Disclaimer: I don't own the Night World

Misery

Storm drove up to Tasha's house. Something was wrong. He knew it. He didn't even bother locking his 200,000 dollar car. He didn't even remove the keys. He stopped the car, turned it off and jumped out, running up the concrete walkway that led to the front door.

Storm pounded his fist against the door just as Jodi roared, "You had better come back here you worthless brat!"

Growling he took a step back and kicked the door open—the deadbolt ripping away from the frame, taking a good chunk with it—before launching himself up the stairs. Storm got to Tasha's door as he heard Jodi hiss, "There you are, you wicked girl!"

He opened the door just as Jodi threw Tasha to the floor and hit her three times with a long, thin, wooden stick. Tasha cried out in pain, making Storm's heart lurch in his chest. And before Jodi could hit her anymore, he jumped in front, his arms outstretched, shielding Tasha.

"That's enough." he told her in a dangerously low voice.

Jodi sneered. "You think I'm scared of you, boy?" She raised the stick, bringing it down as fast as a cobra's strike.

Storm caught this easily however, because of the fact that he was now fuming. He ripped the stick from Jodi's hands and easily snapped it two, holding one of the jagged ends up to Tasha's Aunt's throat.

"I suggest you leave, now. And if you ever touch Tasha again, you'll wake up with this very piece of wood sticking out of your heart. Got it?" he warned.

Jodi's chest heaved and she glared daggers at Storm, but didn't say a word or move. So, he pressed the splintered stick deeper into her neck. Finally with one last contempt look she spun around and walked out, like nothing had happened. Storm waited for a moment making sure that Jodi wasn't going to come back. He dropped the stick, turned and knelt down next to Tasha.

She was trembling and whimpered when Storm got close.

"It's just me." he murmured quietly. "It's Storm."

As soon as he said this, Tasha threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and started sobbing into his shoulder. He held her firmly to him for a few moments before Tasha pulled back to look up.

Storm's breath caught when he saw her. She had a large bruise on her face, tears stained her cheeks, and her eyes looked fractured, broken. He pulled her in close and kissed your forehead.

"Can you stand?" he asked quietly after another few moments of silence.

Tasha sniffled and wiped some of her tears away. "Yeah, I think so." she mumbled miserably.

Slowly, Storm helped her up.

"I want to get your bag and pack anything that has value to you." he quickly ordered.

Tasha shook her head. "No, I-I can't—"

"You're eighteen now, she can't keep you here. You don't have to stay here." Storm interrupted.

"Where will I go?" she asked tears forming in her eyes again.

"With me, of course."

Tasha shook her head again, her tears spilling over. "No, I couldn't burden you like that."

Storm grabbed Tasha's arm. "I love you like family. I can't leave you here any longer. It's killing me to see you like this! Please, my home is your home." They stared at each other before Tasha finally nodded.

"Okay, okay, just let me… get my stuff." she murmured looking around her room. She moved toward her closet and pulled out a black suitcase. Storm stood guard as Tasha swiftly packed up the most important things that she owned. When she was done, Storm grabbed her hand and led her down the hallway and stairs, on high alert, making sure that Jodi didn't have anything planned.

Thankfully, nothing happened and Storm and Tasha got to his car safely.


"Hey," Tasha bumped Storm's shoulder with hers. Storm blinked and looked over at her.

They were sitting inside a diner. Before this though, they'd stopped at Storm's house to drop off Tasha's things, but neither of them wanted to be cooped up in that empty house. It just felt… lonely and claustrophobic.

Tasha was feeling a lot better now and despite the bruise on her face, she was smiling and her eyes were alight with joy. That was one of the many traits Storm liked about Tasha. She bounced back quickly, and was also very optimistic.

"Are you listening to me?" she asked, trying not to let the hurt show through.

"I'm sorry." Storm's eyebrows furrowed. "I… have a lot on my mind right now."

Tasha looked down at the hands in her lap, biting her lip. "Well, I was just wondering… I mean, today is my birthday after all… I was just wondering…." Tasha sighed. "Oh, just forget it." She turned to look out the window.

