These Times

An: Hey decided to take it back ~5 years.

Thirteen

5 years in the past~
The brunette male lounged comfortably upon his couch as he glanced out the window of his shared apartment. His roommate was currently "out on the prowl". He liked to call it looking for good spots to eat. The younger male tipped back the last sips of his dark red beverage into his open and waiting mouth. Without warning entire door swung open obnoxiously.

"You don't have to make everything a show you know?"

"Shut up Mike!" the newcomer responded rudely. "Has Jenny stopped by?"

The elder turned to his roommate casually before shrugging. "How would I know?"

He felt a playful yet painful swat against his head.

"Trevor, you turned her," he commented softly after the attack. "You should keep an eye on her…not me."

The male smirked showcasing his bright fangs. "Right…you ready?"

Mike stretched out slowly as a cat would before letting out a tired yawn. He gazed at the empty glass with a bit of disdain.

"I was getting tired of the stale stuff," Mike stated with an evil smirk.

Trevor nodded knowingly. "We can agree on that. I can't wait till this city goes back into the hands of the vampires, Mike. I can just see it."

Mike rolled his eyes. "You are a dreamer. We are creatures of the night. We hide in allies. We are on the bottom rung of the ladder. All vampires have done around here is make a few vampires shops. We are also acting a little more human."

Trevor winced as if there were a bad taste in his mouth. "Can you believe it? Us, a superior race…acting human?"

"Trevor, come on it is bound to happen sometime," he replied to his companion. "Now…what new spot have you found for us today? It has been awhile."

The other vampire nodded. "Too long…but a couple of the other guys insisted this is the spot where most of the careless humans go."
Mike grinned brightly. "Careless humans? Well it is our lucky day then isn't it?"

Both males headed out into the hallway of the decrepit apartment building. They passed a few unhinged doors before their exit. Mike usually saw the apartments in this state. There was no one who cared enough to help with repairs.

They emerged from the dark and cold complex. The night sky was crisp with the smell of late autumn. It was nights like these Mike's memory wandered to his parents...his family. Softly he shook his head. He needed to gets his mind out of the past…what had happened with his family well…that was centuries ago. Centuries ago Mike lived a lot more freely as a vampire then he did now.

"Are you going to keep up or do I have to hold your hand?" Trevor asked with a mocking grin.

Mike snapped back to attention. He shook his head as a reply and then began to speed up to match his friend's pace. His past didn't matter. He had Trevor now and really good friends were all one needed anyway.

They arrived in a dirty ally where a few overturned garbage cans resided. A small troop of feral cats stationed themselves in every corner hoping for a meal just like the two vampires. A tall male probably in his thirties stumbled into the alley. He laughed loudly as he waved to his friends. A devilish grin appeared upon Trevor's face as he turned to Mike. He could hear his friend's mind stating 'ShowTime'.

No one paid much attention to the shrieks from the alley.

Mike never realized how beautiful Jenny was. It wasn't until she was standing in his doorway that he noticed her blonde tresses and her easy going smile. There was still a lot of human underneath the vampire. Mike found it intriguing. Coincidentally they liked the same things.

"Is Trevor around?" she asked softly.

"Uh, sorry," Mike remarked actually meaning it. "Missed him."

The new female vampire let out a frustrated sigh.

"If you want though," he began softly.

Her beautiful orbs turned up to his own eyes. For a few seconds the world around them was silent.

"I mean you can wait if you want," he remarked sheepishly.

Jenny smiled warmly…too warmly for a vampire. "Okay, don't see why not."
She entered in and they immediately began joking and quoting old television programming. Mike even let her play the guessing game when it came to his real age.

"100," she stated as she sat crossed legged upon his lumpy couch.

Mike chuckled lightly as he shook his head. "Really? That young?"

Her entire face contorted into that of confusion. "That is young?"

He let out a warm laugh. "To me yes."

"Hm," she hummed loudly.

Before she could continue Trevor returned and she was gone. Mike let out a heavy sigh. He shook his head softly. It didn't really matter. Jenny was half a human…and…humans weren't worth his time really. Unfortunately, he knew that was a lie. He glanced at the moon hanging in the sky before he turned in early for the night.

There were times when Mike questioned the vampire life style. Often he wondered why they had to hunt. What was wrong with the blood banks? Couldn't they simply ask for donated blood? 'Thoughts like that didn't belong in a vampire's head'; Trevor would often say. It wasn't until the next night that things were put into a new perspective for him.

"Slow night," Trevor yawned.

Since the recent vampire attacks hunting had become more of a waiting game.

