Christian grunted when he was awoken early in the morning once again by Jill bumping into him as she tossed and turned on the floor next to him.

"Sorry," she apologized. "But I'm a roller! And if you would just go sleep in your bed instead of feeling like you always have to be next to me, we wouldn't have this problem. I mean, I'm honored, but you can't like getting hurt so much."

"It's worth it being next to you," he told her firmly. "As long as you're here, I'm here."

"You're just unbelievable," Jill told him, although she was secretly very touched. "So when you say that you'll get into bed if I do, you really mean it?"

"Yes," Christian told her firmly. "You get your wonderfully tight ass under my covers and I'll come and join you."

"Oh, all right," Jill gave an exaggerated sigh and got to her feet. When she'd climbed into bed, she locked eyes with Christian. "All right, you have to come and join me now. You promised."

"I'm well aware of that," Christian replied and hoisted himself up next to her. "You don't have to remind me."

"What are you gonna do now?" She questioned. "Go back to sleep so you can rest up and have energy to make your next evil scheme?"

"Oh, I don't know," He said, giving an exaggerated yawn and stretching his arms upward to give her a good view of his bare chest. "Maybe."

Jill's jaw dropped and Christian smirked a little as some drool came out of her mouth and onto his bare stomach. "See anything you like?" He asked dryly as he reached out to clean the side of her mouth with his thumb and then clean himself off. "I think you do."

"Sorry," Jill apologized. Then she smiled and lay down next to him. "You know, I think I'm ready to go back to sleep too. Right here in your bed. Can I trust you?"

"Maybe," Christian smirked. "Does it really matter? And to reiterate, this is not my bed. It's our bed. You're just too stubborn to say so. Is it because you're nervous?"

"Well, no, but…" Jill zapped up a bunch of pillows and made a barrier between her side of the bed and his. "I just want to get some sleep."

"And you think pillows are gonna keep me in my place?" He asked, reaching across the barrier and moving some of her hair out of her face. "See, I breached your defenses in two seconds. I really think it's time you stopped playing games and just admitted that you like me, that you want more from me than to just stop me from destroying humanity." He looked up at the new picture that hung over their heads. "I have a picture hanging there that proves it."

Jill shook her head. "Just because I let you have a picture that showed I was comfortable with my body, that doesn't prove anything else, especially involving you. You just think it does because you were taught by your father to feel like the entire world revolves around you."

She then waited to see how he would respond to such an unflattering and blunt remark. She prepared for him to be angry, but instead he just chuckled. "That's what I like about you," he said. "You don't try and soften things. You don't just tell me what I want to hear even though when you do, there's a part of you that's afraid that it won't get a good response. You're very real and honest. You don't pretend to be someone you're not. I appreciate that."

"Good," Jill replied and rested her head on her hand as she looked at him. "You know, so many people were worried about me moving here with you. My brother Percy, especially."

"Well, I'm sure you told him that I was a good guy, right?"

"No," Jill shook her head. "I didn't. But even if I had, he probably wouldn't believe me because you possessed him to get close to me and killed one of his best friends for the same reason."

"Oh, god!" Christian's face twisted. "That guy had friends? I find that hard to believe. And I don't think it's fair for your brother to judge me for just one misstep."

"One little misstep?" Jill asked. "You possessed him!"

"I only did it so I could see you," Christian defended himself and then pushed the pillows aside to grab her and kiss her. "That's not so bad, is it?"

"Well," Jill smiled after they'd pulled apart. "I suppose that in its own weird way it's touching." She then kissed him again, her hands roaming over his body as he held her close against himself, his grip tight as if he would lose her if he didn't hold on for dear life. He then broke the kiss to flip her underneath him and push up her nightgown while he nibbled on her neck and licked the blood up in a leisurely fashion. When he heard her gasp, though, that gave him pause as he looked down into her wide eyes.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked.

"No," Jill shook her head. "That was good. Don't stop."

"Well," Christian chuckled. "You've got a higher tolerance for pain and weird things than a lot of people give you credit for, don't you?"

"Yes," Jill nodded. "I would say I do. "You're not done, are you?"

