Enjoy and review, review, review...
A/N I'm supposed to say I don't own anything, which is ok, because I don't.
Pam glared at the clock. She blinked. 45 minutes until –
"Pam, what the fucks this about?" Tara rose up so she was leaning on her elbow and looked down at her maker. Fifteen minutes was long enough. Fifteen minutes of terror ricocheting through the bond courtesy of its older end. And fifteen minutes was certainly long enough to share what the hell was causing such fear and sadness.
Fifteen whole minutes and Pam hadn't offered an explanation, the young vampire thought it best to move things along. "Cuddling in the middle of the night?" Her tone was playful with disbelief. "Early evening: yes. Just before dawn: absolutely. The middle-of-the-night, with an important visit and budget meetings tomorrow: not Workaholic Barbie."
When her maker remained silent, she pulled back so she could see her face. "Like I said, what the fucks this about?"
Pam rolled her eyes and huffed. Her drawl was secure and in place. "I work too much. I'm not working enough and that Barbie shit is getting old." She narrowed her eyes at her child for a moment before she threw her hands in the air. "You wanted middle-of-the-night cuddling, you fucking got middle-of-the-night cuddling." She grabbed Tara and jerked her close. "Shut up and be happy." She squeezed her again to drive the point home. Pamela found her nook and rested her head there. "I am far too accommodating and you are spoiled."
The dark vampire only chuckled. She wrapped her arms around Pam and pulled her as close as she could. The young vampire held onto her maker as if she was holding onto her life. She loved this woman with everything she always had, even before she knew it. She killed Elijah for her. She stormed into The Authority to save her. She had taken bullets and was about to fight a war in the name of the magnificent creature that lay terrified wedged beneath her chin. She sent a sweeping calm through their invisible tether and spoke gently. "Please, tell me what this is about?"
Pam was flooding the blond and it was overwhelming. If Tara had doubted Eric's words before she would never again. It was true the blonde felt everything more acutely than most. Just the fraction of her inner turmoil reached the younger end, but even that was greater than anything Tara had experienced on her own in her own life. She didn't know if it was the vampire she loved or the severity of the situation. At this rate, she wouldn't know until Khan told her what this was about. She had almost given in to this fact, when her maker's voice came softly through the silence.
"We may not have a lot of time left, ma petite." The blonde's voice was human. It lacked all of the venom and sarcasm that was never completely missing from her drawl. Pamela couldn't get closer, but she tried as she nuzzled further into her progeny. Her plump lips grazed the soft skin on Tara's neck. She inhaled her child's scent and kissed her skin. "Khan has a proposition for you. You will decide. You will choose your own destiny."
She sighed and pulled back a little. She hadn't completely left the safety of the strong ebony embrace, but she wanted to study Tara's reactions. The bond was completely unmoved and she knew it Tara trying to keep her calm. She appreciated it and scolded herself for being so weak at the same time. "I cannot be the deciding factor. You must choose for yourself."
She swallowed and continued "One of these choices does not include me… but it is the one that will guarantee your life." Pamela brought her hand to Tara's chin and fought the tears that were gathering. "I chose to save your life." She took her free hand and placed it on her progeny's other cheek. She was stern. "No matter what it means for me, I will always choose to guarantee your life." The confidence and determination she had just displayed quickly vanished. "But this is not my decision. It is yours."
Pam didn't pray. She never had. Tonight, however, while lying in her child's strong embrace, she prayed that Tara would choose to leave her.
XXX
They went to Eric's office. Pamela refused to use her own. She didn't want this memory in a place she had to visit daily.
The lovers arrived hand in hand. Given the nature of the conversation and Khan's intuitive nature it didn't make sense to hide their relationship anymore. Tara was steady and Pam put on a brave face even though everyone in the room would know she was scared. This particular group knew her too well to be fooled.
Tara made her promise to keep the bond open. Only she knew exactly how distraught her maker was. She could deal with the pounding in her chest. It was intense, but Tara preferred that to the emptiness that was there before last night. She wasn't willing to give it up. She would never be willing to give that up.
Tara had been to Eric's office several times before. She scanned the room. It felt different than it had all the other times she visited and she wanted to pin point the exact item that caused this uneasiness. It didn't exist; everything was just as it was the last night when she sat discussing her maker. She concluded that the reverberations in her chest cavity must be the reason.
