A/N: Ok, so I'm having a minor panic attack. I started out writing this story in Google docs, and the 1st 3 chapters of the next story were written there. But about ½ way through, I began using Word. I was trying to streamline my email accounts (I had about 5), so I closed out an account and didn't think anything about it. Now I realize that's where the chapters were stored, as well as a number of other items. I have 2 places where I MIGHT have backed them up, but I'm not holding my breath. Nevertheless, I WILL continue on, I will just have to start the next book fresh. Arg.
I lifted her mum out of the backseat, tape still over her mouth (so she couldn't bite me again, and to keep her from yammering on), and handed her off to Kitten as I introduced her to my friend and creation, Rodney. Rodney, being a ghoul, didn't bat an eye – it wasn't the first time I'd shown up at his house with people gagged.
Kitten set her mum on her feet and shook Rodney's hand as much as she could while keeping her from bolting away – not an easy feat from the way Justina was wrigggling.
"I hate to impose right off, Rodney, but where's the bathroom?"
"It's no imposition, it's on the left," he said with a smile.
Kitten hauled her with off. "Be back in a minute, Bones. I want to get her cleaned up and have a word with her."
"Take your time, luv."
They were in there a bit. I heard water running, presumably to get them cleaned up, then I heard Kitten say, "He killed the man who murdered Grandpa Joe and Grandma, Mom. He won't hurt me and he won't hurt you." Finally, finally she'd learned I'd never hurt a single red hair on her head. It made me even more glad the red ring was in my pocket. Now I just had to wait for the right moment – which might be difficult given what was going on right now, but I'd made more out of less before.
Then I heard her say, "I know you hate vampires and I know this will be hard, but you're going to have to listen to me for a while. Just give me a little time. You have to trust me. Our lives depend on it. We're staying here tonight, and then tomorrow we're leaving the country. It's the only way.
"Well? Are you going to be reasonable? Can I take the gag off? she asked.
"You can trust me," Kitten repeated. "I promise."
Justina must've nodded, because Kitten said, "Try to be nice when we go out."
I was seated at the dining table with Rodney. Justina gave me a good glare for my troubles, but said nothing. I supposed that, for her, that was being nice.
"Take your pick of the guest rooms, one upstairs and one in the basement," Rodney said politely.
Kitten instantly said, "Show me the one in the basement." I snickered a bit but said nothing.
"Of course, follow me."
Kitten grabbed her mum by the arm and they went down a flight of stairs to the basement. I, meanwhile, sauntered to the upstairs guest room. I could still hear everything clear as a bell, though.
I heard Kitten say, "This'll be perfect for you, Mom."
"Where do you think you're going?" Justina demanded.
"Upstairs. With Bones. Good night." I grinned in anticipation.
I heard the door slam and Rodney lock it from the outside. The pounding started immediately.
"Catherine! You can't mean to—"
"We'll talk about it tomorrow, Mom, when we're alone. Tomorrow. Don't cause a fuss, you're making Rodney hungry." My grin got even larger as I heard Rodney make a low grumbling sound. I might have even chuckled a bit; I'm claiming nothing.
I heard Rodney lock the door to the stairs. "In case she's really feisty."
Kitten bounded up the stairs to me and came straight into my arms. For several minutes we just held each other.
"I told you we'd make it through the night, luv. You didn't believe me."
"No," she softly answered. "I didn't. But you were right, and both of you are alive. That's all that matters. It means more than anything to me."
"You mean more than anything to me."
I lowered my head and gently brushed my lips across hers. She wound her hands around me and pressed me to her tightly.
Soft tears were coursing silently down her cheeks. In hindsight, that should've warned me, as Kitten so rarely cried, but hindsight is 20/20. At the time, I just whispered, "Why are you crying?"
She swiped at the tears. "Because…I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you."
I gave her a soft kiss. "Nothing will happen to me, I promise."
"I want you to know that despite everything, I'm so glad I met you," she choked out. "It was the luckiest day of my life. If I hadn't, I never would have known what it was like for someone to love me, all of me, even the parts I hated. I would have gone through life empty and guilt-ridden, but you showed me a whole new world, Bones. I'll never be able to thank you for all you've done for me, but I will love you every day until I die."
"Kitten," I moaned as I drew me down onto the bed. "I only thought I was living before I met you. You'll love me until you die? That's not nearly long enough…."
Ha! Yes I ended this chapter here. And yes, I will give you an extended scene for the next chapter. But for now, I'm making you wait…
