TITLE: Like Father
CHALLENGE: April 2004- For this one, I want you to get the boys all mixed up! Write a story in which at least one guy poses as / or is mistaken for at least one of the others. You can include as few or as many guys as you want. Comedy, drama, mayhem, tearjerkers...the why and how of this mistaken identity mix-up is all up to you. Let your imaginations go wild. You may use any open AU and write any length story.  Oh, P.S.: Lily luvs animals, so for a big fat bonus points and cyberkiss, include an animal in the story (other than a horse!)
UNIVERSE: OW
MAJOR CHARACTERS: Ezra, Chris, and Vin
RATING: G
ARCHIVE: Yes
SPOILERS: None
NOTES:  Inspired by a thought Chris has in "Chris `The Charmer'
Larabee".
AUTHOR: Lady Catherine Dunbar (Kelly)
EMAIL: kellyg49@hotmail.com

Part 1:

"Is Da here yet?" Erlina asked from her position on the jail house floor under the desk.

Brina peeked out of the window, careful not to be seen.  A smile curled her lips when she her da heading towards them, their little sister holding onto his hand, skipping.

"He and Aithne are heading this way."  She turned her head to look down the other side of the boardwalk where their other sister Shayla was leading Mr. Larabee and Mr. Tanner towards the jail.  "And Shayla's right on time."

She heard Erlina giggle as she hurried to join her under the desk.  Erlina couldn't help but huff as her big sister pushed her way into the tight space.

"I think you're getting too big for this, Brina," she said.

Brina gave her sister a playful shove.  "Maybe, but I'll never be too old to pull pranks on Da."

"Good," Erlina concluded as she returned her eyes to the door.  Her sister rolled her eyes, knew her sisters would be lost without her.  "You ready?"

She received a nod, patting the box under her hands.  A sly smile appeared her face.  "Of course."

Brina giggled at the expression on Erlina's face.  No one did a better impression of their father's confidence smile than Erlina. 

Suddenly she heard footsteps approaching and scrunched down, hushing her sister.  With wicked smiles on their faces the sisters waited in breathless excitement as they waited for their Da to walk through the door.


"Shayla?"

The little auburn haired Standish twirled around, an innocent smile on her face.  "Yes Mr. Larabee?"

"What are you girls up to?"
 
Her eyes grew wide, her face paling for just a moment.  Unlike her sisters, Shayla had not inherited her father's poker face and was still learning how to play the con. 

"Up to?  Why would you think we're up to something, Mr. Larabee?"

Chris exchanged a look with the amused Tanner, who was attempting to hide his smile.  "It might have something to do with the fact that you're practically pulling us towards the jail."

Shayla blushed, embarrassed that she had been so easily caught.  She leaned over and said quietly, "It's not for either of you, so don't worry.  Just come see."

Vin and Chris nodded, smiling. 

Proud that she had not failed, Shayla happily led them towards the jail, just in time to see her Da leaping back out of the doorway, surprise and fear all over his face.  The sound of laughter floated from the jail door as Erlina hurried out of the door with shoe box.  Giggling so hard she could barely stand, the girl scooped up what even Vin would call a huge spider into her box.

"It's just a little old spider Da," Brina said as she too appeared in the doorway. 

Vin and Chris almost fell over laughing at Ezra's face.  The usually calm collected conman was pale and wide eyed, his breathing coming fast.  After a moment he pulled at his clothes, struggling to contain himself.  "That wasn't funny girls," he said in his best father tone.

"Oh yes it was, Ez," Vin said as he, Chris and Shayla joined them. 

Still trying to calm himself down, Ezra narrowed his eyes at his friends, trying to look annoyed.  Yet he had to admit the prank was rather good, and well aimed.  His daughters had finally found something to absolutely scare him, after quite a long struggle to find something that worked.  No one was harder to play a trick on than Ezra, and very few things scared, and only one animal in the world terrified him- spiders.  Ezra hated the things and some how his daughters had figured it out.  He should have expected it from the little sneaks.  That's my girls, he thought proudly.

However, he still had to play the father.  "Do not encourage them Vin."

"I don't think he has to Ez," Chris said, eyeing the mischievous looks on the faces of all four Standish girls.

"Neither do I," he said, his eyes shining with happiness as he gazed at his girls.  They were a handful, but at least they were his handful.

TBC