NationStates Jolt Archive

Dilana sighed as Sian made her sit down, however she knew that it was for the best.
"Thanks Sian," Dilana said as Sian helped her.

Harrow nodded to Sian and moved over to Dilana. He was gentle, quick and sure of himself. Speaking in a low voice, counciling and calming. The balm stopped the bleeding in a minute or two.

"Now", he said, not having told Godolking and Red since they already knew. "This will help heal you quickly. It will itch like crazy, though, don't scratch it." After he applied the balm he dressed the wound and then moved toward Sian, seeing her as the senior medical person.

"Done", he told her and then glanced around to see where else he might be needed.

Godolkin looked at Sian as she instructed him to sit, but stood his ground, albait shakely.

"Plant it", Red told him and did the same. She knew that if she didn't then he would remain on his feet. As soon as she sat he followed suit but looked at her.

"Blasphemy, we should leave here. Authorities are surely on thier way."

She knew he was right and she was antsy to get out of there. But she was also curious about what was happening. Whatever these things were, they were like nothing she had ever encountered.

********

"I agree", Michael replied.

Lauralin looked at him then back to Jessica and moved to sit by the edge of the bed, taking her hand in both of her small ones. Her brows knitted together as she felt the odd power of the residual Elvi. She closed her eyes, a bit taken aback by the sheer amount of it. Though she had felt such left in others it had never been to this extent. She opened her eyes and smiled at Jessica.

"Take the time. My people are more important than anything else. There are standing protocols for authorization of any specialists needed. I am glad, however, to see you awakened. I wish I could stay to be of assistance, but I must leave by tomorrow night, after I see Cain. Concerning that issue, I need your version of events. Michael has already given me his. Secondly, and I am not scolding you here, I encourage my assistants to participate in investigations, but you should start by observing rather than taking charge. Just a bit of advice. Also, in a situation where mortals are involved, the authorities are contacted. Let them contact you. They know we are here and we are here for just this reason. They will contact us in events such as this and then we can take the investigation without prejudice or overstepping our bounds. All information we gather are to be shared with the authorities. I doubt they will do more than acknowledge when it is passed to them, as it is beyond thier ken, but it is a courtesty that we always offer. Cain also should be kept advised. Should, however, it become evident, that he is in some way involved, curb the information and take whatever steps are necessary."

She looked at Michael, "Mister Gassington, you are presently being reassigned. You are, as of now, Lady Jessica's bodyguard. You do not leave her side, is that clear?"

"Crystal", Michael replied.

The young woman smiled at Harrow, "Thank you Harrow, I'm sure this stuff will work soon."
As the words left her lips, Dilana felt the iching start to begin on the sight of the wound.
"Oh hell," she said, "You're right, this stuff iches like nothing else."
Dilana said as she made her hands in to fists in order to keep her from scratching.

Jessica listened to Lauralin and calmly nodded as she talked. She didn't interupted and waited for her time to speak. When she got out of the hospital, she decided to hang back a bit and observe like Lauralin suggested. Talking with Cain made her nervous, she remembered having a gun pulled on her by a vampire in his nightclub a few weeks before; most likely the vampire worked for him. The tiger was taken slightly aback by Lauralin assigning Michael to protect her. She would have usually declined, but remembering the brutal Elvi attack, she would have no say in the matter. Besides, would give her a chance to get closer to him.

Jessica collected her thoughts. "Well, I overheard that there was a great disturbance near the University of Houston's downtown campus and so I went there and called Michael. After he arrived and through a wave of students, we were able to reach the terminal nearby to discover...God knows how many Elvi. At least twenty...maybe even a hundred tops. They were rooting through wallets and purses and I stepped out into the open, asking why they were there...hoping to create a dialouge. That is when they attacked. I dodged the first swarm, transformed, got to the top of the train still there and tried to fight them off."

Jessica paused for a few seconds, the Tylenol successfully fullfilling its duty. "Well, fighting them is like hitting Jello...just they reform and keep coming. It felt like...thousands, hundreds of thousands of bees stinging me all over my body. I fought on for a bit longer before losing consciouness. I woke up a little in Michael's arms...went back under....and then woke up here. That is about it. Ever since then I haven't been able to transform...a mixture of fatigue and the fact all that residue in my cells are creating some problems."

Jessica relaxed back against the pillow. "Well, that is my side of this tale."

Lauralin listened and once she was done she nodded.

"Alright. Should a situation arise that you may not be sure of then check with the board. They have been here for some time. Anything that is out of the jurisdiction of Cain or the authorities let me know and then proceed with an action plan. I shall take responsibility. Otherwise wait until contacted. Beside that, well done. I would only suggest contacting our paranormal group before going in, for just this reason. But I cannot fault you. There is a great deal to know and you are coming along marvelously", she said smiling.

"Blasphemy, we should leave here. Authorities are surely on thier way."


Sian turned from her inspection of Cyrian. "Not likely. No shots were fired, and while any combat is noisy, the walls are thick, and I didn't feel any other minds on this floor."

Lillian had to nod at that- the other three apartments on this floor were empty. And like her eveyone in the five storey building were old, some perhaps older than the building itself.

"That was a Unseiliegh Sidhe Hunting Party, and out for more than just casual sport. They brought a heavy duty mage with them, and if it weren't for the Sidhe allergy to cold iron, and the fact that apparently their magick is also smoothered by it we'd all be dead." The fact that they had been fatally over confident had also helped.

"Red, Godolkin I want to hire you to body guard Cyrian. I'm going to have to admit him for at least a day or two. He's bad off, and not able to protect himself." Sian pushed a lock of her ebony hair from her face, grimmacing as she notd that it was sodden with drying blood.

"No offense meant Lillian, and you are welcome to stay at the hospital for a few days as well, we have regular bedrooms, and one fo our vets can come see to SEKHL.

She looked over to the older man. "I need to check him out too. He probably has a mild concussion, and some broken ribs."

The smart jog of feet up the stairs had her turning towards the open door. She smiled in relief as Mike stuck his head in. "Ah, the ambulance is here."

Mike and three other medics came in with folded gurnies.

Dilana shot a warm smile towards Mike, "Hey Mike, I guess I'm the patient now?"
She laughed then drew in a breath, "This is one hell of a night."

"It sure looks like it " Mike replied as he took in the aftermath of the combat. "Dilana can you walk or do you need a gurney?"

His coworkers joined with Sian in 'packageing' Cyrian for transport. Then the they turned to the still dazed man and put him on the second of the three gurnies.

"Thank you Harrow for assissting Dilana. Can that goop be used on cats?" Sian went over to where Lillian now had a rather limp looking and still bleeding SWKLH in her arms.

Once the older man was ready they looked to Sian for her decission on the occupant of the third gurney.

Once the police were in they requested statements, seperately from Merry and Rivan.

"Rivan why do you and Officer Gonzales use the living room, and I and Officer Davies will use the breakfast nook." Merry suggested, and the offieres nodded agreeably.

Next door the rookie ride-along ws stumbling back outside to barf his dinner up, neatly atop what Merry had vomited up earlier. The Sergeant he'd been riding with wanted to do much the same but would never in fromt of a rookie.

The Sergeant wanted to leave but forced himself to do a careful sweep of the house, happier to do it alone rather that with a rookie at his back. The house proved to be empty, with no overt signs of theft or search. Or a fight he noted uneasily. Like they willingly walked into the dining room and let themselves be slaughtered. He thought.

Finished with the interior sweep he called the detectives that had been tentatively assigned and advised them to get down here as soon as possible. He then called dispatch and advised them that the csu had better get here fast - he was a savvy officer- he used his cellphone rather than the departmental radio.

That the media listened in on scanners was bad enough - he didn't want to adverise the work of a psycopathic monster to their ever too curious ears.

"Thank you ma'am." Jessica said to Lauralin. She couldn't due much right now being laid up but as soon as she was back on her feet, she would take her job back but work more as an observer. As long as she did'nt have to answer to Cain, Jessica figured that she would be alright. The tiger took a small sip of water from a glass by her bed.

"Is there anything else My Lady?"

Rivan nodded and led 'his' officer into the living room and gestured for the officer to sit down. "I'm not sure how this is suppose to work, but I'll answer any questions to the best of my abilities." He said

Dilana looked up, "Yeah Mike, I can walk no problem."
The young woman got to her feet, and after a few seconds of being a bit unsteddy she walked over towards Mike, "Anything I can do to help? I can help carry those down for you."

"Anything I can do to help? I can help carry those down for you."

"Nope not going to let you put any strain on yourself. Here" He took off his long coat and slipped it over Dilana's shoulders "This will help keep you warm and keep any one from getting a good look at the blood all over you."

"Godolkin, that goop may have sealed the wounds but I bet you have some internal damange. On to the thrid stretcher." Sian said firmly.

After Harrow applied some of the ointment to SEKLH Sian had Lillian place him on the stretcher with the older human male. "Okay every one, head out, the faster and quieter we are the better. The ambulance can hold all of you. I'll lock up here and take the 'teleport express' to meet you there."

The Night Life Ambulance was custom fitted heavy delivery van, as sometimes the transportees were much larger than humans. The seating in the back was fold down and not very comfortable, but it would do for the short ride.

"I'm not sure how this is suppose to work, but I'll answer any questions to the best of my abilities."

"It's not much like on television, the officer said in a reassureing tone. "Right now I just need to get a sequence of events. Can you start with were you were at oh say about six am this morning?" The full statement would be recorded later, and get into deeper details, but for now he just needed a simple time line.

In at the kitchen table his partner was asking much the same of Merry.

Dilana smiled and nodded at Mike, "Thanks for the coat, I promise I'll clean it good when I give it back to you."
Dilana was well accustomed to the night life ambalins so she climbed in and waited for the others. She knew Mike knew what he was doing, and so did Sian.

Rivan nodded and began recounting events, leaving off anything 'paranormal' or that dealt with nightlifer buisness. He hoped that he and Merry were on the same page as it would be a problem if they had conflicting stories.

The Night Life ambulance headed for the Hospital sedately, there was no reason to risk being pulled over by a concerned squad car. Especially as the only convienent way to get to the Hospital took them past the heavy police presence at the downtown Uof H campus and it's cordoned off terminal.

Back in Lillian's apartment, Sian removed such weapons as the deceased Sidhe had left behind and gave it a cursory clean up. She did the same thing to the evidence in the buildings lobby after locking up the apartment. Tiredly she then teleported to her office at the Hospital, arriving not that long after the ambulance had.

In the kitchen Merry was doing the same thing and hoping that her recounting matched Rivan's enough. An ambulance arrived, as was standard procedure, but it was easy to see that there was no one that could potentially be resuscitated. The detectives arrived quickly alerted by the supervising seargeants call that it was 'a bad one'.

"The lady is a 'CSI'er'," The cop used the current slang that identified some one who was interested, and thougth themselves knowledge about police stuff on the basis of a few books and a popular tv show. "And nosey enough to check when her elderly neighbor's car was blocking her drive. Saw the front door ajar, and had the boy friend go in first, 'doing the protect the woman' thing I guess.." The sergeant shook his head and continued. "They found the dining room and what was for dinner and fled." He reported with a cop's morbid humor. The detectives didn't blame them, and the one who knew more than he let on left his partner to work there while he went and talked with the couple.

Jounced around on the foldout seat, Lillian clung with fingers that still seemed to think they were claws and fixed her attention on Seklh's small, limp form. She knew she should be worrying about Jim Hanson, too, but the way his body had slumped when he fell reminded her too strongly of the day years ago when she'd come back from lunch and there at his desk was ...

YOU KNOW YOU MUSTN'T THINK ABOUT THAT, LILLIAN! Migraine flashes crackled through her brain.

I mustn't think about that, Lillian agreed obediently. She tried reaching out with her mind to Seklh, seeking the connection that had been there only minutes ago -- was that a familiar warmth? Seklh? I'm here, my lovely one, we'll ...

Pull yourself together, woman! scolded the cranky old voice. You're human again. Humans can't talk mind-to-mind. Stop fussing. I'm looking after him. He'll live.

Who are you? Lillian demanded. You're talking to me. So you're not human. So ...

Will you stop with the Philosophy 101 logic-chopping? I'll explain later. You just look after the old man. He's coming to.

He's not an old man, Lillian thought rebelliously. He's the same age as me. But she turned to Jim Hanson, wondering how to keep him from noticing the decidedly unusual nature of the transport and the company.

She needn't have bothered. His eyes fluttered open and his gaze scanned his fellow-passengers.

"God, 'sworst hangover 've ever had," he muttered, and retreated into unconsciousness again.

Rivan noticed one of the police coming to talk to them, after both Merry and he had given thier witnessing to the officers. He took a drink of water, not use to talking for so much even now, and asked, "Can I help you?"

Rivan had been allowed to join Merry in the kitchen after both had given their initial statements, and the detective had made a first read over of them.

"Can I help you?"

"First let me introduce myself" The tal,l spare, and mostly bald, detective said cordially, hoping to set the two at wase, though he knew happenings such as this were never easy on any one involved. And he knew that they were even more worried about possible damage to their Mundane covers. No Night Lifer wanted to be 'outed' for trying to help the Mundanes.

'I'm Robert Prentis, and I am the senior partner of the homicide team that has been placed in charge of the crime committed on your neighbors, the Warrens."

He looked at Merry. "Your initial statement says that what caused you to think there might be a problme at your neighbors was their car blocking your drive. Can you tell me if there was anything else you noticed at that time. Take your time and think back." Detective Sergeant Prentis was very skilled at his job.

He talked Merry through her memories for some time, never pushing but guiding her to remember things that she hadn't called up before. Then it was Rivan's turn under his adept questioning.

"Mr.Otaku, when you were crossing the yard, were there any unusual sounds, were perhpas Merry's dogs barking?" He'd noticed the 'dogs' occassionally looking in through the back storm door's glass, and knew what they were. But he wanted to officially classify them as just 'the neighbor lady's pets' in the eyes of the case.

Rivan looked at the detective as he questioned Merry, while wondering if he'd be 'put under the microscope' so to speak as well. It turned out that he was to be.

"I didn't hear any dogs barking when I was crossing the yard." He replied to the question.

The drive through the city was uneventfull, Ryan moving carefully though traffic, gently moving the Ferrari amongst the lesser cars on the road, heading towards the high way. He let the Ferrari gear itself high, running in fifth the most part, keeping fuel consumption low. The V12 rumbled with a soft superiority, not loud and roaring, but quiet and subdued, walking softly and carrying a big stick, so to say.

Ryan piloted the Ferrari with little conversation, mostly concentrating on the road. It came to rest at a red light, Ryan sitting in the turn lane, the on ramp to the freeway sitting on the other side of the intersection.

"So, going to a chapel, eh? Getting married?"

Jackie noted that the vampire had not responded to his comment about tattoos, and shrugged mentally. He liked keeping part of his life, and abilities, private too.

"So, going to a chapel, eh? Getting married?"

"Thats what's been arranged, between the Bosses so to speak." Jackie shrugged physically this time. He had accepted certain requirements as part of doing business. He assumed that his bride to be had done the same.

"Ah makes sense. Gotta keep the cash flow comming in. Ah shit, almost forgot," Ryan said, reaching into his pocket. The oncomming traffic had slowed to a stop, meaning his light was going to go green soon.

He dug through his pocket, and pulled out a mini disc, popping it into the player, and turned the volume up. The long soulful rifs of a guitar, and the sounds of hands clapping, a single voice wailing in a sad tone permiated the car, and Ryan matched the beat, thumping the steering wheel in beat with the song.

Ooh, a storm is threatening my very life today, if I don't get some shelter, oh yeah I'm gonna fade away, war, children, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away Mick Jagger's soul filled voice wailed out, and Ryan bobbed his head with the music. A smirk crossed his face, and he applied light pressure to the gas peddle.

The Itallian V12 barked and howled, and Ryan 'slipped' the electronic clutch when he saw the light go green. The wheels spun for brief moments as the advanced traction control system sorted out the power flying through the carbon drive shaft and into the rear differential. The 599 GTB shot forward, Ryan holding the throttle wide opened as he swung the car on a near nintey degree turn on to the on ramp, the tires protesting the manuver, Ryan conjolling the car to do what he desired.

He whuped like a child, mashing the gas, flicking the upshift paddle on the wheel as the Ferrari roared past a semi, and he snapped the wheel over, the Ferrari jumping lanes with ease. HE continued the acceleration, the car flying now, the century mark long gone, the music drowned out by the roar of the V12. Ryan observed the traffic up ahead, and planned his manuvers far in advance. He was comming up on a slow moving Mercury, and the speedometer was climbing still; 130, 135, 140, 145, 150. At 165, He nudged the break peddle, flicking the down shift paddle behind the wheel, the car's computer system blipping the throttle perfectly for the downshift, loosing no power as he slid the car over, the nose barely missing the rear bumper of the large sedan by a breath.

"All right!" Ryan shouted over the roar of the V12, "lets see what this bad girl can do!" Again, a flick of the upshift paddle, and the motor roared back to full power, wailing in a way only an Itallian motor could. One hundred and fifty miles per hour flew by quickly, traffic parting for the deep red Prancing Horse, any honks falling on empty space as the car rocketed up to one nintey. Ryan flicked the high beam switch, alerting those in front of him to get out of the way.

A quick snap of the wheel took him out of the path on a slow moving eighteen wheeler, never letting off the gas. "One nintey five!" Ryan shouted, glancing quickly from the road to the car's heads up display, and back to the road, "Two hundred, two oh five," he paused, grinning wildly now. "Two ten!" he exclaimed, letting off the gas, allowing gravity to take over and slow the car. As the speed fell, he flicked the down shift paddle, the throttle blipping every few seconds. He settled in to pace at one hundred and fifteen miles per hour, the car feeling only if it were moving around fifty or sixty.

I said, love, sister, it's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away, kiss away, kiss away, yeah, the song fadded out slowly, only to be replaced by Jumping Jack Flash

"Now hows that for fun?" Ryan asked, watching the road ahead of him.

Jackie whooped right along with Ryan. "Damn, I think I understand. So this is what a true super car is like!" He said admiringly. "And JJF is one of my favorites." One hand kept time with the beat, fingers flickering lightly over knee. "You don't have Golden Years or Cat People on there do ya?" The Rolling Stones classic suited the mood, but Bowie was cool too..

Ryan could drive, Jackie knew that his professional chauffeur couldn't do better, despite the entries on his resume of professional racing.

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, can't beat the Itallians when it comes to fast cars," Ryan commented.

You don't have Golden Years or Cat People on there do ya?

"I'm sure Cat People is on here somewhere, this is my favorite driving mix. Little bit of everything."

Ryan piloted the Ferrari expertly, smoothly moving around traffic, carefully avoiding potholes and other road hazzards that would not only hurt the car, but disturb his passenger. Ryan had learned early on that the key to transporting, be it people or goods, was always to keep the ride smooth and free of snags. It kept the cargo happy, and made the trip quick.

"So, getting married. Who's the lucky laddy?" Ryan asked, easing back into his seat, allowing a comfortable position that would still allow him to respond quickly.

So, getting married. Who's the lucky lady?"

"A Doctor Sian Rhys." He pronounced it as Cee-an. "Funny name but the names parents will give kids..." Jackie half snorted as he glanced out at the neon lights that broke the dark blurring by. They were well out of Atlantic City and the traffic out bound had lessened considerably.

He liked Ryans competence, and his taste in music. Cain had to have trusted Ryan to have sent him to get Jackie safely to Houston. Jackie's Boss wouldn't have allowed Cain to send other than his very best.

"Do you know her?" He figured that a trusted captain would know the Vampire Princes's hand picked offering.

"Do you know her?" He figured that a trusted captain would know the Vampire Princes's hand picked offering.

"Sian?" Ryan asked, not allowing the suprise to effect his driving. "Yeah, I know her. She handles all teh medical stuff for, our kind, to put it gently. Vampires, were's, all of them. Keeps everything nice a cozy, a tense peace if you will. Met her a few years back, had a run in with some hunters, and they messed me up pretty good. She pretty much brought me back to the dead from the dead, so to speak."

This would prove to be interesting. Cain had said many a thing in the past that led Ryan, and many others, to believe that Sian was more than just a great psyonic. To Ryan, she was more than a genious healer. In a city of millions she was one of his only friends.

"Shes a good person."

"Shes a good person."

"That will be usefull, I guess. And how does a doc keep every thing nice and cozy? She some sort of Mother Theresa figure to the what is it they call it...the 'Night Life'? Jackie's voice hed an edge of a sneer to it. As far as he could tell any one involved with a vampire wasn't any better than he. And he was the youngest, and most powerful, mob boss around. And he'd won his spurs the old fashinoned way. With more than a bit of blood on his hands.

"Tense peace? Hey, what she going to do withhold their yearly rabies shot?" He knew that was a low blow but something was bothering him and he couldn't quite put a finger on it.

"Well, right now its pretty much a mixed deal. Cain and all us blood suckers pretty much keep a low key, staying out of everyone's way, just surviving pretty much." A blip of the throttle and the Ferrari slowed down, sliding away from the one fifteen area to eighty. "However, the weres and what not don't like it. They get along for the most part, keeping from doing something stupid, but hell, they're a group of fucking animals."

Ryan delt with weres, but he didn't like them. He just tollerated them. If he could have his way, they would all be killed off, or shipped to a remote island where they would eventually die of from lack of food. However, that wasn't going to happen, but he wasn't going to get his ass in trouble for his dislike.

"I mean, shit, yeah I drink blood, but I do it in a fairly civilized manner. I don't go about ripping throats open and leaving corpses out for others to pick up."

A squad car slid by on the side of the road, Ryan having spotted it from miles away. He had a natural sixth sense for police, and his vampiric abilities only added on to his strengths.