"I think we need to move," Trevor suggested after he thought on it.

Mike wasn't too keen on relocating. He was growing comfortable to resting against the wall.

"Novelty has worn off. Heard there is a new place a couple of blocks," his companion continued.

Mike looked beyond their usual spot wearily. "I don't know, Trevor. You stated this place was the best spot. Do you want to risk it?"

"What did I tell you, Mike?" Trevor stated exasperated. "We are superior, slayers have nothing on us."

Mike nodded firmly as a reply. Trevor crept from the alley before zipping down the sidewalk. When they arrived at their new spot they noticed it was a little livelier. They were other vampires in the area but they seemed to be clearing out slowly. Trevor rested his back to the wall as did Mike.
"Maybe we might want to…"

"Sh," Trevor smirked as he sniffed the area. "We have a triplet."

Mike felt his own fangs elongate from anticipation. From the darkness of the shadows they watched silently as a female and a male led a little boy before the opening. Before the tiny family could safely walk by Trevor shot out and grabbed the male. Mike had the female in his grasp while the little boy rested in his arms as well. Behind them Mike heard the male Struggling. It was a useless endeavor, Mike thought evilly. Trevor was an expert.

"Please," the woman whimpered. "Please spare him…my boy…take me but spare him."

Mike eyed the youth questionably while the sounds of muffled shrieks chorused in the background. The female's red locks fell across her shoulders in waves. It was like a signal inviting him to her exposed neck.

"Mommy?" the little boy asked frightened as he gripped onto the elder woman.

"Sh, darling, you will be just fine," she whispered.

Mike glanced at the little boy quizzically.

"Hey Mike?"

Mike snapped out of his thoughts before turning to his friend. Trevor gave him a strange look.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "You are going to let them get away?"

Mike frowned at the sight of the woman hauling her boy while running from the deepest part of the alley. Instantly an invisible force caught the woman by the neck and sent her flying backwards.

"Well go on, you are welcome," Trevor ushered Mike.

Mike steeled his features and dug his fangs into the woman's neck. Whatever feeling he had been wrestling with was of no importance to him. Food was all that mattered. After only a few moments he arose satisfied.

"Mommy?" a little voice questioned with a tremble.

Trevor narrowed his eyes as he turned to take in the little boy.

"Drat…there is a brat," he sighed slightly annoyed. "You want him or…what?"
"Mommy?" the little boy whimpered louder as he stepped a little closer. "Daddy?"

"It is okay Mikey," a womanly voice stated. "You'll be okay…you are little solider, my little vampire solider."

Mike froze at the strange womanly sounding voice. Where had that come from? Had he heard the woman? No…it was from the deep recesses of Mike's mind. A place he vowed to never visit again.

"Earth to Mike? Do you want the kid too? Or do I get him?"

"No," Mike shook his head slightly confused. "Leave him."

Trevor eyed his friend. "Leave him?"

"No I mean yes leave him," Mike remarked as he struggled with his thoughts.

Trevor wanted to comment on the situation but was instantly distracted by a couple of vampires calling out to him. Mike watched Trevor take off with the others. A lot of vampires looked to Trevor…from time to time. Mike was glad his friend was distracted because he didn't feel like explaining his behavior. He could barely explain it to himself. Before the boy could take off running Mike grabbed the boy. He gave a tiny smile tinged with blood.

"Just relax, Steven," Mike stated warmly as he picked through the youth's memory. "I'm going to get you home."

Steven nodded softly as he pulled the youth into his arms. Little human arms enclosed around his neck as he situated the little boy in his arms. He balanced the boy on his hip and proceeded to run to the nearest children shelter. He could have left the guy and it'd be no skin off his nose but…something inside protested. He was too confused and exhausted to argue so he went with the inner voice. He left the boy before the large oak doors while he headed to the roof. From afar on a nearby rooftop he spotted a light signaling the doors opened. A woman stepped out and frowned at the sight of the little boy before her. After an initial question and answer session the doors closed.

"Sorry, Steven," Mike whispered to the sky.

That was the first time he apologized to a human.

He never fought with Trevor. They were too close for that but now…everything led to an argument. The most popular topic was Jenny.

"What do you mean I need to pay more attention to her?" Trevor snorted. "I do enough already…besides I got things to do."
"Terrorize the town?" he muttered the question.

"Yeah maybe I do, and so do you."

Mike sighed heavily. "I am just saying maybe, Jenny, needs more attention."

The male glanced carefully as if analyzing him thoroughly. Mike didn't appreciate the silent judging.

"I wasn't going to bring this up, but I have noticed things," Trevor stated suspiciously.

