The wonderful shows Moonlight and Veronica Mars are owned by companies and people other than me. They are just places I go to play.
This is a Moonlight / Veronica Mars crossover. The series starts with Who Are You? This installment follows the last one The Fountain of Youth.
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Josef sits in one of the wing back chairs in his study. He glances at Gabriel who's sitting on the adjacent couch. "What do you think he'll say?"
Gabriel shrugs. "How should I know? I've never met him. By the way did you bother to ask Sarah how she feels about this? He is after all her freshie."
Josef nods. "I did manage that." he answers dryly. "She said it was entirely up to Connor. She understands it means she won't be able to feed from him for a while and she's fine with that. She just wants to help."
Both men look up as they hear a soft tap on the door. Connor peaks around the door. Josef waves him in. Josef can see the young man's nervousness. For some reason Josef can't quite put his finger on, Connor is always nervous around him. He's observed him with Sarah, Robert, or anyone else in the house and he's fine. It's just Josef who makes him jumpy. Josef asked Sarah if she thought it would be better if she sat in on this discussion but she said she thought Connor would probably feel more pressure to do what they want if she was present since he's always trying to do things to please her. The two vampires watch as he continues to make his way to stand in front of them. "Please have a seat." Josef tells him.
Connor sits on the edge of the chair and Josef feels as though Connor is going to bolt at any minute. Josef sighs. He can see that whatever is got this kid so jumpy has to be addressed before they can continue. Josef leans back relaxing into the chair. "Connor, have I done something to hurt you?"
Connor's eyes widen at the prospect but he shakes his head. "No."
Josef tilts his head and looks at him questioningly. "Then why are you so nervous around me? You're fine with Sarah and the household staff, what have I done to make you so freighted of me?"
Connor looks down at his hands fidgeting a bit under Josef's gaze. "um...there's something about me that I've never told anyone." He glances between the two men.
Softly Josef tells him, "Connor, it can't be that bad. I know that Jenny wouldn't have recommended you to me if she didn't have every confidence in your abilities. I really want to clear this up. Sarah likes having you here a great deal, but this problem needs to be cleared up."
Connor looks up from his hands. He takes a deep breath. "I'm sort of what you'd call a sensitive. I can block most humans easily, but with vampires, it's a little harder. I can usually do it, or if they're kind and sweet like Sarah I don't even try but you throw off a lot of emotion and power and I can't block you. It makes me very nervous. I was afraid if you found out you'd fire me."
Josef glances at Gabriel questioningly.
Gabriel sits forward smiling easily. "We haven't met. I'm Josef's father, my name is Gabriel. Connor, right now what emotions are you feeling from me."
Connor tips his head. "Worry...you're very worried about something. Also you're even more powerful than Mr. Kostan."
Gabriel nods. "Now I want you to try and block me."
Connor sighs and shakes his head. "I...can't. You're like Mr. Kostan too much power."
Gabriel nods and sits back. "You were a freshie in Jenny's club, can you tell me if there are any other vampires that you have the same trouble with."
Connor nods and names four other vampires.
Gabriel turns to Josef. "Do you know these vamps and their ages?
Josef nods. "Yes, the youngest is four hundred years and the oldest six-fifty."
Gabriel nods and smiles at Connor. "I haven't met someone with your abilities in a long time. I can help you learn to strengthen the walls you use to block us out. Would you like that?"
"Yes," He turns to Josef. "You won't fire me?"
"No, I won't fire you."
Connor begins to relax. "Is that why you called me in to see you?"
Josef sits back again. "Actually it's not. We have something to ask you, but I must impress on you, that if you have any reservations about it, I need you to be up front with me and say no. Saying no will not affect your employment here in any way, you'll still be here for Sarah and Gabriel will still help you. Is that clear?"
Connor nods wondering what they want from him that could be so important.
Gabriel spreads his hands and taps his fingertips together. "You've been here long enough that you were at Josef's last party." Connor nods as Gabriel continues. "Then you know that Logan, Josef's son, was attacked and turned at that party."
