Roger had caught up with Anna in time to see Raven and Mack was approaching. Mack was covered from head to toe in blue blood, with a bit of Human looking blood on his gauntlets. He was dazed a bit still and he snapped to when Raven spoke up. Far as I can tell we got some Inglai Infiltrators in here….unless this the most hardcore training sim in the world.. He sort of smirked. He really felt naked without his rifle right about now. Has anybody gotten comms from Spartacus or Quuen Bee?

Mack found the group gathered, and could tell they had a bit of action themselves. He smiled under his mask, proud to see his Troops handled themselves well. He pulled off his helmet and began to look Raven over for injuries. Often in shock and excitement of combat, People wouldn’t notice an injury until they were calm again. You five by five Widow Maker? He shot a look up to Roger and Anna, inspecting them once over as well. I haven’t got direct comms, but I sent a hailing freq and both of them acknowledged, so they’ll be on their way soon. They can handle themselves. But there’s something new….looks Human.. He was talking toward Raven. They wear customized armor…tough as shit too. I iced 10 Inglai and an Inglai Commander, but this Guy gave me the fight of my life before I finally finished him. He tossed a shattered piece of the strange helmet from the Newcomer.

*Leon gripped the Inglai’s arm tightly, attempting with all his might to break it by simply pushing with his hands in two opposite directions. However, this wouldn’t even slightly dent the armor it wore. The alien pulled back his armed arm, and as he was about to thrust it into Leon’s abdommen, and a voice came up from the brush, sounding…well…human.* “Drop him, Thel. He’s more use to us alive for now, remember?” *The voice sounded gruff, old, like some rugged veteran of a thousand battles. What was more surprising, was that the alien listened, and dropped Leon to the ground. Without a second thought, Leon stood, and readied himself for a fight, when a third voice rose from the bush and came into sight beside the man shaped being the first voice came from, her weapon aimed at Leon.* “I wouldn’t if I was you bub.” *Leon looked to Rissa, to see if she was ready for a fight, but shook his head no as he calmed down as well. Behind the two human forms three other Inglai came through the brush and closed the circle.*

“So, you’re the famous Leon Petrelli, commander of Echo Base and one of two survivors of the Eternium project.” *The man was the one who was speaking, and he sized him as he approached.* “I thought you’d be taller, but you were certainly as hard to capture as they said you’d be.” *Leon’s thoughts were ready by Harver, and within less than three miliseconds, a distress signall went out, hailing to all Dire Wolf frequencies. He then answered.* “Well, I see you’ve done your research. Though, I haven’t a clue who you are.” *The man chuckled, the Inglai stepping behind them to his brethren and engaging in conversation. The man speaking to him placed a hand on a rather odd looking pistol at his hip, as he spoke. The female adjusting the aim of her weapon to slightly above Rissa’s head.* “That is something I hope to change.”

*In that moment, two shots were fired and the sizzle of a Energy blade beaming to life was heard, though after that, nothing. Leon looked to the man, realizing he was still alive, then looked to Rissa’s camera image on his helm, and realized she hadn’t fallen either.* “There, now we can negotiate the terms.” *the old man spoke calmly.* There are no more Inglai here, so don’t fret about them, and we aren’t even enemies. So, how about you take a seat and we get started.”

Anna looked and saw Mack approaching, she then watched as he addressed Raven and listened to him. The commander and queen bee were on their way, that was good. Looks human? Armour was tough. That definitely didn’t sound good. The main question, was why did they attack or what did they want? Was it because the best soldiers were in this training, excluding herself because she wasn’t? It would make sense. She just stood there glancing around, keeping an eye open for any sign of the commander and queen bee but, also incase any tried to attack. So far, coast was clear but, for how long?

She frowned at his words. “But there’s something new….looks Human..They wear customized armor…tough as shit too. I iced 10 Inglai and an Inglai Commander, but this Guy gave me the fight of my life before I finally finished him.” 

Her eyes widened “How did they even get here?” She knew it was a question that would be unanswered so she continued “What in gods name do they want with us?….” Her eyes widened further “You think they are after Spartacus and Queen Bee?” She was looking to Mack mostly then caught Anna’s worried look “Don’t worry China Doll, as long as we stick together we will make it through this alright?” She offered a comforting smile to her before returning her gaze to Mack

Seeing Leon again, and in this crazy simulation gone horribly wrong, Clarissa wanted to rip off her helmet, and kiss her Commander, blood splatter and all. She let out like a half laugh of relief, and could see him in the HUD screen the look on his face saying it all. He started to speak to her..

“Rissa, are you alright? I can s-” but he cut off what he was about to say, as he could hear the sound of something approaching, from behind. Instantly figuring out that they were not alone, Clarissa released her energy swords, and clicked them to power, only to be shocked to see the uncloaking image of an Inglai High Overlord.

“Mother..fu..” Clarissa only got out part of what she wanted to say, half shocked that there was still more of these Inglai roaming around trying to kill them. Clarissa instantly went on the defensive, banged up and all. The fight broke out between Leon and the Inglai High Overlord, with Leon attempting a punch to the Inglai’s abdomen, but the Inglai had other plans. Reaching his gloved hand around Leon’s throat, in an attempt to squeeze the life out of him. “Let him go!” Clarissa screamed, ready to charge the Inglai, even though it was difficult to get into the fight, without hurting her Commander. She twirled her energy blades in a show of defiance, that she wasn’t going to go down with a fight. Leon and the Inglai got into a struggle, and this made it difficult for Clarissa to intervene without hurting Leon in the process. But no sooner had it started, it was stopped and suddenly, which had Clarissa look up and see what was truly behind the sabotage of the simulation exercise.

“Drop him, Thel. He’s more use to us alive for now, remember?” The voice, it didn’t sound like it was a different race like the Inglai, but whoever the owner of it was, had the authority over the Inglai, who released Leon, much to Clarissa’s relief. Her gut instinct was to go on the attack, but Leon shook his helm at her, and she grit her teeth, as another entered the fray and pointed her strange looking gun at Leon. Three more inglai came in from behind, and Clarissa knew they were outnumbered and surrounded. “I wouldn’t if I was you bub.”, the female of the group said, as the moment became even more tense in this mexican like stand off.

But as the seconds ticked away and the female changed her weapon’s aim over the top of Rissa’s head, two shots were fired, and Rissa had waited for the bullets or ammo to blast through her suit wounding her. A held breath was all there was and she realized that neither of them had been shot, and it was the inglai who had fallen.

The older man spoke again, only this times in terms of negotiations.

“There are no more Inglai here, so don’t fret about them, and we aren’t even enemies. So, how about you take a seat and we get started.”

They were in the middle of the jungle, just where were they supposed to sit? Clarissa’s eyes went up to the image of Leon in her HUD screen and waited for him to make the call on how to proceed.

<3>

*Leon began to blink, using this as a form of Morse Code. They were trained in it when they were trained after their Genetic Modifications. Simulating holds by holding his eyes shut, clicks by blinking, and spaces by holding his eyes open, he gave an entire message in the length of four seconds. This message would be understood as: ‘Jet pack. Ready when I wink. Due East’ Ideally, she should have no problem with understanding the message. However, Leon could never be too sure what exactly she kept with her from advanced training. She could have found it useless and just dropped the whole thing.*

*He said East because, from looking at his radar last, that’s where Mack’s signal was hailing from.* “Then you’ll stand. Alright. So, turns out you need somethin’ we’ve got, and you’ve got somethin’ we want. I figure a trade can be brokered here.” *The old man stood there all smug as if he held the higher ground. Leon didn’t take a second to think about it before winking up at Rissa’s camera picture and activating his Jetpack. The immediate thrust launched him powerfully into the air, and thanks to it’s extended flight capabilities, Leon and Rissa would be able to fly above the trees and towards Mack’s position.*

*Had Rissa understood his morse coded message, and obeyed, they’d fly above Mack’s position in no time. Leon would deactivate his pack and fall to the floor from about 45 feet in the air on one knee. His bone density was able to handle this thanks to his specific Gene mods. He landed directly beside Mack, and in a manner that was incredibly bad ass. Standing, his eyes fell to the dead, armor covered body on the floor.* “Three left.” *Leon looked up to Mack.* “Led by a human Male, consisting of a Male, High Overlord Inglai and another Female human.” *Leong looked to Roger and Casey, then to Raven, smiling and nodding in her direction. He then did what all good commanders did and spoke his speach.* “You all aren’t dead yet. But this isn’t any kind of game. Now it’s real. There are three bad guys left. Our current mission, deactivate this fucking machine at it’s base and getting the fuck out with the three of those hostiles ALIVE. If any of them turn up dead by one of you, you will receive a dishonorable discharge and sent the fuck home. Am I understood?”