"So basically, we have this easy peace. Cain doesn't order an extermination of them, and they keep themselves civilized. I mean, I don't know why Cain just doesn't screw over the order, there are enough of us blood suckers that could rip them up. Sian basically acts as a mediator between the groups, making sure both sides hold their end of the bargin, and provides any and all medical treatment. Shes a good person for it, better than I. Hell, I'd kill 'em all if I could."

Ryan slowly, with a controlled force, increased throttle pressure, and soon they were back up to cruise speed. "So basically everyone gets along becuase we are forced to. Every once and a while, someone slips up, and thats when I get called in, to clean things up."

"I don't know much about this Night Life thing? Aren't there more than just werewolves and vampires? Sian, as I was told, is a mutant like myself." Jackie asked with curiousity. His Boss kept him out of the local scene, and he'd not found out he was a mutant until it activated after he reached his twenty first birthday. Far after most mutants activated, which ws normally when they went through adolesence.

"She sounds like an sob sister, if she keeps the people she's beholden to down. She ought to side with Cain on that, and she doesn't? Doesn't sound any too loyal to me."

"So basically everyone gets along becuase we are forced to. Every once and a while, someone slips up, and thats when I get called in, to clean things up."

"I see. I guess she just needs to learn who's in control then." Jackie 's voice was hard. "Sounds like she makes a lot of work for you, puts you in danger."

Dilana carefully leaned back in the vehacle, looking at Mike as she did so.
"I can help when we get to the hospital," Dilana said, "I swear I'm not helpless."

"I swear I'm not helpless."

"No you certainly not Dilana, and I didn't mean to make you think that I considered you helpless. But it looks like under the goop, that you took some more than minor injuries, and I'd hate to have them agravated by asking too much of you too soon." Mike grinned at her sympathetically. He'd been injured no few times himself.

"We picked something up on the scanner, besides the Elvi swarm. The codes used talked about a possible homicide and the Hot Line says it's ugly. But thats all I know for now." He looked over at Red and company to make sure they had over heard him. For if it were as bad as intimated the whole Strange Folk community needed to be alerted. In a metro area that had a Mundane popluation of close to five million, the Strange Folk, the Night Life, barely added five thousand to that number. And danger that touched one touched all.

The vampire population was considered large as they averaged one vampire for about each ten thousand Mundanes. The Were's, all species combined, totaled barely a thousand and the non human races combined totaled just over that, Human mutants collectively made up the largest group, their population being close to two thousand.

Dilana smiled, "Alright, I hear you; however if you need me you better make damn sure you ask me; alright?"

The ambulance pulled up as Mike nodded agreeably at Dilana.

"Alright, I hear you; however if you need me you better make damn sure you ask me; alright?"

"Absolutely. And you can help." He added as the back doors were thron wide and the injured were taken into the Hospital. He grabbed a clip board from the admitting desk ans handed it to her.

"We're going to need every ones name and all the info we can get. So you can run around filling out forms." Mike winked at her - not the most glamourous of jobs but necessary. The paper work was a chore but the records were vital.

He began directing gurneys into various treatment bays, and told an aide to call one of the Night Life Vets to come and treat SEKLH.

(I'm so sorry. I still don't have a comp at home and am limited at work. I was out sick monday and half of tuesday and yesterday I had make up work and then today the regional and distract managers had been here. I don't anticipate a comp at home for about another 2 to 3 weeks but I'll do the best I can here in the meantime)

Red had laughed at the idea of being a bodyguard until she realized that Sian was serious. "Look", she said standing up, "I didn't get the name Huntress by standing around waiting for some nimrod to whack somebody. I'm hardly bodyguard material", she told Sian.

When mike had looked at Red after mentioning the report of the murder her eyes narrowed and she glared back. "Don't fucking look at me, asswipe. I was with Doc Rhys for some hours now."

Godolkin had refused the stretcher, even at Red's insistance but did agree to ride to the hospital. He walked in with Red and stood in the waiting room looking about as Red leaned against a wall and watched things noncomittely.

Harrow looked about with a sad longing before resigning himself to a corner of the room, not having had any injuries and staying out of the way of those who were trying to help.

(again, so sorry for the slow responses)

Dilana looked down at the clipboard, then up at Mike, "You know I hate you, right?"
She chuckled and then winked at mike as she turned to get everyone's information, she knowing how important it was for the hospital.

Ryan was starting to get the bad vibes from Jackie. He wasn't sure if he just rubbed him the wrong way, or if there was more too it. However, he didn't let it show, and continued driving. He was also starting to get the feeling that Sian didn't know much in the way of this mariage.

"Well, I guess its just something you have to live to understand. I don't know why anyone makes the descions they do, I don't play politics. I'm just the shooter and the wheelman."
_

The American Airlines 777 widebody touched down with suprising grace for its size and mass. It moved easily among the traffic of Houston International, and with ease found its gate.

The first man off was a tall, angular man, one who oozed authority and power. His presence was one that came at a cost, a high one, and it was all paid, in full, before hand. He walked with purpose, a stride that parted crowds, be it from fear or respect, no one knew. He wore black: black high polished shoes, black socks, black pants, a black shirt, black tie, and black suit coat. Despite the hour of the night, his eyes were still hidden by a pair of Oakley metal framed sunglasses, black frames with the ruby red lenses.

He spoke to no one, and his eyes searched for a sign. The crimson red card jumped out, with silver lettering.

Mr. Davos Santari

He walked over to the man, saying nothing, just nodding. They collected his bag, a single black duffle, and then they moved out to the parking lot. The man, Davos Santari, was led to a long, dark black stretch limmo, which was then piloted through Houston. The drive was quiet, Davos skipping the pleasentries of the woman in the back seat, simply feeding of the high dollar hooker.

After the short ride, the car stopped in front of the entrance to Cain's, and with no pause, Davos exited the vehicle, moving towards the main office. He made his way through the pounding club, moving around dancers and drinkers and dinners, ignoring the repetative pulsing trance, into the back room's that made the club ultra popular amongst the Night Life. He pushed open the door to Cain's office, sliding into the room silently.

"You asked to see me, sir?"

"Well, I guess its just something you have to live to understand. I don't know why anyone makes the descions they do, I don't play politics. I'm just the shooter and the wheelman."


Jackie just gave Ryan his own dubious look and leaned back in the leather clad seat and let silence grow.

******************************************
"You asked to see me, sir?"

Cain looked up as Davos entered, rose from behind the desk, moving around to shake his hand and wave him to his choice of comfortable chairs. "Yes. Thank you for ariving so promptly Mr. Santari. Tomorrow evening I have an interview that may become unpleasant and I wish...a counter force ready should it become necessary. The interviewee is a non human vampire who is also a sorceress of no small skill." He explained a little more, then waved one of his aides over.

"Thorin here will escort you to the suite that has been reserved for you, and he can provide you with anything you'd like. There has also been a line of credit opened for you at the Over Look Casino. Please make yourself comfortable. The interview is scheduled for first thing in the evening."

Cain paused, waitng to see if the Camarilla's greatest enforcer had any questions.

"I didn't get the name Huntress by standing around waiting for some nimrod to whack somebody. I'm hardly bodyguard material"

Sian had made the offer, she wan't going to push the issue. There wqere others who would take the job.

"Don't fucking look at me, asswipe. I was with Doc Rhys for some hours now."

Mike shrugged her hostility off, though his eyes narroed at her name calling. He wasn't in any way trying to place blame on her, he'd just wanted to make sure that every one had heard the news. And he wouldn't return the insult, just remember it.

Sian pulled on a clean lab coat as she checked the messages that had the lights blinking on her console. She sighed when the first was from Cain telling her that he needed to see her in his office the night after next. She wondered why he'd called her office number not one of her private lines, but put it out of her mind as the latest call came in.

And official notification by Stringfellow manning the hot line. She listened with a sinking heart as he advised her of the trouble for the Green Waters Clan. Sian took a moment to call him back and get as much of an update as he could give. Requesting that he keep her informed and for him to contact Prentis and let him know to call her directly after the initial info was gathered.

Then she hurried down to the emergency room. She ordered a set of cranial x rays for Him Hanses, and a CAT scan as well. He was conscious but still very disoriented. His intercranial pressure wasn't alarming but she wanted to cover all the bases.

Lillian's minor wounds were being treated and she was advised that the Vet was on his way and should arrive in less than five minutes.

Then she was stalking over to Red and Godolkin. With a quick look at Harrow. 'So you two are tough enough to just get some goop slapped on and everythings fine or are you just too damn stubborn for your own good?

"The balm is fine", Red replied.

"They're too stubborn", Harrow stated at the same time.

Red looked over at Harrow, narrowing her eyes. He glanced nervously at Godolkin, who hadn't moved and shook visibly but stood his ground. "I've told you both before that the balm works well but it's no substitute for a good care facility. Normally we don't have that luxury but we should take advantage of it while we can."

Red crossed her arms stubbornly as she continued to look at Harrow.

"Holy one, you put me in charge of medical. You never question Godolkin on decistions concerning strategies against the Iconoclasts...."

Red glanced at Godolkin then looked back at Harrow. If she refused him in this then his credibility would always be questioned by Godolkin, yet, on the other hand, it was so call doctors who had made Godolkin what he was. But she had given Harrow reign in all things medical and finally nodded.

Harrow sighed in relief and stepped forward, "Doctor Rhys, Red will need a full blood workup, she's not had the freshest supply recently and feedings have been few and far between. Godolkin will need some xrays, a cat scan and an MRI. I've done the best I could but as I said, access to medical facilities were few and far between. He had a concussion some months ago that I think is still giving him some trouble and his ribs need to be checked. There had been four broken and I did the best I could. I truly appreciate this Doctor, and I can help you with Godolkins tests. He has several redundant systems. Two hearts for instance, among other things."

Sian had stiffened at Harrow's obvious fear of the other two, appalled that he should have been made to feel so threatened. Her face and voice remained calm but her eyes were hard and angry. She detested bullies.

"Thank you Harrow, and I would appreciate you help. It's always best to have the primary medical personell working with me." Sian gave Harrow a smile as she replied to his offer and information, then turned back the other two.

"Ms. Red, Mr. Godolkin please come with me." Her voice was cooly crisp and impersonal.

Detective Sergeant Prentiss coaxed more detailed answers out of Merry and Rivan and was careful to stop and let the two relax periodically. The crime scene unit arrived and the activity around the Warrens house intensified. The ambulance was finally allowed to leave, it's life saving abilities unneeded. he ME and the Justice of the Peace arrived - in Texas it is the JP that must issue the official 'dead' ruling, upon the advice of the ME - it was one of the little know, strange quirks of Texas law that made being a JP such fun.

Victim's Advocate sent a couple over with the hand made quilts they gave to all victims and the offers of counciling for now or if needed in the future - for now a days such primary witnesses were considered as much victims as those more directly involved in the incident.

The media finally showed up, but were kept well back down along the street, where confused residents could only offer the unnews worthy fact of 'we have no idea' as too what was happening, though officers had alread canvased along the street - that being what had originally woken the streets residents. Most of the homeowners on the cul de sac were empty nesters, their children grown and out on their own. Merry was by far the youngest resident on the street.

The canvassing officers had moved on to the nearers streets of the small neighborhood but across the stream lay a well tended cemetary. Asking it's residents would prove fruitless by conventional means, though a pair of squad cars had been dispatched to see if there was any signs of a disturbance there and to guestion the night security personel.

Ryan didn't respond to the silence. As much as this Jackie guy meant to Cain, he was geting bad vibes, feelings of uncertanty. But then again, that wasn't his job, his job was to drive. So drive he did. He watched the miles click off as the music played, a mix of modern and classic southern rock, with hints of the British rock movement. The drive was comfortable, suprising in the tiny cabin of the Ferrari, with its race inspired seats. Designed for the help of handling speed, not comfort, the seats were snug all around.

Ryan watched the clock, making a few calculations in is head, and finally broke the silence. "It wont be to long before sun up, we should be in some decent towns by then. Any specific place you want to stop, or just first place that pops up?"
_

Davos stood, and nodded, shaking Cain's hand. "Sounds like a good plan to me. I think I can handle more than my fair share of sourceress, I had a run in with a rather irrate Tremere. I fully appreciate the hospitality," he said, and followed Tourin out of the room, and into his ride to the cassino. His impression was a good one, and Cainhad been beyond hospitable.

The job was a simple force multiplier, just an extra body in the room to assist with anything that jumped up. he made himself comfortable at the hotel and cassino, and slept easy, knowing that he risked no betrayal.

Red started forward and stopped as she looked back at Godolkin who didn't move. "Let's go", she told him and after a moment of staring he finally followed her.

Harrow moved around them and caught up with Sian. "So can you tell me how state of the art your facility is? Have you seen the latest dynoscanner? From what I hear it can map practically any cell structure in the body. I've not actually seen one and I'm not sure if has gone beyond the experimental stages."

********

(Sorry GS for forgetting you last time)

Lauralin smiled at Jessica. "Yes", she told her, "one more thing. Get better. And that is an order." She glanced at Michael and then turned to him, "And you get something to eat. I shall wait here until your return."

"I'm not hungry", he said, "But th.."

"It was not a request Mister Gassington. You have eaten little or nothing in days."

"I feel alright Ms. Silverlief. If I di.."

"Will bet Jessica's life on it?" Lauralin asked.

Michael looked at Jessica and then back toward Lauralin, though he averted her eyes. "I'll get something to eat real quick and come right back." No, he thought to himself. He would be his life on his present condition but he certainly wouldn't be Jessica's on it, and he left the room.

"Frightening", Lauralin said toward the doorway after he left. "Frightening that he has so much of me in him", and she shook her head saddely.

Jessica nodded in agreement for Michael to get some food in his system, he probably hadn't eaten since she had been brought to the hospital. She turned back to Lauralin as she spoke about Michael. The tiger gently squeezed her hand.

"He's a brave man...may be a bit stubborn, but he does what he thinks is right and for the best, you must admire that." Jessica smiled at her boss. "You do not have to worry about him, I'll look after and take care of him."

Lauralin smiled and nodded. "More than a bit stubborn I think, but then I have been accused of such far more times than I can recount. And yes, it is a feature admire. His courage that is." She looked at Jessica, "Please remember, anything you need, you have it. I should like to see you up and about when next I return."

I've not actually seen one and I'm not sure if has gone beyond the experimental stages."

"I saw the experimental one they are working on over at TMC" Sian replied with a twinkle in her eye. "We don't have that but we have top of the line MRI, CAT and PET equipment. And we have something even better." She nodded to a young man ensconsed in a power chair, his frail body strapped in with wide padded belts. His eyes were pale lambent blue and his hair nearly colorless.

"Might I introduce Able, he does volunteer work, doing our deep scans for us." She started to say then was interupted by a call from the treatment bay that they had wheeled Cyrian into.

"He's seizing again!"

"Harrow, do you trust your skills " Sian emphasized his skills, not him personally." "enought to act as their physician, more than just a medic?" She asked quickly, her body already turning to bolt into the bay. She wouldn't have asked if she didn't trust him, he might well realize.

"Able won't let you over stretch him, he knows when he needs to stop. Just tell him what you want to see close up and personal and he'll project it for you. He can even run down to genetic sequences."

Able nodded feeblly, the look of self confidence showing clearly in his eys.

OOC: PET (positronic emissions tomography) - there are only four in the state IIRC at this time-

Any specific place you want to stop, or just first place that pops up?"

Jackie opened his eyes when Ryan broke the silence and glanced out the window. He caught sight of a sign showing that New Orleans was twenty miles ahead. They were on I-10 racing west. "Damn you did what, about ten hours at about an average of what, one twenty? New Orleans is good enough. I hit Mardi Gras there one year, seemed to have decent hotels. Let me make a call however and get a recommendation on a place that doesn't ask questions."

He flipped out his cellphone and made a brief call, then snapping it closed and sliding it back into a pocket. "Hotel called Merriweathers, just off of the interstate. Take the St. Phillips Ave exit, go under the freeway and its about five, six blocks down across from Louis Armstrong Park, before St. Claude Ave. There will be rooms waiting and they won't ask for ID. Apparently they cater to 'special needs'." He said wrily.

Jessica smiled and nodded. "You have my word my Lady, I will be up and running by the time you come back. I'll be sure to take good care of Michael don't you worry. First thing after getting things settled with the company after I am released is take him to a nice dinner like you said."

The Victims Advocates had left, many of the neighbors had returned to their homes to avoid the damp fog that was rising.

The CSU had barely finished when and urgent broadcast was made over the police radios, crackling and filled with static...and screams.

Screams that cut off with chilling finality and pulled every officer who over heard off of what they were doing. Screams that echoed through the chill air as well as the rdios carrier wave. Screams that came from within hearing distance.

The early morning hours lit up with flashing lights as cruisers responded, their hard voiced requests for information, of triangulation of the location of the broadcast, needing the reassurance of hearing a unknown brother officer replying that he was all right.

"The cemetary!" Merry exclaimed, swiveling around as she pointed in the direction of the city of the dead that lay east, across the stream and green belts.

Prentiss nodded sharply "Stay Here, stay safe!" He ordered sternly and then he and the other officers in her house sprinted for their rides, radios singing the information they now had. Then he too was gone.

Merry gulped and looked at Rivan wide eyed, her shivers returning. "I don't think I could sleep with out nightmares...Would you hold me Rivan?"

Rivan was likewise shaken, thought not to the extent of Merry. "Of course, truth be told, I don't think I could sleep without nightmares as well." He replied as he enfolded her in his arms to confort her. "I hope the cops will be fine as well."

"And here I thought they'd make such quiet neighbors" Merry quipped half heartedly as she snuggled into Rivan's embrace, her own arms wrapping about his waist. Her head drooped softly onto his shoulder, she was just so very tired.

There was a soft tap on the back storm door, and even though Merry knew that the pack's Beta, Aidyn and the LB were out three she still found herself jumping a little. Aidyn was in human form temporarily and the LB was at his side still in fur form but her nose twitched at the smell of coffee and her look was wistful.

"We can hear the sirens, but the winds against us can't smell a thing." Aidyn said softly. "Look why don't you two grab hot showers and lay down for a bit, even if you're too wired to even think of sleeping. Heyoka and Deena got here over an hour ago, so there's four of us here. They'll stay out back and the LB and I'll curl up like a pair of puppies in the living room. What ever went down makes it impossible for us to leave in any form."

Rivan was holding Merry when she jumped a bit. After the two fellow Were were let in, and suggested that they go lay down, he looked at Merry. "Shall we go follow thier advice?" He asked as he stood up and lifted her as well, thought in such a way that if she wanted to walk she could easily slid down.

"Shall we go follow thier advice?"

No one had ever picked her up and carried her in such a romantic way before, and Merry was not about to forego it. She brought her arms up around his neck to help him balance. She loved how strong Rivan was, one didn't expect it from his build.

"Yes I'd love to cuddle up in bed with you" The horror of the night had driven any thoughts of more than that out of her mind. That was going to wait to a night that was truly special.

With Merry's confirmation as she clasped her arms around his neck, Rivan readjusted slightly to support her optimally. Looking over at the two other Were in the room, he said, "Have a good and safe night."

He then carried Merry to her room and asked, "Would you like to use the shower, or should we just relax and try to recover from the terrifying sight?"

He could tell she wished to simply cuddle, and that was perfectly fine with him as he shared her feeling of wishing for comfort.

"A hot shower would help us both relax, and I don't much like the fact that I still vaguely stink of fear." She met his eyes and her voice was soft. "I'll wash your back if you'll wash mine."

She cupped his face in her palms and gave him a gentle kiss, giving all the reassurance that she could that here, together, they were safe, each supporting, protecting the other. A kiss that demanded nothing and offered every bit of love, trust, understanding, and unconditional acceptance Merry had for Rivan, her love.

Eventually it ended in its own time, at it's own pace.

Taking Rivan's hand Merry drew him into the one room Merry had heavily remodled. Her shower and bath tub were both over sized, both holding two easily. She lit a pair of scented candles, vanilla and lavender, then turned the lights down to a warm amber glow. She set the shower to hearting up as she slid iff her clothes and tossed them in a dark wicker hamper.

Rivan nodded, thought a faint blush touched his features at the idea of him and Merry being together in a shower. As she kissed him, giving him her feelings, he returned that, adding his own feelings of love for and unconditional acceptance of Merry to the kiss.

As Merry disrobed, Rivan blushed more. For all his experiance, this was one situation he'd never dreamed he'd ever be in. With a slight amount of trepedition, he likewise began to disrobe and put them in the hamper.

Merry stepped under the pounding water, leting it soak her through, revelling in the heat as the rising steam swirled about her. She took in Rivan's faint blush and hesitation, and her eyes were as soft as her voice.

"Rivan if you'd be more comfortable showering by yourself." She offered, not wanting to have anything disrupt the rappor they were shareing. She found him incredibly desireable, more so than any other she had ever been around, but above that she loved him and wanted to be his lady, his heart's partner.

She knew that when the time was right,when they were both ready, they'd share the greatest of physical intimacies, but tonight was not that time. It might have been, but circumstances beyond their control had conspired against them.

No tonight was a night for cherishing, for comfort of the soul and mind from evils not readily shaken loose of.

"No, I would like to let the water wash some of the stresses of the evening away with you, but I don't know what's proper behavior in this situation as I never felt this way about anyone, or even been like this with anyone." He confessed

With a mental sigh of relief he realized that confessing he was completely and totally in love with Merry, and that he was a virgin was easier than he'd ever expected it to be, especially when confessing it to Merry herself.

Merry found herself glowing, a little pink herself.

