A/N: I know I haven't updated this story for a while, but I was a bit blocked about how to handle the first part of it. Anyway, sorry for that. Next chapter should come much faster.
Alison does her best to hide her anxiety; keeping her steps steady, and being extra careful not to fall into the nervous, little strides that affect her walking in tense occasions. With her eyes locked on her destination, the front desk, Alison avoids looking at any other of the few patrons who are in the lobby.
"Good evening," she says in a tight voice. "I'd like a room for today."
The vampire at the reception is young and looks like it - he must have been barely twenty when turned - but working in a place such as this has improved his shrewdness, and he eyes Alison top to bottom, a curious brow raised. "And that would be a single or a double?" His lips stretch in a sly grin, his mind probably already jumping to conclusions.
"Single, please." Alison's voice falters a little, her confidence wavers slightly.
Still, the young man doesn't give her any indication that she's not welcome, he simply slides a large book in front of her and opens it onto page marked with a pen and points at the small dash following the number 12. "Your name," he instructs in a bored voice, before he turns around to get a key from the shelf behind him. "You'll need to pay upfront," he continues in the same tone. "Thirty two a day."
Alison signs the guest book with the first name that comes to mind, it's not like they're going to ask her to confirm the identity. This place is old school, withstanding the passage of time and all the modernization that came with it, because the patrons want it so and because the authorities don't care. The vampire community represents an entire parallel economy that the human government wouldn't dare touch; this is still the only aspect of the vampires' rules that have survived civilian institutions meddling.
"Alright..." the man looks down and reads the name, "Felicia, second floor for you. Bar's open 24 hours, pay at the counter. Got it?"
"Thank you," she replies quickly, snatching the key he left at her disposal on the desk, while dropping 35 dollars on the counter, not waiting for the change.
She pulls the strap of her purse and spins around. There's no elevator and she has to climb narrow, poorly lit stairs, her steps silenced by a faded blue carpet that might be older than Alison. The wallpaper is dark red with a flower pattern that has probably been showing signs of decay for three decades and has been out of style for nearly half a century. When she reaches the second floor, the decor doesn't improve - not that Alison was expecting it. The stairs are flanked by three doors on each side, carpet and wallpaper exactly the same, and it seems less used, but who can tell for sure in the weak light from the single wall lamp on each side of the hallway.
Alison's room is the second door to her left, the brass 12 crooked and rusting, and it takes several twists of the key in the lock to unlock. Alison's heart sinks when she flips on the light. The bed looks unstable at best, and the comforter is an ugly brown, with several dark, irregular spots that Alison doesn't want to even the cause. She wouldn't be caught dead on that. There's no TV, no mini fridge, and the only electronics are the ceiling and bedside lamps. In the bathroom, the only good thing she can say is that at least the sink and toilet look clean; not that Alison would even consider stepping into the small shower stall, drain covered with hair. She fights her gag reflex, closing the bathroom door and starts to move to sit on the bed before she catches herself and finds her way to one of the two chairs in the bedroom.
Alison sits for a few minutes, staring out the window that, unfortunately, faces the back of the hotel, denying her a view of the parked car with her backup. When she thinks she's waited long enough to not raise suspicions, she exits the dingy room, and locks the door, as if it would make a difference to someone who truly wanted to break in. She grabs her cell phone from her purse, and pockets it in case she needs to make an emergency call.
The bar is in a small room, to the right of the front desk, the same brass letters on top of the opened double doors indicate the place. Surprisingly, is the best lit space of the hotel, but a thick cloud of smoke from cigarettes and cigars fogs the entire room and stifles the air. Alison walks to the counter, once again having the feeling that all eyes are on her, and it makes her even more restless. The place is packed, with only a few stools remaining at the bar. Every table is occupied, mostly by male vampires, even though she does spot a few, rough looking females. She stands out in the middle of this crowd like an illuminated Christmas tree in July.
"Looking for company, sweetheart?"
She has barely taken a seat on one of the high stools when a man with long, blond, hair and beard accosts her, with his arm around her lean waist.
"Call me sweetheart again and I'll rip out your throat!" Alison hisses in a low, cold voice, fangs fully exposed in an intimidating look that she hopes it sends the right message.
The man looks stunned for a few seconds, before he raises both his hands and steps back. "Too much work for a night's fuck..."
