hauling a large barrel full of stuffed prizes on to the back of a truck, Chris felt his back give a warning start. Once he dropped the cursed thing on the flat bed, he reached in to his back pocket and pulled out his sweat rag. He wiped it down his face and took a moment to cool down. The sun had risen to near noon and the smell of cooking was in the air.
His stomach growled that he couldn't be drinking anything again until it was filled. Wiping his brow again, he stuffed the rag back down in to his pocket before turning for the meal area. The tents were gone and most of the picnic tables were torn apart, but the food was ready to be served. If his nose wasn't deceiving him, fried chicken was also made.
Mouth watering, he was halfway there when a loud honk echoed in the camp followed by the roar of a well built engine. Joining the moving crowd, Chris gave the meal trailer a longing glance before moseying along. As he stepped between the tent trailers where they were busy loading the canvass, he saw the source of the honking and noise. What appeared to be a brand new green truck was pulling up in the camp ground.
Wishing he had a hat, he put a hand over his eyes so he could see through in to the cab. By the time they adjusted, the truck had parked and the driver was climbing out. As she took a moment to adjust her top, he stopped breathing. He noticed he wasn't the only one watching with rapt fascination.
Having resettled her annoying breasts, Vin made sure the band around her hair was holding it back firm. It wasn't until she looked up that she noticed she was the center of attention. Even some of the women were watching her. Frowning, she reached inside the truck and pulled out an old battered hat and plopped it down on her head. "What're ya'll starin at?"
"An Angel." Rubbing two fingers over his mustache, Buck stepped forward from the crowd. He held out a hand for her. "My name is Buck Wilmington, my dear lady, and what be yours?"
"I ain't no lady." Ignoring his hand, she searched the crowd for someone who wasn't busy rubbernecking. Seeing only one man who looked to be in charge, she adjusted her belt and started towards him. The crowd parted to give her clearance as she stopped in front of Chris. Looking in to his eyes, when she could get them above her chest, she smirked. "Name's Vin. I hear you need my truck."
Chris shifted a little so he could look passed her to the truck. When he took it all in, including the silver hood ornament, he nodded. "Yeah, we do."
"Good." She released a small sigh as his gaze went directly back to her chest. Looking to the brim of her hat, she crossed her arms over her breasts. "Anyways I can help aside from driving?"
"I'm sure we can find some for you. Probably involve heavy lifting, you sure you can handle that?" His stare interrupted by the damned arms, he frowned at her face.
"I'm sure." She didn't uncross her arms until he nodded and turned to go. Just when she thought it safe, he turned back around.
Giving her breasts a good once over, Chris shook his head and continued on his way back to the chow line. Things just got a whole lot more interesting.
Watching with something akin to shock as Vin ignored him, Buck tried to figure out why. No woman who had been exposed to his charms was completely immune. This new comer was a horse of a different color, one he would have to study very carefully if he were ever to saddle up and ride. As he was lost in introspection, Chris' truck pulled up, expelling a ruffled looking JD and grinning Josiah.
"Morning Buck! I see you have met our gracious benefactor." Pulling his hat on, Josiah closed the truck door. He came to stand in front of it, watching as JD walked over to Vin. "Our youngest brother seemed to have found her before we knew she existed."
Turning to face Josiah in shock, Buck stared at him for a moment before being able to speak. "You mean they know each other?"
"In the biblical sense, apparently." His grin grew a mile wide at the fuming look from Buck. They both turned to watch JD as he reached Vin.
Coming up behind her, JD wrapped her in his arms. Before she could protest, he picked her up and spun her around.
"I'll be damned, seems he's found a girl he likes." A new appreciation for the younger man filled Buck. Then something occurred to him. "Why didn't he ride back with her if he's so fired up about her?"
Josiah took a moment to enjoy a laugh before speaking. "Seems his little lady likes big snakes. Keeps a couple with her in a box." He gestured at the cab of the green truck. "They're quite well fed, just this side of fat and lazy. I don't understand why he was so afraid."
"A snake charmer?" Shivering, Buck rubbed his mustache again. "Heaven help the boy."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the rest of the camp had settled down for midday meal, Ezra quietly sipped a cup of hot tea. The others of the carnival thought him mad for it in the current weather, but the heated beverage soothed him. Waiting for his meal to be delivered gave him time to reflect.
Across the room, Travis sipped from his brandy. He knew it was early to be drinking, but he had lost a fortune last night and tonight wasn't going to recoup any of that. The horn honking earlier had done little for his mood. "Where are we to head next?"
"Patience, my dear Mr. Travis. We are awaiting the arrival of the one who knows the way." Even in the near dark of the trailer, Ezra's eyes were extremely sensitive. Closing them, he enjoyed the peaceful sensation that accompanied another sip.
A knock came at his door before it was pulled open. Curly mop coming free under the brim of her hat, Vin climbed up the steps in to the trailer. She shut the door behind her before glancing about. Vin offered Travis a shy smile before turning slowly to face Ezra.
"And here we are." Raising a hand, Ezra gestured to the remaining chair in the room. "Please, have a seat... Ms. Tanner." Uncovered fingers lingered in the air before dropping back to his side.
Not bothering to comply, she studied him for a long time. Eventually, she took off her hat, but kept it by her side. "Where'd you get it?"
"We come across many things in our travels. It was but one of many interesting acquisitions." Sighing when it appeared she would remain standing, Ezra grasped his cup with both hands. He inhaled deeply from the mug before taking a sip. "Sheer perfection, even if I do say so myself. Of course, I know how I like it."
"I'm sure you do." Vin sent a nervous glance over her shoulder to Travis.
"Do not fret, my dear, he can be trusted. It is the young JD whom you need concern yourself with." A chuckle burst forth from his lips. "His amorous intentions are quite clear. A boy that smitten cannot hide his affections."
