Prologue

Disclaimers: Neither BtVS, The Magnificent Seven TV show nor its wonderful ATF AU created by Mog belong to me. I’m just playing in the sandbox. There’s a brief mention of Blade ‘lore’ but not really a crossover.

A/N I’ve warped the timeline in regard to a couple of TV shows, and Fred’s still Fred rather than Illyria: just a little creative licence!
And the chapter lengths – all over the place – apologies in advance :0)
A/N2 – Dedicated to my friends who taught me to play poker and, of course, Ezra Standish ;0)

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Prologue

Xander looked at the unmoving form in the bed. The pale features barely stood out against the sheets, the normally active hands lay still and lifeless on the covers.

Could he have prevented this? If he hadn’t been so determined to keep secrets about his life before Denver, would this still have happened? Xander felt the prickle from unshed tears and fought to hold them back. He had to be strong. He had to have faith.

Xander could feel the glare from the other side of the bed. He didn’t need to look up to see the expression of fury on Chris Larabee’s face. Worse, he knew he deserved the other man’s hatred.

Xander closed his eyes and turned his face heavenward, sending a heartfelt plea to whatever beings were listening.

‘Please don’t let Ezra die.’

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