#part 10a

“Not momentarily.”

“We’ll see.” Her lips wrinkled before looking at you once again. “He always comes back.” She smiled. Then looking at their son, she turned and walked away.

“I…I…”

You turned, “It’s ok. I expected as much.”

*****

You wrapped your arms a little tighter around yourself, as an unexpected cool breeze swirled around you as the priest was near finishing his final words for Lou.

Glancing, at Fred you could see his jaw tighten. This was one of the more emotional of the funerals. They had always seemed rather close despite always ribbing each other.

A steady and heart breaking weeping came from Lou’s widow the entire time. It ripped you the shreds. You watched as Fred went over to her when they handed her the flag. She leaned heavily against him. Some silent tears escaped your eyes. It was all so horrible.

It just wasn’t fair. Having to be taken out by a bunch of goons. He deserved better, they all did. As everything drew to a close you understood more and more why Freddie wanted his revenge. You just didn’t want him to join them. The idea of that practically brought you to your knees with anguish.

*****

Fred keys jangled as he put them in the ignition. He stopped. The other cars drove and maneuvered living the parking lot and heading to the restaurant.

“Fred?” Your voice came out barely above a whisper.

He turned to you. You could see the pain in his eyes. “Fuckin’ Lou.”

All you could do was nod.

A sigh came from him. You squeaked as he reached out and pulled you close. You braced yourself against him.

“Fred!” You gasped looking up at him.

“Kiss me.”

“Ok.” You said softly.

You began placing soft kisses on his chin, his cheek, you rested a hand on him gently.

“No, fucking kiss me.”

“Yes.” You met his lips and he took over the kiss from there.

It startled you but soon you heart was racing. He simply had that effect on you. He shifted. You didn’t know how. But you were closer against him.

He broke the kiss leaving you wide eyed and breathless. “I just..I needed to feel alive. The look in his eyes felt as if he reached into you and took ahold.

“Kiss me again then Fred.” You barely finished talking when his lips met yours.

“Make yourself at home.”

Turning his head, he smiled over at him. “Only because it’s your place.” He smiled and held up the bottle. “It’s a good one.”

Nicodemus returned the smile. “You’re welcome.”

Ford rose an eyebrow. “Is Charles seriously upset that I’m here?”

Nicodemus shrugged. “I had been away for a high council meeting and just got back the other day. He was feeling possessive.”

Ford rolled his eyes. “I’m your brother. It’s not as if I brought over a meal.”

“True.”

“How are all those stuffy collars?”

Nicodemus shrugged. “There has been an increase in our- I mean, my kind in California. We have a lot of young ones to keep an eye on.” He sat down in one of his oversized chairs and kept his legs stretched languidly in front of him. A bored expression washed over his face.

“Great, more vampires to worry about.”

“You could finally become one of us.”

Ford slid him a look. “I didn’t think that was allowed.” His lip curled before taking a swig from the bottle.

“Well, with whatever is going on with you,” He pressed his lips together. “After all these years, I don’t exactly want to lose you.”

Ford swung his legs to the floor. “What the fuck do you mean by that?” He put the bottle down beside him.

“You were flushed with life. I’ve never seen you like that, even after a meal it never lasted that long. You actually looked alive.”

Ford nodded. “It’s been happening ever since I met my girl.”

His lips curled up the one side of his face. “The girl you claimed?”

“That’s the one.”

“It’s been well,” He watched his brother’s eyes narrow. “Actually, have you ever done that?”

“She’s the first and only one.”

“What has made her so special?”

“She just is. I will bring her maybe. If Charles, doesn’t make her into a meal.” Ford chuckled.

“He’ll behave. But talk to me. What do you mean since her?”

Ford shrugged. “My heart has picked up a steady beat. And well, I did meet her lover who was a ghost.”

“What?”

He ran his fingers through his dark strands. “You heard me. The bartender on fifth arranged for us to meet. And at one point, he went into me.”

Nicodemus’s face took an edge before he shook his head and got up. He strode over to one of the walls of books.

“What?” He went over to Nicodemus. “Talk to me.”

Nicodemus looked at him. He was startled, that wasn’t it but he saw something. Something he had not seen since their maker died.

“Can you come back in a few days?”

“Of course.”

“And bring your girl.”

“Nicodemus, talk to me.”

He slid the book into place. “I think I may know why he didn’t make you like me. But I need to be certain.”

He really didn’t like how quiet Nicodemus was. He nodded though. “All right.”

*****

He locked the metal door. He filled the tank up on his motorcycle and then made his way back to his apartment. He washed the residue of the gas off his hands and pulled off his boots and jacket.

Coming into his bedroom he found you still asleep. Though now he found you looking a cross between so delightfully peaceful and sexy, how was beyond him. But he supposed that was what made you his girl.

Crawling onto the bed, he hung over you on all fours before bending down and giving you a kiss. As he did he pulled back the sleeping spell he had placed on you. “My sweet girl.” He whispered. Laying on his side, he enjoyed watching your chest rise and fall as you breathed.

Your lashes fluttered, inhaling you stretched and yawned. You smiled as finally awoke and looked over at him.

“Were you watching me sleep?”

“Yes.”

You rolled closer to him. “I hope I didn’t snore.” You smiled up at him. He could see mischief shining in your eyes.

“You haven’t since we met.”

You giggled into his chest. “Good.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I could be bond-” He smiled, being with you made the anxiousness his brother had filled him with disappear. And to be honest, the longer it was to know you were bonded, made him happier than he could have imagined. It felt like he knew forever, not only a few mere hours. “I mean soul mates,” He corrected himself. Honestly, he kind of liked better how humans referred to it. “With someone who did.” He said dryly.

“Ford!” You pushed him and he let himself fall onto his back. “You can be such a beast.” You straddled him then.

He pulled you close. “You love it.” He growled lightly. Which pulled from you such a wonderful giggle. “Damn baby, give me a kiss.”

“Maybe.” You said against his lips. Your eyes meeting his, your breath warm.

As he felt you inhaled, he could practically feel the kiss before you kissed him. He loved it.