Connor remembers the party and his eyes get wide. When the trouble started, security hustle he and the girls out of danger but it was still scary as hell being around all those vampires. On top of that he was having a really bad time blocking them because there were so many old vampires present.
Gabriel gives Connor a gentle push with his mind to calm him. "Connor, Logan's case is somewhat uncommon in the vampire world. Most fledglings learn to feed in part, by feeding first from their sires. But in Logan's case that can't happen. He needs to feed from a human without ever feeding from a vampire so he it could be that he's going to be more awkward at it than most."
Connor nods. "Isn't he Veronica's boyfriend? I seem to remember her mentioning him when Jack and I were feeding her."
Gabriel nods "That's right he is."
Connor thinks back to when he and Jack first met Veronica and how reluctant she was to taste anyone but Logan. "That helps because I'm guessing she fed from him."
Gabriel smiles. "You're very astute. Yes, it is good that he had that experience with Veronica. The problem is, I'm afraid that if he feeds from one of the girl's right from the beginning, he won't have any control and he could really hurt one of them. So, Josef and I have decided that he needs to feed from a male freshie in the beginning. We would like that to be you since you and Jack did so well with Veronica. I would be right there and keep a close eye on him but you need to know how green he's going to be at this. However, if you are afraid of this situation or have some other reservations you're more than welcome to say no and we'll find someone else to take care of him. You know how important it is that you're not frightened, and that you're comfortable with the situation. "
Connor thinks about it a minute and shrugs. "It's fine with me, but have you run this by him? It's been my experience that guys my age can be a little weird about doing something like this with another guy. On top of that I may not be one of his favorite people since I fed Veronica."
Gabriel snorts. "I'll take care of that. So, we've got a deal?"
Connor nods. "Sure."
The three stand and Gabriel nods to Connor. "I'll give you a day or so notice when we're ready."
Josef pats Connor on the back as he turns to leave. "Connor, thank you and you'll find a bonus in your checks as long as you're working with Logan."
"Thank you Mr. Kostan." he leave the room shutting the door behind him.
Josef turns to Gabriel. "You've really seen humans like him before? I thought that was just fakery in the human world."
Gabriel nods. "Most are, but now and then a live one comes along. I have a hunch he's going to be very helpful in more ways than one. What's your agreement with Jenny where he's concerned?"
Josef shrugs. "She still holds his contract, so I pay her a payment every month. Why?"
Gabriel smiles. "Buy out his contract. Even when he becomes too old to continue on as a freshie his talents will be useful. In addition, later on if he's interested in being turned it's something that should be considered carefully and done as soon as he's ready. It will enhance his talents and he seems like a pretty level headed kid. Unless I miss my guess he'll never be as powerful as Vanessa is, or Logan can be, but he's still going to be ahead of your average vamp. He'll be an asset to those people he's somewhat beholding to."
Josef grins at Gabriel. "You're as sneaky as I am."
Gabriel laughs. "I'm just subtler than you are."
Josef thinks about what Connor said about Logan. "You know you're most likely going to have a fight on your hands when you tell Logan he has to start with Connor, but not for the reasons Connor thinks."
"Then why?" Gabriel asks
Josef smiles and moves to the bar to pour himself a drink. "Logan likes women, a great deal. I gather when he and V have had trouble over the years it's in part because he can be a bit of a womanizer. The thing is, when he first moved in here, he walked in when I was feeding from Mishie, who to her credit, got more out of feeding than most."
Gabriel smiles "A bit orgasmic was she?"
Josef grins. "A bit. My hunch is that Logan is going to remember that and is going to be a bit disappointed at not getting to try his luck with the female freshies. That memory is also the reason he put up such a fuss about Veronica feeding from Jack. I tried to explain to him at the time that different freshies react differently but ultimately the vampire pulls what emotions he wants them to feel but as they say, one picture is worth a thousand words."
