4.23 So It Begins

Walking into the club Keenan glanced around the interior. It looked like a rundown arcade with the addition of a bar in the corner for the older clientele. It was rather desolate except for a couple of girls near their own age sitting at a table. He groaned inwardly as Tommy strode confidently up to the girl's table. He followed a step or two behind.

"Hey Ladies," Tommy greeted them with his best ingratiating grin "what brings you two lovelies out on a night like this?"

"Obviously we wanted to be left alone" the bumble faerie said in a somewhat hostile tone.

"Don't be like that" her companion said with a smile directed at both boys. Her eyes brightening as they came to rest on Keenan. She gave him a wink before turning her attention to Tommy. Leaving Keenan slightly flushed "we came for some fun. Looks like we may have found it."

"Don't encourage him" the bumble muttered glaring at her green skinned companion.

"Why not?"she demanded "they seem nice." 

Sitting down Tommy winked at the girls motioning for Keenan to join them "we are nice sugar."

The bumble tensed as she moved to leave. Standing she bumped into Keenan. "Watch it" she growled pulling back as he reached out to steady her.

"Sorry" he mumbled looking away dropping his hands. He took a step back to allow the girl to pass him.

Some of her anger dissipated confronted by the meek stance of the boy in front of her "no I'm sorry..."

"Don't mind my cousin" Keenan said "he's new here...."

"He's human" the girl added as if that explained everything. Turning she watched the irritating boy deep in conversation with the elf.

"Yeah he doesn't know much about supernaturals," Keenan explained "give him a chance. He can be nice once you get to know him."

"You're a vampire," the faerie observed with interest.

Nodding Keenan squirmed under her scrutiny. Tommy glanced up with a smirk "he's not just a vampire. He's the vampire in charge."

A low combined rumble filled the room as Keenan's bodyguard tensed for action. The girls eyed the large displeased werewolves warily "you're the heir. The prince," the bumble mumbled in a low weak voice as she dropped to her knees shivering in his presence.

"What are you doing?" Keenan asked appalled that the girl was on her knees at his feet. "Get up," he pleaded looking around hoping no one was watching "please get up" he repeated.

"I meant no disrespect" the girl said gathering her feet beneath her "I've heard stories about a great powerful vampire king who brought peace to Moonlight Falls." Her eyes if anything grew larger "that must be why humans have been allowed here. I had heard many stories about them but I always believed humans were a myth. Created to scare children into behaving."

"Well sugar I'm not...."

"Don't call me that" she interrupted stomping her foot forgetting entirely in whose presence she was 

in.

"Why? Sugar is an endearing nickname" Tommy glanced from his cousin to the irate girl "I meant no disrespect."

"He doesn't understand" Keenan attempted to smooth things over.

"He should have some manners if he expects to stay here," she pointed out glaring at Tommy.

"I'm sorry" he said contritely. Standing Tommy walked around the table holding his hand out "I'm Tommy" he said introducing himself.

Keenan shook his head trying not to laugh as the bumble silently glared at his cousin. The strain was too much and the pressure to laugh came out as a strangled snort. "Sorry" he mumbled as he felt everyone staring at him.

Hesitantly the faerie took the humans hand. A gesture both awkward and invigorating "I'm Velvet."

***

Heath was pushing papers around his desk trying to come up with some sort of system to take care of everyones concerns and complaints. He'd come up with several piles marked urgent take care of immediately. Important must be done within a few weeks. Serious but can wait. Neutral take care of when feasible. Not the best system. It would have to do until he sorted through everything.

He glanced up rubbing his eyes as someone knocked on his office door. A man was escorted inside. Heath smiled recognizing him "Jeff I'm so glad you were able to come."

Shaking hands Jeff sat down "it sounded urgent."

"And you were hoping you'd have time to see your son before you got started" Heath gave him a knowing grin "I'd do the same thing if I were you."

"Have you seen Tommy?" Jeff asked eager to hear news of his boy.

"He's rooming with my baby brother Keenan" Heath said "they're doing fine. Plus he's under constant guard so you don't have to worry about him getting into trouble."

"I'm his dad. Worry comes with the territory" Jeff chuckled a little relieved that his son was doing ok.

"Don't I know it. I have two grown up daughters, a couple of teenagers and a five year old," Heath smiled fondly looking at the family photo on his desk "you never stop worrying."

"What do I need to know about Mr. Lawrence?" Jeff asked getting down to business.

Heath handed him a large over stuffed file, "sorry the IF's aren't exactly into the computer age yet."

Thumbing through the large file Jeff sighed at the daunting task of reading through it. The sheer weight of the file seemed to predict how difficult the task was going to be. "Any suggestions where I should start?" he asked laying the folder aside for now.

"I'd start in Isla Paradiso. That's where all his resorts and warehouses are" Heath suggested "if he holds true to form he's probably still running them under an alias or something."

"What do you want me to do when I locate him" he asked.

"Once you locate him contact me. I'll send a delegate of IF's to apprehend him to bring him Midnight Hollow to face trial for his crimes." Heath got up walking around his desk "Mr Lawrence is a terrible person."

"I'll check with the local PD to see what his human persona has in the system" Jeff rubbed his chin deep in thought "I'll call it research for the family since by human life spans he should be dead by now."

"Or very freakin old" Heath shook his head "which is why he was adamant that Kyle take over running the family business."

Standing Jeff nodded towards Heath "I'll drop in to see my son then catch the earliest flight to Isla Paradiso."

"Let me know what I can do to help," Heath said following him outside.

