Sorry about the delay...my three-month old laptop decided to crash...yeah. Apparently, HP decided to put a faulty hard disk in my new computer, and when that went, so did my writing, so it took a bit to get into my Onenotes via the Internet, and since I'm sharing a computer with my mother know, it was hard to get writing time. So, sorry.

Also, sorry, but no review responses tonight, I'm barely getting enough time to post this chapter, sorry.

And, this chapter is un-beta'ed. My beta is just catching up with the story as our schedules hadn't been able to align correctly. Hopefully the next chapter will start be beta'ed again :D

Enjoy the chapter and thanks for all the reviews! Please, keep them coming.

Chapter Nine : Actum (Live)

Chris sighed, his body tried and desperate for him to sleep but yet his mind wasn't allowing it. He could feel Tyler's soft breaths on the back of his neck, the half-demon's arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Carefully, he reached underneath his pillow and pulled out his Blackberry. Turning it on, he frowned when he noticed he had a myriad of messages that needed to be dealt with. Chris shifted slightly and started to deal with them, the messages varying from the okaying promotion posters for the upcoming short tour in Asia and Australia, to verifying recording booth time in Chicago, and just dealing with the everyday texts that come from friends and acquaints.

Once he neared the bottom of the list, he could hear Tyler beginning to wake up. Quickly, Chris hid his phone back under his pillow and closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

"I know you're awake," Tyler murmured, the tone lethargic.

Mentally, Chris swore but turned in his boyfriend's embrace, "I was asleep."

"Bullshit," Tyler said through a yawn, "You need to sleep."

"I will,"

"Before you collapse please," Tyler practically pleaded.

Chris sighed, "I just couldn't fall asleep,"

"You're probably over tired," Tyler muttered as he tightened his grasp on the vocalist, "Sleep. We have a day off, use it."

Chris frowned but relaxed in Tyler's grasp, his head resting comfortably on the man's shoulder. "You do know that your sister and/or Zach will be waking us up in a few hours,"

"Some sleep is better than no sleep." Tyler whispered, "Now be quiet, shut your eyes and sleep before I force a sleep-aid down your throat."

Chris chuckled and brought the comforter taut around his body and let his eyes slide shut. In three breaths, he was asleep.

When Chris awoke, he could hear the soft murmuring coming from the living room. Yawning, the young man sat up and quickly hopped out of bed. He shrugged on a t-shirt before heading out, freezing when he felt every eye snapped to him. "Hello to you all too," he said with an eye roll as he eased the divider shut, "Yes, I know I'm good looking, but really, we're kin, so it's a no go."

"How-"

"Sam, I love you, but please don't ask that question right now," he interrupted as he poured himself a cup of coffee, "Now, what's on today's agenda?"

"Tattoos, explore a bit," Tyler answered.

Chris nodded as he turned to lean on the counter as he looked at the mass that was his family, the only one missing being his mother, "And let me guess, you all are going on this little adventure with us?"

"Do you really think we wouldn't?" Paige sarcastically inquired.

Chris chuckled, "Let me shower and then we can be on our way,"

Violet turned towards her brother as Chris eased the bathroom door shut, "How long do you think it will be until he realizes there's no warm water?"

"Damn it! Tyler! I'm going to kill you!" came from the bathroom.

Tyler sheepishly smiled, "Now."

"Not even a drop of warm water," muttered Chris as he and his mass of family, Tyler by his side, "Hopefully by time Zach wakes up he'll won't get a rude surprise when he jumps in the damn shower."

"I said I was sorry." Tyler said, a remorseful look on his face.

"You could've said something," Chris replied with a small glare.

Violet popped her head between the two, "Aww, lovers spat?"

Chris rolled his eyes, "Yes, we're having a lovers spat over hot water."

Pouting, Violet looked at her brother and his boyfriend, "Well, make up. I don't like it when you two fight."

"Because we fight so often," Chris muttered, rolling his eyes, "And I thought you were the older sister."

"I can have my mature moments, thank you very much," drawled Violet, "Now, onward children, to get inked!"

Chris blinked and looked at Tyler, "Is she getting one?"

"Not that I know of..." trailed off Tyler, a slightly concerned look entering his eyes.

Chris narrowed his eyes in thought, "What could she..."

"Again, I don't know," Tyler remarked, "Now, I'm concerned. Knowing her it would be something hideous , I need to stop her." he muttered, rushing away.