Gabriel shrugs. "He's only got one option and this is it. Once he gets that through his head it won't be a problem." Gabriel laughs. "Logan is learning quickly that I'm far stubborner than he is and have no qualms about waiting him out. Now I've got to get back to the guest house and see if he's ready to move the last off his things up here. We could have done it earlier but I don't want him alone in the house, even in his own wing, until I know how he's going to react to the humans in the house. His shields are strong enough to keep their minds from bothering him but I'm not sure how he'll react to their heart beats and the rest of it. You've warned the girls and put guards on their wing?"
"Yes, to both of those. It wasn't that long ago they were dealing with Sarah being a fledgling so the rules are fresh in everybody's minds." Josef stops and braces himself for his next question. "Can I see him?" He asks quietly.
Gabriel nods. "Yes, but for now you need to make sure I'm with him. He may have the same problem with you that Connor does. If I'm there I can reinforce his blocks if need be."
Josef nods. "I can do that. What about V?"
Gabriel shakes his head. "Not until I have a chance to talk to her. Finn say she's spending a fair amount of time with Derrick. I need to know where her head is before I let her near Logan. The last thing I need is for her to send him into a tail spin."
Josef nods. "I suspected as much. Although when I told her you were calling me with updates she requested that I tell her everything."
Gabriel nods. "I don't doubt that she loves him, she probably always will in some form or another, but at the same time if he picks up feelings from her that aren't as strong as he thinks they should be or different that he thinks they should be, it could be pretty damaging."
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Logan looks around the room, a grin breaking out on his face. He feels like he's on the road to normalcy being back in the main house, in his wing with, his toys. Now if he can master a few more hurtles maybe he can see V again, at least talk to her. The idea of letting her go, is lost in the excitement of getting his life back on track.
Gabriel watches Logan from the doorway and shakes his head. He hopes this isn't a mistake. "Don't get too distracted by the toys. You've still got a lot of work to do."
Logan nods as Gabriel moves into the room. "I know."
Gabriel holds up a finger. "First rule, you don't leave this wing without me unless the house is on fire." He looks intently at Logan. "This is important. For your safety and that of the girls for now there is no bending or breaking this rule. Do you understand me?"
Logan nods. "Yes" for now
He holds Logan by his shoulders to drive the point home. "If you need anything you tell me or Robert or your father and one of us will get it for you but under no circumstances do you leave the wing."
Logan sighs. "I get it."
Gabriel nods once. "Now close your eyes."
Logan complies
"Now, tell me what you hear." Gabriel says quietly.
Logan tips his head in concentration. "Not much of anything."
Gabriel looks at him concern in his eyes. "Nothing, really?"
Logan smiles. "Unless you're talking about the soft thumping noise coming from that direction." Logan points to the direction of the freshie's wing.
Gabriel snorts. "Yes, that's what I'm talking about. How does it make you feel?"
Logan walks over to the bar and looks in the refrigerator. He sees the concern in Gabriel's eyes. "I won't lie to you; it makes me thirsty." He pours himself a glass of blood and begins to drink.
Gabriel nods. Good." Logan if at any time it feels different than it does right now, let me know."
Logan smirks at him. "Hopefully when I get to feed from one of them it will feel different." Logan sees the frown on Gabriel's face and knows something is up. "Tell me."
Gabriel braces himself for a fight. "I've made arrangements for you to feed from Connor before you drink from the girls."
Logan scowls at Gabriel. "That doesn't sound like any fun." He remembers his father feeding from Michie and Veronica feeding from him. "One of the girls would make it a lot more fun."
Gabriel looks at Logan. He reins in his inpatients and goes straight for guilt. "Tough. Logan how would you feel if you got carried away and hurt one of the girls."
Logan curls his lip. "Lousy." He flops down on the couch knowing Gabriel has won the point. He looks up at him. "When?"
