Drunk dialing (att: Shay!)

He had called him boy! Who did he think he was talking to?! Panos was over eleven thousand years old and this man was going to call him boy?

Disgusted sat on the couch and immediatly stood up again. He had too much fury inside him to sit still. What could he do but wait? Did Shay know about this man? Did she know and was trying to protect him from it? He laughed inwardly at that thought, if she only knew.

[You were about to tell her weren't you.] Her voice cut in matter of factly.

[Aunt Chrys! Do you listen to everything that happens to me?]

[I can not hear what others say to you darling. Actually you are the one disturbing me. What has got you so frantic?]

[Disturbing you?]

[Yes, thats how this works Panos. You bonded to me boy, when you need help I must answer.]

[DO NOT CALL ME BOY!] His inner voice roared to her.

[Ah, a touch moody. I am not needed then.]

Thankfully she dissapeared from within his head again. He didn't need her, she'd only want to be fed if he did call upon her to help. Besides he was a man and didn't need help from family when it came to protecting someone.

Panos sat in front of the coffee table and crossed his legs. Closing his eyes he tapped into his senses and waited for anything to go wrong. If Shay needed him, she could find him right here and ready.

So much for her staunch reserve. She reached for him, and pulled him towards her, cradling his head and shoulders in her arms.

In low, soft words, Shay tried to comfort him.

"Mathias...please...our love is nothing we need doubt, or worry over. I know you love me, and I love you...more than the air I breath. I've never stopped loving you, and I am pretty sure that began the night at the club."

Her hand was rubbing his hair, her nails threading through the little curls along the back of his neck.

She was just so glad he'd come back to her...was here with her now...she felt she was strong enough to conquer anything, with him by her side.

"But you need to tell me...so many things..."

She tilted his head up a little, so she could smile and look in his eyes.

"Can you love me, and not want to make me...like you?"

It might have been a strange question to start with...but her mind was still less than organized by all the information she'd had to grasp.

He never doubted her,nor their love but her words were a comfort still - but not as much as her touch. Shay held him and Mathias just let himself go. I'm tired of running and this is where I belong he thought to himself
"Yes...moreso,because I love you I would never want this....curse..upon you my love."

He closed his eyes and felt Shay's warmth envelope him. He would answer her questions,whatever it took - he would do whatever it took.

A curse? Shay couldn't argue the point with Mathias...he'd lived this way for hundreds of years. But...

"Do you know though...if you weren't like you are...we would have never met. And while we wouldn't have hurt each other today, we wouldn't be here now either. I know that's selfish of me...but I'm sorry...all I know is, whether i understand this...condition...or not...it has brought you to me, and no matter what we have to deal with to make this work, at least we have the opportunity."

And Shay believed that with all her being.

But more questions...

"Are the things they write about...vampires...true? Must you drink blood to survive...are you forbidden from sunlight... I mean I already know somethings are just falacies...garlic obviously doesnt bother you, there was tons of it in the Chinese food we ate. And if Christian crosses were your enemy, I doubt you would have gone into religious research...is that really what you do?"

She was right of course,and Annabelle as much said it. "Then I should be more appreciative of this condition,for right here,and right now,with you is where I belong." He reached up and softly caressed her cheek - even in the short time he was away Mathias had missed the feel of her flesh.

"Like anything else,there is reality mixed with the mythology." He grew serious for a moment. "What I am sharing with is not to be taken lightly nor should it be used in your book Shay. There are vampires far older than I am and they take a dim view to our secrets being revealed or mortals sharing them with the outside world." Shifting,he sat up to face Shay. "We require blood,but it does not have to be human,nor does it have to be from 'fresh' as it were.. Sunlight will kill me,though with my age it would slightly longer than someone not as old. Garlic,silver,religious artifacts have no effect - though I have heard tales of some who had psychological limitations that made them think it did affect them."

"I do,in fact,research ancient religions - specifically early christian sects. I have sought redemption for my sins,to seek a cure for this. As you point out though - perhaps the purpose was for me to be here,to be with you. It is not for me to questions God's plan I suppose" He let a chuckle at that. "However,it is not the only thing I do for a living." Mathias slid off the bed and stood facing Shay. While confession was necessary he did not want to risk her pulling away again.