When they entered Eric was beaming. The young vampire saw the look Pam gave him and felt her anger. He promptly dropped the corners of his mouth and wore a decidedly more neutral countenance.
Khan was glad to be seeing the young vampire up close for the first time. He opened his arms and hugged the girl. He was gentle and his smile was sincere. Tara could tell why Pam liked him so much. His age gave him an automatic kindness that was missing from other vampires the dark skinned beauty encountered. Most vamps appeared to be frozen in their youth and mostly hard. Khan however, was kind and didn't spare smiles and the corners of his eyes wrinkled when he did. He also liked to winked, which he did quite often Tara noticed.
He held her at arm's length, so he could see gaze at her entire frame. "I have heard so much about you. I must admit your size is a little misleading, if what I've heard is correct." He winked and walked over to the sofa. He motioned for Tara to join him. "Come here, child."
Tara didn't want to let go of Pam. She wasn't going to let go of Pam. Eric stepped up and placed his arm around his child's shoulders. Tara hesitated. Only after she felt Pam relax into Eric's embrace and she knew she felt secure did she finally go to the older man.
When she was seated the general took his place next to her. "Has your maker shared with you what we are here to discuss?"
Tara shook her head.
He looked at Pam and nodded. He turned his head back to Tara but kept his eyes on the blonde "This was probably the wisest thing to do." He looked at Tara then. "She is proving to be a remarkable maker. I am both pleased and proud of my dear friend." Tara thought she heard the sadness of a blue note under his words, but she couldn't be sure.
"If you know nothing, I will start at the beginning." He rubbed his hands together a few times then began. "Your actions, your strength and ability have caused some monarchs to become hostile within the Council. Your popularity and followers are threatening for rulers with less-than-pleased subjects. They fear a coup."
Tara had popularity and followers? She was now responsible for vampire coups and monarchs were threatened by her?
It seemed so farfetched, but they had no way of knowing the truth. No one in the house was a monarch. Eric and Nora helped plan the war, the young vampire trained and Pam figured out a way to pay for it all. They were secluded in the house or at least Bon Temps and had no way of knowing what the Council was dealing with. It also reasoned that this particular information would not be shared with them willingly. Just as Pamela didn't want the Council to see all of her cards, collectively; as a body, they felt the same way about the powerful Northman clan.
They only had the word of Pamela's dear friend. The older Asian crossed his legs and sat back. "Personally, I think it is a ridiculous notion, you are too young, but there is enough interest in the idea to warrant concern."
He paused, knowing he hadn't quite hit on the severity of their predicament. "If monarchs were to feel threatened and the queen did nothing about said threat, they may become more fluid in their loyalties." He leaned forward again as if imparting a particularly delicious bit of gossip. "In other words, in this war, they may go to the other side."
She knew he was telling the truth. The worry coming from the other end of the maker/progeny bond told her this. "So, let me get this straight?" Her southern accent charmed and set him at ease. "I save the Council and because I saved 'em, I'm a threat?"
He nodded in agreement and adjusted his body so he was upright. "Now you know how fragile our politics really are."
"Ain't that a bitch?" Pam didn't approve of the comment and Tara felt it. "I just mean, that's really unfortunate." That was better. "And 'unfortunate' is something I figured I left in my human life." She shrugged and waited to hear the rest.
"There is a way that we can keep you safe and minimize the damage to the order of things." Tara listened closely. She remembered her maker's words from earlier and she wanted to know exactly what they meant. "To be Called as a Warrior for the IVC is a prestigious honor that only 76 vampires have ever had throughout our entire history. I am one and so is Attila. The others may not be as notable, but they are just as fierce."
He leaned forward and placed his hand over Tara's resting in her lap. He smiled. "I have no doubt, you would have been called, but it would not have been for some time. A vampire with your potential would not have gone unnoticed long." After what Tara thought must be him reassuring her, he returned to his previous position "A Warrior cannot become a monarch. It is law. Therefore, you would not be a threat." He paused, but only briefly. "We fight for the IVC in name and ideal. We are at the behest of the ruling monarch and serve their values; not our individual ambitions."
Tara understood perfectly and if it were not for the deep penetrating grief slowly oozing into her, she would agree without further discovery. "If this is the best solution, why the production? Why fly all the way here? Meet with Pam, then me?"
