Tales from th lost city

[Othermoose]

"Last time I checked vampires weren't fire proof." Quinn said as the girls left. Quinn had lived the past few years relatively alone, and now that he'd joined this team there was a possibility of being on a government hit list. "This kind of sucks." Quinn said to Jackie digging around behind the bar before pulling out a bottle filled with a dull purple liquid. "It's ogre whiskey. Want some?" Quinn asked pouring himself a shot of the purple liquid before offering the bottle to Jackie.

 

[silvertongue217]

Jackie sighed pinching the bridge of his nose and looking at Quinn. He was in a position he didn’t want to be he voice of reason within the team. He knew probably more than any one els just how powerful Laz was and he knew Lem or had heard enough to know he was just as powerful. Together the two of them were formidable a powerhouse of epic proportions and with the force of a thousand nuclear bombs.

Which was exactly the point

The White Wolf wouldn tolerate that now that Edward want in her control. They were pontentially a huge threat and what was worse was that they were to be led by a former MCP agent turned vampire. The situation was rapidly turning into some thing bigger than it needed to be and Jackie could see the look on their eyes.

They weren’t going to listen to him

“You ladies go and have fun” He said grabing Quinn before he could say any thing “Try no to blow up the lower east side” He joked warned reaching over to give Laz a deep kiss before waching them leave. He waited until he was sure they were gone before jumping off the bar and grabing his phone.

“Get suited up Quinn” He said pulling out his phone and selecting Elaine’s number “looks like you and I are going to save the day again”

He hit the message button typing out a quick message to Elaine and hitting send knowing he couldn’t risk the girls catching his conversation. Her reply came a few minuts later confirming his worse fears.

“Yes she knows”

“Shit” He whispered closing his eyes. He grabbed a card and slid it into his gauntlet nullifying the sound in the room and creating his own little bubble of unpiercable magical energy.

He hit another name on his contact and waited patiently for it to ring

“Who gave you this number?!”

“I bought you this phone idiot” He said to Ace sighing “I need a favor”

“Two in a week? Your getting soft big brother”

“Uh huh” Jackie growled “I need you to get me a meeting with the council I know your in good with the Queen and the King I need to meet them”

“Are you insane? You think I have enough pull to get them in a meeting on short notice? They rule this city!”

“And you get them whatever their hearts desire” Jackie reminded him “Tell them you can give them some thing to juicy to resist the immportal vampire Lem and the powerful demi god Lem they’ll know who your talking about”

“And whats in it for me? I doubt you can afford my fee big brother I know how much mom left you!”

“Her rings” Jackie said closing his eyes “her wedding rings if you can get me that meeting in less than two hours”

There was silence on th end for several seconds

“I will email you as soon as I have it”

Then there was a dail tone

Jackie sighed and turned moving over to Quinns room and knocking “you ready yet?” He hollered feeling his nerves beginning to pinprick.

Meanwhile across town

“It’s confirmed Ma’am”

Elaine watchd her lover tying her robe together taking the tablet wordlessly and scrowling through it’s contents. Laine remained nude her mind racing as she saw the picture of Edward the handler of Jackies little team racing through the streets clearly a newly minted vampire.

“What was that fool thinking” Elaine thought watching her lover wordlessly hand it back. She rose attempting to kiss her shoulder but she wa already up heading into her closet.

“Leave us” Elaine said casting a quick glamor they left quickly and she rose letting her naked body in full view as she sauntered up to the closet

“Oh my love-“

“Save it” The Whit Wolf said pulling on her outfit “I know what your about to do”

“So what if he turned” Elaine asid sighing and checking her nails “Why cant he still be MCP? You said he was one of your best”

“It’s not about him” She said turing her hands on her hips “Elaine you know what this team has on it’s rosters with dward turned his allegiance cant be to the MCP it will be to her the others will follow suit and we have a huge collection of powerful creatures that aren’t under our control”

“And what do you think is going to happen” Elaine challenged sighing “there going to turn evil? If they were willing to help now what makes you think they wont still continue”

“It doesn’t matter” The White Wolf said her tone business like and devoid of emotions “we live in a world full of the impossible all I takes is one of them to turn to cause untold damage to this city I cant allow tha to happen I cant allow war to break out again I swore to my brother I wouldn’t I’m activating the Alpha Protocol I need it”

Elaine looked at her for several moments before sighing. She wavd her hands and a pocket dimension opened up containing a small orb like object She took it out and handed it to her.

“This orb will light up when Laz comes near” Elaine said handing it to her “It will nullify all her power for exactly thirty minutes making her mortal she is still extremly dangerous”

“Thank you” The White Wolf said reaching over and kissing her “I need he full battalion of combat sorcerers I am sorry Elaine but this has to be done” She whispered before grabing her sniper riffle and walking off.

Prepared to go to war

…………………..

Edward watched his eys lighting up with curiosity as he took in the exchange. Back in the day a place like this would have been some where he went to get a fix on a target. He was so straight laced back then wasn’t he? His new vampire self struggled to come to terms with who he used to be. Of course he still was a soldier he still believed he had a duty but back then duty seemed to come before evry thing where now with all of life’s pleasure thrown right in his face He couldn’t decide wha was most impotant.

Besides Lem of course

“Well don’t mind if I do” He said laughing and grabbing his own two jugs. He whistled the dwarves song from snow white and downed them both easily. He tossed them down the cavern and kept whistling clapping Don on the back.

“This isn’t so bad” He said frowning “I think we got scammed because I don’t-“

Before he could finish the tunnel exploded turning into a trippy world of light and neon colors. Edwards mouth dropped open his tongue seeming to roll out into an infinite spiral that didn’t seem to end. H turned to look at Don but he was gone insead replaced by a bizarre horse creature with a dragon head.

He stumbled a whoa coming out of his lip and seeming to blow every thing else away. He tried to run but found he couldn’t instead just falling and falling.

………………

“Target sited”

“Confirmed you are clear to take em down quick and fast”

The MCP agent nodded at his wizard partner. They felt the SUV beginning to slow down and waited watching their clocks tick down to the second. They suddenly burst ou of the car moving quickly over to their targets.

Don and Edward

The agent noticed they were acting weird but paid it no mind instead camly raising his stranq gun filled with a special mixture that would knock out any magical creature. He shot them both twice not bothering to wait the Wizard muttered his quick spell transporting them all in a matter of seconds before any one could be the wiser.