"Where is he going?" Wyatt asked, appearing on Chris's side.

Chris chuckled, "To make sure Violet doesn't get some obscene thing tattooed"

"Ah," Wyatt said, "So, what are you going to get?"

"Probably the phoenix." remarked Chris, "Are you going to get one? I know the Twins are planning something for their 18th birthday."

"Hell no," Wyatt quickly answered, "Not a fan of unwarranted pain thank you very much."

Chris rolled his eyes, "It matters where you got it. My shoulder didn't hurt that much. My wrist on the other hand...when he went over the veins, that did hurt."

"When did you get the Triquenta?" Sam asked.

Chris shrugged, "When I was eighteen I believe."

"The Triquenta, what's that?" Chelsea inquired.

Wyatt blinked, his mind desperately trying to find a way to explain it. Chris sighed, "It's a type of Celtic knot, its kind of a symbol for the family."

"Oh, that's cool. Its kind of a Coat of Arms for you," Chelsea rationalized.

"Sure," Wyatt said, drawing out the word as he looked at his little brother, the man shrugging in response.

"Does your other tattoo mean something?" inquired Chelsea, the brunette peering at the broken chain on his right wrist.

Chris glanced at his wrist, "Freedom."

Chelsea hummed in response, her eyes looking at the wrist. Subconsciously, Chris twisted so she wouldn't be able the see the break in the tattoo and pressed it to his leg. Wyatt raised an eyebrow at the action but chose not to say anything about it.

Pushing aside the tent flap, Chris peered in and chuckled at the sight of a subdued Tyler and a smirking Violet. She sat in the chair, the tattoo artist just beginning the tattoo on her right bicep. "Ah, there he is, Mr. Payne, how it goin' dude?" greeted the tattoo artist, the muscled man smiling broadly.

"Pretty well Pete," Chris replied, smacking the man's back lightly, "So, what are you getting?" He inquired.

Violet smiled, "Family symbol."

"So that's why Jai isn't throwing a fit," Chris remarked with a smile.

"Are you two getting something as well, or just this little lady?" Pete asked.

"Think you can fit us into your tight schedule?" Chris said sarcastically.

Pete sighed as he outlined the Quaternary knot, "I'll manage for my favorite boys, now what'cha plannin' to get? Marriage rings?"

Tyler chuckled, "Isn't quite legal yet, well, I don't think so...did they revoke it or not...I can never keep up."

Chris shrugged, "I don't know. It seems like as soon as its passed it revoked. And no, we're getting the Phoenix and I'm getting a different one in addition."

"You are?" Tyler asked, shocked, "What?"

Chris smirked, "Surprise."

Tyler frowned, "Oh come on Dee,"

"Yeah Damon, tell your whiny boyfriend what you're getting on your skin," Pete sarcastically said, "I'm sure you'll see it when the clothes come off."

Chris groaned, "Pete, just do the tattoo."

"Are 'yea goin' to introduce me or just keep me in the dark?" Pete inquired, tipping his head towards the others.

Chris sighed, "This is my brother Wyatt, cousins, Samantha, Payton, Melinda, Wyatt's girlfriend, Chelsea, my aunts Paige and Phoebe and my uncles, Coop and Henry."

"Howdy all, I'm Pete, these boys' tattoo artist. Any of you interested in join' these two boys in gettin' some ink? Well, instead of the two girly back there, no minors sorry."

Melinda snapped her fingers, "Damn."

Chris chuckled, "Even with parental consent?"

"Nope, won't do it, just coverin' my ass," Pete stated, "And by the way she looks, she only has a few more years."

"I'll bring you back in two years, happy?" Chris inquired.

Payton sighed, "If we must."

"Impatient brats, you do realize that it does hurt?" Paige said, ruffling Payton's hair.

"We'll be fine," Melinda said with a smile.

Chris snorted, "Yeah, that's what you say before the needle break your skin."

"Does it hurt that bad?" Samantha asked, her eyes wide.

Tyler shrugged, "My shoulder didn't hurt that bad."

"No, but my wrist hurt quite a bit."

"It matters how much meat you have on your bones," Pete cut in, "And if you have to go over veins or not. Ribs, inner wrists and ankles hurt the most while shoulders, upper arms and legs probably hurt the worst. Ultimately, it matters on your pain threshold."

"You could told me that bit when I got my chain," Chris muttered.

"Thought you knew,"

"Uh, no." Chris retorted, "I just screamed out in pain for the hell of it."