"Rivan we'll just have to learn together. I've never felt about any one the way I do you, and I have never wanted any one as I want you, either. " She looked at him with serious eyes. "This is a lot different than splashing around in the pool with the pack...and yes we've been naked around each other but I think thats changed. Not bad or wrong, but new and different."

"I trust us to know whats right and proper for us, and I know we are both smart enought to talk with each other if we have concerns."

She held out her hand to him, drawing him into the shower. She turned him around so that he could lean against the shower's wall. Working a bar of handmilled soap between her hands she built a huge puff of fluffy lather in her hands, the foam smelling faintly of wild herbs. Then she began massaging it gently into him, as the shower soaked him. She started at his neck, just below his scalp and worked out any kinks she could find in his muscles ashs eh moved across the breath of his shoulders and down his back.

"I think I'm going to take a course in massage, I know there's a lot of techniques out there that would probably make you putty in my hands." She teased gently.

Rivan's blush intensified as he heard Merry confess her feelings as he had. He let her draw him into the shower and gave her a quick kiss as she positioned him.

As she worked out his muscular knots, he studied her technique so he could reciprocate. "I'm already putty in your hands Merry." He replied to her comment about taking a course in massage. "But maybe we can take the course together?" He suggested

"But maybe we can take the course together?"

Merry all but purred "Thats sounds like an excellent idea!" She nuzzled the back of his neck drawing a deep breath "Mmmm you smell wonderful." She dropped a light kiss there and stepped back letting the full force of the water sluice over him, washing away the soap, leaving him squeaky clean.

"I hope that helped." She whispered.

"Thank you, it did help a great deal," He replied in the same whisper. "Would you like me to try and work out any kinks in your muscles and relax you as well?" He asked as he reached for the soap in anticipation of her response.

Ryan followed the instructions, finding the hotel easily. He pulled into a parking garrage, and stepped out of the Ferrari, admiring it once more, before clicking the lock button on the key fob after Jackie stepped out. He eyed the car, smiling, admiring the perfect Itallian form and beauty. He then followed Jackie into the hotel.

He stayed back, allowing the man to conduct his buisness, keeping an over watch position. When he saw Jackie taking the room keys, he walked back over, and followed him up to the room. He silenty cursed himself for not bringing an extra set of clothes, but glanced around the room. It was one of the nice ones as he called it, the kind that he rarely ever saw, but people like Jackie and Cain expected.

"Well, I'm gonna grab a quick shower. I think we can stay a bit, we are close enough to Houston to leave a touch later."

Well, I'm gonna grab a quick shower. I think we can stay a bit, we are close enough to Houston to leave a touch later."

Jackie noded as he opened the door to his room next door. "Thats fine. I'll make reservations at ..." He broke off and looked at Ryan quizzically. "Don't mean to get personal but do you live purely on blood, or do you eat regular food as well?"

Would you like me to try and work out any kinks in your muscles and relax you as well?"

'That sounds heavenly" Merry turned and leant againt the tiles of the shower, pulling her hair over one shoulder to get it out of the way. She let her eyelids droop closed seeking to let much of the distress of the night's incidents wash away with Rivan's soothing hands and the rush of hot water. Merry knew there was a reason she'd bought a eighty gallon water heater.

Rivan did his best to return the luxurious massage that Merry had given him, though he wasn't sure if he had the 'healing' touch that she did. After the massage, he turned her around and asked, "Feel better?"

Don't mean to get personal but do you live purely on blood, or do you eat regular food as well?

"Well," Ryan started, "I only get sustance of blood. Preferably human, but if shit gets thick, I can do animal. But you don't need to worry, I ate a good meal before the trip. I'll just find someone to feed off of when I get up tommorow. I can eat a little bit of real food, but I don't digest. It just goes in, so I have to throw it up. It mostly just helps for the not mortal cover."

He stretched out again, and then entered his own room, locking the door with both the regular bolt and the chain.

"Almost boneless, I'm so relaxed." She hugged him as the water rinsed the last traces of soap way. Grabbing a pair of thick towels she wraped one about him and then the other about herself.

Once they were both reasonably dry, she scampered to her queen sized bed, as bare skin goosebumped in the cooler air of her bedroom. Merry threw back the coverlet and slid in between the soft flannel sheets.

"We don't want to get chilled" She pulled the covers up around them both as he joined her. She lay on her side, nestling in close to him, her head on his shoulder. 'Oh this is perfect." She murmured

Getting out of the hot shower was quite chilling and raised goosebumps all along his arms and legs, quickly toweling off, he followed her to her bed and it's cool, but soft sheets. Once they were both neatly snugged together, he rested an arm on her shoulder as she rested her head on his. "I can't think of anything that could possibly make this any better." He agreed, enjoying her warmth against him.

Harrow watched Sian go. It wasn’t the first time he had treated them, but typically one was watching to make sure they weren’t caught. It seemed odd to be in a place without having to worry about the possibility of getting arrested.

Harrow smiled at Able. “Pleasure to meet you”, he said, “I want to start with Godolkin”, he said, nodding toward the Iconoclast. “I need a scan of the deep injury, to make sure it’s healing properly and there isn’t too much blood in the thoracic cavity. Then a scan of the skull, I think he’s still having some trouble after his concussion a few months ago. Red will go next.”

Harrow’s choice was for the specific reason that Red support him, since she had to wait and she hated waiting. She would, though, since he was one of two that she would even let touch her.

********

“What I wouldn’t give for the time for a nice relaxing dinner and a glass of wine slowly sipped in conversation before a nice fire”, Lauralin replied to Jessica, sighing. “I just don’t seem to have the time to do much of anything.” She looked at Jessica, “I am seriously considering another vacation. It is ….” She stopped to think for a moment, “Almost …. Three hundreds since my last vacation.”

"I can't think of anything that could possibly make this any better."

"Merry laughed softly. "Oh I can, but wishes won't make that monster not have been. But enough of that." She firmly turned her thoughts away from that and began talking about the May Day gathering the Houson area Packs had planned.

"It's an all day thing Saturday May first. In the morning a bunny hunt for all the cubs, a bbq and various 'challenges' for the older kids in the afternoon. Come evening there's a dinner dance and howl for us 'old fogeys'. It's kind of a tradition and no one is allowed to bring any inner or inter pack rivalries."

"That sounds like an excellent celebration, and I'm sure we'd have fun there." Rivan replied

"Do any of the other night-lifers ever attend?" He asked as he enjoyed laying there with her.

“Pleasure to meet you"

Able nodded and turned the powerchair into the tretment bay with deft fingers. The chair had been speciffically calibrated for his limitied use of his body.

"It's better if he's lying down. Some people say it feels like a cool wind riffling over them, and the stiller they remain the better a view I can show."

He waited patiently until Godolkin was flat on the table then his eyes drooped closed. Then seconds later there in a empty space in the bay was a slowly rotating three dimentional image of Godolkin's skeletal structure - as if he had been standing upright- and with perfect clarity- Stress points, healed fractures, still healing ones, and all showed clearly and with almost microscopic attention to detail.

"Thats the first step" Abel whispered, his eyes still closed. "Did you want to take a look at that or should I start the layering?"

Once Harrow had given his consent to go on, then came the circulatory system, then the netwaork of nerves, organs and and the muscular system. All the injures- past and present- showing clearly, those long healed discernable only by the minute that all such trauma leaves behind, those current showing the regenerative effects of the goop, and the damage that still needed attention.

"Do any of the other night-lifers ever attend?"

"Some of the other were folk, those who are considered as honorary pack members, but this is really just for us to let all our fur down and cut loose. The Alley Pack" She named the biggest of the five Houston area Packs . "has the long term lease on an old farm out near Eagle Lake, and it very secluded."

Eagle Lake was a small town about an hours drive away. "None of the surrounding property has live on caretakers, and we've never been bothered."

Merry found herself yawning "Oh I'm sorry" She tried to hide it behind a hand but found her eyes drooping closed as exhaustion over took her. She'd been up nearly twenty four hours. "Hmmm this feels so right, being here with you.

"Yes it does. We should get some rest." He agreed as he was also feeling the affects of being up for so long. "Good-night Merry." He added as he gave her a good night kiss before starting to drift off into the realm of dreams.

Harrow examine the skull more closely, not seeing any major difficulties. He would have to look elsewhere for the headaches, though he suspected it had to do with the nutrient requirements of the Iconoclasts. He would have to think of a way to simulate the bars that Godolkin was rationing. The rest seemed fine. "Some blood in the Thoracic, but it should be absorbed back into the body", he said, studying the double heart configuration closely. "I would like to check you again in a couple of weeks, just to make sure."

"We should call a truce", Godolkin said flatly.

Harrow continued studying the image, "The Holy One is under a great deal of stress. I don't think our arguing is helping her. I'd be willing to call a truce between us."

Godolkin only nodded slightly and then said nothing more until the examination we finished. "A couple of weeks, then another exam", Harrow told him, but everything seems to be coming along fine."

Godolkin almost arguing, merely out of principle but held his tongue and nodded as he headed out. "Blasphemy, Harrow will examine me again in two weeks time, but he thinks that I'm alright."

Red raised an eyebrow and entered the room, "What did you give him?" she asked Harrow.

"He didn't need anything, Holy One."

"Then why is he so co-operative?" she asked him, getting up on the table.

"You'll need to lie down", Harrow told her, "I'm sure he's co-operative because it would otherwise affect his combat abilities", he lied. He then looked at Able, "Ready whenever you are. If you want to rest I can take some blood work."

Jessica gave a low whistle to Lauralin. "Three hundred years...in my opinion you most certainly need a vacation somewhere. I cannot imagine going on that long without some kind of a break."

Then again Jessica never thought of going on in eternal youth either, espicially not with the ablity to turn into a human shaped tiger. She still remembered the night coming back to her apartment from one of the Congressional Office buildings and being attacked by something that came out of an alleyway. Jessica obviously survived the attack and it wasn't till after she first woke up after her first transformation with blood on her lips did she realize what she was. She still didn't know to present if her first victim was a human or an animal, but considering she was in the city more than likely it was a human.

Jessica looked at her boss. "I say again, take a vacation. Take a few years off. Turn off the cell phone and mental link and enjoy yourself for a few decades. Why be immortal if you are going to work twenty four seven?"

Good-night Merry."

She returned the kiss savoring it's sweetness. "Sound sleep and gentle dreams my love" Merry whispered before sleep dragged her under.

It would be hours before Rivan and Merry awoke to more news less pleasant than their dreams.

Sian's voice sounded in Harrow's mind. "You do a pretty good job of shielding but your worry comes through. I looked at what Able was showing. I'm sorry I should have been there to show you how deeply Able can go. Some of it may be nutrient related, but I'm beting that the bigger part of it is that his personality is cracking under the torment of what those abmoninations did to him. Humans weren't meant to have such torture infliced on them and survive with intact personalities." Sians mind voice contained a world of rage.

"I'm going to fix him, he doesn't deserve what they did. And I'm going to do it wether he consciously wants it or not. Red already knows. I'm not a Healer, I'll have to get help with that, but I AM a mind Healer. It's not going to be quick, or easy, but if we don't atleast try he's going to exploded and badly, and I think sooner rather than later."

Rivan slept a generally untroubled sleep, thought the recent events had given his some unpleasent dreams. Waking some time later, he gazed down at Merry and smiled as there was a rightness about it.

"Oh", Lauralin replied, "do not get me wrong. I enjoy the work. Helping people is what I like to do. It is the reason I created the Defenders. It is just that, in all these millenia, I have never understood racial prejudices. Dislike among people I can understand because of the nuances of varying personalities. But prejudice against an entire race ..." She shook her head. "I need a vacation from such malice for it saddens me so."

********

Sian could now distinctly sense two minds, though both were almost identical. One was responding to her as the other controled his body and prepared to take blood work.

'I've seen his reponses to the Holy One's orders taking more time to follow. I'm afraid that I know little about the mind, the body was my focus in med school. The headaches could be related to this break? I'm aware of some of the procedures they use on the Iconoclasts. I knew he was becoming more .... independant, I so suppose is the best word I can use. It's why I'm so afraid of him. He's not harmed me yet, but we don't like each other and if he went off he could kill me easily. I'm far more fragile than I've even let the Holy One be aware of. A bone disorder that makes my bones weak.'

He wasn't sure if she could here him as he thought this, he only hoped that her contact with him worked both ways.

The other brain prepared the vials to take the blood and the turned back to Red with a tray, setting it near the table. He picked up the needle and one of the vials and turned to her.

"What are you doing?" she asked him. Her mind suddenly filled with scenes of torture. Needles placed into her brain and her organs, no anesthia. She had been captured before the government found her and terrible tests had been run, all under the assumption that she was simply an animal and no kind means would be needed. It was why she was weakened enough for the government to get her.

"I'm taking blood work, Holy One, as I said."

"But I thought Able was going to scan me", she told him sliding off the opposite side of the table.

"Holy One? What's wrong?"

Godolkin heard the stress in Red's voice and entered the room. The moment he entered he could tell what was wrong. Light sheen of sweat, dilated pupils, eleveated heart rate and the smell of adrenaline. His senses were sharp enough to tell all these things and after a moment of shocked confusion the answer came to him. She was afraid. Something had never seen in her before. Part of him reveled in her fear, even if it wasn't caused by him. Part of him, however, agonized over it. The part of him that was blocked by the Iconoclast training program. The part of him that had grown to respect her as a comrade and that would have allowed him to be friends with her if it wasn't blocked.

"Blasphemy, he is only taking blood."

"Yeah well I kind of need it" she replied.

"Red", he said, using her first name without thinking, "he won't harm you."

"Look, let's just get the scan and leave it at that."

His senses were sharp enough to tell all these things and after a moment of shocked confusion the answer came to him. She was afraid. Something had never seen in her before. Part of him reveled in her fear, even if it wasn't caused by him. Part of him, however, agonized over it. The part of him that was blocked by the Iconoclast training program.

And in that instant of mental division, Sian struck. One of the most gifted Psionics alive she managed to do several things at once. Harrow and Red found themselves aported away to a safer portion of the ER. Simultaneously the Iconclast was within a dome of pure unbreakable force, as she teleported in, catching the his limp form as he fell like a poleaxed steer. She wasn't strong enough to stand with his unconscious weight so they went down in an ungainly heap, but she managed to take most of the force of the fall on her butt. Sian would worry about bruises later.

She dragged his head onto her lap, and dove deeper into him, ruthlessly, but carefully stripping away the layers his creators had wrought to make him a stunnted atrophied being, little more than a golem of flesh. She cradled his mind, attemtping to buffer it from the sudden in rush of disjointed personality. Opening her mind to his, letting him know that he was safe, as was Red and Harrow. That she would help him fix what had been done to him, that there were others who would also help him, with no thoughts of payment, debt, bindings or obligation.

She knew what she was doing was dangerous, and that Godolkin might well have been programed to fight, but she also knew he deserved far better than being what he had been diminished into. She could not tolerate such injustice.

* Vacate the ER, just in case. Dilana, Mike, get Cyrian sedated and upstairs, along with every one else being admitted.* She broad band broadcast, her mental voice a little strained. The hypodermic of tailored to the Sidhe tranquiliser was on the counter in the bay where Cyrian was.

*Red, let Harrow draw the blood he needs and quit being such a wuss. Either you trust him or you don't!* Her thoughts that sped to Red and Harrow were tart, but not unkind.[/i]

Dilana had been looking over some of the paper work when Sian's voice had come through. The young woman didn't bother to ask why, she just turned to go and find Mike.
"Mike," she said as she saw him after a few turns in the hospital, "I'm sure you got what Sian said, let's go."
Dilana's eyes scanned down the list of patients in the ER, as she noted that thus far everyone had been delt with.
"We're going to take you upstairs in to some rooms," Dilana calmly said as she began to help Mike and the people that could walk did so as they followed her and Mike up to the floor with the rooms. She knew that she and Mike would return for the others very quickly upon getting Serian in a more safe place.

"We're going to take you upstairs in to some rooms,"

Those that could walk, and fortunately the ER was mostly empty save for those brought in from the conflict at Lillina's apartment, followed Dilana upstars. They'd hear Sians admonition and had no desire to interfer with what ever was happening. Mike went with them far enought to see that the injured were indeed headed upstairs, then he turned back.

"I'll get Cyrian sedated" he called up to Dilana "Can you see if there is a private rooom unoccupied. I'm pretty sure thats what Sian would want."

The Hospital was small only twenty double rooms, and nine private ones. The only empty one was right next to the one where Jessica was.

"Sure," the woman answered as she gave everyone a once look over before doing what Mike had requested of her. Finding 1 private room, wasn't as hard to do since there only being that one left.
'I didn't know we had so many people that were in private rooms.'
Dilana thought as she readied the room;

Lauralin smiled at Jessica and shook her head. "Do not allow me to give you misperceptions. I enjoy what I do. I like helping others. It is just that sometimes the terrible things they do to each other tears at my heart, monstrous as it may be, and I simply must escape for awhile. Now, however, I cannot afford to do so. Events transpire that demand attention and I must assist in the time to come."

********

The attack triggered a transponder that had been implanted in his brain near the brain stem. Harrow, however, had already discovered it and though it was impossible for him to remove without a proper O.R. and without for more skill than he possessed he did manage to disable it. Though it was powered it was incapable of sending the emergency signal to the Iconoclast main base.

What she saw in his mind was horrifying. Procedures designed to implement the coders own desired personality matrix. His own personality was as atrophied and stunted, and perhaps even more so, than she had feared. More than that, it was intermingled with the personality matrix implanted by the designers so that it was almost completely meshed as one. Only the recent events with the break from the Iconoclasts had allowed any free will. The programmed belief that Red, after he had tried to kill her and she had fed from him, now possessed his soul and the fact that he couldn't return to his own people, had resulted in any free thought at all. The terrible mingling of carefully controled free thought with the programmed personality matrix made it almost impossible to break the two apart.

Almost...

As Sian probes deeper she realizes that she can remove parts of the programming, leaving certain personality matrixes in place that would allow his own developing personality to grow and replace it. Failing, however, would leave him with little better than a child as most of the knowledge in his possession had come from his original programming. Once certain things were removed and ties made to other parts he might be free, but it would be far from easy with intermingling of the personality matrix, the programmed knowledge and the careful control factors of free will.

His own basic personality, what little there was, was one filled with honor and nobility. That basic personality was twisted by the Iconoclast ideals, but it was still, basically, intact.

Thoughts of Durham Red filled him with disjointed feeling. One of respect, those of dread and some of friendship which he didn't understand, as friendship was not part of the personality matrix programming.

Thoughts of Harrow filled him disgust and grudging admiration for the man's skills.

Though programmed to fight the Iconoclast was designed with two safeguards to prevent interference in the programming. The first had been initiated and thwarted by Harrow's forethought. The second would begin in 24 hours unless stopped. The complete death of personality, leaving a mindless husk in it's place.

********

"Wuss", Red grumbled, "I'll show you wuss." She looked at Harrow, "Take the blood."

As Harrow began Red turned away as much as possible, clamping down on the thoughts of the torture that she had had to endure.

"Holy One, perhaps you should consider the body guard position."

"Your nuts too", Red stated through clenched teeth and tightly closed eyes.

"Hear me, Holy One. I think you would be perfect for the position. You are huntress, that's true. In fact it's better. Bodyguard's typically wait for an attack and then react. You would actively seek an attacker, keeping yourself ready to act, first, rather than REact."

Red thought about that for a minute, "Yeah maybe, but then what about being seen?"

"He's night life, Holy One. They aren't ones to announce themselves."

"I'll think about it", she said, "can we just get this done?"

"It's done", he told her as he was labeling the vials of blood for various tests.

She looked around quickly, looking at him and then her arm. "Wow, no shit."

"No shit", he replied smiling and turned to the nearest nurse to find out where he could run the tests on the blood and then headed off to see what tale the blood would tell.

********

Michael rounded the corner heading back toward the room, sidestepping Harrow as he did and stopping to stare at Red who looked up at the same time he saw her.

"Oh fuck", she muttered and he stopped, holding out both his hands.

"Look", he said, "my boss has been trying to contact Doctor Rhys to get an interview with you."

Red just stared at him a moment, "Well did your boss try thinking of anything as novel as contacting me?"

"You work for Doctor Rhys don't you?"

"No", Red replied, "what gave you that idea?"

"She saw you leaving the club with her."

"What does your boss want?"

"Just to ask you some questions. That's all. Nothing more", Michael told her.

Red narrowed her eyes, she could tell he was human and she wasn't sure if she believed him.

The second would begin in 24 hours unless stopped. The complete death of personality, leaving a mindless husk in it's place

Oh no you don't Sian's mind voice growled as she stopped that second sabotage cold. She wasn't about to spend several grueling hours to to have those bastards wreck it.

Then she settled in and went to work. Judge, jury and executioner, she carefully teased apart strand after strand. Unweaving the base from the warped aggregrated that had been overlain. Not removing the dark entirely, for the shadowy side was a part of each, and necessary, but she chose what to leave and what to slice away as cleanly as if she werre weilding her scalpel in the physical world.

Where needed she shored up the original, the intrinsic self, giving it a frame work to support it. Memories and facets of people she knew well and respected. Her faters understanding, Ryan's incedible self control, Michael's cool under fire, Dilana's core of gentleness, he didn't need Red's stubbornness for he had his own, Harrow's courage and curiosity, and more, gifts to subtly reinforce him as he regrew.

She didn't remove his memories, that would be unjust. They'd bring him guilt and pain, but she could and did put a shield around them to buffer their impact, one that would slowly ebb as he faced his past and learned from it. He'd hurt but heal - his basic personality was not one for addictions, or depression. She would help him build a life that moved past his past, not remained mired in it.

