3.15 Together Again

Opening his eyes Heath looked around the cave. His mind a mess of chaotic memories and emotions. Flashes of the the past bombarded him. Seeing his dad fall from the hospital window. The feeling as he felt his life being drained from him. The lifeless body he resided in. Moaning out loud he saw his mom look over at him. Saw the concern in her eyes before  he shifted his gaze not wanting to see the monster that killed him.

"Heath are you alright?" he heard her ask. Closing his eyes he tried to blot out what he ha become. He was nothing more then a man sized doll. Was he even alive? In a low voice he said "I want to go home. I want my dad."

"I'll get you home sweetheart," Beverly soothed taking him into her arms "I promise I'll find a way to get you back to normal."

He leaned his head on her shoulder listening to her heart beat. "I want my dad," he mumbled again. Even as he said it he wondered if his dad was alive and if he wasn't what was going to become of him? Refusing to even think about his relationship with Don. Heath couldn't see how he could ever be a husband and father in his current condition. It just wasn't possible, was it?

***

Don stared at Adam as he stepped through the time bubble. Fear etched across his face as he held his daughter. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"I know this is confusing. Believe me I understand," Adam said not attempting to approach them. "This was the only way we could think of to get Silver to take us to Kimberly."

"You couldn't just tell me?" Don asked siting down overwhelmed by the events "don't you trust me?"

Sitting across from him Adam nodded "we trusted you. Silver had to be convinced that he was manipulating/controlling Ambrogio. I...."

He stopped speaking Don looked up shocked to find Adm crying. Tears streamed from his eyes reminding him of Heath and how sensitive he was. "Adam are you alright?"

"I don't know," he replied through tears "it's been a rough week. If I had known how difficult being ousted from my body would be I might have tried harder to find another way. It was the only viable option we had. We needed to trick Silver into taking us to Kimberly."

Hearing her name the little girl looked up and smiled "thank you grandpa for saving me. I didn't like that place." Turning to Don "it's ok daddy. Grandpa is good. So is Ambrogio. Silver was bad." 

Turning her gaze to Adam "is Silver gone now? Gone forever?"

"I hope so sweetheart.  I certainly hope so," Adam told her. Standing Adam picked up the little girl "how do you know so much?"

Shrugging "I don't know. I just do." She giggled as she kissed his cheek. For that moment she acted like the little girl she looked like.

***

"Ambrogio," Adam called "should we be concerned?"

Deep in thought Ambrogio turned his question over in his mind. "I don't know. I wish we knew what Silver may or may not have done to her." 

Adam looked towards the sleeping little girl curled up next to Don. "She looks so peaceful.  hate the thought that Silver may have done something to her that we can't detect."

"Adam," Ambrogio started to say then stopped unsure whether to voice his concern. "He may have enhanced her."Enhanced? What do you mean?" Adam asked his dismay growing.

"Modified her in some way. She comes from a family of geniuses doesn't she? Her natural ability to know things....."

"Knowing things she shouldn't like her name," Adam muttered "that's not a normal ability."

"I know" Ambrogio admitted feeling Adam's anxiety rising "it might be the combination of IF and creator genes in her. Silver wanted, manipulated things to get them together. He wanted their particular genes to mix..."

"Why?" came Adam's anguished question "will she become like Silver? Evil? Is that her destiny? What about Don's unborn child?"

"Adam calm down," Ambrogio advised "your jumping to conclusions. We don't know what Silver did. He may not have done anything. He spent most of his time chasing us or getting me to get Don to come to him. It may be a product of having been born in the time bubble."

"Is there anyway of finding out?" Adam asked wishing his dad or even Emit were there to help them. Together he was sure they'd be able to figure out what happened if anything did.

***

Heath huddled in the cave waiting for Beverly to come back. What was taking her so long? Had she been caught? Had Alessandro turned her again? Holding his head he moaned knowing he couldn't ive through that again. A noise from the front l the cave alerted him to the possibility of danger. He crept further into the cave scarcely breathing.

"Heath?" Beverly called out into the darkness of the cave "Heath it's ok you can come out now." She spoke to him like she would a frightened animal. Smiling when he finally emerged. She hid her dismay that he was still in toy form. Was this permanent? If so she had no one to blame but herself. "I figured out where we are," she told him. His doll like eyes followed her every move. "I know how to get out of Moonlight Falls," she watched as her words sank in. He slowly nodded as a single tear dropped "Heath what aren't you telling me?"

Shaking his head he mumbled "dad's dead." He heard her sharp intake of breath "I...I saw him fall from the window. Alessandro's men pushed him. I saw it. He couldn't have survived."

"You're wrong," she told him "I would know if  he were dead. I'd feel it." Gripping his shoulders feeling the pliable stuffing move beneath his grasp she shook him "he's not dead. He can't be."

"Do you think so?" he asked his voice small and afraid.

"I know so," she spoke with conviction. She couldn't afford to believe Adam was dead. Coming to a sudden decision "we leave today. As soon as it's light out."

"Wh...what about werewolves?" Heath stammered.

"Better them then vampires," she told him "we'll have to be careful." Leading him to the far cave wall she urged him to get some sleep. "You need all the energy you can get."

Nodding Heath did as she requested lacking the desire to fight. He wanted to sleep and never wake up  until this nightmare was over.

***

When the sun went down Adam shook Don awake "come on son we need to get going."

"Going where?" he asked shocked by his surroundings and by the little girl clinging to him. Then it all came back to him and moaning he got up and stretched.

"Daddy I'm hungry," she tugged on his pants leg.

"Give daddy a moment and I'll get you something to eat," Don told her watching as she crossed her arms pouting.

"I'm hungry now," she complained loudly.

