| Halloween Stories By M7 Muse Ladies |
Muse 7 Halloween Challenge Close Encounter of the Spooky Kind MCAT by Sherry “I don’t know how the hell I let you talk me into this.” Chris squirmed as Caitlyn adjusted his collar. “I said I’d take you to your friend’s Halloween party, but you neglected to tell me it was supposed to be in costume.” “You make a dashing Count Dracula.” Cait smiled. “If you’re really good, I might even let you bite my neck.” Chris grinned wolfishly at her, flashing his fake fangs. “We could just stay here and forget the party.” “Oh no you don’t, Chris Larabee. You promised you’d take me, and you’re not getting out of it that easily.” Cait argued. “Max and Walter have all the kids at Vin’s house for a party and you have no excuse.” “Fine, shall we go, Countess?” “My pleasure,” she took his arm and they walked out to the Ram. Once they were on the road, his mood lightened. “Did I tell you, you’re a beautiful Countess?” “No, but I thank you for noticing …” Caitlyn stopped when Chris cursed. “Damnit, I know I had a full tank of gas.” The truck stalled and he let it coast to the side of the road. They had not even made it to the main highway yet, so he wasn’t worried about blocking traffic, but it was annoying. It was pitch dark, most of the others had plans for the evening, and anyway he looked at it they were going to be stuck here for a while. “You’re really of out gas?” Cait asked. “I thought only teenagers pulled that routine.” Chris reached into the glove box for a flashlight. “I have better methods for getting you alone, and my idea of a romantic setting is not to be stuck on the side of the road, in the dead of night wearing a Dracula costume.” Shaking the light, he could not get it to work. “Hell, I know I had new batteries…” He sighed and pulled his cell out of his pocket. “I’ll have to call on of the boys and ask them to bring enough gas to get us to a station. “Do what you need to and don’t worry. If we miss the party, I’ll live.” Ezra and Barbara had left earlier for dinner with Josiah and Mallory, someplace on the other side of Denver , so he knew they weren’t home. He tried Buck, Nathan and JD, with no luck. No one was answering. Finally he caller the Tanner home and Max picked up. Chris could hear all the Wild Bunch children in the background. “Max, I hate to call in the middle of the party, but I need to speak to one of my brothers.” “None of them are here right now. Vin and Kelli took off for their night at the cabin, Buck and Inez went on a food run for me, and JD is out in the stables with Walter, something about one of the mares, I think. Nathan, Rain, and Casey took some of the older children out trick or treating in an area they knew was safe. It’s just me, Sally and the babies here.” “It’s okay. I’ll try to catch Buck on his cell. Hug my kids for me. ” He hung up and redialed Buck’s cell number only to receive a busy signal. “Damn. You’d think in a family this size I could reach someone.” Cait sat quietly while Chris tried Buck’s number again. When he got another busy signal, she suggested, “We’re not that far from the ranch. I don’t mind walking back, if you don’t.” Chris thought about it and after considering his options, he decided it was what they had to do. “Okay, if you’re sure.” ”I am,” She smiled.” Besides, I have Count Dracula to protect me.” After locking up the truck, they started the trek back to the Larabee 7. It was dark, and the ditches were full of water, but sticking to the road Chris was sure they’d have a smooth walk. Suddenly Cait grabbed his arm. “Did you hear that?” “No, I didn’t hear anything”. Wrapping his arm around her waist, Chris chuckled. “You’re not afraid of the dark are you?” “Not really but…there it is again. Tell me you heard it.” A rustling noise in the brush on the right side of the road drew their attention. “It’s probably just a rabbit. We have a few running around…” A louder sound from the left side of the road startled them and something darted in front of them. A black cat screeched as it disappeared into the woods. “Damn cat,” he mumbled. An owl few low over their heads and Cait screamed when it crossed in front of her. “Easy,” Chris drew her closer when she shuddered. “It’s Halloween, it’s dark, and we’re letting ourselves get carried away”. She took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right”. Silently they walked for another five minutes. Chris stopped and cocked his head to listen. He heard what sound like thunder, however, the rain they had earlier today was supposed to be gone. The noise was low to the ground, moving fast, and coming closer. “Cait, get behind me, “he whispered. “What is it, Chris?” “Just get behind me, move over to the ditch and stay there,” he ordered. Looking down the road he saw a horse galloping toward them. He