“Stage one complete Ma’am” The technician said “The other wizard teams are beginning to use their magic creating duplicates of the targets to throw the other targets off”

“Good” The white wolf said watching from her holographic pedestal “Phase two is a go the alpha team is on their way to the HQ now intel sugges only two are inside of it the others are being hunted down by Starkiller now”

“What about the captured targets” Another Tech asked glancing up

“The cells they are in cant be breached by any thing but magic or a good old fashion key” The white wofl said smiling “if our targets maintain there usual behavior Laz should walk right into our trap”

………………

Meanwhile

Alpha team appeared out of the darkness each of the mwearing billowing robes. There faces were covered in black Ski masks and hoods. There were four in all each of them looking the same except for the weapons they carried. One carried a dagger A wicked looing Kunai that seemed to pulse with power. The other one carrier a simple revolver some thing that would have looked straight out of the old west if it weren for the demonic looking runes etched across it, one had a sword across his back, and the lead one carried nothing but his own fist.

They reachd the bar and the leader stepped forward a series of clicks and whistles coming out of his mouth. The others moved forward placing a series of magical stones across the permiter that created an invsisble magical barrier around the HQ. They wordlessly stepped into it each of them taking their places at the entry ways of the bar waiting for the go ahead to breach.

…………..

Meanwhile

He rose his wings unfurling from his back. His nostrils taking in th scent of the city. His snake like pupils scanned the city again sarching and looking as he tried to sense his prey.

“There” He said his lips pulling back to reveal fangs as he zeoed in on his targets. He pulled off his robe revealing a pair of leather enforced jeans, steel toed boots, and a back hoodie inlaid with armor. He pulled his scarab out of its sheath on his back and said a quick prayer to his liege lord Aldrin before launching himself off of the nest that was his home. He plunged through the clouds his body morphing as he asily transionted into his true form. He grew the black clothing morphing into scales as he transformed into a fiery dragon. He soared through the sky for a few minutes before gowing down tucking his wings in beginning to head to his targets.

 

[grdybiwife]

Don heard his laughter from outside his body as it echoed around the tunnel. It was slow going with Edward seeming to forget how his legs worked every few steps and his constant chatter about the talking dragon following him around. He kept a firm hand on his shoulder as they made their way back to the street, staggering along with a very severe case of the giggles, yet Don couldn't recall what had started their fit.

Even in his haze, Don got the distinct feeling they were being watch. Paranoia wasn't a typical side effect of Goblin Goop so he knew what he felt was real, but he kept it to himself. Just as he felt the dart in the back of his neck, he knew that was a mistake.

"Ohh fuck not a..."

Just before he collapsed he noticed Edward had a dart to match in the back of his neck and Don reached to pull it out, but his hand fell short.

'Somehow she'll find a way to blame me for this,' was his last thought as the world went dark.

**********************************************************​

Lem paced around the room, unsure of how effective the ritual Laz had just performed would be. "Trust me girl it worked," she told her but still Lem wasn't so sure. That was a big deal to her, trust. Edward was the only one she gave such luxury and she wasn't sure if she had enough left to share.

Then all of a sudden an overwhelming feeling of worry washed over her and she reached for her weapons. But of course she left them at Edward's.

Meanwhile, in deep within the mind of the seer...

"I have no idea what you mean. What box?" Nicky asked Laz who seemed to glow with amber light as she walked beside her in a strange meadow. It was perfectly flat and the grass was almost to her waist, but the weird part was the dark sky against the sun kissed blades of grass. She would have thought she was tripping but Nicky had sworn of shrooms years ago.

"Cause you not looking for it short stack. It's there, right in front of you. Focus. Laz told her, a small smile on her face. She'd always wanted a little sister and Nicky was the perfect combination of innocence and moxie to be worth helping. " Mire, listen to me. Forget everything you think you know about what you can do and hear what I'm telling you. The only one keeping you from seeing who you really are is you. That's the thing about humans, you're taught limits from birth. Imagine the mindfuck when you find out there aren't any."

Nicky listened to Laz intently, knowing she was trying to help and feeling all but worthless for her lack of understanding. But just when she was ready to give up, she saw it. Off in the distance, was a woman who looked an awful lot like her sitting cross legged on a boulder smack dab in the middle of the meadow. In her lap was a beautifully wrapped box complete with gaudy ribbon and a huge bow.

"Is that..."

"Girl I don't know. This your shit I'm just visiting," Laz said before Nicky took off at a run. But it was only a few paces before the Nicky realized on her own that she created the distance and in an instance she stood in front of the woman.

"Are you my mom," she whispered but the woman only smiled and handed her the box before she got up, moving through Nicky and then was gone.

"Inside that box is your destiny and it's about time you figured it out. Listen to her little one, but more importantly listen to yourself. Listen...listen...listen...

And like that she was back in Laz's room, on the floor, all of a sudden very aware of a certain tingle in her toes and fingertips. Slowly it spread all over her body and she jumped to her feet. Laz was a little slower getting up but she felt what the girl had and one glance at Lem with her garrote out said she felt it too.

"They have them...Don and Edward," Nicky said absently not even realizing the way her eyes glowed as she spoke. The bright green irises pulsated with each controlled breath she took. "They're here to get you two. Four of them..."

"Who has them," Lem snapped and Laz wrapped them in a bubble already, preparing to send them wherever they needed to go.

"The MPC, but wait there's a..." But it was too late they were already gone.

There was a light, only blinking at first but as soon as they materialized it flashed and angry red and Laz felt all the energy drain out her. She staggered a step but Nicky caught her and held her up. "...trap," Nicky said finishing the sentence she started in Laz's room.

 

[silvertongue217]

“Don’t move”

The lights blinked on bathing the room in harsh disorienting light. UV lights flickered on as well low enough not to kill her but to harm and disorient her. Thousand of guns were trained on them laser dots cutting through the light and on each of their chest. A full compliment of wizards were there was well their staffs and words ready to battle any thing that happened.

Then there was Starkiller

He stood in front of them in his human form his sword ready and waiting, his wings flapping as he prepared for the oncoming assault.

“My name is Starkiller first of his name by order of the council and the MCP you have been ordered to detain and stand down” The dragon said moving forward his sword at the ready “you are to come quietly w already have your mate and the half breed we are in the process of trapping the rat and the mortal you will surrender to us until we can work some thing out you are not to fight” he said his eyes narrowing as he looked at Lem.

“That goes for you ancient one do not make me hurt you” He said stating it simply

Meanwhile

“Quinn!” Jackie shouted hearing the doors break and swearing “Time to go” He murmured sliding a card out of his deck and activating it. Magical energy crackled around the house as a battalion of ghostly constructs rose out of the floorboards. They acted as decoys engaging the Alpha squad. While they were distracted Jackie ran to his room grabbing his bug out bag and pulling out his revolver.

He heard crashing downstairs and swore moving fast and glancing out the window. There was a magical barrier in place which meant he wouldn’t be leaving out the front door. Luckily he knew this bar better than nay one else and he knew where to go to escape.

