The SUV stopped and the back doors opened immediately with a medical team and crash cart ready for Charlie. Marthinus stepped out and helped the team move Charlie onto the gurney.
"Is the extractor prepped?" he asked the medical team. They nodded to behind Marthinus toward the team lead of the project.
"I'm Phillip Mallari," the short man in a white lab coat said. "Team Leader for the Extractor. Yes, Mr. Steyn, it's ready for you."
The medical team rushed Charlie in to stabilize him for the procedure as Hammer stepped up next to Marthinus. He towered over the short Asian doctor and spoke in a soft yet careful voice.
"I hope he's in good hands, Doctor."
Dr. Mallari looked up, way up, at Hammer. "Absolutely," he said in an awed voice. He stepped away with Marthinus and Simon as they all entered the facility toward the lower elevators.
"You sure about this, sir?"
"He's a friend, Phillip," Marthinus replied, "and it's a favor to me. I will be grateful."
"It's not you that will be repaying that debt," Simon said quietly and without looking at his grandson. Marthinus turned and looked at Simon. "Don't worry, Marthinus. I won't be asking for anything nefarious. May not even be this century, but you know favors are the best payments."
"That's someone Ellis would say," Marthinus said in a cold voice.
"But I'm not Ellis. Don't worry." Simon put his hand on his shoulder.
"Are you talking about Vivienne, Simon?" Marthinus finally put into words what he had suspected since seeing him in the sewer tunnels. If his grandfather's motives were just to get at Vivienne, Marthinus would have to put a stop to it or at the very least say something. He watched Simon who finally looked at him.
"Have I ever asked for a life, Marthinus?" Simon said simply. "Besides, she's not mine to ask for."
The Reveal part II
Continues from The Reveal
Simon watched as the eight of them, these Pipers, band together and make the decision to resurrect one of their own. What band of brothers wouldn't bring back one of their own if they had the power to do so? It humbled Simon, seeing the determination and love that went into the very simple act of defying God's will, such as it was.
Werewolves and Vampires were not abominations, not things that embraced the dark because the light had forsaken them. No, they were, at best, an evolved species of man that lived in the dark because no one else could comprehend their differences. Humanity was less than humane, Simon had discovered over his fifteen hundred years, but what he was watching today, right there in that cramped vehicle, was a compassion that he had never seen in a human and doubt he ever would.
Charlie's reaction to the Eternity being injected directly into his heart was not unexpected, at least not to him. Charlie's body tensed and his back bowed as he let out such an extreme and painful roar that scared the hell out of the rest of them. Simon merely reached out and held Charlie down as the others backed up against the walls of the SUV. He could smell the silver in him, most definitely in his blood stream by now and as they brought him back to life, albeit briefly, his regenerating heart managed to push the silver further into his veins, killing him slowly all over again.
"You might want to drive now, Lothias," Simon said over Charlie's screaming. The stunned young man quickly turned and fell over the seats to the driver's seat and put the vehicle in motion; his face ghost white and eyes bright and wide.
"You. Red, right?" Simon said looking at the equally stunned red head that appeared to be their medic, "help me hold him down."
Red held his hands out, paused, then shook off his fear and reached out to help Simon hold down Charlie until the screaming stopped.
"What is it doing?" Simon heard Hammer asked quietly.
"Right now it's starting to regenerate what it can. Regeneration on a werewolf is much slower than with a human, but it will try and fix the less damaged areas first." Simon pointed to Charlie's face as the burns on the side of his face began to clear slowly.
"But the silver will slow it down further?" Red asked, curious now.
"Considerably I would think." Simon looked out the front window as Lothias took a severe turn. They were close, inside of five minutes. "May I borrow someone's phone, please?"
The second largest man in the vehicle took out a phone and handed it to him. "Thank you...?"
"Marko," the man said with a nod. "Sure."
Simon let go of Charlie's legs, which were immediately replaced by another Pipers, and he dialed into Duibne to authorize Charlie's admittance.
"This is Simon Huntington, I'm authorizing the temporary entry of 8 Kadzait werewolves to the medical facility."
Hammer interrupted, "Someone needs to notify my Commander and our Alpha, Aiden Xephier."
Simon recalled the name and the one and only time he had met their Alpha. Swallowing, he asked, "Got a number?"
Hammer recited the number to Simon. DI was instructed to call the Kadzait command center immediately and to notify their Commander and Aiden Xephier. "Commander?"
"Brian Jameson," Vivienne replied, her face suddenly pale.
"Commander Brian Jameson and make that 10 individuals," Simon said into the phone and hung up. He handed the phone back to Marko. "Go around to the back of the north tower, please," he called out to Lothias who drove without replying.
Marthinus reached out for Marko's phone and made the call to prep the extraction machine. Simon looked over at Vivienne and gave her an encouraging smile.
/This extraction machine. What's it like?/
Simon looked away and back down at Charlie. /Viv, you really don't want to know./
Marthinus T. Steyn
13 years ago
Simon Huntington
13 years ago
Simon led the Pipers and Vivienne to the lower elevators and personally escorted them to the underground medical facility. It was smooth steel and recently redesigned from the zombie-like virus that had swept the city several Halloween's back. As they passed through the lower levels, the Duibne Industries personnel stood slowly as the pack of wolves moved unfettered through the clan's property. With Simon, their entry was not only allowed, they were valued guests although their access would be limited to the medical floor they were on and the lobby leading to the experimental section which was off limits. He explained this to them as he stopped in the Lobby.
"And the Commander and Alpha?" Hammer asked, his eyes looking around, taking in the room.
"They'll be met up top and brought down immediately. Make yourselves comfortable gentlemen. Let Lisa," he pointed to the young lady that appeared behind them, "know if you need anything."
Simon began to walk out and as he passed Lothias he said, "I've got to go change my shirt," and winked at the young man. He caught the roll of their LT's eyes as he exited.
/Simon?/
Simon almost stopped at Viv's voice in his head, but he continued on through the doors as he replied.
/Yes, Vivienne?/
/I think...I need to see a doctor./
That made him stop and almost turn back to her. /Are you ok? Were you or the baby hurt?/
/Oh god, my baby. Uh, no. I just need to know. You know?/
/Want one of mine to see you?/
/No!/ she said quickly. /Sorry, no, but when the Alpha comes?/
/Is your Alpha a doctor?/
/He's a veterinarian, too./
/Oh, that's clever./
/All right, that's enough./
/I'll make sure the equipment is here to see the baby is fine./
/Thanks, Simon./
/Of course./
Then she was silent. Simon continued walking to the elevators to go up to his offices for a change of clothes. Viv seemed to have no doubt that she was pregnant and Simon took her for her word. He had no idea what affected their transformation, save for the silver, so the size of an unborn child was new to him. He wondered if there was something about her pregnancy that affected his need to protect her, something in the pheromones. It would be interesting to see her through her pregnancy and he found himself a little excited for it, so much so a smile crept across his face without him even realizing it.
"And the Commander and Alpha?" Hammer asked, his eyes looking around, taking in the room.
"They'll be met up top and brought down immediately. Make yourselves comfortable gentlemen. Let Lisa," he pointed to the young lady that appeared behind them, "know if you need anything."
Simon began to walk out and as he passed Lothias he said, "I've got to go change my shirt," and winked at the young man. He caught the roll of their LT's eyes as he exited.
/Simon?/
Simon almost stopped at Viv's voice in his head, but he continued on through the doors as he replied.