Rissa was not liking the tone in which the older male addressed them, and when Leon refused to sit, she stayed stead fast by his side, waiting for some kind of communication to alert her on how to proceed. She wanted to take them both on, but her eyes darted up to the small video link with Leon, at the top corner of her HUD and that was when she noticed that he was blinking. At first she thought he had something in his eyes, but then, she noticed a pattern to the blinks and the length of time that his eyes stayed open. IT WAS A CODE. Trust Leon to come up with this, when she herself was already exhausted from having to have killed a large number of Inglai and had her suit caked with their purplish blood. Clarissa understood the message, and she refrained from nodding, since this would give away that there was actually communication being carried out between them. Clarissa used the same blinking technique back which said. “Copy that, due east it is.” Then on his mark, with the tell tale wink he activated his jet pack, and Clarissa grinned and followed suit, both rocketing up into the sky in tandem, far from the clutches of the two human assassins.

Clearing the trees, Clarissa kept sight of Leon, only to see him deactivate at a height of 45 feet, so the freefall was going to be a bit bumpy on landing. Sure, their bone structure was built to take it, but still, the landing wasn’t exactly perfect, with Clarissa rolling on the ground and coming up with her helmet even more dented than before. Seeing the group had gathered under Mack’s guidance, she was happy to see that they were all still alive in this simulation gone wrong. Leon gave the kind of speech to the group, that was one to enforce that the three that were inside the simulator with them, were wanted alive, not to end up like the inglai that they had fought. At the ending question of “Am I understood?” Clarissa switched on her outside speaker and said;

“Yes, Spartacus.”

<3>

Levi tilted his head slightly and had to fight back laughter at the look of elation on Mrs. Peabody’s face. Finding his composure, he was able to look quite serious as he held his father’s tea. With his free arm, he draped it across the front of his body and used his other hand to hold the tea close to his face to obstruct the view of her nether regions.

“Dear Lord… and of course it is black tea.”

He continued to watch in fascination as the woman seemed to be quite close to ecstasy. His father’s procedures weren’t always orthodox but it seemed to keep his patients happy. Business seemed to be good, in any event. He almost jumped as the woman began to shout, a chuckle managing to bubble free from him. As his father retrieved his hand and began to wash it, he raised his eyebrow at the woman. Levi was beginning to see why she was a regular.

Looking back at his father, Levi followed him out of the observation room and passed off his tea while responding “You may find it curious that this woman lives alone at The Luxembourg Hotel. Angel, Demon, or Human, it is not safe for her to be alone if she truly has anything to do with Selene.” He stared at his father in hopes that he understood what his son was trying to say. “I think it would be wise if you went alone to investigate. I shall stay behind and see to it that there is a room arranged for her so that we may get to know her better. We wouldn’t want her to fall into the wrong hands.”

Levi looked at his father’s arm and began to chuckle. Reaching out, he clasped his father’s shoulder and pulled him closer “If I were you, I would have her start buying you drinks first. Or at least give her husband a call and offer some professional tips.” He smiled boyishly and winked at his father. Levi was finding quite a bit of humor in his father’s work.

Saffron lay in bed perfectly straight, her hands folded over her stomach. She was nude underneath the sheets, and she was feigning sleep. She’d been up for hours, but she didn’t want to speak with anyone. Finally, she opened her eyes, sighing slightly as she got out of bed. She put the sheets back to where they had been and walked over to the wardrobe, standing in front of it for a moment. The servants were ordered never to help her dress unless there was an event. In fact, they didn’t help her do anything unless there was an event. She sighed once more, grabbing one of her husband’s coat and slipping it over her form. Her hair was messy but in an what some might say attractive way. She ran a hand through the ginger locks before fastening the coat so she wouldn’t have to hold it. She left the bedroom and headed for the stairs, knowing where her husband would be almost intuitively.

Doctor Bianchi’s Office – Ground Floor

Milly ran after her as she entered Johnathan’s office, her bare feet making not a single noise on the floor.

“Mrs. Bianchi, the doctor is working-”
“I know.”
“See, he’s-”
“I know.”
“Well, you might not want to-”
“Milly.”

The maid girl stopped, panting slightly as Saffron turned and settled her delicate hands on the girl’s shoulder. “Mrs. Peabody is here. I know.” The girl curtsied but had managed to get Saffron to stop in the outer area of the office, where she stood and waited with the maid.

Selene listened to her father tell her that she could not go home just yet. Allowing herself to lift her head and look upon the majestic angel, she smiled weakly. “Yes, father… When I am well…”

Turning around, she walked to the vanity in the corner of the room that the servants had supplied her should she start feeling better. Sinking into the seat, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked horrible. Her blonde hair was plastered to her face and bare shoulders, her eyes their normal color but still shiny from tears. Looking at her father in the mirror, she asked softly “Mother is here?” That could mean nothing good. If she had heard of Selene’s condition, there was little doubt in her mind that her mother would just let it be. Her father had said she was here, and that meant she was pissed. Looking down at her fingers, she whispered barely audibly “I did fall in love…” Her father commented on their natures clashing and it only made more tears fall.

Standing up from her chair slowly, Selene gasped and almost fell over from how weak she was. Rhonda had returned and rushed over to help steady her. The servant turned to look at the king “M’lord, I suggest she gets a warm bath and rests. It has been a very trying time for the princess.” She gave Henry and encouraging smile to show she could manage. Your presence seems to have done her a lot of good. Her voice dropped to a whisper and added “There is a rumor The Majesty Queen has arrived…”With that tidbit of information, she turned to undress Selene and help her into a warm bath. After allowing her half an hour to soak, Selene was then dressed in a new white gown and was placed in bed to rest. Rhonda had left the room but Selene did not sleep. Instead, she looked at the ceiling and remained silent with her hands on her stomach.

Selene’s immediate reaction to his touch was to try and recoil, fear bubbling up inside of her irrationally. Was he going to hurt her? His arms snaked around her waist to wrap on her belly. Without even thinking, she instinctively leaned back against his touch. Tilting her head, she closed her eyes as she waited to hear more words of rejection from him. She was surprised. Swallowing hard, she looked down at his hands on her belly. Slowly her own hand lifted to brush fingertips over one of his hands. He was being so gentle with her. As he soothed the child, it began to calm down immediately. It certainly had a sense of who his father was. It was suddenly as if a breath of fresh air washed over Selene. Sighing contently, she lifted her head to brush her lips along his jaw. She felt so much better…Feeling light as air, a small smile curved her lips up. As he bent down to whisper in her ear, goosebumps raised along her bare arms and she felt the wind get knocked out of her.

He said he loved her. Again, doubts flooded her mind, her own inner demons seeming to whisper accusations in her ear. Disentangling herself from his hold, she walked away from him and shook as she saw visions of black and red. “No no…” She whispered. Think of Daddy…think of Daddy…” Looking up, she glanced over her shoulder to look at Joffrey. There was no malicious demon in the room with her. Just her beloved dark prince. Her father’s face melted from her mind and the images of Joffrey holding her close replaced them. She watched in her mind as he bent down to kiss her for that first time. It was if she had just woken up. Stepping back towards Joffrey, she reached up with one hand and stroked the scruff on his face. Smiling gently, she pushed down all fears that he was only here for the child. She wanted to live on their love, not her fears. Standing on her toes, she pressed her hands against his chest and whispered “Will you just kiss me already…”

At the moment he held her, Selene let go of her inhibitions and found herself leaning back against his chest. The light touch as her finger tips caressed his hands had him almost smile, but he was not done, for he had to stop the baby from trying to destroy its mother. Now at least, the infant spawn knew its father was close, and Joffrey had a gift that no one else could give her. The love of his being, that proved paternity, as well as the fact he loved her. At first she broke free from his hold, and up came that look again, questioning everything.

“No no…”

“Selene…”

He only said her name, not about to start fighting with her again, not after everything that brought him back to this place. He had himself made the demon within his being dormant, and what she would see, was the same man that she fell in love with. He was there all the time. Only when truly in rage, did he release the callous dark side to his nature, but for now, he could only see his love, the mother of his unborn child, and he just wanted to hold her.