"I know sweetie but I have to ..." he was interrupted when Adam swooped in and swung Kimberly up into the air. Her squeals of laughter filling the air around them. It gave Don the reprieve he needed to prepare something for them to eat. "Thank you" he mumbled as they prepared to leave.

"No problem. I learned when Heath was little it was better to distract him then to try to reason with him. It didn't always work," he grinned "she's a lot like Heath was at that age."

"What age is that exactly?" Don asked.

"I'd say about four years old," Adam watched the girl run around inspecting them. "Don't worry Don you'll get the hang of parenting. Unfortunately you've been robbed the joy of watching her grow but you do have the rest of her life to catch up."

"Come on daddy let's go," she called running ahead of them.

"She's so full of energy," Don said with dismay.

"Don you're all of twenty years old. You have plenty of energy yourself," Adam shook his head at him "but I guess you do have an excuse. Pregnancy depletes you energy." Something nagged him in the back of his mind and he knew something was quite right. He didn't feel quite right. He should be more energized then he felt. Dismissing it as fatigue from not feeding regularly on plasma fruit.

Stopping where she stood Kimberly looked at Don "daddy you're pregnant?"

"Yes sweetie I am," Don hesitated not entirely comfortable with the look she gave him. 

"Do you love the baby more than me?" she demanded to know.

Don knelt in front of her looking into her blue eyes so much like Heath's saying "no darling I love you both the same."

"Are you sure?" she asked him her expression unreadable.

 "I'm positive," Don assured her despite his growing doubts.

"Okay the baby can stay," she smiled sweetly up at him as she reached for his hand.

Don looked down at her then across at Adam who shook his head. If it weren't for her uncanny ability to sense things Don wouldn't be so worried. Did Silver do something to his little girl? Was something wrong with her? He couldn't stop the questions, the concern he had for his unborn child. What had she meant by the baby can stay? If it weren't for Silver and what he might have done her pronouncement would have been funny. Now it was just ominous. To distract himself Don asked "where are we going?"

"Bridgeport," Adam told him sounding distracted.

"Why not Dragon Valley?" Don asked confused.

"Ambrogio needs to talk to Alanon," Adam explained "we need to figure out how to separate him from me. If there's a way Alanon will know."

***

It was late when the incessant pounding on the door woke the occupants up. Stumbling down the stairs Percy and Alanon stood dumbstruck at the sight of Adam standing in front of them. "Adam is that you?" Percy managed to ask wanting to believe but to emotional to trust what was in front of his eyes.

Sensing Percy's distress Adam pulled him into a hug "yeah it's me. I'm sorry I left the way I did but it was vital I go. You were dying. You couldn't have lasted through the night."

"I'm sorry I let you down," he mumbled. 

Squeezing his shoulder "you didn't let me down. You kept me alive wen I needed to be outside my body. I'll always be grateful to you for that. My regret is the pain it caused you." Percy blushed ducking his head in acknowledgement. Turning to Alanon "do you still have the potion?" Adam asked."

"Yes," he affirmed "but why? If your back inside your body you don't need it."

"It's not for me it's for Ambrogio,"

"Ambrogio? is he in there with you?" Alanon almost choked on his words "why I don't understand. I thought he was working with Silver."

"No I'm sorry we had to lie to you. We didn't want Silver to know what we were planning." Adam went on to tel everyone what he and Ambrogio had come up with to trick Silver into taking them to where he had Kimberly.

"It was a brilliant plan," Alanon said when Adam finished "risky but brilliant." He eyed the girl sitting silently on Don's lap before getting up and going to his alchemy table. Coming back with a mixture he held it out to the girl "will you drink this"

Staring up at him with her blue eyes wide she nodded. Whatever the mixture or taste she drank it without complaint. Handing the vial back to him she sank back onto Don's shoulder falling asleep. Looking down at her Don asked "what did you do to her?"

"Nothing really," Alanon reassured him "a test really. If she had been morally corrupted by Silver she would have refused to drink. Since she drank without complaint or fear I'm fairly sure Silver didn't have time to alter her moral code. She's not evil nor is she likely to become evil."

"That's a relief," Don let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Considering Alanon's little test Adam asked "not that I doubt you but why does she know so much? It's almost like she's clairvoyant or something."

Rubbing his chin Alanon frowned "it could be a side effect of having been in the time bubble. She lived there. Developed there. She's more a product of that universe then ours. I wouldn't be overly concerned. The effects of the bubble universe should diminish overtime as she becomes acclimatized to this universe. Keep on eye on her but I don't think they're should be any lasting effects."

"Alright," Adam agreed reluctantly. Something still didn't feel right. He hoped he was wrong and Alanon was right.

***

"It's just a little bit further," Beverly encouraged Heath to continue.

"What is?" Heath asked unable to lift his head. He was so exhausted. How could a doll be tired? What was wrong with him?"

"The portal to Bridgeport," Beverly told him.

"We can't use the portal. Alessandro must have it guarded" Heath protested.

"I thought of that," Beverly conceded "I spent a lot of time watching it. I haven't seen any activity near it. I think it's ok."

Nodding Heath said "you'll  have to help me."

Nearing the portal Beverly thought they were almost home free until a deep voice startled them "Holt."

Heath yelped in dismay us Beverly lost her grip on him and he fell to the ground. "Oh no," Beverly whispered recognizing the young werewolf that had been one of the guards in the dungeon. His eyes narrowed no doubt recognizing her. Turning to look both ways he waved her forward "Hurry."

Scooping up Heath she dragged him forward. Eyes wide with fear she asked "why are you helping us?"

