Changes

It was happening again. The dream, Henry and the branding of her arms. For weeks at a time she could forget, but then when her defenses were worn down by exhaustion, the dreams would come. She'd wake up in pain with her arms on fire and her heart broken. Mike had left, Henry had left and the marks remained, along with the dreams of hell and damnation. Those marks throbbed whenever she made the mistake of thinking about Astaroth. Pain was an excellent teacher but she couldn't stay awake all the time.

As she took her shower, she came to the conclusion it was time to face her demons and end the torment. Weeks ago she found a reference to Augustus Realtors based in LA and if it meant flying across the continent, she was prepared to do it.

Henry had left six months before and Mike had hung up on her again yesterday. Coreen came to work everyday but the case load had dropped off after it was made known that Vicki had a habit of attracting the "wrong" sort of clients and bad things happened to people near her. She made up her mind to tell Coreen that the agency would be closing by the end of the week.

She thought to herself that it wasn't like she was giving up, it was more like she was going in a new direction so the arrangements were made and the first step toward Henry was taken.

Vicki walked into the Los Angeles office of Augustus and Associates with a quick step and an air of confidence she didn't feel making it to the desk without having to fumble or readjust her glasses. "My name is Nelson and I have an appointment with Augustus for 10:30." The receptionist looked at the printed schedule of the day's clients and asked Vicki to have a seat and Vicki followed the gesture and to a bright red chair. She made her way to it and was casually allowing her fingers to walk along the arm rest so she could find her seating without landing in a heap. New places tended to give her problems since her progressive RP showed no signs of going into remission but she could act, that was one of the talents she relied on as a cop.

The heavy set black gentleman stood before her, "Ah Miss Nelson, I remember seeing you at the home of a mutual friend."

Vicki smiled hopefully and said, "That's why I'm here. I've lost his address and wanted to pay him a surprise visit."

Augustus gave a booming laugh, "Surely you could come up with a better story than that – coming across a continent not to mention an international border?"

Vicki said, "I could and perhaps I should. We both know him. I need to find him and I don't want him to know I'm looking. We've unfinished business."

Augustus eyes held humor and understanding, "He told me to bring you to him if you ever showed up. He's very special to me and he seems to think you are very special for him." Augustus stood and said, "I'll take you to him tonight."

Vicki exclaimed, "That easy! After so many months of waiting to hear from him, it's that easy to find him?"

Augustus said, "He needs to stay in hiding. He's told me all about the time you were working together including the last night in his condo. Those marks on your arms will create a problem, but it can be overcome if you do as he asks. He calls me every night asking if I've heard from you. He's almost given up hope of ever hearing from you again."

Vicki looked Augustus in the eye and said, "I tried to tell him I had issues that needed to be resolved. It's only recently that I've been able to let go of several of them. I'll be able to get rid of the rest when I talk to him."

Augustus called the local airport and asked that his private helicopter be made ready for take off two hours before sunset. He also discussed the flight plan for area four three seven seven. Augustus buzzed the receptionist, "Has my schedule been cleared for the rest of the week?" The affirmative answer caused Augustus to beam, "My dear Miss Nelson, may I offer you refreshments while we wait?"

"Call me Vicki, and where are we going?"

"A very private, contemplative retreat on holy ground. We'll get there at sunset and I'll leave him a message to meet us."

Vicki sat in the passenger seat looking out the side window wishing her vision were clearer. The sunset in the mountains would be breathtaking from this altitude but all she could see was light and shadow with flashes of color. She could feel Henry getting closer with every rotation of the blades.

At the sun set, the helicopter lowered over the circle surrounding the red X. They came down with a gentle bump and engines were cut. Augustus helped Vicki out and placed her bag by her feet then thanked the pilot after telling her to wait for him in the monastery's kitchen. Augustus pulled out his cell and made a call, "She's here. North field." Augustus smiled at Vicki and said, "I'm going to follow the pilot. You wait here."

Vicki started swearing under her breath, as the darkening sky left her blind. She sat on the ground by the helicopter's runners and pulled up grass. She felt him sitting down next to her before she could see him and leaned against him asking, "Now what?"

Henry sighed as he leaned into her, "I don't really care as long as you're here."

Vicki sat in silence listening to the wind come down from the higher peaks and with it came the scent of pine. "I've come over four thousand miles, and I can't think of a thing to say."

Henry held her close and said, "Then don't talk. Listen." He took a deep breath and admitted, "I was wrong when I left you the way I did. Prince Henry, the vampire night walker was too proud to call you and beg for forgiveness. I've sat up here on this mountain praying you would call Augustus. As soon as you did, I was going to come for you. But as usual you did one better by coming here. I'm never letting you go again."

Henry heard the rapid beating of her heart, smelled her desire and shared the kiss that was meant to happen months ago. With a husky voice full of passion he said, "I'm taking you to my cabin so that our bodies can do the talking in private."

Henry stood and picked her up. She started to protest and he said, "The ground's uneven and if I carry you, we'll get there faster."

She woke to the sound of birds singing and warm sunlight streaming in the window. For the first time in weeks she hadn't been bothered with dreams and her arms didn't burn. She sat up reached over and looked around the small cabin. Taped to bathroom mirror was a note. "Don't worry, I'm near and safe. There's food for you by the microwave and in the mini refrigerator. I'll be with you just after sunset. Henry. PS: I love you."

As Vicki dressed for the day she remembered all they had shared the night before. She wasn't sure whether or not they had a future, but the one thing she knew for a fact was they had a wonderful present. She checked out the microwave and found everything she needed for a light breakfast, and later a lunch. There was another note telling her that he would see that she had a big meal for dinner to thank her for the late night snack she had given him.

Her Henry was back in her life where he belonged.