None of what she was doing was swiftly done, it was slow painstaking work and it was not with out it's toll on either of them. Yes he would loose much knowledge, but she aide him, during 'rehab' to gain it back quickly. It wouldn't be the same exact knowledge as he had had, but she knew many people skilled in combat, tactics, strategy and the other facets of militaria and any other knoweldge bases that ended up disrutped. His mucle memory - the practised until the body can do it without thinking of physical combat wouldn't be touched, that was impossible for what she was doing to strip out.

Hours passed without as she worked within.

**********************************************

Mike and the other techs took those who could not walk to the second floor via the elevator. He wheeled Cyrian in to the private room that Dilana had prepared. "Dilana, this is the dose that Sian had drawn up before she got called away." He handed her the hypodermic. "Would you like a ride home? I go off duty in a hour...Actually would you like to have a real early breakfast at IHOP with me?" He kinda blushed as he asked.

The young woman straightened up, "Want me to administer the dose while you keep a look out on him? Or, do you wish to do it the other way."

Mike looked Cyrain over. The Sidhe had stopped seizing on his own seconds after Sian had arrived earlier, but in crissi as he was he could start again with out warning. 'You're stronger than I am Dilana, and if he goes off again you'd do a better job holding him than I would. So why don't I do the dose and you get ready to pin him if it tips him over the edge."

Sedatives did that at times, the initial 'push' of the drug into the body often resulting in a brief episode.

Jessica listened to her boss and patted her on the hand. "Its okay. I understand."

Jessica looked at her, wondering if several centuries in the future she would end up like Lauralin, working almost constantly with no breaks. The tigeress gave a warm smile to her.

"Well, at least we had a nice night together." Jessica said in reference to the night a few weeks before were they had made love. It had been a wonderful night for her, one that would always live on in her memories.

Going back to the subject at hand Jessica spoke confidently. "Once I get out of the hosptial I'll get back to work straight away. You don't have to worry about a thing, I'll hold down the fort."

"I understand," Dilana stated as she prepared herself for what Cyrian may do.

The complexity of the damage slowly unraveled under Sian patient ministrations. Slowly the web was unraveled and rewoven, creating an independent structure of personality. The combat seemed to be engrained not only in memory but in the very fiber of the body. The denser bones and muscles. The more rapid fire neurotransmitters and odd nutrient balance, all designed to create a soldier. Reaction would not be an issue and slowly the control was being placed with the factions of various people's personality.

Near the end sheer force of will roused him and muscles snapped taut at the former memory of seeming attack. The eyes, however, seemed unfocused as he tried to access parts of his memory that were no longer intact and were shunted, through Sian's careful manipulations, to aspects of the new personality or memories. So he lay, staring, trying to understand what was happening.

********

Lauralin smiled, "Yes, and the memory of that night is one that I shall treasure", she told Jessica. She was aware of what was going on, but didn't want to interfere unless asked to do so. She did, however, gently touch Sian's mind, letting Sian know who she was without speaking and allowing some of her own power to bolster Sian's own waning ones as the procedure wore on her, making her feel warm and stronger.

"I know that you shall be very good in your position, I have full faith in you. I am glad that Michael brought you to me. For more reasons than just the job. He is making his way back, by the way."

********

Harrow ran a full battery of tests and when he finished, frowned. She needed to replenish herself, as he suspected. Her attempts to hide herself kept her out of one trouble but caused others. He checked with a lab technician as to where he could find two bags of blood and went off to retrieve them.

April, the Hospital's night lab tech, let Harrow know that there was a good stock of Vampire Ready blood avaiable. Preserved with magic rather than chemicals, and kept at body temperature. "Sian makes sure we have plenty. Take what you need." She nodded to the storage cabinet. "You know if you are looking for work we can always use trained personell here at the Hospital. The pay is good and Sian won't let people over work themselves."

***************************

Sian appreciated the boost that Laura gave her. When Godolkin roused slightly she pulled him further into her lap, cradeling him against her.leaning his head against her shoulder. He was so massively built that it was awkward, but she wanted him to have as much physical contact as possible. The sound of anothers heart beat and brreathing, the body warmth, the interaction of auras and all the subliminal things that humans need.

She never ceased her careful weaving, but part of her thoughts diverted to wash over Godolkin directly You are safe. Be at peace, relax, rest.

Dr. Martin arrived first however, popping into Jessica's room but with much of his earlier bounce gone.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't know you had a visitor. I can come back later if you'd like." He offered, stiffling a yawn.

The phone confrence had taken longer than he'd planned. The information he'd gained hadn't been encourageing. The specialists he'd contacted hadn't had much experience with that type of ectoplasmic poisoning either, and could only offer 'educated' guesses. However they had suggested several other tests, and Doc Martin intended to see about scheduling those in the morning.

Fortunately Cyrian didn't react badly to the injection, so Dilan didn't need to try and restrain him. Mike disposed of the hypodermic, and turned back to her with a grin.

"You know you still haven't said if you'd have breakfast with me." he reminded her, though inside he ws rather nervous. He didn't date much, and while he wasn't ugly he wasn't handsome either. And he was shorter than her by several inches.

Dilana's eyes twinkled, "I wasn't aware you had asked me, and the answer is yes whenever we're finished up here. I'm glad that Cyrian pulled through thus far."

Harrow smiled, "Well I'm afraid I was forced out in my second year of medical school. I've studied when I could since then, but I'm afraid that I might be more of a hindrance than help." He intentionally left the subject open, hoping that further training might be offered, but torn between his desire to pursue his chosen career that had been halted and his loyalty to Red.

He slowly looked through the blood, waiting to see what she said though what blood Red got didn't matter.

***************************

'Safe' resonated in his mind. 'Never safe' he thought, though he wasn't quite sure why anymore. Something about non-humans and mutants, but he couldn't make the connection.

****************************

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't know you had a visitor. I can come back later if you'd like." He offered, stiffling a yawn.

Lauralin removed her hand from Jessica's and stood, facing the Doctor. "No need, Doctor", she replied, quickly scanning him and finding no danger to Jessica. Not from him at least. "I am Lauralin Silverlief", she said, curtseying, "Jessica's boss. I came by to see how she was doing. Do you require me to leave the room?"

but I'm afraid that I might be more of a hindrance than help."

April snorted. "The way you ran that blood work? Not likely and besides Sian will pay for any ones training who wants it, or train them herself. We have three docs, a dozen nurses, six medic EMTs, and five administrative staff to take care of nearly five thousand Night Life...and Able can't forget him, he is one of our ace in the hole." ..." She shook her head " Yeah there are about half a dozen Healers in the city too. And we've got way more than any other city about in way of formal medical facilities. If they ever find out how good we've got it here they'd come flocking in and over whelm us."

She stood and stretched, having finished the last of the other labs. "Talk to Sian. She really is good people and like I said we can always use the help."

**********************************

Never Safe

Yes, safe, safe here Sians voice was firm, and filled with compassion, as she began letting him watch his past - at a step removed, as if he were watching a not too involving movie. You are home, among your own people, people who care...What you were forced to be, not what you are, what you will be. She gave him the vision she had of him, not perfect for none can be that, they can only strive to be the best they can be...but strong, secure, compassionate, just, gentle, independant, courageous, inquireing, noble, decisive, tolerant, and more...

Jessica was about to speak when the doctor walked in. Finally, some answers. She waited for Lauralin to introduce herself before speaking.

"If it all the same to you Doctor I would like her to stay...she is my boss."

Harrow randomly chose two bags and smiled at the woman. "I'll talk to my boss and Doctor Rhys. One thing I'd like to do is upgrade your computer system though, it runs like a half dead dog." He stopped for a moment and then shrugged, "I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean, I've never asked my boss about it, but it usually means slow, though her colloquialisms tend to throw me off. But I would love to help if I could. My boss will be here for awhile at least", he said, holding up the bags, "if I can lend a hand I will."

**********************************

Godolkin grew confused and agitated at the scenes played in his mind. He wasn't meant for these things, he knew. He didn't know how he knew. He was meant for combat and for killing, but the scriptures forbade killing without cause and he wasn't sure about the cause anymore. 'Who am I', he asked her, 'where am I and why am I here.' They were questions that he had never asked before, had never had too.

'Who am I? Wwhere am I and why am I here.

Sian soothed him, eased his agitation.

'They named you Godolkin, god's child. but more than your name can tell - You are a warrior, a guardian of the Light but captured and ill wrought by abomination before you could take your rightful guise. You have been found and freed. It will not be without price but you will not be alone. Sian replied her mind voice warm with compassion Where you are, in the outer world is a place of saftey, refuge and healing. In the inner world you are in your eye of the storm, your inner citadel, where you can always come to renew yourself- it has always been here, though those that bound you kept you from not only being able to enter here, but even knowing of it. As to the why, I think you can discern that.

************************************

April nodded as Harrrow held up the bags. "Why don't you get your boss comfortable in a room? The nurses can tell you which ones are empty, I'm pretty sure we are not full up. And any help is always welcome, and don't put yourself down. You'd be more than just 'any help'.

She laughed at his comment about their computers. "If you can tune them up I know that would be a huge hekp. Most of us Night Lifers don't know much about them. Heck there are some of us that if you put them near anything technological it goes 'poof' and stops working. And it was kinda not possible to tell the Mundanes who installed them exactly what we needed them for, so heck probably half the stuff on there we don't need. Aand my niece who's still in high school says thats probably what makes them so slow, but me? " She shrugged "I can use Word, Excell and 'fill in the blanks ' on the pregenerated forms, but beyond that Google and Ebay are as daring as I get."

Doc Martin bowed in response to Lauralins curtsey.

Do you require me to leave the room?"

If it all the same to you Doctor I would like her to stay...she is my boss."

"Please to meet you Ms. Silverlief. And no need to leave, since Jessica would like you to stay it's perfectly fine by me." He replied.

"I'm sorry that took so long but both of those I consulted with had to stop and double check older information. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of older information, or much newer information either. Multiple apperitions of one individual are Not common, they are even rarer than rare and having a swarm make such attack."

He frowned. "There aren't even any documented caes of such. However the best theory is that they got into your physcial self and formed a barrier between your human self and your tiger self...and stole your tiger self. The thinking is is that you won't be able to transform until, somehow both selves are brought back together."

"Did you want to get cleaned up first?" Mike looked at Dilana's blood stained, tattered clothes and frowned "You still haven't been given a once over yourself. Come on down to an exam room and lets get those injuries checked over, even if they don't seem to be bothering you. It won't take long and the IHOP is just down the road."

Most of the stff kept changes of clothes in their locker, as the Hospital would launder and press anything they left in the 'dirty bins'. The Hospitals showers had effectively unlimited hot water and most of the staff showered as they came on and again when they left.

Dilana thought over what Mike had just said, and then glanced down at herself and then back up towards Mike again.
"Alright," she replied, "You can have someone check me over and then I'll get cleaned up and take a shower while I'm here."

"Okay" Mike grinned as they headed down stairs and he snagged ER nurses.

"Now you know Sian's going to want to look at that later." He said as he turned her over to Jennifer, and headed off to get his own shower and change of clothes.

Jennifer checked Dilana over carefully. She noted down temp, blood pressure, and did a thorough physical assessment." No blows to the head, nothing feeling wrong internally?" She asked "That goop has got your cuts sealed up and they are healing fast enough not to need stitches. Mike's right though see Sian tomorrow, she'll worry if you don't. I'd be careful in the shower, I don't know how easily that stuff washes off. Harrow provided that didn't he? I saw some on the Scarlett Huntress and the one.. Godolkin, I think his name was?" She asked as she finished up and closed out Dilana's folder.

"All done, go get food, rest and Sian will probably put you on antibiotics just to be safe." She waved Dilana off towards the ladie's locker room.

After all was said and done, Dilana nodded her head at the nurse.
"Thanks Jen," she said, "I'll make sure to see Sian tomorrow."
She went off and slipped out of her durty blood stained clothes, throwing them in the bin before slipping under the hot water of the shower. She washed carefully, came out of the shower and changed in to a pair of shorts and a top that she had stored in her locker.
She walked outside in the warm night and leaned against the building, waiting for Mike.

Mike was close one her heels, Dilana barely had to wait two minutes.

"And off like a herd of turtles we go!" He said cheerfully as he opened the foor to his batter, but clean, old Ford truck.

The traffic was all but non existant at roughly threee am and they were at the International House of Pancakes in just minutes. This one was not close to any bars or clubs or even any hotels so the restraunt ws all but empty and the hostess seated them immediately.

Mike decided on the steak omelette and hasbrowns instead of pancakes, asking for orange juice instead of coffee, then waited until the waitress took Dilana's order and left before making conversation.

"So how are you liking Houston?"

"Not a bad truck," Dilana commented as she got in and they left the hospital. She was glad for the near emptyness of the place, leaning back in her seat.
"I'll have the pancakes," she stated, "After all, I hear you're famous for them. I'll have a glass of milk with them and the hashbrowns."
After the woman left she answered Mike's question, "To be honest, I haven't had much time to think that over. Everything has been so amazing here, sometimes I think it can't be true."

Jessica nodded and listened as Martin talked. Once he frowned, she felt her heart sink. They had stolen her tiger form...that is why she had been feeling to off and uncomfortable. As of right now she was no longer a weretiger, she was just a human immortal but for all she knew they took that too when they stripped her tiger. Jessica cursed under her breath. She turned and looked up at Martin.

"Okay...lets say I am able to catch up to them and...get my tiger self back...how do I get it back in me so I can be me again?"

Godolkin thought for several long moments, sifting through disassociated memories. Finally he thought, ‘Durham Red, The Scarlett Huntress. This name comes to mind. I have memories of both fear and respect. Is she an enemy?’

************************************

Harrow smiled at April, looking at her for a long moment then blushed slightly and looked down. “Yeah, well. I have an affinity for how things work”, he said. “Organic or inorganic. I’m not, I mean, I’m not trying to boast. Just part of… I just…” he shrugged and moved toward the door, moving past her shyly as far as he could, “It just comes to me. Whatever else may happen, I’ll at least get it working better and maybe look at some of your equipement. I mean not YOUR equipement. I mean the equipement here. At the hospital….” He stuttered and then mumbled, “I need to ahh, to go”, he said, waving the bags.

************************************

“I can sense the residue”, Lauralin said and a light, calm voice. “I have access to very old archives, before even recorded history, but I fear that I have several things to which I must attend first and shall be busy for some time. Tell me, please, Doctor, beyond her inability to transform, is she in any other danger?”

"Okay...lets say I am able to catch up to them and...get my tiger self back...how do I get it back in me so I can be me again?"

Martin shook his head. "We're not sure on that, but they feel that it would have to be a specifically designed ritual.And your pelt would be the key element."

He looked at Lauralin as she spoke up.

Tell me, please, Doctor, beyond her inability to transform, is she in any other danger?”

"Not from that, save maybe a sensitivity to those particulars phantasms presence."

He looked back at Jessica "Which means you might be able to tell if they are near you even if you can't see them." To him that would be a positive benefit. " It's nearly five now so why don't you get some sleep. We'll do an Able scan when he returns later this morning and unless we find somethig unexpected there we'll let you go home."

***************************

"I hope to see you again Harrow" April watched Harrow go and smiled to herself. She hoped he'd be back, he definietly was a wiz of a tech. However she had a feeling that Sian would snatch him up as a 'practical doctor in training' just what she was doing with Mike and a couple of others.

Everything has been so amazing here, sometimes I think it can't be true."

Mike nodded as the waitress returned with their beverages, then replied.

"I remember what it was like for me when I first came to Houston. It was back in the late sixties, before it became the "city that ate the gulf coast". Gas was twenty five sents a gallon, and most of what is now urban was positively rural. I loved it. Then all the yanks came and every thing changed. I've gotten used to it and in its heart Houston is still the same but five million people...." He sighed remembering the good old days then shook it off.

"Have you had a chance to go to the rodeo? It's here a couple more weeks, into April. I was planning to go this weekend, would you like to go with me?" He rushed it out as the waitress, her arms laden with platters heaped high with pancakes and omelettes giving off tantalizins smells, arrived.

She smiled at the young couple and set their food before them, and inquired if there was anything else they needed. Mike shook his head as he began spooning salsa over his omelette.

Is she an enemy?

Sian's mental snort was tart, as she gave him her impressions of Red. Tough, stubborn, smart, prickly, and intrinsically good hearted. No not at all, though she would be a bad one to have. You believed that because she drank your blood that this made you her slave. Simply not true, but understandable give the lies you were indoctrinated with.Now rest, SLEEP, and dream. Don't worry I will be here. The SLEEP was a command that Godolkin could not fight

Telekenetically she lifted him and laid him on the examining room table. It took her a moment to climb to her feet, and she staggered, clutching at the table to keep her balance. Sian found herself completely exhausted, and unable to see. At some point, probably when I did that initial strike on him she guessed, her thoughts dull and slow, she had blown, detatched, both retinas. She cursed to herself and called for some of the staff to come and help her

The day shift had long since arrived, it was after ten a.m.

They transfered Godolkin's sleeping form to a gurney and took him up to a room. Waving off their concern Sian had them pull up a chair next to the bed. She did allow them to wrap a blanket about her and bring her some breakfast, but she wasn't going to leave his side for a time.

Dilana looked up at Mike's question, "The rodeo? I've heard of them however I've never been to one, sure I'll go with you this weekend."
When the waitress had come with the food and inquired if anything else was needed, Dilana shook her head, "No thanks, this looks great."
She began to butter and put surip on the pancakes, "This is nice Mike, getting some time off to relax and actually get to hold a conversation that doesn't have to do with patients and such. Don't get me wrong I love my job; well, do you know what I mean?"
She rushed the last part out, not wanting him to think that he was putting down the hospital and especially Sian.

Godolkin slept for longer than normal, or at longer than the four hours he would normally require. Scenes continued to come and go in his mind, some familiar, some not and some on the verge of being recognized, only to slip away.

***************************

Lauralin nodded and then turned as Michael entered the room with the woman known as the Scarlett Huntress. She curtseyed to Red and then pulled Michael aside, whispering to him. He looked at Jessica with concern and then back to Laura as she continued. His face grew worried at something she said and she seemed to wave it away. Once she was done she turned to the woman that he walked in with.

"Greetings, Durham Red, I am Lauralin Silverlief. I am sure that Michael told you that I wished to speak with you."

"Yeah", Red replied, "if your his boss, which seems to be the case. He didn't tell me that you were a blood sucker."

Michael bristled and stepped toward Red as Laura held out a hand, waving him back.

"Truth is truth, Ms. Red, I do not get offended by it. But I should think that you are hardly one to speak in such a manner."

Red eyed Laura for a minute who stood impassively and she grinned, "Yeah, I'm a blood sucker myself, though not like you."

"I can tell."

"So whadid you wanna see me about?"

"Well, you having worked for the government until recently, I was wondering if you might know something about some funds of mine that had been diverted from certain causes to which donations were made."

Red thought for a moment and then responded, "How much are you talking about?"

"Approximately three quarters of a billion dollars, all totaled."

Red whistled but nodded, "Yeah, I had Godolkin looking into that. It was being diverted to the Iconoclast program but we couldn't determine the source."

"I see", Laura replied in an icy voice that made Michael shiver and cause Red to force herself not to back up. "We shall see about this", Laura stated and moved to head out of the room.

"If your going to Rome", Red said, holding out a hand, "I have an Iconoclast that works for me. He might be able to get you in easier. Harrow could hack the system if the three of you get inside, he's a wiz with comps."

"I shall consider it. I shall ask them about it", she told her and then headed out of the room.

"Now why", Red muttered, "do I have a feeling that someones in deep shit."

"Because are they are", Michael answered as he moved over and took Jessica's hand.

****************************

Harrow looked at her and smiled and then headed out the door. He stopped as he couldn't see Red where he had left her.

"Oh no", he said. She wouldn't harm the innocent, but he knew that she could get into no end of trouble if she was bored.

Don't get me wrong I love my job; well, do you know what I mean?"


Mike nodded as he dug deep into the massive omelette. "I know exactly what you mean. One can get too caught up in the Hospital."

And he made sure the conversation was about anything but the Hospital - mostly about the antics of the strange ( no not Strange ) people that inhabited the Montrose neighborhood where he rented a garage apartment, and the nre art cars exhibit gong in at the museum dedicated to them, the latest movie out - Copperhead Road - an action flick that probably would have done at the box office if they had waited until summer to release it.

And the odd weather they had been having - a week long heat wave that was due to vanish under an artic cold front steam rolling down and due to arrive the next day. "Better get the long johns back out. The midwest is fighting a losing battle to keep their power grid up and that will affect us down here. This one is supposed to be a bad one."

When they finished he left money for the bill and a generous tip with the waitress. Then they headed out to the truck as the sky lightened imperceptably with the first faint greys of false dawn.

One of the ER techs saw Harrow looking around rather anxiously. "Your friend went up stairs a few minutes ago." He advised him, but couldn't tell Harrow if she had gone to see a specific patient.

Okay evey one I'm about to do a time jump, and put every one around six p.m. that night. It is mid March, the last of the previous weeks heat wave is fadeing as a Massive Nasty artic cold front barrells down on Houston. By 6 p.m. it has hit Dallas and will probably make Houston around Midnight. This storm is unnaturally intense, but it has been a bad winter that in most places is lingering on far longer than 'normal'

Updates:

Jessica :nothing is found abnormal in the Able scan ( other than your 'wereness' being gone) so you were discharged around 1 p.m.

Harrow, Red, Godolkin : Godolkin - you are going to sleep until 6 / Red- you get fed and if you want to take up guarding Cyrian who is in a private room thats fine. The Hospital can loan you a lap top if you want to surf, or books if you are interested in the Sidhe ( not the most information around but better than none?/ Harrow - if you want to have gone back and fiddled with the Hospitals comps you're most welcome to.