/Yes, Vivienne?/
/I think...I need to see a doctor./
That made him stop and almost turn back to her. /Are you ok? Were you or the baby hurt?/
/Oh god, my baby. Uh, no. I just need to know. You know?/
/Want one of mine to see you?/
/No!/ she said quickly. /Sorry, no, but when the Alpha comes?/
/Is your Alpha a doctor?/
/He's a veterinarian, too./
/Oh, that's clever./
/All right, that's enough./
/I'll make sure the equipment is here to see the baby is fine./
/Thanks, Simon./
/Of course./
Then she was silent. Simon continued walking to the elevators to go up to his offices for a change of clothes. Viv seemed to have no doubt that she was pregnant and Simon took her for her word. He had no idea what affected their transformation, save for the silver, so the size of an unborn child was new to him. He wondered if there was something about her pregnancy that affected his need to protect her, something in the pheromones. It would be interesting to see her through her pregnancy and he found himself a little excited for it, so much so a smile crept across his face without him even realizing it.
Xeph
13 years ago
Nothing like a stroll through vampire central, Xeph reflected as he was escorted through Duibne to where his Kadzait awaited him. In truth he cared little for his surroundings and didn't observe the way he normally would have. His mind was too busy working over the details he'd been given, worrying for Charlie, his downed Amaroq.
How could a simple (granted, disgusting, but still simple) mapping and surveillance mission have gone so abysmally wrong? Xeph knew there were more facts here but he would get those in time. His priority was Charlie for the moment, as it appeared everyone else was out of danger.
As he entered the lobby of the underground medical facility he as already tuning in to the needs of the wolves around him. He did it unconsciously, a habit born of many years of being concerned for them. They hit him like a brick, all of them, at once. Xeph sifted through each one, understanding the feelings that were nearly universal; the need to see Charlie well, the need for security, the need to be away from this place that screamed "danger" to them in an instinctual level. He couldn't do anything about those.
One in particular stood out though, because he had felt it just less than a year ago in his own mate. Xeph's mismatched eyes skimmed over the Kadzait there, acknowledging each of them in turn, and falling upon Viv. He stared at her for a few long seconds before turning away to Hammer and crossing the room to him.
"What happened?" he demanded softly. "How is he?"
How could a simple (granted, disgusting, but still simple) mapping and surveillance mission have gone so abysmally wrong? Xeph knew there were more facts here but he would get those in time. His priority was Charlie for the moment, as it appeared everyone else was out of danger.
As he entered the lobby of the underground medical facility he as already tuning in to the needs of the wolves around him. He did it unconsciously, a habit born of many years of being concerned for them. They hit him like a brick, all of them, at once. Xeph sifted through each one, understanding the feelings that were nearly universal; the need to see Charlie well, the need for security, the need to be away from this place that screamed "danger" to them in an instinctual level. He couldn't do anything about those.
One in particular stood out though, because he had felt it just less than a year ago in his own mate. Xeph's mismatched eyes skimmed over the Kadzait there, acknowledging each of them in turn, and falling upon Viv. He stared at her for a few long seconds before turning away to Hammer and crossing the room to him.
"What happened?" he demanded softly. "How is he?"
Iov Hammerthynn
13 years ago
Hammer chose to stand, despite 'Lisa' offering him and his men a seat. Vivienne however decided to wait on the opposite side of the Lobby in a corridor, sitting by herself. Her arms were holding her stomach and her right leg was tapping the ground as she stared off at the wall in front of him. Occasionally her face would pinch up, but otherwise she chose to be by herself. He could taste her scent, beyond the moldy water and sewage she had been traipsing through and it was different...somehow. He took a step toward her when his son arrived, demanding answers.
Hammer took a deep breath and started with the apparent localized EMP when a horrible, gut wrenching howl of pain that ripped through the hallways. His mouth gaped open and he felt a terrible chill run down his spine when Marthinus came running in from beyond the experimental section.
"It's all right, everyone is ok." Marthinus said holding his hands up.
Another blood curdling scream cut through the stunned silence and the Pipers stood up. Vivienne remained on the hallway bench, covering her ears and crying. Just then Simon walked in again and immediately walked up to Hammer and Xeph.
"I said it would work to extract the silver, I'm sorry but I neglected to mention...that. I swear to you, he's fine and under the best care Duibne can provide."
"What, exactly, are you doing to my Sergeant?!"
He's in a zero gravity chamber, and I could bore you with the physics...."
"You know I'm a physics professor, don't you?" Hammer snarled.
"Be that as it may, the Extractor is pulling the silver back out of his body. He's bound to feel the pain of the metal. After this process," there was more screaming and Simon paused, "he'll be able to use his innate regenerative abilities while he's put into a medically induced coma."
Hammer turned to his son, trying to ignore the bone rattling screams, and explained the events as they happened.
"During the sewer mapping they thought there were unknowns moving toward them; hostile or otherwise, they were unable to determine until they came across sealed manholes. The Sergeant called for a 'pop' but by then it was too late. A localized EMP was dropped in the area and they were separated without the ability to communicate. Then I, the LT, and Marko were dispatched as back up. The Commander could not be reached. Then Huntington, here, came to our aid."
Simon slipped his hands into his trousers and shrugged noncommittally, finishing the story. "I found Miss Sena and your Sergeant fighting an Anantya vampire, but by then he had been shot point blank with a shotgun with silver and lead pellets. Unfortunately, he was too far gone to make it out of the tunnel. I assisted Miss Sena and I'm presuming it was the Sergeant that caused the explosion that rocked downtown Nachton, neutralizing the vampire and any remaining assailants down in the tunnels. Somehow Charlie was thrown clear of the main explosion and landed in a water tank right near us. We brought him up, decided to give him further 'aid' and brought him here. That's about it."
Hammer watched as Vivienne stood and approached them quietly, her face swollen from crying. "If I may, Alpha Xephier? I need to speak to you and the Beta."
There was more, Hammer thought to himself, but he was fairly certain things were going to get worse.
Hammer took a deep breath and started with the apparent localized EMP when a horrible, gut wrenching howl of pain that ripped through the hallways. His mouth gaped open and he felt a terrible chill run down his spine when Marthinus came running in from beyond the experimental section.
"It's all right, everyone is ok." Marthinus said holding his hands up.
Another blood curdling scream cut through the stunned silence and the Pipers stood up. Vivienne remained on the hallway bench, covering her ears and crying. Just then Simon walked in again and immediately walked up to Hammer and Xeph.
"I said it would work to extract the silver, I'm sorry but I neglected to mention...that. I swear to you, he's fine and under the best care Duibne can provide."
"What, exactly, are you doing to my Sergeant?!"
He's in a zero gravity chamber, and I could bore you with the physics...."
"You know I'm a physics professor, don't you?" Hammer snarled.
"Be that as it may, the Extractor is pulling the silver back out of his body. He's bound to feel the pain of the metal. After this process," there was more screaming and Simon paused, "he'll be able to use his innate regenerative abilities while he's put into a medically induced coma."
Hammer turned to his son, trying to ignore the bone rattling screams, and explained the events as they happened.
"During the sewer mapping they thought there were unknowns moving toward them; hostile or otherwise, they were unable to determine until they came across sealed manholes. The Sergeant called for a 'pop' but by then it was too late. A localized EMP was dropped in the area and they were separated without the ability to communicate. Then I, the LT, and Marko were dispatched as back up. The Commander could not be reached. Then Huntington, here, came to our aid."