"I can handle JD." Vin looked over to the chair Ezra had offered earlier. Feeling slightly comfortable, she headed for it and sat down. "Is it genuine?"
"I do not deal in fakes." His sneer told Vin what he thought of the mere idea of that. "Why have you not tried it?"
"I haven't had the chance." Reaching in to her pocket, she tugged out the silk handkerchief. Casting another glance to Travis, Vin opened her hand enough for the silk to fall away. Revealed in her palm was a simple necklace of red beads and a small clay tablet. Very gently, she took it from the silk, setting aside the handkerchief.
"Quite inelegant, but a very effective stratagem. Hidden in plain, quite literally, sight." Ezra finished his cup of tea, then set it on the table beside him. "Do put it on already, I am certain Mr. Travis is awaiting with baited breath to see the real you."
Swallowing, Vin grasped the necklace with both hands. Leaning forward, she slipped the necklace over her head and let it rest around her throat. As she sat back, her face grew broader, the skin firm. Soft lips grew a little thinner and the nose more pronounced. The greatest change came from inside the top Vin wore as her breasts retracted and his chest expanded.
Grasping his jaw with a well worn hand, he closed his eyes. Stubble was faint, but grew along his jaw line. His hips narrowed as the front of his pants filled out. A shift in his stance was the final change as he sat back. Opening his still blue eyes, a smile slowly spread across his face. "How do I look?"
"Breath taking, Mr. Tanner, though I do believe something more appropriate would be in order. I've laid something out for you on my bed. I do hope it is your size." Ezra raised his hand and pointed at the door behind Vin's chair. "Be quick about it, I'm sure Mr. Travis has many questions he's dying to ask."
"I ain't sure I want to answer them. Besides, I feel comfortable now that I'm back in my own body again, don't need new clothes." To prove his point, Vin raised his arms. Unfortunately for him, the leather came apart and snapped the seams. Glancing down, he stared at the torn top before sighing. "I liked that shirt."
"Yes, I'm sure you did. Now, adjourn yourself and make ready to be presentable." While Vin got up to reluctantly comply, Ezra poured himself another cup of tea. He blew the steam off before adding two cubes of sugar and stirring slowly.
When the door opened again, a well dressed Vin stepped through looking thoroughly uncomfortable. "I ain't wearing these clothes for long."
"That'll do. Please, sit down." Ezra sighed when Vin plopped down in his chair. He glanced over to Travis. When he received a nod of affirmation, he leaned forward in his chair. "We have a proposition for you Mr. Tanner. How would you like a job?"
"I ain't whorin myself, you can keep the necklace if that's what you want." Vin didn't like the way Ezra was looking at him. The way Travis was watching him, didn't settle well either, for that matter.
"Oh, you can keep your clothes on." Ezra's lips quirked. "Most of them."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Behind the wheel of Chris' truck, Buck watched the trailer ahead of his as they rolled down the road. In the passenger seat, Chris was laying against the window, his hat down over his eyes. The radio was turned on, but they were so far from any station all that came was static. Turning it down, Buck nudged Chris with his hand. "Hey, pard, you awake?"
"I am now. What do you want?" Chris didn't move, trying to recapture his dream.
"Just wanting to talk." He grinned at the other man's snort. "What do you think about the newest act? Got some great moves on her."
"I noticed her." Chris reached up to tug his hat down a bit further, hoping that would end the conversation.
It didn't.
"Belly dancer, you ever hear something so exotic? Just the thought of her sets my mind blazing. I wonder what her costume's gonna look like." Eyebrows waggling, Buck gave a low whistle. "You think she'd let me sit in while Nettie takes her measurements? May be even hold the tape for her."
"Buck, you're asking for trouble. Besides, JD's got first dibs. Don't want to go upsetting the boy any further. Mary's done her damnedest, don't need you added on." Now that he was thinking about it, Chris couldn't get back to sleep. He pushed the brim of his hat up a little. "There's something about her. I can't quite pin it down, but I know she's gotta secret. Ezra knows, he sent Josiah to get her because of it, I'm certain on that."
"Well, whatever it is, so long as it don't make her any less beautiful, I can over look it." He sighed wistfully. Before he could make another comment, Chris turned up the radio until static filled the cab. Buck sent him a look, before restoring his attention fully to the road.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the cab of Vin's truck, Nathan sat behind the wheel. He kept sending glances over to where Vin sat against the passenger door, a snoring JD in her lap. When he was certain the kid wasn't faking it, Nathan turned off the radio. "How long you gonna string that kid along?"
"I'm not sure I am." Stroking JD's hair off his face, Vin patted his cheek. JD shifted obligingly, his snores abating instantly. "He's very attractive, if I have to stay with someone, it should be him."
"He'll never know the real you, will he?" When she turned to look at him, he smiled. "I know who you are."
Staring directly ahead, Vin brought JD up further in to her lap. He settled with a sound of protest across her, head pillowed between her breast. "I won't lie to him."
"But you won't tell him everything, either." Silence fell between them for a bit. As he reached behind the seat for the thermos, Nathan caught Vin watching JD sleep, a tender look on her face. "What are you going to do if he wants to marry you, have kids? He's young now, but boys eventually turn in to men."
Raising her head, Vin stared at him until he was forced to look away.
Shaking his head, Nathan pried open the thermos with one hand. "I hope he's worth it. Who knows, may be one day he'll appreciate the sacrifice you'll end up making for him."
"One day may never come. Only Ezra and his canaries know what's happening tomorrow." Leaning down, Vin pressed her lips to JD's, taking a moment to enjoy the sensation. Pulling back, she let him go back to sleeping upon her chest. She raised her eyes to watch the road as it disappeared under their wheels.
THE END............................