Mike eyed his friend and roommate tiredly. "What have you noticed?"

"First of all…your humor is a lot different," he remarked softly. "We use to have an understanding. Humans were scum…finale…no exceptions."

The youth sighed. "Then what was Jenny?"

The other vampire shrugged. "Doesn't matter."

Mike sighed heavily. "I don't want to have this conversation anymore, Trevor. Just forget I brought anything up."

His friend shrugged. "Whatever…I was getting tired of fighting with you."

Mike nodded in agreement. Trevor smirked. "So…feel like painting the town red?"
"No, I think I've seen enough red," Mike yawned. "I'm going to turn in."

"Turn in?" Trevor snickered. "You sound like one of the vampire elders…it is barely 3am. Are you feeling alright? You've been tired lately."

Mike nodded softly. "Just fine…don't worry about me."

Trevor grinned. "Sure thing knucklehead. Well I'm going out…don't wait up."

As Trevor headed out of the door Mike began to smile. Trevor was still a good friend of his. Whatever new feelings Mike had about the 'vampire situation' would never change that. Things shouldn't change that.

Mike glanced wearily at the large establishment before him. He didn't know what possessed him to stand before the building around 2 am in the early morning.

His mind wandered back to earlier in the night. As usual Trevor and he were out scouting the allies for a perfect feeding spot. When they finally settled the usual pattern of the night began. Two humans wandered down an alley and then Trevor would be the first to attack while Mike got the other. It was a trend he followed for years. This night had been different…almost like the time he saved the little human boy. Trevor easily tapped into more primal instincts. He reduced one of the humans to nothing. His friend was ruthless and even a bit condescending toward his unfortunate prey.

The vampire let out a heavy sigh as he currently snuck in through a window of the building. The memory of earlier in the day did nothing to sway his ever changing attitude. As he crept along the dark and desolate hallways of the area he continued pondering the night's events. Trevor's prey hadn't survived. For the first time in years Mike had let his prey go. There was blood taken but ultimately the human went free…much like the human boy he saved only a month or so prior.

Mike flattened his body to a nearby wall as he watched night guards travel up one of the halls nearby. When he was certain they were gone he pushed open one of the large steel doors. Behind were pouches and pouches of red liquid. He glanced at all the packs with an immense hunger. He grabbed for a pouch and instantly began to devour the contents. After two or three he slid down to the ground. He never thought he'd steal blood from a hospital but…tonight he hadn't been up for drinking lively participants. He had just taken some blood for appearances. He took blood from the human to appease Trevor who grew more suspicious by the day.

After a few seconds he gathered himself and headed out the back. It was time to stop wrestling the truth. Mike was no longer the same vampire that he had been. He was changing…and…Trevor wasn't and because of that their friendship was suffering. He strolled casually from his destination not wanting to draw any attention to himself. He would have to think about his new change of heart. It was going to be tough.

Mike always thought it was the Trevor and Mike show…sometimes Jenny but lately new characters were cropping up. The young vampire didn't mind new company…it was only their choice of meeting spot that bothered him. Out of all the places to gather…why did Trevor choose their shared apartment?

"And this here boys…is Mike Ross," Trevor introduced five unsavory fellows to him.

Mike waved with a little less enthusiasm.

"I was just telling the guys here that you've got some amazing memory on you," Trevor stated as he shoved a handful of crackers in his mouth.

The brunette shrugged. "Nothing big…all vampires have something they call their own."

"Nothing like memory," Trevor interjected. "Ask him anything…really."

"I'm not playing this game," Mike sighed bored.

Trevor narrowed his eyes at him for bit but the expression instantly changed to amused. "Whatever, jerk. Anyway…like I was saying on our way here…this city is going to be ours soon. NO doubt in my mind."

"I agree," a male voice stated. "I'm sick and tired of coexisting…that isn't what Dracula would have done. It is not what others before us have done."

Mike eyed the youth carefully and then frowned. He grabbed Trevor's arm leading him into the tiny kitchen. Trevor eyed his friend strangely before he turned to leave. Instantly Mike grabbed him again.

"What?" Trevor glared. "What is your problem?"

"What is a teenager doing here?"

Trevor's grin widened. "What…the kid sort of followed me. Found him chowing down in one of our more frequented spots. He admired my…methods… and wanted to come along and see what I could teach him."

Mike snorted. "Right."

"Look," Trevor responded. "Teenager or not, Lance is all vampire…an ultimate beast. We can't take over the city alone. It was what our generation seemed to forget."

Mike chuckled. "So what are you forming an army then?"