Finally, Selene turned around and then she crossed the floor, going up on tip toes, and brushing her fingers along the scruff of his face. He could see the love in her eyes returning, this was the woman he wanted…he needed so desperately.

“Will you just kiss me already…”

Barely had she finished the sentence, and he swept her up in his powered arms, and kissed her with such passion, the ache in his heart, heard through the light moans that escaped through the corners of his lips. She was like oxygen, the very air that one needs to breath to live. His hands traced all over her back and only broke the kiss to see her tear streaked face, gazing at her beauty.

“You never have to ask that again.”

<3>

He was so full of questions as he gazed down at her and then kissed the top of her head, pulling her even closer into his protective embrace. But his wife had a question, and wanted it answered.

“Where’s Selene?”

“Why, I was just with her, and my darling please. I was able to drive off the evil that had plagued her, and I saw with my own eyes, the very essence within her subside. The poor girl. Her heart is broken, yes. But I know that as a family we are the ones that truly love her and will make sure she is taken home and cared for. Even if I have to steal Calypso away from you so that she might offer round the clock care. She deserves only the very best.”

The King then smiled at his love, as his aura began to increase, and he attempted to warm his love with his angel like ability to provide light into the darkened room

“Selene will be fine. A bath and she is resting. But I wish to care for you now. I have missed you my darling. And…I have been thinking. I know this is a lot to ask, but I would like to try again for another child. Only if you are willing of course. Think of it…like you and Selene can have your babies at the same time. Isn’t that a nice way to bond with her?”

King Henry did often come up with weird and wonderful ideas, in which to make for a happy family life. What on earth would Metia think?

<3>

Her words were so soothing to the demon Prince’s troubled mind, and he could only kiss her lips again and again, then nip at her earlobe, whispering;

“I have sinned, I can’t lie, but when I met you, the demon within me is almost put to sleep, so that I may for once experience what love truly is. All my life I have wanted nothing more than to be loved, and allow me to love that person in return. That is you, Selene. I did change for you, and not because I was forced or told too, but because I wanted too.”

He drew back and then said as he gazed into her eyes

“You make me want to be a better man.”

But then his love teased him, though these words were said in truth; “Oh…my mother and father are here. Father says we will go home. I hope you won’t miss me terribly.” Joffrey’s brows creased, at the thought that she was now going to be taken away from him, after everything, and he almost looked stricken till she said; “I will explain everything to father and hopefully he will understand that it will be best for me to stay here. I can’t deprive you of your child, after all.”

It was then, Joffrey had a cunning plan, and one that he knew would seal them as more than just lovers, or simply betrothed. He took up both her hands in his, and asked;

“Let’s run away…tonight. Elope in the mountains, I know of a wise man, and he can perform the ceremony. No need for royalty or big weddings. Just the two of us. I mean..” -he placed his hand upon her belly and then whispered “..the three of us.” His reasons were simple. Once they were married, nothing and no one could come between them. Not her family, nor his. He was afterall the heir to the Brax house, regardless of who he wed.

“Say you will come with me?”

<3>

Her leg was broken. It hurt. It hurt, but she didn’t feel it. She couldn’t feel it. She could only watch as Khan approached her father. He took the admiral’s head in his hands. The seemingly older man was slammed down into one of the console’s chairs. The sickening crunches started soon after. And then her father was dead. It wasn’t professional, and she wished she hadn’t. But within seconds, Carol screamed.

However, she also screamed in the real world as she shot up in her bed, her short blonde hair stuck to her face, which was coated in sweat. She’d had the nightmare every night for the past year or so. It haunted her. She couldn’t get away from it. She didn’t know why she felt so bad about it. Except she did. She did know why she felt so guilty.

It was because, deep down, she was happy. She was happy that Fleet Admiral Alexander Marcus had died in the events caused by Khan Noonien Singh. And that happiness was eating her alive.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this!” Zia’s oldest friend, and one of her few, skipped behind her as they made their way back to Star Fleet Academy. “Parker, I’ve been involved with Star Fleet for a while now. Why are you acting like this is news?” Zia rolled her eyes. Parker knew her when she had been different. She helped her get through her father’s death and was still her friend even though she was not the same person. “Because this time you’re going on a five year mission on the Enterprise! The fucking Enterprise! You do realize who the Captain is right?” Zia chose to ignore this. Of course she knew who she would have to take orders from. And, no, she didn’t like it. But it would be worth it for her. She was ready to do something big. She was done just sitting around and training. It was time to take some action. “You’re right.” She stopped in her tracks and turned around to face Parker. “I am going on the Enterprise.” Her face lit up into one of her rare smiles.

Regina’s Apartment

Regina sat on the floor of her room, throwing a ball against the wall to pass the time. She was very ready to be leaving. A change in scenery was exactly what she needed. Even if it meant having to deal with her sister on board. Even at a young age Regina hadn’t liked being involved in the same things as Carol. They were just naturally drawn to the same kinds of things. But that left people comparing the two of them and Regina felt she was nothing like her sister. But she was smart and talented enough to be put on the Enterprise. Sadly, so was her sister. But she didn’t care. There was no point in acting like she didn’t like something just because Carol did as well. Or her father. He’d been an asshole. She was not scared of becoming like him. There was no chance of it happening. So, needless to say, she was excited for this mission. Regardless of who she would forced to see for five years.

Kirk raised his glass of romulan rum in toast to Uhura with a smile. Here’s to Starfleet having both the intelligence and the momentary insanity, to put Captain James T Kirk and the Enterprise at the wheel of the most significant mission in Earth’s History. God Bless em…I wouldn’t trust me. He took a drink with a grimace as the thick liquor burned its way down his throat. He almost didn’t come out, but he thought he’d enjoy some good old Earth fun, at least before he left. He looked around the Bar as if he would actually find whom he was looking for. Where the Hell is Old Pointy anyways? Aren’t you two attached at the hip these days?

Entering the bar, Commander Spock surveyed the patrons that sat in a row along the bar, and sure enough, he overheard the voice of Captain Kirk, raising his glass and toasting to the Star fleet for putting him at the wheel of the Enterprise. With a dead pan expression, he crossed the floor, shaking his head to the bartender who wished to serve him a drink, and instead stood in behind Jim, as he asked;

“Where the Hell is Old Pointy anyways? Aren’t you two attached at the hip these days?’

“Negative..Captain. I don’t believe that we are attached at the hip, as you say. It would be difficult to function freely.”

Spock could see that the Captain had been at the bar a while, by the number of empty glasses and asked;

“Should you really be drinking prior to the mission, Captain? It could end up on report.”

As always Commander Spock was a non nonsense Vulcan, and had a disdain for Jim’s behavior. In fact being in this environment had the Commander unsettled. Humans and their strange habits. Commander Spock nodded firmly towards Uhura and then waited for Jim to speak.

<3>

Uhura shook her head and rolled her eyes as she toasted with the rest, but she had a smile on her face. This five year mission would be a long one, but she would be lying if she said she wasn’t eager to begin it. She was about to answer the captain that she did not know where Spock was at the moment when he appeared next to them. Her smile grew and she reached out for him to come sit with them. “You’re right, being attached at the hip would be very difficult,” she said to him before looking at Kirk in amusement.

She moved her long dark hair that was actually down for once behind her so it was out of the way as she looked around at everyone else in the bar before turning back to Kirk as he spoke about Spock. She raised an eyebrow, but kept her mouth shut. The two of them had a very interesting friendship that she didn’t fully understand, but clearly supported. After all, she knew better than anyone that Spock really did have feelings. Even if they weren’t always as “logical” as he tried to make them sound. “No bickering,” she warned, looking from Spock to Kirk and giving Kirk a pointed look. “The rest of us have five years to listen to it all,” she said with a laugh and took a drink.

“I bet you get a lot of tips, Miss…err…sorry, but I didn’t catch your name. I’m Shane…Shane Williamson.” He said, offering her his hand to shake, after she had asked the leggy blonde beside him if she cared for a drink.