"Your maker must agree. We cannot call you without permission." It was a distraction from the real matter and the only thing Tara would care about. Khan decided to ease her in. "With such allegiance, we must sever all ties that will prevent us from serving fully. We have one loyalty and that is the Council. You will leave to train immediately, but outside of our duties we can resume our normal lives." He thought it would encourage the dark skinned vampire, but it only made her suspicious. Tara raised an eyebrow and Khan knew she wanted the truth.
He sighed, "Your maker must release you."
"Abso-fuckin-lutely not!" Tara jumped off the couch and stood next to Pam. "I won't do it." She reacted before she really processed what the general had said.
Her maker was flattered. Tara could feel it, but she was also terrified. Pam touched her child and Tara faced her. "Tara, this is the only way. A Warrior can have no political ambitions, you would be safe." None of that mattered to her progeny. She only cared about one thing and Pam could feel it. The blonde raised her eyes at the men in the room and they turned to give the women some privacy.
Pam stroked the chocolate cheek lightly. She dropped her voice to a whisper. It was more a wasted attempt at privacy, since the others could still hear every word. Pure love and admiration floated from her maker and into her. "It doesn't mean I love you any less." The blonde vampire didn't care that she had said it aloud. She didn't care that, with the exception of Tara whispering it while she slept, she had been the first to say it, but the surprise that she felt from her progeny told her that the young vampire did. "It doesn't mean we can't be together."
She realized after she said them that she had been careless with her words. She had confessed her love and her progeny would never let go now. "It's not that bad." She lied, but managed to keep the bond from giving her away.
She missed Eric and he missed her. They had had over a century to learn each other, before their tie was severed and it still hurt. They could survive it, but they had had time to mold to one another. The blonde wasn't sure her and Tara could make it without the tether this early. They fought. They were both stubborn and willful and not good at apologizing. Pam remembered nights that she would have flown completely off the handle had it not been for the tickle above her heart. She had just opened her end, but already they had made so much progress.
Tara sensed her maker's musings and snaked an arm around her waist, so their stomachs touched. She looked her maker in the eye and didn't flinch or stumble over her words.
"I only did any of this to keep you safe. If they hadn't taken you, I would never have been at The Authority. If Bill hadn't threatened to stake you, I would never have captured him. I would not hesitate to bring down the world to keep you safe." Tara sighed and leaned into her maker's touch. "I love you. I can't give up the thing that tells me you're ok or how to find you." That was the most important part of the bond for her. She needed to know that Pamela was alive and safe even if she couldn't be with her.
Eric didn't move, but he grinned just a little. He trusted his grandchild. He knew how Tara felt about his progeny and he knew how important this was to the queen. His warrior was crafty. Pamela was never in danger of losing her bond. But if Tara didn't figure something out, he had no doubt she would take down the IVC, just like she had The Authority. He saw her fight for her maker before. She may even succeed.
Pamela brought both hands to her face. "Are you sure?"
"Fuck the IVC" was Tara's only answer and the most appropriate one, she thought.
Pam leaned in and pressed her lips against her child's cocoa pout. The blonde quickly dropped her hands and entwined her fingers with her girl's. She cleared her throat and her drawl was back in place. Tara noticed a tickle in the bond where there had been worry and she knew she had made the right choice. "Gentlemen." The men turned to face her. "She refuses. As her maker, I will not break the bond against her wishes."
Khan was flabbergasted. He ranted for quite some time. When he turned to Eric for him to say something, Eric only added that 'We all agreed we would stand behind what Tara wanted. She has made her decision, we should honor it.' It made Tara feel safe.
After that, the general went on further about responsibility and chaos, impending doom and the end of life as we know it. Tara stood in front of him with her arms crossed and a bored expression on her face.
"Ok. Stop!" She held up her hand and the general froze. Once again her maker didn't approve. "Ok." She acknowledged her makers request. "With all due respect… sir, I didn't choose to fight for the IVC or The Authority or any other secret vampire government you've got hidden under a rock. I was trying to save my family and saved the same kings and queens that want me gone in the process. Now…"
She was tired of being diplomatic. It would just waste time. "I don't know why I'm arguing with you." She uncrossed her arms. "Angelina runs shit, right? Let me talk to her then."
Khan, Pamela and Eric stood outside of the conference room. They were gathered around the door straining their ears. It was no use; with the special sound proofing they couldn't hear a thing.