"Certain of my abilities,things due to my condition have proven useful to certain groups. Those groups,in turn have chosen to financially compensate me for activities on their behalf. Understand me - I have NEVER taken a contract on an innocent soul. But if the criminal element wishes to prey upon itself,I see no sin in profiting or aiding that demise." True enough,he had always been meticulous in his research. And Ellis had never brought him a contract that did not fit those parameters.
Mathias searched his love's face,looking for anything positive.

As she listened, she tried to hear everything...not only his words, but his emotions, his intentions, the implications knowing his words brought to her. It was true...vampires really did exist...incredulous as she might have been once...she now believed everything he said without question.

Though maybe it was so easy for her because somewhere within her she really had known all along. She just never expected to actually meet, much less fall in love with, one.

She was relieved beyond words to hear Mathias did not need fresh, human blood to live. Yet the issue of his biting her then took on different meaning...she just wasn't sure what that meaning was yet. The fact that sunlight was poison, frightened Shay...it made him too vulnerable, in her eyes. The sunlight was all around them, for such a large part of their lives...

It was good to hear that so much of what he'd told her had been true...she could understand him withholding so many things, but it helped her believe everything else, when she knew the things he didn't need to lie about, he hadn't. And that he had made a career, wherein he had sought redemption, only served to support the reason why she loved him.

When he pulled away and then got off the bed...Shay's eyes were on him, full, once again, of fear. Though was there anything more he could tell her, that had the potential to frighten her more than she had already been?

"You're a mercenary...a vigilante of sorts?"

Though Shay had been on the police force, and morally understood the reason for not allowing just anyone to take the law into their own hands...she had also seen first hand the way their judicial system often didn't work the way it should. Victims weren't always avenged...justice wasn't always accomplished...all too often, because of their human frailties, and imperfections, those responsible for seeing that the 'bad guys' were taken care of, just weren't able to do so.

She would need to think on that more, but initially she didn't find his final revelation to be anything she couldn't live with.

But there were more questions...

She went to him this time...she climbed off the bed, walked over and moved her arms around his waist, pulling him close and pressing her cheek to his chest. She listened...did she hear a heart beat...yes she did...but her own was beating so loudly she just wasn't sure if she heard his or not. She looked up at him.

"I love you...Mathias...Alexei...whatever you are called, and whether I, myself, will be damned to hell, I love you. I couldn't not love you any more than I could not breathe. What you do doesn't thrill me, but not necessarily because of its moral implications...but because it puts you in danger...like the sun. I know you aren't invincible, but to know you could so easily perish if caught outside...scares me like little else could.

I would never...NEVER betray you...nor would I ever include specifics about you or your...people...that would lead them here...to you...in anything I wrote. In fact, for now...my book is something I need to revisit. I need time to digest ALL of this before I even consider returning there."

She had to sit down...or fall down...but one or the other was going to need to happen. She took his hand and led him back to the bed.

"Please sit...and tell me about what your people may do to me, now that I know..."

He moved back the bed,sitting against the backboard and wrapping his arms around Shay. "I am a mercenary occaisonally. I have had the luxury of selecting my jobs and targets. Others are not so...discriminating." That's putting it mildly - the other Mercs didn't necessarily have his compunctions.

"A wise man once told me "All death is certain death". Although my nature is to live forever I know I will not,and I know someday you will not be with me. As much as that troubles me I have faith we will see one another again. I worry about you every moment I am not be your side." He glanced towards the door where Paul was."And I know you will neve rbetray me,or my people - we will figure out a way to write your book I promise."

"As to what others will do..that's hard to say. Just knowing doesn't mark you for death. there isn't a way to just 'see' if someone knows about us. However if it were to slip or somehow be known there might be those who saw you as a threat." Mathias thought for a moment,there was one way to protect Shay besides turning her..

He turned Shay around to face him,looking her directly in the eyes. "There is a way to 'protect' you having knowledge of us. But it would require a serious commitment from us both,and for you to meet some other vampires who are less noble than I." He had no worries about the commitment required,Shay was everything he could ask for. But he needed her to be sure and meeting Ellis...well that could be an experience in itself.

When she was in his arms like this, she felt nothing could harm either of them. She knew it was a foolish, girlish fantasy...to feel that way...but it was a dream she didn't want to give up on, at the moment.

She also didn't want to talk about death. Being with Mathias would probably now always remind her that death was around, if she let it. That was something she would need to work on...