"I could use a partner" Jeff said "someone to help with all the leg work."

"Well one day I'm sure you'll find someone," Heath assured him.

"I hope so" he waved as he walked away.

***

It was a rare treat for them to have a few hours to themselves. Everett insisted they do something different just the two of them. Leaving Phoebe with her great grandmother Kimberly allowed Everett to blind fold her and lead her from the house. "Where are we going?" she asked clutching his hand.

"Not far," he assured her starting the car. He drove to the little beach he had found on one of his explorations of Moonlight Falls. Not many people were there making it perfect for what he had planned.

Leaning over he removed the blind fold. Kimberly blinked up at him then at the scenery around them. "It's beautiful" she gasped as he got out of the car and ran across the car to help her out.

Taking her hand Everett walked with her to the water's edge. Kneeling in the damp sand he gazed up at her. "You've had my heart since the moment I saw you. I put on a gruff crusty facade intended to keep you and everyone else away. You looked beyond that to the man beneath. I never wanted to be vulnerable again yet with you I am weak."

She knelt in the sand beside him. She brought her hands up to stroke his face "you are not weak. You're one of the strongest men I know. You left everything you knew to be with me."

Taking her hand he gently kissed the palm "I love you so much it hurts. I never want to be without you. I want to walk this world with you by my side now, forever and always." He could see the tears shimmering in her eyes. He felt her soft gentle touch as she wiped the tears from his cheeks. Their eyes locked breathing rapidly he asked "will you marry me?" He held his breath feeling as if the world had stopped waiting for her answer.

"Yes" she said so softly he almost didn't hear her. "Yes yes yes I'll marry you," she shouted joyfully setting the world to spinning again. He pulled her close smashing his mouth on hers. Kissing with a need, a passion, a love they both shared.

When they came up for air they were lying in the cool damp sand of the beach. Laughing Everett attempted to brush the sand from her long brown hair. 

She bit her lip looking up at him through her long lashes "we have one problem" she said biting her bottom lip. She watched as his smile faded and a profound sadness spread across his handsome face. "We either have to get married now. Like right away or wait. At least a year or two."

He blinked unsure of what he just heard "you still want to marry me?"

"Of course" she put a hand on her stomach "the problem we have is right here." She took her other hand to grab Everett's hand to cover her hand on top of her stomach.

"You're pregnant" he choked barely getting the words out.

Nodding she watched as his face transformed again "this is your future. Your legacy. The family we create together."

"I love you so much" he murmured pulling her close "I don't want to wait another year to make you mine."

"I don't need to be married to know I'm yours and your mine" she kissed his nose "whether we're married or not we belong to each other forever and ever." She entwined her fingers with his "I love you Everett Gray."

***

Quinn stayed longer then she planned or expected with Phoenix and the twins. She didn't want to return home. Back to  her own dimension where she would have to be alone. She envied Phoenix the playful chatter of the kids.

"It's not all fun and games" his voice interrupted her thoughts "I worry each time I leave them to tend to something in the dimension."

"You need a babysitter" she fretted.

"I have one" Phoenix assured her "it just hasn't been activated since you've been here."

"Activated" she asked.

"It's a  simbot from Oasis Landing made to care for children" he explained "I couldn't bring someone here into safe haven to care for them. The fewer people who know of their existence the better."

She nodded in understanding. His dimension knew nothing of male pregnancy. She approved of his precautions. She sat on the floor reading to the kids. She still couldn't wrap her mind around the idea that she was a mother. Her. The one who wasn't ever supposed to have children. For that fact alone she couldn't have them in her dimension at least not openly acknowledge them as her children. She couldn't give the Elysians anything to use against her. She gasped eyes becoming large and wide with alarm.

"What's wrong?" Phoenix asked watching as the blood drained from her face.

"Silver" she whispered the hated name "Silver knows of their existence."

"That's not good" Phoenix echoed her feelings.

"No it's not. It's awful" she stood up "I need to leave."

Before she could go Phoenix grabbed her "tell me what's the danger. Are the twins in danger?" He shook her slightly in his urgency "tell me".

"Yes" she cried "Silver will use them to get what he wants. He could tell my enemies of their existence. They could force me to work on their fertility issues."

"Isn't that what you're known for?" he asked confusion written on his face and voice.

"It is but it's also what caused me to become the dimension watcher" she sighed knowing it was time she told him everything. It took several hours to explain it all. In the end he sat in silence staring at the kids quietly playing together. Quinn stirred beside him taking his silence as rejection she stood "I should leave."

"Don't go" he cried when her back was towards him "not like this. I'm sorry I never knew anyone who had been punished by the council before. I come from a people who volunteer to help them out. They need a watcher someone volunteers for a set time period. I'll confess this scares me a lot." He got up and took her in his arms "but am I any better? I broke the rules the moment I fell in love with you. The moment I took you in my bed." Gently he kissed her squeezing her tight.

She clung to him needing someones strength to rely on other than her own "I only wanted to help. I made everything so much worse."

"You're not alone now. We'll get through this together" he ran his fingers through her hair "we'll have to be cautious. We'll get through this. I'll help you as much as I can."

"All right" she sniffed taking a step back "I have to go. I've been away too long."

"I know," he sighed staring at her as if he'd never see her again.

"Erix" his wife called his name "we've found a Wandler."

"Where is it?" Erix asked looking around the room in eager anticipation.

"It has already been dispatched" she advised him "I thought it more important it got started terrorizing the child then wasting time meeting with you."

