Chapter Forty-Three (FINALE...THE SUN SETS)

TO ALL THE READERS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE REVIEWERS THAT KEPT ME ON A NATURAL HIGH ALL THESE MONTHS, (IT WAS TOO NATURAL, DAMN IT!) I EXTEND A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU. WITHOUT PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE WHAT WE ATTEMPT TO DO, OUR WORLD WOULD BE VERY DISMAL, INDEED. WE TRY TO AMUSE AND ENTERTAIN AND HOPE YOU ACCEPT OUR HUMBLE EFFORTS IN THE SPIRIT THEY ARE GIVEN. THANK YOU ALL SOOOOOO MUCH FOR STICKING AROUND TO THE END! I LOVE YOU MUCH!

"You are every man's dream, Janette..were you aware?" Josef made himself comfortable again, having just flipped his cell shut. He situated his pillow behind his head, welcoming the female back into his arms.

"Am I?" She seemed surprised by such a statement, snuggling against his out stretched form, her head resting on his shoulder. "Tell me more."

He smiled for the teasing quality in her tone.

"You have the body of a goddess.." He kissed her forehead, his fingers gently running the length of her arm and back, "the intelligence to understand the Wall Street Exchange and the patience to allow a man his insane friends."

"Is Coraline giving young Mick St. John more trouble?" She asked. "I did not mean to eavesdrop.."

"I think whatever Coraline is cooking up, Mick can handle, not that I trust her for one second." He played with the curls of her hair, liking the fragrance and shine of the dark locks. "He has this insane idea they might actually be able to get along without the sexual aspect of Cora's delusional attachment to him being fulfilled."

"She is very territorial, it is true." Janette's accent lent a very pleasing quality to anything she said. "But so am I..she is also..very troubled." The female sighed lightly, shifting more closely into the hard muscled torso. "Were I truly a good being, I would take her under my wing and help her understand her true nature."

"That would be..a conniving, spitefully selfish bitch?" Josef sat his drink aside, back onto the table beside the bed. "I'm sorry, baby...I have only seen one side of Coraline Duvall.. I'm a little wary of her."

"She has a good heart, Josef. Life has treated her most unkindly. I am not certain she can be saved, however."

"YOU..have a good heart." He scooted down, enveloping the luscious body into this embrace. "Which is a major turn on..not to forget, " he nuzzled her neckline lovingly, "Your other..." He moved slowly down the silken skin, his lips tasting and tempting as he went. "Good parts."

She smiled, her fingers beginning that excruciatingly pleasurable thing she did at the base of his nape. "You have exceptionally 'good' parts as well..have I told you lately?" Her thigh ran the length of one of those parts even as she spoke, and Josef could feel her heat on his naked thigh, groaning his early arousal.

"My life's ambition..at this stage." He murmured sensually, his tongue teasing the pert tip of her nipple entreatingly. "Is to use them for 'good'.." his mouth suckled her breast eagerly. "..and..for YOU." He murmured against her flesh.

She sighed happily, parting her legs for he insisted she do so, that he might fit between them more comfortably. "Ohhh, please...do!" Her fingers wrapped about his ever thickening shaft, guiding it gently..forward.

Josef growled lowly, his temper flaring, more than irritated as the cell chimed his ring tone..the theme from 'Jaws'. It seemed somehow fitting for this being.

He dropped his head, frustrated and..pissed. "Let me turn that damned thing off!" He had forgotten after Mick's call. "Sorry baby..I'll get rid of them."

Janette smiled for his chagrin, laying back unto the silk of the red sheets, her body displayed perfectly for his ...perusal, care he look. He cared.

A quick glance at the screen brought a slight scowl to his handsome brow however. "It's Althea..she probably wants to discuss shoes. Should I let it.."

"She is my sister!" Janette offered an exasperated face. "You answer that...besides..I'm not going anywhere..am I?" She lifted perfectly arched brows.

"HELL no!" He thumbed the 'accept' button. "You had better be dying..horribly. What is it, numb nuts?"

Althea replied readily. "I am confused."

"...That's it?" Josef looked at the beautiful woman waiting so patiently next to him..he REALLY..looked. "Do you have ANY idea of what I'm doing right now?"

Janette grinned, her fingers playing over the hard muscles of his chest. Josef watched their trek, throughly enjoying the tiny shivers traversing his torso. "...Or..who?"

"I think it's 'whom'." Althea wasn't sure. "I..I have a problem and..I don't know what to do."