Storm put a hand on her shoulder.

"Why don't we celebrate your birthday then?" he asked. Tasha turned back to look at him, still chewing on her lip. "Just you and me."

"Would you… want to, maybe… go out tonight to celebrate?" she asked looking down embarrassed.

Storm let his hand fall from her shoulder. "Tasha, you know we agreed—"

Tasha's head snapped up, her pink eyes wide as a doe's. "No! No!" she objected in her soft, soprano voice. "That came out all wrong. I merely meant that we could hang out as friends. Uh, go see a movie. Or, walk around town. We don't even have to watch a movie. We could just talk, catch up—" She broke off and blushed when Storm rested his hand gently on hers.

Storm smiled and squeezed her hand gently. "I'd love that. We can see a movie, then walk around town a little, maybe."

A cheery smile broke across Tasha's face. She started talking about what movies were out and what they could go see, but Storm unintentionally zoned out again. He couldn't get his mind off of that girl.

Emerald.

What a nice name. She was so confident, stood tall; voice was loud, clear, concise. He just loved that about her.

"Storm!" Tasha's frustrated voice came, jolting him out of his thoughts.

He quickly turned to look at her. "Tasha—" he tried.

"It's that girl, isn't it?" she asked irritated. "She's human, Storm. It's illegal. I'm not going to stand by and watch you get yourself killed!" Tasha's eyes softened and she took his hands into both of hers. "I care about you too much."

Storm smiled gently. "I know. Thank you. But there's just… something about her…." He trailed off, pulling his hands from hers.

Tasha sighed dismally and rested her hands in her lap. "You don't know then." she murmured so quiet, he couldn't catch it. She looked back at Storm. Knowing him all these years, she knew that she wouldn't be able to sway him from the path he decides to take. The best she could do now was try to support him when she could and enjoy the moments they were together.

"We still on for tonight?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course," Storm said nodding and grinning. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." He stood. "Listen, I have to get going, but how does seven sound for the movie?" Tasha nodded, afraid if she spoke that she'd start crying. "Good, I'll see you then." And, with that, Storm made his way to the door.

Tasha smiled, a bit of sadness leaking through, as she watched him walk through the crowds and down the street. "Can't wait." she murmured, letting one of her tears slip from the corner of her eye.


Storm looked at the crumpled paper in his hand that had Emerald's number on it. How she had slipped it into his pocket without his notice was baffling to him. But now he could call her and this excited him… probably more than it should have. It was just… something about this girl was so enticing. She had him hooked, and they'd only met once.

He went to the nearest payphone because—believe it or not—Storm didn't own a cell. Yeah, it was pretty crazy to think about. What eighteen-year-old didn't have a cell phone? Storm just didn't see the point in owning one… well, up until now at least.

"Took you long enough." Emerald said when she picked up.

"How'd you know it was me?" Storm asked, chuckling. This girl ceased to amaze him.

"Four people know this number, including you." she answered. Storm didn't think it was much of an answer, but it'd have to do for now. "Need something?" she said her tone of voice hard to decipher.

"Uh, yeah, I… wanted to… see you again." he stuttered.

"A huh," Emerald prompted.

"Would you like to hang out for an hour or two, maybe?" he invited.

"Right now?"

Storm looked at his watch. "Yeah, if that works for you."

"Sure, meet me outside the Marriott on East 48th Street."

The line went dead. Storm hung up the phone slowly, slightly startled. Such a strange girl….

What am I getting myself into? Storm asked himself as he hailed a cab.

She was waiting for him when the cab drove up. Storm absentmindedly threw money into the front seat and hopped out.

"So, where to?" she asked as he came into earshot.

"I don't know, where would you like to go?" he inquired.

Emerald smiled and shook her head. "Man up, pretty boy." she said, strutting past Storm. "Well, are you coming, or not?" she called over her shoulder when she realized he wasn't following. Shaking his head, he jogged up to her. She sure was something.

