Chapter 6: Kherut*

Amy took dainty bites from the slender slice of cheesecake that was set before her. Although the humans around her were in a nearly orgasmic state from the taste and texture of the confection, to her, it tasted like sandy mush. She ate precious few rich desserts as a human. As a vampire, she found certain blood types particularly tasty. She'd heard from other vampires that the blood of other supernatural beings could be quite delectable, and contain healing powers that vampires could reap quite a few benefits from.

She had suspected for some time that Frank had some sort of supernatural strain in his blood, she could smell it over a year ago, just as she could tell he seemed different overall from most humans she had met over last few hundred years. And that let Amy feel a little safer knowing that if for any unforeseen reason she needed just a bit of Elfish blood, no matter how watered down it was, she had a close enough relationship with Frank that maybe, just maybe, he'd offer up just enough to heal her. She would never dare to ask however, asking for his blood would breach her oath of protection over him. Even with Eric's demise months ago, she had grown fond of the young man and his circle of friends, and still felt keenly protective of him.

"A toast!" Biff raised his glass of iced tea while the others raised their own drinks. "To Frank, for miraculously managing to make it to twenty-five, and for always being such a kind-hearted, true and brave friend. To Frank!"

"To Frank!" The others said in unison, glasses clinking all around and then everyone took a sip of their drinks.

"Thanks everyone." Frank said as a blush of embarrassment caused his already alcohol-reddened cheeks and nose to get a little darker. "But really, I don't know how I would have made it this far if it wasn't for my brother and you guys, my friends, and the love of my life, Phil. You have always had my back and been by my side when I've needed you. Thank you."

"Here here!" said Chet, raising his glass again.

"Here here!" the party chorused.

The band had started their last set for the night, and the once-crowded restaurant and dance floor had started to thin out. The cheesecake Tony had ordered was exceptional and between the rich dessert and the calming effects of the champagne toast, the birthday party had settled into comfortable conversation and laughter. Confident that his bouncers, bartenders and kitchen staff were on the ball, Marco even pulled up a chair to join in for some of that famous cheesecake, although he abstained from the champagne since he was still on duty.

"Well I've got to say, with the exception of those idiots, this has been one of the best birthdays I've had since I've been an adult. Too bad Joe and Van couldn't have been with us tonight…" Frank trailed off

"But I bet Joe wouldn't trade parenthood over carousing with us any night." Biff added with a grin. Frank squeezed Phil's hand and snuck him private grin that the raven haired man returned. They'd made up their minds that after their first anniversary they would apply to any and every adoption agency that would accept gay parents. They wanted a family, and with their situation, they knew it could take a while before they would find one that would work with them, so the sooner they got started, the better.

"I dunno about that Biff, Ashleigh's got her days and nights mixed up right now." Frank said after he broke eye contact with his fiancé.

"Uh," Beth moaned, "I don't know which was worse, the sleep deprivation when Tara was a newborn, or the first year I worked third shift in the Emergency Room. Tara was an awfully colicky baby." Beth said as she took a sip of her wine.

"Well, at least your mother didn't mind letting her stay overnight tonight. As hard as you work you deserved a night out." Chet smiled. Tara was Beth's two year old daughter from a previous relationship she had just as she was finishing nursing school. The father dropped her like a hot potato when she told him of the pregnancy and he hadn't been in the picture since. Chet admired Beth, working as hard as she did at the hospital and raising such an amazingly bright toddler. And if the stars lined up like he'd been daydreaming, maybe he'd get to be a part of that picture too.

Beth noticed the sympathetic look on Amy's face while she and Frank had been discussing the babies, but was wise enough not to say anything. Chet had mentioned that Amy Johnson had a very painful past, and it was best not to bring anything up about her family. Tony, unfortunately, hadn't thought to forewarn Robyn.

"So Amy, do you have any children?" The raven haired girl asked. Frank could practically feel Amy wince from across the table.

"I had two sons when I was a teenager, but they're grown and have their own families now. I have one foster son still living at home." Well, it wasn't a complete lie.

"Two sons already grown? Gracious Amy! How old are you?" Robyn's eyes widened in amazement, to her Amy didn't look a day over twenty five.

"Oh now," Amy said smoothly, "a lady never reveals her true age." She winked and took a sip of her Perrier. That was answer enough for Robyn and she turned to Tony, who had realized his blunder and had a forced grin on his face.