couldn’t make out the rider, but whoever it was, apparently was wearing a long tailed coat that was flapping behind him. The horse was rapidly approaching them, and…the rider was laying low over the horse’s neck. Chris reached for his gun, before remembering he wasn’t wearing it. However, his hand became tangled in his Dracula cape. He was shaking it to get loose when he looked up, the horse was coming closer. Just before the unknown rider reached his position, appearing to be headed straight for him, Chris lunged for the ditch, which was full of water. Intending to land on his feet, his costume did not cooperated. His boot twisted, propelling him forward, and in spite of his efforts to avoid it, he landed in the middle of the water and mud. It was then that he realized Caitlyn wasn’t there beside him. “Cait,” he yelled. “Where are you?” Chris was attempting to climb out of the ditch, the weight of his cape making it difficult. Instead of her soft voice, he heard laughter. The horseman had stopped and dismounted. Vin walked toward him and offered him a hand. “You’re all wet, Cowboy.” “Yeah, and he dances pretty good, too.” Buck stepped out of the shadow, pleased that their spooky conspiracy had been successful. “Hey Dracula,” JD stepped forward carrying a black cat. Ezra, Josiah and Nathan joined them, all wearing big grins. It was becoming clear that he had been had. Chris looked at Caitlyn, who was also smiling. “Happy Halloween, Larabee.” “Aw, hell.” The end |
| ~~~~~~``` The Big Chair By Sue ~MCAT~MCAT~MCAT~ Kicking back as he put his feet up on the desk, JD smiled. This was…GREAT! He leaned back against the hands clasped behind his head and looked around the room. He'd been in this room many times but never alone and never in *this* chair. Dropping his feet to the floor, he unclasped his hand and leaned forward to rest on the desk, picking up a pen and pointing it toward an empty chair. "Did you get me the report I wanted, Tanner? Good, we'll talk about it in the conference room after lunch." JD chuckled then pointed to the other empty chair. "Larabee, I still haven't received your statement on your last case. Coordinate with Sanchez and get it to me by day's end, oh and tell Standish and Jackson I'm still waiting on their expense reports, I'm especially looking forward to Ezra's. I could do with a good laugh." JD was laughing now as he resumed his original position; feet back up on the desk and yawning as he relaxed into Commander Larabee's soft leather chair. The office was deserted, everywhere was quiet…maybe he could close his eyes and imagine himself here every day…in this office ….close his eyes…just for a minute. ~ Vin shook his head and grinned at Chris. Yet another meeting with Travis, their fourth this week and Chris was not amused. "Stop grinning at me you scruffy Texan," Chris growled, though there was no real menace in it, frowning as his comment simply made Vin grin wider. "Who's in the office?" Chris asked, attempting to change the focus from his sour demeanor. "No one," Vin reminded, "you told 'em to go home after the day we had yesterday." Chris nodded his agreement, shuddering at the image that entered his mind from the previous day's fiasco. He snapped back to reality as on approaching his office, Tanner halted him. "Did you hear that?" Removing their guns from their holsters, they cautiously approached Chris' office, noticing the door was open and motioning to each other to advance from either side of the opening. As he peered in, Vin grinned and leaned against the doorjamb, relaxing his gun arm as he did so. Chris re-holstered his own weapon as he mirrored Vin's movements and stared into his room, cracking a smile at his softly snoring youngest agent. Both men looked at each other, then with a wicked chuckle, Chris walked in. "AGENT DUNNE!" Startled from his snooze, JD flapped, his feet flying off the desk causing him to lose his balance and he toppled to the floor. Grabbing the arm of the chair as he balanced on his knees to get upright, JD blinked hard at the two men staring at him. "Y'alright down there, kid?" Vin smiled. "Err…I was just…erm I…aww hell." Feeling a might weary himself, Chris took pity on the dazed youth and held out his hand to help JD to his feet. "Come on, how about I buy you both a cup of coffee?" They nodded together and headed back out to the bullpen. "So, ya like the big chair, huh?" Vin asked as they walked, amused by JD's guilty look. Chris put an arm around JD's shoulders. "You're more than ready to move out and up, you know, if that's what you'd like." JD looked between the two men and swallowed hard. "Is that what *you'd* like?" Chris looked thoughtful, then grinned. "Nah…I reckon you're good for a few more years, yet, what d'ya think, Vin?" "Oh, at least…I mean, somebody round