Simon slipped his hands into his trousers and shrugged noncommittally, finishing the story. "I found Miss Sena and your Sergeant fighting an Anantya vampire, but by then he had been shot point blank with a shotgun with silver and lead pellets. Unfortunately, he was too far gone to make it out of the tunnel. I assisted Miss Sena and I'm presuming it was the Sergeant that caused the explosion that rocked downtown Nachton, neutralizing the vampire and any remaining assailants down in the tunnels. Somehow Charlie was thrown clear of the main explosion and landed in a water tank right near us. We brought him up, decided to give him further 'aid' and brought him here. That's about it."
Hammer watched as Vivienne stood and approached them quietly, her face swollen from crying. "If I may, Alpha Xephier? I need to speak to you and the Beta."
There was more, Hammer thought to himself, but he was fairly certain things were going to get worse.
Xeph
13 years ago
Xeph fought the urge to change and rush off to protect Charlie. It was strong, very strong; he was Charlie's Alpha and Charlie was in danger. He had a duty to the Pipers here though so with a quiet, unnoticeable effort he forced the wolf back into its cage and remained outwardly calm, the image of certainty and self-assuredness. He nodded to both Marthinus and Simon when they appeared.
The Kadzait would pick up on his attitude from anywhere in the room. This was what Alphas did. His Pack would feed off of him. If he didn't keep his calm, things could get very messy very quickly. Xeph tucked his hands into his pockets and attempted to ignore the screams as he listened to the explanations.
He tilted his head as Viv approached. Pulling one hand free he rested it on her shoulder. He could see what she needed very clearly now. Turning her gently to face him he bent to her and softly said, "You need to make sure everything is all right," it was half question, half statement as he nodded ever so slightly downward.
He looked at Simon. "Is there someplace private we can go, please?"
Xeph refrained from asking for the particular equipment he would need until they were out of earshot; clearly Viv hadn't told anyone. It wasn't his job to do so.
The Kadzait would pick up on his attitude from anywhere in the room. This was what Alphas did. His Pack would feed off of him. If he didn't keep his calm, things could get very messy very quickly. Xeph tucked his hands into his pockets and attempted to ignore the screams as he listened to the explanations.
He tilted his head as Viv approached. Pulling one hand free he rested it on her shoulder. He could see what she needed very clearly now. Turning her gently to face him he bent to her and softly said, "You need to make sure everything is all right," it was half question, half statement as he nodded ever so slightly downward.
He looked at Simon. "Is there someplace private we can go, please?"
Xeph refrained from asking for the particular equipment he would need until they were out of earshot; clearly Viv hadn't told anyone. It wasn't his job to do so.
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
It took everything not to break down into sobs as the Alpha looked at her, really looked at her, and realized what she was asking.
"I just...I need to know." The tears were fresh, running down her cheeks freely now. She flicked her eyes toward Hammer. His expression changed from confused to understanding.
"Now I understand," he said quietly. He rubbed his face and ran it through his hair.
Simon called the receptionist over and she answered quietly. Turning, he pointed to one of the rooms off the main hallway leading down to the experimental section. "In there is an ultrasound machine and whatever else you need."
Viv ran her fingers through her hair and turned toward the room, ignoring the looks coming from the Pipers. The murmurs of 'what?' and 'an ultrasound machine?' filtered into the air, but she walked to the door with determination and waited for the Alpha.
"Hammer, are you coming in, too?"
Hammer's eyebrows raised and followed her to the door, opening it for her. As Viv walked in, he whispered to her, "Brig should be on his way," and said nothing else.
Viv swallowed, the lump in her throat large and painful. "Yeah," was all she could manage before stepping into the room.
"I just...I need to know." The tears were fresh, running down her cheeks freely now. She flicked her eyes toward Hammer. His expression changed from confused to understanding.
"Now I understand," he said quietly. He rubbed his face and ran it through his hair.
Simon called the receptionist over and she answered quietly. Turning, he pointed to one of the rooms off the main hallway leading down to the experimental section. "In there is an ultrasound machine and whatever else you need."
Viv ran her fingers through her hair and turned toward the room, ignoring the looks coming from the Pipers. The murmurs of 'what?' and 'an ultrasound machine?' filtered into the air, but she walked to the door with determination and waited for the Alpha.
"Hammer, are you coming in, too?"
Hammer's eyebrows raised and followed her to the door, opening it for her. As Viv walked in, he whispered to her, "Brig should be on his way," and said nothing else.
Viv swallowed, the lump in her throat large and painful. "Yeah," was all she could manage before stepping into the room.
Xeph
13 years ago
"'Course you do, little Sister," Xeph said softly. The diminutive wasn't meant to reflect an actual familial relationship but the fact that Viv was a Vyusher, naturally smaller than the Kadzait. Technically, he supposed, Viv was his aunt.
"Thank you," Xeph said to Simon. He turned and followed Viv to the indicated room.
It had been a long time since he'd run an ultrasound himself; that was what sonogram technicians were for. He knew how though and he didn't forget easily. When Viv lay down he indicated that she should raise the bottom of her Therian Weave shirt while he got the machine going and prepped the transceiver.
It didn't take very long to conduct the ultrasound. Xeph turned the machine toward Viv so she could see everything, one of the benefits of having your doctor perform the diagnostics, he imagined.
"Look," he said as he gently moved the transceiver over Viv's abdomen. He pointed with his right hand, his dominant left holding the device. "Head, shoulder... the hand there is lifted up toward the mouth. And if your little pup will turn just a bit..."
He angled the transceiver differently, smiling. "I'd guess you're about three months or so. And your baby looks just fine to me. Has there been any pain? Cramping, anything like that?"
Finally he looked at her again. "Did you want to know the sex?"
"Thank you," Xeph said to Simon. He turned and followed Viv to the indicated room.
It had been a long time since he'd run an ultrasound himself; that was what sonogram technicians were for. He knew how though and he didn't forget easily. When Viv lay down he indicated that she should raise the bottom of her Therian Weave shirt while he got the machine going and prepped the transceiver.
It didn't take very long to conduct the ultrasound. Xeph turned the machine toward Viv so she could see everything, one of the benefits of having your doctor perform the diagnostics, he imagined.
"Look," he said as he gently moved the transceiver over Viv's abdomen. He pointed with his right hand, his dominant left holding the device. "Head, shoulder... the hand there is lifted up toward the mouth. And if your little pup will turn just a bit..."
He angled the transceiver differently, smiling. "I'd guess you're about three months or so. And your baby looks just fine to me. Has there been any pain? Cramping, anything like that?"
Finally he looked at her again. "Did you want to know the sex?"
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
Viv nervously lay down on the table. She pulled up on her Therian-weave shirt and pushed her bottoms down a little to let the Alpha apply the cold goo. He began moving the wand around her mid section and lo' and behold.
Her baby was lying on its back. The Alpha pointed out the parts of the body and she felt her hysteria beginning to rise.
/Calm down, Vivienne./ Simon said in her head from outside.
Viv covered her mouth with both hands and wanted to scream, whether it was out of pure joy or pure terror, she had no idea.
"Did you want to know the sex?" The Alpha asked.
Viv looked at him with startled eyes. "I...what?"
Hammer leaned forward and looked at the picture. With a snort he asked, "Do you want to know if it's a girl or a boy, Viv."
"I...what? Wait. There's really a baby there? Wait, what?" Viv felt the hysteria begin to push adrenaline into her body, making her shake. "I haven't felt anything. I had no idea. Oh my god, I'm pregnant. There's a...that's a...I...oh god." Viv reached over and grabbed Hammer's shirt. "What is Vigo going to say? Oh my god, what is Duncan going to say? He's going to think that I...Hammer I didn't know...I'm on birth control."