"Not all of us agree with Alessandro," he told her "Quick before my father comes back." He activated the portal pushing them through. "Son what have you done?" Beverly heard before she reappeared on the outskirts of Bridgeport.

***

Everyone retired to bed except for Adam and Alanon. Hesitantly Alanon approached Adam "can I...talk to Ambrogio?"

After a moment Adam nodded "I'll give him temporary control."

"Thank you," Alanon acknowledged waiting a few minutes for the switch to be made "Ambrogio?"

"I'm here," sounding wary.

"I need...I" Alanon stopped looking away "I still feel the same...I need to know if there's any hope..."

"That I feel the same?" Ambrogio asked "I don't know.  How can I? I don't even have a body?" 

Sighing he got up and paced restlessly around the room "I can't stay in Adam's body forever."

"Would you give me a chance if you were in your own body?" Alanon pressed.

"How can that be? It's gone by now and I won't take over another.. Adam promised me that once we spoke he'd let my essence to. Please let me go," Ambrogio pleaded.

"I can't not when I have what you need," Alanon came up behind him wrapping his arms around him. "Please listen to me. Don't push me away until you've heard what I have to say."

Nodding Ambrogio said "you have my undivided attention."

Taking his hand Alanon led him to the couch. "Your body isn't gone. I preserved it in the hopes that one day you'd return."

"You what?" Ambrogio said looking into his best friends face "but how? I didn't think it'd be possible..."

"Alessandro entrusted your remains to me. No doubt thinking it's be a suitable punishment. I was able to repair the damage Alessandro did. All I lacked was you. With the potion I can reunite you with your body."

Overcome with joy and excitement Ambrogio hugged Alanon tight. Pulling apart he mumbled "I'm so happy I could kiss you."

"Then why don't you?" Alanon said staring steadily into his eyes. Taking the opportunity himself to capture his lip with his own.

After a few minutes Ambrogio pulled away as Adam protested in his head "ok ok that's quite enough. I think my body has seen enough man on man action." Chuckling a little Ambrogio blushed looking into Alanon's eyes. "Yes my answer's yes. I'll give you a chance."

Overcome with need and desire Alanon pulled Ambrogio close capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. Ignoring Adam's complaints Ambrogio let himself return the kiss feeling his reserves and walls melt start to melt. If he had only let himself return Alanon's feelings all those years ago. He could have avoided so much pain.

"But you wouldn't have had your son," Adam broke into his thoughts "I wouldn't exist. Things happen for a reason."

"I know but don't you ever wonder how things would have been like if you made the other choice? Took the road not taken?" Ambrogio asked knowing Adam would need to take control of his body soon.

"All of the time," Adam told him "but then I remember all the things I love about this life. As it is and it gives me a feeling of coming home."

Home Ambrogio thought. is that what he was feeling? Was this feeling of contentment, home? 

Looking into Alanson's eyes he smiled yes definitely home at last.

***

Helping Heath from the portal she half dragged and half carried him a mile or two away from the portal to be on the safe side. Leaving Heath resting Beverly made her way into Bridgeport found a public telephone booth and called Adam. She almost hung up thinking that maybe Heath was right and he was dead. After several rings she heard him pick up "Hello?" she heard.

"Adam," she all but cried his name.

"Beverly I.." his voice became rough and broken "where are you?" he managed to ask.

"Bridgeport," she told him explaining how she had left Heath "he needs help..."

"What's wrong with him?" Adam asked his tone urgent.

"I...I'm sorry," she cried "he's in toy form. It's my fault. I'm so desperately sorry..."

"I'm coming to get you," Adam cut her off "where are you?"

***

After getting the name of the grocery store she was at Adam turned to Alanon. "I need to go."

Shaking his head Alanon grabbed his arm "It could be a trap," he argued.

Shrugging him off "I don't care. She's my wife. I have to go to her."

"Then I'm coming with you," Alanon grabbed the car keys not waiting for an answer.

Pulling  into the parking lot Adam jumped out before Alanon had come to a complete stop. Running up to Beverly he wrapped his arms around her. "Beverly I didn't think I'd ever see you again." He kissed her long and passionately.

Beverly tried to pull away and when she managed it she saw the hurt in his glowing eyes "I'm sorry Adam but I...I did something terrible. You're going to hate me for it." Before she could think twice the horror of what she had done came pouring out from her. She watched the blood drain from his face. Watched the pain etch it's way through the plains of his face.

"You did what?" he cried squeezing her arms fiercely. Seeing her wince in pain he released her.

"Adam I'm sorry. I was under Alessandro's control," she cried "I know it's not an excuse but I didn't know what I was doing."

"Where is my son?" Adam asked focusing on the fact his son was alive. He'd deal with Beverly later. He couldn't deal with both. Grabbing her arm he ran back to the car where Alanon waited. "Where is my son?" he repeated. 

Stuttering Beverly managed to direct them to where Heath was. Crying in the backseat it was every bit as bad as she thought it would be. She knew Adam hated her for what she had done. There was not way to fix it. She watched as Alanon and Adam both ran from the car. She remained behind frozen in fear and dread.

***

Adam stopped at the sight of his son. He wasn't prepared to see him like this. So weak, so frail, a man sized doll. Walking close he dropped to his knees beside him "Heath is that you?"

Blinking his doll eyes he murmured "daddy is that you?"

"Yes baby it's me," he pulled him close picking him up.

"Am I dead?" he asked "I saw them push you from the window."

"No baby you're not dead and neither am I," Adam turned to find Alanon staring at them. "Can you help him?" he asked his question more a plea then a request.

"I don't know. I'll try." Alanon told him "let's get him back to the house."