"Well I hope I look as good as her after two kids!" Robyn declared and took a sip of her own drink. Beth yawned and looked at her watch.

"I don't know about you all, but five o'clock was an awfully long time ago." She looked at Chet with a meaningful look in her eyes.

"One last dance before we call it a night then?" He offered as he stood from his chair and held out his hand.

"I'd love too." Beth smiled.

The rest of their party got up from their seats and headed for the dance floor. The Expresso's last song of the night was a sultry, slow "Hallelujah." Marco headed to the kitchen to see if there were anymore standing tickets, if not he was going to tell his staff to start the nightly clean up a little early.

"Thank you." Frank whispered in Phil's ear as their bodies met, arms encircling each other's waists. "This has been one of the best birthdays ever." Phil smiled and had to resist the urge to moan when he felt Frank's warm breath on his ear.

"You're very welcome. Would have been perfect if it hadn't been for those two…" But Frank stopped him with a kiss.

"Shh… Not another word about those assholes. Not now." And Frank brushed his lips against Phil's again. Frank was usually one to close his eyes when he kissed. But the brunette felt a cold prickling sensation on the back of his neck and he opened his eyes, subtly tilting his head to look behind Phil.

Eric Langhorne was still in his silvery grey suit, but he was running toward him, followed by an emaciated young man in tattered rags. Frank also saw a young man in an mid-century Army uniform racing toward Biff, followed by a tall, ginger haired man in colonial clothing. He saw Iola Morton, who'd been dead for years, running toward Chet. Several other people he'd never met were making a dash for the dance floor, bandstand, kitchen and bar. He even saw old Pasquale Prito, whom he'd only ever seen in faded photographs, running like a man in his twenties toward Tony and Robyn. Eric reached Frank and Phil first since they were closer to the edge of the dance floor.

Frank stood stock still. Something wasn't right… why was he seeing all these apparitions at one time? This had never happened before!

"Frank?" Phil asked. "Frank Baby what's wrong?"

"I… don't know… Eric, what the Hell?" Frank asked as the spirit closed in.

"Eric?" Phil snapped in surprise.

"Get out of here! Now! All of you!" He said frantically.

"I don't understand, where are all these other spirits coming from!" Frank asked.

"Spirits?" Phil wished he could hear what was going on between Frank and Eric, but he had his own problems just then as a coldness overcame him, most of it concentrated on his left bicep. It felt like icy hands were touching him, but he looked and no one was there. But Frank could see him, it was the skin and bones man in rags, frantically pulling on Phil's arm.

"Gay avek! Mach schnel!*" The young man was screaming as he tried to urge Phil.

Frank looked over and saw Iola beating on her brother Chet's broad back.

"Listen to me ya big dummy! You've got to get out of here! Now!" But Chet just popped his head up, like he might have felt a draft and kept dancing with Beth.

"Some spirits come to be with their loved ones at times of great need. Like right now! Get Phil and your ass out of this building!" Eric practically screamed. Alarm bells finally started to go off in Frank's head that Eric was actually telling the truth.

"Everybody! We need to …" Frank hollered, but never finished the statement as there was the loud crash of glass breaking and then the concussive boom of an explosion. A second projectile came through another window with the same results. Fire spread like water across the floor, growing and expanding as it spread out on the tiles and started to consume chairs and tables and tablecloths, catching onto the drapes at the windows and climbing the walls. Smoke started to fill the restaurant as people screamed in panic and confusion.

Marco Prito came out from the kitchen to the chaos of the dining room and bar. The sprinkler system was working to douse the flames but a third and fourth… grenade? Molotov cocktail? Who knew what it was as it was too dark to tell and the smoke was making it even harder to see, but there were a few more crashes and booms. Marco yelled at his kitchen staff to turn everything off and get the hell out of the kitchen through the kitchen's exit. He grabbed a flashlight he kept near the swinging door incase of a power outage and dashed to the stage, grabbing the mic to try to direct his patrons' and employees' attention.

"The Emergency Exit is the way! Get down on your hands and knees and follow my light!" The older Prito's voice boomed over the cries and screams. Biff was anxious to get Amy out of there as fast as possible. Vampires did not fare well in fires, not at all! The emergency exit signs were well lit, but hard to see when crawling on all fours. Frank made sure Phil was in front of him, even though he protested.

"Your knee! I'm (cough) worried… (cough) fall behind."