Now all he needed was to get past the killers in the kitchen

 

[grdybiwife]

'They don't see me,' Nicky thought to herself as she noticed the distinct void of laser sights on her person. She guessed the jacket she'd found in that box in her mindscape was responsible for that. And then there were the headphones that seemed to dull down the voices enough that she could focus on one at a time. A small smile crept across her lips as she glanced down and noticed her bag at her feet. As far as weapons went, Nicky knew she had to go with what she knew.

"I think I can take care of the wizards if you can keep the fire breather busy for a minute or two," Nicky asked Lem, already easing her way into a shadowed corner behind, not even realizing that the darkness was of her own making. With Laz seemingly unconscious on the floor at Lem's feet, Nicky knew she didn't have much time. She worked quickly, fumbling around in her bag for a few things. She put her mask on and dug out two zippos, tape, and few cans of paint, not moving from the corner until she was satisfied with her evil creation. Her bag on her back, Nicky made her way around the edges of the room.

"White wolf wants her detained before the orb wears off," she whispered behind the row of wizards, smiled when one repeated her exact words, setting four guardsmen in motion. Two of the wizards went as well but that wasn't enough and Nicky continued around the room with whispered words of discouragement.

"Her father will tear us to shreds if when he finds out what we've done..."
"If the White wolf thinks this is going to go unnoticed she has another thing coming..."
"She's one of us..."
"How can we let a human dictate how we deal with matters of the magical kind..."
"She is clueless of our ways..."
"I for one don't wish to be around when Third gets wind of this..."

One by one, all the wizards used there magic to disappear from the room leaving the rest of the guards and the dragon. And Lem, with a cool smirk on her face.

"Starkiller," she said as she slowly unwound the garrote from her wrist. "The King's own private wrath. It's a wonder he saw fit to send you down for such a pedestrian matter as this. I knew there was an allegiance but handling the White Wolf's dirty work...that seems like orders to me. What would your king get out being rid of someone who has yet to cause him trouble, and hadn't planned on it either. Until now anyway. You should ask him of your predecessor..."

"I'll never be as good as her," Nicky whispered to the dragon warrior, her eyes on Lem as she made her way towards the door guards dragged Laz through. "He'll never say it but I can see it in his."

"...we had an understanding she and I. I stay out of the air and she stayed out of Hell's Kitchen. But I guess since she is no longer in her station and I no longer live in Hell's Kitchen, that arrangement is null and void."

With that Lem did a quick side step around the dragon warrior, headed straight at the human guard. She wasted no time feeding, simply dispatched them with her barehands as she circled the room. In the confusion a few went down from friendly fire but that didn't stop her. She was a blur of jet black hair as she whipped around to deliver bone crushing blows with open palms, forearms, and feet. It was graceful and efficient, by the time the dust settled the only ones left standing were her and the dragon warrior.

"I seem to have misplaced my blades," she said with a toothy smile. All the spilled blood in the air drew out her true nature, not to mention the uncertainty of what had become of the others. "You can't expect to be respected if you take me down unarmed, so either spare me one or drop yours. The choice is yours." And she set her feet preparing for his charge.

**********************************************************​

There was gunfire, a lot of it and Don knew that to mean one thing. They'd come for them. When it stopped he assumed that the raiding party had made it through. Then a door not far from the cell he was in was opened and he sat up, noticing he was alone in the dark.

"Come with me she said. No harm will come to you. My ass I've been tranqed twice in a matter of days, both time by people I'm supposed to be working with. This whole thing is a crock of shit..."

"The first time it was your own fault," he heard from inside his head and he jumped to his feet. Don should have known, she hunted him down more than once. Why should now be any different. "They did something to Laz and now she's out of commission. That's her they're about to drag past your cell."

And he heard it almost immediately, two sets of marching boots and the swish of robes. Then a door opened and he heard the muffled sounds of someone being struck before the door slammed.

"Whatever you do stay away from the door."

And then there was silence and Don shuffled to the door to see what he could make out from beneath it. Two sets of boots and the purple robes of a wizard were all he could see. His eyes bulges when he saw a pair of tiny converses tip top between them.

"You smell that," one of them said and Don saw the boots turning in place a moment before they separated.

"It's probably just the wizard. They get a funny smell when they cast," another said and they both laughed. "Like burnt hair."

Don watched the wizard's robes, they were perfectly still and he couldn't imagine one letting an insult slide. But he smelled it too, and it wasn't burnt hair. Slowly, reluctantly her moved away from the door, saying a quiet prayer that whatever she was doing didn't get her killed.

"You humans and your limited senses..."

"What the fuck is that!"

Don could smell the burning paint fumes, could hear the hiss of Nicky's respirator not too far away. He remembered the first time her saw her in it. With her hood up and the face mask on she looked like some post-apocalyptic nightmare. Then he saw the glow of the fire just before everything went boom. Flames shot up through the bottom of his door and blew the tray pass open, providing a minor view of the hallway all aflame. He could hear the screams of the guards but all he cared about was Nicky and he scrambled to the door hoping to get a glimpse of her, praying that she hadn't sacrificed herself to save him.

"What do you think, I'm some kind of idiot," she said as the door swung open and assault rifle in one hand and the keys in the other as sirens blared and the sprinklers activated. Nicky went to him immediately and threw her arms around him, kissed his cheek before she quickly unlocked his cuffs. Don took the gun without being told and followed her to unlock Edward's cell, picking up another gun on the way. "I'm gonna get Laz. Get him up you two need to keep them out of here."

**********************************************************​

It was the explosion that woke her, and the feeling of her bare feet burning but still she couldn't move, couldn't speak. She'd never felt so helpless. She couldn't even get to her father and was confused how that could be. Then there were hands on her, pulling her, holding her. She heard her name. Sobbing. But still she couldn't respond

 

[Othermoose]

Quinn was just leaving his room with his gear when he heard Jackie's warning shout. "Just a minute." Quinn called in a high pitched voice before rushing to the armory. He grabbed a satchel and filled it with grenades, ammo, and pistols before grabbing a FAMAS rifle and slinging it over his shoulder. He was about to leave the armory when he saw it. "The time had come my precious. We can finally be together." Quinn said in a loving voice as he picked up the huge minigun.

Quinn rushed out of the armory to find the hallway filled with MCP soldiers. "I've waited so long for this..." Quinn whispered to himself. "SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!!!!" Quinn shouted before spraying bullets into the hallway, cutting down the surprised MCP soldiers. After the initial shock of his attack wore off, the soldiers began to scramble for cover. "Jackie. There's a shit ton of bad dudes back here. I'm getting my bike and getting out of here. If you can get to the garage I'll give you a lift. And if not... You can buy my a shake when we get out." Quinn said to Jackie over his comm., hoping that the other man would remember Quinn's favorite diner.