"Not if you don't want me to be," Christian assured her. "Not by a long shot." They then repeated their first experience in their bed, only this time the lights were on and Jill wasn't blindfolded. Her eyes stayed locked on his as he pleasured her with slow, gentle rubs.

"Give me more than that," she begged, her voice breathy. "I want more."

"How much more?" He asked.

"I don't know," she shook her head. "Let's just see where it goes."

He then began licking her, smiling at every little noise of pleasure that came out of her mouth.

"Oh, keep going," she urged when he dared pause for a few seconds. "I'm not done yet. I'm nearly there."

"I'm surprised you even know where 'there' is," he said dryly. She then grabbed his hand and began sucking on his finger. He shut his eyes as he felt his cock pulse in rhythm with her mouth, and he began to strongly wish her mouth was elsewhere on his body.

"Oh, I know what 'there' is," Jill smiled and released his finger. "Believe me."

He smirked and then resumed licking her until he felt the twitch and her gasp as she began to orgasm over and over. It definitely wasn't fake, that was for sure.

When her body became still and her breathing calm, he leaned over her and kissed her. "Do I get a turn now?" He asked. "Or is it just my finger that gets to have all the fun?"

"Well, I don't know," Jill smirked and then slipped off his boxers, throwing them into the pile with her own pajamas. "Let's see." She began stroking him with one hand and holding his hand with the other. "Am I doing good?" She whispered in his ear and nibbled on his earlobe.

"You're going to kill me!" Christian told her. "I know I said it before, but now I really mean it!" He finally let out a growl and grabbed her, pulling her underneath him and parting her legs. But just as he was about to slip inside her, they heard the doorbell ring and a loud voice ring out.

"Christian! It's your mother! I wanna talk to you!"

"Oh, damn, it's my mother," Christian scoffed and pushed back his hair as he and Jill, both flushed, separated and tried to calm themselves down so Freya wouldn't ask any questions. "Let's get our robes on and go see what she wants." He gave Jill a keen look though. "We're not done with this, though. I think we were on to something."
"Yeah," Jill nodded as she zapped her clothes back on. "I really think we were."


"Good morning," Jill greeted Freya not long after her arrival. Freya had come to the apartment during breakfast to check on her son cause she hadn't spoken to or seen him in a while and wanted to know what he was up to. "Would you like something to eat? Or are you just a blood person?"

"No, I can eat," Freya nodded. "But…who are you? Are you Jill?"

"Yes," Christian nodded as he came to stand behind her. "This is Jill, Mother. Come in and tell us what we can do for you. Are you here on a social call or did you come to spy for Father?"

"How many times do I have to tell you that I have no plans to do anything more for your father?" Freya snapped irritably. "What I've done for your father is over and I don't intend to repeat the experience."

"So I don't get any siblings?" Christian asked sarcastically. "Damn."

"Do I get to eat or what?" Freya asked. "You can't offer me food and not give it to me."

"Yes, come sit down," Jill nodded. "Coffee?"

"If he's making you do stuff for him, run now," Freya advised as she put her napkin in her lap. "Run far away. And yes, I would love some coffee."

Jill poured it for her and then said with a smile, "Thanks for the advice about your son, but I think I can handle him without it."

"Oh, I don't know, cupcake," Freya scoffed, looking at the innocent-appearing blonde. "It takes a special sort of person to handle a guy like him. If I can't even handle his father, being who I am, I don't see much hope for you."

"Thanks for your concern," Jill told her, trying to keep her voice pleasant. "But there's really nothing for you to worry about."

"Fine," Freya told her. "Don't heed my advice. It's your funeral."

"I know," Jill replied, locking eyes with Christian. "But I'm here anyway. Better it end with me than someone else."

"Oh, you're so naive it's cute," Freya told her.

"Did you just come here to insult people, or are you actually gonna be friendly at some point?" Christian questioned.

"I am being plenty friendly!" Freya defended herself. "I don't want her to feel like she has to find herself in the same mess I'm in because of some ridiculous urge to save a humanity that's never gonna be grateful for it."