Anger flashed in his pale purple eyes "I do not like having my wishes ignored even by you."

"Forgive me" she was quick to bow in deference to his authority "I overstepped by bounds. It was only my excitement in finding a Wandler that prompted my rash decision."

"You're forgiven" he said with a stiff lipped smile "don't let it happen again. I won't be so forgiving next time."

"Understood" she said eyes wary "the Wandler will report once she's in place."

"Good good" Erix nodded a tinge of guilt knifing it's way through his consciousness. The guilt that told him what he was doing was wrong. Wrong to delight in the torment of an innocent child in their quest to have their own children. He understood the wrong of it. If it were him watching his child suffer he would not want to help the tormentors. He knew what he was doing was wrong. What other choice did he have?

The Wandler silently surveyed the toys in the room of the sleeping child. Which toy was favored by the girl? Then she saw it. A rag doll hugged tight to the girls chest. Smiling the wandler vanished becoming one with the stuffed lifeless doll. She felt the comforting weight of the child's warm body hugging it's new form tight. Tonight it would enjoy the simple comfort of sleeping with the child. Getting a feel of the child's' dreams, her nightmares. When the child woke the games would begin. A hint of a smile etched itself across the dolls expressionless face. The Wandler could hardly wait to begin. It had been much too long since it had the pleasure of terrorizing a child. This was going to be fun.

***

"This is not a good idea," his senior guard protested  upon hearing that Adam intended to visit the school upon request of the first grade class. "If you they wish an audience with the esteemed one they can come here."

"They're children," Adam chuckled "what harm could it possibly make to speak to their class?"

"It's not the children that concern me," the man grumbled "it's the vulnerable areas where it would be easy to attack. I would not put it past Serafino to have arranged this expedition in the hopes of attacking you."

"I have already given my word," Adam said refusing to back down "what do you suggest I do?"

The werewolf thought a moment before making the following suggestion "a field trip sir."

That almost brought a smile to Adam's face "there's merit to your suggestion. Children love field trips." Rubbing his chin Adam nodded liking the idea more the longer he considered it "make the arrangements" he said turning to his assistant.

"Yes sir" the man said stepping forward and walking away to do as he was ordered.

A loud commotion had the senior guard throwing Adam behind him as a group of young vampires rushed through the door. A strange almost hypnotic glow in their eyes as they charged past the werewolves dropping several with what appeared to be silver bullets.

Although caught off guard by the attack and several of their members lay wounded or dead. The senior guard fought to protect his superior. A shot rang out deafening everyone nearby. The guard went down clutching his left arm to his side.

Adam charged the young vampire pointing the gun. A look of fear and recognition brightened his dazed eyes for a moment. A searing pain in Adam's chest brought him to his knees as the boy twisted a wooden stake through him. Dimly he was aware of shouts from several more guards rushing into the room subduing the young vampires.

Adam felt the cool clammy wetness as his own blood leaked from his wound. His heart beat painfully in his chest as one of his trusted guards lifted him and carried him to safety. His head lolled back on the heavily muscled shoulder. He could feel his life force slowly ebbing away. His final thought was for his young son who was ill equipped to take his place on the throne.

4.22 Calm Before The Storm

Erix sat across from his mate. He would do anything to make her smile. Unfortunately the only thing that would make that happen seemed to be impossible. A child. Their child. It had been millennia since any Elysian had been able to have a child. Immortality had become an intolerable torment. If only there was a way to coerce the dimension watcher into helping them.

He looked up eyes connecting with his mates "I would do anything to see you smile."

"Let me follow her" his wife requested.

"What good would that do?" he asked.

"I don't know," Saria's frustration was clear in her voice and the way she paced the floor instead of sitting "maybe she will lead us to the child."

"If Silver is to be believed" Erix pointed out.

She stopped her aimless pacing "you don't believe him?"

"No I don't" he sighed "that creature has lied to us one too many times. I do not intend to follow him blindly again."

Throwing herself into a chair with a dejected air she moaned "then what can we do? Quinn's our only hope to achieve our goal."

Tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the table. Erix let his mind wander. He needed a way to keep tabs on the watcher. Something she wouldn't suspect. "What's the name of the family that keeps thwarting us?" he asked the beginnings of an idea germinating in his brain.

"Van Winkle" she almost choked on the name. They had been instrumental in over throwing their bid for control over Oasis Landing. Always meddling in their business. "Peter Van Winkle has made great strides in male pregnancy in humans. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" she asked turning towards her mate.

"I am" he gave her a predatory smile "we need to somehow get inside that family."

"They won't accept IF dolls not after that fiasco with Windy," the woman pointed out.

"The IF's are no longer reliable allies since Adam took over Moonlight Falls" Erix said "but we could do something similar."

"Similar" she asked confused.

"I need a Wandler" he announced "one that can take the form of any object."

"There's not many of them left. A wandler can only attache itself to the very young or the very vulnerable. Most have moved on to other worlds," his wife mused aloud.

"All we need is one" he gave her a look full of glee and anticipation "if memory serves me right Wandlers delight in scaring children. Turning their dreams into nightmares."

A genuine smile spread across the woman's face "I'll start searching for one right away."

"Good" Erix nodded "preferably we find one that is unusually cruel. That way we can entice Peter into doing whatever we say to keep his family safe."

She stood giving her husband a kiss "I always knew you were an evil genius."

***

Phoenix glared at his unexpected visitor. Arms crossed he felt his heart hammer inside his chest.
"Why are you here?" he demanded his voice full of anger. He could feel all the repressed feelings he had for his visitor. How they had betrayed him, left him to fend for himself, alone and scared.