His concern for her was appreciated, and she didn't miss the look he'd given the door, as she had her head tilted back, and was watching him as he spoke. Though she really needed him to know she trusted Paul, and really believed he would be much more apt to protect her, then harm her.

And the book. Sure the book was a large part of her life...until Mathias it had been her life...but that wasn't the case now. Her heart swelled at his admission.

"A way? What way..."

She reached up and put a finger to his chin, turning his face so he was looking at her.

"You know I'm committed to you...right? When you came back tonight, I knew you were committed to me...and I don't think I have any fear of meeting more...vampires. Not if you're with me.."

Sure Shay wanted to protect herself...she didn't want to die. But she also didn't want to be a weakness for Mathias, and if he was worrying about her, it could distract him from protecting himself. A small shudder passed through her at that thought.

"So...I'm ready."

"There is a process known as creating a familiar. It would require me to feed from you three times in as many nights. Thereafter - a 'bond' would be created between us. Other vampires tend to be very careful about whom they feed from. If you are known as familiar chances are you would be left alone. In addition,you would have the protection of my clan so long as you didn't betray them or reveal our existence."

He knew Shay wouldn't,but the words had to be said. And he doubted any bond created could be as strong as what they felt. "That said...you would be more...'compliant' to my requests,especially regarding feeding. And this is a one way trip - you come in,you do not walk away." He looked into her eyes,trying to show the commitment was just as deep on his side of the coin. "I will be responsible for your actions and I will share your punishment if something occurs."

"Before any of this can happen,however,I need to contact the leader of my clan and seek permission. She will want to meet you." That part worried him. As much as he owed Ellis and felt loyal to her,she still..set him on edge occaisonally. She could be unpredictable.
"I can call her now if you - see when she wishes to meet."

Her eyes and mind were totally focused on Mathias, as he explained the procedure.

She tried to be objective...she tried to look at the process in a very clinical manner, and she tried not to think about the word...'feeding'. For some reason the calm, safe, wonderful arms around her, began to feel slightly constricting, and she eased herself out of those arms, and moved off the bed. Her arms wrapped around herself, and she stared at the floor...at a non-existent spot several feet in front of her.

She looked back to Mathias, and tried to disguise her fears, but doubted she succeeded.

"This..." She cleared her throat.

"This is a lot to think about. I know I probably shouldn't worry. I do trust you, and I know you wouldn't hurt me...although this feeding? It's like what you did the other night...when we were making love? That didn't hurt...this would be like that?"

The pain was a concern. Shay didn't tolerate pain well, and the thought of being subjected to it three times in a row, was more than distasteful. But there was another concern.

"And the 'bonding'...that would make me more 'compliant'..."

She wanted to just tell him 'YES'. She knew she had to, for them to be together. But the terror that ran through her veins was beyond anything she'd yet to experience.

"Mathias...would I still be me? I mean...if I didn't want to do something...could you make me?"

The thought of losing control was scarier than the thought of pain, only from the standpoint that the pain would end.

He understood when Shay left his arms. This WAS a lot to take in and she hadn't had time to digest it. " It would be exactly like that,perhaps even gentler - I may have been rougher than I normally am. To...drink..should be a pleasurable process for both parties involved." Feeding and drinking were such a crude way to describe the act - honest and direct but perhaps it made Shay uncomfortable.

"I showed a poor choice of words love. the bond does not make you more 'compliant' only that the idea of us...sharing blood..is less frightening." That seemed to be a better way to explain things and the truth. "And even if I could, I would never even consider that - your independence is something I love."

Mathias crossed the room,gently lifting Shay's face to his. "The choice is your love, in all things it is always yours. This is not the only way for us to be together and it will not change anything between us."

The different words, that said the same thing, did offer a slight comfort. But it wasn't until he told her that he wouldn't be making her his 'slave', that she allowed herself to relax, at all.

When he came to her, and gave her options, was when she made her decision. Trust... It all boiled down to whether or not she trusted what he'd told her. And she did, without question...she just knew. He had never lied to her yet - she didn't consider his evading the truth to be the same - he had been protecting them both then, just as he was trying to now.

"Call her." She said, after she hugged him.

"Call her now...I'd like to just do this...I don't want to think about it, or worry over it any more than I must. I want to do this, but I want to do it as soon as possible."

Looking directly into his eyes, she repeated the request. She wanted him to see that she meant every word. She also wanted him to see that she had agreed because she loved him, and was agreeing that for both their sakes, it was the best path to take.