"Eric's here to guide me, and I'm right behind you! Go!" They made their way slowly to the Exit on the other side of the dance floor. If it weren't for the spreading fire, smoke and water sprinkling from above, they would all have made a comical rendition of ants on the march. That was, until Phil heard something as they passed the bar. Crying.

"Phil? (cough) What are you doing?" Frank asked as Phil veered to the left.

"Someone's here, behind the bar!" Phil and Frank inched closer and could make out the outline of one of the waitresses, crying and panicked as she huddled in the corner of the bar. "C'mon sweetheart! (cough) Come with us! Take my hand!"

The girl hesitated, then nodded and crawled forward. As she came from around the bar toward Phil, a woman in sparkly silvery pants passed by.

"Follow her! (cough)" Frank barked out. The girl nodded in obedience and started crawling behind the woman dressed like a crawling disco globe. "Done playing hero? (cough)" Frank asked as he and Phil got back in line. This time Phil tugged on Frank's shirt and forced him ahead of his self.

"That's the pot calling the kettle…" Some ceiling tiles began to fall as the fire was spreading up the walls and ceiling, effectively singeing the electrical cords that controlled the sprinkler system. Large chunks of plaster and burning debris landed around and on top of the couple, making moving any further impossible. They grabbed each other, one trying to protect the head and body of the other. All Phil could hear was the roar of the fire, the distant screams and his and Frank's own labored breathing and coughing. Frank could hear all that and the clear and distinct voices of the "others" in the restaurant.

"Frank! No! Eli, help!" Eric cried out.

"Oy gavalt*!"

"We need one more to do this, grab someone, anyone!"

"Chet and Beth made it out! I'll help!" A young, feminine voice chimed in.

"You sure you're strong enough?"

"Been dead a lot longer than you! On three! One, two…"

"Dray*!" Eli shouted and suddenly the plaster and debris were pulled off and pushed away from Frank and Phil. Phil was the first to raise his head.

"What the…" He tried to choke out.

"Later!" Frank coughed and heaved as he followed Eric and the other spirits to the exit with Phil right by his side.

The smell of sweet, fresh air filled Frank's nose and although it triggered a fit of coughing, he relished it. His knees and the palms of his hands hit the asphalt pavement of Pasquale's parking lot and shortly afterward he felt actual human hands grab his arms and drag him up and away from the exit door.

"Phil! (cough) Ph…!"

"Biff's got him." He heard Chet say. Frank's vision was blurry but was beginning to clear just a little. He could see the flashing lights of several ambulances ahead. Employees and patrons alike were sitting on sidewalks and, wrapped in blankets against the chill and some were receiving oxygen through a mask. Chet dragged Frank over to a waiting gurney.

"No, I'm fine!" Frank pleaded, but he felt too weak to fight him off. His alcohol consumption that night had nullified any benefits his daily dose of vampire serum would have given him.

"Fine huh? You haven't taken a good look at yourself lately have you?" Chet helped him onto the gurney and an Emergency Medical Technician who was pulling a blanket around a patron sitting on the curb raced over to Chet and Frank.

"I think he and Phil got caught under some debris." Chet informed the technician as she and Chet carefully turned Frank onto his side to look for injuries." She grabbed a cervical collar and immobilized Frank's neck until it could be checked at the hospital.

"Is this really necessary?" Frank gritted through his teeth. Chet smiled and patted his shoulder.

"I'm going to let these guys take it from here and check on Beth. Don't worry, you and Phil have matching collars now too!"

Frank tried to turn, but through his peripheral vision he could see Phil was being attended to as well. He was somewhat awake and calling for Frank. Biff was kneeling near his gurney assuring him Frank was okay. His face was black from smoke and burns and cuts marked his arms and shoulders where the debris landed on them. Unknown to either of them they were joined by Eli, the young man in rags. Frank squinted as best as he could considering the smoke and soot that were affecting his contact lenses. He could see a series of numbers marked on the inside of his left arm, and the rags had a horizontal pattern to them. There was a yellow star and an upside down pink triangle haphazardly sewn to the rags. Then another EMT blocked his view, so Frank finally rested his head back knowing Phil was okay.

Well, sorta okay. He was alive. They were both alive, and as Frank looked around he could see Marco Prito hugging his little brother Tony, both sobbing with utter relief that they had both made it out alive. Old Pasquale was standing nearby, beaming proudly. He looked at the building and sighed, but then looked back to his grandsons, smiled and faded out of existence, or Frank's sight at least. The other spirits were fading away too, satisfied their loved ones were safe and sound. Frank saw Iola kiss her unaware brother on the cheek as he embraced a trembling Beth. She walked over to Frank.