Vivi covered her mouth again and looked at the Alpha. She finally nodded. Moving her hands she said quietly, "Yes, I want to know."
Her baby was lying on its back. The Alpha pointed out the parts of the body and she felt her hysteria beginning to rise.
/Calm down, Vivienne./ Simon said in her head from outside.
Viv covered her mouth with both hands and wanted to scream, whether it was out of pure joy or pure terror, she had no idea.
"Did you want to know the sex?" The Alpha asked.
Viv looked at him with startled eyes. "I...what?"
Hammer leaned forward and looked at the picture. With a snort he asked, "Do you want to know if it's a girl or a boy, Viv."
"I...what? Wait. There's really a baby there? Wait, what?" Viv felt the hysteria begin to push adrenaline into her body, making her shake. "I haven't felt anything. I had no idea. Oh my god, I'm pregnant. There's a...that's a...I...oh god." Viv reached over and grabbed Hammer's shirt. "What is Vigo going to say? Oh my god, what is Duncan going to say? He's going to think that I...Hammer I didn't know...I'm on birth control."
Vivi covered her mouth again and looked at the Alpha. She finally nodded. Moving her hands she said quietly, "Yes, I want to know."
Iov Hammerthynn
13 years ago
Hammer came to the resolution that he was, in fact, an idiot. Social queues, those flirty looks, verbal innuendos just weren't Hammer's forte. He saw no need to understand humans and their peculiar mores, but if he had paid attention just once, he would've realized that Vivienne and Brig had been together since the very beginning.
The way they bickered with one another, acting as if the other was annoyed with the mere presence of the other, or Brig's scent in Vivienne's apartment, although they always had an excuse for why that may have been a possibility, or how Brig assumed the Alpha male role around Vivienne if even his own Sergeant paid the least bit of attention to her, much less Huntington. For Christ sake's, Brig went after her in Siberia. There was the dinner party where he and Brig had finally started to repair their friendship. How did Brig know where her wine opener was without asking? When Brig let her fix his broken nose or flew off the handle when he found out she had spoken to Huntington alone. It was all there, even the faint traces of her scent on him.
Because it was her apartment he disappeared to every single night, making himself so scarce in the evening that the Pipers came to Hammer...HIM...for their problems.
He rolled his eye up to the ceiling for being so stupid. Brig and Vivienne were in love, had been in love, since her first day on the property back in August.
Hammer looked at the monitor and saw the little pup his cousin and best friend had created with his father's adopted daughter. This baby would be his relation, his second cousin and niece or nephew. But Vivienne was terrified of the family's reaction to a Vyusher R'asa having the Kadzait Piper Commander's baby.
"Do you want to know if it's a girl or a boy, Viv," Hammer asked with a snort. Viv finished her hysterics and solemnly agreed to know about the gender. Hammer, for one, was interested in knowing. Not that he liked babies, but it was his best friend's first child, and despite their mother's origins, it would still be family.
The way they bickered with one another, acting as if the other was annoyed with the mere presence of the other, or Brig's scent in Vivienne's apartment, although they always had an excuse for why that may have been a possibility, or how Brig assumed the Alpha male role around Vivienne if even his own Sergeant paid the least bit of attention to her, much less Huntington. For Christ sake's, Brig went after her in Siberia. There was the dinner party where he and Brig had finally started to repair their friendship. How did Brig know where her wine opener was without asking? When Brig let her fix his broken nose or flew off the handle when he found out she had spoken to Huntington alone. It was all there, even the faint traces of her scent on him.
Because it was her apartment he disappeared to every single night, making himself so scarce in the evening that the Pipers came to Hammer...HIM...for their problems.
He rolled his eye up to the ceiling for being so stupid. Brig and Vivienne were in love, had been in love, since her first day on the property back in August.
Hammer looked at the monitor and saw the little pup his cousin and best friend had created with his father's adopted daughter. This baby would be his relation, his second cousin and niece or nephew. But Vivienne was terrified of the family's reaction to a Vyusher R'asa having the Kadzait Piper Commander's baby.
"Do you want to know if it's a girl or a boy, Viv," Hammer asked with a snort. Viv finished her hysterics and solemnly agreed to know about the gender. Hammer, for one, was interested in knowing. Not that he liked babies, but it was his best friend's first child, and despite their mother's origins, it would still be family.
Xeph
13 years ago
Xeph looked down at Viv. "For whatever it's worth, Viv, what they say doesn't matter in the long run."
His word was law. He'd shed blood for that privilege and he'd be damned if any of his wolves, Elder or not, took action or said a word against Viv. He'd make it known if necessary, but he preferred them to work it out themselves. It wouldn't hurt to let Viv know that however.
When she seemed to calm down some, he smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders. "It's a girl. You have a very unharmed, healthy little girl pup in there as far as I can tell."
He gathered a handful of paper towels and gently wiped the lube from Viv's abdomen then cleaned the rest off his instruments. "Congratulations," he said. "No more field work for you, by the way. Doctor's orders."
His word was law. He'd shed blood for that privilege and he'd be damned if any of his wolves, Elder or not, took action or said a word against Viv. He'd make it known if necessary, but he preferred them to work it out themselves. It wouldn't hurt to let Viv know that however.
When she seemed to calm down some, he smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders. "It's a girl. You have a very unharmed, healthy little girl pup in there as far as I can tell."
He gathered a handful of paper towels and gently wiped the lube from Viv's abdomen then cleaned the rest off his instruments. "Congratulations," he said. "No more field work for you, by the way. Doctor's orders."
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
Viv closed her eyes and winced. Duncan and the Jamesons could do nothing about the pregnancy, but she wasn't sure Duncan would go against what Brig wanted. That is, if Brig wanted the child. But, he would. Of course he would. He wouldn't have proposed to her if he didn't eventually want children. Right? Yeah.
She tried to convince herself that he would want this, but then there would be no other option now, she was still too far along. Viv firmly believed that a woman's uterus belonged to her; otherwise men could carry the baby around, but even if she had found out earlier, that still would not be an option. She also knew that even if Brig didn't want the child, the family would. The first child of the oldest Jameson son of the Elder - there'd be no way she could leave with the baby. That was an unspoken claim she had heard the Jamesons do before. Not first hand, but it was one of those unspoken myths. Jameson children were raised within the pack. Period.
The pack, she thought. This would not bring her closer to the pack, in fact it could push her further away. What would her father say? A hidden relationship with the man she had come to Nachton to evaluate that resulted in a unplanned pregnancy. She bounced her head off the table a couple times just thinking of the ramifications.
The Alpha was as supportive as any one person could be and Viv appreciated that. Whatever happened, there would be no outward negativity toward Viv per the Alpha, but she'd know. No more field world, he said. Half snorting, she agreed. The baby could not handle anymore fighting, mountain climbing, avoiding avalanches, sparring with the Piper boys, or just plan running free as a wolf. Her heart sank for a moment...no more running. The pull at the full moon would drive her crazy, especially not being able to run in the Reserve with her mate. What if he ran with someone else? What about his last girlfriend, Kai? What if this changed everything?
/Viv?/
/What, Simon?/ she said in her head.
/Your Commander just entered the building./
Viv found herself starting to hyperventilate, the anxiety and hormones simmering quickly to a boil. "Oh god...oh god," she started to moan.
"Viv," it was Hammer who helped her to sit up. "Stop over thinking this."
"I'm not. Well, kind of? I need to breathe."