Sian by the time you all get there will have dark glasses on so her eyes aren't noticeable. And she's useing other than normal sight to see right now. She'll deal with her problems later.

Rivan and Merry: You all wake up probably earlier than 6 but it's still going to be 6 when you all come back into play so to speak.

Lillian / SEKHL / et all- rest and recovery in hospital then they will take you home and make sure your place is secure. Cyrian is going to be admitted for a few days, just fyi

And the other Big News that is being spread through the NL, and especially at the Hospital - there is an Animalistic Vampire Lycan on the loose and killing Mundanes. Started with an old couple last night, then hit the live in grounds keepr, the night security guard, and two policemen at a near by cemetary a few hours before dawn. Every one be careful, the Council will be dealing with it as soon sa they can, but in the mean time be wary.

"A cold front? Oh well, and the weather was kinda nice actually."
Dilana commented as she and Mike talked. She watched as she saw Mike pay, and then the two of them headed back towards the truck.
"Thanks for breakfast Mike," Dilana said, "I apriciate it, I owe you one. I guess I'll see you at the hospital tonight? Or, do you have the night off, I'm not sure if I work tonight I have to check my schedule."

Or, do you have the night off, I'm not sure if I work tonight I have to check my schedule."

"I'm nore sure, I know they changed the schedules areound this morning. I'm going to call once I get home" Mike had replied as he ahd started the turn and headedd for Dilana's apartment to drop her off.

Once they had excahnged ggod byes he headed home to grab some sleep.

***********************************************

The TV was full of the news that an escaped mental patient had gone on a drug induced rampage and slain an elderly married couple, others and even a pair of police officers before eluding the police. People were being warned to saty indoors and to call the police if they had any concerns.

The police found their lines, and 911 grid locked within twenty minutes.

**************
Sian slept in short cat naps, not as deeply as she needed. She roused to check on Godolkin then let her slep be pulled back into the half sleep.

When Godolkin woke it was 6 p.m., and the sun was well on it's way to setting. Sian woke when he did and asked softly. "How do you feel?"

Dilana thanked Mike for dropping her off and she said goodbye as she walked in her apartment and locked the door before getting undressed and slipping in to bed in order to sleep.
She woke around 4 in the afternoon, getting up and getting a shower before turning on the tv and leaning back on her couch. When she heard the news about the people being murdered in groossome ways, her jaw dropped as the news reporter talked.
"Oh hell," Dilana sighed however she knew she had no information to give the police. The young woman did suspect that it was no mental patient, and feared that it could be something that was part of the night life.

Not one for reading Red had walked back and forth between Cyrian's room and Godolkin's. Harrow had talked her into taking the guard job, stating that although she had saved up quite a bit it wouldn't last forever and so far they hadn't been found yet.

****************

Harrow had worked on the Hospital's computers. First he cleared out non-essential programs and then changed the mainframe with the one from the van. The powerplant had failed, having been experimental, and it no longer need the processor. Once done he changed the buss to handle multiple input lines and then tweaked the processor a bit more. It was above standard capacity but not so high as to burn it out. All told the computers worked about ten times faster and had much more memory.

Once done with that he began working on the machines in the lab, checking them out and doing some maintenence. Most of them seemed pretty well maintained, but he continued with minor things hoping that April would show up.

****************

Lauralin had checked in on Godolkin and forgot about the idea of taking him with her. She would have to go it alone. She stopped by the Defender's, picking up the progress report and went to the police station. There, per agreement, she brought them up to date on the investigation and requested and recieved the 911 records from the incident. Once she returned to the office she asked Jessica's secretary to check the time for her meeting with Cain.

****************

Michael waited with Jessica, having nodded off in his chair sometime in the morning. The moment that the doctor entered the room Michael was awake and on his feet and then relaxed. The news was somewhat good, she was being released. He got the Enterprise and brought it to the door, having already had someone from the Defenders pick up her car. Once he picked her up he took her home.

Jessica was glad to get out of the hospital, yet she was still broke inside. Her tiger self was gone, now she was just average. Though nothing wrong was found inside of her, she didn't know if her immortality was gone with her tiger. That and the fear Michael might not like her any more made her uneasy. Yet, the ex-tigeress was firm in her stance to get her pelt back and become a weretiger again. Once that happened, she had already decided she would take a day or two off to run around in her form off in the desert in order to get the feeling back.

She was also feeling nervous about the reports about a vampire-lycan hybrid running around and slaughtering mundanes. Jessica had overheard it while she was walking through the hospital halls for a little to get her legs fully back.

She still lived in the same apartment block where she had been before she met Lauralin and Michael. She smiled as Michael pulled up and opened the door for her. Jessica climbed out and looked at him.

"Would you like to come up for a drink before we get back to work?"

Michael smiled turned off the engine, then locked the Enterprise up. He took her hand and kissed it, "I would be an absolute fool to refuse a drink from lovely woman", he said and then scanned the area. Moving slightly ahead to check the way after unsnapping his holster he led her to the door.

Jessica smiled as Michael accepted her invitation. She led him up to her apartment and opened the door. Once he was in, she locked the door and entered the kitchen/family room. The apartment was not richly decorated, a couch, TV with DVD player, a stero system, two chairs, and a coffee table were the only things in the family room. Her computer was in her bedroom. The blinds were also down in front of the glass door to the balcony.

Jessica walked into the kitchen which only a bar seperated it from the family room. Once Michael was seated, she smiled at him.

"I don't think one drink would hurt before work. What would you like?"

Michael glanced around quickly evaluating the place. Exits, Entrances, habitual knowledge of the area.

"Bourbon", he replied, "Are you sure you want to go right back to work?"

Merry woke to find Rivan smiling down at her. She stretched and threw her arms about him, drawing him into a long leisurely kiss.

"What a wonderful way to wake up, and a wonderful person to wake up too!" She excalimed softly, as she snuggled up against him. "I didn't think I would be able to sleep. It must be because of you...and No, I'm not saying you put me to sleep" Merry hastened to add, her dimples showing as she smiled. "You make me feel safe."

Turning on her side and proping herself up on one elbow she looked over Rivan's shoulder checking the time. "Well after four." She commented "I guess we'd better get up and grab something to eat." Bus she nestled down pulling the covers up over them and wrapping her arms about him.

Jessica poured Michael some bourbon and got herself some iced tea, deciding to take it a bit easy after leaving the hospital. She nodded as she drank.

"I told Lauralin I would get back to work as soon as I was well, which I am now. Also, I want to get my tiger back." Jessica's last setence was hard and serious. "I want to find those glowing, jelly bastards and get it back. I feel...empty inside you know?"

Jessica took another drink and looked at Michael. "Michael, they took my were...that I do know but what scares me is I don't know if that means my immortality is gone. You get used to being around for a few decades. I feel naked and I just want to run around in my fur again. Also, if they could do it to me...they can do it to any lycan and I want it to stop. I want to be the first and last victim of this."

She took another sip. "Course there is a vampire-lycan thing running about, but we'll let Cain handle that and come in only if he comes to us. The Elvi are our number one priority."

The long kiss, and Merry's snuggling caused Rivan's pulse to increase. "You're an excellent person to wake up with as well." He said as he held her. The dimples, caused him to flush, "I feel safe with you as well."

"That late?" He commented with surprise. "I guess we should get up, but I'm really comfortable here." He said as he joined her under the covers, his arms around her as hers were around him.

Michael took a long drink from his bourbon, half draining it.

"Yeah", he replied, in a very haunted and pain filled voice, "I know what it's like to feel empty. I've known it for some time now and it's been worse since New Orleans." He shook his head, downing the rest of his drink. "I question myself now."

Jessica looked at him and and put a hand on his own. She stared at him compassionatly. "What happened in New Orleans Michael? You can tell me."

Michael sat for a long moment before answering. "There was someone there. Something there. Sometimes I can feel her close by. I was very strongly .... attracted to her. Very powerful attraction. Yet .... she was only, or looked to be only, about 12 to 14 years old. It was disgusting this attraction, yet I couldn't help myself. She almost had me in a graveyard there. I managed to escape somehow. I don't even remember the fight clearly."

He was quiet for a long time before he looked back up at Jessica, "It was wrong, these feelings. So morally wrong. But ...." He shook his head. "And I can still feel her sometimes. Like she's close. As though she's following me."

"I guess we should get up, but I'm really comfortable here."

Merry kissed Rivan on the nose, then stretched her body out along his, as she nuzzzled the side of his neck."I'm more than comfortable" she whispered as she kissed his earlobe, then nibbled down along the line of his chin.

"Do we learn to tango or do we wait?" Merry asked breathlessly

Merry's actions were generating three responses in Rivan, one a very noticable physical response, the second a less noticable, but still pronounced physical reaction and the third was his heart felt nigh to bursting with both nervousness and love.

"I leave that decision to you my dear sweet love." Rivan replied in an equally breathless voice.

"I leave that decision to you my dear sweet love."

Merry looked Rivan up and down and blushed, happily without the least bit of embarassement. Then she began letting her hands explore, gently learning the textures and planes of his body.

Together Merry and Rivan spent several hours learning those most intimate of shared joys.

Some hours later a throughly exhausted Rivan, who still felt like he could climb a mountain, run a marathon and then swin the english channel, looked at Merry eyes shining with love.

He kissed her and said in a soft, emotion filled voice, "I love you Merry."

Jessica gave Michael's hand a slight squeeze. "Its alright Michael. It is in the past now and to always look in the past is to never look forward."

She considered briefly giving him some more bourbon to nurse, but decided it was probably best to keep him sober. Drinking was not the answer to someone's problems. Jessica gave him a peck on the cheek. "Give me a few to get in fresh clothes."

She walked out of the small kitchen area, down a short hallway to her room at the far end. She shut the door and stripped. Jessica took a quick five minute shower to rinse off and quickly dried herself. As she went through her cloest, she stopped at a white tiger striped latex catsuit; her nightclub outfit. Jessica ran her fingers over it, hoping that she could get her REAL stripes and white back. Remembering the experiance with the Elvi and knowing they might bump into them later, she put on a pair of tight blue jeans and a light pink collared shirt.

After putting on some shoes, she thought for another second before pulling a shoebox from behind the small shoe rack. Lying inside was a Walther P22 .22LR automatic. Jessica was not big into firearms, she always believed in talking over fighting and always assumed her claws were to defend her. But, in case of a break in it would look strange for a burglar to have marks of a tiger on their body. So, with that in mind she purchased the gun though had only used it once. Loading the magizine, she took the small cardboard box of .22 rounds and put the box and gun into a navy blue windbreaker.

Jessica emerged from her room, carrying the windbreaker in her right hand. She went back into the kitchen and drained her iced tea. "Michael...are you going to be alright? I don't want anything wrong with you and something bad happen."

"I love you Merry."

Merry returned the kiss, revelling in the after glow of their union. Her eyes shown as well, openly revealing the depth of her feelings for him. Their bodies were molded to one another, fitting together like two halves of a perfect whole.

"and I love you Rivan." Merry hugged him tightly, then let him go, cocking her head to the side slightly.

"It's faint, but I hear our stomach's growling. I think, as much as I'd rather stay here in your arms, we'd better get something to eat." She cupped his face in her ands and dropped a playful kiss on his nose, before rising and throwing on a cotton kimono. The house had gotten chilly as the weather changed due to the artic cold front bearing down on Houston.

“Damn it, hurry up!” A rough voice snarled.

“You don’t hurry this you jack ass” came a sibilant hiss. “You want to end up on the receiving end?

“Of course not. I saw the training film.” The anxious one returned petulantly.

The ghoul carefully setting up the claymore to cover the length of the hall just shook his head and wondered why he’d be stuck with such a whiney brat of a partner. Once he was done setting the claymore to fire upon the target doors being opened She sighed and dared run a sleeve over a sweating forehead.

The hall way was wide – some of the clientele preferred to sleep in old fashioned caskets, or the new higher tech armored pod versions. Neither were small, or light weight. But width of the corridor didn’t matter to the pattern of a claymores lethal field of fire. The thickness of the walls might. The wall of the hotel were double thick, with inner layers of fire retardant foam fill, and the windows in each room had solid wood clad metal covers.

They nervously finished the last of their preparations in the safety of the hall that lay behind the killing field. Their targets would be up soon, and they wanted to hit them as soon after waking as possible. They made sure their body armor was set right and that their shotguns were ready to finish off their targets should they survive the initial blast.
Amulets went around necks and they faded from sight. The expensive magics wouldn’t last long but it would certainly be enough the retainers had been assured.

Rivan let his feeling open in the same way Merry was, his eyes the window into his soul and his soul was filled to the bursting with love. Even after all that had transpired, his heart gave a little lurch at hearing Merry's declaration of love.

"I think you're right." He replied as his stomach growled lightly as she kissed his nose. Watching her perfection as she rose and slipped into a kimono, he stood and slipped into and shirt and followed her to the kitchen, a slightly bemused smile on his face.

Michael shook his head, "I'll be fine. It's either hide away, which I don't think would work anyway, or go on with my life and wait for something to happen and then confront. I'd rather live and confront it when it comes." He stood up and walked out with her to the Enterprise, opening the door for her.

Ryan blinked his eyes open, the sun dropping below the horrizon. He didn't know that, but it was a natural act. After waking up at sundown for the past three hundred years or so, it became habbit. He wasn't aware of the ambush, the ambusher's words being faded out through the thick walls. He stretched, and hopped into the shower, washing away the general grime and dirt one accumulated in their sleep.

He dressed quickly, wanting to head down to the Ferrari and give it a once over before the trip started. He wanted to make sure it hadn't been touched in the day, not able to keep a watchfull eye over the Itallian Stallion. He walked to the door, pausing before opening the door, his instinct telling him that it might be bennificial to slow down.

Jessica smiled as she slid into the seat and waited until Michael had come around and gunned the engine. "Okay, lets go to the office."

Michael closer her door and came around. The drive was uneventful and he kept to a moderate speed, stealing glances at her now and then. Once at the building he came around to let her out and followed her up to her office. The secretary was gone and Michael stopped at the doorway to her office after opening it in surprise.

Lauralin was gathering her intelligence on what was going on around the world. She sat at the desk, making notes with a quill that she dipped in the ink well that she had set down on the desk, listening to the Wraiths who came to give thier reports.

The wraiths were enough to give him pause but two other forms grabbed his attention. One was a Death Knight in ancient looking armour, the eye sockets burning with vitality. It stood somewhat behind her and to her right. The other sat on the desk, and this figure caught his attention with shocking force.

The woman sitting on the desk was the most beautiful he had seen and the thin, sheer shift she wore hid none of her assets. Her hair was raven black and her eyes almost clear they were so light blue. The figure was incredibly shapely and delectible. The Succubus' aura drew him in, giving off an aura of sensuality that grabbed the attention of men and women alike.

So enraptured was he that he had failed to notice that the office was completely different, and bigger than it should have been. Laura's precaution against intrusion or being seen in the area by others had made her create a pocket dimension in the area that the office had filled.

She looked up and smiled at them both, standing up. "You have come sooner than I had anticipated. It is good to see you both."

Michael could only stare at Shandaril and nod stupidly in response.

Merry noticed that their watch werewolves were all outside and frowned. She went to the back door. The L.B. trotted over and into the laundry room, shifting just enough for human speech as she did so. The others didn't relax their vigilance, something in the winds had them uneasy

"Merry, we had a call from Prentiss while you and Rivan were ...resting" One couldn't hide that sort of activity from Werewolves, but the LB wasn't going to discuss private matters at this time. "He wants to come over about eight. He's got some bad news. The abomination killed the security guard, the cemetary caretaker, and two police officers this morning before dawn. Thats what the trouble was over there. He's got some more stuff to talk about but wouldn't say over the phone."

That wasn't the real reason for the others nervousness however, the LB let them know.

"We keep smelling something out of the corners of our noses. Can't get a trace back, the winds are sweeping the scent away with the front rolling in so fast. Windra is going to send more of the pack over to replace us shortly. We're all pretty tuckered out."

Merry took Rivan's hand and shot him a concerned look. "I'll cook up some hot food. I've got a big batch of stew frozen. I'll defrost it in the nuke'em and make some fresh bread too. Rivan you had the closest contact with that Animalistic vampire last month, and the other ..." She shuddered slightly, feeling suddenly chilled. "from last night. Did you want to shift and go see if thats what they are smelling?"

When the door to the office opened, Jessica was given a jolt when she saw Lauralin and several other figures inside. The first who caught her attention was a beautiful woman, her admiring eyes roamed over her body for a few seconds before sadly parting and moving to the others. There was some figure in a strange armor that appeared to be taken from a set of a Hollywood fantasy movie and two others which she could not really figure what they were.

Jessica turned and shut the door to the office before turning back to the people in the room.

"Uhh...I think we haven't been introduced...I'm Jessica Picket..." She made a small motion with her hand to the others. "Who are...and what are you?"

Lauralin stepped forward, placing a hand on Michael's forhead, giving him some protection from the succubus' charm and turned her attention to Jessica as he shook his head.

"Thank you", she said, turning to one of the shadowy figures and it vanished. She turned back to Jessica, "This", she said, indicating the one remaining shadowlike figure, "is called Nightclaw. He's a wraith. He's been my familiar since I was born into darkness."

The figure seemed to bow in Jessica's direction and Laura gestured toward the hollywood fantasy figure. "This is Anestia Darknight. Her drow fighting name was Darkmoon. She serves me, as she had in life. She had failed to fulfill her vows in life and her dark goddess has granted her unlife until they can be fulfilled." Anestia only turned to look at Jessica with her burning eyes. "I am rarely out of her sight", Laura went on, "though she rarely is."

The woman had slid seductively from the desk and moved over toward Michael and Jessica. A hand went to each of them, a feather's touch but filled with erotic charge. "I'm Shandaril", she told them, "and SO pleased to make your aquatance."

"Shan is my advisor concerning demonic activity", Lauralin told them.

Rivan blushed slightly, thought he knew there was no reason to. As the LB gave a report, he mentally cursed at himself for not finishing off the animalistic vampire when he got the chance, but put it aside as he knew he'd let a thousand of the abominations form if the choice was that or Merry's health.

Rivan met Merry's look as she took his hand. He nodded to her question as he was likely the best suited to identify it's scent, even if it meant leaving Merry's side.

Stripping down, he gave the LB a look that was asking her to stay with Merry while he went to check out the scent. Shifting into the full wolf, he padded outside to investigate, hoping it wasn't the monstrocity, thought he was morbidly certain it would be.

"Have you been here all this time?' Came a voice at Harrow's elbow as he finished up with the recalibration of one of the diagnostic interfaces. Aprls voice carried a world of concern, for the group he'd been with had come in just shortly after her shift had started and he seemed not to have left. And her shift was recommencing. She didn't wait for his answer, but turned to one of the other lab techs. "Janice, I'm taking off for a few hours."

April turned back to Harrow. "You are coming with me. Then once I get you fed, you ARE going to crash for a few hours. Your friends can survive without you!"

***************
Sian woke when Godolkin did, and stretched, the cats naps barely having rested her. "How are you feeling?" She asked softly. She knew that the healing process had but barely begun, but she felt that the foundation was solid enough to leave him awake for a time.

Sian also wanted to contact one of Houston's Healers and bring them in so as to start the physical Healing that Godolkin needed.

As she waited for his reply Red made one of her passes through the room. Sian twitched an eyebrow at here, and just shook her head in amusement. She'd been subconsciously aware of the Huntresses comings and goings.

Merry pulled the gallon bags of rich stew out of the freezer and plopped then into the 'microcave' and set it to defrosting as she pulled out the bread machine and loaded it up with the iongreedients for a hearty rye bread. Once it wsa going she went into the living room and began laying the logs for a fire.

Her tv mostly gathered dust but she turned it on to the weather channel to see what they were saying about the line of massive storms galloping down upon them. Back in the kitchen the LB called Windra and let her know that Merry and Rivan were up.

Outside the winds were blowing strongly, but now and then a gust would bring the fainstest of scents to Rivans nose. Oh each breath of air carried countless ordors upon it, but he was searching of a specific one. And though it was faint and he could not ascertain a specific direction, his nose told him the enemy was out there. Not especially near, but out there.

Rivan breathed in the scents, nostrils flaring as he tasted the winds before catching the rank stink he was searching for. He growled as he shifted back to human and headed back into Merry's home.

"It's out there, not sure where, but not that near." He commented as he grabbed his pants and began getting dressed for the second time in a short period.

He caught the smell of the heating stew and fresh bread and smiled, "It smells delicious."

Jessica smiled polietly as she was introduced to Lauralin's advisors. When approached by Shandaril, she felt her heart do sevearl summersaults and when they briefly shook hands, she was instantly aroused by the other woman. When their hands parted, the arousal slowly went. Jessica smiled at all of them.

"Well, I am a weretiger...well...was before the Elvi somehow took it from me. If you stumble into one of them with a white tiger pelt...please get it back for me." With that said, Jessica turned to Lauralin. "What is up? Something big going down?"

"What the hell!" Jackie's roar crashed through the thick walls as he stepped out of the elevator, and came upon the two ghouls from behind. However he didn't see the claymore, as the retainers bodies blocked his view of it.

*****

Farand away but as close as need, a figured stirred from it's meditations, roused by the scent of the demonic. Wings of purest gold flared sharp against the full moon. The guardian angel (http://www.atddm.com/angel1a.jpg) stood and looked down upon the city she'd been assigned to protect. A note, a single sound drawn from the celestial harmonies, issued from between her lips, and the guardian was translocated within the moral sphere.

