Hello everyone! Here's a not so new story I found in the great archives of stories Jarjarblinx1 and I have written. I finally found the time (and remembered it existed) and thought I would publish it for you guys to see if you'd like it.

This one, like most of our stories lately, is fully written already. However, it is not fully edited. As I've been saying with some of our other stories, I don't want want to waste my time and effort into editing all these chapter if no one actually cares or is interested in the story. So please review to show your interest so I know to continue editing or not.

Hope you enjoy!

The dream was always the same: flashes, brief glimpses of himself in different places at different times. It always began the same way. He was first a poor boy living in a cottage in the woods. Then he was a servant in a manor house during the Plague. After that, he was a sailor on a ship sailing towards the New World, a young lord in Paris, a settler in Virginia, a classical musician in Austria, and a mobster in New Jersey. The same dream, every night, again and again. What froze his body and made breathing almost impossible was the sense of fear. In every dream, no matter where he was, there was a dark, faceless figure, always reaching out to him. Then there was pain. Pain so crippling that he would silently scream and cry as the time and place would change. Tonight was no different.

Jack… A voice, reaching out from that dark figure, that never spoke beyond just calling his name. Jack….

Jack shot up in his bed, sweat dripping down his face and his chest heaving for breath. A quick glance through the curtains had him groaning. The sky was only just barely starting to lighten with the impending sunrise, and he knew from past experience that there was no way he'd be able to fall back asleep after the dream. He ran a hand over his face. A growly whining from beside him pulled his attention to the pile of blankets on the other side of the bed. A pair of shiny eyes peeked at him through a crack in the blankets.

"Sorry buddy. I didn't mean to wake you up again. Go back to sleep, Arcturus. One of us might as well." He patted the pile before getting out of bed with a sigh.

A disgruntled puff of smoke blew out of the pile as a scaly head popped out first, followed by the body. It opened its mouth in a yawn, showing its little fangs off to Jack. The dragon had been given to Jack as a hatchling when he had gone off to college, and it was now the size of a bulldog. Its body was covered in iridescent white scales with two bright blue eyes and wings which it kept neatly folded on its back. Arcturus gave a lazy stretch and then hopped down off the bed, following Jack into the kitchen in hopes of a fresh steak or some other delectable breakfast treat.

"Here you go." Jack set out his leftover grilled chicken from the night before. "Sorry it's not more, bud. Pay day's tomorrow, and then I'll go get you that fat T-bone steak I've been promising you." He patted the counter as he opened up a granola bar for himself. Arcturus hopped up on the counter and sniffed at the chicken. He quickly snatched it up and threw his head back to swallow it whole. He chirped at Jack with his head quirked, asking for more. "That's all the meat I have left, buddy. I could break out a few of those frozen dragon treats if you want."

Arcturus snuffled at Jack's hand and looked pointedly at the freezer as a reply. "Alright, Alright. Only two though." Jack took out two of the treats out of the container and set them in front of his dragon. "Eat slowly." He took out a pint of ice cream and munched on it alongside his friend. "I hope I didn't disturb any amazing dreams when I woke you up. You always look happy when you're asleep." The dragon munched on its treats, purring deeply in contentment.

Jack… He shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of the image. As always, it didn't work. "You want a shower, bud? I need one to wake me up." Jack tossed his spoon in the sink and put the ice cream back in the freezer. Arcturus's head shot up, and he trotted towards the bathroom. Besides eating and sleeping, snapping at the water while Jack showered was his favorite thing to do.

"That's what I thought," he chuckled. Jack held the door open for his friend and turned on the cold water. He stripped and hopped in the shower. "Do you think these dreams mean anything? I'm so tired of watching helplessly night after night." He sighed and let the water run down his back. "The worst part is sometimes that shadow is the most terrifying thing I've ever felt come towards me. Sometimes...sometimes my heart breaks for it. Like it's a friendly hand trying to reach out to save me but is never actually able to." Arcturus clicked and chirped, his jaws snapping at the water droplets as they fell on him.

As he showered, a warm heat, like two phantom hands, seemed to move over Jack's body. It caressed his body lovingly, possessively. Jack...Jack…

Jack shivered before he could stop himself. He smiled down at his friend. "Here I am talking to a dragon. Not the best way to seek advice." He grabbed the scrub brush and soap hanging from the shower rack and knelt down in the tub. "Your turn, bud. You've been looking a little dull lately."

Arcturus preened under Jack's attention, enjoying being scrubbed clean. Jack...you're mine.