Hammer cleared his throat uncomfortably and was polite enough to stand by her just in case she either threw up or passed out - or both. A knock at the door distracted her as Red poked his head in.
"The Commander is here, sirs." Red's expression was full of confusion and Viv knew he was looking at the equipment and then at Viv. "Oh," he said quietly.
"That'll be all, Red," Hammer said softly. Red backed out and closed the door.
Viv wiped her face and stepped down onto the ground as the Alpha handed her a piece of paper. It was a picture of her sonogram, her baby girl. She thanked the Alpha and nodded at Hammer as she walked to the door. Without another word, she walked out into the lobby but returned to her seat on the hallway bench to wait for Brig.
She tried to convince herself that he would want this, but then there would be no other option now, she was still too far along. Viv firmly believed that a woman's uterus belonged to her; otherwise men could carry the baby around, but even if she had found out earlier, that still would not be an option. She also knew that even if Brig didn't want the child, the family would. The first child of the oldest Jameson son of the Elder - there'd be no way she could leave with the baby. That was an unspoken claim she had heard the Jamesons do before. Not first hand, but it was one of those unspoken myths. Jameson children were raised within the pack. Period.
The pack, she thought. This would not bring her closer to the pack, in fact it could push her further away. What would her father say? A hidden relationship with the man she had come to Nachton to evaluate that resulted in a unplanned pregnancy. She bounced her head off the table a couple times just thinking of the ramifications.
The Alpha was as supportive as any one person could be and Viv appreciated that. Whatever happened, there would be no outward negativity toward Viv per the Alpha, but she'd know. No more field world, he said. Half snorting, she agreed. The baby could not handle anymore fighting, mountain climbing, avoiding avalanches, sparring with the Piper boys, or just plan running free as a wolf. Her heart sank for a moment...no more running. The pull at the full moon would drive her crazy, especially not being able to run in the Reserve with her mate. What if he ran with someone else? What about his last girlfriend, Kai? What if this changed everything?
/Viv?/
/What, Simon?/ she said in her head.
/Your Commander just entered the building./
Viv found herself starting to hyperventilate, the anxiety and hormones simmering quickly to a boil. "Oh god...oh god," she started to moan.
"Viv," it was Hammer who helped her to sit up. "Stop over thinking this."
"I'm not. Well, kind of? I need to breathe."
Hammer cleared his throat uncomfortably and was polite enough to stand by her just in case she either threw up or passed out - or both. A knock at the door distracted her as Red poked his head in.
"The Commander is here, sirs." Red's expression was full of confusion and Viv knew he was looking at the equipment and then at Viv. "Oh," he said quietly.
"That'll be all, Red," Hammer said softly. Red backed out and closed the door.
Viv wiped her face and stepped down onto the ground as the Alpha handed her a piece of paper. It was a picture of her sonogram, her baby girl. She thanked the Alpha and nodded at Hammer as she walked to the door. Without another word, she walked out into the lobby but returned to her seat on the hallway bench to wait for Brig.
The Pipers
13 years ago
Red walked back to the other Pipers with a strange look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Marko asked.
"I think," he started, not sure how to word the rest of his statement. Running his hands through his hair, he pointed toward the room as Vivienne walked out alone with a piece of paper in her hand. He curled his finger back and waited for her to take her seat in the hallway, away from everyone else. Even Huntington was giving her space, leaning against the opposite wall, looking up at the ceiling. Charlie's screaming had finally tapered off, which was heartbreaking to even hear, but his mind kept wandering back to the equipment they had in the room with the Alpha, Beta, and Viv.
"You think what?" Lewis pressed. "Is something wrong?"
"No," he said in a drawn out syllable. "I'm pretty sure Vivienne is pregnant."
The group of men laughed at first and when Red did not laugh with them, they stopped. The Commander entered their room just then and they all turned to face him.
"What happened? What's going on? Why are you all here?" The Commander demanded answers and they gave him a rundown of what happened in the Sewers. "And the explosion?" Again they filled in the blanks and their Commander sighed with some relief.
"The Beta and Alpha are in the room," Red said as he pointed to the door, just as the Beta stepped out.
"Brig," the Beta said, calling the Commander over and whispered something. Then he pointed to Vivienne who sat silent on the bench, staring at the ground with her arms wrapped around her.
"Oh boy," Red said and the Pipers turned toward Vivienne as the Commander walked down the hallway to her. "Oh this can't end well."
They watched as the Commander walked slowly up to where Vivienne was sitting and spoke to her quietly. Vivienne looked uncomfortable, avoiding his stare. The Commander shrugged, prodding her about something when finally Vivienne held her hand out and showed him the paper. The Commander took the picture and looked at it.
"You're pregnant?" Brig said in a strained voice.
"Oh snap," Domingo said quietly. "Wait, if she's pregnant...is it Charlie's?"
"Of course not," Marko said with an assuredness that confused the rest of them.
"And you know this, how?" LT asked incredulously.
"You guys don't?" he replied.
The Commander looked at the picture again and then knelt down in front of Viv, reaching out to touch her face.
The Pipers were enthralled watching the scene unfold in front of them. The Alpha walked out of the room and joined his father, silently watching what was transpiring between Viv and the Commander.
Viv finally looked up at the Commander who was eye level with her. She shrugged, saying something incoherent and began to cry again. The Commander showed her the picture and smiled at her - a large, happy smile as he pulled her close and kissed her.
Red let out a girlish yelp and reached out, grabbing LT's arm. "The Commander is the baby daddy?!"
Marko chuckled along with Marthinus. "I thought you guys all knew where he was every night."
"Even I knew," Marthinus replied.
The Commander lifted Vivienne off the bench as he stood up and kissed her hard. Finally he pulled away and laughed, "We're having a baby!" he yelled loudly.
"I need to sit down," Red said and fell into a chair.
"What's wrong?" Marko asked.
"I think," he started, not sure how to word the rest of his statement. Running his hands through his hair, he pointed toward the room as Vivienne walked out alone with a piece of paper in her hand. He curled his finger back and waited for her to take her seat in the hallway, away from everyone else. Even Huntington was giving her space, leaning against the opposite wall, looking up at the ceiling. Charlie's screaming had finally tapered off, which was heartbreaking to even hear, but his mind kept wandering back to the equipment they had in the room with the Alpha, Beta, and Viv.
"You think what?" Lewis pressed. "Is something wrong?"
"No," he said in a drawn out syllable. "I'm pretty sure Vivienne is pregnant."
The group of men laughed at first and when Red did not laugh with them, they stopped. The Commander entered their room just then and they all turned to face him.
"What happened? What's going on? Why are you all here?" The Commander demanded answers and they gave him a rundown of what happened in the Sewers. "And the explosion?" Again they filled in the blanks and their Commander sighed with some relief.
"The Beta and Alpha are in the room," Red said as he pointed to the door, just as the Beta stepped out.
"Brig," the Beta said, calling the Commander over and whispered something. Then he pointed to Vivienne who sat silent on the bench, staring at the ground with her arms wrapped around her.
"Oh boy," Red said and the Pipers turned toward Vivienne as the Commander walked down the hallway to her. "Oh this can't end well."
They watched as the Commander walked slowly up to where Vivienne was sitting and spoke to her quietly. Vivienne looked uncomfortable, avoiding his stare. The Commander shrugged, prodding her about something when finally Vivienne held her hand out and showed him the paper. The Commander took the picture and looked at it.
"You're pregnant?" Brig said in a strained voice.
"Oh snap," Domingo said quietly. "Wait, if she's pregnant...is it Charlie's?"