<3>

As always, Jim had a way with using his sarcastic wit to call Spock, everything bar his actual name. “Commander Pouty lips?” Spock wasn’t terribly amused with Jim’s banter, but oddly enough he would was use to this game of “How to piss off a Vulcan” and used the same retorts repeatedly, rather than letting it show how he felt. Truth was, Spock was also nervous, especially since this was going to be a five year voyage, and a lot was at stake, including his reputation. Seeing Uhuru was there, and Jim more or less called her his ‘main squeeze’, he decided to at the very least show her some kindness. After all, out of everyone else on the crew, she was indeed the one he was closest too, just not joined at the hip, like Jim would like to think. Uhuru did agree that being joined at the hip would be awkward, and if Spock had been smug, to see her smile and rack up a point against Jim, he could have made a witty quip, but instead chose to sit beside her, and drum his fingers upon the bar top.

“You are looking lovely today, Uhuru. Did you do something with your hair?”

Clearly, chatty small talk was not his thing, but at least he was trying and did notice that she was wearing her hair down. She was indeed a very attractive woman. Jim though had to butt in;

“What? You gonna report me again…get my ship taken away again? Buddy, we gotta work on your Friendship Skills. Sit down, relax, pull the stick out awhile. I’m sure sitting will be more comfortable after.”

Hearing Uhuru to tell them to stop with the bickering, and then Jim telling him that they needed to work on their friendship skills, the Vulcan replied flatly;

“I have brought some human study texts with me for the voyage, I am sure I will have this thing called “friendship” down pact within the next forty eight hours, Captain.”

<3>

Kirk held up his hands in mock surrender at Uhura’s request to stop picking at Spock. But with Spock having no reactions to anything, that was the best and only way he could get to him. He wanted to chuckle at Spock’s attempt at flattery, and then he dropped his smile at Spock’s mention of Human Studies to get better at Friendship. Yeah, sounds great Buddy…… He ordered three bottles of water from a passing Waitress, and when she brought them, he held them out to Uhura and Spock. Alright then…Let’s have a RESPONSIBLE toast to Commander Spock and his attempts at Humanity. He emphasized responsible for Spock’s benefit.

Commander Spock gracefully accepted the bottle of water, that was ordered by Jim, since now there was going to be a responsible toast to Spock for his attempts at humanity. Taking off the top of the bottle, the Commander gave a nod of acknowledgement towards Jim, and then raised his bottle to clink against Uhuru’s saying;

“Feel free to come by my cabin later on board the ship, and we can read through some of these books on friendship with me, Uhuru.”

He meant it sincerely, but of course, with Jim listening it may have been said as a point that he indeed considered Uhuru to be a closer “friend” for obvious reasons.

Commander Spock placed the tip of the bottle to his lips and started to drink, as Carol approached the trio, and announced herself.

“A little bird told me my Captain would be here. I guess it forgot to mention his friends.”

The small speel was clearly directed more to Jim then Uhuru and himself, so Spock watched on as he took another sip of water, to see what Jim would say.

<3>

At the Captain’s friendly remark with a twist, at how they were being responsible officers of the Starfleet, Spock added;

“Nothing like H2o to bring people together.” He did this with a dead pan expression like always, but that was about as off the wall as he could be. Raising his bottle, he took another sip, giving Jim THAT look. Their friendship was an odd one at best, for they had been together for the worst of times and the best. What now lay ahead of them was surely to test that friendship.

<3>

The beeping sound of the removalist van backing up towards the drive of Apartment 112, had Amelia come running out of the empty apartment, excited to see her belongings had finally made it from her old apartment. The real estate agent, who had been going over the check list of all the utilities and services with Amelia, wandered out to watch, with the clip board now held up to her chest. Amelia had had a rough day at work, spending much of the time searching for the deceased’s ear as part of the autopsy report on the latest case. Her signature lab coat was on the front seat of her small hatchback, and Amelia was dressed in her traditional grunge/emo attire, that she wore so well. The roller door on the back of the truck swung up, as the two removalists started to unload the boxes and crates, with various black furnishings, to be taken inside her new apartment. Some of the statues and oddities that were coming out of the van, had the real estate agent raise an eyebrow. Massive candle sticks, and a large glass case that housed her pet snake. As the items were carried past, Amelia stood with a joyful expression.

“You…keep snakes?” The real estate agent said, almost frozen to the spot, as Rattle’s tank was taken past her.

“Doesn’t everyone?” Amelia replied, then she could see that this was unsettling the Real estate agent, so she was quick to say. “In my spare time, I like to help get anti venom for the hospitals. Do you know how many lives that saved alone last year? I should have got a medal.” The witch said with a firm nod. The Real estate agent sighed, and then handed Amelia her card.

“If you need anything, call me. It has my number. Oh….and try not to have the music blaring too loud. There are tenants with small children here.” Amelia saluted, and then she leaned forward and said. “Only singing is from me, and I normally do it whilst dancing naked around an open fire. I think the kids here can sleep easy.” The real estate agent rolled her eyes and headed to her posh looking sedan, leaving Amelia to the unpacking. Amelia did a little finger wave, and then skipped inside, to start unpacking.

<3>

Lysander drove quiet the whole time, having Melinda, Halle and Eric on the back of the car, he was glad that none of them was crying, he already had a huge headache from this all, and dealing with crying children was the last thing he wanted.
Reaching home, he parked his car in front of his house. He got out, and the first thing he went do, was pick up Halle, she fell asleep during the ride, so he was going to place her in her cradle, Melinda could easily hold the sleeping Eric, and carry him inside as well.
Unlocking the door, he whispered to Melinda, that he was going to put Halle in her bedroom, she just nodded and went to the living room, with Eric. He was still asleep, but let’s just say that his cradle wasn’t still done, he was actually going to finish it today, he never knew that the baby would born today.

Reaching Halles bedroom, it was all based on pink and white colors, he slowly placed her on the cradle, and cover her with a small blanket. He stayed there for a couple of minutes, just to stare at her, admiring her. Then he went down, to kiss her forehead softly, before turn off the lights and walk out of the bedroom.
Heading downstairs, he saw Melinda with Eric on her arms, and he decided to bring the baby rocking blue chair. He placed it on the ground, in front of the couch, and carefully removed Eric from Melinda’s arms, and placed him in the chair, putting on the belt, so he wouldn’t fall, he began to whimper, so Lysander just rocked slowly the chair, making him go back to sleep.

Whenever they got home, Melinda got out of the car, and held Eric against her, having a blanket covering his body and his face. She just followed Lysander inside and nodded when he told her that he was going to put Halle in her bedroom. She just went into the living room, sitting down on the couch, and hold Eric, staring down at him, he was such beautiful baby, unluckily for him, he will now live without a mother, but he will have his father and grandparents support, people always say a grandmother is mother twice, and that’s basically what Melinda was going to do, Lysander will need tons of help to take care of two young children, and she was afraid if he couldn’t make it, if he could do something stupid because of the loss of River, she knows how much he loved that woman. He lost his father, then lost the trust he held towards his brother, and now he lost River, the only family he has is his two children, and their grandparents.
Whenever Lysander was back, she looked up at him, and allowed him to remove Eric from her arms, and put him on a rocking baby chair, she just stared down at the baby, before huff out, the atmosphere was getting too depressing again, Melinda wanted to cry, because she lost her daughter, yet she didn’t wanted to put Lysander more depressed than he already was. Pushing herself from the couch, she went into the kitchen, and made a coffee for him, but for her, she certainly got a cup of vodka. She needed alcohol anyways. No matter how many years it passes, Melinda will never stop drinking her dear alcohol. She come back and gave Lysander a mug with coffee, there was no way he was going drink alcohol, he had children to take care, and he would certainly need to do huge changes on his daily routine by now.
“Here..You will end up needing more coffee, to stay awake.”
Melinda said with a small smile, before sit down besides Lysander.
After taking a sip of her vodka, she saw a paper over the table, and picked it up, she began to do origami, since she wanted to make herself busy and her thoughts as well. Whenever she was done, she stretched out the wings from the goose she made, staring down at it.

