A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's….though I wished I owned the rest….*sighs*


Brooklyn's eyes shot open the instant Rebecca's shrill scream filled the air. She rolled over and perked her ear towards the floor and eavesdropped in on the vampire's anguish.

"He was out of control! You don't understand how difficult it is for a child…."

"So you couldn't teach him like you said you'd teach me? I believed you! Bernie believed YOU!"

"I know! I know! But someone else did it! Yes, I was going to do it!"

"Then why aren't you out tracking the bastard down!"

"Because when you've been alive as long as I have you begin to understand mercy."

"I don't care! He was the closest thing I'll ever have to having a son. The closest thing I'll ever have to sharing my flesh and blood…."

"I'm sorry…."

"You're son….Where you there when he died? Were you!"

"You leave my son out of this!"

"Hey!" Brooklyn charged from the hallway and slammed Rebecca against the wall. Her eyes blazed with a cold simmering fire as she pushed her forearm into the vampire's throat. Rebecca snarled and clawed at Brooklyn's arm and she coldly dropped Rebecca to the floor.

"What the Hell was that about?" Aidan gripped his shoulders and shook Brooklyn violently.

"HEY!" Bishop raced out and separated the two. Brooklyn straightened her shirt and hair as Aidan stared her down. The older vampire darted his menacing blue eyes between Rebecca and Aidan.

"Take your situation elsewhere. They'll be awake soon."

"Who!" Aidan barked and sniffled.

"Heggeman and the others," Bishop calmly replied. He watched as Aidan's face fell in cold realization.

"The Dutch are here?"

"I told you that Aidan," Brooklyn shook her head before joining Bishop's side. "I told you they would be coming remember?"

"Who are the Dutch?" Rebecca flailed her arms like a fish out of water. Brooklyn wanted nothing more than to slap the crazed bitch across the face but practiced great restraint knowing it wasn't the time or place. Bishop smiled thinly as Aidan hurriedly explained to Rebecca who the Dutch were.

"They're elders that originated in the Netherlands. They hide in Dutch Country because it's the closest thing to an orthodox lifestyle."

"I don't care," Rebecca spat.

"They're intense alright? It doesn't matter if there are a few of them but it takes one whisper to reverberate to the family in Chicago and New York…."

"I don't need protection! Especially from you!"

Aidan watched as Rebecca stormed out the door, leaving him with Brooklyn and Bishop. Brooklyn felt for him as he was genuinely heartbroken over losing Bernie. But Rebecca had to understand!

"Yes, well shall we?" Bishop offered his hand towards Brooklyn and looked expectantly to Aidan.

"I'm not staying here!"

Bishop and Brooklyn stopped and turned their heads with little surprise.

"Look Bishop I'm not part of this family anymore! I don't have to put on a show for them!"

"Yes, I see. Well are you sure you don't want to stay? Explain to Heggeman how you suck on hospital bags and live with a werewolf? He just loves to hear updates on modern customs."

"You're one to talk! You turned a hunter!"

"I may have but at least the way Brooklyn lives isn't an insult to the empire Heggeman and the others have built."

His cool tone held an underlying darkness that sent a message to Aidan.

Back off Brooklyn or else…..

Aidan stood and watched as Bishop led Brooklyn back downstairs towards the garage.

"That stung," Brooklyn reluctantly admitted. Bishop paused and knew Aidan's biting words would have gotten under her skin.

"It doesn't matter what Aidan thinks," he gently caressed her face. "You left it behind, embraced your new life. He on the other hand chooses to reside in such blasphemy."

Brooklyn swallowed the heavy lump in her throat and nodded before continuing down the steps. The gentle squeeze of Bishop's hand around hers offered some comfort to the agitated vampire.


The coffins were nothing like she imagined. Four narrow wooden structures rested on sturdy wooden platforms in an eerie quiet procession. Despite the centuries old age of each, the coffins were outwardly sound and showed very little if any wear or warping from the hands of time. Brooklyn found her mind wondering which one had Heggeman, though she had no idea what the elder looked like. She wasn't even sure what they wore given they had embraced an orthodox lifestyle.

Maybe they dress like the Amish…..

Bishop was silent; chewing his nails as he nervously awaited the Dutch to awaken. He knew it would be a mistake to go and awaken them and remained planted in his chair. The vampire stole a brief sideways glance at Brooklyn and noted the intense stare that dominated her eyes. Her body was tense and rigid while staying perched on the edge of the desk. Marcus was calmly smoking yet another cigarette, indifferent to Bishop and Brooklyn's polar opposite reactions. An inward smile ghosted upon his lips as he wondered if Bishop was harboring a fear of losing his lover and companion. The brief glance of the troubled cerulean pools confirmed Marcus's suspicions.