"I think he's found a good one this time, what do you think?" Frank tried to speak but his EMT was strapping an oxygen mask to his face while another was cutting away his left shirt sleeve to attended to a nasty looking cut on his shoulder.

"Shh…It's okay. Just… tell Joe I said thank you. Ashleigh Iola Hardy is a very pretty name." Then she was gone.

Frank tried to turn his head again to see how Phil's treatment was coming along. The young man, Eli, suddenly transformed, he look healthier, his hair was dark and wavy just like Phil's. He was wearing a long sleeved shirt, a waistcoat, four squares and a woolen flat cap. The young man turned to face Frank, and it was remarkable how much he resembled Phil, the same honey and hazel eyes, same slightly crooked nose. He placed his hand on Phil's, gave it a squeeze that he knew his descendent could not feel, and stepped away.

"'A d'anq*." Eli nodded and touched the brim of his cap.

"No, thank you." Frank whispered roughly. Eli smiled and faded away.

Frank's gurney was pushed into the ambulance and his EMT continued to monitor his breathing and other vitals as Frank felt the ambulance begin to move. Sitting at the foot of his gurney was Eric. Knowing Frank was going to ask anyway, Eric decided to supply a little information.

"That was Phil's…" Eric squinted as he tried to figure it out. "Great, great uncle. Eli Cohen, Phil's great-grandfather's older brother I believe. I had a hard time getting through the accent."

"Phil…?" Frank said weakly as the adrenaline crash and the smoke inhalation were taking their toll.

"No worse than you, he'll be okay." Eric assured.

"Frank? Sir, I think your friend is going to be just fine. You just worry about taking in some deep breaths for me, okay?" The EMT said, not realizing Frank was having a conversation with an ethereal being.

Frank's eyes began to feel heavy and the pain and burns from his and Phil's ordeal seized his body. He moaned and winced as the technician applied a dressing to his shoulder.

"Frank! Mr. Hardy? Stay with me now, only a few more minutes until we'll be at the hospital." The girl urged.

"It's alright Frank. Close your eyes, rest, you can be with Phil when you wake up."

And for once, Frank took Eric's advice.

…..

When Frank opened his eyes again it was daylight. The whole room was a blur (what did hospitals have against leaving in contact lenses?) but he could make out enough details to see that he was in a hospital room, and he wasn't alone. Just from the so familiar breathing pattern alone, Frank could tell he was in a semi-private room with Phil. He had no idea what time it was, but apparently enough time had passed that some family must have stopped by because his glasses were sitting next to the phone on the rollaway tray.

He tried to reach for them and winced sharply as every ache and pain from having a burning ceiling fall on top of him made it's presence known. Thank goodness the tray was to his right, and so was Phil's bed, that made it much less painful and easier to see his fiancé resting. He looked so much better than he had the last time he saw Phil last night. There was a gauze bandage on his forehead, and various burns and scrapes along his arms that apparently weren't serious enough to require a dressing. He had a nasal cannula under his nose, and after a quick self inspection, Frank discovered he was receiving supplemental oxygen as well.

The events from last night came back to him in a messy blur of shadows and smoke and bright lights and doctors and stitches and having to breathe in steamy medicine through a mask…

"Phil?" Frank rasped in a whisper. "Phil?" He said a little louder.

"He's worn out Frank. He's spent most of the night fighting sleep to make sure you were okay. The night nurse kept catching him out of bed and in this chair. She finally got an order for some Ambien from the doctor when you two were getting that last breathing treatment about four o'clock this morning." Frank winced as he looked to his left to see Eric sitting in the visitor's chair, wearing a faded pair of jeans and his old University of Bayport t-shirt.

"What time is it now? Where is everyone?" Frank asked, and for once the tone of resentment was not evident in his voice, something that surprised even him.

"About eight, and everyone's down in the cafeteria getting breakfast and coffee. Your folks and your future in-laws." Eric said as he came over to the bed. Frank pressed the button that raised the head of his bed, but stared down at his lap.

"You tried to warn me, and I brushed you off."

"Oh my God…" Eric gasped mockingly.

"And you saved not only me, but Phil too."

"Is Frank Hardy about to… apologize for being a jerk last night?" Eric laughed.