Jennifer texted Anya to ask her to cover for them. She decided to just tell her they were taking a sick day and when she’d call later she would tell them they had caught colds from each other, since neither of them seemed keen on having their co-workers thinking they were throwing up. Even if they knew they were simply taking a… “personal day,” there wasn’t much they could do about it if they said they were sick since it was strictly against the rules to come to the hospital if you had any sign of fever. Even if you were simply coughing you had to wear a face mask. Which Jennifer had done just so she could still go to work. Work was very important to her. She loved helping people and becoming a doctor was the best way to do that. But her relationship with William was more important. Especially at the moment. It wasn’t like anyone was going to take the time to come check on them, anyway. Jennifer took William by the hand and pulled him into her house, laughing lightly. They had walked since neither of them had brought a car and the last fifty yards or so she had made him run with her. It was such a playful, childish thing to do, but it made her happy to just relax, have fun, and laugh. She stopped before getting all the way inside, because she noticed a moving van outside house 112. “Ooh, I get a new neighbor today. Will you help me bake something for her? Please?” she asked him, grabbing his other hand now so that they were face to face and she was batting her eyelashes at him, making the best puppy dog face that she could. “I want to greet her.” Of course she was just a nice person and would do it for anyone, but this was particularly important to her for a very specific reason. Her only friend in this neighborhood was Galtem and that relationship had clearly taken a turn for the worse as of today. And she could use all the friends she could get right now. All she knew about the new person in 112 was that she was female, because Jennifer had been around when she had checked out the house, but she hadn’t gone over to say hi. But it would be really good for her to have a friend outside the hospital. “Afterwards we can do whatever you want,” she promised, moving closer to him, but not letting go of his hands. “Since you’re so tired we could go to sleep,” she said in a teasing voice and she gave him a quick kiss.

William on the whole way has been chasing Jennifer, she was forcing him to run around, it was something extremely childish, but he enjoyed the way it made her calm down and how happy she looked like, with that beautiful laugh of hers. They needed some time to laugh after what had happen anyway. Jennifer sent Anya a message asking her to cover for them, Anya was Jennifer’s friend, so she was basically William’s friend as well, he was a guy who got along with everybody pretty well, but not with that certain guy, Galtem. He just couldn’t stand him, the same way he couldn’t stand William, maybe if Galtem had never been with Jennifer, or start to threat him, he could be friends. But after threaten him about if he makes Jennifer cry, that pissed him off, because William never made her cry, he was only there for please her, and do whatever she wanted. Galtem was the one who made her cry, and left her behind, so he really had no right on saying those stuff.
Soon they reached her house, and he held Jennifer’s hand, as he noticed a van outside the house 112, this meant Jennifer had a new neighbor. His eyes went back at her, as she was asking him for help her on baking something for the neighbor, Jennifer was always this nice to everybody, but he thought she also wanted to make up new friends in her neighborhood. She grabbed his both hands, as the both of them was facing each other, she was making that puppy dog face, that made him bite his lip, and tilt his head down while chuckling.
“Alright, I will help you.”
He finally offered his help. William wasn’t a bad cooker, since he has been living alone this all years, of course the guy had to learn how too cook, so he could make food for himself, he couldn’t spend his whole life on ordering chinese food and pizzas, now could he? And he had to admit sometimes it felt better when it was him making the food, but it was even better when it was Jennifer making.
“Sleeping seems a wonderful idea.”
He mumbled against her lips, as he wrapped his arms quickly around her waist, not letting her escape from him that easily, but he was only doing this so he could make the kiss last abit longer. Once he broke the kiss, he winked down at her, and removed his hands away from her body, then clapped them together.
“What are we going to bake anyway?”

“Good!” Jennifer said excitedly, her smile growing when he said he’d help her. “Because, you really didn’t have a choice and it would be a shame to have to force you,” she teased. Jennifer wasn’t the most amazing cook. She would definitely rather order in or eat out than put out the effort to make something, but when it came to desserts she very much enjoyed getting creative. When she wasn’t making something fun like desserts, she just became stressed out and occasionally threw things. She could count her major freak outs on one hand and three of them involved cooking. But, luckily she was going to make a dessert and William was with her and there was no chance her stress level would go up when he was around. When she kissed him, he stopped her from turning around by wrapping his arms around her waist. She smiled and allowed him to keep her there for a moment longer, continuing to keep her lips on his until he was the first to pull away. He winked. God, he was sexy when he winked. She bit her lip as she smiled up at him.

When he let go and asked what they were making, she became excited and turned around to go to the kitchen. “Well, I found this recipe online that I have been dying to try. Someone posted a picture of them on facebook and posted the recipe under it. They’re cookie dough bites and they look amazing.” She went to another room to grab her laptop and brought it back to the kitchen and opened it up on the counter. “They seemed like the perfect thing to greet a neighbor with. Pies are too stereotypical and even cookies are what everyone expects,” she chattered on as she pulled up her facebook page. She scrolled down looking for it. She stopped when she saw the pictures of Galtem and Selene in horror. Them looking…happy. She’d never seen Selene look happy. He was kissing her cheek in some. She definitely didn’t think of Galtem as the “take cute couples photos with my girlfriend” type, but there he was. With the most heartless girl out there. In some ways, literally. When she saw the one that showed the whole outfit he was wearing with the sign that said he loved her she almost physically gagged. What the hell was he wearing? And for her? Because he loved her? He’d been gone the majority of their actual relationship! She wasn’t hurt this time. She didn’t want to cry. She was fuming. She wanted to rip his throat out. She quickly kept scrolling, hoping William hadn’t seen and found the recipe. “Here it is,” she said, trying to force her voice to sound like nothing was wrong. “So, we need butter, and both regular and brown sugar…” she muttered, going to the refrigerator trying to block out the horribleness of what she’d just seen.

William stared at her as he waited for her to explain him what was they really going to make. As she walked in the kitchen, he followed her while listening to her. So they was going to make cookie dough bites, the name already left water in his mouth, he adored cookies, and if Jennifer said by the looks of the picture from the cookies looked delicious, then he couldn’t wait for make them, and of course take one or two for him to taste it. They had to taste it first before give it to the new neighbor, right? He stayed in the kitchen and folded his arms in front of his chest, waiting for Jennifer come back with her laptop, so they could take a look. He still didn’t got closer to her when she turned on the laptop, what made him curious was when all off sudden she was quiet, didn’t said a single word, and that made him wonder what was wrong.
Approaching behind her, he took a peck over her shoulder, and finally noticed what she was seeing. It left him upset and relieved at the same time. Upset because Jennifer was looking pictures about Galtem, and relieved because there was another woman by Galtem’s side, and he was flirting with her, this only meant something, it was his girlfriend, for sure. Then he noticed that woman was Selene, the hell? He was dating a vampire? How was that even possible? When did vampires and werewolves get along? And with Selene? One of the most heartless vampires out there? And she looked happy as happy he looked. So they were fine? Then why in hell Galtem come after William? If he had a girlfriend then he should start minding his own business and stay away from him and Jennifer. Then he noticed the outfit Galtem was wearing and the paper he was holding in front of him. He was trying his best to not laugh, and once Jennifer changed back to the cookies and pretended like nothing happen, he couldn’t help but to burst out laughing.
“I can’t believe he done that for her.”
Even if Galtem held some love towards Selene, William couldn’t believe he done such thing, if he was in his place, he would never do it. That’s the fewest things he would never do for Jennifer, or for anyone, unless he was extremely drunk.
“So now he’s dating a vampire? Selene? Well, he has courage, that’s for sure.”
William said with a shrug, since he knows Selene isn’t somebody that would be so sweet, well from what he knows from her, she’s a dangerous vampire, so yeah. He walked up to the table, and began to grab the stuff Jennifer was taking from the refrigerator.
“What do you think about that?”
He asked her, still not daring himself to look at her. He noticed those pictures left her kind of uncomfortable, and he was wondering why she got like that.

The movie had long since finished, and Amelia had fallen asleep on her vintage love chair, with the candles in her room having long burnt out. Waking up suddenly to see the credits rolling, and the lights out, Amelia woke with a start, and then realized just where she was. Course, it was her new apartment. The smell of all the new cardboard boxes and the rug freshener, set off her sinuses and she started to sneeze, before sitting up and rubbing her eyes. With feet planted on the floor, spread apart, and her knees together, she could only see the light that was coming from inside Rattle’s snake tank. It was getting late, and she hadn’t thought to ordering something from a local take out, nor did she even know where to start finding the boxes that were for the kitchen. Her stomach grumbled softly and she brought her arms around it, leaning forward and sighing.

“I’m hungry..” she thought to herself, mocking a pout. Just then, she could hear something just outside her door. Rising slowly, she tried to creep through the maze of boxes, and go to see just what was making the din. She couldn’t see anything through the key hole, and being brave, she picked up a bat, and then opened the door, armed and ready to swing. Course, it was just someone’s black cat, that had knocked over a bin. She wasn’t fussed with cats, preferring to keep snakes instead, but everyone has their own unique tastes in familiars. Sighing, she was about to go back inside and order some chinese.