3.14 A Cure and A Plan

Laying on the cold damp ground Ambrogio fought the urge to fight his bonds. The more he struggled the tighter they became. They gag restricted his breathing. He lay there for what felt like hours listening to the night scurrying of the nocturnal creatures of the forest. Shivering from cold he hoped that Silver would return soon even though his presence was torment in itself. Something soft and warm landed on him jerking him from his semi-sleep state.

Looking up he found Silver looking down at him. "I hope you like them," he said gesturing toward the clothes he had dumped on him. Ambrogio mumbled around the gag causing Silver to laugh at him. "It's kind of a turn on to see you so helpless" he stroked Ambrogio's face "but we don't have time for games no matter how enjoyable." He removed the gag only smother Ambrogio by driving his tongue into his mouth.

Heart beating fast Ambrogio waited until Silver was finished  hoping the kiss would be all. Relief washed over him as Silver got off him wiping his mouth. Eyes shining bright "if we only had the time," he whispered in Ambrogio's ear. Untying him Silver instructed "get dressed."

Stiff and awkward Ambrogio stood feeling on display as he shed his filthy tattered hospital garments for the new ones Silver had provided. Standing before Silver knowing he was being inspected. Shivering from more than cold Ambrogio a part of him wishing his existence would end before he had to bring the boy to this man. What other choice did he have

***

"How much longer?" Percy moaned from the couch.

"Not much longer," Alanon assured him "I have a few more tweaks to make to the potion..."

Unable to acknowledge Alanon or lift his head Percy lay there whimpering in pain. "Please hurry," his voice no louder than a whisper.

"I'm sorry Percy," Adam spoke inside his mind "I should have left sooner."

"No" he shouted "don't give up. Not yet. Alanon is almost done."

"He's been saying that for the past week" Adam shouted at him letting his frustration show "your dying Percy. I can feel it. My essence is too much for you."

"I can handle it," he said through gritted teeth "have faith Adam. Alanon will make the potion. We will find Ambrogio. We will protect Don from Silver. We will get your grand child back."

"That's a lot of promises coming from a guy who can't lift his head" Adam snapped "I don't want empty promises. I should have left when I told you to warn Don. Then you could have gone to Dragon Valley to warn Don instead of wasting time with making this potion nonsense."

"Adam," Percy called out in desperation "don't go. You can't give up. We're too close."

***

Dumping the body on the floor of the dark dank cave the creature moved to the far wall unsure what else to do. It wasn't even sure why it had taken the body with it. Who had dumped the body in the trash? Was it dead? The creature shook it's head. It didn't even know what it was. Led alone what the body was.

Grabbing it's head it whimpered in pain. Flashes of memory broke through the haze in it's brain. There should have been another body in that trash heap. Where was it? What happened to it? Covering it's head the creature moaned in pain rocking itself back and forth.

***

"Alanon, Alanon," Percy screamed. 

Nearly dropping the completed potion Alanon turned to look at him. "What's wrong?" he asked seeing the fear and anguish in Percy's eyes.

"He left. Adam left. I can't feel him inside my head any more," Percy cried overcome with dismay.

"Are you sure?" Alanon asked "you told him how close we were to having a working potion?"

Nodding Percy sat up free from the pan for the first time in a week "he's gone." His voice flat "I couldn't hold him anymore." Burying his head in his hands he mumbled "what am I going to tell his family?"

***

A stirring rustling sound form the nearby body caught the creatures attention. It watched as the body opened it's rather pretty eyes. Blinking in confusion it moaned. Was it pain? The creature couldn't tell as it cowered in the corner of the cave watching.

"Where? Where am I?" her voice echoed off the walls of the cave. Struggling to sit up Beverly moaned again "I should be dead," she muttered "how did I get here?"

A noise drew her attention to a form huddled in the far dark corner. "Who are you?" she asked. Her mouth felt dry and her heart beat wildly in her chest. She squinted towards the form in the corner. 

What was it? she wondered. "Did you bring me here?" she asked. Only silence greeted her questions.

Shrugging she turned her attention to where she was and why. Obvious answer was the creature brought her here. Did that mean.....where was Heath? Why wasn't he here?

Struggling to her feet she leaned heavily on the wall. "Where's the other one? There were two of us in that trash pile. Why save me and not him?" she cried moving closer.

***

Watching the reanimated body moving and making sounds was terrifying to the creature. It wanted it to lay back down, to stop making those terrifying noises. It wanted to feel safe. With the body moving around it felt anything but safe.

Moving farther into the cave it could hear it call out It didn't understand the words it was saying. Why it was intent on coming closer.

Tripping in its haste the creature fell. Knowing the body was close it lay still hoping to remain unnoticed in the dark. It didn't understand what was happening or what had motivated it to take the body in the first place. It knew it was vital he take the body even if it was frightened to do so. Something touched it's shoulder. Looking up into the bright green eyes it screamed....

***

Ambrogio walked into Dragon Valley alone. He fought the urge to runaway. He knew without a doubt Silver would find him no matter where he went. He had no choice but comply with his commands. Approaching the house he knew Don lived in Ambrogio took a deep breath preparing himself to respond and act the way Adam would. When he was ready he knocked on the door.

"Adam?" Don asked in surprise "when did you get out of the hospital?" Looking over Adam's shoulder "why isn't Heath with you?"

"That's why I'm here," Adam/Ambrogio said stepping into the entry way "I'm sorry Don but Alessandro has captured both Heath and Beverly. That's why I'm here. I need your help to get them out of Moonlight Falls."

"Of course I'll come," Don said anxious to find Heath "let's go." 

"Not so fast we need supplies," Adam/Ambrogio told him "let's discuss what we need. Do you have any plasma juice? My supply has been depleted."

"I might have some in the fridge," Don showed him into the kitchen.