"I think I've finally lost it, Arcturus. Completely crazy now. I'm hearing voices." He made sure to get in all the hard to reach spots.

The heat returned, focusing in on Jack's neck. It felt like a strong hand, gripping his neck tightly enough to exert dominance. Jack...I'm coming for you. A mellifluous voice purred in Jack's ear.

Jack spun around, slipping on the slick tub and finally knocking himself wide awake. He put a hand to his head. "Damn. The visions have never lasted so long." His fingers ran slowly across the back of his neck, the skin still covered in goosebumps. "Or felt so real." Arcturus looked at Jack with concern and licked his cheek. "Don't worry about me, bud." Jack gave him a small smile and scratched under his chin. "I've survived this long, haven't I?" After a final rinse for them both, Jack shut off the shower and set about drying him and his friend off with towels.

Jack...I'm almost there.

"It's sad, isn't it?"

The sudden voice next to him made Jack jump, dropping his newspaper and nearly spilling his iced tea. He looked up at the rainbow haired barista standing beside him. At his confused look, she pointed at the front page story about another murder that had happened a few blocks over. "Oh. Yeah. Very sad. It's the third one right?"

She nodded. "The sheriff's saying they think it might be the beginning works of a serial killer. It's scary to think that's the kind of world we live in now." The barista rubbed at the little lifemark tattoos on her forearm with a slight frown. Jack noticed instantly. Seven dashes. So she was on her seventh life. "Makes me a little scared for my current life and what my future ones will be." She shook herself out of it and pasted a cheery smile back on her face. "Sorry about that. Probably not what you wanted to talk about with a total stranger. Enjoy the rest of your day!" The barista picked up her cleaning rag and headed back behind the counter to continue work.

Jack shook his head with a small smile. Well, she was a little odd. Friendly though. He picked up his bow and his bag and started the long walk back home. Lithe fingers ran delicately over the arm brace he always wore, thinking about his own hidden lifemark.

"Give me all your money, shithead," a gruff voice demanded. It was followed by the sound of a fight coming from the end of a nearby alleyway.

When he backtracked and came upon the scene, Jack quickly knocked an arrow. He aimed it at the attacker as he slowly walked down the alley, but they were both tossing around so much he didn't want to accidentally hit the man he was attacking. "Hey! Back off!"

The man growled and shoved the guy he was harassing down. The victim looked down at his stomach, the handle of a knife sticking from the flesh. He pulled the knife out and gave the assailant a cold smile. "Was that supposed to hurt?" Faster than Jack could process, the guy had the assailant's head pulled back and the same knife was pulled across the taut skin of his throat. Blood sprayed across the wall, and he allowed the body to fall down limply to the ground. The world froze when a pair of warm amber eyes looked up and locked with Jack's. Jack...I found you.

"You...you just...He…" Jack gulped at the sight of all the blood covering the alley and the body lying lifeless on the ground. The thought of just witnessing someone's death made him more than a little nauseous. Then there was the killer- no the victim- the victim who protected himself still standing there staring at him. Against his better judgement, Jack slung his bow over his shoulders and darted towards him. "Are you okay?!" His hands pushed aside the man's jacket to find the knife wound. "Your wound...is gone?" He ran his fingers over the bloodied, but otherwise unmarred, skin with a puzzled look on his face.

"I'm fine," a smooth British voice replied. "Are you? You look like you might faint."

"You were...you were stabbed. You shouldn't be fine."

"You should go," the voice whispered. A large hand gripped his wrist. Jack's eyes widened when he saw the infinity symbol peeking out from under the man's sleeve. "It's not safe."

Don't have to tell me twice. Jack turned and ran from the scene. He hated to admit it, but he felt more like he was fleeing. He'd never come across someone before with a lifemark like that. Everyone had a number of dashes between one and ten on their forearm. One meant it was your first life, and ten meant it was your final life. What did an infinity sign mean? The thought terrified him more than just watching someone die.

Jack… Warm lips caressed his neck as warmer hands caressed his body. Jack… He was turned around so lips could claim his in a passionate kiss. Jack… He was lifted up into strong arms and carried to a bed which was, Jack briefly thought, strangely in the middle of a field. He was laid down and covered by a warm body. Jack… Between the hands, lips, and body, Jack felt himself be taken and claimed thoroughly. The heat inside him was almost too much and yet not enough. Jack… The head, which had been occupied with kissing his neck, lifted, and a pair of amber eyes looked up at him with a passionate heat. Jack...come to me.