<3>

“I think you’re right,” Jennifer said with a laugh as she finished off the cookie dough bite. She was proud of herself that they were so good and looked quite pretty as well. Before they ate all of them, she set out a few for later before wrapping the rest in plastic wrap after setting them on a plate. After looking around at the kitchen she made a face. “The mess can wait,” she decided, not feeling like cleaning right now. However, she decided to put away her laptop, since she no longer needed the recipe up. It seemed to be sitting there taunting her about the pictures of Galtem as long as it stayed open. Stupid, ridiculous, attention-seeking Galtem. She reminded herself it didn’t matter anymore and tried to let all her negative thoughts towards him leave her as she shut the laptop. She turned to William and smiled at him. “Ready to meet my new neighbor?” she asked, picking up the plate and looking at him excitedly.

112 – Ameila Reed

When they got to the house Jennifer couldn’t help but here the movie that was going on inside. She smiled to herself and rang the doorbell. She wasn’t really nervous since if she were weird or mean she simply wouldn’t try to see her again and it wouldn’t be a big deal, but she would be disappointed if that happened. Because Jennifer wasn’t in desperate need of another friend right now, but it would be nice. She was also glad that William was with her, but she didn’t want to overwhelm the girl either and look like the crazy welcome committee. Thinking about this, she turned to William. “Is this too much?” she asked a little concerned. “Would you be freaked out if you had just moved in and people came to welcome you with food? It’s what people do in the movies, but I just realized I don’t know if anyone actually does it in real life…” she trailed off because it was too late anyway. She’d already rung the doorbell, so she simply shrugged and smiled anyway. If it was weird and cheesy then it would be fun to laugh about later.

She was just about to put the bat down, and go help herself to another glass of wine, when this time there was a knock at the door. Now the last thing outside was a cat, disturbing the garbage cans, but this time whatever was out there, was human. (Possibly) Creeping up to the door, bat in hand, she yanked it open, armed and dangerous, only to see a lovely looking couple standing on her doorstep, one of which had long blonde hair, the male with her was roguishly handsome. She instantly hid the bat behind her, scared of what these people would think. She certainly wasn’t expecting company, not at this hour.

“I am so sorry, I keep hearing things outside and am new to the neighborhood.”

Amelia offered a wide smile, which only increased when she saw that the girl had brought food with her, perhaps a welcome plate to the complex. Well, if that isn’t the most neighborly thing to do to a new tenant. Amelia set the bat down and then opened the door in full and stepped back saying;

“Won’t you come in, just try to ignore the boxes and packing styrofoam. I only just moved in this afternoon. I’m Amelia by the way…Amelia Reed.” She hoped that they might come in, and she would get to know who they were, and if they were indeed neighbors.

<3>

William left Jennifer’s apartment with her. He placed his palm on her back, while walking besides her. They soon reached the door from the new neighbor, and William was already preparing a nice welcome smile, but then Jennifer began to ask him if this was even a good idea, if this wouldn’t scare anybody, that she only saw this in the movies, and now she began to wonder if people do it in real as well. William chuckled, and tilted his head to the side.
“Now its already too late to think about it.”
It was already too late, because Jennifer had already rung the bell, now they just needed to wait for somebody come out from the door.

The moment the woman open the door, William’s smile quickly disappeared, because she was holding a bat and aimed dangerously at them. He stared confused at the woman, wondering what the hell was she doing, he didn’t wanted to harm her since she was new, but he would if she tried to do something with that bat. But she didn’t, she just got scared and since she’s new she didn’t knew what to wait at this hour. She explained her reasons, but William still remained with an expression that thought “What is wrong with her” He was just surprised she was different. He never thought the new neighbor could be like this, and he noticed by her scent she was a witch. Well, he didn’t hated anybody but vampires.
“Oh sure. I’m William Dunn, and she’s Jennifer Wiles. She’s your neighbor, not me.”
William said with a small chuckle, allowing his expression to change into some more comfortable and nice. He would only step inside whenever Jennifer got in as well.

“I’m so sorry…the bat and all. Heh, the last neighborhood I lived at, they would steal anything that wasn’t bolted down, and I kinda got used to having a bat near the door.” Amelia said quickly, seeing the look of “what that f*ck?” on William’s face. Not exactly the best way to greet new neighbors, with that kind of reception. She made sure the bat was put well out of sight, as Jennifer and William entered. What met them was a Gothic inspired lounge room, and out the back there was the kitchen and dining room. Boxes were still piled high in the foyer, but at least you could move with a certain amount of freedom in the lounge and there was a three seater couch, with the coffee table closer to her vintage love seat. The theme of the room; Black. It was back and with a vengeance.

Amelia saw the plate of goodies that Jennifer had brought over and squealed. “Oh my goodness, chocolate covered cookie dough balls?!” It was the kind of excited expression you would see on the face of a girl at the fair, though she was a bit old to be called a girl. “So sweet of you to make them. Please, have a seat.” Amelia gestured for them to find a comfy spot, while Amelia cleared her lap top off the coffee table for more room. She picked up a desert treat and went to take a bite, a look of ecstasy coming over her face. “Delish!…so so good.” She swallows the bite, and then asks William; “So you don’t live with Jennifier? But you two are like dating? Sorry for all the questions, its one of my wicked traits. Probably why I got into the line of work I do. I am a forensic scientist at the local Police department, or better known as a lab rat.” She nodded away to herself, and then bit her bottom lip and asked more questions. “Does this complex have like a thing against pets. I have a pet snake, he is in the tank over behind me, and I swear, I only ever let him out to watch Jeopardy, but I would hate to lose this apartment, if the body corporate had a thing about pets that I didn’t know about.” She may have appeared to be babbling abit, but she only had Rattles for company, and not many friends, for reasons that would become clearer later on.

“So…tell me about yourselves. I kinda spilled the beans on me. Do you both work in town?” she asked.

<3>

Jennifer laughed a little when William voiced that it was too late to think about turning back now. The girl answered the door and Jennifer’s eyebrows rose. She could tell William sort of tensed up beside her, but he seemed fine especially since the woman quickly put it behind her back. It certainly took her by surprise, but this merely made Jennifer laugh a little for some reason. Being greeted by a woman dressed in dark clothing with a bat in her hand could be considered humorous. When she apologized she just smiled and said “Oh it’s no problem. I understand wanting to protect yourself.”
She nodded and led the way into her house as she introduced herself. Interesting would be a good word to describe the inside of her house. It was like going from a commercial happy neighborhood into some kind of lair. Amelia certainly looked like someone who would live here, but she did not seem to act like it. She was so cheerful and friendly while the room was anything but that. Jennifer exchanged an amused look with William and he introduced them. She nodded politely as she explained that the last neighborhood she lived in hadn’t exactly been a good one, but continued looking around the room. Amelia would definitely be an interesting neighbor that was for sure, but she was still pleased because she seemed to be incredibly nice.
Handing the plate to Amelia when she noticed what it was, she didn’t bother hiding how pleased she was that she was excited with what she had brought her. “We just made them. Thought we’d welcome you into the neighborhood. Didn’t know if anyone else would, but I assure you it’s a nice one,” she said, laughing as Amelia took a bite and enjoyed them.
She shook her head when she asked if William lived with her, but said “Yes, we are like dating,” with a smile. She always hated saying “my boyfriend” because it sounded so possessive to her. But dating was a good description of it.

“Wow that’s really cool!” she said, genuinely, when she spoke of her job. It was cool to have such an interesting neighbor. She must have been really smart. “Your snake should be fine. I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem with pets around here. Just as long as you don’t let him loose in the neighborhood or anything, but that’s kind of a given.” Jennifer laughed again and nodded when she asked if they worked in town. “William and I are both doctors at the hospital.” She wondered if she should mention that they were also werewolves in the local wolf pack, but figured with Amelia being a witch she might figure it out on her own.

William noticed the way the house looked like, so dark and seemed unfriendly, but the woman was the opposite of it, she looked extremely friendly and a polite person. Well, witches was always weird people, wasn’t they? At least the all witches he got to know they were kind of weird, but most of them were evil if not they had something wrong with them, but Amelia was different she was a cheerful person, this was actually going to be a good friend for Jennifer, somebody like this is what Jennifer needs.
Now that they was inside, William remained quiet but always with a friendly expression on, he would let Jennifer talk, even tho Amelia was the one who spoke a lot, it actually made him chuckle lightly, he never thought Jennifer’s neighbor was actually going to be somebody like this, and if it was a guy, William certainly would make this meeting very short, but since its a woman, he will let it last.
When Jennifer said they was like dating, William just smiled and nodded his head, he knew Jennifer never liked to sound possessive so he didn’t took her words wrong. He didn’t liked to sound possessive either, and he would give her space whenever she wanted to, but if some guy was getting to flirty with her, of course, William would step in, he wasn’t that good boy when somebody was flirting with his girlfriend.