Floating on the nights wind she began searching for the source of the smell of the demonic.

***********

Through the winding paths of the Houston Zoo elvi congoed, while some rhumbaed though the barriers that kept the displays safe from human intrusion, and the humans safe from the animals with in. And as they did so those barriers disappeared...

What the hell!

Ryan heard the shout, and pulled the door open, moving into the hall quickly. The trip wire yanked free of the claymore, and the explosive charge detonated, spraying a hail of ball bearings into the hallway. In a near slowmotion action, Ryan heard the explosion, spinning back into the room, his reflexes moving just slightly faster than ball bearings.

He could hear them whistling, the solid steel bearings screaming through the air. He closed his eyes, holding his hands over his face. The bearings dug into the wall and door jamb. The explosion had been deafening, and the scent of cordite pirced the air, smoke filling the hall. Ryan rolled out from his position, coverd from the explosion from the thick walls.

Jackie was standing at the end of the hallway, just comming off an elevator, and the two ghouls had hit the ground, all three of them shielding themselves from the blast. "What the fuck?" he cursed loudly, watching the movements. He was unarmed, except for his skills, and was looking around for an impromtu weapon.

Even though the force of the blast was directed away from the point that the ghouls had chosen to stand, and thus definitely away from Jackie, he still instinctively dove for cover back in the elevator cab before the doors could finsih closing. Like all elevator doors they had contact sensors and had begun reopening when Jackie lunged into them.

The retainers had dove for cover when the claymore detonated more out of total shock at how powerful the explosion had been. The amulets that had promised invisibility had not functioned as they had been told, for they were now clearly visable. However they still had their body armor and weapons. Military shotguns loaded with dragon fire rounds.

Jackie bounced off the back wall, half losing his feet out from under him, but in less than a second he was back upright and changing.

Living darkness wrapped about him, forming armour and weapons.

Harrow smiled at April but it quickly faltered as she seemed cross with him. “I was just doing some work then I figured that I could help out in the E.R. I don’t need as much sleep as most. Have you seen the computer’s work? Big improvement.” As he spoke, however, he instinctively followed April out of the room.

***************

“I feel fine. Physically anyway. I’m afraid that I’m still a bit …. Confused.” He looked at Red gauging her warily.

“Glad to see the freight train has left the station”, Red said grinning.

“I don’t snore”, he replied in reflex and then stopped for a moment, “Do I?”

“Just a bit”, Red replied and looked at him. “That’s all you have to say?”

“Is there more?” he asked.

“You normally address me as blasphemy, I’d kind of gotten used to it.”

He looked at her perplexed, “Why would I be so cruel as to denounce you in that way?”

“Yeeaahhhh. Ahhh. This is weird.” She turned to Sian, “When can I get my weapons from your house. If I’m to be a bodyguard I need something other than harsh language.”

*****************

Lauralin smiled at Jessica, “As you will learn, there is always something going down. The job of the Defender’s is to try to stop it before it goes down.”

Shandaril made her way back to the desk and sat up on it, making a slow display of crossing her legs.

“Shandaril is looking into an old situation for me. Orcus is due soon to try for me again. About once every hundred years.”

“And Orcus is?” Michael asked.

“Demon Lord of the Undead”, Shandaril answered him.

“Well doesn’t he sound pleasant”, Michael replied.

“Hardly”, Lauralin answered, “but that is strictly a personal matter, not of the concern of the Defenders.”

“Wait a minute”, Michael began.

“End of discussion”, Lauralin stated.

“Nightclaw is bringing me up to speed on a situation in Africa. A possible demonic entry. That doesn’t concern this branch, however. Anestia is always with me, as I said, though not always visible. Watching from her own realm as it were.”

Michael looked at the Death Knight, “I don’t know. I think having her watching over me would make me more frightened.”

“She won’t harm me yet. She’s bound by a life debt.”

“What do you mean, yet?” Michael asked.

“Anestia had been sent to kill me millennia ago. I did not know this and when I found her wounded I saved her life. She has two obligations unfulfilled. You see she was a Dark Knight, unlike her twin sister who had served me. Because of those unfulfilled obligations she was made a Death Knight. Never to know peace until her obligations are completed.”

“So let me get this straight”, Michael said, “she needs to SAVE you …. And then KILL you. That about right?”

“That is correct. Needless to say, I try to avoid the need to be saved.”

"Shit, wish I could do that," Ryan quiped, watching Jackie surround himself with shadow and darkness. "Could come in handy."

Ryan let the moment pass, and then jumped into action. He sprinted down the hallway towards the two down ghouls, misting at the last second, turning into an invisible fog for minor seconds before reappearing in the air, over the two. He dropped down on one of the ghouls, driving his feet hard into the ghouls back, using him to push off into another jump.

He jumped away, and landed softly off to the side, comming to a mixed stance, one that would allow him to get low fast, and deliver hard punches. He was no master in nay specific form of combat, knowing a little bit in a number of areas. What he did know how to do well was street fight, and that would bennifit him far more in this hallway than any other combat form.

It smells delicious."

Merry gave Rivan a hug as he came back into the kitchen. "I'm no fancy chef, but every one says my stew isn't half bad." She was glad to hear that the abomination was not too near. And comforted by the fact that more of the pack would be arriving soon.

"Perhaps we will end up hunting this night." There was the faintest edge of a growl in her voice.

Big improvement.”

"Haven't had a chance yet. Getting you introduced to food and sleep are more important." April tucked
her arm into his and shook her head amusedly as she led him out of the Hospital.

"Do you like good TexMex cooking?" April asked Harrow as she unlocked her old but well kept Buick. "Spanish Flower is open twenty four seven and we can bring some back for your friends too."


*****************
“When can I get my weapons from your house. If I’m to be a bodyguard I need something other than harsh language.”


Sian chuckled aloud. "I think you have more naturally than just harsh language." She stood, moving carefully. "I can 'port us both home if Godolkin trusts himself to be alone."

Sian looked at him. "Godolkin, think about it a second, and then tell me if you feel internally strong enough for me to be gone for a few hours?" She believed in trusting her patients to be honest with her and more importantly themselves.

"Could come in handy."

"Oh it does." The Dark figure laughed in growling tones. And before Ryan landed from his jump off of the ghoul he'd dropped in on, the other was gone -absorbed in a wave of darkness that let but a faint, agonized scream escape.

The ghoul that Ryan had landed on had not hesitated as Ryan rushed towards him, firing off a Dragonfire round that saw a gout of phosphorus fire shoot out more than a dozen feet from the shotguns muzzle. However Ryan had already gone to mist, and was unaffected.

However the jet of flame had set part of the hallway ablaze.

"I don't think it is a good time to stay and discuss this, nor is it likely that these are the only two. Stairs instead of elevator" Jackie growled staying wrapped in his protective, and dangerous, Dark Form.

"It smells more than 'isn't half bad', it really does smell delicious." He replied as he embraced her.

"Perhaps." He replied, a faintly worried note entering his voice as he heard the faint edge in Merry's voice. He was worried she'd take it personally and risk herself carelessly, something that would destroy him if she was harmed in such a manner as had happened to the others who'd come across the beastial horror.

"TexMex", Harrow muttered, "I don't know. We don't eat out, I usually cook. Is it safe?" he asked her, "For mutants I mean?"

He kept looking at her arm, wrapped around his own, thinking how wonderful such a simple feeling was. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had held his arm this way. Not since Med school to be sure.

*****************

Godolkin took longer than a moment and finally replied truthfully, "I don't know. I feel .... rage. I've felt it since Red arrived. I don't know why. It's strange. I have a deep respect for her, yet I feel fury too."

Red tensed, watching Godolkin carefully. She could take an Iconoclast one on one, especially one in his condition but it wasn't something she wanted to do. "Maybe I should just go. If you can clear me with the gate guard I can get them myself."

That is strange. Jessica thought about Anestia when Lauralin had explained about their past. The ex-tigress looked at her boss.

"Are there any updates about the Elvi?"

The mass escapes at the zoo weren't noticed until one of the night crew, for handling a zoo really was a twenty four hour a day job, was nearly trampled by a great Gnu, who was out exploring the lands beyond his small herds usual enclosure. It was an Elvi that recsued him...by hang him from one of the tall light poles that dotted the zoological gardens.

By then the Elvi had absconded with every item in the zoos two gift shops and left a chalked message The king is back!.

******************
"For mutants I mean?"

"Absolutely safe I assure you and very tasty too. Not too spicy, but very flavorful and they use only fresh ingredients, they make from scratch every day." April reassured him as she opened the passenger door.

She cocked her head to one side, holding out the keys "Would you like to drive? It's not far."

******************
I have a deep respect for her, yet I feel fury too."


Sian placed a calming hand on Godolkins shoulder, and her voice was soft. "It's understandable Godolkin. You were encouraged to hate what you yourself are, and that rage programmed into you." Her mind sank into his, showing him what had been done to him, but at a safe remove, so that it did not overwhelm him. Godolkin, emotion is energy in motion, and you can use it for good or ill. Ill would take it and resort to physical violence against yourself or others. Good would see you useing it to strengthen yourself, your inner defenses and growing independant self. It is your choice.

"Maybe I should just go. If you can clear me with the gate guard I can get them myself."

'No Red, let me in let him see himself through you eyes. You see the good in him, you see him as a man despite what they did to him. Let him see that affirmation. Sian's mind reached out linking the three of them together.

Ryan glanced around. The elevator was a definate no go, it would be to easy to just cut the wires or cable. There was also the minimal presence of windows to jump out of, and even then, that would catch a little to much attention. Not that the claymore detonating in the hallway hadn't done a good job of that.

"Yeah, stairs it is," Ryan said, looking at the downed body. He grabbed the shotgun, racked the pump, and chased after Jackie. "Best bet is to get to the car. I already got our route outa here planned!"

"Best bet is to get to the car. I already got our route outa here planned!"

"That works for me" Jackie snarled as the door into the fire stairs blew into so much sawdust as his powers disrupted it. "But it looks like we're going to have to run a bit of a gauntlet."

The assassin waiting in the stair well had been caught by surprize but that didn't keep him from getting of both barrels of the sawed off shot gun he carried before he died.

"I'm going to have to be careful not to get over loaded" Jackie advised as the pair raced down the stairs.

Ryan nodded, dodging the blast from the shotgun. "Works for me," he said, rounding another corner on the stair case. The next few flights came fast and empty, Ryan leading with the shotgun. Another shooter came up, and the blast from the shotgun sent him flying back. Ryan racked the pump, covering the staircase as Jackie moved forward.

I'm going to have to be careful not to get over loaded

"What happens then? Passout or blow up?"

"It depends on just how I overload. " He cut his comment short as another shooter materialized out of seemingly thin air. Streamers of razor edged darkness wrapped around the would be assassin and sushied him.

How ever he didn't see the other one materialize and take aim at Ryans back. The shotgun san it's song but fortunately that one had not been loaed with draggon fire rounds. The 12 guages had also been fired from too close a distance to get the optimum spread as it took Ryan in the back.

Ryan was about to speak when the force hit him. It was like a brick had been launched by a jet engine into his back, throwing him forward to the ground, landing with a loud thud. He managed a small groan, wincing in pain as the wounds started healing. He rolled to his side, reaching for the other shotgun, and brought it up. He aimed at the fuzzy image, his eyesight blury from the impact, and fired off the dragon fire round.

He rolled over, pushing himself up, his hand finding the rail, and slowly pulled himself to his feet. He groaned in pain, currsing to himself for letting his gaurd down. "Damnit, fuck me," he said, pulling himself fully upright. "Thanks for getting the other guy, owe ya one for that."

Harrow looked at the keys and shook his head, "I haven't been there", he told her as he waited for her to unlock the door. It was true, he hadn't. He certainly could find his way, however, he didn't mention that. He had memorized a map of Houston and it's environs as something to do when he wasn't working on something else.

"Oh, and I meant is it safe for us to go there, not safe to eat the food." He stopped, thinking for a moment and then shook his head. "That would be a foolish question, now, wouldn't it. You wouldn't be going there otherwise."

******************

Red's mind was one that was far from disciplined and Sian could pick and choose what she wanted to send to Godolkin.

One shocking thing about Red, one thing she hid well, was that, far from Godolkin and Harrow's opinion, Red did know fear. It was fear based in her childhood. The infant who had been tossed in a dumpster by human parents because of her, to them, horrid mutation. The child who had barely survived until she could make it on her own, taken care of by a drug using hooker who had lost her own daughter. The child to whom survival meant fighting for everything you needed. The young woman who had been taken in by the government and then cast aside when they thought they had something better. Fear was her driving motivator. Fear of other betraying her, which was why she was so harsh to Godolkin and Harrow. It was easier not to trust them at all rather than to trust and have it betrayed as had always happened in the past. Fear kept her fighting. Fear drove her to beat her opponents. Fear of dying, fear of living, fear of failing, fear of succeeding. She was a study in tangible oppositions.

Godolkin was there. Godolkin was different, even back in the beginning. Her retirement had been ordered. 'She must be found', he had been told. 'She has been retired.' Godolkin knew what that meant, but unlike other Iconoclasts he didn't consider it his job to carry out the retirement. He found her and he would take her back. He had given her the chance to surrender, but surrender, to her, meant dying in the fight and surrendering to death. That was the only surrender she knew.

Thier first meeting was there. A dozen iconoclasts, including Godolkin. They had allowed her to lead them into the open and there she faced them. A woman with a vampires strength, resilience and speed, with a gymnist's skill and a dancer's grace. She moved among them and killed. Fear drove her as always. They were better, she was told. Well she would prove them wrong, all of them. She would prove they weren't better. The others attacked and they died as she moved among them like a whirlwind. But she had been injured. They were good, she had to admit, but they weren't better. Once Godolkin was the only one left she was on him in a heartbeat, her fangs sinking into his neck, taking the much needed blood to replenish her own. But she couldn't kill him. This man, regardless of the genetic breeding, was honorable. A noble man forced to follow the fanatical coding of his creators. A good man with a kind heart that had been locked in a cell with no key. She couldn't destroy a good man, a kind man. And, she had to admit to herself, a handsome man. She was far to wild and carefree to be tied down to one man, but she'd have him if she could.

Something else came to the surface in her mind and his. Gennie. He was a gennie, or generation one. Genetically manipulated human, generation one. Generation two had already come out before he had been sent to find her and generation three was close to completion. Generation four had failed from a breakdown of the genetic material. Generation five was already in the development stages and even Godolkin feared this one. Created to pass for human to the eye and senses but stronger, faster and more resilient than even he or Red. On par or better than a vampire.

Something else had surfaced in Red's mind. A deep respect for Godolkin. For his dedication, his determination, his strength of will. She respected these things, though she never told him. She couldn't tell him. She was afraid of being to commited to anyone and then betrayed again.

****************

Lauralin spread her hands, "I am sorry, the branch is handling that investigation, you will have to check with your people. I fear that I have been focusing on three other issues while await Cain's return call to see when I am supposed to meet with him."

She turned to those with her, "I shall contact you all later, I am going to return the office to it's proper place. It would be best if Cain did not sense you here."

The other's vanished and then the office shifted and stretched and contracted and then was once again Jessica's normal office.

"Perhaps."

Merry came up behind him and wrapped her arms about him, laying her head on his shoulder. She heard the worried not in his voice. "Rivan I have too big a reason to be careful. I have my arms wrapped around him." She nip kissed his earlobe then stepped away as the front door bell rang.

"Big, bad, overly protective, and hungry wolves have arrived." She half laughed. "Would you go light the fire while I go let them in?"

Fear kills, and worse it cripples. One can not live a life swamped in fear, one can not live in the stress mine field that such continual overwhelming fear creates in a human or even a mutants body.

And Sian had seen the outcome far too often. And now she had even greater reasons. The information in both Godolkins and Red mind. Generation five. Confirmation of rumors she had heard when she wsa in the wind, living a life that even Houston's Night Life didn't know about. Damn and she did not bother to pick and choose. She let Red and Godolkin see the whole of each other. And she showed Red what her fear was doing to her, how it crippled her.

There were dark places in Sians mind, places she kept barriered, but she let Red and Godolkin see enough of those places to let them know that those places were private vows, and oaths, dealing with things that had no connection to either of them. She let them know that she had no intention of betraying them, that they had no reason to fear her...and every reason to trust her.

While she did this another part of her reached out to raise a 'flag' for attention, then ws surprized to realise that the one she wanted to commune with was already on the 'mortal' plane, and indeed close.

Red was surprised at seeing the same respect for her that she had in him and she simply stood, thinking about what she had seen in his thoughts.

Godolkin turned away, thinking furiously, trying to work through the damaged memory. Generation five, he had known about it, but it meant something else didn't it? Harrow knew. Harrow had told him bluntly in an argument what it meant. He didn't say it to hurt Godolkin, he realised that now. Godolkin had only understood bluntness then and Harrow simply dealt with him on that level. "Don't you understand?" Harrow told him, "You just a soldier with a shelf life." And it was true wasn't it? How long before the Gennie ones would be retired. "And there's something else. The new pet project of Lord Venturo. His pet monster's." But Godolkin didn't want to hear about it. It wasn't his concern then. What did Harrow mean? How much more did he know? But then something else occured to him and he turned to Sian.

"What am I Doctor Rhys? I'm not human, though I should have been. I'm not mutant and I'm not non-human. So what am I?"

"HEY", Red cut in, "Your Godolkin. It's that simple. Look at the humans, the mutants and the non-humans. They don't identify with what they are but with WHO they are and they're all different. Your Godolkin, simple as that, UNDERSTAND?"

Your Godolkin, simple as that, UNDERSTAND?"

Sian nodded and added aloud "Godolkin all of us- every single being alive on this planet are mutants in the most sweeping sense- every one has variations for the mythical -and totally evil - 'norm'. You are you and that is what is important. Your selfness, your individuality."

Don't worry about Lord Venturo, and his abominations. They will be dealt with. The time is coming, and when it does we will need both of you on the team.

Too weary to say much more Sian simply reached out and aported the weapons that the three had left at her house. "There you go. Red, a K a day, now if you will excuse me." She stumbled over to the other bed in the semi private room and lay down.

"And Red, you might try kissing him. I've heard it's effective for getting a message through, though I'm certainly no expert on that." Then she was asleep, exhausted.

"Thanks for getting the other guy, owe ya one for that."


"I am not what I once was, but we are both creatures of darkness." Jackie replied as he reached out a hand to steady Ryan as they navigated the last flight of stairs. Then the door leading to the lobby of the hotel was before them.

"I wonder what sort of reception is awaiting us?"

"That would be a foolish question, now, wouldn't it. You wouldn't be going there otherwise."

"Harrow where have you been living ... just look at your self...what do you look like?" April asked as she guided the car out of the parking lot and onto the access road. She answered her own question "A good looking guy who's a bit too skinny. Not someone unusual. Humans, those around here at least, just won't see any thing un- normal about you, they're blind."

Several blocks later she turned into a parking lot atttached to a sprawling converted house. The air was thick with savory smells in the early night and the lot was mostly empty.

"The patio wouldn't be a good idea if that artic front gets here earlier than expected, but there's going to be plenty tables inside." April commented as she turned the car off.

He smiled when he heard her reasons with her arms wrapped around him. Her nipping of his ear tickled slightly causing him to shiver in her arms.

"Of course." He replied as he turned partially and gave her a kiss before heading to the fireplace to light the fire.

Red raised an eyebrow and Godolkin's face went lax.

"Lay down", Red told him, "you haven't been released yet." Then she put her weapons on and picked up Harrow's rifle and walked out of the room.

Godolkin layed down for a moment until Red left and then got up and strapped on his weapons. Once on he stood near Sian's bed, watching over her.

Red returned to her charge and took a seat near his bed, leaning it back and watching the door and window in the room.

****************

Harrow where have you been living

Harrow took her question literaly. "Well I lived at home doing my studies and tinkering with things until college. Then I went to a dorm there and kept to my studies. I didn't really go out much. When they found out I was a mutant they didn't keep it a secret. My parents were already receiving letters and phone calls about the mutie family. So I left rather than have them keep having to put up with it even though they wanted me to stay. While I was moving about I ran into Red and Godolkin. With them we had to find places we could hide. It's hard not to notice Red and Godolkin after all."

They had gotten inside and reached a table and he sat down. He wasn't used to proper protocols. Red always did things herself and he had never really dated. Once seated he eyed the table and shifted her napkin slightly and then adjusted his fork, making everything uniform.

Jessica was glad to see her office return to normal and the mysterious characters leave, yet she was saddened inside that Shandaril left too. She was about to speak when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in."

A young man entered. "Ms. Pickett. Animals have escaped and are running amok in the zoo. So far it doesn't look like any kind of prank."

Jessica nodded. "Thank you."

The man left and Jessica turned back to Lauralin and Michael. She bit her lip and thought before deciding. "I'm going there. I'm not going to get involved in anything though. The doctor said I could sense the Elvi so that is what I will do...go there and see if I can pick up any of their traces. Come on Michael...you're coming with me."

Every adult member of the Green Waters Pack had shown up and they filled the small house to near overflowing. None of them were overly light hearted, but they were all confident of their abilities to take care of most of what ever life threw their way.

Merry and Heyoka were the youngest full adults in the pack - the next youngest in the Pack was just fifteen and wouldn't undergo the rites of adulthood untill next spring - and there was another gap between Merry and Heyoka and the older adults of about an equal time frame. Every one in the close knit Pack considered themselves kin but Merry was everyones little sister. They may not have said anything but they watched Merry and Rivan discretely and concluded as one that he was good for her, that he made her happy. No one would be so gauche as to say anything but all of them were much friendlier than before - and every one had liked Rivan any way, especially after he had defended Merry during the attack by the animalistic vampire.