For as long as Mike knew Trevor he had always been passionate about taking over the city. He believed vampires were the superior beings and deserved to be on top. Mike never cared too much about who was on top. As long as he could find food he didn't care who was really in charge. On the other hand it was something Trevor brought up in all conversations.

"Maybe," Trevor smirked. "Besides…Lance may not stick around…he is one of those wily ones. You know the here for the show gone before you know kind of vampires. He'll be out if he doesn't see anything amusing."

"I just don't think such an impressionable mind should be around you."

"Me?" Trevor laughed. "That is rich…how about you? Should he be around you?"

"What about me?" Mike eyed his friend. "I'm just saying the youth is the future."

Trevor rolled his eyes. "Sure. Well the guys and I are going out again. You interested?"

Mike bit his lip. After coming to terms with who he was he had to decline. Trevor looked less than pleased with Mike's constant rejection.

"I don't know what is going on with you," Trevor remarked. "Or why you are always shielding your thoughts from me…but you better fix it Ross. Fix it soon because my master plan always involved you and I taking down these human scum…and I don't like when my plans are changed."

Trevor headed into the dimly lit living room. Mike watched him successfully herd the vampires, including the young Lance out the door. Before he could return to his previous task of finding food a knock alerted him elsewhere. He found Jenny standing at the door a small grin upon her face.

"Hello Jenny," he smiled.

Jenny walked into his apartment slowly. "Trevor gone?"

"As usual," Mike sighed. "Sorry."

Jenny smiled warmly…too warmly for a vampire. "I'm not."

And then she kissed him.

Present
Mike rested upon his couch as he sighed heavily. It had been a while since he thought about what happened between Trevor and him. After Jenny came around she kept coming back and Mike had felt reluctant each time. After all, Trevor turned her. It wasn't right. Before Mike might have been flexible…but now it didn't matter. He left both Trevor and Jenny behind. The lifestyle they lived wasn't one he could participate in any longer. Leaving friends behind transformed his existence into a lonely one but he was okay with that. Trevor became less and less sensible over the time Mike knew him. Trevor thoroughly believed the city belonged to the vampires. He believed soon the city would under vampire rule again and Mike disagreed.

Suddenly his thoughts wandered to Louis. The elder lawyer was still having a hard time adjusting to life after the 'Lance incident'. Mike couldn't blame him for it. Unfortunately, having Louis's condition didn't mesh well with his current occupation. All the associates except Harold secretly spoke ill of him behind his back. Mike expected this to happen. After all Louis wasn't the nicest of bosses. It would only seem logical that they would give the elder a hard time now that he was slowly recovering and showing signs of vulnerability.

Lastly there was the matter of Harvey's extreme dislike for Mike's involvement in Louis's case. He understood Harvey's worry but at the same time helping Louis didn't interfere with work. Mike knew somewhere in Harvey that the elder did care about Louis. After all he had been the one to suggest they go look for Louis when he disappeared for a month. No one with a heart of stone would look for their co-worker the way Harvey did. The male even helped clean the apartment…so why was Harvey so adamant about keeping out of Louis's business now? The young vampire tried reading his mind…to the best of his ability but even Harvey mastered a way of shielding part of his thoughts.

Mike sighed heavily as he arose to grab a drink. Things had gotten so complicated over the few months. Despite all this he wouldn't abandon the elder lawyer. The vampire had participated in ruining lives too much in his day. It was time he finally helped a human…no strings attached. He took a large gulp of the red liquid. He was definitely up for the challenge.

Hey Internet readers! Now, I know you all have been wondering…what happened to Mike? Where did he come from? What is his story? I always figured this would be his story but didn't know if I should add it in or not. But with all the editing I've done I realized that yeah…this belongs here. Hope you all enjoy a trip down Mike's memory lane. Fun Fact: I got a little inspiration from the Rewind episode of Suits…you may have seen certain moments that reflect certain scenes in the episode a bit. Like how Mike and Trevor acted around each other…or Jenny. Other ideas I left out of course because I didn't feel it meshed with vampire life lol (for example taking someone's LSAT).

Anyway again want to thank Anamyous reviewer. Yes, poor Louis for the last chapter. And I'm glad you like the slow development of their relationship. Now you can draw conclusions from the above chapter:]. Why Mike is the way he is. Also want to thank my followers, favoriters, and viewers. It is amazing to see how many people see this story…especially the first chapter…which I'll let you in on a little secret is one of my favorites. Enough about what is my favorite chapter. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for sticking with it. Any comments? Leave a review…so excited to hear from you! Have a nice day/night.

Until Next chapter

Bye