Quinn ran through the halls spraying bad guys with his minigun until he made it to the garage. "Jackie I'm in the garage! Should I stay or go?" Quinn said over his comm., as he took cover behind an SUV.

 

[silvertongue217]

Things escalated quickly

“Your petty words do not faze me vampire” Starkiller said watching hoer ignoring the blood dripping from her hands. He shook his head looking around at all the dead agents and lazily pulling out the spare sword he brought.

“I wonder how your mate will see all this unnecessary death” He remarked tossing the blade to her deciding if she was going to try to play games with his head he would do the same “he was a member of this human outfit wasn’t he? Even if he has been turned how do you think he is going to react to seeing the monster within to see men he called brothers not but a few days ago slaughtered by the one he loves” He remarked stepping forward with one foot.

He was a blur of movement his blade a rapid series of strokes. A dragon was one of the few creatures that could match her and he was well versed in swordplay. His scarab flashed in the harsh UV light coming at her from all sides as he tried to find a weakness or gain the upper hand.

“You have revealed your true self vampire” He hissed locking blades and pushing against her “how will he react I wonder?” He said his forked tongue snaking out as he pressed the advantage trying to batter her confidence and her defenses in one multi pronged attack.

……………..

Meanwhile

“Well this isn’t going to do at all” Elaine appeared out of the shadows staring at Laz one eyebrow raised. She bent down giving her the once over before helping her to her feet.

“Come on Laz” Elaine said looking over at the door “I don’t have much time before they find me out and your the only one who can save Jackie you may not like me and I may not like you but Jackie is in danger and neither one of us can let any thing happen to him”

Elaine made sure she was on her feet before walking over to the orb and picking it up. She starred at it for several minutes before breaking it. There was a sudden rush and the oppressive force lifted dissipating into the air.

“Your powers wont be back for fifteen more minutes” Elaine said glancing over at the door “And I have to go your boy friends in danger and is trying to save the teams collective asses help every one get out of the complex and I will get him where he needs protect them Laz and we might all just get out of this”

And with that she was gone

………………..


“This is getting out of hand!”

“Advise what our your next orders”

“Keep your damn panties on!” The White Wolf hissed narrowing her eyes “I want every thing deployed every thing and tell alpha team to get their asses back here with Jackie and the rat boy meanwhile I want a show of force flood that building with our troops if need be and make sure an army is waiting for them outside of the building!”

“Yes Ma’am!”

…………….

(Edward is going to stay knocked out because I want to see Lem’s reaction to finding him like that)

……………………..

“Damn it Quinn!” Jackie said watching as he disappeared “Way to watch my fucking back” He murmured as the leader jumped into his bedroom.

“Come on then!” Jackie said sliding a card in and forming a suit of armor and sword “Let’s go!”

Before he could however the soldier froze a solid block of ice encrusting him.

“That wont hold him for long” Elaine said appearing out of the shadows “and you might want to tell your friend that barrier is going to prevent him from moving forward” She said checking her nails and waving her hand forcing the guard out of the room.

“That wont hold them for long” Jackie said turning to her “I need your help to get me to th council my brother-“

“Arranged a meeting” Elaine said waving him away “I know I got the invite to attend and we are running late so let’s say we blow this bar and get you and rat boy where you need to be” She said nodding at the soldiers beginning to advance.

“Great” Jackie said turning his sword at the ready “just like old times”

 

[grdybiwife]

"I imagine he would proud dragon," Lem said countering each of his strikes with ease as they danced around the room. Sparks flew with the force of their blows but neither had gained the advantage.

"Ahhh, the folly of youth," she said with a grunt as she jumped back and spun away from the corner he attempted to back her into but the dragon recovered quickly, set his feet before her. "You forget he has seen all I am capable of when he shared my blood. He knows full well what will come if I am backed into a corner, no matter if they called him brother. I did not come looking for this, I can not be blamed if I respond to something laid at my feet. And you call me petty. At least it was truth I spoke, not idle speculation. You think he takes kindly to his brothers taking him captive and threatening the life of the one he love. I assure you if I were in his place and he were in mine, the carnage would be exponentially greater."

They traded blows a few moments until Lem found an opening and took a quick step inside his gaurd. The look of pure shock on his face brought a smile to Lem's, just before she put her forehead into his nose, effectively crushing the appendage then shoved him back.

"You are good Starkiller. I'll give you that," she said as lean on his sword, cockily waiting for him to recover a moment before she set her feet again. "But I would wager you have yet to meet one who could match you."

************************************************************​

Nicky jumped back at the sound of air snapping around her, scrambling away from Laz. She listened quietly as a sorceress appeared and got Laz up on shaky legs, all the while explaining what needed to be done.

'So the entire MPC isn't against us,' she thought as Laz finally came to.

"Elaine..." I came out in a garbled whisper but when Elaine broke the orb, Laz seemed to snap to attention. Her back straightened and she rolled her shoulders. "I thought that thing was a rumor," she said as she shook out her arms, cringed at the sound of fifteen minutes. "Thanks...I still don't trust you, but thanks."

Nicky waited until she was gone before she moved out of the corner and rushed over to Laz. She threw her arms around her, knocking her back a step, and Laz gave a tired laugh as she returned the girls embrace.

"I thought you were dead," she said breathlessly as Laz worked herself out of her arms.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Where are the others," she asked as she headed out of the cell with Nicky trailing closely behind. The fire was already out and her bare feet slapped loudly in the puddles created by the sprinklers. As she bent to yank the boots off one of the guardsmen, she notice Don hovering over Edward, still unconscious. "Nevermind," she told Nicky as she grabbed a piece of shrapnel before she stepped into the boots.

"My blood will be on your hands if you don't wake up before she gets here," Don said quietly as he kneel down beside Edward. "You know she'll find a way to blame me for this..."

"Not if you do more than bump your gums," Laz said as she passed him the jagged piece of metal. Don didn't think twice, ran it across his hand palm. He made a fist and tipped Edward's head so that the blood trickled down over his lips. Laz reached down to push his mouth open. "You got anything else in that bag of tricks short stack."

"I might," she said with a smirk behind her mask, already digging in her bag.

 

[silvertongue217]

“YOU DARE” Star killer yelled fire roaring out of his breath. He tackled her transforming into a large black dragon in the matter of seconds. He crashed through the walls and suddenly they were outside slamming and sending shipping containers scattering. Star killer slammed her into a large crane and jumped back his large leathery wings flapping as he rose into the air and roared in flame and triumph.