"I was simply being… gentlemanly." he explained when he'd come into step with her, but made sure to keep a few feet away, not wanting to be shocked again. He'd gone through enough in one night.

Emerald pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes.

"You're different than the rest." he commented.

"And damn proud of it." she stated grinning.

They walked for a while, aimlessly, around town. The sun started to set, setting the city on fire. It was almost magical. And even then though they were still a few feet away, those cozy, easing feelings resurfaced and Storm became hyperaware of Emerald. How the cool evening breeze ruffled some of her ebony curls, her heart beating at a slightly unsteady pace, how her teeth dug into the soft flesh of her full, natural rosy lips.

Oh, Storm wondered, what it would feel like if his were to be pressed up against hers.

"Well, if it isn't our favorite human lover!" someone hollered. Both Storm and Emerald turned to see a group of five guys coming toward them. They hadn't watched where they were walking and wandered into a dangerous part of town. The streets were totally empty as the sun started setting; the air growing cooler.

Storm cussed under his breath.

"Now's not a good time guys." he growled walking up to meet them. The leader of the group, Todd, snickered.

"I see you've found a snack." He grinned stupidly, eyeing Emerald. "Mind if I take a bite?" he asked stepping forward.

Storm's hand shot out, planting firmly on Todd's chest as he stepped in front of him.

"Yes, I mind." he warned darkly.

"Oooo," the group laughed and mocked.

"You're outnumbered here. One-to-five." Todd spat, getting into Storm's face. "I wouldn't do anything stupid if I were you, vermin-lover."

"Storm, who are these guys?" Emerald asked her voice tight.

Storm was too busy staring down Todd to answer. His jaw was working, his muscles tight.

"Just walk away." Storm ordered through gritted teeth.

"No can do," Todd said shrugging, trying to step forward again. Storm threw a right hook and his other goons swarmed around Storm. He disappeared in a pile of bodies for a moment before reappearing, on his knees, his face contorted in a mask of pain and rage.

One of the guys holding him pulled out a dagger from Storm's shoulder; the blade having been replaced by wood.

Todd smiled at Storm, wiping his bloody lip, before turning to face Emerald.

"Don't you touch her!" Storm snarled, lunging up. The two others caught him and wrestled him down.

"Make another move and I'd be happy to stab you again." the one advised.

"You're a cute one, aren't you?" Todd asked reaching up to brush his fingers across her cheek. Glaring coldly at him, Emerald slapped his hand away.

"Emerald," Storm warned, afraid that she'd get hurt or worse if she pissed Todd off.

She didn't seem to hear. "Don't you dare touch me." she hissed.

"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" Todd asked amused by her antics.

Emerald slapped him.

The two other free cohorts started for her, but Todd waved them down. He smiled cruelly and slowly walked up to her. "Such a pretty face we have here." he admired, roughly taking her chin.

She swatted his hand away again and took a step back, but Todd tripped her and she fell back with a yelp.

Todd's eyes flashed wickedly, his smile turning into a malicious grin.

"Todd!" Storm roared. He tried to get up again, chopping one of the guys in the stomach, but was stabbed and subdued again.

"If you don't struggle, it won't hurt." Todd suggested staring down at Emerald, as his eyes flooded with silver, his canines elongated to a sharp point. Emerald's heart raced in her chest and she scrambled back. Bad choice because her back hit the brick wall not a moment later.

Storm started to struggle again, but his attempts were meager because of his stab wounds.

Todd knelt down and closed the distance between himself and Emerald. He leaned forward slowly, enjoying the fear in his prey's eyes. The sound of her speeding heart. How the veins in her neck pulsed.

"Try anything stupid and I'll kill you and your boyfriend over there." he growled softly in Emerald's ear. Her stomach tightened into a painful knot as she felt his hot breath on her neck. She grunted as Todd reached up and knotted his hand in her hair, and sucked in a sharp breath as his teeth pierced her flesh.

Hope you enjoyed!

.happiness.

~ See at the Millennium!