"No, I'm thanking you. You really have changed. I thank you, and… I forgive you." Eric's eyes widened like saucers at Frank's words.

"You… forgive me?"

"Yes, I…"

"You know what this means don't you?" Eric said excitedly, then he sobered. "You forgive me." Frank looked up and Eric's appearance had changed again. His hair seemed neater, he wore a simple white shirt and khaki pants.

"Eric?"

"I can move on now… I can go on to my judgment… whatever that may be. But at least I'm not going to be in this place anymore… I'm not anchored to you anymore, we're both…"

"Free." Frank said simply. His heart rate picked up at the thought of no longer having Eric show up in his bedroom while he and Phil were kissing, or when Frank was pouring his morning coffee… and their wedding, his body, soul, and mind would be free of Eric when he married the love of his life!

"We're both free." Frank whispered. Behind Eric a light started to shine and illuminate the hospital room. Frank had to squint to block out the glare, but Eric turned and let out a small cry of surprise and relief.

"Gran? Momma?" Frank could barely make out the two shadowy, feminine silhouettes, but he did recognize the voice of Eric's grandmother, softly calling him as if he were a child being called home at twilight.

"Goodbye, Frank." Eric turned his head to his ex-boyfriend. "Live a good life, and stay safe…" And those were Eric's last words as he moved forward to the brightest point of light, arms outstretched and enveloped by the ones waiting for him on the other side.

…

The sound of someone softly crying was the first thing Phil was aware of as he surfaced to consciousness.

"No Ma, I told ya 'm okay…" Phil slurred as he tried to open his eyes. He turned to the sound of the crying, but his mother wasn't there, Across the room he could see that the head of Frank's bed was raised and his fiancé was leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his fingers entangled in his hair.

"Frank? Baby?" Phil sat up and the room began to spin, but after a few seconds he felt more grounded. He removed the oxygen tube out from under his nose and staggered over to Frank's bed.

"Phil?" Frank looked up and Phil saw that his fiancé looked like Hell. Scratches and burns covered his face and arms as well, and he could see the ends of surgical tape peeking out of the left side of the neck of his hospital gown.

"Baby? What's wrong? Are you in pain? Do I need to call a…" But Phil felt Frank grab him in a crushing embrace, which hurt like the devil but he wasn't about to complain. Frank pulled back for a second and gently cupped Phil's face with his hands, then leaned in and gave the man a smoldering kiss. The pain Phil initially felt when Frank hugged him ebbed away as he kissed Frank back with the same amount of vigor.

Finally they came up for air, panting. Frank still had tears in his bloodshot eyes but he was smiling.

"Baby would you please talk to me? What's wrong, why are you crying? We're alive, we made it out and we're okay…"

"And we're free!" Frank's smile stretched from ear to ear, a genuine, happy, almost giddy smile that Phil hadn't seen on his fiancé's face in a very long time.

"Free? Whaddya mean?"

"Eric, he had tried to warn me in the men's room that something was going to happen last night, and he and a few other spirits got the debris off of us, and he lead us out of the restaurant. And I forgave him. He's moved on, he's free. And so am I! We! We're free of Eric Langhorne once and for all!"

At first Phil just sat there, staring at the man he loved as he let the words sink in. There would be no more pinched looks of irritation on Frank's face when he knew Eric's presence was, well, present. No more mental torture and guilt over not being able to let go of the past and the pain Eric had inflicted. Phil felt like a dam of emotions had burst open as he embraced Frank and they held each other, laughing, crying, kissing.

They were still sitting on Frank's bed holding each other when their hospital room door opened without so much as a knock. Pearl Cohen entered the room to see her son and his bashert* in their intimate embrace.

"Oy Phil! Could you at least wait till you and Frankie get dressed and go home for that kind of thing? Your toches in droissen* is showing in that hospital gown!"

Author's Notes:

*Kherut: Hebrew Biblical word for freedom from oppression or slavery

*Gay Avek…Mach Schnel: Yiddish: Get out of here! Hurry Up!

*Oy gavalt: Yiddish: An exclamation of surprise or dismay

*Dray: Yiddish: Three

*'A d'anq: Yiddish: Thank you

*bashert: Yiddish: Fated or predestined loved one

*toches in droissen: Yiddish: Bare behind

Thanks for hanging in there folks! Please R&R, and, as always, I enjoy your readership and encouragement.