Blue eyes fluttered open with a soft groan. Why won't my mind let me fucking sleep? The insistent ache he felt brought his attention to his throbbing length that was hitting up under the thin blanket. Jack took himself in hand and started stroking. As the minutes passed, the image of his dream lover blurred in his mind. Those alluring amber eyes remained the sole perfectly clear image. Visualizing those eyes, it didn't take him much longer before he was splattering cum all over his stomach with a moan.

Jack pulled his shirt over his head and used it to wipe himself clean and then tossed it into the laundry hamper. "Might as well start the day, I guess," he muttered.

Careful not to wake Arcturus yet, Jack slid out of the bed to get ready. As soon as he and his dragon were fed and the clock turned to five in the morning, he decided to head to his favorite coffee shop. His job as a trainer/assistant medic at a facility for rare creatures demanded he be fully awake the entire shift. A task he definitely would not be able to do if he didn't fill up on caffeine before he went. Jack ordered an iced frappuccino from the cashier. He was pleasantly surprised to see the rainbow haired girl was working this morning and waved at her. He'd discovered after further encounters with her that her name was Thia, and he found he really liked her company. He went to take a seat at a back table to wait for his drink.

Thia walked over with a plate and plopped it down in front of him, one of Jack's favorite chocolate muffins sitting on it. "Here you go, sweetie."

Jack looked down at the plate, puzzled. "I didn't order a muffin today, Thia."

"True, but I did." A familiar voice sent a chill up Jack's spine as a familiar figure slid into the seat across from him. Amber eyes met his while thin lips smirked. "Hello again."

"You…" Jack's eyes widened when he looked up to see the man who'd been attacked in the alley. He cleared his throat. "Sorry. Must have gotten your muffin by mistake." He slid the plate over to him.

"I filled up on coffee. Turns out my eyes are larger than my stomach." The man pushed the plate back to Jack. "Would you like it?"

"If you're sure you don't want it." He slid the plate back to his side. "Thanks."

"I perhaps should have asked if this seat was taken." The man picked an invisible piece of lint off his pants, giving Jack a look. "Is it? Taken, I mean."

"Um, no. It's not taken. I'm just blowing time and filling myself with caffeine before my shift in two hours."

"Filling yourself with caffeine after a rough night?"

Jack took a small bite of the muffin. "I guess you could say that."

"Nightmares?"

"Uhhhh. Not really."

"I can only imagine with this killer running loose. I myself have been suffering from vivid dreams."

"You have? That's...interesting." He tried to focus on his drink and muffin, a little on edge sitting so close to this stranger. This stranger who he saw stabbed, killed a guy, and also had an infinity lifemark.

"I apologize. This isn't appropriate conversation for new acquaintances." The stranger lifted his own cup of coffee to his lips, the lifemark peeking out again.

"Not exactly." Jack had to resist staring at the mark. Tempting as it was, it could lead to some otherwise unsavory topics of conversation. "You...come here often?"

"Occasionally. You?"

"Rather often. It's the easiest to get to with my commute and the best tasting."

"What would you recommend on the menu?"

"The chocolate muffins are the best pastries. I always get iced drinks, so I could only recommend the cold ones."

"What a coincidence. I also enjoy anything that's well baked and chocolate. Which drinks would you recommend?"

"The iced coffee is really good. So is their iced tea."

The man hummed. "Do I make you uncomfortable?"

"Maybe a little?" He looked down at the muffin he was currently picking at, embarrassed. "I'm not very good with small talk. Or strangers."

"Especially strangers who you witnessed do a terrible thing. I understand that. It can be a bit discombobulating to witness someone be stabbed and then slice a guy's throat."

Jack took a long swig of his drink. "I'd say way more than just a bit."

The man chuckled and looked out the window, his smile instantly disappearing. "Yes, life does have a way of being discombobulating."

"I don't understand how you're okay. How can you be?" His voice lowered to a whisper. "You were stabbed in the gut with a knife for fuck's sake!"

Amber eyes met Jack's. "You must have some theories."

"None that make any sense in a normal world."

"A world of definitive lifemarks and destined mates. So no, I wasn't bitten by a radioactive spider. Nor do I come from a destroyed planet deep in space."

"This world is normal to us. It's the only world we've ever known."

"Not my world."

"I don't see how your world is any different from mine."

"You really have no idea." The sound of plates and cups crashing behind them had Jack spinning around, and when he turned back to his guest, the man was gone.