"Call your Sire." He started to hang up.

Janette put the phone back up to his ear, her expression a chastising one.

"WHAT?" Josef demanded.

"I...I think I ...kinda..like Edwin." Althea took no note of his brusque tone. "As in..I 'like'..him. Edward Aldemeer?"

"Yeah, I remember the guy, Althea." Josef shook his head to clear it. "...this isn't exactly world shattering news."

"No...I mean..." She was getting impatient with his stupidity. "I LIKE him...a LOT!"

Josef processed. "What are you wanting? My permission? Well, I'm touched, angel but.."

"BE SERIOUS JOSEF!" Althea snapped. "Do you think this is easy for me?"

Josef tried again. "..Alright." He checked with Janette who had no clue either. "You 'like' him..a lot, as in..enough to want him to.. 'like' you back..a lot?" He took a stab.

"...yes." The young vampire admitted reluctantly. "And you just better not tell him!"

Josef drew in a breath. "Well..that IS serious..for you."

"I told you it was!" Althea reminded peevishly, "And now he wants ME to go to Lithuanian or some such foreign place and meet some guy he knows and maybe even some of his family. How can he have 'family'..he's an Enforcer, for God's sake. I never would have started this farce if I had known all this other stuff..as well you know!"

"He means..he has family in 'this' life existence..stupid." Josef explained, but at Janette's 'mom' face..altered hastily. "...Oh..I forgot. You've only had the one 'existence'..haven't you. Sorry, kid."

He wasn't about to blow his chances for a night in Janette's good...graces. He vowed to move more carefully from here on in. He could always kill Althea ..later.

"Hey..that's what you get for being so damned cute, isn't it." He teased. "Guys want you to meet their stupid 'families'. What's that all about?"

"I don't know." She disgusted. "So..anyway, what should I do? I mean, Papa wants me to go and be with Edwin but not 'be' with him, you know..but Edwin wants me to 'be'..." She did the fingers thing.."

"You're 'finger quoting' aren't you." He just knew it.

"With him..which is fine but without all this meeting other people crap, right?" She continued, ignoring his interruption. "Why does he have to go and complicate something so simple. People do not like me, Josef..you know that! What if these people do not like me? Then what?"

"Hell if I know." He shrugged, his fingers trailing a path up Janette's leg unto her thigh.

"Well.." Althea could relate to that. "I suppose I should go with him but I just wanted you to know..I don't like it..not one bit."

"Well, thank you for sharing." Josef smiled tightly. "Can I get back to what I was doing now?"

"...What were you doing?" She asked curiously.

"Your sister."

"EWWWW.." Althea gasped her shock. "I don't want to know that!" She hung up the phone with a decided..click.

"I guess she didn't want to know that." Josef turned his phone 'off', laying it aside.

Janette chuckled throatily. "You are a good man, Josef Kostan. You too..have a good heart."

"Yeah well." He returned to his former position, his mind on other matters..finally. "Don't let it get around..so, what I need you to do right now?"

"Yes...Josef?" She asked innocently, which kind of made the hair on the back of his head rise because he knew for certain...she was not...in a really...really..good way.

"Is..to lay there and look pretty." He instructed, lowering his head between the silk of her thighs. Janette closed her eyes to...savor. "...I will...do the rest."

"I love when you get all...Alpha on me, Kostan." She purred for him, settling in for the ..duration.

"What is it? ...Is something wrong?" Beth lay her hand on the man's arm, her senses telling her something was amiss with Mick St. John tonight. "You seem..preoccupied. Can I help?"

Mick grinned over at her, finally, drawing his attention from the lovely sunset outside his apartment windows. "And you would, too..wouldn't you."

The pretty face showed her puzzlement, but she waited for him to finish.

"If someone were in trouble, needed help..you'd jump right in, whatever mess they had gotten themselves into!" He teased. "I like that about you, Beth Turner." He moved a stray strand of blonde hair from her temple.

She shrugged, smiling back. "Well..good?" Not sure what he had meant.

He quieted again, the subject on his mind needing to be aired. "...Yeah...yeah, honey. There is something I think we better talk out."

"Coraline?"

"No." He dismissed quickly. "No..not..her."

"Is everything alright?" She allowed him to guide her to the divan, sitting when he indicated, her mind troubled with a hundred different scenarios. "Did...did I do something wrong?" She watched the handsome face with a worried expression.