Eric turned to Pam and smirked. "Can I be the one to tell Nora that our family is about to wage war on the IVC in the middle of a war with the Sanguinistas in your name?"
The blonde chuckled, but she knew it was entirely possible. Her progeny was headstrong. She also delighted in the fact that their family bond was so strong that they would stand behind Tara no matter what the reason– even Nora. She didn't doubt that. "She has a plan. I don't know what it is, but she's always got a plan." Pam rolled her eyes and feigned annoyance.
The Asian man placed a concern hand on his friend's shoulder. "Let's hope that she does." He patted her, "Let's hope she does." He didn't know the child that well, but he was loyal to her lineage. He feared that he too, may have to wage war with them if it came down to it.
XXX
The conversation began civil enough. They exchanged pleasantries and a brief smile, nothing too friendly, tonight they were opponents. Both women could help the other, but each would just have to bend. This is not something that either did well.
Tara clearly and concisely stated her position and the stunning woman on the screen explained why it could not be accommodated. Tara stated her position again and Angelina repeated why she could not oblige the young vampire. They went back and forth like this in pleasant tones until the queen mentioned Pamela. Tara didn't remember what she said exactly, she just didn't like hearing her maker's name roll of the monarch's tongue. She may also have been a little frustrated as the stress of the night finally sunk in, but she wouldn't admit to that.
"You don't deserve to speak her name." She snapped at the Sappho. "She told me what you did." Tara's noise scrunched as if something putrid had just offended her sensitive sense of smell. "You should do this just for being an ass." She almost spit on the ground, but she thought that would be overkill and her plan was shaky at best. "You owe her everything!"
"You dare speak to me this way, child? I am queen, I owe no one nothing!"
When guilt didn't work, Tara decided to appeal to her as a love struck poet. "I speak out of love and devotion. Things you are obviously too old to remember. You are one of the great romantics and you will do nothing to help?" Tara rolled her eyes. "The great Sappho of Eressos is a coward! She professes undying love, but doesn't lift a finger. Perhaps it was only words, all of it." Leaned against the desk in front of the camera and crossed her arms over her chest. "Perhaps you were not the lover you portrayed yourself to be. You can keep the copies of your manuscripts, I'm sure they are all lies too."
This child had no fear. The child spoke freely. This child intrigued Sappho and she did owe Pam, but she didn't see a way. "It has been years of tradition. I cannot stand against our laws. I do not have the power to change this thing."
"Yes, you do." Tara stated simply and without emotion.
"No, I don't."
"Yes. You do." She was more deliberate this time.
Angelina was angry. This child was challenging her again. "No! I don't!"
"You're the fucking queen of everything? You can't do this one thing? There's no Authority and you can't do this one thing?" Tara jumped away from the desk and looked into the camera. "I know you are the queen and all, but I also know that had it not been for me and my family, you might not be the queen right now. We might all be under the rule of Bill mutha-fuckin Compton. The first thing he woulda done was kill you." She crossed her arms in front of her. "We both know that. So, you kinda owe me too."
Tara backed away from the camera so that she was in a wide shot as she had seen her maker do when negotiating the night before. "The way I see it is: If it hadn't been for my ingenious …and rather dangerous plan," She could admit now that it was not the smartest or safest thing she could have done, but it had worked. "you and the rest of humanity might be in a different state of affairs right now."
Angelina narrowed her eyes. "And?" She was giving the child a pass. No one ever spoke to her in this way. Not in many years. Not with this defiance and complete disregard for her title and order in the hierarchy. Not since this child's maker.
"You owe me…You grateful, bitch? You'll figure out a way to do this."
"Grateful? …Reverse an age old tradition and law in the name of love? Or because I'm grateful? Do you know what I would be up against?" Angelina laughed at the absurdity of Tara's request. "You attack my pride and think I would be wounded enough to move an entire world on sentiment? Child you are young, but even for you, this is naïve."
Tara brought her hands together in a show of pure joy. "I'm so glad you said that. So, you'll want to pay attention to this next part." She sat back on the desk and made a show of scooting back and crossing her legs. She placed her forearm on her knee and leaned in.