Adam/Ambrogio went to the fridge and found a few plasma juice packs. Ripping them open he guzzled several without stopping to think what Don would think.

"Haven't you eaten in awhile?" Don asked stepping back.

"I've been rationing my supply and ran out a day or so ago," he explained wiping his mouth. Glancing out the window he hoped to delay leaving the house until dark. Glancing back at the boy he could see the worry and fear in Don's eyes. He could hear his heart beating in his chest. Hear how it raced. Hear the blood flowing through his veins. Hear the fetus as it moved inside him. Smiling sadly he knew he was about to do the unforgivable. He was pretending to be someone that could be trusted just to deliver the boy to his slaughter. The child will have no hope of a normal life once Silver got his hands on it.

"Adam is something wrong?" Don asked becoming concerned as he watched Adam stare into space and unresponsive to his questions.

"Yes everything is wrong" he replied "my wife and son are in the hands of vampires."

"Shouldn't we ask Kyle or Elliot to come with us? Surely the more help we have the better."

Shaking his head "no someone has to be here for the kids."

"Ok what do you think I need for the trip?" Don asked watching Adam/Ambrogio in a mixture of concern and doubt.

***

"Why would he choose now to leave?" Percy asked "I told him you were close..."

"I know you've told me several times" Alanon said trying to keep his annoyance and of his voice realizing his friend was bereft. "He must have had a good reason," he said for what felt like the hundredth time.

"He said I was dying. That he could feel it" Percy sounded as if the idea of anyone sacrificing himself for him was ludicrous.

Putting a hand on his friends shoulder "why do you find that so hard to believe?"

"Find what hard to believe?" Percy demanded.

"That Adam would leave to save your life?" He sighed groping for the right words "don't you think your worth that kind of sacrifice?"

Blinking in shock Percy nodded slightly before catching himself. He wanted to say no but he knew Alanon was right. He didn't feel worthy of that kind of sacrifice. He'd done to much in the past. He owed the Van Winkle family more then he could ever repay and he couldn't even do this for Adam. He had been too weak.

"It's not your fault," Alanon told him "you can't blame yourself."

"How can I not?" he cried "I owe them so much and when it really mattered I failed." He felt strong arms around him holding him tight. That simple gesture was too much and it was like it opened up a flood gate inside him.

***

Scrambling backwards Beverly screamed as the creature continued to scream. Regaining some sense Beverly asked "what are you?"

Breathing heavily the creature stared at her. Flashes of memories her biting into its neck. Draining it's life from him. Draining him until he was a limp lifeless doll. The horror of it overwhelmed him. He was a doll. A lifeless image of the man he used to be. "you....you....you..." he stuttered unable to come up with the words he needed. He had become his worst nightmare. The ugly doll he had begged his dad to take away when he was a toddler. Bringing his hands up he started to wail. An unnerving sound that vibrated and bounced off the cave walls.

Something in the creatures mannerisms in his voice seemed familiar. Beverly moved forward holding her hands out approaching the creature "Heath is that you?"

A low keening sound replaced the screams as it allowed Beverly to come closer. She wrapped her arms around him as he fell to the ground. "It's ok baby I've got you," he heard her say as he lost consciousness.

***

It had been too easy for Ambrogio to pose as Adam. Don followed him without complaint or doubt. Arriving at the designated meeting point Ambrogio waited for Silver to make his appearance. Idly he watched Don as he stopped to get something from his pack. Looking up startled as a man's voice broke the silence.

"Well done my boy well done," Silver said coming into the clearing.

The shock and fright that washed over Don wasn't missed by either or Ambrogio. "What...What are you doing here?" 

"I've come to get what's mine," Silver told him.

"I have nothing that's yours" Don took a step backwards as Silver reached out to touch his stomach.

"That's where your wrong," Silver told him "this is mine," he said robbing Don's expanding stomach. "This child is mine along with it's sister. I have great things planned for them."

Knocking Silver's hand away Don shouted "not if I can help it."

Laughing Silver shook his head "you can't prevent it."

Glancing towards Adam/Ambrogio Don asked "why? Why did you do this? This is your grandchild. Isn't it bad enough he already has my daughter?"

"Adam can't help you," Silver laughed enjoying the boys confusion "Adam no longer inhabits his body. Ambrogio kicked him out..."

Taking several steps away from them Don sought a way of escape, fearing it was already too late. He had trusted Adam or who he thought was Adam. Did that mean Adam was dead? Heath? He turned and ran into the woods a heartless cackling laugh followed him as he ran.

"Go after him," Silver ordered. 

Without hesitation Ambrogio went after the boy. His energy renewed Ambrogio had no problem catching up and capturing the frightened boy.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Don asked.

"I have no choice," Ambrogio replied "Silver saved my life once long ago. He owns me now."

"This isn't right," Don protested "fight him. Stand up for yourself."

"It's no use" Ambrogio shook his head "Silver would only come after me..."

"That's right I would," Silver spoke from behind them causing both Don and Ambrogio to jump at the sound of his voice. "I'm very powerful. You'd do well to remember that." Turning to Ambrogio he commanded "tie him up."

Nodding he stepped up to the boy mumbling "I'm sorry," as he tied his hands and feet. When he was done Silver inspected his knots nodding in approval.

"Very good," he smiled pulling Ambrogio close and forcefully kissing him hands groping his body.

"No no no please Silver stop," Ambrogio begged "not in front of the boy. Please I...."

Gripping his throat Silver growled "don't presume to dictate when and where I chose to do things." Squeezing hard blocking Ambrogio's air way "do you understand?"

A slight nod was all Ambrogio could manage in response as the world grew dark. "Good" Silver said releasing his grip letting Ambrogio fall to the ground at his feet.