"No baby." He instantly reassured her, kissing her hands in turn. "Hell, no. Everything is 'right' for once!" He had sat next to her, his smile for her alone. "And it's all because..of you."

Beth felt a warm flush of pleasure. "What did I do?" She jested, but was secretly thrilled to hear such wonderful praise. "Although, I must admit..that thing in the shower tonight was pretty inventive, if I do say so myself."

Mick chuckled, his eyes flashing with a touch of sensuality. "Ohhh, yeah.. 'that'..was pretty freakin hot alright! I'll give you that one!"

She relaxed a bit, some of her fears allayed. "Ok, so..what's going on?" She indicated their present situation...on the couch..having a 'serious' talk.

Mick had practiced all day. He had no idea how this was done. "..We've been through some tough situations of late." He began slowly, everything he had planned to say..forgotten as those big blue eyes looked at him now.

"You got that right." Her fingers held his securely, her attention riveted.

He smiled, continuing. "...you were amazing Beth. Not sure how any other human female would have taken it, but..you?" He showed his pride, his eyes shining with the commodity. "You stayed strong..you hung in! You did not once waver. You stood by me..through it all."

"...I..I was afraid, Mick..a lot of those times."

"So was I...FOR you." He admitted. "Terrified, truthfully, but..the point is, you held it together and you stuck it out. Now..I gotta think, that maybe? You were there for a reason. Because there was some heavy stuff going down and most would have cut and run." He..moved closer, gripping her hands tighter. "I'm hoping that 'reason'..is the same one I'm feeling for you right at this exact moment..and have felt..all along."

Beth's heart beat sped forward rapidly as she thought ..maybe..she was finally getting the drift of his words. "..W-What..is that, Mick?" She asked breathlessly.

"You have to know where this is going." He was doing it badly, if not..and he was feeling his inadequacies. "Beth..I've loved you..." He lost himself in those eyes. "...Hell..I can't remember a time when I didn't...love you."

"MICK!" She made to embrace him.

"No." He chastised gently. "You get me side tracked and..I will never get this done."

"...Get..what done?" She prompted hastily. "I love you too, Mick!" She proclaimed, waving it aside excitedly.. "You know that..so..what? Get.. 'what' done?" She insisted he continue.

He..held his smile, feeling infinitely better suddenly. He had his 'go ahead', the woman's face was radiating her happiness for she sensed where this was going.

"...Ok." He drew in a cleansing breath, preparing for the big finale. He..slid off the divan, going down on one knee. He grinned at Beth's intake of breath, amused that her fingers trembled visibly when she brought them to her mouth, her eyes wide and filled with wonder. He reached into the pocket of his jeans..producing the..box.

He had hoped so fervently that she would be receptive to this. She could barely contain her glee, which tickled him no end. "Elizabeth Turner.." He wanted it formal. "..I love you more than my own life." He looked deeply into her eyes and saw..his entire future waiting for him. He suddenly could not wait to ..begin the journey. "..You are everything I want.." He told the absolute truth. "You are everything I will ever need..." He kissed her tenderly, pulling back only enough to seek out those amazing eyes again. "You complete me. To continue without you beside me..is unacceptable." He cleared his throat a bit, opening the box, showing her the contents.

Beth gasped, her eyes filling with tears of joy and happiness. "OHHH...Mick!" Her fingers were shaking so hard, they could not even extract the lovely stone from the cushioned rest. "It is the most beautiful thing...I have ever seen!" The diamond flashed it's sparkle in the candlelight of the apartment. Mick had 'set the stage' for the moment. "It's gorgeous!" She lifted stunned eyes.

He laughed his nerves aside. "Well..it's paid for.." He took the ring out..holding it steady. "The big question is..will you accept it..as a token of..our life together..from this moment on.." He felt himself beginning to shake a little inside. "...I am asking you..for Eternity, Ms Turner." He stated, his tone filled with the emotions he was experiencing. "..Kinda want to make this thing permanent, if you have no real objections. What do you say...Blondie?" He slipped the ring on her finger. She stared at it transfixed for a very long moment.

Beth threw her arms around his neck, her mouth seeking his, the kiss melting into a passionate, intensely private one in a matter of seconds. "YES!" She whispered against his parted lips.."YES!...YES! ...YES!"

The kiss deepened and for a long time, their world consisted of nothing more than the two of them.