Now William heard Amelia talking about her snake, he stared at her with a curious expression, before look at Jennifer and back at Amelia.
“You have a snake? Badass.”
He said with a small laugh. He never thought somebody would actually have a snake as a pet, especially a woman. But if she wanted protecting around her house, using a bat as a first impression and then have a snake as her pet, was actually a good protecting to those who feared snakes. Then the conversation went back to what they were, Amelia worked at Police department, and was somewhat a lab rat. Interesting job, and that would also explain why this woman didn’t had so much fears, she certainly was forced to see extremely disgusting things from crimes, no?

When William expressed interest in Amelia’s snake, Rattles, by saying “You have a snake? Badass.” Amelia jumped up and skipped over to the tank, taking back the lid and then reaching in, to bring out the snake thinking that if he liked snakes, he would surely love to pat it. “Hold on, you can stroke my snake if you like.” She chirped, pulling him out, a metre at a time, then wandering over to drape the snake around William’s shoulders. Amelia was an expert snake handler, and the snake seemed to be content enough to start winding itself around William’s neck and shoulders, when suddenly Amelia’s cell phone started to beep. “Just a sec, let me take this call.” She turned to go find her cell phone in among the cushions of her love couch, finally digging it out and flipping it open. It was a text message, and then Amelia slid her finger across the screen to open it. What she read, made her stop in her tracks. It was from her ex-boyfriend, Lysander. Needless to say, she had no idea he even lived in the same apartment complex.

From: Lysander

Message: I’m sending this message, to let you know that sadly my wife, River died giving the birth of our second son, she lost too much blood and she couldn’t make it. Her funeral will be today at 1pm, I hope those who care show up at her funeral, and show her some last respect, and the last goodbye.

For a moment, you could see the blood running from Amelia’s face, as her chin started to wobble and her brow creased. Her grip on her cellphone became week and it dropped from her hand, falling onto the rug.

“River’s dead..” She whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.

<3>

William tilted his head to the side, and began to chuckle when Amelia told him he could see her snake. Oh wow, he was really going to pet one? He never feared snakes, so he always wanted to know the feeling of touching one, and how it is on having them around you. Soon Amelia showed up with the snake, and placed it around Williams shoulders. One hand would be holding the end of the snake, and the other, its neck, staring at the snake’s head. The snake was actually something weird to touch, it was actually a nice feeling, but at the same time weird. He was having fun, hell, he even started to make the snake making out with Jennifer. Well, “making out”. He was just poking the snake’s mouth against Jennifer’s cheek.
“Its adorable, look at it. It loves you.”
William said with a smile, till Jennifer told him to wait a little since she got a message at the same time as Amelia? Well weird, but William was more distracted with the snake. He soon made the snake turn its head and stare at him. The snake stretched out its head, getting closer to William, and all he felt was its tongue touching his cheek. Other weird feeling.
“Oh god, it licked me. I think you have competition Jennifer.”
William said with a playful tone, as the conversation sadly had to become serious, Amelia mumbled that River was dead, and right now William was trying to remember who was River, the only thing he knew about her is that she was the girl who Galtem tried to hook up with, basically his brother’s fiance, well that sucks. His head turned at Jennifer, and she was asking him she wanted to go to the funeral but not alone, certainly Galtem would be there, and William himself didn’t wanted leave Jennifer alone while Galtem was alone.
“Sure, I can go with you.”

626-Lysander Manzenli

Lysander remained quiet staring down at his son, while rocking the chair, so the baby could remain calm. His eyes stared down at the coffee Melinda had gave it to him. Now he knew he was going to change lots of things in his life, especially his daily routine, now it would only be work, home, home, work. He would have no time for friends, and he certainly would need to stop drinking alcohol, he has kids to take care about now. Those kids was going to drive him insane, because when one sleeps, the other one is crying, and he will never have some decent peace at the end, he knows Melinda will help him, but he doesn’t want her to think he can’t do anything alone, nor he wants to bother her forever.
“I’m going to warn the others about the funeral, I know its not through texting. But I’m not able to go see them all and tell him in person.”
Lysander said those words to Melinda, as he grabbed the phone and began to text. Texting this only made her death more real, and it actually forced him to start crying again, but quietly, and the tears was less. He needed to put himself together, and he had the perfect idea for it. He took one of those anti-depressing pills. It would be enough for him to feel kind of numb, but he woulds till be aware of what was going around him, it just would stop the all crying and make him feel so depressed. After sending the text, he pushed himself up from the couch, and went upstairs, taking Eric on his arms as well, he needed to get himself ready for the funeral, and the kids as well, even tho he didn’t felt like waking up Halle.

(Ignore the male’s face)

Melinda still keep on playing origami, since it would be enough to make her distracted for awhile, she wasn’t in need for pills, the alcohol would be enough, and she was taking it so she could feel slightly numb. She soon pushed herself up from the couch, and began to walk around the living room, having her arms folded in front of her chest, as her eyes looked around. She was trying to keep her mind busy, so it wouldn’t start thinking about her daughter, but whenever she noticed that Lysander began to cry, she allowed some tears to slid down as well. It was so quiet, yet inside there could be a voice screaming in pain, inside the both of them.
Melinda’s eyes laid on the window, as she noticed that they was having some new neighbor, but it wasn’t a simple one, she felt a strong scent of magic in the air, and it was so familiar, she was trying remember where she had already felt like this, this magic was way too familiar, and she finally remembered it! It was younger sister, Amelia. She was their new neighbor? Lysander probably sent now her a message about River, so she certainly got the message right now. Melinda was curious and she wanted to face her sister after all those years, they haven’t seen each other in awhile, and of course she missed her, but she hoped her habit on having snakes were gone, Melinda always feared those things. Lysander went upstairs, so Melinda took that chance to meet up with Amelia.

112-Amelia Reed

She left Lysander’s apartment, and hugged herself since it was kind of cold. Walking up to Amelia’s door, she just began to knock on it. She hoped it was really her sister, because then this would be a very awkward meeting, since she had no clue on what she would say if it wasn’t really Amelia, and it was just some random person. 

It was like some bad dream that you suddenly wake up from and pinch yourself to see if its real. The odd thing about this was that Jennifer had received a call at the same time as Amelia did. Amelia went from being her bubbly and buoyant self, to dropping the phone and standing like a statue, frozen from what she had just discovered. At first, she didn’t know what to do. William was enjoying patting her snake and getting rather up close and personal, which was cool, cause Rattles was very affectionate..for a snake. Amelia went quiet as Jennifer asked if William could take her to the funeral. Course, Amelia would want to go, but then she realized that Lysander would be there and her heart sank even further. For the longest time, she had tried to get over him, and then course he ended up with her niece, which always made family functions awkward. Amelia had driven herself into her work, focusing on cases and basically living at the office. Only recently had she decided to move out of a bed sit and into her own place, her own space. She was just getting back on track with her life….now this.

Amelia knelt down to pick up her phone off the rug, and then looked at the details for the funeral arrangements again. Amelia let out a sigh, and then tossed her phone haphazardly back on the love seat in among the cushions. She put on a brave face, trying to keep any tears from falling, desperately keeping up a cheerful outlook. She came up to William, and said.

“Here..let me take him and put him back in his tank, and you can both go get ready for the funeral.”

She didn’t say how she knew, why she had the call, or the fact of her relationship with those involved. Amelia felt so alien from it all. But…there came a knock at the door, and Amelia was ready to pick up the bat and whack whoever was behind it. Thinking the better of it, she approached the door, and opened it, her mouth falling open to see Melinda standing on her door step. Half taken aback Amelia tried to keep composed, and then swallowing the rising tide that was coming up her throat, as her cheeks became red and flushed, she moved across the step and embraced her sister in a hug of comfort, whispering in her ear.

“I’m so sorry.”