Gasping for air Ambrogio made eye contact with Don who quickly averted his gaze.

"I'm sorry master," he gasped between breaths.

"See that you remember this lesson," Silver walked away preparing the way into the time bubble.

Cradling the transformed figure of her son Beverly wept. She had done this to him. When she drained him of his life he had no choice but to revert to his toy form. Why had he taken her from the trash pile they had been tossed in? What motivated him? She doubted it was a conscious thought out plan. More of an instinctual act for him.

He moaned blinking his doll eyes up at her. "Mom?" he asked.

"I'm here baby," she blinked back tears that threatened to blind her.

"What happened?" he asked a look of confusion passed over him. Lifting his hands he stared at his doll hands as he groped to understand what was happening to him. An anguished cry escaped his lips.

Hugging him tight Beverly wanted to take the fear and confusion from him. "I don't know baby. I think when I...when I," she burst into tears "this is all my fault I did this. I'm sorry I ...." Catching her breath she reigned in her emotions seeking a calm she didn't feel. She knew Heath needed her to be strong "I think you reverted to toy form when I drained you."

Staring at her Heath nodded as images of her attacking him ran vividly through his mind. Fear had his heart racing. Heart? Did  he still have a heart? He must have as he could feel it beating inside his chest. Maybe this form was temporary. Maybe he could go back to normal. "Alessandro made you..."

Nodding she looked away "I should have tried harder. Should have protected you."

"Not your fault," he managed to say sitting up pulling away from her.

"I should be dead," she muttered to herself.

"Why?" Heath asked turning to look at her while avoiding direct eye contact.

"Alessandro said IF blood is poison to vampires..." she stopped talking as thoughts passed through his mind. "I wonder if your blood is different being a halfling."

"You don't look like a vampire," Heath told her "your eyes aren't glowing like dad's." Looking at her closely "you don't have the mark either. You don't think that..."

Touching her neck where Alessandro had bitten her. She wondered if it was true. She couldn't hear any of Heath's thoughts or smell his blood. That could just be because of him being in doll form or it could be "OMG," she uttered aloud "this could be the cure..."

***

Being tied up Don was unable to prevent being forced in the time bubble. He fell heavily to the ground as Ambrogio lost his grip on him. "Sorry," he heard him mutter as he helped him up. With a sinking feeling Don recognized the same house he and Heath had been trapped in. Why was this happening to him? What was going to happen to his baby? All these questions ran through his mind. A shrill little girls voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Daddy," she cried running towards them. Silver smirked as he held his arms out to her. Frowning as she ran past him and wrapped her arms around Don. "Daddy I knew you'd come."

"How? How did you know?" he asked looking down at the little girl.

"I know lots of things," she announced "are coming to take me home?"

"Allora come here," Silver demanded.

"My name is Kimberly," she frowned at him "that's the name my other daddy called me in his heart when I was born. I don't like Allora...." she stood in front of Silver hand on hips "and I don't like you"

"You will obey me," his voice menacing and venomous.

Shaking her head "can't make me," she giggled as he tried to pick her up.

"Now while he's distracted," a voice within Ambrogio's mind demanded. Nodding Ambrogio moved to untie Don. Then started to chant the spell he used to eject Adam from his body in reverse. As he did so he felt his control over Adam's body decrease until he was outside it. "Now Adam" he called out urgently.

Adam moved opening the portal back into their world. "Don when Kimberly comes close grab her."

Nodding in understanding Don grabbed his little girl as Adam pushed them through the portal. Adam held the portal open calling out to Ambrogio "come on let's go."

"No I've done too much. It's my time," Ambrogio told him ready to let is essence disburse.

"No," Adam cried out to him refusing to let him go. "All of this we did together. The  only way we had of getting Silver to take us to where he had my granddaughter. We couldn't have done this without your help. Come with me. You're the only one who knows how to close the portal for good."

Ambrogio hesitated looking back at Silver. He could see the anger as Silver realized he had been double crossed. There was no going back. Silver would kill him. "Once we close the portal trapping Silver inside  you must let me go. Promise me."

"I promise but only after you talk to Alanon" Adam amended "come on hurry up. I can't hold the portal open much longer."

3.13 Grief

Beverly looked up startled as the cell doors opened. Two werewolves bristled at her "move away from the body."

Shaking her head she cradled Heath's body to her. Inconsolable grief overrode her fear as the two burly men knocked her to the side. "Don't hurt him," she cried as they picked his body up.

"Lady he's already dead. What else can we do to him?" one of the werewolves said as he lifted Heath up and walked away.

"He's my son," she cried in desperation. Stopping on the other side they laughed at her. "You should have thought of that before you killed him"

Moaning Beverly watched them take her son away. Weeping in grief, guilt and rage she eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep.

***

Alanon helped Percy to his feet and half carried him to the living room couch. Alanon demanded "concentrate on the voice...."

"I can't" he moaned holding his head in pain. "My head feels like it's going to explode." He shivered from more then cold as the voice began again growing more insistent as it grew in strength. "Help me," it demanded. "I don't know how," he moaned.

Shaking him Alanon commanded "don't close your eyes. Whatever you do do not fall asleep."

Grimacing Percy sat up holding his head "make it stop," he pleaded.

Kneeling in front of him Alanon shook his head "I can't. Not until we know who is contacting you."

Groaning Percy rubbed his hands through his hair "tell me what I need to do." He squinted through the pain at Alanon "I can't take much more of this."

Putting a hand on Percy's shoulder speaking firmly "you already know who it is. The pain is blocking it from you. Push past the pain..."

"How?" he screamed in agony "it's all I feel. Please please make it stop." He gripped his head between his hands.