He reluctantly released her mouth, unashamed that she could feel how affected he had been by that kiss. He cleared his throat again, trying to assimilate some coherent thought. "Eh..I'm going to take that as a 'yes'." He teased, never feeling better in his entire life. Beth had parted only enough to allow her to breathe properly for a second. "Josef says a verbal contract is binding these days." He lied and she giggled. "So if you go south on me..I'm gonna sue."

"I'm not 'going south'." She promised enthusiastically. "I would never 'go south.'!"

"Good." He chuckled. "Damn, baby..this is nerve racking!" He confessed. "Don't ever make me go though it again..ok?"

She giggled, hugging him tightly. "Never! I promise!" She felt so loved and secure in his arms. She never wanted to leave. "I can't believe this is a really happening. I'm afraid I'm dreaming or asleep or something and I'll wake up!"

"Want me to pinch you?" His hand moved to the full swell of her buttocks and she giggled infectiously, hitting at it but missed. She didn't care, she just hugged him harder.

"It was so romantic, Mick." She said dreamily, swaying in his arms happily, her eyes closed in perfect bliss. "I loved the way you put it..for all eternity." She held her ring up, admiring it's beauty. "Has a nice 'ring' to it..doesn't it." She smiled, allowing the light to catch the fire in the stone, this way and that.

"How else would you say it?" Mick shrugged, pleased she had enjoyed his efforts though.

"Most guys would have just said..'will you marry me'..silly." She laughed gaily. "I LOVE this ring! It is ..stunning! REALLY!"

"...Marry?" He was confused, leaning back a bit. "..It's a little more than that, right?"

"..Hum?" She was lost in her own little world right now, questioning him with her stare.

"I'm asking...more than that, baby. You 'get' that..don't you?"

Beth..froze. Oh..My...God. She stared at him..

"Beth..I meant..Eternity, baby." He stood back a bit, to gauge her state of mind. "Not right now, of course. Not this exact moment. I know..it's a huge step. But..eventually. Hopefully..soon..we can think about the..possibility? Right?"

Beth..stared.

"You're scaring me, baby...am I right about this?" His insides began to churn sickeningly.

"I..I thought you..meant.."

"Well, yes but..this is more. I want ..to be together as lovers and friends and companions and..all that, of course but.." Mick felt shitty suddenly. "We will BE married angel..in every sense of the word. But..I want..more. I don't ever want to wake up without you beside me again. Never! I..I hoped you felt that way."

"I..I don't know what I feel about..that." She didn't...she just..didn't. "I...I would have to..die, Mick. I'm..I'm only twenty-six years old. I've never even..lived...have I?"

She stared to shake..hugging herself tightly. "I...I guess you need this back." She started to take the ring off but she was shaking so badly..she could not accomplish the act.

"NO!" He put a stop to that, his hand closing over her's. She started to cry, her world having gone from total bliss to crushing darkness in all of two minutes. "I..I'm a-afraid, Mick! I'm afraid to d-die." She blurted out the horrible truth. "Y-You said I was brave, b-but..I'm not!"

He held her tightly. "Don't cry, baby." He whispered. "It tears me up inside." He tightened his arms and let her emotions run their course, his mind working on how to solve this new problem. "...It doesn't matter." He suddenly realized. "I love you and...it just doesn't matter."

His hand cupped her head, and he swayed, rocking her gently. "Shhhh." He soothed her and comforted her and..loved her. "The last thing I would do, Beth..is force something like this on you. I know the meaning of this decision." Coraline had 'chosen' for him. He would not do that to his Beth.

She calmed as best she could and sought tissues. "I..I had all these thoughts going on.." She confessed, wiping her eyes. "A-About..moving in with you ..and sharing closet space and.." She blew her nose gently. "A-And..normal things, you know?" She wistfully asked, the blue eyes red from crying. "Just wondering where we would..sleep..." She trailed off listlessly. "Ohh, Mick!" It suddenly dawned on her..the enormity of it all. "..This wouldn't work, would it..the 'normal' way!" The thought devastated her and she broke down again.

Mick hated that he had hurt her so badly. She sought comfort in his arms, her universe ended as far as she was concerned. "I..d-don't want to live without you!" She suddenly knew as much, lifting vulnerable, soul-touching eyes. "I..c-can't!" She whispered. "I..W-Won't!" The firm little jaw set stubbornly. Mick knew that 'look' well. "Turn me!" She grasped the front of his coat tightly. "Turn me, Mick!" She lifted her chin, presenting her neckline. "NOW.." She asked hurriedly. "I...I want it! I want to be with you! I do! I swear!"