Merry knew what they were doing and just shook her head. She's bite the nose off of any one who got to pushy or too insistant. What was between her and Rivan was between her and Rivan, personal and private and not the purview of well meaning relatives.

She grinned to herself as she busied herself making sure every one got stew and fresh baked bread.

She was glad that Detective Prentiss was coming over tonight. And though she truly wanted to be apart of the group that hunted down the abomination, she was also honset enought to knew that she might be more of a liability than a help. And while she knew that Rivan was a very skilled close in combatant she didn't want to see him injured, though she knew that that poetntial would not deter him.

Rivan was quite surprised when he finished lighting the fire and had gone to meet Merry's guests. He'd been only expecting a few wolves, Windra, Heyoka and a few others perhaps, not what appeared to be every adult wolf in the pack.

Seeing Merry serving stew and fresh bread, he joined in helping. It was an excellent chance for him to get use to being around large numbers of Were, and a chance to meet Merry's packmates.

As he served food and did the meet and greet, another part of his mind was fretting about Merry. He knew he couldn't prevent her from join if she choose, and he also knew he'd be nigh suicidal if anything happened to her.

"I wonder what sort of reception is awaiting us?"

"Hopefully nothing we can't handle," Ryan said, checking the shotgun. It only had a few rounds left, any shots made would have to count. He looked at the door, trying to guess what could be on the other side, when an idea hit him.

"Can you like, turn into darkness or anything? Like I can mist?"

"Harrow are you uncomfortagle here?" April had noticed his fidgiting. "If you'd rather, I can whip up something at my place" She didn't want him to be tense.

**************

The sound was etherial, clear and filled with serenity, a wave front that filled the room, leaving peace behind.

"God's child...Child of the Divine. You know that with you standing like that you leave your back open to the door, Paladin to be." The voice was filled with unearthly music, and gentle laughter. "Your bed is between hers and the door, and if you raise the bed you have a clear view out the window as well. Any who meant her harm would have to go past you and you would gain the benefit of the rest that thou still need." The glow centralised, solidified and becam a figure of light and golden wings. "Ah, she has worn herself though indeed." She looked at Sians sleeping form for a long minute then turned back to Godolkin.

"Fear not...that is the traditional opening we use so often. I've always wondered why we've become so feared. Though I guess that is the reaction to messengers, even those of the Divine."

Jackies reply was a hollow laugh "When darkness falls across the land...Oh yes away from the light I still have many powers." And the darkness around himself deepened until there was nothing left but a well of utter blackness. The living darkness swirrled around Ryan and a chill such as he ahd never felt filled him. All sensation fled the vampire and he had now way of knowing how long elasped.

Then Ryan found himself stadning next to the Ferrari and Jackie near by looking somewhat tired.

"You know before I died and went to hell that was as nothing." Jackie shook his head. "I don't know about you but I could eat a horse and use a change of clothes." His, like Ryans, were spattered with the blood of others.

Lauralin frowned, "Jessica, this does not seem to be our concern. Might I inquire as to your reasoning for wanting to go."

"No, no", he replied. "Nothing like that. I'm afraid that I'm somewhat obsessive compulisive. Something out of place just needs to be put right", he said embarrassed.

**************

Godolkin fell more than lowered himself to his knees, bowing his head and leaning forward from his kneeling position until his forhead touched the floor. "Great and good lord. Forgive. I know I've failed. I ask redemption. I plead before you for a chance to redeem myself. Tell me. What can I do?" he asked.

I plead before you for a chance to redeem myself. Tell me. What can I do?

The angels eyes went wide with horror and for a long moment could only gape in wordless distress. Then celestially strong arms lifted Godolkin, and carried him with utter ease to his bed, and laid him upon it. The controlls whirlled and the bed raised from the normally low level - after all having patients fall out is not something any hospital wants - to a much higher level, one the tall man would feel more comfortable climbing out of - and incidentially giveing him a very clear view outof the room's window. Then the upper third of the bed was raised to provide him support when he sat up.

"Now stop that this moment. You are as much a part of the Divine as I am, and certainly such abasement is not wanted, necessary or appreciated. The Divine certainly prefers people to stand up for themselves, not grovel and moan! Now as to any possible failure on your part, you certainly have not failed. If anything it is the exact opposite, you have been failed." Unhumman compassion was laced with acerbic tartness that carried no sting, though even the gentlest of truths can hurt.

"That which humans create can be corrupted even if it is meant to honor the Divine. However good done in the name of evil is still good, and evil done in the name of good is still evil. And yes the discerning between can be hard. Clear cut so seldom is." A gentle hand stroked across his hair, bringing a warmth and deeper peace.

"Hear me child of man. For you are a child of man no matter what tinkering may have been done. You have a soul, you are a part of the Divine, even if you were created to serve evil. For yes though they claim to work for good even you, who were deliberately blinded, can see that neither they or their works are for good. Love doesn't hate, it doesn't destroy, it doesn't discriminate, it doesn't curse, it doesn't serve to gather wealth or temporal power for it's own pleasure. Love gives, rebuilds, accepts, understands, seeks wisdom and holds only compassion."

Something out of place just needs to be put right",

April smiled understandlingly and patted Harrow's hand lightly. "I can understand that urge!"

The pretty young waitress brought over menu's and ice water. Once she had taken their drink orders she left them so they could make their meal decissions at their leisure - April had recommended the mint ice tea. "They grow their own mint and it's applemint, so the tea tastes faintly of both mint and apples."

"Might I suggest a mixed platter?" April suggested knowledgeably "It gets you a taste of everything of every thing."

"Well..." Jessica started. She didn't know what to say, her choice had been a spur of the moment decision. She looked at her boss. "To see if there are any white tigers killed and thier skins taken."

Jessica stared back at Lauralin, guessing this wouldn't fly, she spoke what seemed like the closest reason. "I want to find those fucks and get my weretiger back. I've never met another white tiger were...so it seems we might be rare. So I want to find my pelt and get my weretigerism or whatever back as soon as possible."

The Green Waters Pack may have been the oldest and most influencial Pack in the Greater Houston Metroplex, but they were also the smallest. There were less than twenty five fully adult members,< the Pack ony totaled 38> but they wolfed down nearly five gallons of stew like it was a snack.

Heyoka pulled Rivan aside, and spoke in low tones "Rivan, what are you fretting over? The fact that you and Merry aren't really having much privacy with...well you two being so new to one and other? No ones going to jump you. Heck if you and she decide to some day make it formal I'll fight to be your best man if I have to. And Wolf Who..." His voice went even lower, respectful and a little awed "said you'd make an excellent shaman if thats where your path took you."

Heyoka thought he was being helpful and he beamed at Rivan, sure he understood the problem.

"That's not it, or at least not all of it." He replied with a faint blush. "It's that if It," And there was only one it that would get that tone of revulsion from Rivan, "Is anything whatsoever like the vampire, then I'm terrified for Merry. I couldn't take it if anything happened to her."

Then the rest of what Heyoka had said and a smile caught his face, "If that comes about, I'd be honoured to have you as best man."

Heyoka goggled at Rivan for a moment.

"You sound like Merry is determined to be in on the hunt." His face creased in a huge ferocious frown. "Oh man, thats like way too dangerous for her. I love my cousing to death but she's not that sort of fighter. In a hunt for deer or elk, or even bear she's great, but thats huntng, not fighting like this is gonna be. She's willing but she doesn't have the skills. And worse, no experience."

He looked about trying to catch sight of his mom. "Come one we need to talk to the Alpha, this isn't about disparageing Merry, but keeping her alive." He said firmly.

"I'm not sure if she is, but she was definately not happy with It and gave some indication she wanted rip It's throat out." He replied, slightly worried that Merry would be pissed at him for 'ratting' on her, even accidentally.

"Alright." He replied, differing to Heyoka in the area of intra-pack politics.

Godolkin looked at the angel. "I don't fully understand. Durham Red has compassion but she kills in the name of justice. She is tolerant even of me, yet she fights against good." He stopped, thinking a moment, "Or is it evil?" He was thoroughly confused now.

****************

Red glanced over at Cyrian, sighed and stood up to stretch. "Good idea my ass", she muttered, "I don't think I've been so bored in all my life."

****************

Harrow was glad for April's suggestions and nodded, smiling. "Yes, both choices sound terrific." He set the menu at the edge of the table, careful to make sure it sat directly in the center with it's edge prefectly aligned to the edge of the table. He looked up at April then, "Please tell me .... what's it like outside now. I mean among others."

****************

Lauralin gently placed a finger against Jessica's lips, "Shhh. It is alright. Do as you feel you must, but be wary. Do not intercede unless it is clearly in our purvue. Michael can tell you what constitues a situation in which we hold sway per our agreement with Cain."

"Or is it evil?"

The angel's voice softened. "While it is ever hoped that there is no killing, sometines it is necessary. What is wrong is unnecessary, wanton, enjoyed killing. What is wrong is not acknowledging ones responsibilities and the consequences of ones actions." The gentle yet stern eyes locked with his.

"And you know which it is."

Then he was swept away finding himself watching the past, watching a team sweep down on unsusecting people, and slay them just because they were different...Willingly following orders that were give to obtain temporal power, temporal gain, driven by fear and hate and intolerance, and made worse because the givers justified those feelings by saying 'for the good of...to make safe...they don't have souls....'

Angelic compassion is not understandable by mortals, and the Angel did not spare him with a gentle remove, a wall between him and his past. Held in an unbreakable grip he faced what he had done, yes, but differently, for the angel let him see into the inner thoughts and souls of those who had set themselves up as voices for the Divine, those who lied even to themselves. Their lies, their deception, the pleasure they took in twisting and destroying, their greed and shallowness, their corruption of love.

The angel made him see them as they truly were. And his part in it all.

and when he had huddled in upon himself, his soul lost in the darkest depths of self condemnation and loathing, the glory and the power that was his birthright found him, enfolded him, healed him, restored him.

"You know love, Child of the Divine, Godolkin, you know the logos, and it will ever be your strength" The voice whispered throughout his being, a celestial harmony vibrating eternally though out every atom of his self.

A kiss was laid upon his brow, a gleaming sword, forged of no earthly metal- a long graceful sweep of light made manifest- set in his grasp. "Mercy, tolerance, compassion, love, wisdom, justice, understanding, tenderness, joy, serenity, commitment, valor, steadfastness, forgiveness, loyality, generosity, self honesty, self restraint, ..all sometimes need a good sword to back them up, or protect and defend them. For if you know what is right and do nothing then that is as evil as..." the voice commented. "but that does not mean that life is a never ending series of battles. One must have rest, resotration, joy, and love in ones life, a barren life is not where the greatest warriors build their strongholds."

And he felt layers of protection, an invisible intangible but adamantine armour, formed of love, compassion, tolerance, understanding, loyality, valor and much much more wrap about his mind and soul "the most endureing, that can not be easily breached or lost in the tummult of conflict."

"I don't think I've been so bored in all my life."


"Death is more booring, or so I remember being told once." Cyrians normally lyrical voice was a faint harsh whisper. "I think I was too enthusiastic in trying to find it. Could..." He coughed, his throat terribly dry, and he found that he had not the strength to even raise his head."... could I please have some water, Lady Knight?"


*******

"Please tell me .... what's it like outside now. I mean among others."

"Harrow, I don't know where you've been, but hon, I've not travelled out side the U.S., but I've been to fifteen different states, and while I was only there for vacations, they seemed pretty much like Houston. If you are even half way careful not to do any thing 'too wierd' no one has any idea that we aren't just the same as they."

She broke off as the waitress brought the tea and the first course of the dinner- guacamole, chips and four kinds of sauce. "The green is a tomatillo sauce, fairly mild, the dark red is a smokey chipolte sauce, it's a medium, and the chunky salsa with lots of jalapeno is very spicy as it also has flecks of habanero pepper in it. This last is our borracho bean paste, with grilled ancho pepper, monterey jack cheese and caramelized onions." The waitress advised them.

As she left April grinned and pushed the salsa aside. "It's tasty but too hot for me. The milder ones are very flavorfull but they don't take the roof of your mouth off with the burn.

"I've got a few Mundane friends, and they've never had a clue, and they really don't seem to want one." She chuckled and scooped up a large bite of the guacamole with a crisp chip. Afer she finished the bite she added "and thats fine by me. I accept them for what they are and they accept me for what they see me as. It's hiding in plain sight for most of us."

Windra listened attentively as Heyoka told her of his and Rivan's concerns. She nodded approvingly at Rivan when Heyoka fell silent. "I can understand your worries. And I appreciate your coming to me with them. Thiis one of the great strengths of a Pack. You might get a reaction for Merry - she may consciously or unconsciously be concerned about proving her worthiness, or her ability to be an equal." She held up a placating hand before either could speak. "Oh I know you truly see her as an equal, as worthy, but she doesn't have the experiences either of you all have - though in some areas she is more experienced that you- she may still feel the need to prove herself."

She tugged on her earlobe. "I am just about the top ranked fighter among the Wolves of Houston. I had the Pack though multiple challenges and I'm still alive. But in total and complete honest - I don't look forward to matching myself against this monster. An aminalistic vampire is one thing, so is a Lycan, but add the two together. I'd really none of the Pack, or you Rivan our Friend face it. I'd like to go to the Council and petition that a Hunting Team be brought in."

"Yes ma'am." Jessica said. That ass Cain better pull himself up and start fixing the damn problem then.

She sat down in the chair behind her desk and rubbed her forehead. The lack of her tiger form made her a bit twitchy and she had been unable to find complete rest for some time. Looking up, she stared at Michael.

"Okay Michael...fill me in. What can we do in order not to get in trouble with Cain?"

Rivan listened to Windra insightful comments, thought he knew he didn't have all the experiance of membership within a pack as the others did. He was about to protest when she forestalled him with a raised hand.

"Then will you be contacting them?" Rivan asked, still slightly unsure about the way the politics worked in this region, but knowing that the more the merrier in this situation.

"Then will you be contacting them?"

"I'll make the initial contact, but I'd like You, Merry, and Heyoka to be the ones to go before the Council as the Pack's representaives."

She frowned and nibbled her lower lip for a long second - it was clear to see where Merry had gotten the habit. "Look, Detective Prentiss wanted to be the one to break the information, but he came by my house me earlier to identify something they had found."

"They found where the thing had been lairing. They found a piece of the shirt Merry was wearing the night you all were attacked. It is ...was.. a dressy, dry clean only silk poets shirt, and the dry cleaners tag inside traced by to Merry. He wanted to see if I recognised it. I did, and you would too Heyoka, it was one of the ones we gave to Merry at Yule."

Heyoka nodded unspeaking, eyes dilated and he'd gone rather pale. He certainly remembered the shirt, he'd picked it out, with its bold blue and gold print. Windra had opted for a solid hued one for the other part of the holiday gift. His lips twisted in a silent snarl.

"Detective Prentiss made sure that the dry clean tag was removed befiore any one else saw it," Windra continued "so Merry's name will be kept out of the Mundane portion of this. But he's concerned that the monster has some how focused on Merry."

"Detective Prentiss is a witch, and his spells revealed that there is a link between her and it, perhaps as Merry's being the last blood it's ...sire... consumed before creating the abomination. But his admits that his skills aren't focused in that area and the information could be interperted a couple of ways." She finished, then sighed. "This is information that is going to inflame the Pack, and I wanted others to know before hand to help keep order. I've told Great Grand, but he couldn't come tonight, and I've told the LB."

Rivan nodded, he was politicialist by nature, but was sure he'd be able to convince the council to help, especially with Merry and Heyoka.

He listened to Windra mention the detective and the fact that he was a witch, something that faintly tickled his sense of humour. Hearing that the thing had a fixation on Merry, a faint snarl exited his mouth. "What'll we do about this fixation?" He asked, worried.

What'll we do about this fixation?"

Windra looked as worried as he felt. 'I don't know. Nothing in the Lore." She spoke of the detailed histories and studies that many Packs kept and passed from Apha to Alpha, Shaman to Shaman. "available to me speaks of dealing with anything like this. The closest I could find was the side note from my grandfather about a brother clan of ours dealing with witches who were stealing Were's Pelts back in the early ninteen hundreds at the Worlds Fair in St. Louis. All the note said was that he was relieveed to hear that the incident had been dealth with and the 'obsession spell' nullified. I have a call into tht clan but they haven't gotten back to me yet."

"I know Merry is an adult, and very much nrmally capable of taking care of herself. But this isn't in any way norma. We need her to realize that and not get her tail in a tizzy over some of the precautions I think we ought to take."

Rivan frowned, but nodded. It was quite likely that nothing would turn up as as far as he was aware, this was essentially a new event that no one would have experiance with.

"What kind of precautions?" He asked, wondering who would be best to 'sugercoat' the presumably bitter pill of the secruity measures Windra was thinking of.

"What kind of precautions?"

"Well the last thing I want to do is have you all cancel your cruise that you all leave for Thursday morning." It was now Monday nigyht. " And if you all are pressenting the case to the council you need to be in town till the last minute. We can get a hearing with the Council for tomorrow night. But in the mean time I'd rather Merry not stay here."

Heyoka seemed startled at remembering the cruise. "But won't we be needed to take part in the hunt? I know at this late date we'd lose the tickets, but Merry didn't have to pay for them, so she's not out any money."

Windra gave her son an exasperated look. "It not about the money, but Merry earned those tickets and you know how I feel about denying one what one has earned." She gave him a look that clearly said she'd talk to him more later, then continued.

"I have a friend, Esther Martin, shes one of the Strange Folk, but she's taken a teaching position in England for a few months, and I've been condo watching for her. It's a eleventh floor condo in a sixteen storey tower."

"Your friend who live at Houston House, downtown. Thats a good idea." Heyoka broke in irrepressable as ever. "Merrys going to not like it because theres no yard, or even a park close by."

THe Pack's Alpha nodded. "Its not an easy place to 'lurk' around, it has heavy duty security, including a secure parking garage underneath the residential tower." She didn't need to add the generally known among the pack knowledge that Merry didn't like living high up. "Also Rivan, I'd like you -or some one -with her at all times. So she's never alone.

Rivan had partially forgotten about the cruise in all the 'excitement'. "So we go to the council tomorrow, then two days after that we go on the cruise," He asked for comfirmation of Windra's plan, "And in the interm we take over house sitting for your friend?"

When he heard of the lack of parks or anything similar he grimaced. The last time he'd been in enforced insidedness, he'd gone stir-crazy. He tended to not like being cut off from nature, thought enjoyed mountains.

"I'd enjoying being with Merry, but may go a bit stir-crazy if we have to remain in the apartment." He commented

"I wouldn't think you would need to stay imprissioned. " Windra twitched herself. No Were felt truly comfortable with enforced internment.

"But I'd rather Merry not be alone when she is out and about. I know it would be a terrible burden but I think she wanted to do some last minute shopping. And while she has arranged with her job to have these days off she wanted to run in for a last minute 'finish up'. "

She sighed "I may just be over protective, but the condo is available. It's downtown so the stench of all those cars makes tracking very hard, and there are many minds living in close proximity. If it has some sort of abilities like that, all those minds together would maybe make it harder? " She looked hopefull that distance and other factors might throw the abomination off it's focus.

"Alright." He replied with a slight grin. "When possible, I'll be very happy to stay with Merry."

"This thing has got us all a little rattled, but I'm sure your right about the difficulty in tracking through the smell and all the stuff. I will try and do my best to help here with her last minute shopping, but it's not really my thing."

"Arthur, plesae send the limmo around for Lady Lauralin. And please escort Master Santari over yourself. Polite, very polite to both of them, all courtesies." Cain commanded as he finished up the last of the prior day's paperwork. "And let our people in the media know we appreciate it being a gang of hooligans in costume that ransacked the terminal."

He looked over at his second in command as he sat back and too a leisurely sip from his crystal goblet.He hadn't needed to remind Arthur, the man was incredibly effecient and had well earned the 'toy' being secretly driven back to Houston. Thoughts of Ryan brought a scow to his face. He hadn't intended to sire the whelp, but he's fought back so fiercely when attacked that Cain couldn't see such determination end. And now Ryan was becomeing far more than just a nuisance, he was becoming a positive danger. He was the only one of his off spring to survive and ...He snarled at the thought of Sian allowing Ryan to feed off her. How dare he presume, and for her to give her affections, and her blood. Does either of them know how much it's going to change him? If he feed from her regularly .... The Darkness won't stand for his wife to be touched by any one else. And he'll give me the child she'll bear him, just to keep his own life. Those thoughts returned a small hard smile to Cain's face. He'd have to drug Sian, but that was of little consequence. She'd spurned his offer and would pay the price.

Heyoka jabbed an elbow into Rivans ribs, just ever so slightly. "Don't let a female hear you say that. It's a genetic thing, the love of shopping." He smirked.

And Windra just shook her head half chuckleing. "You know she's no shop-a-holic. She's just having trouble finding just the right swimsuit."

The front door bell rang, and all the various conversations stopped for a moment.

"Its the detective." One of the younger pack members called as she peeked the side glass of the front door.

Merry set the pile of bowls she was carrying aside and as she headed to get the door called "Every one get comfortable and be nice to him."

The Pack laughed softly and began finding places to sit, mostly on the carpet propped up on the multitude of colorful thick floor pillow she kept piled about.

Detective Prentiss was in casuals, off duty tonight, his jeans, and dark shirt blening oddly but comfortably with the heavy embroidered cape with it's inwoven spells of protection and comfort.

"Thank you for seeing me Merry" He looked at the Pack and his smile widened slightly. "It's goo to see all of your here."

He then too nearly an hour to tell them what all the police had experienced and found.

