Desperado

by Valentine

Disclaimer: Nothing herein belongs to me. This story is meant only as entertainment and is not intended to infringe upon the rights held by MGM, Mirisch, CBS, TNN etc.

Notes: Inspired by The Eagles' Desperado

Tonight I’m not only gambling, I’m watching. I’m watching Chris, Vin and Buck. Buck is watching Chris, looking slightly like a big, worried mother-hen. Chris is watching Vin with that silent intensity of his. Vin doesn’t seem to be watching anyone, but I know there’s not much that escapes his sharp blue eyes.

I’m sitting here, watching these three men who’ve become my friends during the last months, but I’m not sure I’m seeing everything. On the surface, this is just a friendly game of cards, but there are undercurrents there that I don’t fully understand. And I’m supposedly the one with superior insight into human nature. Mother wouldn’t approve of my lacking powers of observation.

Buck is watching Chris and Vin, and he keeps throwing quietly desperate glances my way.

Pray, what are you trying to tell me, Mr. Wilmington?

With a sigh, Buck folds. He bids us goodnight and leaves, still looking like a man who has a lot on his mind.

I turn to my remaining companions, but they’re still watching. Each other.

Am I the only one who just wanted to play cards tonight? Play cards? No, that’s a lie. I didn’t just want to play cards, I’ve been seeking the company of one man. But he was busy watching someone else. I wish he would watch me.

Buck

I can’t believe I’m still friends with that stubborn bastard, best friends, for fuck’s sake! How many times have I told him to tell him? But he won’t, he just won’t.

So, once again, he’s sitting there, watching him. And being watched. By him!

All this watching is drivin’ me crazy, ya know? I’m getting desperate, but there’s nothin’ much I can do. Chris will shoot me if I tell him how Chris feels, so I’m sitting here, endurin’ another night of watching.

I’m worried about Chris. Yes, I’ve just called him a stubborn bastard, but what’s a little insult between friends? Chris is a hard one and I know he’s got his reasons for not tellin’ Vin he loves him, but it’s time he came to his senses. How I’d like to beat some sense into that blond head of his!

'You ain’t gettin’ no younger, Chris,' I’ve told him. 'You’d better let somebody love you before it’s too late.' But does he listen to me?

There’s something Josiah once said: 'It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you, Brother Buck.' Maybe I should try that one on Chris?

Or should I let our resident gambler do the talking? He’ll probably say something along the lines of ‘The queen of hearts is always your best bet’. This is hopeless! Ezra, help me out here! Please?

Poor Ez. I don’t know what he makes of all this watching. He frowns at me and my desperate glances, making that adorably cute, confused face.

That’s it, enough watching and worryin’ for one night! Even my cards don’t feel lucky anymore. I’m outta here!

I’m leaving with one last look at Ezra. Boy, I wish he’d do some watching of his own. That I could take. Quite easily. For night after night …

Ezra

Buck just took me aside and told me what the watching last night was all about. Tonight he wants me to fix our game, he wants me to cheat.

I, Ezra P. Standish, do not cheat!

All right, occasionally I do. On the occasion when a certain charming rogue, dashing scoundrel, lovable ladies’ man flashes those blue eyes at me, gives me that pleading puppy-dog look, smiles that smirky smile that sends shivers down my spine. I’m sure you get the picture.

Buck wants me to cheat at the game tonight to stop the watching between Chris and Vin. It’s for a good cause, he said.

And what do I get out of this, Mr. Wilmington, hm?

Buck has been pestering Chris ever since last night. I should have known something was up - our esteemed leader was in a most dreadful mood. Anyway, Chris has grudgingly agreed to stake everything on a poker game. If he wins, Buck will shut up about the whole thing. If Buck wins Chris has to tell Vin about his feelings.

I’m not supposed to play, I’ve been assigned the role of dealer. So I’m dealing, keeping an indifferent expression on my face.

Chris trusts me and walks right into my trap.

Another card, Mr. Larabee? You’re sure? This card will decide if you’ll win or loose.

And I deal him the queen of hearts.

The queen of hearts is always your best bet, Mr. Larabee, but not this time. This time, the lady has beaten you! I smile amiably at him.

Gotcha, Mr. Larabee!

Don’t you dare give me that glare, Mr. Larabee. All’s fair in love and war - and a game of chance. It’s for your own good, really. And stop glaring at Buck, he’s your friend. He worries about you, you know?

Vin is confused - and has reason to be. He sees Chris look daggers at Buck and me and doesn’t know why. So quit that glaring and tell him, Mr. Larabee. You’re lucky and Vin’s lucky. You two love each other, that’s something to be happy about.

It’s probably my turn now to watch the object of my affection and look morose.

Would you mind being watched, Mr. Wilmington?

Buck looks at me as if he’s read my thoughts. He beams at me, giving me a wide ‘Good work, Ez’ smile. Why, oh why can’t I just resist that smile? I have to look away, slightly embarrassed.

Buck is still looking at me! His expression is dreamy now, his smile gentle.

Is he thinking what I think he’s thinking? I have to fight the urge to turn around, to see if he’s looking at someone behind me.

He picks up the last card I dealt Chris - Queen of Hearts - and flicks it back at me across the table. I’m not blushing. No, I am not blushing! Gentlemen do not blush. At least not in public.

Stop embarrassing me, Mr. Wilmington. Unless you really mean it. Do you?

I can see Buck means it. I’ve seen him court many women, but I’ve never seen him look like this at anybody, with his heart in his eyes.

Chris and Vin are leaving? How did that happen? I must have been with someone else, uh, somewhere else for a moment. I love it when a plan comes together - even if I didn’t pay attention to see the last hand played out.

Now, what are we going to do, Mr. Wilmington? Some more watching?

You’re right, watching is good enough for a while, but there are more rewarding things than watching someeone. I knew you wouldn’t be a man content to just watch, Mr. Wilmington, I knew you’d prefer the hands-on approach.

I guess I’m really lacking powers of observation where Buck is concerned. I’ve been so busy watching him watch Chris, Chris watching Vin, and Vin watching Chris that I didn’t notice Buck watching me.

Coming, Mr. Wilmington! Yes, I’m done with watching, I like playing better. I’ll just leave my cards, I don’t think I’ll need them tonight.

The End

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