“You have gotten cocky old on” Star killer said his voice in dragon form rumbling like the sky “It will prove to be your undoing!” He said circling in the sky turning back to the detention area they set up. He reared his head back and shot a fireball bathing the place in fire and heat. Soon it was aflame fire licking very where and spreading rapidly.

“Your friends will die in the blaze” Star killer said dropping to the ground and back into his human form “And you will be powerless to stop it! And I will kill you” He hissed his sword coming out once more as he flew at her intent on killing her.

…………….

The minute Don’s blood hit his mouth Edwards eyes ripped open. He was on his feet so fast that even Don couldn’t see his movement. He looked at the mall for several moments before turning and picking up Laz carrying her.

“There’s a fire Don get Niky” He said back in leader mode. He kicked open the door and in seconds they were racing out trying to get out before the flames reached them. He led them out quickly ignoring the other MCP members making their own escape and spilling out onto the docks. Edward sat Laz down and in seconds he was gone heading straight towards his mate and her Dragon combatant.

He was a blur of motion slamming into Star Killer and sending a few more canisters scattering. Their was a fierce growl on his face and his fangs were out as he effortlessly battered Star Killers sword away. His hand locked around his throat choking him as he regarded him with fierce hate.

“StarKiller” He said his voice so calm it sent a bolt of fear through the dragon “You tried to kill my mate and set me and my friends on fire I believe that says every thing I need to say about it” He remarked before giving his head a twist and cracking it in half. He tossed the body away and turned his eyes softening when he saw her.

He rushed over taking her into his arms and giving her a deep kiss before pulling away “you need to leave” He said stroking her face “take the others and go this is my fight I am the one who broke the rules I am-“

Before he could finish there was a harsh light. The sound of helicopters flashed over head as four apache helicopters appeared from the city. All around them black SUV’s appeared with MCP S.W.A.T attached they jumped off their guns snapping up as they targeted them with laser sights. The team was surrounded in a matter of seconds with even a few tanks appearing. Later it would be said that it was the largest show of force the MCP ever mounted since its conception.

“Agent Thorton” The white Wolf’s voice came on over the speaker “You are to stand down and put your self in custody your under arrest for breaking your MCP no changing contract will you comply”

There was a collective sound as every one pulled back on their guns cocking them all at once.

“Promise me my team will be safe!” Edward called out reluctantly pulling away from Lem “Give them safe passage out and I will let you detain me!”

 

[grdybiwife]

"Well someone's a bit sensitive," Lem grumbled as she staggered to her feet, her vision doubled for a moment. She was able to focus just in time to see a flash of bright red flames in the sky, and then the column of fire that followed, headed straight for her. The smell of her own hair burning filled her nostrils as she darted left and right to avoid the flames. But she didn't get far.

Lem grit her teeth as Starkiller touched down to the ground, rolled her shoulders, preparing for his charge. A small smile crept across her face as an overwhelming sense of relief washed over her. "Unfortunately for you that is only wishful thinking," she said as she staggered back a pace, tripping over some manner of debris that sent her sprawling. There was a moment with the glint of Starkiller's sword shone in her eyes that Lem thought she might have spoken too soon.

Then he was gone from her vision, and she caught a glimpse of Edward's back as he plowed into the dragon in human form, dispensing him in short order. The rage that had been in eyes was gone in an instant and she found herself smiling outright when he came to her lifting her to her feet.

"I'm sure as fuck not going anywhere," Don said before Lem could respond, the gun he'd pilfered from one of the downed agents over his shoulder. "I didn't bring you back to roll over dickhead so quit trying for the martyr play. You already got the girl."

"What he said," Nicky said with a smirk before she worked her mask back over her face. The only human in the group was starting to have a little trouble breathing among the flames.

Laz didn't say anything at first, not that she didn't think she should stand with them. She still wasn't sure about her powers, and hung her head, utterly hopeless. Nicky gave her a nudge with her and she shot her a look. 'Try.' was all she said and the fact that she heard her was enough.

"Well why don't we hunker down and take a vote," she mumbled as she rose solid amber walls around them. It was the strongest shield she had ever conjured, yet she still wasn't sure if it would hold against the tanks. "But let's be quick about it shall we?"

"I should pop you one for even suggesting that I leave you to them," Lem said in a low growl, her eyes hard on Edward. "Don't do me any favors trying to save my life. It's forfeit without you."

"So that's a collective fuck you bossman. We leave here together or we don't leave at all," Laz said with a smirk, bringing a snort from Don. "Now that it's settled, I hope you gotta plan for getting us out of here. A shield is one thing, I don't want to risk an escape route until I know I'm back to full strength."

 

[silvertongue217]

Edward looked at them each in kind before shaking his head. A slow smile crossed his face and he gave them all a wink before turning. He put his hands up and jumped landing on top of one of the sipping containers.

“I’m sorry Ma’am” He said cupping his hands to his face to amplify his voice “But I am afraid instead of surrendering I need to offer my resignation my team and I don’t recognize your authority if you don’t let us go then we will be forced to defend our selves”

There was silence for a few seconds before the MCP began to move forward advancing towards the shield as the tank tuned their canons to the group.

“Very well”

“STOP”

The voice reverberated in the very sky itself causing the ground to shake slightly. There was a brief roar and suddenly in front of the MCP and the team Jackie and Elaine appeared.

With some friends

A giant dragon stood behind them glittering red and gold. He was huge and ancient with numerous battle scars and faded patches of bunt skin, his eyes were huge glittering gold orbs. Next to him stood a beautiful elf standing tall and wearing a pair of Starlight robes. She had a calm serene face yet there was a hard edge there as well some thing that screamed danger.

Ancient danger

“Elaine” The white wolf said appearing out of the group of MCP agents “what are you…. King Auldrin Queen Esmerelda what are you?”

“We have decided” The Queen said stepping forward “This team of… creatures shall operate under its own authority”

“What?!” She said her eyes widening “but that’s…”

“Necessary to keep the peace” The king said his voice shaking once more “we originally formed this team to take on the threats of our joint existence that is what they will continue to do”
“If they go rouge we will handle them” The Queen said turning to the team “Let this be a warning to you all you are to report directly to us if you fail or any thing goes wrong we will be forced to intercede”

“In other words do your job or else die” The king said not evne bothering to turn his head in their direction “do you understand human female?”

“I” The white wolf said before narrowing her eyes “I understand” she finally managed to get out.

“Very well” The Queen said turning to Jackie and saying a few more words. There was another earth shattering crack and the two ancient creatures were gone.

“Well that was fucking nerve wracking” Elaine murmured turning to Jackie “I guess every thing worked out okay?”

“Yeah” Jackie said frowning and touching his neck where his mother’s necklace used to hang. He ignored it and smiled watching as the MCP began to move out and breathing out a big sigh of relief.