"I'm sorry" his visitor said speaking softly "I didn't know."

"Didn't know" he shouted "how couldn't you know?"

"It's never happened before" she stammered taken aback by his anger "if I had known do you think I would have kept it from you? I would have warned you. I would have kept things from getting physical between us."

"So I'm not capable of self-restraint?" Phoenix thundered.

"That's not what I meant" she took a step forward "please forgive me. I should have come sooner. I should have been here to help you."

"Why weren't you?" he asked "I called for you for months. All my entreaties went unanswered. Did I mean so little to you that I was so easily forgotten?"

"No" Quinn cried "it's because I loved you that I refused to answer your requests. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do." She took a step forward stopping within arms length of him "I've thought about you everyday. I thought about how the changes I was making would keep our dimensions safe. I never wanted to hurt you."

Taking a couple of steps forward Phoenix drew her close to him. Her head resting on his chest "I'm sorry. I should have known better."

"Yes you should have" she agreed stepping away from him. Wiping her eyes frowning at the wetness that prevented her from denying her true feelings.

"What do we do now?" Phoenix asked worry replacing his anger "I can't hide the kids forever."

"We'll deal with that when and if the council ever comes. In the mean time we do everything we can to keep your dimension in balance." She strode away from him to gaze out the window. His safe haven was small but functional while hers was sparsely decorated. She couldn't help but smile at the contrast their havens made to Audric's mansion. His haven always made her feel somewhat uncomfortable. The time and resources spent on that could have been spent on the dimension he was supposed to be watching.

"Do you want to see them?" Phoenix asked.

Fear pumped through her veins at the thought of seining her children for the first time. "I..I don't know" she stammered afraid once she saw them she wouldn't want to leave them.

Taking her hand he dragged her towards a hidden door. "I don't know if this will prevent the council from finding them but I thought it couldn't hurt to take precautions."

She walked into the room to find a little boy and girl playing on the floor. Their happy chatter and giggles lifted her spirits, lightened her heart. "Hi" she waggled her fingers at them as they stared wide eyed up at her.

"Whose that?" the boy asked pointing.

"She's pretty" the girl added.

"Kids" Phoenix said kneeling beside them "this beautiful lady is your mom."

"Mommy" the girl cried running to her.

Quinn patted the fiery red hair of the little girl that was squeezing her knee caps off. The boy stood staring, hands on hips "we don't need another girl" he announced.

"Sure we do" Phoenix said with an amused grin "there's always room for more girls." The boy shook his head unhappy with the change in his world "why don't you say hello. She won't bite."

"You sure?" the boy asked gazing up at his dad's face for confirmation.

"I'm positive" Phoenix gave the boy an encouraging smile pushing him forward.

"Hi" the boy said with a shy smile "are you really our mom?"

"Yes I am" Quinn said kneeling down to talk to him. The little girl crawled into her lap. "We can visit you?" she asked.

Looking up Quinn turned to Phoenix silently asking for his help. "I don't know princess. Maybe when you're older" he said.

***

"Daddy" Phoebe shouted running across the hard slippery wood floor. "Daddy" she cried again arms flailing as she tumbled to the floor.

Racing to his daughter's side Everett picked the little girl up into his arms. Heart pounding as he inspected her for injuries.

"Daddy" she giggled throwing her arms around his neck.

"Phoebe" he laughed squeezing her squirming little body to him.

"Daddy let go" she giggled as his beard scratched her cheek "stop daddy."

"Stop what" he laughed rubbing his chin on her cheek.

Everett put the little girl down and watched her run careening off the wall in her ungainly way. Shaking his head he glanced up to find Kimberly watching him. "Hello beautiful" he said strutting up to her.

Kimberly sighed as his arms embraced her. Resting her head on his chest breathing deeply "Phoebe couldn't wait for you to come home," she said looking up at him.

"I could tell" he said kissing her nose "I love being greeted by that bundle of energy."

"I imagine she was just like you when you were that age" Kimberly said stroking his whiskered cheeks "what's wrong?" she asked seeing the clouded hurt expression in his strong gray eyes.

"It's nothing" he mumbled turning away.

"Everett don't walk away" Kimberly implored him "tell me what's wrong? What did I say?"

Sighing he turned drawing Kimberly close to him "it's not you. It's me." He blinked several times as a tick in his jaw went into overdrive "I don't know if I was like that when I was Phoebe's age. There's no one left to ask."

"That was so thoughtless of me" she leaned up to place a kiss on his lips "It's so easy for me having so much of my family around all the time."

Nodding he gazed intently into her eyes "sometimes it's overwhelming. Don't get me wrong I'm glad our daughter will have such a rich family history but what do I have to offer her?"

"Oh honey" she gently brought his head down to rest on her forehead "just because your family isn't here doesn't make your history any less important than mine. I'm very grateful to your parents. Without their sacrifice there would be no you. No you no us. No us no Phoebe."

Resting his forehead on hers Everett closed his eyes. He always wondered why his parents had sacrificed their lives for him. It was him who had led his girlfriend to them. It was him she had used to betray them. He could still hear his mother's voice telling him he was destined for great things. That he would have to travel great distances to meet his true love. He couldn't imagine going farther than another dimension. Had his mother known what his future would be? If she had their sacrifice made so much more sense. "Thank you" he murmured burying his face in her hair.