This made Christian's lips become a thin line as his eyes narrowed. He'd been calmly drinking his coffee before, but now, he took the cup away from his lips and brought it down so hard on the table that it shattered and both Jill and Freya moved out of the way just in time to avoid being hit with hot coffee or sharp shards of coffee cup. Then, without another word, he got up and strode off.

Freya stared after him and for a moment, Jill thought she was gonna try and apologize, but instead, she just shrugged and went back to her breakfast.

"Aren't you gonna go after him?" Jill asked in shock.

"Well, what would I say if I did?" Freya demanded. "He's not gonna like anything I tell him, so what's the point?"

"Even if he's not gonna like what you say, you should at least try and make amends!" Jill shook her head. "No wonder he's so messed up if he can't even count on his parents to respect him." She zapped up the shards of coffee cup, gave Freya an impatient sigh, and then went to join Christian, who was putting pajamas back on and climbing into bed. "Hey," she said, climbing in bed next to him. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No," Christian shook his head and burrowed under the blanket. "Did my mother go? Is she gone?"

"No, not yet," Jill informed him as she played with his hair. "I think she's still eating."

"You didn't tell her to go away before you came in here?" Christian got up, threw on a bathrobe, and muttered, "Damn it, why do I have to do everything around here?"

Miffed, but not wanting to say anything because Christian was already in bad enough spirits, Jill stayed behind, listening to the shouting match that ensued between mother and son that carried from the kitchen, down the hallway, and through the bedroom door that was still open. Then, there was the loud slamming of a door, and for a moment, there was silence before Christian stomped back to the bedroom, threw off his robe, and climbed back into bed, flopping on the mattress.

"I don't believe her," he scoffed. "I actually hugged her once because I thought she was a nice person. Now I wish I could take that back. She doesn't deserve it at all."

"You hugged your mother?" Jill asked, her voice full of surprise. "Really? I never thought you were open enough to do something like that."

"I'm not," Christian told her, his voice hard as he turned to face her. "That requires emotions, and being able to feel and I can't. Father didn't want me to."

"Oh, I don't believe that," Jill told him. "I think you can feel very much when you want to. Are you saying that when you and I are together, you feel nothing?"

Christian's eyes widened and he began choking and coughing, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "Don't ask me to explain what I feel when I'm with you. Cause I don't know myself. It…it's just a very strange thing."

Jill grinned widely. "Oh? Interesting. Would you care to elaborate on that?"

"No," Christian shook his head. "I would not. And if you ever want me to, I suggest you don't push me."

"All right," Jill replied and lay down beside him, her arms encircling him. "You get your rest now. I'll be here beside you the whole time."

"You will?" Christian whispered and shut his eyes. "Do you promise?"

"Yes," Jill swore. "I do."


"So…" John told Freya later after sneaking in while Mikael and Gwen were out. "Can we talk?"

"No," Freya shook her head. "Go away. I don't want to talk to you. I've had a lousy day and talking to you will just make it worse."

"I'm not here to cause trouble," John told her. "I just want you and me to take time and bond with Christian. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"I've done that already and I'm sure he wouldn't let you anywhere near his place," Freya replied. "Go away."

"Is he living with a girl?" John asked. "I've heard things. Tell me if it's true."

"I don't think that's my business to say," Freya remarked. "But if he is, I really hope she'll tame those crazy emotions of his."

John heard this and chuckled. "What emotions? Those are such silly things. All they do is get in the way! My son is a warrior!"

"Your son?" Freya narrowed her eyes and stomped on his foot. "Don't you act like I did nothing!"

"He is with a girl, isn't he?" John demanded, eyes wide as he winced and hopped on one leg. "We have to stop it! That's no good!"

"No, we won't do any such thing," Freya replied and pushed him out the door, locking it behind him. "Goodbye!"

Once the door was closed behind him, John got up and dusted himself off, mentally preparing for Edele to be around when he got back to his own house. Whenever something bad happened with Freya, she usually was, and this time would probably be no exception.


"I knew it!" He exclaimed when he popped into his office and found his dark-haired ex lounging on in his desk chair. "I knew you would be around when I got home. When things get bad with Freya, you always are!"

"Things are going bad with Freya?" Edele asked dryly as she put her feet up on his desk. "Really? That's completely new information!"