 

[grdybiwife]

Laz didn't let the shield down until the King and Queen were gone. As soon as she knew everything was relatively safe, she dropped shield and cut the distance between her and Jackie in one step.

"I think we're even now," she said before she flung herself at him, wrapping him up with all limbs. She rained kisses all over his face before she planted a deep on on his lips, forcing her tongue into his mouth as her hand played at the hair on the back of his neck. As the moments passed she could feel Elaine's burning glare and pulled away from him, just enough to put her feet down.

"Look I know you didn't have to help me...and you only did because of how you feel about him," she said to Elaine. Though she kept a very possessive arm around Jackie, it was clear that what she said wasn't forced. There was no animosity in it. "Whether it was sincere or to gain his favor doesn't matter. I appreciate it." Then Laz did something no one expected, stuck out her hand for Elaine to shake.

Meanwhile on to of a shipping container not far a way, Lem stood beside Edward. She grabbed his hand and dropped a few of those awful dehydrated blood tablets into his open palm. "Well that was unexpected," she said with a grimace as she worked a few around her mouth and slipped her hand in his. "And for the record if you ever try to sacrifice yourself to save me again, I'll end you myself," she said without looking at him. There may have been a smile on her face as she slipped her arms around his middle, put her head on his chest, but she was sure he could feel her sincerity.

And a few feet below them, Nicky sat on the ground, dumbfounded at all she'd just been through. She yanked the mask off her face, still shaking her head as she looked up at Don. "I've never been so close to shitting myself," she said and Don burst out laughing as he bent to slip his arm around her waist to lift her to her feet.

"Yeah well it didn't show," Don said smiling down at her as he slung his arms around her neck. "Really you did good kid...saved my ass and everything..."

"So do you think you might stop calling me kid then?"

"Well you definitely not that...not anymore at least...Ghost," he said with a wide smile and she squealed, jumped up to give his neck a squeeze. "Yeah, well I didn't say you wouldn't have to remind me every now and then but I'll try and remember."

They made their way over to Jackie, Laz, and Elaine. Don gave the man's neck an appreciative squeeze before he asked, "So now what do we do?"

 

[silvertongue217]

Elaine took her hand and shook it before nodding at Jackie. He offered her a node of thanks and a we will talk later and she disappeared nothing more than dust in the wind. He sighed and smiled picking up Laz and spinning her before setting her down and giving her a deep passionate kiss. He ignored the others for a second and moved his tongue into her mouth furiously making out with her before finally releasing her. He kept his hands together and turned watching as the other appeared.

“Well were well and fucked now” Jackie said laughing and shaking his head “Agents of the council apparently you have no idea what I had to do to swing that deal” He said trying to keep him self from touching the spot where his mothers engagement rings were. He forced a smile on instead and gave Laz’s head another squeeze.

“Yeah” Edward said walking over and holding Lem’s hand still shaking his head at her words “thank you guys” He said looking at each of them in turn “It was my fuck up that let the council onto our collective asses and I cant thank you enough for standing by me all of you…. As for whats next I guess we rest recover and wait to hear from the council” He said looking out onto the sea and the fog.

“You got enough juice to take us home laz?” Edward finally asked turning and raising an eyebrow

 

[grdybiwife]

"First things first, I'm getting rid of this fucking thing," Don said as he broke the band of his com device. An alarm sounded before he put his boot to it a few times, effectively ruining it. Lem tossed hers down and gave him a nod before he stamped hers out as well. Everyone else followed suit and allowed Don the honor of smashing them to bits

"Feel better," she said with a smirk as she snuggled up against Edward. For the first time in a century she actually felt like she had something like a family. A man who loved her. A future that didn't involve her droning along in isolation.

"I do actually...so what's up Laz how bout a ticket outta here?"

She still wasn't sure. Shields were easy but moving time and space was a delicate operation that required an incredible amount of focus and energy. She clung to Jackie's hand so tight, Laz was nervous she might be hurting him. Her eyes drifted down to the over-sized boots on her feet. They began to shimmer almost immediately until they were replaced by her favorite pair of black and gold huaraches. When that worked she ditched her scuzzy clothes and looked up at them with a smile.

"I think we're a go," she said and like that, they were gone.

Only to materialize back in the bar, which was a mess of broken glass and bullet holes.

"I'm gonna break that fucking gun," were Lem's first words.

"Well remodeling is kind of my specialty," Laz said cockily as she strolled around the room, running her finger along all the damaged surfaces and as she passed them they were as good as new. "Anything else."

 

[silvertongue217]

Jackie watched her work her magic smiling softly to himself “Well there you go my girl friend a walking magical handy man” He joked wrapping his arms around her when she came back and kissing the top of her head.

“It’s been a long day” Edward said sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose “Why don’t you guys go ahead and go do whatever you want to do Jackie did the council say any thing else?”

“Uh just that they would be in touch with us in a few days” Jackie said glancing up from Laz and shaking his head “Our contact is going to be my brother” He said a particular look crossing his face before he went back to Laz.

“Alright people” Edward said taking Lem by her hand “I think that’s all for tonight then we can figure this shit out tomorrow” He said pulling Lem down the steps and to his basement suite. He stepped in looking at all the MCP stuff. He began tearing it down using his speed to remove the few MCP trinkets he collected and his badge. In a second he had them all dumped into a trash can and kicked into a corner.

“huh” He said looking around “I really didn’t have a life without that shit huh” He said snorting softly “The vampire me looks at the human me and shakes his head in wonder believe it or not” He said turning to her and smiling giving a little wink.

………………

Jackie saw Edward departing and smiled at the rest “If you don’t mind guys I am going to head up” He said leaning in and giving Laz a kiss on the cheek.

“If you want to stay down here you can I got to go get a shower in” He said smiling at her and moving up the stairs. He went to his room and took off his shirt frowning when he once again noticed the necklace. He supposed he shouldn’t care that really it was a trinket to give up to make sure his girl friend and his friends were safe and his brother did have it so he would take care of it.

But it still stung

He stripped and hit the shower button letting the warm water cascade down before stepping in. He sighed and ducked his head under the water letting it batter his shoulder blades and relax his tension before turning and waiting to see if Laz would join him.

 

[grdybiwife]

Lem immediately undressed when the door closed behind them. She took her time, not wanting to expend more energy than was necessary and once she was naked she crawled into bed to wait for Edward to finish his remodeling.

"I set my possession on fire once I came to terms with who I am," she said as she rolled onto her side to watch him. "It was quite cleansing to be honest. Chekolech Abiy died in that fire and Serkalem was born...well she was born some days before but it took me a while to will myself out of my tent," she said with a chuckle as she sat up on her knees and pulled him to stand before her so she could undress him.

