A More Permanent Hell

Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Three

Chris sat under the apple tree in the back garden, wrapped in a blanket, his feet propped up on a box with a cushion. The late afternoon sun had warmed him and he’d drifted to sleep not long after Ezra and Timothy, Charlotte’s oldest boy, had settled him there. This despite the nap Charlotte had insisted he take after he’d sat in the parlour, listening to Penny play the piano for an hour. Now he half dozed, watching Charlotte, who’d come out to join him a short time ago. Her lap was covered in lace, her head bent in deep concentration as she placed fine stitches across the fabric that would be Jemma’s bridal veil. ( Her oldest child’s wedding was in less than two weeks, and every time Charlotte was sitting, she was working on some sort of wedding finery. )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][

Link on AO3

The beginning of this story may be familiar to some of you. I started posting this in 2009, and never finished it. I would add little bits here and there, but never really sat down to finish. Well, this weekend I did. The beginning has been rewritten somewhat, to better fit in with stories written since, so I'm starting fresh. Sorry you had to wait so long for me to complete this, grachonok.

Fandoms: Magnificent Seven, Highlander
Rating: PG15
Warnings/Notes: Complete, gen developing into het. This picks up after the final M7 episode, Obsession, and the Highlander episode, Comes a Horseman. This story has the concept of Highlander Immortality, no Highlander characters appear, but are mentioned. It is set after the flashbacks in my story, I Am Going To the West. The title is from the song ‘Where Shall I Go? (A Cowboy's Hard Times)’. You can find the lyrics here.
Character(s): Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, Original Characters.
Summary: Sometimes, the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.

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Too Young For Heaven

New Mexico Territory, Summer, 1867

“If you want me to come, then of course I shall. But I think you overestimate any influence I might have with Chris.”

“Thank you, Charlotte,” Ezra said. After discussing the situation with Vin and Buck, the three men had decided that Charlotte might be able to reach Chris in that dark place he'd fallen into after his grievous encounter with Ella Gaines. And Ezra privately hoped that it might prove to be a much needed distraction for Charlotte, who seemed to be trapped in a darkness of her own.

She nodded. “Let me change and tell Charles and the children I shall be away for the day.”

( Ezra Standish cast a critical eye over his cousin as she threw the last of the feed to the chickens. The morning sun washed over her, giving him a sharp reminder of just how much weight she’d lost in the weeks since Methos had left.  )
][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][

Link on AO3

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.

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Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Eight

“Hey, stud! Yer looking mighty fine for a man who was gut shot and sewn up twice!” Buck Wilmington called out as his long stride brought him to where Chris and Charlotte were sitting, Vin Tanner following behind him. “Ma’am.” He tipped his hat to Charlotte. “Though if it meant being nursed by a lady as lovely as you, I might consider gettin’ shot myself.” He flashed his most charming smile.

( Charlotte laughed at Buck’s outrageous statement. The big man never failed to bring a smile to her lips. It was just impossible to not to be cheered by his good humour and expansive personality. )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][ PART FIVE ][ PART SIX ][ PART SEVEN ][
][ PART EIGHT ][

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming. Some mentions of Pirates of the Caribbean in this part.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.

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Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Seven

Chris sat under the apple tree in the back garden, wrapped in a blanket, his feet propped up on a box with a cushion. The late afternoon sun had warmed him and he’d drifted to sleep not long after Ezra and Timothy, Charlotte’s oldest boy, had settled him there.( Chris sat under the apple tree in the back garden, wrapped in a blanket, his feet propped up on a box with a cushion. The late afternoon sun had warmed him and he’d drifted to sleep not long after Ezra and Timothy, Charlotte’s oldest boy, had settled him there. )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][ PART FIVE ][ PART SIX ][ PART SEVEN ][
][ PART EIGHT ][

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming. Some mentions of Pirates of the Caribbean in this part.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.

----=========================================----

Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Seven

Chris sat under the apple tree in the back garden, wrapped in a blanket, his feet propped up on a box with a cushion. The late afternoon sun had warmed him and he’d drifted to sleep not long after Ezra and Timothy, Charlotte’s oldest boy, had settled him there.( Chris sat under the apple tree in the back garden, wrapped in a blanket, his feet propped up on a box with a cushion. The late afternoon sun had warmed him and he’d drifted to sleep not long after Ezra and Timothy, Charlotte’s oldest boy, had settled him there. )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][ PART FIVE ][ PART SIX ][ PART SEVEN ][
][ PART EIGHT ][

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.

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Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Six

“It seems to be healing nicely,” Charlotte said as she finished placing the clean dressing on Chris’s wound. “And perhaps if you can manage to avoid any bar fights in the near future, it might even heal completely this time.” Her voice was equal measures of gentle reproof and amusement.

( It was the second day after Chris had regained consciousness at Charlotte’s ranch, and he was feeling much more clearheaded than he had yesterday. The windows of his room had been opened wide, and the fresh May breeze flooded the room with the scents of spring. He felt more alive than he could recall feeling for a very long time.  )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][ PART FIVE ][ PART SIX ][ PART SEVEN ][

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.

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Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Five

“Nathan, I really must insist that you calm yourself,” Charlotte scolded gently as the healer yet again fussed at Vin to let him up off the bed.

“Honest, I could do them stitches,” Nathan protested.

( They were in Nathan’s clinic and Charlotte was preparing to restitch Chris’s bullet wound. Due to the cramped quarters, Buck, Josiah, and JD had left, leaving Vin and Ezra to assist Charlotte. Chris had blacked out at some point on the journey up to the clinic, which left Nathan the only conscious patient. The healer had been agitated since they’d brought Chris in, and Vin had done his best to calm their unwilling patient; but to no avail.  )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][ PART FIVE ][ PART SIX ][

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.

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Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Five

“Nathan, I really must insist that you calm yourself!” Charlotte scolded gently as the healer yet again fussed at Vin to let him up off the bed.

“Honest, I could do them stitches,” Nathan protested.

( They were in Nathan’s clinic and Charlotte was preparing to restitch Chris’s bullet wound. Due to the cramped quarters, Buck, Josiah, and JD had left, leaving Vin and Ezra to assist Charlotte. Chris had blacked out at some point on the journey up to the clinic, which left Nathan the only conscious patient. The healer had been agitated since they’d brought Chris in, and Vin had done his best to calm their unwilling patient; but to no avail.  )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][ PART FIVE ][ PART SIX ][

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.


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Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Four

( Charlotte allowed her eyes to adjust to the gloom of the saloon, feeling the presence of the four men behind her. She had demanded their word that they wouldn’t interfere, but she didn’t know if that would hold when push came to shove. Their concern for Chris competed with their chivalrous instinct to protect her, despite the fact that they knew she was more than capable of looking out for herself; the habits of a lifetime were hard to break. )


][ PART ONE ][ PART TWO ][ PART THREE ][ PART FOUR ][ PART FIVE ][

Rating: PG15 for adult situations.
Notes: This story picks up just after the closing scene in the final episode of the series, 'Obsession'. WIP, Magnificent Seven/Highlander, a story in the 'Echoes the Sea' series. Many thanks to strangevisitor7 for beta duties and brainstorming.
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, JD Dunne, OFC.
Summary: There are times when the only way to escape the dark, and the demons that haunt you, is to have friends who refuse to let you fall.


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Too Young For Heaven ~ Part Three

( Charlotte pushed through the group of lawmen, dropping to her knees next to Nathan, pulling out a handkerchief and pressing it against the bleeding wound along his temple. The healer wasn’t unconscious, but he was stunned. )


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