Tara's voice reached a depth that it never had before. It was low and threatening with a small amount of sugar on the finish. "I won't lift a finger in your name or the IVC as a Warrior unless I can keep my bond." Her eyes tightened on the olive skinned vampire. "Whatever the fall out is none of my concern, but your reign will come to an end. I will make sure of that. It's fitting since my maker put you where you are." She laughed, but this was not joyful. "You think the mess at The Authority was bad? I will blow you and your hierarchy to hell myself."
Tara hadn't processed the whole night yet, but she knew that accepting The Call was the simplest solution for everyone, the queen included. It would show strength to squash this conflict within the Council before it began to affect allegiances in the war with the Sanguinistes. She may have been being a bit dramatic, especially since she didn't even know where the queen was which would make it difficult to find and finish her, but what the hell? she was on a roll.
Angelina knew she was stuck and she knew Tara knew she was stuck. She couldn't kill the young vampire, that may cause an uprising itself. She couldn't let her be, her alliances were too fragile. The only solution was for the dark skinned fighter to become a Warrior, but Tara couldn't be forced, she would have to choose to accept The Call. And she wouldn't agree without this one thing.
Angelina knew she was stuck, but she called her bluff one more time for good measure. "I could have you killed."
"You could try," Tara shrugged "but you can ask anyone who knows me that shit is hard to do." She took the attitude down a notch. She would just lay it out for her maker's former lover. "Look, I've waited a long time for what I have with Pam. I want to keep my bond."
Tara thought a moment. "What if I wasn't a Warrior, warrior? What if it was some special designation or honor? 'Due to my previous service and loyalty to the Council and bravery in the face of…yadda, yadda, yadda.' You get the idea." She paused. "Would that work?"
Angelina sighed. This was a very practical solution. It wouldn't upset the order and the conservative vampires under her rule wouldn't see it as a threat to tradition. She would set the worried monarchs at ease. After careful thought and several dirty looks at the child whose smile grew bigger the longer the queen processed, Angelina wrote something down and stood.
The camera automatically refocused. "You will not be taken immediately as is custom." Now that Tara was looking at her, and not fighting her, she seemed softer; the way she looked when they first met. "You may have a period of time to say goodbye, but you will not know how long and you will be Called sooner rather than later." There was a glimmer in the dark woman's emerald gaze that made Tara forgive any earlier insults. "Your bond and this will be the only difference in your pledge. You are required to abide by all other laws as a Warrior under IVC command."
Tara dropped her head in reverence and acknowledgment of the order. Angelina was truly a great ruler and the younger vampire thought –a gentle soul as well.
She motioned for Tara to open the door and let the others join them. They walked in with weary faces. None of them knew what to expect and the queen's face gave nothing away. Pamela had a slight advantage as she felt a jolt of comfort followed by relief and joy shoot through her. Her progeny had succeeded once again.
XXX
Tara went to see Eric. Khan was talking with Jessica and Nora and Pamela was in with Angelina. The queen was probably giving her maker an earful about her bold and disobedient progeny. She had been somewhat disrespectful, but the ends justified her means. She didn't feel anything but admiration coming from Pam's end of the bond, but this could just be because she was still happy about keep her invisible life line.
Eric was still in his office. He sat toying with a small velvet box at his desk and looked out the window. He didn't hear Tara come in.
"I know you're upset." He turned to face her. "I don't have to be bonded to you to figure it out."
"What is there to be upset about? My child is happy. My grandchild is going to be a Warrior. As patriarch of this family, I couldn't be more proud." He smiled, but it was almost empty.
"She broke your heart. You wouldn't have refused me if she didn't." Eric looked at her. "It's ok. I understand, but I will make her happy."
Eric grabbed the box and strolled over to the dark vampire. He wrapped his arms around her in a genuine display of affection. "I did love her, but not as she should be loved; not as you love her." He let her go. She stepped back to look at him. "She did break my heart, but I was the selfish one. I never thought about what she wanted, only my own wants and desires." He looked at the box. "I realized that today. We were so convinced that this was the only solution, we gave up, but you didn't. You fought to keep the bond that I threw away." Crimson began to gather and he turned to the window again.
After a moment he spoke again. "If you are willingly to set the world on fire in her name, then you are worthy of her. You have my blessing." He turned and gave Tara the box. She opened it. "It is from when she was human. An heirloom, she thought she lost in London years ago, but I kept it." He looked at the box. "She would want you to use this."
Tara thanked him with a hug. One that was stronger than he expected, but eventually he wrapped his arms around her.