Mick was touched beyond scope. "...honey." He stated softly, leaning to kiss her neck affectionately. "Listen to me..ok?" He tipped that little chin down, his gaze searching the abject blue eyes religiously.

"NO..Turn me!" She insisted, afraid she might change her mind if she waited on second longer. "DO it!" She went back to her former position, swallowing her fear, her nerves raw and on edge, her breathing shallow and thready. "Please!"

"...You know what Josef would say right about now." Mick felt his way slowly, deeply moved by her display of 'bravado'. He had her attention, taking on his best 'Kostan' demeanor. "...are you two complete idiots? Do I have to do everything around here?"

Beth was taken aback, for..he did the parody a little too well.

"'Blondie' is still in diapers and you're asking her to commit for Eternity? What's the matter with you, Mick? Have you lost what little sense you had?" Mick continued, losing himself in the 'role'. "...Give the kid some time, What? You don't have a little to spare? You spring this shit on her out of the blue and expect her to embrace the notion overnight? How long did it take YOU?"

Beth..stopped crying, dabbing and blowing again.

"You moron! Get a grip! It's out in the open now..cut her some damned slack before I rip your head off and stick it up your ass! It's not like she didn't say 'yes'!" Mick lost his inner 'Josef' mode. "...You DID..say 'yes' to..some sort of commitment..right?"

"That was..a little to..life like." She was a little troubled by the fact. "..YES! Yes, Mick. I..I love you so much! I want us to..be together. More than anything. If it means.."

He put his fingers on her lips. "Shhh." He cautioned. "You would..actually want to get..married?"

"OH..In a heart bea..." She remembered, totally embarrassed yet again by her indelicate way of putting things, her expression crest fallen.

Mick laughed at her. "I get your drift." He allowed his humor to die naturally. "This..eh..marriage thing. It still means what it used to?" He teased a bit. "I'm from another era here. In MY day, it meant..you would not be running around looking for another guy."

"..I only want.." She made him believe her with those eyes. "One..guy."

"...And I wear the pants in the family?" He pushed his luck, knowing as much.

She dabbed her nose. "We'll talk." She promised, crossing her fingers behind her back.

He tried not to smile at that one. "And..we'll have two point five kids and live in the suburbs?"

It was her turn to smile..finally. "..two point five?"

"Baby.." He felt the tension leave his mind and body. "When you do that? My world falls into place."

She went into his arms, never so glad to be 'home'. "You are.." She whispered seductively, burying her face in his neck line. "My world."

He closed his eyes, content once more. He allowed the peace to settle around them. "...You like your ring?"

"I freakin love my ring." She nuzzled him lovingly. "Probably more than I will the closet space I'm going to steal from you."

He chuckled. "You get closet space." He granted, his eyes dropping meaningfully. "I get...pussy. Fair trade off in my book."

"MICK!" She hit the front of his shoulder, chastising him, honestly a bit shocked by his vulgarity.

"Get used to it." His eyes were bold, making her blush.

"No more hanging with Josef!" She went back to his arms. "He's a bad influence."

"He'll have you cussing like a sailor in no time." Mick predicted. "All those dirty words flying out of this sweet.." He caressed her lips with his. "Little..mouth."

The moment progressed and would have turned into something..more, had he not, sighed ..putting her slightly from him. "Behave." He drawled. "You aren't ready for ..that just yet."

"So..." She bit her lip tentatively. "...We're..going to do this?" She needed reassurance badly. "Really? I mean..you aren't just..placating me or.."

"Baby? Men don't placate about something so serious." He explained diligently. "Giving up my precious freedom and closet space? That's a biggie. We don't go into it lightly."

"Be serious." She needed him to be. "I know..you wanted.."

"All I ask." He 'serious-ed up' for her. "Is that you keep an open mind. Somewhere down the road, I would like to know that eventually..we can discuss this subject again. I mean, if this marriage thing works out and all. I'm giving it three to one odds."

"Oh..it will work out!" She was going to make certain of that.

"I don't know." He hedged. "You're going to come in and bring plants and girlie things into MY apartment." He looked around sadly, as if contemplating such an uncool thing.

"Or..we could get a house!"

"And there will be nylons hanging in the bathroom at all hours of the day and night."

"One too many old 40s movies there, St. John." She tsked.

