Chapter 11: A Gift
Angelus

Kieran hadn't left his room in over a week and I had to call off his classes until he could start teaching again. The students were worried about him as well and they slipped letters for him under the door, pleading for him to come out and reaching out to them in grief for Christian too. Reaper wouldn't tell me what happened to him, that it was something he needed to tell me. So finally one night I decided to visit him while we both slept since he wasn't letting me through the door. It was very easy…he was sitting on the ground in the dirt like we were in a desert. He noticed me but tried to ignore me, "Kieran? Its Angelus…Tell me what's going on, everyone misses you and wants you back". I took his hands, "tell me please?"

He got hysterical and hid his hands away from me, "don't touch them!" Kieran looked at me as if he was waiting for something to happen.

"Relax… I'm in your dream." Slowly he came back to me and this time he took my hand, "I died…and I came here. Reaper was there with some man that she called her father…he changed me." His grip on my hand tightened as he continued reliving the moment, "I found out…that Reaper is my cousin. I swear I didn't know and probably never would have if this didn't happen. He told me…that I would be cured but gave me powers just like Reaper's. She's been nice and all, but I don't think I can't do what she does…"

When he discovered that he was squeezing too hard he let go and I moved in and kissed him. There was some silence afterward before I spoke, "I'm just thankful you're okay."

He seemed in shock at first…but finally I saw a smile on his face and we kissed again. He confessed he had feelings for me and so did I…it was probably so obvious. Since the mansion opened a year ago we'd have dinner together and he'd hang out in my office…leaving little messages if I wasn't in. I was too afraid before to say anything because I didn't want to be rejected and then have to work with him. Through the rest of the dream we talked and he held me in his arms.

"I'll never get to do this," he sighed, "Reaper let me borrow her gloves..but they're too hot. I wish there was something else..."

I closed my eyes, "I'll see what I can do; maybe I can get some made for you."

I was busy today, making about five calls before one person came through on my request. It also took a little persuasion to get them made quickly. Yeah…gloves, but not regular ones...these would be like real skin, in regards to how they feel wearing them and to the touch. I wanted to do something to help cheer him up and I remember him saying it was what he wanted. When I came out of my office I noticed Kieran talking with Reaper, I was more surprised just to see him out of his room. He nodded to her then started walking down the hall.

"Hey…What did he say to you? I haven't seen him since being cured, he never leaves his room," I pretended to be ignorant, since I had a feeling it was about our conversation last night….but I was dying to know what he said to her.

She just shrugged, "Uhh, he said that he wanted to borrow a notebook my father gave me…I told him where to find it."

I nodded, "he told me what happened…I think he doesn't want to admit how scared he is."

She raised a brow at me, "Wait he told you? Thought you just said you haven't seen him?"

"I…talked to him through the door, he didn't say much." My cheeks were getting warmer and the pitch of my voice got higher.

She laughed and shook her head, "Whatever Angy. Just don't jump him too quickly." "What!" I responded but she just laughed and turned away. Unconsciously I bit my lip thinking on what she said…I was too obvious, "eh...she'd find out anyway."

I turned around and ran right into Hunter.

"Find out what?"

I froze, "nothing, I gotta go pick something up." I rushed away from him avoiding the question as best I could to go and pick up Kieran's gift.

By the time I got back to the mansion it was already dark. Traffic and running into other people took up a lot more time than I expected. When I came in I went looking for Kieran and found him drinking from a coffee cup in front of the large screened TV. I sat down and suddenly a whole group of students decided they wanted to watch the show that was on. I got angry at first but Kieran asked to follow him...

I thanked him, "Good, 'cause I need to show you something." He put down his cup and I followed him upstairs where it was quieter. "You know how you said you wished there was something better for your hands? Now don't laugh...but I found a guy who specializes in making skin for burned victims. I told him the thickness and it should fit just fine." I pulled out the pair of gloves and showed him, "It probably won't even feel like you have them on."

Kieran smiled and put them on, rubbing his hands together and touching the wall to test their feel. "Thanks...this is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

When I looked up at him he gently touched my face. "You're welcome," I whispered.

He started to lean in and I got nervous…my last boyfriend was in high school and I started to fear that I had forgotten how to kiss. But our lips met and it went great, more than great, it just felt right.

"I love you Angelus," He whispered against my lips.

"I love you too."