Grabbing his hands Alanon forced Percy to look up at him. "I know it's painful but you have to try. Think of  your wife and baby. They need you. Concentrate."

Breathing deep jagged breaths Percy tried to collect his thoughts. Flashes of memory and images of Grace entered his mind. He felt at peace as he concentrated on her allowing him to calm his scattered thoughts pushing the pain aside. "Percy help me," the voice entreated.

***

Ambrogio woke early wrapped in Silvers arms. Lying still he closed his eyes blocking out the realities of his existence. He yearned to be like Silver without soul or feelings. He could feel the guilt gnawing away at him. Eating his heart and soul away until he was as empty as the man beside him. He was supposed to protect his descendants, his children from harm. Not be the cause of it. Biting his lip to keep from crying out he tried to console himself with the knowledge that he had no choice.

Silver stirred beside him. Opening his eyes he found Silvers eyes looking down on him. Cold as ice and just as unfeeling. Silver asked "why so pensive my love?" Stroking a finger along Ambrogio's jaw line.

Stiffening Ambrogio tried to relax. Tried not to show the terror he felt at Silver's touch. Fearing the retribution if Silver found out. "It's nothing," he began only to find Silver gripping his face in a grip that would leave marks. Swallowing hard he tried to appear calm to the stern eyes staring coldly down at him.

"That's a lie," Silver hissed squeezing his face hard.

"Nothing. It's nothing," Ambrogio repeated crying out in pain and fear.

Smiling down at him Silver brought his lips down upon Ambrogios. Kissing him roughly as he pushed him deeper into the hard ground beneath them. "You're lying" Silver repeated in rage as he pulled Ambrogio to his feet. "You're feeling guilty over betraying your descendants. Don't bother denying it. I know you to well."

"Please I ... can't help the way I feel," Ambrogio murmured cowering before Ambrogio.

"I know," Silver purred in  his ear as he leaned over Ambrogio bringing his mouth down up his lips. 

"That's what makes it so much fun." Moving his hand down Ambrogio's body "I like watching you squirm."

***

Writhing in pain Beverly cried out in agony. The guards watched her throes of agony. through the bars of her cell.  "Help me please" she panted stretching a hand out to them beseeching them for help.

Shaking their heads they turned their backs to her. "Alessandro has forbidden it," one of the vampires spoke his voice not entirely devoid of pity. "You have been sentenced."

"Sentenced?" she said mystified. A sense of foreboding swept through her. Even without them saying what her sentence was she knew it was death.

"You killed...drained your child." The other vampire spoke in a cold harsh tone "there is no worse crime a vampire can commit."

"It wasn't my fault," she cried "Alessandro commanded it."

"A difficult choice. Obey the voice of your master or disobey," the younger vampire said.

"Yes but not impossible," the older angry vampire stated "it was a test and she failed." Moving to the dungeon door "come my son. We will stand guard on the other side."

Moaning on the dirty cell floor Beverly wept in pain. Lying on the floor of the cell she heard the old vampires words repeated over and over in her mind. Had it only been a test? Was she supposed to not obey her master's voice? Was their rebellion creeping into the folds of Alessandro's empire? Were the citizens growing dissatisfied with their leader? What difference did it all make? She was the worst human or vampire in existence. She consumed her child. She deserved to die. If only she could tell Adam how very sorry she was.

Screaming in agony she felt as if her insides were melting turning into liquefied mush. This wasn't normal starvation Beverly thought. Adam had resisted feeding for months before they found the plasma fruit. This was something entirely different....a vampire disease?

***

"Adam?" Percy asked putting a name to the voice "how? I thought you were dead."

"Ambrogio cast a spell to oust me from my body. I'm sorry the only link I had to go to was you..."

"Why not Heath?" Percy asked confused "he was there. Why?"

"Heath was to weak to hold my essence. He's not fully recovered from the time bubble. I couldn't risk hurting him. As it is you are not strong enough to hold my essence either."

"I can. I will." Percy said with determination.

"No my friend I cannot put you through anymore pain."

"What will happen to you?" he asked reaching out to him.

"I don't know," Adam sighed "cease to exist I suppose. Without a body my essence will break down eventually and disburse."

"Then you have to stay," Percy told him firmly "I can handle it..."

"No the pain is too much for you. I can feel how my essence is tearing you apart. I will not sit back and watch you suffer."

"I don't care," Percy said "we need you."

"You'll manage with out me. Before I go you must do something for me."

"Adam please ...." Percy tried again to persuade Adam not to leave him.

"I will not be the cause of your suffering," Adam told him refusing once again.

"Alanon can find a spell or something to reunite you with your body," Percy said desperate to find another way.

"Ask him," Adam advised.

Blinking Percy found Alanon mere inches from his face. "Have you made contact?" he asked in concern.

Nodding Percy ran a shaky hand through his hair "it's Adam."

"I thought it might be," Alanon said sitting back on his heels. "He can't reside in you..."

"he has to or we'll lose him forever," Percy said becoming upset.

"It will kill you."

"I don't care," he shouted becoming agitated in his heightened anxiety "Isn't there something else we can do? Some way to keep his essence from disbursing."

Rubbing his chin Alanon muttered "nothing permanent but maybe long enough to hunt Silver and Ambrogio down and reclaim his body. I'll need" stopping he looked at Percy in concern "I need a few days to make the potion for the spell. Can you hold on to his essence that long?"

Nodding "I will" grunting in pain "I have to."

"Well?" Adam asked.

"Alanon needs a few days to make the potion," Percy told him "it should hod you together long enough to find Ambrogio down."

"Ok," Adam agreed "we need to contact Kyle in Dragon Valley..."