"And frilly pillows with quaint sayings everywhere." He grimaced adorably.

"Not...in the bedroom." She point out a good thing, her 'look' saying so much more than her words were.

He knew that 'look'...he freaking loved that 'look'. "...Yeah?"

"Yeah." She leaned against him, her arms going about his waist. "..right now though, we're kinda..living in sin. Which is bad, right?"

"To some degree." He..didn't want to say.

"You want to go..do a little..sinning? I need to thank you properly for..my ring."

"God..Josef was right!" Mick shook his head woefully, taking her hand, leading her about the furniture to the stairs. "Women will do anything for jewelry."

"Well..not 'anything." She followed docilely, keeping a perfectly straight face. "You'd have to buy me a new car for that one."

He jerked his head around then..laughed heartily, his chuckle dying in the warmth of her kiss.

Nicholas De bra Bant was dressed to the nines. He looked resplendent in his dark suit and silver tie. He had a big night planned..one more before they were to leave Sabien's estate. He was looking forward to it. He hummed happily, checking himself casually. He thought he looked ok..for a guy.

He went to the closet, fetching his favorite pair of expensive English dress shoes, bending down, to retrieve them from the closet floor by his packed luggage. He jerked back, the shoes staying put, his arm almost torn from the socket, for he had not expected...the shoes to give him any trouble. He stared at the damned things as if they were possessed. He..grasped the heels once again..tugging gingerly. They..did not move.

He examined the loafers carefully..his face masking into rigid annoyance. "That fucking little..., psychopathic..troll bitch!" He cursed his sister vehemently. She had super glued all his shoes to the floor. When she had found the time? He had no clue. "I'll kill her fat, flat ass!" He started off, remembering...Althea was gone. She had left for Russia late last night. He halted his steps, acutely disappointed that he would not be able to reach the little fucker in order to end her miserable life. Then...he smiled widely. The humor hitting him full force. Then..he laughed heartily, having to give credit..where credit was due.

He sat on his bed..allowing his amusement to die naturally. Well..he couldn't tell LaCroix..that would just be..embarrassing but..pay backs where hell and..where was he going to get some decent shoes? He looked around helplessly then..started laughing again.

Yeah..this one was a good one! She had got him good. One for the troll bitch. He sighed, arising. Maybe Kostan had some shoes he could lend. He padded..in his stocking feet, down the corridor to the other man's rooms. He hoped he could find Kostan in..something other than Janette's nether regions, that is. He smiled again at his own wit, continuing on his way.

"You said...you would be here!" Althea had awakened from a bad dream, to find herself..alone and cold..in an unfamiliar place. She had searched for someone..anyone but..found the huge castle empty and a little scary with it's dark rooms and hollow sounding hallways.

Edwin turned, surprised to see the female. "Althea..what are you doing up? I thought you were exhausted from the flights."

"You lied!" She accused heatedly, her fear having put her in a very bad mood. "I can't trust you! I knew as much! I hate you!" She was beside herself with anger. "I'm going HOME! Where I know people will do exactly as they say they will!"

Edwin was taken aback by the fervor of her 'speech'. He had come out to get some fresh air, and to get his bearings after so long from his home. She had been sleeping peacefully.

"Althea!" He barked the command and to his amazement..she halted her steps, turning slowly..her pretty face masked into a cold stare.

"...I..could not sleep." He told the truth. "I..thought to..take a moment to relax." He motioned to the cigarette in his hand. "I was coming back to bed. I did not think..you would awaken." He crushed out the smoke beneath his shoe.

"Well..I DID!" She informed his icily. "You fucking liar! I can't trust ANYONE but LaCroix!" She yelled at him. "Just like I KNEW I couldn't! YOU LOSER!" She started to leave again but he moved rapidly..much more so than she..his imposing figure suddenly blocking her intended path. She pulled up sharply, gasping for the 'unexpected'.

"What..is the matter with you?" He was genuinely concerned. "What the HELL..are you babbling about? I did NOT..go anywhere!"

"I woke up...where you there?" She accused lividly.

"I told you.."

"It doesn't MATTER the WHY of it..YOU..." She poked him in the chest with a sharp jab. "WERE NOT...THERE!"

He..processed. "...Did you have a bad dream, Althea?"

"NO..I did NOT have a bad dream..what the fuck do you think I am..a child?" She snapped waspishly. "Well, I'm NOT! I don't have bad dreams, and even if I did..they wouldn't bother me one little bit..do you know why? I'll tell you why.."