"Am I suggesting you set these things ablaze? Absolutely not! If I never see another fire again it will be too soon, but we can ruminate on that at a later time. For now you must lay with me my love. The moon wanes and you will be useless before too long."

************************************************************​

Laz listened to Jackie speak of his brother and noticed the way his hand twitched. She knew it had nothing to do with her from the way he held onto her, and everything to do with what what missing from his neck. It saddened her to think that he would give up the last thing he had of her to save them and her wheels spun trying to figure how to get it back.

"Leave it alone," Nicky said from the couch, already lighting a joint, music already blaring from her headphones around her neck. "Console him. Thank him, but don't go fuckin' up what you guys got going screwing with his brother again."

"Fuck do you know," Laz said with a few purposeful steps towards her but the girl didn't flinch. Just laid back casually and held up the joint.

"Enough about all of you to know that everybody in this place is a step away from screwing this whole thing up. Do us all a favor take these tokes, go give him a blow job , and forget about whatever maniacal plan you were about to cook up...yeah, yeah I hear that all the time from him. Still not true. Just do what I said. Please."

Laz clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes at Nicky, but still she took the joint and as soon as she handed it back she was gone.

"Well look at you telling people off," Don said with a smirk as he lit a smoke and sat back on the couch across from her, kicked his feet up on the coffee table. All she did was shrug and push the headphones onto her ears. Don looked at her a moment, seeing a different person than he saved from an incubus all those years ago, before he left her to her alone.

And a small smile crept across her lips as she felt him go. "Well that was new."

**********************************************************​

Laz didn't bother pretending like she didn't know he wanted her to join him, just made herself naked as she materialized in the shower behind him. She didn't say anything as she grabbed his body wash and squirted a little on his back. It was more to massage than wash, but she figured he wouldn't mind when she pressed her breasts against his back and worked her hands around to his chest.

"I thanked Elaine," she said quietly as she ran her fingers along his abs. "But I never thanked you. The fact that you would let them go for us...for me...I can't imagine how hard that choice was Jackie. I've been told I can't replace them but I can show how grateful I am that you could make such a choice. How grateful I am that you love me."

 

[Othermoose]

Quinn thought Jackie had been following him, but in the confusion the teen had lost the other man. To make matters worse when Quinn opened the garage door he noticed a magical barrier surrounding the building, cutting off all escape, even in his rat form. So Quinn stayed hunkered down, hiding behind the SUV as more and more MCP agents poured into the garage. Eventually Quinn's minigun ran out of ammo. Then his rifle. His pistols were running low, and for every agent he downed, two more took his place. "I'm going to die here." Quinn thought desperately as he fired two bullets into an angents chest.

Before Quinn could duck back into cover, a bullet caught him in the shoulder. He screamed in pain as he fell to the ground, and screamed again when a second and third bullet found his left leg. He crawled inside of the bullet ridden interior of the SUV and waited to die as the bullets pounded the side of the vehicle.

He was sure they were comming for him when the bullets stopped. But when no agents came a small sliver of hope rose in his chest. That hope was soon crushed; however, when one by one his teammates commlinks went offline. Quinn began to cry. All of them were dead. His team. His family. And Nicky. He thought he had a shot with her, he thought something might be growing between them, but now she was dead, and he was dying.

As Quinn's vision began to blur from tears and bloodloss, he thought of his lost family. Of the times he had spent in the New York City underground with his father. Training for a situation like this. And Quinn had failed. He'd been too much of a fuck up and he was dying because of it. "Sorry Nicky." He whispered before passing out.

 

[silvertongue217]

“Burning one things does sound a little bit like over kill” Edward remarked laughing and kicking the trash bag into a corner before allowing himself to be pulled into bed and stripped. He kicked his thigns off and stretched out getting settled before pulling her to him and wrapping the blanket around them both.

“I don’t get what you mean?” He said shaking his head and kissing/ nibbling on her neck “I feel fine like I never even expended any energy at all I there really going to be some vampire drug crash?” He asked raising an eyebrow and running his hands all over her frame touching her everywhere. Now that the battle was over and the blood lust sated he felt a different kind of hunger coursing through him.

The hunger of lust

…………….

He felt her materialize behind him and was rewarded a few seconds later with her breast pushing against his back. He stifled a moan and groaned when her hands began tracing against his chest and abb. He felt the stress of the day disappearing and sighed bringing her hands up and kissing them a few times.

“It was worth it to keep you safe” He said gently closing his eyes “I don’t need you to show me any thing I lot you once and no matter what the price is I will pay it if I doesn’t mean losing you again” He said softly before turning and cupping her cheeks.

“The only thing that makes me sad is that I cant give them to you” Jackie said not bothering to hide his words or his feelings “I wanted to…. Hell I doesn’t matter now I wanted to give you those rings… propose to you with them when we were ready that’s what my mom gave tem to me for” He said sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose.

 

[grdybiwife]

Nicky was just drifting off when she felt it. The nagging sensation that she had forgotten something. She glanced down to see her bag at the other end of the couch a figure whatever it was could wait.

Then she felt it again but more intense and she shot to her feel. "Oh my God Quinn," she screamed before she bolted to the garage, all the while her heart pounding. Tears were already running down her face as she prepared to see the worse.

She went immediately to the truck he was in and fought to keep herself upright from the sight of him unconscious and cover in blood on the backseat.

'You aren't that girl anymore...Pull it together and do something before he bleeds to death.

Nicky sucked in a deep breath before she yanked the door open and climbed into the driver's seat. She said a quick prayer as she flipped down the visor and the keys fell into her lap. Without a second thought she peeled out of the garage and head straight for the hospital. She just hoped that the ER was capable of handling the complexities of were anatomy.

 

[Othermoose]

Doctor Ganril sighed as the trilling of his alarm spell went off in his mind. "I suppose that's my break." He thought opening his eyes. He had spent his break as he usually did, siting in the hospital's courtyard meditating and communing with nature. He was never happy leaving the garden behind, but once he returned to the hospital he was all business.

Ganril had spent most of his 756 years studying medicine. He could operate on almost any creature, and was considered one of, if not the, best doctor in New York City. After he had arrived in the city with the fog, he devoted his time and energy learning human medicine. His was a full fledged doctor by mystical standards and by human standards, and he combined this knowledge with expert skill, making him a master healer.

As the elf doctor approached the front door of the hospital, he heard the sound of screeching tires. He turned to see a bullet riddled SUV speeding towards the hospital. The SUV came to a screeching halt a few feet away from Ganril before the engine sputtered and died. He quickly approached the SUV and as soon as the young woman driving steeped out Ganril offered his help.