"Your kids will be fine," Percy reassured him.

"It's not them I'm worried about. It's Don. Silver wants him and the child he's carrying."

"The dragons will protect him...."

"Not if they think it's me" Adam reasoned "Ambrogio is in my body. He can walk into Dragon Valley and take Don whenever he wants."

***

Moving stiffly after that mornings love making Ambrogio tried to ignore the soreness in his body and the ever increasing abundance of bruises. Looking at his shabby hospital gown and boxers he wondered why he bothered to clothe himself in their tattered remnants.

Sighing a little to loudly he caught the attention of Silver "what's the matter my love?"

Shrugging Ambrogio mumbled "I need proper clothing..."

"I prefer you were nothing at all" Silver's face flushed with annoyance as he approached Ambrogio. Reaching for the gown Ambrogio stepped backwards just out of reach. Eyes narrowed in anger Silver took a step forward.

"Please," Ambrogio pleaded "I need proper clothing if I am to enter into Dragon Valley to get Don. It will raise suspicion for Adam to appear like this...."

Considering his argument Silver nodded "very well we will acquire adequate covering." He turned and continued walking setting a pace he knew would be difficult for Ambrogio to follow. Sooner or later he would give in to the need to feed. He couldn't resist forever.

Towards nightfall he stopped motioning for Ambrogio to join him. "This time tomorrow we will be in Dragon Valley. I must leave you here to find clothing. I cannot leave alone with ensuring you will not wander off my love." Without warning Silver grabbed Ambrogio's  arms. Ambrogio lacked the strength to fight him and was soon bound hand and foot. Leaning over him Silver kissed Ambrogio's lips whispering harshly in his ear "it's our fault that I cannot trust you to be here when I return. It's your fault that restraints were necessary." One last lingering kiss that left both of them breathless Silver slipped a gag into Ambrogio's mouth. "can't have you yelling and drawing attention to yourself now can I?"

Struggling to breathe Ambrogio heard Silver walking through the woods his laughter lingering in the silence of the night. How could he have ever have loved that man? Yes he had saved his life but for what? This life of near servitude? To be forever afraid? Could he overcome his fear long enough to accomplish what needed to be done? Did he have it in him to deliver Don and his grandchild into Silver's hands? Was it necessary to finally free himself from this nightmare once and for all?"

***

"Wake her up," Alessandro demanded.

"We're trying," the guard muttered

Opening her eyes Beverly muttered "I'm still alive."

"Unfortunately," Alessandro glared at her "it seems a halfling's blood isn't as potent as an IFs. If he had been a full IF you'd be dead by now. As it is your son's blood within your veins is giving you a lingering painful death. It'd be most satisfying if I had the time to savor it."

"You knew," she mumbled weakly "you wanted us both to die."

"Of course I did. I want all of Ambrogio's spawn to perish," grabbing her hair and yanking her head back "it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. You killing your halfling son then dying from the very same blood is just so appropriate don't you think?" Standing he ordered "take her to the boys body. She'll be dead soon anyway." The guards moved to pick her up ignoring her weak attempts to fight them off. Laughing at her struggles "soon my dear your suffering will be over."

***

"Did you reach them?" Percy asked from the couch when Alanon entered the house.

"No the call didn't go through," Alanon sighed "I think Silver has put up some kind of block to prevent us from warning Don of trouble."

"Does that mean Ambrogio isn't working with Silver?" Percy asked for Adam after relaying the information back to him.

"I don't know," Alanon paced the floor "I wish I was confident that we could trust Ambrogio. But I...I can't. This could just be Silver covering all his bases. I simply don't know."

Watching the nervous pacing Percy said "Adam wants to know what Ambrogio's relationship was like with Silver."

"Why does that matter now?" Alanon asked staring into space.

"It could give us some insight into what's motivating Ambrogio," Percy explained.

"That's just it I don't know," Alanon uttered a plaintive cry "I never met Silver. I... only say the bruises...the fear in Ambrogio's eyes whenever I would visit him. He never told me. Always had an excuse. Most of the time it was abuse dealt out by Alessandro."

"Weren't you connected?" Percy asked.

"It doesn't mean I know intimate details," Alanon said "I'm connected to you. Can you sense things about me?"

A slight shake of his head Percy knew he was right. He was connected to Adam. It was a connection they could turn on and off. He never felt his personal space had ever been intruded upon. Adam said that Selene was once Ambrogio's wife. He wasn't always gay?"

Sliding down the wall Alanon hung his head "I don't think he ever was. Not until Silver found him. He has some sort of hold on him. I would have known if Ambrogio had been gay....I told him I loved him and he .... he didn't feel the same."

"Maybe he didn't like you," Percy began.

"That's not it. Ambrogio told me he didn't like the idea of being with a man. I watched him. He had only ever been attracted to women. He married Selene because he loved her. His relationship with Silver isn't mutual, not natural."

***

Laying where they tossed her Beverly closed her eyes to keep from seeing Heath's discarded body in the junk pile they had been tossed in. Tears slid from her eyes as she weakly mourned her son. He was barely 18 years old. He had barely lived his life and she had killed him. Wy hadn't she resisted? She deserved to die. Deserved this fate. She hoped that wherever Adam was he was ok and that he didn't blame himself for what happened. She recalled that last moment. The look of shock that spread across his handsome face as Alessandro bit her. Changed her. She was the monster Adam could never be.

A rustle near her alerted her to a presence of some kind. Squeezing her eyes shut, heart beating fast her mind shouting rats. Rats come to eat the flesh from their bones. She wanted to scream to run but could only lie their in dread. Something touched her hand warm and soft. She waited for the first piercing of pain as sharp little teeth bit into her flesh....