Alison's eyes follow him, satisfied to see that he has retreated rather easily and is now approaching another woman who seems much more receptive to his advances. She scans the rest of the room and spots a table in a corner whose occupants are as equally noticeable. They are dressed sharply in black suits; some with their jackets on, while others are already down to their pressed, gray shirts, but all of them have the same look. They talk among themselves in low voices, contrasting with the boisterousness of the other patrons, but keep looking around themselves, clearly aware of what's happening around them.
Alison quickly makes the deduction that they're probably the security detail of the elders, meeting somewhere inside the hotel. Unfortunately the fact that they're in a group prevents her from approaching them. It would be much easier to extract information if she could find one of them alone, but to even get near the large group is out of the question. She considers leaving and calling the whole thing off. After all, like Cosima said, they'll have other opportunities, and they'll be better prepared next time. Even so, the idea of returning to her friend with nothing to show for it doesn't seem right. So, instead, she orders a sparkling water, to the waiter's surprise, and decides to wait at least a few minutes for an opening.
Twenty minutes turn into two hours and nothing changes other than a need to use the restroom after drowning her third drink and Alison gives up. She stands, pays her tab and walks in the direction of the stairs. Shaking her head in disappointment, Alison climbs the steps, annoyed by the fruitless adventure. She really wanted to give Cosima something, to prove her value after having the older vampire looking after her for so long, but she doesn't even know where the meeting took place or who attended. All she knows is that day is about to break, the bar she left behind was almost empty, save for a few drunken vampires, and the group never left the corner table. Worst of all is the prospect of spending the entire day sequestered in the awful room she's now approaching, with its terrible hygiene and nothing to keep her occupied.
"And just what is a fine lady like yourself doing in a dump like this?"
The man is too close to her, close enough for Alison to feel his presence right behind her and wonder how did she miss it before. It sends a bolt of fear through her body, but she fights it back, thinking it's the same annoying vampire from earlier and knowing that she has to intimidate him back into his shell. She turns on the balls of her feet quickly, expecting the same guy who looked like a biker in desperate need of a shower, but surprised to find one of the guards she had been watching the entire night.
He's handsome, she observes. Dark, spiky hair, and clean shaven with a defined, squared jaw. He has broad shoulders and his long, wool coat is draped over the left, held by his index finger. He even has a pleasant smile, the fangs retracted in an open and bold smirk. Only his shining, icy blue eyes betray his appearance and give away the beast which lies beneath.
Alison's expression changes from hostile to friendly quickly. "I keep asking myself that," she says with a smile and a shy giggle.
Cosima shifts again in her seat, trying and failing to find a comfortable position. Hours drag by at a snail's pace, especially since Felix left just before daybreak. Together they'd seen the caravan of SUV's leave the hotel, just before he did. Guards looking around as the elders, who Cosima easily recognized, stepped inside the vehicles as, one by one, they drove away in different directions. Shay and her security team among them, but no sign of Alison.
In the car, with the seat leaned back, she had observed people leaving their houses for another day of work, parents carrying their sleepy children by the hand and stuffing them in cars in a hurry. All of them completely unaware of the danger lurking around their quiet neighborhood. She's starting to feel hungry. Not the hunger she experienced when the animal inside her demands attention - that kind she has grown used to and it's now part of her, a constant force she has to fight. But the other kind, the kind that has her daydreaming about French toast, which later evolves into a craving for pasta, perhaps a pizza. Had Cosima known how the previous night would unfold, she would've brought some snacks.
More than once she was tempted to leave her post, just a short drive out of this residential neighborhood will get her somewhere she could get some food and calm her angry stomach. However, the fear of Alison needing her keeps her in place. And the day stretches on, her eyes semi-closed on the hotel door, expecting her friend to come out, screaming bloody murder.
Alison groans when she opens her eyes, the weak rays of light coming through the heavy drapes on her face. She feels tired still, despite the late afternoon and turns around on her bed, seeking refuge from the light and finding it on the strong form lying next to her. With her mind still locked in sleep, she slings an arm over the large torso and scoots closer. It's only when the man releases a loud snort that her brain returns to fully functioning status.