"You don't have much time, Tara. I think it's time you showed her the house."
"She doesn't know, but Dennis is going to take us there after we drop off Khan."
XXX
Pam was sitting on the bed with her lavender journal when Tara walked in the room.
"Are you ever gonna let me read that thing?" Tara stood at the edge of the bed smirking.
Pamela placed the notebook at her side and crawled on her knees to meet her progeny. Ebony limbs received her. "If you're lucky." She kissed her. It was slow and deep. It was everything.
Pam pulled away and drew a whimper of protest from her child. "Did you really tell Angelina that you would end her reign?" She looked into her progeny's coffee tinted eyes. She was innocent, but she would bring down any and everything that threatened the blonde.
Tara nodded. "In my defense, I did opt for reason before threatening destruction and ruin." They laughed and Pam sat back on her legs. Tara looked at her. She was in awe. Was there anything she wouldn't do for her? Her potential her ability, everything that made her an anomaly as a baby vamp, resulted from protecting this woman. When it came to Pamela she had no limits. She would run faster, fight harder and kill anyone that wished to harm her.
She looked into Pam. She reached down and held her face. The blonde looked up at her with devotion swimming in cerulean seas. "I would do it." She kissed her again, just as slow and just as deep.
"I know you would." She didn't say it, but Tara knew Pam would do the same for her.
XXX
Tara sat comfortably next to her maker as they drove Khan to the airport. Pam was curled into her as usual, but she found it nice that she was able to be so open in front of him. She didn't do PDA, not even in the house. The baby vamp listened to the old friends talk. She learned about a softer Pam. Apparently, they had always had a special relationship. Ghengis was a romantic and had always wanted his dear friend to find love, but with her prickly personality and slight aversion to the state of being, it didn't seem likely.
"Have you shown her the pink boxers?" Ghengis was much lighter than he was at the beginning of the night.
"She found them the night we got here." Pam threw a knowing look at Tara and she realized they were talking about the same pink boxers she wore the first night. The night she had made her intentions known; the night that catapulted their love story.
"Aha, I told you." He shook a finger at Pamela and winked. "You should listen to me sometimes. I am very wise you know." He chuckled.
"I would like to know about the pink boxers." She glanced at her maker in an accusatory fashion. She had not once mentioned that her attire on their first night together had any significance.
Khan rubbed his hands together again before he started. This must be a mannerism of his. "Pam and I were walking along the Champs-Élysées." He turned to Pam. "You are planning to take her to Paris, no doubt?"
Pam nodded and sighed as she spoke. "…and anywhere else she will let me." She was gone and the general smiled.
"Good. So, we are walking down the Champs-Élysées and I worried her about her love life, as I often did." He emphasized the word letting Tara know it was a discussion and worry that he no longer had to have. "I asked her about her perfect woman and she had no answer. My professional opinion is that she didn't think herself capable and so she dismissed the thought of love all together."
"I'm still here." Her drawl was irritated, but Tara knew better, the bond was content.
It seemed Khan knew better as well. "I said in my professional opinion."
"Your profession is that of a Warrior on the battlefield."
"I didn't say you shouldn't get a second opinion." The older Asian winked at Tara and continued. "Anyway, after several blocks, shops and failed attempts to get any information, I let it go." He brushed his hands together and mimed brushing them off. "Then we went into Chanel. There were these shorts in her favorite color. I know she was drawn to them, but she didn't say anything." He looked at her and she raised an eyebrow, but didn't move from her resting place.
"I asked her about them and she said, 'Chanel doesn't do boxers.' She held up the pink silk boxers 'she will wear these.'" He did his best Pam impression, but it just made the two women snicker. "And that was that. I don't think she thought about it. She may have even been saying it to shut me up." He looked at Pamela and laughed. "As matter of fact, I'm sure she was saying it to shut me up. We didn't talk about it again, but I did make her buy them. That was…" He thought.
"15 years ago." Pam answered his question.
"Yes, it was. It is only a blink when you think of how long you have truly waited. They were a special order that was refused, Pam was right Chanel didn't make boxers." He was pleased. "I'm curious, Tara what did she do when she saw you in them?"
Tara looked at Pam for permission to speak, she didn't need to, but she wanted to be respectful. Pam just rolled her eyes. She leaned in, "She was happy, but only for a moment. Then I couldn't feel her anymore, she shut down completely."