"Of course not," Marko said with an assuredness that confused the rest of them.
"And you know this, how?" LT asked incredulously.
"You guys don't?" he replied.
The Commander looked at the picture again and then knelt down in front of Viv, reaching out to touch her face.
The Pipers were enthralled watching the scene unfold in front of them. The Alpha walked out of the room and joined his father, silently watching what was transpiring between Viv and the Commander.
Viv finally looked up at the Commander who was eye level with her. She shrugged, saying something incoherent and began to cry again. The Commander showed her the picture and smiled at her - a large, happy smile as he pulled her close and kissed her.
Red let out a girlish yelp and reached out, grabbing LT's arm. "The Commander is the baby daddy?!"
Marko chuckled along with Marthinus. "I thought you guys all knew where he was every night."
"Even I knew," Marthinus replied.
The Commander lifted Vivienne off the bench as he stood up and kissed her hard. Finally he pulled away and laughed, "We're having a baby!" he yelled loudly.
"I need to sit down," Red said and fell into a chair.
Simon Huntington
13 years ago
Simon left the room to give the werewolves some sort of privacy as Vivienne's pregnancy was revealed. He took the opportunity to enter the experimental section and check on their Sergeant. First he checked the Extractor chamber but saw that it was empty. Apparently the procedure was done and they had moved the Sergeant - either to a room or the morgue. He was cautiously optimistic. Leaving the Extractor chamber, he found Dr. Mallari not far away.
"How is he," Simon asked approaching the doctor quietly.
Mallari jumped and turned, grabbing his chest.
"Sorry," Simon mumbled with a grin.
"He lived, which is good. He's down here." Mallari led him to another room and they opened the door and entered. The Sergeant was hooked up to IVs and his skin looked severely burned. "The silver was completely in his system and extracting it did serious tissue damage. From what Mr. Steyn has explained, they can't regenerate from silver damage."
Simon touched the Sergeant's arm and then lifted the sheets, checking the rest of his body. It was everywhere, his torso, his legs, his face....
"What about using Eternity on him?"
Mallari shrugged. "Eternity has a rather slowed response in a werewolf, but I don't know the long term affect on this type of subject. There is Nova's starburst, to counteract, but we'd have to ween him off it before releasing him. He'd have to stay here for a while."
Simon considered the option and then nodded. "Do it." He put his hand on Mallari's shoulder and left him to the Sergeant.
Walking back to the Lobby, he considered not telling the werewolves about the Eternity, but he'd have to explain his skin and long stay. He sent out to Vivienne to check in on her.
/You ok?/
Her voice was happy and as he drew closer, he felt her elated disposition. /Yeah, I'm fine. He is apparently happy about our baby girl./
/You're having a girl?/ he said, surprised at the excitement in his voice. /That's outstanding, I can date her when she's older./
/Oh, not cool, Simon. Not cool at all./
He chuckled in her head, letting her believe he'd do something as egregious as that, but if she was anything like her mother, you never know. Simon grinned as he returned to the Lobby.
"How is he," Simon asked approaching the doctor quietly.
Mallari jumped and turned, grabbing his chest.
"Sorry," Simon mumbled with a grin.
"He lived, which is good. He's down here." Mallari led him to another room and they opened the door and entered. The Sergeant was hooked up to IVs and his skin looked severely burned. "The silver was completely in his system and extracting it did serious tissue damage. From what Mr. Steyn has explained, they can't regenerate from silver damage."
Simon touched the Sergeant's arm and then lifted the sheets, checking the rest of his body. It was everywhere, his torso, his legs, his face....
"What about using Eternity on him?"
Mallari shrugged. "Eternity has a rather slowed response in a werewolf, but I don't know the long term affect on this type of subject. There is Nova's starburst, to counteract, but we'd have to ween him off it before releasing him. He'd have to stay here for a while."
Simon considered the option and then nodded. "Do it." He put his hand on Mallari's shoulder and left him to the Sergeant.
Walking back to the Lobby, he considered not telling the werewolves about the Eternity, but he'd have to explain his skin and long stay. He sent out to Vivienne to check in on her.
/You ok?/
Her voice was happy and as he drew closer, he felt her elated disposition. /Yeah, I'm fine. He is apparently happy about our baby girl./
/You're having a girl?/ he said, surprised at the excitement in his voice. /That's outstanding, I can date her when she's older./
/Oh, not cool, Simon. Not cool at all./
He chuckled in her head, letting her believe he'd do something as egregious as that, but if she was anything like her mother, you never know. Simon grinned as he returned to the Lobby.
Xeph
13 years ago
Xeph carefully put away the equipment that had been loaned to him after printing out a picture of the sonogram for Viv. He favored her with a sympathetic expression, remaining in the room to make sure it was all squared away when Hammer and Viv left.
Once he rejoined them he kept an eye on Brig and Viv. But only an eye. He watched the Pipers, indicating with subtle gestures that now was not the time to stare and whisper in spite of how compelling and juicy this gossip was. Viv was already nervous and worried. She didn't need everyone else making it worse.
When Brig finally reacted the way a father should, Xeph stood back and crossed his arms with satisfaction. When Simon returned to the lobby Xeph met him first, noting the screaming had stopped and, aside from the smallish celebration happening over near Brig and Viv, it was very quiet.
"You have news?" He asked Simon softly.
Once he rejoined them he kept an eye on Brig and Viv. But only an eye. He watched the Pipers, indicating with subtle gestures that now was not the time to stare and whisper in spite of how compelling and juicy this gossip was. Viv was already nervous and worried. She didn't need everyone else making it worse.
When Brig finally reacted the way a father should, Xeph stood back and crossed his arms with satisfaction. When Simon returned to the lobby Xeph met him first, noting the screaming had stopped and, aside from the smallish celebration happening over near Brig and Viv, it was very quiet.
"You have news?" He asked Simon softly.
Simon Huntington
13 years ago
Simon approached the Kadzait Alpha and Hammerthynn and was immediately questioned about their Sergeant. Apparently the gaiety of Vivienne's pregnancy had worn off some for them to remember why they were standing in vampire territory. Simon sighed and explained the situation.
"The procedure worked and he is alive and resting comfortably, well as comfortable as possible. The silver had gotten into his blood stream and the extraction caused extreme tissue damage over 90% of his body. From what I understand, you werewolves cannot regenerate from silver wounds like you can standard wounds, so his physical appearance is rather ghastly."
Hammerthynn interrupted, "But he's alive?"
"Very much so." Simon paused. "We've started him on treatment to help his skin regenerate, unfortunately it will take some time with your resistance to the method, but the end result should be as if nothing had ever happened."
Simon waited for Xephier's response. Hammerthynn's was one of cautious and suspicion. Simon could release him within a week or so, but Charlie's quality of life would have changed dramatically. He decided to show them instead.
"Follow me and I'll show you."
He walked the two werewolves deeper into Duibne's medical facility to their Sergeant's room. Opening the door, he ushered them in and pointed to the young man. Dr. Mallari was still there, checking over the Sergeant and getting his vitals.
The Sergeant was hooked up to a ventilator that was breathing for him, for the time being, but Simon suspected that would not be for long. Right then, there wasn't much of anything Charlie could do for himself, other than lay in his medically induced coma and slowly heal.
The doctor turned and gave the two large men a weak smile. "Gentlemen. Your young man is alive, but as you can see, there has been major damage to the epidermis, down to the dermis layer of his skin. In the area located around his gunshot wound, it's down to the subcutaneous layer so the damage is quite substantial. We don't know how much of it will regenerate due to your rather allergic response to the silver, but we have started him on treatment to help promote repair the damage."