Nicky and Ganril worked in tandem to carry Quinn's unconscious and badly bleeding body into the hospital where they were met by a nurse with a gurney. As Ganril and the nurse guided the gurney to the elevator Nicky explained the situation to the elvish doctor. After Ganril learned all he needed to know about Quinn he directed Nicky to a waiting room as he and the nurse continued on to an operating room.

============== Several hours later =============

After a long and difficult surgery Ganril finally released Quinn into the intensive care ward. He changed out of his bloodstained scrubs before finding an anxious Nicky in the waiting room. He calmly sat down next to the girl and explained the situation. "Your friend is very seriously injured, but also very lucky. If you had been five or ten minutes later in getting him here, he would have died. His chances aren't good right now, but he has them because of you." Ganril said solemnly. "He lost a lot of blood, and one of the bullets hit an artery in his leg. To make matters worse they were silver bullets. As I'm sure you know, silver is not ideal for a werecreature to have anywhere near his person, but to have it sever his artery... If he doesn't die now it will be a miracle. And if he does survive it is likely he will have some trouble with his leg, at worst he'll lose it, at best he may only have a scar. There's also the possibility that he will no longer be able to change form. At this point it's too soon to say what will happen, but you should be aware of this for the future. You can see him now, if you'd like, but he is heavily sedated and could possibly fall into a coma. If you'd like to let him rest I can call you a cab to your home." Ganril explained to Nicky.

 

[grdybiwife]

Lem laughed at his assertion that he would be fine. "That's the thing about it being a Fledgling. It feels so much better than being human that you don't realize the exhaustion until it consumes you. It doesn't creep up on you. All of a sudden it's there and there's nothing you can do about it. You can't fight it...I believe that humans have one such affliction. Narcolepsy," she informed him as she ran her fingers up and down his chest. "It won't last forever but as Don said, it is inevitable," she said as her hand moved down to his cock and began to stroke it gently.

Lem wanted him inside her again but she knew that this was a conversation that needed to be had so she fought the urge to jump him as soon as they entered the room. The feeling of his cock stiffening in her grasp brought a growl up from her chest as she grazed her teeth along his neck. Her body moved against him subconsciously, telling him of her need. His cock began to throb in her hand and Lem lost all control.

"Worry not my love," she said as she slipped onto his lap and pushed him inside her. "I would still satisfy you in your slumber."

***********************************************************​

Laz felt herself getting emotional as soon as Jackie started talking. Deep down she knew why he was so attached to those rings but her conscious mind wouldn't allow her to acknowledge it because they were so young. They were still young, too young, but hearing it out loud gave her butterflies as if he had actually asked the question.

She'd teased him earlier at his mention of marriage but she wouldn't hesitate to accept. With or without the rings. She didn't need them. All she needed was him, and Laz told him so.

"Rings or no rings Jackie I'm not letting you go," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "All I need is you."

 

[silvertongue217]

“Not tired” He said groaned as he pushed her self onto his cock. His hands slid up to her hips and he moaned pushing himself deep inside of her rocking her against his cock. His hands slid down to her ass giving the orbs a delicious smack as he began to thrust in and out of her deeply. He enjoyed him self closing his eyes and getting lost in the feeling.

Then it hit

She was right it wasn’t some thing that slowly took hold. He was thrusting into her deeply moaning in pleasure one moment then he was suddenly gone. His hands fell to his sides and he was out like a light in a deep sleep that no one could awaken him from.

…………….

“And all I need is you” He said his hands going around her hips. He pulled her close and sighed in pleasure touching their foreheads together “still it would have been nice to give you them” He said sighing and grabbing his soap and loufa.

He began washing her using her favorite soap and getting her all sudsy. He quickly let go of the Loufa though rubbing her body with his hands and teasing her with his skilled hands

 

[grdybiwife]

Nicky swiped away her tears as she stood up from her chair. She felt horrible for Quinn and she wasn't going to leave him alone. The doctor seemed to know what she was think and led her to his room without a word, leaving her at the door. She stood there a moment, listening to the machines beep, trying to hold back her tears.

She felt herself pushed into the room so hard that she glanced behind to see if anyone was standing there, but of course there was no one. Once she was inside though, all the anxiety and sadness washed away. Nicky pulled the lone chair to the side of his bed and sat down, took his hand in hers. Kissed his knuckles.

"You're gonna be fine Q, as long as you wake up tonight, you're gonna be fine," she told him. Nicky just hoped he could hear her. For the first time since she saw him again, she couldn't hear him.

************************************************************​

"Sure you're not," Lem said with a smirk as she lean down to kiss Edward's cheeks before she pulled off his still hard cock. Part of her felt bad for tricking him but he had to learn to listen to his body's urges. They could be the difference between simply feed and killing someone, he had to know that he couldn't fight through those things like he could have when he was mortal.

She saw the signs and knew he only needed a little push to get him to succumb to slumber. He might not want her protecting him but it was her job as his mate, and sometimes that meant protecting him from himself. Another kiss, this one to his lips, before she settled down in the nook between his arm and chest. Her new favorite spot in the world. It was the beginning of a new life for her and in a few hours the sun would be rising, Lem planned to greet it for the first time in a little over a century. Too excited to sleep she just laid there, waiting.

**********************************************************​

Laz tried to push Jackie away when he started tickling her. Of course it was a halfhearted attempt since she didn't want to go another day without his hands on her in some way. She realized with his sacrifice just how much she meant to him, how serious he was about their being together again.

"I won't fight it anymore Jackie," she mumbled as they rinsed away the last of the suds and she turned the water off. She used her magic to create a balmy wind in the bathroom to dry them before she pulled him out of the shower and put her arms around his neck. "I love you and I want to be with you again...but not like before. If we're gonna do this, we have to do it right. We can't let anything come between us again. I don't think the world will survive if we do."

 

[silvertongue217]

“I don’t think you understand why I am upset about the rings” He said laughing and shaking his head letting the wind dry him. He felt her hands around his neck and lifted her up pressing their foreheads together before giving her a gentle but passionate kiss.

“I wanted those rings for you” He said kissing her once more “Which means I want to marry you I cant think of any other woman I want to spend my life with binding my self to you through marriage is what I want and nothing would be able to tear us apart or stand in our way” He whispered against hr lips before giving her another kiss.

 

[grdybiwife]

"You think I didn't already hear that thought floating around in that jumbled head of yours," she said with a smirk and grabbed a chuck of his hair, gave it a playful yank. "I get why and I would have loved them but you don't have them to give anymore so get over it...I don't need those rings to know how you feel about me Jackie. Those rings wouldn't keep us together," Laz said as she took his hand. His left hand.

"If that's what you want Jackie, all you have to do is ask," she told him, her eyes aglow and the tattoos that ran up her arm began to shimmer in waves. "I can't do anything until you say the words."