"I'm sorry." He stated quietly. "I was not aware..you suffered from such ..disturbing..thoughts. It will not happen again."

She..fell silent. He stepped closer, his hand cupping her face. "Are you alright, precious?" He was sincerely troubled for her state. "What did you dream?"

Althea turned aside, too upset to talk about it. "You said...you would... 'be there'..that's all."

"Yes..I did." He nodded. "May I tell you the truth?"

She cut him an impatient look.

"...I was lying beside you and..I became aroused, so.." He..told the truth. "I thought to clear my head a bit before I...returned to you."

Althea jerked her attention to the man. "..What?"

"I did not think you would appreciate me attempting to relieve my..doldrums when you had expressly said..you were tired and of course." He motioned with his hand. "I realize this is not..that type of..arrangement. You are here as a friend. I have no right to think any such thoughts. I am a male, Althea..thoughts..come. I did..control them, remember."

She stared at him in amazement. "You...you're telling the truth."

"I told you once before..I do not lie to you."

She..calmed, pushing her hair from her face. "...I...I might have...over-reacted." She admitted hesitantly. "I...I have a temper and sometimes.." She let it go. "You might as well know that now." She cast him a dark sulk.

"Well, thank you..I appreciate your honesty." He quipped but she did not 'get it', he knew.

"...Do you...like me?" She lifted solemn eyes.

"..Excuse me?" He was taken aback by the question. "...Yes. I..like you, Althea." He answered hastily when her face had darkened considerably by the 'delay' on his part. "I like you..very much."

She fell silent for a long beat and he allowed her to 'think'..for she clearly was and he was fascinated to see what she would come up with next. He had been bored and lonely..he was no longer either, he realized.

"...Do you like..Anna Lisa?" She cut him a suspicious glare.

"No..not in the way you mean." He answered, his tone softening two-fold for..he thought he knew what she was about now.

"How about that red headed witch that was after you at the party?"

He had to think which she meant. "...Eh..I'm not sure I.."

"Please!" She disgusted. "She was hanging on you like noodles on chow mein!"

Edwin..licked his lips hastily, to keep the smile from them. "Oh..oh, yes." He had not been aware Althea had witnessed that incident. "I..was being polite only."

"You're awfully...polite." She scoffed. "So...did you like her?"

"No." He dutifully replied. "Do you... 'like'..me?"

"Just never you mind about that..we aren't talking about me, Mister 'I'm So Cute The Women Fall All Over Me, Guy!" She 'vented'. "How would you like it if I put it out there for every Tom, Dick and Marvin who came along?"

"I...would not." His tone..altered..as did his features. "So...do not do so..EVER!"

"Yeah well.." Althea didn't like a double standard one bit. "You stay the fuck away from red heads..don't think I don't know men like the idiots."

Edwin..lifted his brows. "Does that imply you would ..mind.. if I 'liked'...one?"

"Would you mind if I 'liked'...Marvin?" She reminded ..loudly.

"Who the fuck is Marvin?"

"He is the man I will be 'liking'...if I catch YOU..liking the red head!"

Edwin..calmed instantly. Realizing the significance of her statement even if she..did not. "...I have no intention of 'liking' anyone..but you, Althea. I thought I had made that perfectly clear."

"NO..you did NOT!"

"Well I do so NOW!" He raised his voice to match her's.

"...Oh." She..settled. "Well...fine then."

The silence was not uncomfortable for the Enforcer..not one bit.

"...I know we honor Stefan tomorrow.." She made mention. "Which is altogether fitting and proper. The Celebration of his life will be..beautiful. The arrangements your friend has made are..very nice, Edwin." She moved a bit closer, the rays of the moon hitting her hair, making the long strands shimmer in their light. "...I was wondering...for tonight, however." A troubled scowl crossed her brow as she..approached him, her face lifting to read his countenance. "If perhaps..you might do me a favor."

"I will do whatever I can to make you content, child..." He stated. "What is it you wish?"

She seemed totally out of her depth, unsure how to..communicate what it is she..wanted to say.

"...I assure you...you have but to ask, Althea..and it is done. Whatever it be."

She..drew in a deep breath, lifting the silk of her gown over her head in one swift, fluid gesture, allowing the fabric to drop by her feet. She stood..completely naked, her flesh bathed in moonlight, her beautiful face searching his stunned expression carefully.