"The procedure worked and he is alive and resting comfortably, well as comfortable as possible. The silver had gotten into his blood stream and the extraction caused extreme tissue damage over 90% of his body. From what I understand, you werewolves cannot regenerate from silver wounds like you can standard wounds, so his physical appearance is rather ghastly."
Hammerthynn interrupted, "But he's alive?"
"Very much so." Simon paused. "We've started him on treatment to help his skin regenerate, unfortunately it will take some time with your resistance to the method, but the end result should be as if nothing had ever happened."
Simon waited for Xephier's response. Hammerthynn's was one of cautious and suspicion. Simon could release him within a week or so, but Charlie's quality of life would have changed dramatically. He decided to show them instead.
"Follow me and I'll show you."
He walked the two werewolves deeper into Duibne's medical facility to their Sergeant's room. Opening the door, he ushered them in and pointed to the young man. Dr. Mallari was still there, checking over the Sergeant and getting his vitals.
The Sergeant was hooked up to a ventilator that was breathing for him, for the time being, but Simon suspected that would not be for long. Right then, there wasn't much of anything Charlie could do for himself, other than lay in his medically induced coma and slowly heal.
The doctor turned and gave the two large men a weak smile. "Gentlemen. Your young man is alive, but as you can see, there has been major damage to the epidermis, down to the dermis layer of his skin. In the area located around his gunshot wound, it's down to the subcutaneous layer so the damage is quite substantial. We don't know how much of it will regenerate due to your rather allergic response to the silver, but we have started him on treatment to help promote repair the damage."
Xeph
13 years ago
Xeph tried to temper his natural distrust for the vampires in the face of the service they were rendering Charlie. Much as he would have preferred to take this case over and be an active participant Xeph was well aware that he didn't have the facility of the experience to treat silver damage as extensive as Charlie had suffered.
"Thank you," Xeph said solemnly, swallowing his pride, "for your care of my Packmate."
He followed Simon to where Charlie lay and put on his best impartial professional face. His Piper looked like a burn victim, lying there in the white-sheeted bed with a trach tube in to help him breathe, his face and all the parts of him Xeph could see horribly raw, blistered, and bloody. It was a blessing, at least, that his natural regenerative capability would help stave off the infection that so often claimed victims of wounds like these.
Xeph listened to the doctor speak, nodding his understanding. "Thank you, doctor. It will be a waiting game from here on out."
He bent close to Charlie's unconscious form and addressed him without touching him. "Your job here isn't done Sergeant," he said softly. "Your Pack needs you here with them."
Straightening he turned to Simon. "I hope you won't take offense if I were to leave him under guard for the duration of his stay? I don't want to risk any misunderstandings."
The truce between Pack and Clan was tentative. There were plenty on both sides of the fence who wouldn't hesitate to start trouble. Xeph would not leave Charlie unprotected.
"Thank you," Xeph said solemnly, swallowing his pride, "for your care of my Packmate."
He followed Simon to where Charlie lay and put on his best impartial professional face. His Piper looked like a burn victim, lying there in the white-sheeted bed with a trach tube in to help him breathe, his face and all the parts of him Xeph could see horribly raw, blistered, and bloody. It was a blessing, at least, that his natural regenerative capability would help stave off the infection that so often claimed victims of wounds like these.
Xeph listened to the doctor speak, nodding his understanding. "Thank you, doctor. It will be a waiting game from here on out."
He bent close to Charlie's unconscious form and addressed him without touching him. "Your job here isn't done Sergeant," he said softly. "Your Pack needs you here with them."
Straightening he turned to Simon. "I hope you won't take offense if I were to leave him under guard for the duration of his stay? I don't want to risk any misunderstandings."
The truce between Pack and Clan was tentative. There were plenty on both sides of the fence who wouldn't hesitate to start trouble. Xeph would not leave Charlie unprotected.
Iov Hammerthynn
13 years ago
Hammer watched Simon with suspicious eyes as the doctor explained Charlie's condition. They were requiring his Sergeant an indefinite stay in this...place. He knew of Duibne Industries medical prowess, and under any other circumstances, anyone in the facility would have the best care medical science could provide.
But this was vampire country and it disgusted Hammer.
Xeph requested an armed guard on Charlie and this bristled Hammer. As Simon opened his mouth to respond, Hammer interjected, "That wasn't a request."
Simon looked at Hammer and held his stare. Then, he shrugged slightly and smiled. "Of course. Under certain conditions."
"Such as?"
"No more than two at a time. Armed is fine, but you have nothing to worry about. Viv would have my fangs if anything happened to her Charlie and we can't have that." Simon's grin was salacious enough to make Hammer sneer. Whatever transpired between her and this silu was enough to make him her lap dog and it worried Hammer, for Brig's sake.
Simon slipped his hands into his black trousers and shrugged his shoulders. Hammer noticed Simon's black V-neck sweater and loathed how even stinking of sewer water, the vampire still managed to look like a model. Hammer sniffed angrily.
"Deal then? We'll take care of your packmate and I'll see to it that two of your Pipers are here with him at all times. Weekly reports...."
"Daily," Hammer interrupted.
"Daily reports on his status and hopefully he'll be fine in several months."
"Months?" Hammer exclaimed.
The doctor interjected, "We really have no idea how long this will take. It might be months, it might be weeks, but with daily reports, you'll be able to see the progress. Then we'll go from there."
Hammer grumbled unhappily.
But this was vampire country and it disgusted Hammer.
Xeph requested an armed guard on Charlie and this bristled Hammer. As Simon opened his mouth to respond, Hammer interjected, "That wasn't a request."
Simon looked at Hammer and held his stare. Then, he shrugged slightly and smiled. "Of course. Under certain conditions."
"Such as?"
"No more than two at a time. Armed is fine, but you have nothing to worry about. Viv would have my fangs if anything happened to her Charlie and we can't have that." Simon's grin was salacious enough to make Hammer sneer. Whatever transpired between her and this silu was enough to make him her lap dog and it worried Hammer, for Brig's sake.
Simon slipped his hands into his black trousers and shrugged his shoulders. Hammer noticed Simon's black V-neck sweater and loathed how even stinking of sewer water, the vampire still managed to look like a model. Hammer sniffed angrily.
"Deal then? We'll take care of your packmate and I'll see to it that two of your Pipers are here with him at all times. Weekly reports...."
"Daily," Hammer interrupted.
"Daily reports on his status and hopefully he'll be fine in several months."
"Months?" Hammer exclaimed.
The doctor interjected, "We really have no idea how long this will take. It might be months, it might be weeks, but with daily reports, you'll be able to see the progress. Then we'll go from there."
Hammer grumbled unhappily.
Xeph
13 years ago
The brief stare-off between Simon and Hammer was over with quickly, and for the better. Xeph was grateful for his father's clarification on the matter, for while he had phrased his 'request' as such, there hadn't been any question in his mind. To coin a phrase, he hadn't been askin'; he'd been tellin'.
At Hammer's exclamation and the doctor's subsequent explanation Xeph nodded. He turned to Hammer, who might accept the information better if Xeph confirmed it.
"It's the right call," he said. "Charlie's lucky to have survived this far." He glanced at the Piper lying still on the bed. "To be honest, I'm not even sure I'd say 'lucky' at all but he's here and he's got a chance. If we get him back, I don't care if it takes years."
