As the sun went down and Shea began to wake, she instantly felt the presence of someone there with her. Fully awake now, but unwilling to open her eyes, she tried to think of what to do. There was no denying what it felt like to be in his arms. Shea hadn't felt any sort of human contact outside of feeding since she'd been with Gabriel years ago.
"I know you're awake, Shea," she heard Gabe whisper. Startled, her eyes flew open and met his. He'd obviously grown more aware of a vampire's senses over the years. He'd managed to be here without waking her, and he'd managed to keep his breathing and pulse steady enough that she'd thought he was still sleeping. She could hear Katja waking nearby, heard the other vampire jump to her feet when she spotted Gabriel. As she heard Katja approach, Shea jerked upright and faced her friend. "No," Shea ordered. Katja's eyes widened. Katja was not Shea's protector, as Shea had never turned anyone. However, Shea had been there for Katja once many years ago, and Shea had saved her from the intentions of the hunters who had killed the others. Katja felt a loyalty to Shea, and would stand by her until she felt the debt was repaid. Katja narrowed her eyes at Gabe. As far as she was concerned, the man was a snack. She knew Shea would have her head if she killed him. For a moment, Katja almost considered it worth it. Katja did not take well to being intimidated.
Katja didn't say a word, but Shea could tell she wanted to rip Gabe apart. "Go, Katja," Shea ordered softly. "I can handle this." Katja looked torn. She listened to Shea's orders, but she was also concerned for her safety. Gabriel stood up. "If I'd wanted to stake either of you, I would have already. And I would have brought backup," he told Katja. Suddenly, Katja realized what Gabe was saying. There hadn't been anyone there with him last night. With a snarl, she flew up the stairs and headed out of the house.
Just like that, Shea and Gabriel found themselves alone. Shea rose up from the makeshift bed, and stood silently. "Look at me," Gabe commanded. Shea didn't move. Gabe crossed the space between them and grasped her upper arms, forcing her to face him. His eyes moved over her face, examining it, comparing it to his memory. Shea hadn't changed even the tiniest bit. Shea noticed that he had. Dark circles were traced below eyes starting to show the faintest of lines in the corners. The angles of his face were slightly more defined. His body was larger, more muscular. Before, he'd been a boy; now, Gabe was a man.
Gabriel ran his hand up her neck and along Shea's jaw before winding in her hair. He exhaled when Shea finally looked into his eyes. "I'm going to be so fucking pissed off at you in a moment," he said. "Just not this moment." Shea was shocked when Gabriel crushed his mouth to hers. But as he kissed her, Shea responded. Wrapping her arms around him, she returned the kiss with everything she had. At least I have this moment, she thought to herself. Whatever came in the next, wouldn't be good.
Shea felt bereft when Gabriel broke the kiss. Gabriel pulled back and looked at her. To say he was pissed was no exaggeration. There was such fury rolling through Gabe at the moment that only the pain could keep him from snapping. "Why?" he asked. Shea looked sad, then stepped away. She sat on the rough stairs leading to above. It was hard to gather her thoughts; in fact, it was still hard to register that he was standing here. Gabriel walked over and knelt above her, bracing himself on his hands which he placed on either side of her. "I'm not going anywhere until you say something," he warned. Shea took a deep breath and started talking, but she didn't say what he expected.
"What did you do the next night?" Shea asked him. Gabe's brow furrowed in confusion, then he realized what she was speaking of. "I spent that night watching the only two places the girl I loved could have been burn to the ground. I watched her DIE!" Gabe spat out angrily. He grasped the side of Shea's head and forced her to look at him. "Do you know what that's like? To know that the person you love more than anyone else in the world is gone, and that you can't do a damn thing about it?"
"Yes," Shea replied simply. Gabe shoved himself up and stepped back, turning away from her. He ran his hand through his dark hair. "Why did you come there that night, Gabriel?" Shea asked. Gabe turned his head and looked at her. He hesitated a moment, then told her, "You know why I came back there." Shea stood and walked over to face him. "There is your answer, Gabe," she said, cupping his face in her small hands. Gabe stared at her intensely until he felt his eyes fill with tears. He turned away, not wanting Shea to see that, until he could regain some control over his emotions.
"Okay," Gabe replied. "I'm willing to buy that." Shea felt stung at his words. He has every right not to trust me, she thought. "But you're not going to run away this time," Gabe warned her. He couldn't handle any more of this tonight. "I'm coming back tomorrow night. You're going to be here when I do," he said to Shea. Slowly, Shea nodded. Gabe was right. He deserved that. She couldn't keep running forever, and she wouldn't let him ruin his life chasing her if she did. Gabriel raised his hand and touched her cheek, then turned and went up the stairs.
From the basement, Shea heard the motor of Gabe's bike start, and smiled sadly.
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Katja may have left the two of them there, but she certainly hadn't gone far. When she saw Gabriel leave, she followed him. As he pulled up to his apartment building. Katja landed right in front of him. Gabe nearly fell over, motorcycle and all, before he recognized her. Gabriel turned it off and lower the kickstand. "Hello, Katja, wish I could say it was good to see you again," he said. Katja braced her hands on the handlebars. "You'd be wise to leave us be," she warned him. "Now why would I do that? I deserve a few answers," he replied. Katja's face distorted in front of him, and she said, "You deserve nothing. You got your happy little life and your happy little family back safe and sound. Which may not stay that way if you keep this up," she growled. "Now, now, Katja, calm down. I don't want to have to call out the squad again, do I?" Katja's face blanched, but she regrouped quickly. "Did I mention that the Frogs have gotten really interested in the techniques involved in vampire hunting? Alan invested in a crossbow a few years back. He's actually a pretty good shot. Edgar went for swords, got some training. He's pretty preoccupied with the idea of beheading a vamp now," Gabe smirked. "In fact, the whole lot of them have gotten married, including my uncle and Laddie. Know what that means? Many little vampire hunters in training. The Frogs each have 3 kids, my uncle has 2, and Laddie just had his very first. So that makes nine up-and-comers, plus the six originals, and the four guys' wives. Oh, and Lucy's all grown up now too, we can add her in. Hell, even Grandma's still pretty damn spry." He knew Katja wasn't going to try anything with him. She wouldn't go against Shea for some reason.
Katja grew frightened, and tried a different tactic. "Do you really think she gave a damn about you? You don't even know how old she is! You were just an immature boy to her!" she spat out. "You were a means to an end. Shea wanted David dead." Gabe's grin wavered. Katja knew she'd hit him where it hurt. "You don't even know, do you?" she asked him. "Know what?" Gabe replied. Katja giggled, almost insanely. "Shea was the first one David ever turned, Gabriel. Just like David was apparently the first one Max ever turned. Think about it. Think about what that means," Katja said gleefully. "Shea is the head vampire now."