"That's my Pamela. She was never good with feelings. Such a shame she would rather show the world her hard shell than the beautiful creature she is." He stated with pretend remorse. He knew that it was a defense mechanism the blonde had developed long ago. He also knew that by being shrewd and unemotional she had advanced quickly and built a dynasty with her maker.
"I'm still here." The blonde growled.
XXX
After they dropped Khan off, Tara turned to her maker. "You really like him, huh?"
Pam's smile was full of memories. "Yes, he is a lovely man and is completely devoted to our clan, since he has none of his own."
"He has no family?"
Pam was slightly sad, "No. He was recruited to be a Warrior. He was turned specifically for that purpose, so was Attila for that matter." She sighed. "This is a part of our system as well. Humans with exceptional talents may be recruited. There is a board that decides. Though, I'm not sure if the humans themselves get a say now days. When Khan was turned they didn't."
"Does he have a progeny?" there were notes of concern and compassion dancing around her words.
"He said he never had a maker, and so he wouldn't sire a vampire. He didn't want to enter into a world he knew nothing about. It's sad. He would be an amazing maker." She looked out the window.
The tinkle in the dark skinned vampire's chest became confused and annoyed. Pam lowered the partition. "Dennis, where are we going?" She pointed a long ivory digit to the back of the car. "The house is behind us."
Tara pulled her back into her and Dennis rolled up the black window that separated them. "It's a surprise." The young vampire couldn't contain herself.
"I hate surprises."
"You'll like this one."
After driving for a few minutes, not that long, Pam noted, they arrived at their destination. Tara got out first and made Pam cover her eyes.
The blonde slowly fumbled out of the car. She stood to her full height and her progeny guided her. She felt Tara step before her and slide into what sounded like mud. The sudden suction noise made Pam freeze. She wouldn't go further.
"My shoes?" It was a simple warning, but one Tara headed. She scooped Pam up into her arms and the blonde instinctively wrapped her alabaster limbs around her lover's neck.
"This is probably more appropriate anyway. Ok, you can open 'em." She did.
Pam was in shock. Her mouth dropped and she gasped audibly. She was looking at a small mansion. It was white with four large pillars in the front. The lights on the house made it glow. The grass was green and perfectly manicured. There was nothing for at least an acre and the woods surrounded the property, so there was privacy. It was perfect. She knew it was perfect before she walked inside. She knew that she and Tara would be happy here, because she had been happy here over a century ago.
Pamela climbed out of her progeny's embrace and walked toward the house. Her shoes had become a distant memory, not even a thought. She found the walk way. She approached the house with trepidation and stopped as if she thought it would vanish if she got too close.
She turned to Tara, who was still where she left her. Her progeny was reveling in the sensations running through her. Pam was elated and the bond couldn't be more thrilled. They were both fulfilled and the fact that one of them could be gone at any minute didn't matter. They were here and they were together. They had this memory if they never made another one.
"How did you…"
Tara finally joined her maker. She interlocked their fingers and led her to the porch. It was wide and circled the house. There was an upstairs balcony as well that wrapped around three sides; the second floor in the back was a private deck of the master suite. "The night after I got my inheritance, I told Eric I wanted a place for us and he told me that this was your favorite house of all the houses you lived in together." She looked down almost embarrassed. "After that, I just made some upgrades and customized it to fit us." She waved her hand at all that she had done. "This is my special project; Operation: Barbie's Dream House."
"Your special project was building me a house?" Her child was exceptional. She was more than she could have hoped for when she was in the store with Khan so many years ago, but she had been right. Tara was just like the pair of pink silk Chanel boxers; left and looked over by others, but perfect for her.
Pam didn't cry, but not because she didn't want to. She didn't want Tara to remember her standing in front of their home for the first time with red streaks running down her face. She knew Tara wouldn't mind, would probably find it romantic, but she could not budge on this today.
She turned to her progeny and wrapped her arms around her neck. Tara encircled her waist and brought their lips together. Pam's voice dropped to a drawl that just skimmed the surface of sex. "And what exactly would you like me to do to thank you for our lovely home?" She nibbled on her progeny's ear, ready to speed her to the nearest surface as soon as her child said the words. She would take her on the porch if they couldn't get inside fast enough.
"I want you to tell me about San Francisco."
Alright, you decide: would you rather be kissed then kicked or kicked then made love to?