At Hammer's exclamation and the doctor's subsequent explanation Xeph nodded. He turned to Hammer, who might accept the information better if Xeph confirmed it.
"It's the right call," he said. "Charlie's lucky to have survived this far." He glanced at the Piper lying still on the bed. "To be honest, I'm not even sure I'd say 'lucky' at all but he's here and he's got a chance. If we get him back, I don't care if it takes years."
Brig Jameson
13 years ago
Simon looked back at the Sergeant as Hammerthynn and Xephier spoke quietly. His phone rang in his pocket and answered it, turning away. Their Commander was demanding to see his Alpha and Sergeant and wasn't apt on waiting any longer. "Fine, escort them in."
"And Miss Sena, as well, Mr. Huntington."
"Of course, bring them both back." He hung up his phone and turned back to Xephier and Hammerthynn. "Your Commander and Vivienne are being escorted back here." Within a minute the Commander pushed into the room with Vivienne, he let her in first and they both went to the bed to look at the Sergeant.
Hammerthynn explained the situation to Jameson and his anger diffused, albeit slowly. Simon watched Viv lean down to Charlie's face and reach out to touch him but held back, not wanting to contaminate his raw skin.
"But he'll be fine?" Viv asked, not looking at Simon.
"With some time, he should completely heal." Simon looked at Jameson. "Your Beta here has requested two armed guards at all time over your Sergeant. I have no problems with that. Daily reports on his condition, as well."
Jameson narrowed his eyes angrily at Simon. He could hear the man's blood pressure rising, despite Simon's reassurance.
/He's pretty angry./ he sent to Viv.
/It's that Alpha male thing. He really does not like you./
Simon smiled and said, "So I hear congratulations are in order then. A baby girl."
/You're like a little boy with a stick, Simon./
/Oh come on, I'm congratulating him on impregnating you. How is that not nice of me to do?/
"What a delightful surprise that must have been? How long have you two known each other? Four months? Right off the bat, huh?"
Jameson circled the bed and reached out for Simon who backed up, holding his hands up. Hammerthynn had to hold Jameson back and Viv stood in between them.
"God, really, Simon?" She turned to Jameson and pushed him back. "All right, both you girls are pretty. Let's just stop with the testosterone, please? We still have our fathers to tell."
Jameson shook off Hammerthynn's grip and glared at him. Simon merely smiled in return.
"And Miss Sena, as well, Mr. Huntington."
"Of course, bring them both back." He hung up his phone and turned back to Xephier and Hammerthynn. "Your Commander and Vivienne are being escorted back here." Within a minute the Commander pushed into the room with Vivienne, he let her in first and they both went to the bed to look at the Sergeant.
Hammerthynn explained the situation to Jameson and his anger diffused, albeit slowly. Simon watched Viv lean down to Charlie's face and reach out to touch him but held back, not wanting to contaminate his raw skin.
"But he'll be fine?" Viv asked, not looking at Simon.
"With some time, he should completely heal." Simon looked at Jameson. "Your Beta here has requested two armed guards at all time over your Sergeant. I have no problems with that. Daily reports on his condition, as well."
Jameson narrowed his eyes angrily at Simon. He could hear the man's blood pressure rising, despite Simon's reassurance.
/He's pretty angry./ he sent to Viv.
/It's that Alpha male thing. He really does not like you./
Simon smiled and said, "So I hear congratulations are in order then. A baby girl."
/You're like a little boy with a stick, Simon./
/Oh come on, I'm congratulating him on impregnating you. How is that not nice of me to do?/
"What a delightful surprise that must have been? How long have you two known each other? Four months? Right off the bat, huh?"
Jameson circled the bed and reached out for Simon who backed up, holding his hands up. Hammerthynn had to hold Jameson back and Viv stood in between them.
"God, really, Simon?" She turned to Jameson and pushed him back. "All right, both you girls are pretty. Let's just stop with the testosterone, please? We still have our fathers to tell."
Jameson shook off Hammerthynn's grip and glared at him. Simon merely smiled in return.
Simon Huntington
13 years ago
Simon looked back at the Sergeant as Hammerthynn and Xephier spoke quietly. His phone rang in his pocket and answered it, turning away. Their Commander was demanding to see his Alpha and Sergeant and wasn't apt on waiting any longer. "Fine, escort them in."
"And Miss Sena, as well, Mr. Huntington."
"Of course, bring them both back." He hung up his phone and turned back to Xephier and Hammerthynn. "Your Commander and Vivienne are being escorted back here." Within a minute the Commander pushed into the room with Vivienne, he let her in first and they both went to the bed to look at the Sergeant.
Hammerthynn explained the situation to Jameson and his anger diffused, albeit slowly. Simon watched Viv lean down to Charlie's face and reach out to touch him but held back, not wanting to contaminate his raw skin.
"But he'll be fine?" Viv asked, not looking at Simon.
"With some time, he should completely heal." Simon looked at Jameson. "Your Beta here has requested two armed guards at all time over your Sergeant. I have no problems with that. Daily reports on his condition, as well."
Jameson narrowed his eyes angrily at Simon. He could hear the man's blood pressure rising, despite Simon's reassurance.
/He's pretty angry./ he sent to Viv.
/It's that Alpha male thing. He really does not like you./
Simon smiled and said, "So I hear congratulations are in order then. A baby girl."
/You're like a little boy with a stick, Simon./
/Oh come on, I'm congratulating him on impregnating you. How is that not nice of me to do?/
"What a delightful surprise that must have been? How long have you two known each other? Four months? Right off the bat, huh?"
Jameson circled the bed and reached out for Simon who backed up, holding his hands up. Hammerthynn had to hold Jameson back and Viv stood in between them.
"God, really, Simon?" She turned to Jameson and pushed him back. "All right, both you girls are pretty. Let's just stop with the testosterone, please? We still have our fathers to tell."
Jameson shook off Hammerthynn's grip and glared at him. Simon merely smiled in return.
"And Miss Sena, as well, Mr. Huntington."
"Of course, bring them both back." He hung up his phone and turned back to Xephier and Hammerthynn. "Your Commander and Vivienne are being escorted back here." Within a minute the Commander pushed into the room with Vivienne, he let her in first and they both went to the bed to look at the Sergeant.
Hammerthynn explained the situation to Jameson and his anger diffused, albeit slowly. Simon watched Viv lean down to Charlie's face and reach out to touch him but held back, not wanting to contaminate his raw skin.
"But he'll be fine?" Viv asked, not looking at Simon.
"With some time, he should completely heal." Simon looked at Jameson. "Your Beta here has requested two armed guards at all time over your Sergeant. I have no problems with that. Daily reports on his condition, as well."
Jameson narrowed his eyes angrily at Simon. He could hear the man's blood pressure rising, despite Simon's reassurance.
/He's pretty angry./ he sent to Viv.
/It's that Alpha male thing. He really does not like you./
Simon smiled and said, "So I hear congratulations are in order then. A baby girl."
/You're like a little boy with a stick, Simon./
/Oh come on, I'm congratulating him on impregnating you. How is that not nice of me to do?/
"What a delightful surprise that must have been? How long have you two known each other? Four months? Right off the bat, huh?"
Jameson circled the bed and reached out for Simon who backed up, holding his hands up. Hammerthynn had to hold Jameson back and Viv stood in between them.
"God, really, Simon?" She turned to Jameson and pushed him back. "All right, both you girls are pretty. Let's just stop with the testosterone, please? We still have our fathers to tell."
Jameson shook off Hammerthynn's grip and glared at him. Simon merely smiled in return.