Good riddance…..

He shoved the lighted butt in a small can of sand and stashed his sunglasses inside his jacket before joining the other two vampires. Minutes crawled into hours which soon took on the feel of days or even weeks depending on who one spoke too. Brooklyn wearily eyed each one, searching for the smallest indication the Dutch were stirring. Her keen sight detected nothing as she listened for any signs of life within each.

What are they college kids!

The heavy silence was fractured by the annoying sound of Marcus's cell phone going off. Brooklyn rolled her eyes as he fumbled for the obscene device. Bishop shot a sideways look at the vampire then back towards the coffins.

Seriously? God what a douche!

Marcus furiously dug in his pocket and retrieved the noisy item, shutting it off just as the first coffin slowly creaked open. Brooklyn felt her feet going backwards away from the coffins as Bishop put on a mask of welcome. She watched in partial awe as Heggeman pushed the lid aside and slowly rose with the poise of an 80 year old.

"Heggeman," Bishop boomed and flung his arms open in a show of hospitality. Heggeman still had his eyes closed, clearly struggling to become reacquainted with the day. His head was bald though a small neat beard looped his chin, lip and upper lip. His attire was simple: A plain button up white shirt adorned with a black vest and pants.

Dracula lives! Brooklyn thought to herself.

The Elder said nothing but pressed his index finger upon his lip then carefully opened his eyes.

"Drink," his voice was gravely and congested. Bishop snapped his fingers at Marcus who fetched the pitcher and crystal wine goblet. Brooklyn watched as Heggeman's hands shot out and the vampire greedily downed the blood straight from the pitcher. Bishop looked over at Marcus who kept his eyes fixed on the elder.

"The last 50 years have been kind to you old friend," Bishop strived to be kind and accommodating while Heggeman continued drinking. "Obviously the rural life is treating you well."

Brooklyn heard the creaking of iron and caught the movement from the corners of her eyes. The other coffins shifted open as the other three elders awakened and rose. Bishop twisted his head and gently motioned for Brooklyn to join his side. The younger vampire remained hesitant at first but as the Dutch gathered from their resting places, she quickly pressed her body tight with his.

"Bishop," Heggeman stood before him. Brooklyn felt the weight of the Dutch vampires' stares as they sized up the newest member to the clan. "It has been a long time."

"Indeed it has," Bishop clasped his hands in front of him.

"Is this her?" Another elder asked and pointed towards Brooklyn. Bishop nodded and offered his hand to Brooklyn who obediently accepted his and crossed in front of him for the Dutch to see.

"Brooklyn Ravenwood," Heggeman took two steps towards her, towering over the smaller vampire. "A hunter turned vampire…..Interesting."

The sour note in his tone made Brooklyn wince inwardly. Things were not off to a stellar start. She felt her body freeze as the icy touch of his fingers against her skin. Bishop could only stand and stay silent as Heggeman looked his lover over. Brooklyn swallowed back the gathering lump in her throat and prayed the Inquisition would soon be over. Whatever Heggeman was thinking his face refused to reveal exactly what those thoughts were. She forced her eyes to remain open as he leaned in and gently held her wrist in his hand then traced his sharpened sense of smell along her veins. But Heggeman wasn't finished yet.

The elder tilted her chin up and looked carefully at the flawless skin. He then gazed deep into the vast slate hues searching for some unseen answer to an unknown question. Heggeman watched as the new vampire fought back her discomfort with his touch but never allowed his face to falter and reveal otherwise.

Heggeman and the Dutch despised hunters as they had succeeded in wiping out several clans in Europe. They were less than enthused about the hunter being brought into the fold as they had been witness to the consequences of such actions. Bishop's decisions were not going to go unnoticed amongst them during their visit to Boston.

"That will be all for now," the elder dismissed Brooklyn like a common servant. Marcus laughed inside at the cold greeting she received. "We wish to see more."

Brooklyn refused to let the elder dampen her mood as they stood in the main entrance way of the funeral home. The Dutch examined the vast space like they had never laid eyes upon the site before.

"You painted," Heggeman duly noted.

"Yes about 8…."

"10," Marcus corrected Bishop.