"What the hell is going on?" He leaned his chin on the table with a groan.

"Jesus, you look like crap." The man leaned against Jack's desk, looking down at him with emerald eyes. He ran long fingers through his silvery gray hair, making them stick up in attractive spikes. "Not getting any sleep?"

"What gave it away?" Jack took a long drink of his iced coffee. "The caffeine or the foul mood?"

"Both. The glare also works too."

"You're an ass, Aster." He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. It was easy to stay awake when he was out with the creatures. Sadly, he also had to do paperwork for about a quarter of his time. Paperwork was difficult to stay awake through on a good day. Now it was just torture.

"Speaking of, when are you going to take me up on my offer of dinner? You've been avoiding giving me an answer for...yep, three weeks now."

"I'm not going to take you up on it. So you can wait a few more years pining for me or move on with your life. I told you the first time you asked that I follow a strict 'no dating my coworkers' policy. Especially when they're my boss."

"We're friends first and foremost." Aster leaned down, giving Jack a teasing smile. "What's the harm in coming to dinner? I won't bite."

"I get the feeling you definitely do bite," Jack teased. "The answer's still no Aster."

Jack…

"A drink then? What's the harm in a drink between friends?"

"Maybe a drink." He finished off his coffee and grabbed his bag of dragon snacks on his way out the door. "Maybe."

"I can work with that."

Jack...DON'T.

"We'll see how shitty the rest of the week goes!"

"Are you blowing me off until Friday, Frost? Not cool!"

"You'll get over it!" Jack let the door shut behind him as he headed for the dragon pen. Arcturus chirped from his pen and greeted his owner with a head butt when he leaned close enough. "Hey, bud. How's it going today?" He tossed him a half-steak leftover from one of the larger dragons. Arcturus caught the steak mid-air, munching on it happily.

Jack...come to me.

Jack scratched under his dragon's chin with a smile. "Well stop by the store and grab you some more food on the way home, okay?" Arcturus purred and gave Jack's cheek.

"I'll see you in a few hours, buddy. Time to work with the big kids." He moved a few gates down to let out his other favorite dragon. "Come on out, Rosie," he called. A huge dragon eagerly slithered through the gate and nuzzled against her trainer's chest. Her scales were the most beautiful shade of rose gold that it put all precious metals to shame. She was too large to stretch his arms around her head so half hugged her instead. "Oh, careful, sweetie. You know I'm much more fragile than you are." He pulled his arms back quickly when she started chuffing happily, making the spikes on her jawline puff up rigidly. Luckil, his arm guards caught the brunt of it, and he came out unscathed.

Draco, her pen mate, came over and gave Jack a gentle nudge against his side. The dragon was even larger than Rosie, with scales as black as night. His warm breath ruffled Jack's hair. "You're moving a lot better today, Draco." Jack motioned him over to the cement pedestal they used for training sometimes, patting it and grabbing the bucket of salve. "Now, let's see that leg." The dragon reluctantly let him close to his leg with a huff. Jack used his affinity for wind to shift the air around them and blow puffs of air in Draco's face. It effectively distracted him for a few moments while he wiped off the old, hardened paste off his injury.

Most dragons grew nervous or sometimes hostile when injured. This dragon in particular had a habit of giving a good bite if someone touched a sore spot. Jack seemed to be the only medic who'd mastered dealing with him. "It's looking much better today. I'd say only a few more days and you'll be good as new." He let some frost spread over the open wound, the cold annoying to the warm dragon but numbing his leg so he could re-apply more of the salve.

Jack… A now familiar hear surrounded him, and what felt like warm lips caressed his ear. Find me…

Jack shivered, and it wasn't from the chill air. He grumbled under his breath as he cleaned up for the day. "I'm not going to find anyone. These stupid dream voices need to get the hell out of my head." The dragons watched Jack with curious eyes as he talked to himself. Arcturus gave a little roar of impatience. "Come on, buddy." He opened Arcturus' pen and laughed when he tried so hard to flap his little wings and fly up to him. "Awww, don't worry. Your wings will grow in soon enough." Jack picked up his friend and set him up on his shoulder.

Arcturus twined around Jack's neck like a shawl, keeping his neck warm as they walked out into the chill air. "Let's go get you that food I promised."

So what did you guys think? If you're interested seeing where this story goes, drop us a review. A simple "I'm interested" or even your favorite line or opinions is fine.

Let's say...7 reviews to convince me to edit the next chapter?