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Jennifer smiled sadly at William and leaned into him. “You’re truly the best,” she said, holding on to him. It didn’t cross her mind that he might want to be there anyway to watch out for Galtem. He was just doing her a huge favor by going to the funeral of someone he barely knew that would have people he did not like there. But William was always doing his best to protect her so of course he would want to go.
She looked up at Amelia when she took the snake and told them they could go get ready for the funeral. Jennifer realized it was pretty soon and she was still in the clothes she had thrown on this morning before visiting Galtem. That seemed ages before, but it hadn’t been so long ago. Then she realized that Amelia’s text must have been the same as hers. This confused her for a moment. She wondered how Amelia knew River and what connections she had here.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door and her questions were answered a moment later when the guest walked in. It was Melinda. River’s mother. Jennifer doubted Melinda would know anything about Jennifer. It didn’t seem like the kind of thing you would bring up to your mother, but she also didn’t know if Melinda and River were really close and if they talked about that sort of thing. It made her a little uncomfortable, but Amelia and she seemed to have a tight relationship, so they must have been really close friends. Or possibly related. It seemed like an odd pair to Jennifer, but she would be surprised if she saw anything normal around here anymore.
“Maybe we should go change now,” Jennifer said to William, not wanting to intrude on this moment. “I’m so sorry, Melinda,” she said quietly as she stood up, not sure if it was weird or not for her to speak as if she knew her. Maybe that would weird her out. But she doubted she cared about anything but her daughter right now.

William smiled when Jennifer said he was truly the best.
“Anything for you.”
He was here for please her, but he also wanted to make sure Galtem wouldn’t get closer to Jennifer, there was no need for make up some argues and fights, especially in a funeral. So William would make sure he wouldn’t get too angry with Galtem, as long as that guy didn’t bother him, everything would be fine. He also began to wonder if Galtem was going to bring the Vampire as well, that was insane, werewolves doesn’t get along with vampires, and now bringing a vampire to a funeral where mostly people are werewolves, that’s just some stupid a idea, but an idea we all know it could come from Galtem.
His eyes went up to Amelia who was telling him that she would put the snake back on its tank, and they could go get ready for the funeral. He was about to give her the snake, but someone was knocking on the door, and that made Amelia go see who was. William just stood up, and walked over the snake’s tank, placing it down inside, before close the tank. Making sure everything was right, his view turned back at Jennifer, who now was telling him they should go change now.
“Sure.”
He replayed as he began to walk after her, and on the door there was Amelia hugging another woman, somebody that Jennifer knew as well, but not William, he just stared at them with some awkward smile, since he didn’t knew what was going on. But this woman was definitely family from River, so of course, William was going to be polite, and have a smile that would show how sorry he was for her loss.

112 – Amelia Reed

Melinda keep hugging herself a bit, till finally somebody open her the door, and it was definitely her sister, Amelia. She stared at her for a couple of seconds, wanting to just tackle her, and hug her. She needed some comfort right now, after this all. Dealing with a depressing Lysander wasn’t easy either, because he was always distant, and it would take you a lot to just call out his attention.
Whenever her sister finally hugged her, Melinda allowed herself to cry again, and wrapped her arms tightly around her sister, hugging her closer, while shoving her head down into her shoulder, sobbing quietly. She was glad she had her sister back, at least she would have another support from somebody. It was far from her mind to think about Henry and have his support. She still wanted that guy far away from her, even tho she knows she will have to face him in the funeral.
It was on that moment Melinda noticed that Amelia wasn’t alone, there were other two people in here, a man and another woman. A blonde one, that was very familiar to Melinda, but she couldn’t remember where she saw this face before, but it finally hit her mind. It was the same woman who was there helping with her wounds whenever she got attacked by the werewolf, Alexander. She still has the all scars over her arm, that’s the ugly memory from the attack.
“Thank you..”
Melinda mumbled, as she pulled herself away from her sister, and began to wipe her tears.
“I just wanted to know if my little sister was really here. I should go..Lysander probably needs my help on dressing the kids.”
Melinda managed to say with some weak tone on her voice, as she rubbed her own arm.
“Amelia, I know this might seem much to ask. But now you’re his neighbor, and he will need lots of help on raising those two babies. I just ask you to check on him, time to time, there isn’t any need to be everyday. I just don’t want him to do anything stupid.”
Melinda said, knowing very well the bond her sister had with Lysander. They dated before, and Lysander fell in love with her niece, which was something very awkward in the family, and it probably left Amelia hurt, because she was trying to get over him, Melinda knew that. But still, she couldn’t spend her whole time in this neighborhood, it took her a lot to come here from her house, and she wanted some time alone for herself as well.

626-Lysander Manzenli

Lysander got in his chambers, and placed Eric slowly over the bed. He was glad that they had already bought two outfits for a girl and for a boy. They wasn’t sure what sex the baby would be, so they just bought this, till they could go buy more clothes. Now that’s something Lysander needs to do alone. He picked up the outfit, which was a blue romper for winter. It was thick, and it was enough to keep a baby warm. He began to dress the new born with that clothing, and while he dressed him, he could already hear Halle crying. Huffing out, Lysander finished dressing the baby, and made sure he would stay in the middle of the huge bed, so he wouldn’t fall.
Then he just went to Halle’s bedroom, and picked up a pacifier placing it inside her mouth. He picked her up, and rocked her on his arms slowly, so she could calm down and stop crying. In her bedroom, there was a closet with her clothes. He held her on his left arm, and used his right hand to search through the closet for something for her to wear. He found a pink dress, then some white shirt, and white long socks, then some black shoes. He picked up those clothes, and started to dress Halle once he went back to his bedroom, and placed her on his bed. After few minutes, the children were finally dressed. He never thought it could be so hard, but it was done, and luckily for them, they fell asleep.
He went to the bathroom, took a quick shower and done his beard. Once he was done with that, he began to dry off his skin, and went back to his bedroom. He looked through his closet, and saw his black suit. It only took him ten minutes to get himself ready, and ties with him wasn’t a problem, since he was already used to wear them.
Now he had another problem, which was to put the kids in the car.
He had everything he needed, he had the chair for the newborn, and Halle’s chair was already in the car, all he had to do was just place the newborn chair on the passenger seat that was besides him. He needed a baby carriage, he had one but it had only space for one baby and not two. Which meant he would have to carry Halle on his arms and Eric would go on the baby carriage. And that’s what he did.
He finally left home, and went to his car, preparing the baby chair on the passenger seat, and when he made sure everything was safe he placed Eric in there. Then in the backseats, he placed Halle’s in her seat. And in the backdoor, he closed the baby carriage and put it inside to fit in the car. He was done, but he was still waiting for Melinda. Wondering if she wanted a ride.
He leaned his back against his car, and folded his arms in front of his chest, as he stared down at the ground, getting a bit lost in his thoughts.

The wetness of her sister’s tears upon the nape of her neck, had Amelia feeling all kinds of emotions, as she was swept up in the sorrow of the news of River. But also the reunion of the sisters was something she also needed. Amelia hadn’t meant to keep her distance and turned into a workaholic, but it seemed to be the only way she could cope with losing Lysander to her niece. Amelia sniffed loudly, when her sister finally let her go, and then realized she still had company; William and Jennifer. Thankfully William had place Rattles back in his tank, so that was one less thing to worry about, but she felt it right to introduce them to Melinda.

“Sis, this is my neighbour Jennifer and her boyfriend William. They were welcoming me to the neighborhood when we got the call.” She said we, since Jennifer also got a text message from Lysander. Amelia didn’t know if Melinda knew them or not, but thought it right to make introductions. Amelia’s head tilted, her pony tails flicked out when Melinda just was checking to see if her little sister really was living in the Rivet condos complex.

“Yeah, finally got myself out from Mrs Gardner’s bed sit. Kinda got over not having freedom to do my own thing, or being harassed for staying out late.” Mrs Gardner was much like a bitter old spinster, something that Amelia was terrified of ending up as. Her luck with men, was abysmal. On the word that Lysander would be needing help with the kids and the fact Amelia was living so close, Amelia became uneasy, and rubbed the back of her neck. Clearly the wounds from the failed romance still ran deep, but she then sighed thinking that these children that were now without a mother, should be given care and understanding, by their relatives, regardless of who their father was.

“I guess, I can…baby sit…and stuff.” she said awkwardly, not really being into kids herself, for she gave up on that dream a while ago. She looked at the clock and saw the time and then quickly said to Melinda. “It’s getting late, shouldn’t you be heading to the funeral now?”

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