Pete chuckled, "Screamed like a little girl."

Chris growled, "Fuck you."

"You have to admit, it was pretty high pitched," Tyler said through a chuckle, "

Chris glared at his boyfriend, the red-head chuckling nervously before gingerly wrapping an arm around Chris's shoulders, "It's a joke?"

"I need more caffeine before I can handle those kind of jokes without blood being shed."

"Aw, did poor Dee not get enough sleep?" Pete remarked as he started shading the knot, "Does he need a shot of his drug?"

"That drug keeps me from committing homicide everyday so, count your blessings."

"Ain't got that many to count," Pete remarked with a barking laugh, "Alright sweetheart, you're done. So, which one of you are goin' first, stupid or stupider?"

"Stupider," Chris quickly answered, pushing Tyler forward. Tyler stumbled and glared at Chris before shedding his t-shirt and exposing his bare left bicep, "Right there Pete."

"Alrighty, and it's the same as the last picture you showed me correct?" Pete verified, to which both males answered with a head nod, "Okay, black and white, or colored?"

"Hmm...colored." Tyler answered, "Think I can afford a little bit of brightness in my life."

"You mean your lover doesn't do it enough," Pete said with a smirk.

Chris rolled his eyes, "You forget Pete, I'm the buzzkill."

"Yeah, he won't let me go skydiving!" Tyler exclaimed.

Chris rolled his eyes, "Sorry that I don't want a splattered boyfriend."

"They give you parachutes for a reason," drawled Tyler.

"They fail at times, and for God sakes, you're jumping out of a plane! What in the hell is that? If you don't have any warning bells going off when you're on that edge then you're more deranged than I thought."

"I would be fine,"

"Right, our luck? You would end up as flat as a pancake," Chris retorted.

"As much as entertaining this little lover spat is, I kind of need here to sit still so I don't fuck up his tattoo." Pete lightly snapped.

"Yeah Jai, sit like a good boy and maybe you'll get a lollipop," Violet said with a smirk.

"Chris's lollipop?" Tyler replied, his eyes wide.

"Jai!" Chris exclaimed, gesturing to the mass of snickering people behind him, "Damn it Jai."

Tyler chuckled, "Sorry."

"Sorry my ass." mumbled Chris, "Need to find some dye or something," he said under his breath.

"Just not pink please," Tyler requested.

Chris narrowed his eyes on Tyler, "Quiet, you don't get a say on how I'm going to torture you, that defeats the purpose."

"But dye really, we've done that so many times," Tyler said.

Chris crossed his arms, "Then I'll have to make sure I one-up your pink mohawk now won't I, now shut up, sit still and get your damn tattoo, so I can get mine and get back to editing before Virgin has my ass."

Childishly, Tyler stuck his tongue out. Violet sighed and lightly smacked the back of Tyler's head, the young man yelping in response. "I thought Mom taught you better."

"Well, she raised you as well, so there's that answer." muttered Tyler.

Pete sighed as he finished the shading on the red tinted bird. "Alright, you're good, now get your ass out of my chair so I can ink your boyfriend's skin,"

"So which one first my boy, the phoenix or your mystery one," Pete inquired as Chris pulled off his shirt.

"Phoenix, on my right bicep, blue tinted," answered Chris.

"Now, don't go fallin' asleep in my chair again," Pete playfully chided as he changed the needle in the tattoo gun.

"I don't know, it was kind of funny when he woke up yelping in pain," Tyler remarked as Violet gently bandaged up his tattoo.

Pete held back a chuckle as he began outlining the phoenix onto Chris's skin, "Why do you go out with him?"

"On most days, I have no idea." answered Chris.

"Its because you love him," Melinda cooed.

"Lots and lots, right Daddy?" Payton inquired, her brown eyes looking at the smirking ex-cupid.

Coop smiled, "I don't see why Chris would put up with him if he didn't."

Chris rolled his eyes, "We don't need to be analyzing my feelings thank you very much."

"How did you two meet?" Chelsea asked, "On tour?"

"Jaiden and I have known each other since we've been in diapers," Chris answered, leaning back and closing his eyes as Pete continued his work, "The kid wouldn't leave me alone on the playground and the next thing I know, he my best friend."

"Aww, you know that without me your life would have been boring," Tyler said with a smile.