***

Serafino stood outside the castle walls glaring at the werewolves barring his entrance to the interior. He stepped forward upon seeing Adam emerge accompanied by his father Peter. His nose curled in disgust catching the scent of human stench. Some vampires enjoyed the smell of humans, dined on them regularly. Serafino wasn't one of them. The thought made his blood boil. He preferred his carefully selected witches blood. Adam he knew had never tasted blood, even his son a born vampire had never tasted blood. Their example had inspired several others to become what they liked to call vegetarians.

Weak minded individuals that thought this mongrel ruler was special. He couldn't wait to rid Moonlight Falls of this mongrel and all who followed him. He smirked imagining decorating the city center with their heads upon stakes. That would be a glorious day Serafino thought until then he had to pretend to cower before this mongrel.

"My lord" he said bowing low "a minute of your time."

"Now is not a good time" Adam said walking past him "make an appointment with my secretary."

"I need to see you now," Serafino growled.

Adam's eyes narrowed at the man's insolence. He stopped despite the disapproval of his armed guards Peter leaned in close whispering "this isn't a good idea. He means trouble."

Silently nodding Adam addressed Serafino who stood with an expectant look on his face. One that said he had gotten his way and delayed the ruler from his chosen course. The one that said I am important and you are not. Turning his back on the arrogant insufferable vampire Adam said "make an appointment and clear it with my guards."

Serafino rushed forward eyes glossed over "I will be treated with respect".

Moving quickly the guard closed in around Adam preventing the ancient vampire from touching Adam. With a grunt of pain Serafino struggled within their grasp. "I see you've trained your dogs well" Serafino snapped his intelligent eyes glowing.

Ignoring him Adam let his guard handle the situation. He didn't speak about the incident until they reached his home. After being greeted by his wife and hugging his granddaughters Adam inclined his head towards Peter a silent request for him to follow him.

Closing the door behind him Peter asked "what do you think Serafino was trying to accomplish?"

"Besides being an ass?" Adam asked "I think he was testing my guards reaction to a threat to me."

Nodding Peter rubbed his chin "I got that impression as well."

"He wants my head" Adam said more to himself then to anyone else "why?"

"He wants to be in power" Peter supplied "he was in a position of power while you and Keenan were missing. He doesn't want to lose that control."

"Which means if he manages to get rid of me he'll go after Keenan next," Adam could feel his anxiety rising. The days he'd run were over. Too many people depended on him. He had no choice but to face this new threat head on.

***

Keenan stood staring at his assortment of clothes rejecting each one as being too boring. He glanced over at his cousin envious of his easy manner and ability to fit in. "I have nothing to wear" he complained slamming the door shut.

Looking up from his phone Tommy glanced at Keenan "what's wrong with what you've got on?"

Looking down picking at his sleeves Keenan asked "isn't it, I don't know kind of nerdy?"

Shrugging Tommy went back to the game he was playing "not if that's your style. Besides it's more your attitude then the clothes you wear."

"What about the saying it's the clothes that make the man?" Keenan asked.

"That's kind of simplistic" he said shutting the game down "take the clothes away and we're all the same. All the same accept for our personalities."

Rolling his eyes Keenan groaned "I wish you weren't so philosophical. I just want to look good."

Standing up Tommy walked towards his cousin "just calm down and have fun. If you're having fun it won't matter what you look like."

"Sounds easy enough," Keenan muttered "except the calm down part. I'm no good at that."

"No you're more the die of a heart attack type of guy," Tommy laughed at the horrified look Keenan gave him "stick with me kid and I'll have you relaxed in no time."

"So where are we going?" Keenan asked giving up the idea of changing his look for one night out.

"Well I thought we'd try this new club I found" Tommy said "we can't get into any of the really nice nightclubs because we're not old enough."

"I've never heard of the place," Keenan said glancing through the flyer Tommy handed him.

"Not surprised" Tommy laughed "you don't go out much. Any chance we can ditch the body guards?"

Shaking his head Keenan could feel his anxiety sky rocketing at the mere thought of going out without them. "No absolutely not" he stammered in response "dad already has a death threat out on him. By extension that applies to me too."

"Ok ok don't get your panties in a twist" Tommy chuckled "I didn't really think you would. I've been around enough to know when someone has a bodyguard there's a reason why."

"So you just wanted to see what my reaction would be?" Keenan asked. He never knew if he should take his cousin seriously or not "you never did tell me why you came to Moonlight Falls."

Shrugging Tommy looked out the window "Call it good old fashioned curiosity."

Groaning Keenan tossed a pillow at him "that's not a reason. You've been evading the question for weeks, why?"

Tommy got a far away expression on his face before he replied "I guess I'm here to prove a point. I've read about Moonlight Falls and supernaturals all my life. I've heard about my Great Uncle Adam and how he was turned into a vampire. It just fueled my curiosity. I wanted to see it for myself. Mom said I was crazy to believe that such things exist. That I should just grow up."

Sighing he moved around the room restlessly "she sucked the life out of dad and she was doing the same to me." He stopped abruptly turning to Keenan "don't get me wrong I love my mom but she's not very understanding about things she could care less about. She likes to be in control. I don't like to be controlled. I chafed under her rules. So I left. Came here. I wanted to do research for a book I'm writing. All the things mom said would be a waste of time."

"She sounds awful" Keenan couldn't help but say "I can't imagine my parents being like that."

"It's what it is" he shrugged "my dad is cool though. That might be why mom always liked it when he was gone because us kids always gravitated towards him when he was home."