Gabriel thinks about it for a minute. "A couple days. First I think it would be good for you to spend some time with Connor." Get to know him as more than food. "It will give you time to get comfortable with him."
Logan nods knowing there is a good chance that if he fights Gabriel on this he'll find himself living back in the guest house. "Yea, okay."
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Janice Drexel looks out the window of the ambulance. She wants to go around to the back of the vehicle and take a look at her new patient but knows if she does, she'll just be in the way. It's tight enough in the rear of the ambulance with all the equipment and they don't need to be tripping over her. The company she works for specializes in private medical care. They have the best reputation on the west coast for not only exceptional care but also being able to keep things confidential. They met the private plane at LAX and quickly and efficiently are transporting the patient to the address of a private residence just outside Los Angeles. Her part doesn't start until the ambulance crew moves the patient into the new address and leaves. Once all that is taken care of, then she takes over and provides in home care. She rubs her arms gently as she feels a chill in the night air. She turns as Sonny gets in the driver's side and puts the key in the ignition. "Everything ok?" she asks
He shrugs. "Yea"
She narrows her eyes at him knowing there is something he's not telling her. "But?"
He grins at her. "You know me too well."
"We've only been doing this for five years. What's bothering you?"
He smiles at her, the embarrassment clear on his face. "I'm not sure. It's just...I'll sound like an idiot..."
She snorts "Wouldn't be the first time or I'll guess the last. Now just tell me."
"This one gives me the creeps." He jerks his thumb over his shoulder at the back of the ambulance. "Not sure what the deal is with his guy but he just gives me the creeps."
She frowns at him. "In what way? Is he disfigured or something?"
He shakes his head. "No, nothing like that. In fact, he must have had some work done along the way because nobody looks that good. I can't put my finger on it. I just think the sooner he's out of my rig the better." He glances at her. "And you be careful. Keep your cell with you in case there's trouble."
She laughs lightly. "No problem. I'll be really careful of the creepy guy back there who is so incapacitated he can't move."
Sonny shrugs. "Can't help it. You'll see. I'm just saying it's smart to keep your cell close."
Two hours later she looks down at her new charge. Sonny and the rest of the crew are gone and she is alone with her patient. She looks him over for a moment and knows immediately what was bothering Sonny. She smiles down at the man in the bed. Well, I'll be damned. The chart says the patient has some rare disease that mimics death. Janice snorts and shakes her head. He may have a mysterious illness but it's not what's making him appear to be dead. It took less than a minute for Janice to know that her patient isn't a man at all. He's a vampire. No wonder Sonny was getting nervous around him. Even in this condition the vamp is freaking out the people who don't know that he's a vampire. She smiles as she thinks about how she worked her way through college letting vampires feed from her. In the four years that she was around the vamp clubs she never ever heard of one being sick or needing care. She wonders if the vamp...she looks at his chart again for his name and grins, John Smith. She wonders how long Mr. Smith has actually been in this condition and what put him down. The chart has obviously been faked. She looks in the refrigerator and hefts one of the plasma bags. The chart says he's to have one of these dripping into his system at all times or he'll die. She glances at the almost empty bag hanging from its place next to his bed. She brings the bag along and quickly swaps them out. She stares down at the vamp and feels an emotional pull from him. She wonders how long it will take the man's benefactor to show up. She has more than a couple questions starting with why he would take the chance of someone caring for her patient who might not know what he is, and accidently uncover their secret. She sits next to her charge and for some reason she takes his hand and is shocked at how warm he feels. Something is defiantly wrong with him.
Bowdin hears the steady beat of a human heart, the heartbeat of a woman. He feels her soft hand slip into his. In all the years he's been held captive he's never seen or sensed a woman. He smells the delicate scent of her body and suddenly wants to sink his fangs into her, to taste her, to feel her warm blood flowing down his throat. He feels the ache in his fangs. The desire is so strong he thinks it might just be the thing he can follow out of the darkness.
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Another one in the can….