here's gotta keep us in line, go for coffee…tell bad jokes…" Relieved, JD grinned. "I got a few new ones for Halloween, ya wanna hear 'em?" Chris mock sighed. "I reckon I'm gonna regret this." JD chuckled. "Why wasn't the vampire working? He was on his coffin break." "Oh no…no, no…" Vin winced. "Or how about…Do zombies eat popcorn with their fingers?" JD grinned at their expressions, but went on undeterred. "No, they eat their fingers separately." JD was cackling now, Chris wagged his finger. "Please let that be it." The kid was on a roll. "Aww hell no. What do you call someone who puts poison in a person's corn flakes?" He laughed helplessly, the two men unable to prevent a chuckle escaping. "A cereal killer...Wait…wait…What do you call a dead chicken that likes to scare people?" Now Dunne was wiping his eyes, Chris and Vin were aching from laughing at *him* laughing. "A POULTRYgeist...get it…POULTRYGEIST!" Tanner grabbed their youngest as they entered the staff lounge and knuckled his head. Chris flopped onto a sofa, looking back fondly at the two men. "Nah…I reckon this team's fine just as it is." The end |
| ~MCAT~MCAT~MCAT~ Fear and Protection By Wendy In response to the Halloween Challenge: MCAT KIDS: Jason Tanner pressed his body against one corner of the living room wall in the Tanner residence, his blue eyes wide with growing fear as he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching the front door. He had awakened a few moments earlier to use the restroom and get something to drink. He had finished in the bathroom, and decided that instead of water, he wanted a sip of milk, the young boy had headed down the hallway toward the kitchen. No sooner had he reached the living room, than he had seen a shadow pass by one of the windows. Both his mom and dad were away on MCAT business overnight, and Max and Walter were asleep, as well as his younger sister Andi, and twin brothers Trey and Bren. It was up to him to find out who it was sneaking about their house, before he ran to the room Max and Walter shared when they had to stay overnight. A gasp escaped his lips as he realized that whoever the intruder was, they were on the front porch now. He was so focused on watching the front door, that he didn't hear anyone sneak up behind him, before a small hand reached out and touched his arm. "Boo!" Andi said gleefully, watching in delight as her older brother jumped nearly a foot. "That's not funny!" Jason exclaimed in a harsh whisper, his blue eyes flashing angrily at her. Andi bit her bottom lip and great big tears formed on her cheeks. "I's sorry..." "Ssh...it's alright.." Jason quickly said, grabbing her to him and holding her close as he turned her attention back onto the front door. The doorknob began to turn and he quickly told Andi,"Run...go wake up Max and Walter." Andi did as she was told and scampered off while Jason continued to eye the door. His heart pounded in his chest as the door opened and he anxiously looked around for some kind of weapon to use to protect the people that he loved. Just when he had decided to use one of the lamps as a weapon, his mother's recognizable figure entered the darkened room. With a cry of relief, Jason scampered across the living room. He threw himself at his mom and heard her and his dad let out surprised gasps. As his mom held him close, his dad quickly turned on a light and both glanced down at him with worried looks. Questions came next, just as Walter appeared in the hallway with a loaded weapon in his hand. "Looks like you've got things under control. I'm going to go to bed now." Walter said, turning around and heading back to bed, leaving a perplexed Vin and Kelli behind. Jason quickly told them about his waking up to go to the bathroom and get a drink, then hearing footsteps and seeing shadows and his wanting to protect the family. Vin and Kelli praised him for being brave, got him the sip of milk he wanted, and then tucked him back into bed, before going to bed themselves. The End |
Great Minds By sue JD nodded as Vin handed him a beer. "I feel so stupid," he sighed. "Weren't your fault," Tanner winked. "Buck would disagree with you there." "It's traditional to dress up for a Halloween party, JD." "Yeah…normally, so why did Travis change the plans?" "I guess he had a second thought, that’s why he left messages." "Missed ours, didn't we." Vin chuckled, "Yup." "Don't laugh, VIN…look at me…you lot in jeans and shirts and me dressed as Shaggy." Tanner collapsed with laughter. After a long scowl, JD joined in. "Still, at least you're not Buck…" As the two youngest went into hysterics, from inside Travis' home Buck's voice rang out. "Scooby Dooby Doo!" The End ~7~7~7~ |
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| Things that go Bump in the Night By Jan ~ MCAT ~ Halloween |