***

Heath sighed it was good to be home. He didn't know how his father did it. Running a town was a lot of hard work. All the complaints, the demands and disgruntled people. He kept telling himself it had only been a month. Things would get better he hoped.

He found Don in the kitchen making supper. He put his arms around him as he was chopping vegetables for dinner. Kissing his stubbly cheeks he asked "how was your day?"

Setting the knife down Don turned in Heath's arms. Putting his arms around his neck he captured Heath's lips with a passionate kiss "I've missed you" he said.

"I missed you too" Heath nuzzled into him breathing deeply "smells good. What's for dinner?"

"Your favorite" Don said "macaroni and cheese." He laughed at the scrunched up look of disgust on his Heath's face "I'm joking. It's lasagna."

"Anything I can do to help?" Heath asked reluctantly letting his husband go.

"Nope" Don said "just sit there and look pretty."

"Well that's a pretty hard job to do. Not everyone can do it" Heath said with a smile. It felt good to joke around with his husband. There was a time he didn't think he'd ever see Don again. He didn't want to waste time arguing when he could be enjoying what he had.

"Anything new happen today at work?" Don asked.

Heath could hear the curiosity in his husband's voice. Don found IF's more interesting then he did. That was the only bad thing about the move to Midnight Hollow. Being in close contact with other IF's. His children had to go to school with them. This would become normal to them. He ran a hand through his blue hair "there's something that came up today that you may not like."

Don set his knife aside with a loud clatter on the counter "what's wrong?"

Heath could hear the fear and anxiety in Don's voice. He moved to ease some of the tension from his shoulders. Kneading Don's shoulder's Heath explained "there's a complaint against Kyle's father. The 

IF's want him brought to justice for his crimes. I've sent a request to your cousin Jeff to see if he can locate him. Once he's found I'll send a delegate of IF's to bring him back."

"Do you think it's wise to use a human to look for him?" Don asked.

"It may be the only thing he won't expect" Heath said "I'll ask Kyle to watch out for him."

"I hope you find him" Don said picking up his knife to continue chopping the vegetables "it's about time he was brought to justice."

4.21 A New Threat

Quinn entered the room expecting to see more Elysians to be present at the meeting. "Let's make this quick," she said walking towards the couple standing by a long conference table "I have important business to attend to."

The purple male frowned in response to her announcement. His female counterpart stepped forward blocking Quinn's advancement towards the table. "How dare you imply this meeting is a waste of your precious time," blue skinned woman growled.

Quinn eyed the woman with distaste "I didn't imply anything. I believe I said it." She tossed her hair over her shoulder as if to dismiss the girl. Turning her attention wholly on the male she repeated "I'm a busy person. State your business before I lose my patience."

"Our business is the same as it has always been" he snapped crossing his arms.

"Then you're wasting my time," she turned to find her exit blocked by the girl "out of my way," she ordered.

"Not until you've listened to our demands."

"Demands?" Quinn asked incredulity in her voice "you ask for the impossible."

"It's not impossible" the woman spat at her "Silver is proof it's not impossible."

"Don't bring that vile creature into this," Quinn hissed "he's the epitome of why this is impossible."

"You don't know that," the woman retorted "how do you know the next won't be better?"

"How do I know the next won't be worse?" Quinn asked unmoved by the girls argument or the man's silence.

"We want children" the woman cried giving way to tears "our own children."

"Don't you think I want the same?" Quinn asked her voice rising "I tried to help you once. I failed."

"Look at us," the man all but shouted "we have the appearance of youthful vigor but we're both millions of years old."

"Our reproductive powers were take from us," the woman wailed "stolen without our consent."

Shaking her head Quinn's eyes narrowed "you agreed in exchange for immortality. It was my mistake to interfere."

"It was nothing more than a punishment. Having to raise someone else's children while never being able to have our own." The man shook his fist in the air in front of Quinn's face "can't you see our torment?"

Quinn put her hands over her ears. She had heard this hundreds of times before. The argument hadn't changed. The IF's were made as a direct result of the Elysian's quest to reproduce. Was it wrong? Quinn couldn't find it within her to blame them. It was what motivated her to try and help them once "I'm sorry I failed."

"All we're asking is for you to try again" the man implored.

"You're in charge of fertility...." the woman pointed out.

"I was in charge" Quinn shouted losing her temper trapped between what she should do and what she could do "I can't help you. I can't even help myself. I'm as barren as you are."

***

Heath stopped packing to stare out the window at the familiar view. In the few short years since they had come to Moonlight Falls it had become home to him.

"Honey what is it?" Don asked moving up beside him.

Heath turned shaking his head. He felt Don's arms slip comfortingly around him "I'm worried...no I'm afraid...."

"Of what?" Don asked "of moving to Midnight Hollow? You can do this. Your Dad wouldn't have asked this of you if you couldn't do it."

"Everyone has so much confidence in me," Heath mumbled "what if I make a mistake?"

"Honey everyone makes mistakes even those in charge," Don gently pulled his husband close "the trick is what we do after we make the mistake." He looked into his husbands troubled blue eyes "I have a feeling there's  more to this then fear of making mistakes."

Heath moved away rubbing his hands up and down his arms "my only experience with IF's haven't been exactly good."

"Your mother and Mr Lawrence" Don supplied the names watching as Heath nodded unhappily "you can't let them hold you back."

"What if..." Heath's voice drifted away. It was an old fear. One he had since he was a young child.

"Life is full of what ifs" Don took Heath's hand in his "all IF's aren't the same. They're different. You're Uncle Kyle is an example of that. He's as different from his dad as summer is to winter."