Those two words meant almost as much to Mathias as "I love you". It showed her trust in him and her faith in their relationship. He nodded slowly,his eyes never moving from hers. Mathias kissed her gently and whispered "Thank you"

Pulling out his cell phone he dialed Ellis' number - he hoped she was availible.

Ellis was standing with her boot placed firmly in the throat of someone very annoying. This would be considered her good deed for the day, she decided. The neck belonged to a regular, run of the mill thug who was harassing a young lady. Her reasons for playing savior were her own, but admittedly she was enjoying pressing down slowly on his neck, watching him choke to death.

She knelt down, applying even more pressure and gave him a sweet smile. Just then her cell phone rang. She held up a finger and stood, releasing some of the pressure on the gentleman's neck, but he was still unable to move. Ellis reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.

'Hello hello!' She sang in a happy voice.

She was in a good mood - I wonder what the body count is. Mathias thought to himself,hearing Ellis' voice. Mindful of Paul in the next room he chose his next words carefully.
"There is someone I'd like you to meet Ellis - I am interested in becoming very..familiar..with her and it is only right she should meet the family." Gods that was as subtle as a broadsword - hopefully it did the trick.

"Was thinking tomorrow night - we have company right now. How's that for you?" He looked at Shay,hoping it was soon enough for her - they needed to be rid of Paul.

While Mathias put in the call, Shay crawled back up on the bed. She pulled her legs up so just her heels were resting on the edge of the mattress, and her toes were hanging over. She wrapped her arms around her shins, and tucked her chin into the small space between her knees. She watched him thusly, and listened as he made an appointment...that would seal her fate.

Tomorrow seemed like eons, but she had to assume his boss was quite the busy woman. She hoped the woman had an opening for them then.

Glancing at the bedroom door, Shay knew she had to go check on Paul. She didn't know if he was still sitting out there on the sofa waiting for her, or if he'd gone to sleep. In either case, she wanted to make sure he was comfortable.

The man beneath her struggled to move, she leaned back on his throat again, threatening to turn his adams apple into pie. 'Mathias...have we been naughty?' She asked with a coy smile. The man's face beneath her started to turn a lovely shade of blue.

'Have you told her everything, darling? Because if you did and she ends up not willing...well,' she chuckled, 'she's lunch.' The man started to grab at her leg, trying to dig his nails into her skin. With a swift turn of her foot, she heard an audible snap. She sighed unhappily, what a waste.

'Just so you and I are clear because once we set this little happy meeting, there's no turning back.'

Mathias nodded,despite the rest of the conversation was being conducted on the phone. "You know me better than that Ellis - have I ever disappointed you?"

He walked over to where Shay was and sat down. Mathias reached over and ran his hands along her back - as much to reassure himself as it was Shay. This was the right course for them...but it was still a big step. "Yes,Ellis - she is aware of the commitment. We both are." Both of them - they were in this together,for good or ill. The bond between them was as deep as any mortal marriage.

" House of Pain - 8 o'clock?"

"You know me better than that Ellis - have I ever disappointed you?"

'I've given you one change to disappoint me, Mathias, and you did not. At best that only puts you as close as the tip of my sword. But let's not mince words.' She took her foot off of the now dead man and gave a glance in the direction of the poor damsel in distress. 'House of Pain is fine, I will see you then.'

As she looked over at the crying woman, the poor dear ran up to Ellis and hugged her, thanking her for saving her life. Ellis ran her long fingers through the woman's soft brown hair, pulling it to the side, exposing her neck. The woman wouldn't shut up for christ sakes and kept thanking her. Ellis smiled slowly.

If she only knew she was better off with the thug. Ellis ran her tongue over her fang and quietly closed her cell phone.

((Ellis out))

He closed his phone and took a deep breath. There is no turning back now he thought to himself. Not that we would have,but this brings it home.

Moving over to the bed,he sat down beside Shay and draped an arm over her. "The die is cast love - tomorrow night at 8 we meet Ellis. " He scooted over some more and kissed the top of her head. "Everything is going to be ok love, I promise you. You mean everything to me Shay - I love you,heart and soul." Though true,the words rang hollow - how could they even come close to describing what he felt for Shay? Their bond went deeper than man and woman or lovers - truly he knew they were destined to be together. He said no more,content to let Shay talk when and if she felt like it.