"Yes 10 years ago," Bishop shrugged. "We find it more soothing for our clients."

"You find your clients soothing?" The shortest elder spoke up. Brooklyn wondered what was the point to all of the interrogation and questioning.

"It's a business and provides the funding for what we need," Bishop quietly defended his plan.

"To comingle with humans? To pretend you care about their dearly departed?" Stolzfus chimed in. He was of similar features save for the bony cheek bones and gaunt sunken cheeks. "We thought you would've given up this charade."

"And do what exactly?" Brooklyn had to say something. She didn't care if the Dutch were directing annoyed expressions towards her. Just who were they to question what Bishop had?

"Be what you are," Stolzfus added.

"Brother it was decided long ago different strokes for different sects," Bishop argued. Heggeman turned and looked at his brethren then at the doorway to the right.

"What does he have to say about it?" Aidan appeared in the wooden frame way then respectfully greeted the Dutch.

"Stolzfus, Heggeman, it's been a long time."

"I remember you," a third elder spoke up with enthusiasm. Aidan caught the relief in Brooklyn's eyes as his presence had been some sort of reprieve. Though she had chosen to be with Bishop, Aidan couldn't stand by and watch her face them alone.

"Yes of course," Aidan smiled and bowed slightly in respect.

"Well then since that's been settled," Bishop rubbed his hands together. "In the absence of any set agenda, gentlemen, we've provided a little entertainment this evening. Wolves?"

Aidan quietly scoffed at Bishop's announcement, knowing some poor bastards will have to change and fight to the death in front of a bloodthirsty crowd of vampires who plunked down money and waged obscene bets, hoping to outdo one another in an attempt at instant rewards.

"And then tomorrow…"

"Will be tomorrow," Heggeman quietly cut Bishop off.

"Of course," he briefly smiled and bowed his head slightly. "Then shall we proceed gentlemen?"

Bishop offered his hand to Brooklyn as the Dutch watched her obediently take his hand then started down the hall and towards the lower inner part of the building. It was a part that Brooklyn didn't know existed.

Bishop unlocked and pushed the doors open to reveal a holding area slash living area. Brooklyn kept behind Bishop as Marcus and Aidan led the rear with the Dutch ahead of them. An elderly man with a pot belly and dressed in shirt, knitted wool olive sweater and slacks quickly rose and greeted the vampires. Brooklyn stopped beside Aidan and let her eyes follow Bishop to a holding cell off to the side.

NO!

She watched in sick horror as Bishop had Josh in the holding cell. Her stomach twisted into tight painful knots as the deep look of betrayal was etched upon her friend's face. Aidan quickly nudged her to look ahead as not to display any familiarity with the werewolf.

"Take off your clothes," Bishop ordered with cool authority.

"No," Josh refused. Brooklyn applauded him in silence.

You tell those assholes Josh!

"Take off your clothes," Aidan spoke up with a cold indifference. Josh slowly stripped away his shirt and jeans, never once taking his stare off Aidan and Brooklyn.

I'm sorry Josh…..I didn't know…..Please don't hate us…..

It took all of her strength to not shed a single tear for the werewolf. Josh didn't deserve this! He didn't deserve to stand there only to have the Dutch probe and touch his body like some prized show bull!

Bishop stole a short look at Brooklyn, watching her facial features struggle to remain stoic. But what could he do? They needed a werewolf for tonight's fight on short notice and Josh was the only one they could get! He stood with hands neatly folded in front of his hips as Aidan felt his soul shattering inside itself. Aidan could see the fear that petrified every muscle in his body but also knew crossing the Dutch would be fatal. Even if he could get back inside they would rip him apart before he set foot across the threshold.

"I think we have a winner," Heggeman finally announced. Bishop smiled and bowed once again before turning around to face an angry Brooklyn and Aidan.

"We had to get a werewolf on short notice," he gently explained. "Who knows….Maybe he'll win."


Brooklyn couldn't stand being in the same room with any of them and made a hasty retreat upstairs. How could Bishop do this! Josh was her friend! If Aidan didn't stand up to the Dutch then she would try and find a way to free him herself! She felt the swift rush of tears racing down her face as she ran up the stairs and down the hall, not caring if anyone heard. Brooklyn slammed the door, nearly breaking the frame in the process before collapsing in a sobbing heap upon the bed.

"Brook," Bishop gently closed the door behind him as he emerged several minutes later. "Brook please let me explain…."

Uh oh...Bishop in the doghouse?