"I know" Heath sighed "what if I..." he couldn't say it. It was to horrible to contemplate.

"Are you afraid you'll become like your mother?" Don asked "you know you have nothing to worry about right? Kyle hasn't turned into his father so you won't become your mother. It's an 

impossibility."

"Thank you" Heath murmured leaning into Don "I needed to hear that."

"That's what I'm here for," Don squeezed him tight.

***

Kimberly listened to the hushed sounds of her parents moving around in their room. She knew how upset her dad was about taking a leadership role among people he didn't understand or trust. She sent a comforting thought to him with her mind. She felt his turmoil mix with relief "daddy I love you ."

"Don't worry about me sweet heart" he said to her. She could hear him chuckle inside her head "love you to baby girl."

Kimberly turned to find Everett watching her with Phoebe snuggled in his arms. "I'm never going to get used to that" he said giving her cheek a quick peck.

"Used to what?" she asked taking Phoebe from him "me talking to my dad?"

Rolling his eyes he shook his head "no. Of you communicating with him with your mind. I wish we could do that."

"If we could then we couldn't get married" she smiled up at him.

"Does that mean you will marry me?" he asked leaning in close.

"Maybe" she laughed skipping backwards as he tried to grab her.

"That's not an answer" he complained chasing her around the room to the obvious delight of their little girl. Her high pitched squeals filling the air around them.

"That's the only answer you're going to get until I get a proper proposal" she told him leaning against the wall catching her breath.

"What makes for a proper proposal?" Everett asked taking Phoebe from her arms. Setting her on the floor he turned back to Kimberly "a romantic candle lit dinner?" He kissed her cheek "a dozen red roses?" He kissed her other cheek "on bended knee?" He kissed her nose "words of undying love?" He brought his hands up to caress her face "sealed with a kiss." His mouth hovered above hers a moment before he pressed his lips down upon hers. His tongue brushing against hers in a fevered, passionate kiss.

***

Keenan waited by the bus stop watching as people went about their business. Some were going on vacations to exotic locations. Others were going home from business trips. Some were returning home to stay afraid the borders would close for good. Keenan always enjoyed coming here to watch people, wondering where they were going, what they had seen wishing he could be one of them. It wasn't to be. Not for him. He had to stay in Moonlight Falls. He was the future ruler. On his 21st birthday he would come into his powers becoming a full vampire. He would be expected to take his fathers place as ruler. 

His eyes darted around the bus stop wondering if he dared get on the waiting bus. Take one carefree trip leaving his guards behind. He should just go. Have one moment of carefree fun. He took a step forward when a young man stepped off the bus looking around eyes bright with curiosity. Keenan knew the visitor was human. That in itself wasn't strange but considering the strained relations between supernaturals and humans it was unusual a human would come to Moonlight Falls. In fact the only humans in Moonlight Falls were relatives of Keenan's. Serafino had revoked the visas of everyone else. Had his father invited this human to Moonlight Falls? 

Approaching him Keenan said "you're new. Did my father invite you to Moonlight Falls?"

The young man turned around a grin on his handsome face "depends on who your father is."

"I suppose it would," Keenan chuckled a little "it's just we don't get many humans here."

The boy frowned "how do you know I'm human?"

Shrugging Keenan half turned away as he said "by your smell mostly. Humans smell different from say vampires or werewolves."

Nodding the young man rubbed his chin thoughtfully "I'll have to remember that. I'm Thomas Bennett but all my friends call me Tommy."

"Any relation to Beverly Bennett?" Kennan asked his voice rising with excitement. It was a rare occasion he got to meet anyone from the Bennett side of the family.

"Do you know  her?" the boy asked with eagerness "she's my dad's Aunt."

"She's my mom," Keenan said "well step mom but she's like my mom. I mean..." he took a deep breath knowing he was rambling. He couldn't seem to stop his mouth from spilling words as they popped into his head when he was nervous or excited.

"Awesome" Tommy said "that makes us like cousins or something."

"Do  you have a place to stay?" Keenan asked.

"Well I..." a slight blush crept across Tommy's cheeks "I was hoping to stay with the family. At least until I found a place."

"Great" Keenan enthused picking up one of the boy's duffel bags "you can stay with me."

"You don't even know me," Tommy said uncertainty in his voice.

"You're family what else do I need to know?" Keenan laughed over his shoulder "besides the house is being torn upside down while my nephew Heath and his family are in the process of moving."

"You have your own place?" Tommy asked.

"Sure do" Keenan nodded "I could use the company."

"Are you sure it won't be an imposition to have me stay there?" Tommy asked "I don't want to put you out."

"No problem" Keenan said "just don't make eye contact with the guards and you'll do fine."

"Wait! What?" Tommy asked jogging to catch up to the white haired young man several steps ahead of him.

Time passed slowly for Phoenix in the sense he never stopped hoping Quinn would return even though he no longer went to their rendezvous spot. He had stopped trying to contact her as well after months of silence. Several years later he had grown to accept she was serious about not returning. There was no them. Never could be. He never should have let things become physical between them. He realized that now. Rules were rules for a reason. He broke them. He was paying for that oversight.

He heard the crash before the screams. Groaning he went to check on the twins. A smile spread across his face. He knew he shouldn't. It would only encourage them in the future. He really couldn't help it.

His son sat with a bowl on his head. Milk and cheerios dripping from his hair. "What happened little man?" he asked kneeling beside the toddler.

Peaking out from beneath the bowl a grin stretching his chubby cheeks "I did it," he announced proudly.