"I could have went without saving your ass everyday in high school,"

"I remember saving both of your butts sometimes in high school little brother," Wyatt said with a smirk, "I remember a time when both of you were locked in a supply closet, now I wonder if the football team actually did that or you two just wanted some alone time."

"We were together then," Tyler remarked, "I don't think he even told me was Bisexual by time freshman year happened."

"I told you halfway through freshman year because you were freaking out about telling me." Chris answered.

"Hey! That's a big thing to disclose thank you very much," Tyler quickly defending himself.

"Yeah, so big, that he didn't tell his own family," Paige joked.

"I told Wyatt," whined Chris, "Wyatt just didn't tell you guys."

"You ran away a week afterwards!" exclaimed Wyatt.

"Eh details,"

"Which I'm trying to do but you keep squirming, so sit your ass still before I use the duct tape to keep it there." Pete barked, "Jesus Christ, you kids are goin' to be the death of me."

"But yet, you keep letting us in the tent," Chris said with a smile.

"Money is money boy."

"Your phone is going off," Tyler said, reaching into Chris's coat pocket, "here."

Grabbing his Blackberry, Chris quickly pressed the accept button and greeted the caller. "We're getting a tattoo at Pete's tent," he answered before looking at the phone with a bemused look, "You could've said goodbye."

"Who was it?" inquired Tyler as he took the phone from his boyfriend.

Chris smirked, "You'll find out in a second."

A few seconds later, a loud screech of Jaiden and Damon was heard as the flap was swung open. Tyler gasped as he found his arms full of a young woman. He laughed loudly as he realized who it was and gladly wrapped his arms around the excited woman. "Sky! God, its been a while."

Skylar laughed and released her ex-bandmate, "I know right. I'm lucky that I remembered to swing by, my bandmates are a few hours up north visiting some family. The performance was yesterday, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," Chris answered as he stood, Pete pausing in his work so the vocalist could envelop the drummer in a hug, "How the new band treating you?"

"Well, but a band full of girls is so different than being a band with you two." Skylar said with a chuckle, "So what's with the tent full of people?"

Chris smiled and quickly went through the introductions. "Ah, you're the infamous Payne family. But I thought you had a mother Dee."

"I do, but she's doing grocery shopping," Chris said with a sigh as he sat back in the seat.

Skylar raised an eyebrow, her violet eyes sparkling, "Is Dee cooking?"

"Not tonight,"

"Let me guess, you're staying up all night editing," Skylar said, her hands resting on her hips, "Damn it Dee, when are you going to learn?"

"Not you too," Chris groaned.

"Don't use that with me. We might be ex's, but I still care for you, for some ludicrous reason since I know my words fall on deaf ears."

"Don't worry, he ignores me too," Tyler remarked, placing a hand on Skylar's shoulder.

"Are we done yet?" Chris mumbled to Pete, "I want to flee before they continue."

Pete chuckled, "Not even close. I'm just startin' to shade and we still have your mystery tat, which I'm gonna need to know soon so I can actually do the damn thing."

Chris rolled his eyes and gestured for a sheet of paper and a pen once Pete was done shading the phoenix on his arm. Quickly, he drew a simple Chinese symbol and barred his left wrist, "That, on this wrist."

Pete raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Thought you would learn the last time you got inked on that body part."

"I'll actually be ready for it this time," deadpanned Chris.

"What does it mean?" Violet asked as she looked at the symbol.

Chris winced as Pete broke skin, "Live."

Chris smiled as he looked around the cramped, but happy group. Skylar was intermingled, telling tales to Zach and his family about the early days of Pariah. Tyler stood by doing damage control. Shaking his head, Chris slipped out of the bus and peered down at his phone, the Blackberry vibrating moments ago. He frowned when he saw that he had a voicemail. Dialing the inbox, his eyes narrowed as he tried to make out the disguised voice.

"Thought you could get away? You might have survived the darklighter, but rest assured young boy, you will not make it out alive from the next thing I have planned. Enjoy the time with your family, its limited."

Chris blinked and looked at his phone, his heart racing.

"Chris?" He heard Tyler exclaimed from the bus, "Where you goin'?"

Chris turned and looked at his boyfriend, his eyes wide. Instantly, Tyler's smiled vanished. Wordlessly, he handed the Blackberry to Tyler, the half-demon listening to the voicemail. Tyler lowered the phone and brought Chris close, "What do we do?" he whispered.

Chris sighed and rested his head on Tyler's shoulder, "I have no clue."