Fourth of July Part Two

Time seemed to slow as the words fell out of Jakob's mouth.

For a long while, Monroe only stared at the man across from him. His whole body felt tense. The hand he was shaking went to pull back, but the Blutbad didn't allow it.

In the SUV, Nick began struggling with his seat belt. Had to get out, had to get out, had to get out before Monroe committed homicide in the middle of the day- his mind raced as he swung the door open.

Monroe's grip tightened on the man's as he echoed, "Husband?"

"Yes…" Jakob's blue-green eyes slipped to Gwen. "You didn't tell him?"

"No." She shrugged calmly, not understanding the fuss. "I told him we had been together and now we weren't. What does it matter if we're still technically married?"

Monroe let out a growl. His brown eyes bled red. Thankfully Nick heard this and finally managed to get his goddamn seatbelt off. Jakob once again tried to relinquish the grip on his hand, but to no luck.

The wolf's red eyes snapped down to the brunette woman still tucked passively in to his chest. "Were you ever gonna tell me?"

"No. I mean, if it came up, sure, but what's the big deal?" She tilted her head up at him. "It wasn't even our idea- right, Jako?"

"I don't think now is the best time for pet names," The stranger whispered at her, his eyes shifting to inky black. "Make him let go of my hand."

Nick clapped Monroe on the shoulder and grabbed his arm. He began forcing it down. "Okay, Monroe, you heard the man, let him go."

"You weren't gonna tell me? Like at all?" Monroe asked, his rage subsiding into hurt. "What if…"

When his voice trailed off, Gwen frowned. Her gaze softened at him as she repeated, "What if what?"

The wolf let go of the stranger's hand. He didn't bother answering her question, just stared at her with disappointment before his eyes shifted back to brown.

Seeing this, Jakob's slipped back to blue and he sighed. "I didn't mean to upset you; I assumed Gwen would've let you in on our family's traditions."

Our family, Monroe echoed mentally. A dry chuckle escaped his lips. "Well she hasn't." He cleared his throat and shook Nick's hand away. The detective offered him a sympathetic glance(which the Blutbad ignored) and gave his back a pat.

Jakob frowned at Gwen, who still seemed to have no idea why everyone was so upset. He shook his head, and looked back to Monroe. "Yeah. I guess she's kinda like that."

"Hm."

Nick swallowed, and tugged on Monroe's jacket. "Monroe? Don't you have an appointment to get to?"

"Uh? Oh, right." The Blutbad's brown eyes slipped down to Gwen's. She was still looking between the men pensively. "I'll see you tonight."

A smile lit up her face and she nuzzled against his neck as if Jakob wasn't even there. Warily, Monroe shot the husband a look. It was intended to be smug, but the expression fell when he noticed the man's features.

Instead of envy or annoyance or even anger, Jakob was smiling approvingly at them. Frankly, that was probably the more disturbing alternative.

Monroe dropped his gaze back to Gwen. He asked when she was going to be home and the woman glanced at the skinny man for an answer.

"No later than twelve, I suspect." Jakob told him with a shrug. He tucked his hands into his black slacks pockets. "We have no intention of staying for the after party."

"Jako has a flight to catch in the morning." His wife explained. She looked up at her lover curiously, "Did he say you have an appointment?"

"Work," Monroe explained gruffly. He felt uncomfortable having his arm wrapped around her- although just this morning it would've been the most natural thing in the world to him.

Nick glanced between them and pushed his friend toward the car. "I'll give you a ride home."

Monroe submitted, sliding into the passenger seat just as the detective shifted his attention toward the woman. "Gwen? A word?"

The witch followed his over to the other side of the car.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" The detective whispered at her. His tone was a cross between frantic and horrified(and perhaps just a touch angry). "Why would you not tell him that?"

"I don't see how it matters-"

"Don't see how it-" Nick huffed at her. "He's been playing mistress to you for the past six months!"

Gwen spoke in a slow, deliberate voice that would've offended even the most patient of people. "But, me and Jakob aren't together anymore."

Nick inhaled deeply. Sometimes talking to Gwen could be very similar to talking to a puppy- she was easily distracted, simple and sweet- but mostly she could be really fucking dense. He took her by the shoulders(she seemed rather surprised by this) and squeezed them gently.

"Gwen."

The woman dropped her hands to his shoulders and did the same, mocking. "Nick."

"Do you remember what happened when you went to the orgy?"

"I remember the hate sex that followed it." The witch tucked her hands in to her pockets. "I don't see-"

Nick sighed at her. "Do you not see that Monroe might be the jealous type?"

"He has nothing to be jealous of. Jakob's has lots of girlfriends- even a few boyfriends." Gwen tilted her head, but her eyes and tone remained serious. "He does not need me muddling up the sexual pot with my fetishes and lapses into insanity."

"So- nothing's going on between you?" The man asked. He was vaguely confused and suddenly very tired.

"No."

"Okay, well, good. Have fun at your art thing."

Her smile reappeared, as bright and warm as it ever was and she nodded. "Thanks! Let me just go say good bye to Monroe."

Nick nodded. Gwen went over to the passenger window and stuck her head in. Monroe, who had heard the entire conversation(along with Jakob) cocked a brow at her. She smacked her lips against his.

"It's over between us." She whispered, nuzzling against his cheek. "I don't want any one but you, wolfboy."

A smirk twitched at Monroe's lips and he pulled her in for a firmer kiss. His tongue had just brushed her lower lip when Nick got in the SUV. The detective closed the door a bit harder than necessary. The force rocked the car and jarred them from their intimate moment.

Jakob looked mildly relieved. He waved to Monroe. "I'll make sure she doesn't get into trouble."

"Thanks," The Blutbad smiled at him, his distrust of the man having evaporated at the woman's warm and easy words.

The stranger grinned and nodded. Gwen took his arm once again and the pair of them waved as the SUV pulled away from the curb. Jakob smirked and shot his wife a knowing look.

This earned a blush from her. "Shut up."

"I didn't-"

"Shut up!" She punched him on the arm.

Jakob winced. Rubbing it absently, he teased, "Save the violence for the bedroom, darling."

"I hate you."

He snickered and the pair of them continued on their way down the street(back to where Gwen had parked the 'Vette). They chatted idly for the next couple hours. About the venue and Morgan's lack of appreciation for granddaughter's taste in men. About Monroe's job(Jakob seemed stunned that anyone- much less a Blutbad –would chose to work with clocks) and how strange it was that Gwen of all people was friends with a cop. About Jakob's family and how they felt about the eldest son of Coinneach leaving the Teulu.

Meanwhile, Monroe was limping back to his Bug. His tools clutched to his chest, he swallowed at the sight of the sickle painted in what appeared to be blood on his hood. As he got closer he realized he was right. It was blood. His own blood had been slathered across the hood of his beloved car.

Swallowing, he began frantically wiping it off with the sleeve of his jacket. His tools clattered to the ground. Monroe didn't notice. Just worked diligently until it was gone. Stomach churning with disgust and sides throbbing with pain, the Blutbad got in the car.

A/N: Ugh, I had to re-write this after it didn't save…so it didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it. Drama in the next one though.