If he meant to make a mess he certainly succeeded Phoenix thought. "Yes you did" he said out loud.

Pointing towards the counter his sister added "he made it move."

Realization widened his eyes in shock. Phoenix had poured himself a bowl of cereal earlier. Too deep in thought he had forgotten to eat. Somehow his son had managed to pull it down from the counter. He gasped as shock swamped his senses. Not pulled down. Magic. His son was coming into his powers. Soon his sister would follow. Things had just become ten times worse. The council would no doubt detect the surge in power. How did he stop two year olds from using powers they didn't understand and couldn't control?

***

"Your boyfriend's in trouble" Silver announced as he watched her enter her haven.

Quinn's eyes narrowed as she caught  sight of Silver lounging in her favorite spot. "Leave" she commanded ignoring his comment.

"You should contact him" he continued "it's the least you could do after he gave birth to your children."

"My what?" she demanded his words finally making on impact on her. His silence greeted her question. She looked around to find she was alone once again. She stared at the spot Silver had been. There was no way Phoenix could have gotten pregnant. They had never....no wait there was that one night. One thing lead to another. He had asked if she could but that was impossible. That was her punishment on top of being sentenced to become this dimensions watcher.

She sank on the couch mind in a whirl. All she had wanted to do was help the Elysians. It was unfair they could never have children. The majority didn't even know why they were barren unable to conceive or why they were enslaved to become daycare providers to a race that ignored their young until adulthood. One selfish ruler who wanted immortality gave up the right to have children for his entire race. Enslaving them to the task of raising children not their own.

She felt their pain. Saw the injustice. She wanted to help. She thought she was helping. She used Elysian DNA mixed with IF magic and her own DNA to create a child. The result? Silver. He was supposed to be symbol of hope, a new beginning. Instead he was a catastrophic a mistake. A powerful creature with no compassion, no remorse.

That's when the council stepped in. She was punished for her crimes. She had interfered with the balance of a whole other dimension who relied upon the Elysians to care for their children. Within a few short generations that race completely died out. She had never meant to hurt anyone. Her punishment was this dimension. A world on the brink of extinction. She used her fertility expertise to populate the world.

The Elysians were consigned here with her in a separate realm of reality. Forever watching others have the children they couldn't have themselves. It was not unexpected that they rebelled. Sending the IF's to become friends with small children. Their prime directive to make those children give them life only to repay their love with hate. Fortunately that threat had been neutralized but Silver was churning things up again. How long before he incited them to try something else?

It would be easy to give in to Silver's demands but how long would it be before he realized it wasn't what he thought. He thought Adam was his bonded one because Adam bore his child. Unfortunately for Silver the bonding was achieved through trickery and Adam was not bonded to him. Silver's hate would only grow, knowing no bounds. It would eventually destroy this dimension.

Shaking her head Quinn brought her mind back to the present. Was Silver correct? If he was, how did he know? How had Phoenix become pregnant? Was it an unexpected side effect of her punishment or had Silver done something to cause this? She couldn't help but wonder why Phoenix hadn't tried to tell her. Had he tried all those times she had ignored his attempts to contact her? She stood up swaying on her feet. She clutched at the wall to steady herself, what was she going to do now?

***

Serafino glared across the desk at Adam. "Thank you for seeing me" he said attempting to maintain a pleasant tone.

"What do you want?" Adam asked dispensing with the pleasantries.

Serafino's eyes narrowed "I want a lot of things. For starters your head on a platter."

The assembled guards growled in unison a few even snarling. A hand gripped Serafino's shoulder firmly "leave now." 

"My business isn't finished" Serafino shook the guards hand from his shoulder. 

"You're finished when I say you are" the guard growled "you threatened the ruler's life. That is 

unacceptable."

Turning towards Adam "call your dogs off." 

Adam rose to his full height "I am through catering to the likes of you. I have tried to appease you. I have tried to be reasonable and listen to your demands." His voice rose "I will not be threatened in my own office. I will not be forced to do things I do not approve of nor believe in. You sir are out of line here."

Serafino rose eyes glowing with rage. Fangs extending to their sharpened glory "I am your better. I have been here more years than your family has been in existence."

"I may not be ancient royalty. I do however descend from ancient royalty. Alessandro was my ancestor as vile as he was. So do not use your pedigree against me. Mine is as long and as rich as yours." Adam nodded towards the guards "escort our guest out. We are finished here."

Serafino shouted "you'll regret this" as guards grabbed an arm each to drag him from the room.

***

Once Serafino was outside the castle walls the werewolves stood arms crossed barring access to the castle. He had no choice but to leave. "Tell your esteemed one I'll be back," Serafino advised the guards before stalking off.

He was met be another man. He bowed in deference to the mans age. He was more ancient then he was "can he be reasoned with?" the old one inquired.

"No he is as stubborn as his predecessor was" Serafino informed him excluding the fact he had threatened Adam's life without delivering his message.

"You said he was weak. Without support," the man's fury washed over Serafino likes wave in the ocean. 

"I may have been in error" he mumbled lowering his head in expectation of reproof.

"Very well. We will enact our alternate plan," the ancient one sighed "see to it," he commanded before vanishing.

Glancing at the spot his ancestor once stood Serafino grinned "one day I'll be ruler of Moonlight Falls. All humanity will fall at my feet not yours old man." Serafino knew the plan well altering it to fit his plans not the old man's. It was time he made his bid for dominance. No one and nothing would stand in his way especially no upstart vampire that had been the lowest of the low, a mere human.