"What do you want?" John asked. "I'm in too bad of a mood to deal with you for too long. Unless you came here to die that is. Cause I'd be more than happy to grant that request."

"Now, now," Edele clicked her tongue. "Is that the way to talk to a woman you loved once?"

"Tell me what you want," John repeated. "Or go away."

"Oh, all right," Edele replied. "It's not anything you'll want to hear, but I think you need to. And it will take your mind off of Freya!"

"What is it?" John asked, really wishing she would just get to the point. His head was beginning to hurt."

"You know those kids from my brother's coven that you kidnapped to use as leverage against him and foil his plan?" Edele asked. "Well…they're gone. They've been released."

"What?" John cried. "Damn it, Edele!" He reached out and grabbed her by the throat, squeezing tighter and tighter. "Don't tell me you had anything to do with this."

Edele managed to move her head a little and he dropped her on the floor where she clutched her throat and coughed. "I'm just the messenger," she said. "I didn't have anything to do with it."

"Well, then who did?" John asked. "Surely if you know it happened, you can figure out who did it." He narrowed his eyes. "Although I have a few ideas as to the identity of the culprit."

"Your son Junior," Edele confirmed. "Did you think it was him?"

"Yes," John nodded. "And now I'm going to have to teach him what happens when you mess with me. I didn't want to, but he's forced my hand."

"Ooooh!" Edele got up and leaned across his desk. "What are you gonna do? It sounds juicy!"

"That's my business," he told her. "Not yours." Then zapped her out of his office and thought about what he was going to do next.


After a few days of living with Damon and seeing that he really did mean it when he said that the door of his bedroom would only be open for her, it was after taking a deep breath that she made her way to his door.

"Yes?" He asked, genuinely surprised by the sight of her. "What can I do for you?"

Annie just stared at him a long time and then swallowed, grabbing and kissing him before she lost her nerve.

When they pulled apart, his eyes were wide with shock and she was grinning. "Would you mind," she asked firmly, "if I spent the night with you? You say the door is always open and now…now that I know that you mean it, I…I wanna take you up on it?"

"You do?" Damon asked and then removed his shirt, pulling her inside. "Sure. I have no objection to that."

"Good," Annie smiled, undressed herself, and then unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. "That's what I hoped you would say."

He put a finger against her lips to hush her before he picked her up and carried her to his bed, laying her down on the mattress and looking down into her eyes. "Stay," he whispered and then got out of bed to undress himself when he was sure she was watching.

"Well," he said as he held his arms out. "What do you think?"

Annie smiled. "Well, I can't say I don't like what I see," she replied. "Now get over here, will you?" She waved her hand and he was propelled forward until he knocked into the mattress and she had to grab his hand to stop him from falling forward. Then she pulled him up, pulled his body against hers, and kissed him. Then he moved his lips from hers and kissed down her neck, letting her fall back onto the pillow as he kissed further and further down her body. He then paused and sucked gently on each one of her nipples until she gasped while rubbing her gently at the same time.

"Yes, keep doing that," she whispered. "I like it."

"Good," Damon smiled. "Good."

After she'd experienced release, he took her in his arms and let her catch her breath as she lay her head on his shoulder. "That was good," she said.

"I'm glad," he told her. "Do you wanna be done, or…?"

"No," she shook her head and gave him a wide smile, falling back on the pillow again. "I'm not done. I don't think you are, either, are you?"

"No," Damon shook his head. "Not really."

"I thought not," Annie replied, a wild twinkle in her eye that he found immensely arousing. He loomed over her for a few seconds, a grin on his face before she kissed him and then he grabbed her and whispered, "I want to take you now, you beautiful woman. Are you ready?"

"Oh, yes!" Annie whispered as he buried himself inside her and she pulled at his dark hair. "Go ahead and take me now." He did just that, filling her over and over again until they were lying beside each other on his mattress, sweaty and exhausted. As they stared at one another and tried to catch their breaths, he took her hand and kissed it. "Did you get your money's worth?" He asked. "Cause I can try harder if you want."

"No, no," Annie shook her head. "It was a very good start," she said. "Let's just work up to try harder, shall we?"

"All right," Damon nodded and kissed her again. "We shall."