Rivan was expecting Windra to reply with, 'And don't let your mother hear you saying that' and smiled when he heard her actual comments. "What kind is she looking for?" He asked when the doorbell rang, which caused him to look over at the door, hackles rising a few milimeters before hearing a wolf call out it was the detective.

When Merry set the dishes down, Rivan had picked them up and taken them into the kitchen for her before returning to Windra and Heyoka's company, taking a seat on the floor.

By the time Prentiss finished his description, Rivan was tempted to try and track the thing down and turn it to ground round but knew that would be more likely his fate than the freak's fate, at least if it was just the two of them.

It was the sound of her tv that woke up Dilana from where she had fallen asleep on the couch. A cold chill went down her spine and she realized that she had left one of her windows open in the living room where she lay. Standing up and then stretching, Dilana crossed the room shivering a bit as the cold wind blew and she shut the window before returning back to the couch and sitting down. The young woman began to flip through the channels, before leaning back and watching the news. It spoke of the things that had attacked in the subway station, however Dilana knew what they meant when the brodcaster talked about it being a gang of kids.
"Yeah right," Dilana said out loud, "If only the public knew of us, of them..."

Godolkin watched in horror at what had taken place. Here he had taken an old man and snapped his neck, half removing his head and then simply walked on. There a woman screamed as the purifying flame took her life. And worse were the children, cut down without remorse. But there was remorse now and it weighted heavily upon his heart.

Memories surfaced of Red. The broken arm while saving a human child. The broken ribs pulling the human woman from the wreckage of a house that had collapsed almost killing them both. The bullet wound when she sought to protect a group of human men with her body who were only seeking to escape from the conflict. The reason for the conflict. Him and his men. All him.

Mercy is for the weak
Tolerance is unacceptable, for they are unnatural and dangerous
Compassion was never addressed
Love wasn’t something that was programmed into them
Wisdom lay in the words of the holy ones
Justice is clear cut and absolute
Understanding is not required
Tenderness is weakness
Joy not something for the Iconoclast
Serenity, the time between missions
Forgiveness was not tolerated
Generosity for those of pure blood
Self restraint in the betterment of church and government

Commitment, valor, steadfastness, loyality. These were the lifes blood of Godolkin. But where had they come from? They weren’t part of his programming. They had to be abhorations. Or were they part of who he really was?

Self honesty. Had he ever had that? What good was it? It was the basis for everything they had been programmed to ignore.

Slowly he was beginning to understand. Red had been an enigma to him. All those things she did that made no sense were slowly beginning to shape themselves into a picture in his mind. Suddenly a thought occurred to him and he looked at the angel.

“Is she the Holy One as Harrow says? She doesn’t believe it. Is she the one who will lead the mutants to freedom? To overthrow the intolerant government, as Harrow says?”

****************

Red laughed. “I wouldn’t be a knight by any definition Pendragon. And I sure ain’t no Lady”, she told him as she poured some water from a pitcher into a cup and raised the bed slowly to allow him to drink it easier. “Welcome back to the land of the living. So who did you piss off”, she asked, never have been one for tact.

***************

“But that’s just it”, he replied, “why should we have to hide? April, we shouldn’t have to hide. We have just as much right to live as humans.” Suddenly his mouth dropped open and his eyes began to tear, having absently dipped into the hot dip.

****************

Michael was just hanging up his phone. “Well supernatural falls in our purvue, we just want to keep it out of the news and away from mundanes. Law enforcement is kept out of it unless a crime is involved, so they would have had to have been brought into it anyway in this case. Animals getting out at the zoo could simply be vandals, unless something pointing to the supernatural surfaces then it doesn’t concern us. Or if the zoo calls us in for property protection, or we already are contracted to protect that property, then it clearly falls in our area as it’s under our supervision. If the police call us in, which they have in some places, or other government law enforcement agencies.”

Mercy is for the weak
Tolerance is unacceptable, for they are unnatural and dangerous
Compassion was never addressed
Love wasn’t something that was programmed into them
Wisdom lay in the words of the holy ones
Justice is clear cut and absolute
Understanding is not required
Tenderness is weakness
Joy not something for the Iconoclast
Serenity, the time between missions
Forgiveness was not tolerated
Generosity for those of pure blood
Self restraint in the betterment of church and government

Strength is nothing with out Mercy
Strength is nothing with out Tolerance
Strength is nothing with out Compassion
Define Holy and gain Wisdom
What is Justice?
Wisdom Demands Understanding
To be truly strong you must be able to be Tender
To Love, to be a part of the Divine, you must Love for without love one is nothing, and has nothing.
Serenity must come from within or one has no true strength
If you have not Forgiveness, then you have not Love, you have not Wisdom, Compassion, Mercy or Strength
Generosity is the sharing of Love, and if you have not generosity, then you cut yourself off from Love.
Self Restrain is for ones own betterment, not those who seek temporal pwoer.

The angle looked at Godlokin sadly, letting him wonder why for a long moment.

Is Durham Red part of the Divine, oh yes very much so. Is she some sort of Holy One, some sort of ..." The angel's smile matched the sorrow in the eyes.

"The greatest harm humans ever did the one they call Christ was not to kill him, but to throw away the true meaning of his sacrifice. The Divine didn't cause him to be born with some preplanned mission. He chose to take that mantle, he chose to be what he became. The Divine 'makes' no one, it only offers. And he chose, and in that act of free will, knowing fully what would occur, he became more than most, more than I..."

Once again the faintly glowing hand reached out and stroked Godlokins brow. "Maybve she will take that mantle, mabe she will not. There are many who could don it. " She looked over at Sian's sleeping form. "And many who chose to serve in lesser ways, thus making the harder choice."

"It's not just a government that has to change Child of the Divine, but humans, and all those who dwell among them. Humans fear, and many times rightly so, but just as often it is unjustified. Many can't set aside disputes that occured not just a generation ago, but hundreds of years ago. The human race must grow as a Race."

"And they will need many examples, oh Paladin TO Be."

Welcome back to the land of the living. So who did you piss off

Cyrians eyes went blank, and a worried frown creased his brow. "I...I don't know. Theres a lot I don't remember, and the death I tried to make for myself, the addiction, just made it worse I think."

He was interupted by a tenative nock on the partially closed door.

"Excuse me but I was advised that a Sidhe had been admitted." A soft female voice preceeded a head edging around the door. The woman, a Sidhe (http://www.atddm.com/lady5c.jpg) was noticeably smaller than those Red had fought back at Lillian's apartment, and she was definitely not wearing armor, or carrying weapons.

We have just as much right to live as humans.

Yes we do..oh are you all right!" April exclaimed as Harrow reacted to the volcanic sauce. "Here .."

She raised a hand and the waitress came over. "We need some milk quick" April ordered and the waitress seeing what had happened dashed off. She returned quickly with a glass of whole milk.

"Here Harrow, the protiens in the milk will coat your mouth and help dilute the effect." April explained.

Once Harrow's eyes weren't watering so badly and the coughing had passed. April contined with her original thoughts.

"Yes we have every right, but Harrow you've seen what 'we' do to people 'we' think are just like us. And those of us who are mutants aren't just like 'us'..and some of us are dangerous, deadly even. And 'we' have reason to fear those among us."

Godolkin thought for some time about the Angel's words. Everything made sense. Everything made sense before. Something just seemed more .... right .... in what the Angel had said.

"She's afraid", he said after a long moment. "I would never have known her to have fear." He was silent again for some time before speaking, "Please answer this. If humans must change. And humans must change to accept. Yet tolerance is strength. Would it be right to force them to see what is right?"

Reds hand moved to her gun, "Who are you?" she asked the woman, placing herself between Cyrian and the woman.

Harrow looked at April for a long moment, a bit confused. "You do realize that I'm a mutant", he asked her.

"Who are you?"

"I am Tindamerrell." The Sidhe replied her voice low. "I am the representative of the Sidhe on the Council." She looked over at Cyrian. "You will have to forgive me. I had no knowledge that a " The word she used was untranslatable, and generally unpronouncable by any one other than a Sidhe as well. "was in Houston. I have been away for several months."

She gave Red a sharp, assessing glance. "You are his guardian?" Her voice ws clearly dubious.

You do realize that I'm a mutant",

April patted his hand, but waited to answer him as the waitress returned and piled the table high with platters heavy with excellently prepared food. Once she had gone April, set her fork aside and spoke seriously.

'Harrow, wew are all mutants, every human is a mutant. No one is the mythical 'normal', there is NO Pure Strain Human. They don't exist. That is why I said 'we' for we are them and they are we. They just don't understand, and I have no idea how to enlighten us in a way that doesn't enwrap us all in violence."

Dilana's phone rang as the news ended.

Mikes voice was cheery. "Hey Dilana, care to help a friend out and get paid a bunch?"

He'd checked in and found out he was indeed off this evening. And a friend had called and needed help, help that he'd pay for. Mike knew he'd be little help but that Dilana's enhanced senses and reactions would be perfect.

Red gave an equally sharp assessment and then met the woman's eyes. "I'm his bodyguard", she replied, unsnapping the holster.

Harrow sighed and starting eating, taking a few bites and then stopping. "You may think that way, but your one of a minority. Most simply choose to believe that we don't exist. Most of those who acknowledge our presence hate or fear us." He finished his assessment and then went back to eating.

Jessica nodded to Michael. "Okay then. With no fresh and confirmed reports of Elvi...we just sit here."

Jessica thumped her fist on her desk. "God I am going to kill each one of those endo-plasmic or whatever fuckers. I'll do it if it is the last thing I'll do."

Michael raised a finger, "Be careful about oaths", he told her, "look what happened to the Lady's friend", he grinned as he tipped his head in Lauralin's direction.

"I'm his bodyguard",

The Sidhe looked at Red, head cocked slightly to one side and a faint look of bewhilderment in her eyes. "Then his Guardian will return in a moment?"

Before Red could answer an unidentifiable rattle of sound came from Cyrians direction, and a medical alarm shrilled. There was the muffled noise of running feet as hospital staff dashed their way, as the closest staffers reacted to the alert.

*******************************

Most of those who acknowledge our presence hate or fear us."

"I know, that Harrow, but what do we do? Do a "Magneto" on our world, start a war that will just make them hate and fear us worse? We aren't any better or worse than the whole." Aprils food sat untouched, cooling on her plate.

"And so I don't do 'wierd' things in public, big whoop. It doesn't hurt me or change me to do so. Theres no one going to come along and wave a majik wand and make the world perfect. Ain't going to happen. You have to save the world one person at a time. Change humantiy up from the base level, not try and mandate it from the top."

***********************************

Would it be right to force them to see what is right?"


The angel gave him a long, steady look. "The Divine gave us the paradox of free will, karma, fate, tao, the wheel ever turning, and the sound of one hand claping. You must discern for yourself.

and the phantom strains wafted through the room...

Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete.
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet.

You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will.

"But that is my limited understanding of the Divine" The angel said with a gentle smile. 'And others surely have a greater understanding than I."

"Yes I've told you all far more than we even think of telling non police about what evidence and such that we have." Detective Prentiss finished. He didn't need to say why of course. Non one here would say a thing to the media.

"Now on to what I found in My research. I am a witch." He twitched his floor length cloak. "A am a full priest, trained by the Landbridge Coven."

Several of the Pack nodded. The Landsbridge was one of the more known and reputable covens in Texas. They 'produced' a steady stream of highly ethical, well trained witches. Many of them also worked as ceremonial mages as well, but it was not a given.

"Merry one of the things we found when we found the lair was this." He removed the remains of Merry's shirt from the paper bag he'd brought with him.

"No one know about this but myself and you all. Merry, your aunt recognises this as a gift from Heyoka." He nodded toward Windra. 'My divinations tell me that the creature has some sort of fixation on you, a preternatural attraction."

Merry looked at the torn and blood soaked remant for a long second and began to tremble ever so faintly, unaware that she was she was shaking her head in a negating gesture again and agian.

Prentiss sat silent for a moment letting Merry deal with what he'd said.

Red backed up, her hand still on her gun until she could see Cyrian while keeping the woman in her periferal vision. She looked at him, trying to see what the problem was while keeping an eye on Tindamerrell.

*******************************

"That's fine for you and me", he replied, "but what about those like the Holy One. Those who can't hide what they are because they're physically different? What about them, April? They have to hide or be abused and that's not fair to them. It's no wonder mutants act as they do towards mundanes, how much can they be expected to take? Understand that I am at heart a peaceful and tolerant man, but how long must those who cannot hide what they are be cast aside and put down upon?"

***********************************

Godolkin groaned. "Rush, free will. Durham Red listens to that at least a dozen times a day. She calls it music." He sighed and lay back, "Please tell me theres more than that."

Hospital staff pushed by both women as if they weren't there - or at least not important - which at the moment they weren't.

The Sidhe's face went even paler as she too looked over where Cyrian was bowed in a impossible seeming arc, a massive seizure tauntening every muscle to the point of breaking bones.

"Oh my!' She gasped faintly, both hands going to her lips as she swayed in shock, distress clearly visable on her face and eyes.

***********************

Understand that I am at heart a peaceful and tolerant man, but how long must those who cannot hide what they are be cast aside and put down upon?"

"It's hard for them, and yes unjust. But do we start a war that will cause more harm than good? Or do we work the slow way, the long and often frustrating way, and perhaps save lives." April took a bite of her meal at last.

"And, yes, we do need to stop the people who are adding to the fear, and hunting us. I'm no fighter, I don't have the skills, the temperament or the powers to fight, but I am willing to help the fighters. Look at Sian and others. They fight, and thats part of the reason she started the Hospital - to have a place to heal the fighters when they get wounded. Hell I never thought to see an Iconoclast in the Hospital, but Sian brought him in and I trust her."

She smiled at Harrow's look of surprize. "What didn't think we know who one of the bigger and badder enemies are? We're more organized, and far more knowledgeable than most realize.

*******************************

"More than free will? Of course there is, theres also fate, karma, tao, siddartha,...I happen to like U2 a litttle better, but Rush has their own path to the Divine. You, mortals, are those that have chosen to visit time, to don the rainment of frail and limitedl mortality, the better to understand and grow, to learn what can not be learned snug in the fastness of the web. To come closer to believeing. You all are so much greater than I. " The angel said wistfully.

"But I have to go now, I can not impinge too greatly upong the mortal world. You are better now, within and without, and you know now that I'll watch over you. " The light turned away and floeted over to where Sian slept on. "She needs healing too." and a ray of golden light swept over Sian.

"Not farewell, but adieu Paladin. Find a fitting name for your sword." And the light vanished, but the serenity that had accompanied the messenger did not.

Red watched the staff surround the bed. “Oh bloody hell”, she muttered, “HEY! Damn you, I didn’t sit here bored out of my skull watching to make sure no one offed you just for you die on your OWN!”

****************

Harrow looked at her for a long moment and then took a bite of food and seemed to enjoy it. “The Holy One should know about this. She would be interested in knowing about this setup.” He seemed to be talking more to himself than to April, a habit he had gotten into in his long hours self confinement.

"I can smell the caffine coming off of him. Oh dear!" Tindamerrell all but gagged and decided she'd better wait out in the hallway as more staff pushed in.

"Excuse me Lady Bodyguard, might I speak to you where we are not in the way?" She requested anxiously as she turned to leave the room.

*************************

She would be interested in knowing about this setup.”

"You'll really have to speak with Sian. I probably said more than I should have." April concentrated on her food, not meeting Harrow's eyes.

***************************

The gnu's and other animals continued to wander about, many finding the holes the Elvi had made in the soological gardens outer most fences. Eventually the grounds keeper that had been stranded atop one of the decorative lamps was noted by the others. They might have noticed him sooner if he's ben able to scream, but the Elvgi has stolen more than fencing, souvineers, and an animal of two. They'd stolen his voice.

"Caffiene", Red muttered, "I'd kill for a good cup coffee right now", she said as she headed out into the hallway. She looked down at her weapons and back up, "Not really. Well, probably not anyway."

****************

"April", he said, laying down a fork, "don't worry. I would never do anything that would cause you problems. Besides, she doesn't believe she's the chosen one anyway." He picked up his fork again and starting eating.

****************

Godolkin lay for a long moment after the Angel left and then lifted the sword. He would have to think hard to come up with a proper name. 'Paladin' he thought. The stories and legends ran through his mind of the Holy Knights. He looked over at Sian and then relaxed, but remained alert, keeping an eye on her.

The ringing of her phone broke Dilana away from her thoughts as she stood up and crossed the room, "Hello? Hi mike, a friend of yours needs help? Sure, what needs done?"

Jessica gave a chuckle. "Well I don't intend to get in that sort of a situation ever in my life. I just want to kill all of them...eradicate them. and get my life back in complete order."

She looked at Michael and gave a grin.

"I never liked Elvis anyway."

"Sure, what needs done?" Dilana asked

"You've got really acute senses right? Some vandals let a bunch of the small mammals loose, the tamarinds, the marmosets and such. He says they coaxed back in, but Pogo's new, the zoo just got him last week and they can't find him." Mike sneezed and apologised. "Late winter cold stopping every thing up. I'm pretty good with animals and thats why my friend called me. But you'd be even better. He can pay, he got the zoo director to sign off on a reward."

Can I come get you and we go look for him? He's a tropical and that atic front is moving down on us like a freight train."

Rivan failed to understand the reference about Detective Prentiss's coven, but assumed it was a good one both on his knowladge of the pack and the fact that several pack members nodded when he mentioned the fact.

Hearing about the monstrocity and it's fixation on Merry again raised his hackles and when he noticed Merry's trembling and shaking of her head, he quickly went over to confort her.

Dilana paused a moment, "Yeah, I'm pretty good with stuff like that. Are you sure you're alright to go? You can come pick me up, or I can meet you somewhere whatever is more easy for you."

Lauralin sensed the limo pull up out front and sighed, crooking her arm in which appeared a sheaf of papers. "Well I must go", she said and turned to the door, but stopped and turned back. "Appearance is what counts", she told Michael and Jessica. "We do have tranquilizer darts and rifles, we could help the zoo gather the animals. Two of you should go, of course, to watch each other in case any dangerous animals are loose. As good samaritans, of course." Then she turned and headed out the door.

Michael grinned, "I'll get the rifles", he told Jessica.

Lauralin reached the lobby as the driver came in to get her and she greeted him, following him to the limo.

"Goodbye Lauralin. Good luck." Jessica said as the vampiress left the office. She turned to Michael as he spoke to her. She grinned broadly at it.

"Good...lets go hunting."

Michael got the tranqs and took Jessica to the Enterprise. He opened the door for her and then put the case in the trunk. Once in himself he got the laptop, hooked it up, and punched in the zoo then drove them to it as quickly as traffic would allow.

Merry made room for him on the big pillow she'd sat on and held his hand tightly. Then she took a deep breath and went very still for a second.

"It's going to take 'professionals, isn't it? You said it kill the policemen with no trouble and they shot it several times, right?" Prentess nodded in reply to her questions and she continued "None of us have specialized training in out and out fighting like that thigs going to take most likely. Rivan and Heyoka are the most experienced in getting into tangles with other Werewolves which is what comes closest, but that doesn't cut it."

She spoke very firmly now "Windra, as a pack member, I am asking you to take this to the Council. Maybe they will let us help, but they can bring in a Hunting Team, one that is trained for this. And before any one gets their hackles up!" Merry raised her voice to cover the start of some exclaimations from various offended pack members. "I don't want any of my family hurt just for pride! This needs special skills - skills that we don't have."

"Yeah Dilana, I'm good to go, just so stuffed up can't spell a thing. I'll pick you up in ten. Besure to bring a coat, incase this takes long enough for the temperature to start dropping. I'll be bringing a big flashlight and a thermos of hot cocoa." Mike reassured her and hung up.

It ws just over ten minutes when her phone rang again, Mike letting her know that he'd just parked and was coming up to her door.

Not really. Well, probably not anyway."

Tindamerrell smiled and concentrated hard for a moment, a cup appeared in her hands. "I hope you drink it black, thats all my freind does so I never bothered to kenn it any other way. Though I think I saw sugar packets at the nursing station." She held it out to Red.

"You said you are his 'body guard'...you mean that differently than Guardian I think, yes?"

Rivan gave her a slight smile intended to bolster her confidence as he took a seat beside her and held her hand. Listening to her, he felt a slight urge that was easily surpressed, to correct her as he'd dealt with more than other Were, but that was neither here nor there.

As he saw, and felt her presence shift slightly, his posture also shifted to provide additional 'support' for Merry, a unified front so to speak. The fact that he agreed wholeheartedly didn't hurt.

Red grabbed the cup and began quaffing it down, ignoring the heat. "Oh man, I've had orgasms that weren't this good." She took a moment to finish the coffee then looked at Tindamerrell. "Look. I don't have any idea what your talking about so let me put it this way. Doc Rhys hired me to protect this guy. I didn't have anything else to do but watch the grass grow so I figured what the fuck? Why not? If your looking for qualifications, I'm the one they call the scarlett huntress."

Tindamerrell looked blank at Red's mention of her name. "That is very strange that Doctor Rhys had to hire any one, no insult to your prowess. I can't believe that the High Court let a child out without a full Guardian. It's just unheard of."

Seeing that Red looked as lost as to what she was talking about as she was to what Red had said, Tindamerrell explained.

"He is certainly of the High Court, though I do not personally recognise him. And as what human call a 'minor', and a high noble, he should have a very powerful protector, a Guardian. But here I find him addicted to caffine, a deadly addiction for the Sidhe, and equally bad I was unaware that one of his rank was outside of Underhill and here in Houston."

"Well", Red replied, "guess you better give Da a ring. But uhhh, could you pop me up another coffee?"