He..took in the lovely curves and exquisite beauty of her body. She reminded him of a Grecian statue. She..took his breath away.

"...Should I put it back on?"

"NO!" He barked the command and she..started, so jarring to her senses was his..refusal. "I..mean..." He collected himself hastily. "...No." He shook his head minutely, his eyes taking in every inch of the sensual vision before him. "...You...you are.."

"I know..I am not..experienced or..worldly or.." She laughed hollowly... "Or..a red head." She quipped, feeling her inadequacies. "..but, I..I..like you, Edwin. A lot." She lifted soft eyes for him alone. "If you..allow me." She moved to him, her hand tentatively reaching out..touching his chest ever so lightly. She watched her progress. "I will try very hard to..please you. If this is..inappropriate, you must tell me." She beseeched him in earnest. "I tried to get Josef and/or Janette but..they refuse to answer, so...you must tell me if I am being.."

"Everything I ever hoped you would be..." He stepped, lifting her bodily into his arms. "And..more." He joined his mouth with her's, walking slowly into the shore of the huge lake that lay stretched out before them. It bordered most of his property. The trees shadowed them and..the night was warm, the wind light and soft. "You do not know what agony I felt ..lying there next to you..wanting you so desperately, I was loathe to remain for fear..." His eyes raked her body possessively. "You would think me the most heinous of creatures..because my friend had just.."

She put her mouth to his, kissing him deeply. He had stopped his trek, to enjoy the contact. He put her down gently. Beginning to disrobe himself. Althea kissed his chest and shoulder muscles..his biceps..the many scars on his back..as he..stripped down.

He scowled down darkly at her, his senses reeling. "What..are you doing?" He motioned to her administrations. No female had ever..done anything so..odd before.

She lifted her mouth from his skin, moving slowly about his form. "I am not doing it..correctly?" She asked, the tip of her tongue flitting across his nipple teasingly. He drew in his breath sharply, a rapturous chill running the length of his chest. Althea took his reaction to mean.. "I..am sorry." She moved back, mortified to have displeased him. "I...I will ask permissio..."

Edwin caught her into his arms, crushing her body to his straining one, his lips descending in a heated kiss. He lifted his mouth only to murmur his utter contentment. "Touch me wherever you please you little idiot." He rasped shakily. "It turns me the hell on..did I tell you to stop what you were doing?"

"Well..don't get so snippy about it, then." She pushed against his chest ..snippily, only to have him chuckled his delight, lifting her in one swift up sweep of his powerful arms. He headed for the water, wading in determinedly. "Don't you dare drop me!" She held tight to his neck line, looking at the dark, cool liquid around her.

He stopped when the water was to his shoulders, allowing her to drop her feet downward into the soothing element. "I..I can't reach the bottom!"

"I have you." He wasn't about to let her go, either. "Kiss me, bitch."

She took exception for all of ..two seconds. Then..lifted herself, her arms tightening, her body melting to his erotically, her mouth joining his amorously.

The stars over head watched as the two lovers continued the dance of the ages. The wind whispered softly to them, encouraging their passion. The trees bowed down, shielding them from prying eyes. The water cooled their heated flesh...but only to a certain degree, of course.

It was a perfect night to consummate an Eternal love. The Universal Continuum balanced out it's cosmic extremes into distinct, perceptible patterns once again.

The Master Vampire felt the spiritual elements align themselves, his Immortal soul rejoicing in the 'rightness' of all things.

Sabien smiled happily at her Contemporary, lifting a glass of champagne in salute. A campaign well fought. Two powerful Houses united under one roof. And all it took was a little ..subterfuge and timing.

She looked out over her domain. These were good times. Life was wonderful.

Lucian LaCroix watched his son flirt shamelessly with a mortal female..would that child never learn..but, Nicholas seemed happy again. Finally, he could move on without the dark shadows from his former life haunting him.

Janette was dancing with Kostan. They made a striking couple. Perhaps, in this male..his lovely one had found a perfect mate. Time would tell. But then...Lucian LaCroix..had all the time in the world to make things right for his children.

One down..two to go.

He smiled slightly, his mind at peace..finally.

Yes..life...was good.

THANK YOU ALL FOR A WONDERFUL TRIP INTO THE FASCINATING REALM OF THE VAMPIRE KINGDOM. I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED IT FOR THE WORLD...OK, MAYBE PARTS OF CANADA...? THANKS GUYS! I WILL MISS YOU ALL.. JUST SAYING...