Quickly she sits up, the sheets pooling around her waist, leaving her completely bare. Her eyes double in size and she quickly pulls the covers to her chin, slowly and fearfully peeking under the covers to confirm her suspicions. Fully naked, as well as the man still sleeping next to her.
"Holy f... fish sticks!" She whispers harshly, getting up from the bed immediately.
The man turns and snorts again, apparently undisturbed by her movements. She walks around on her tiptoes, embarrassingly collecting the discarded clothes from the floor, balling them in her arms and hiding in the bathroom.
As she dresses quickly, her mind struggles to make sense of what happened. She remembers thinking he was nice, polite, nothing like the vampires she has met in her life, save for Cosima, of course. Alison accepted when he -... Charles? Charlie? - had invited himself into her room under the guise of a quiet place to talk. They didn't talk all that much, as it turned out. When Alison recalls that part of the night, her movements freeze and she stops to look herself in the mirror. The light makeup she had last night is smudged, and her hair, that she prides herself on always be absolutely perfect, shows obvious signs of her activities. She opens the tap and cleans her face, unfortunately there's little she can do about the hair which she tries to comb with her fingers, until it no longer looks like she's been blown by a strong wind.
She opens the bedroom door quietly, hoping to find the man still peacefully asleep, but she's simply not that lucky. He's sitting on the bed, and smiles when sees her.
"I was wondering where you'd run to," he comments, stretching lazily. "Why don't you come back to bed? We still have at least half an hour until we can leave," and he taps the sheets next to him.
"I... uhhh... I don't think so..." she says, moving around quickly again, looking for her shoes but stops suddenly, not sure what else to say.
"It's Carl," he helps her with a knowing smile. "I didn't think you'd be the type to hit and run. Not that I'm complaining... Last night was..."
"Could you not, please!" Alison's voice sounds shrieking when she interrupts him.
Despite her unfriendliness, Carl continues to smile, but gets the message. He rises from the bed and stretches his entire body, showcasing the scratch marks carved onto his back. Alison avoids the sight, blushing acutely and sighing in relief when she finds the shoe that's been missing under the bed.
"I think we should exchange numbers," he says, pulling his boxers over his somewhat reddish buttocks and causing Alison's face to get even more crimson. "You know... In case you have another itch that needs scratching."
"No, no!" Alison says fast. "This was a one time thing, it's shouldn't have happened in the first place."
"Still... My boss comes here every so often and I get bored," he insists, apparently slightly amused by the woman's reaction. "I'll give you a call and you show up if you want. No strings attached."
"I don't do no strings attached, mister!" Alison's offended by the insinuation, but an idea has begun to form in her mind.
Maybe she can still get something useful out of this. If this man is part of the security detail of one of the elders, he can still be prove useful. Maybe she wasn't able to gather information this time, but that's not saying that in future meetings she can't get him to talk.
"Exactly how often do you come here?" She asks, looking at him and pleased to see he's fully dressed.
"Every other week or so," he answers, his smile large, anticipating future encounters. "I just follow orders."
"Very well," Alison says, searching in her purse for pen and paper, where she scribbles her number. "You can call me and we'll see if I answer it," she finishes, tossing the paper onto the messy bed and walks to the door.
"Wait!" He calls when she's at the door. "You haven't told me your name."
"Like you need to know it for what we do..." she throws over her shoulder and closes the door.
Like a fugitive she walks fast down the stairs and only stops at the empty front desk to drop the keys on the balcony. No one stops her on the way out, for which she's immensely grateful.
Cosima keeps drumming her fingers on the steering wheel, her eyes not leaving the hotel's front door. The sun is not yet fully set, that's true, but it no longer shines brightly in the sky and no longer poses a threat for the pure vampires - as some like to call them; there's nothing stopping Alison from leaving. Her worry grows, even if she thinks that the younger vampire is smart enough to spot danger in time for a quick call, but maybe she overestimated Alison's capabilities. Not a word from the other woman throughout the day and Cosima is starting to get really concerned for her safety.
She had halfway decided to go inside and look for her friend when Alison finally exits the hotel, quick, nervous steps carrying her to the car that's been parked in the same place the entire night.
Alison gets in without saying a word, in fact, the younger vampire barely looks in Cosima's direction, who's frowning.
"Everything okay?" Cosima asks, concern in her voice.
"Yes, yes! Just drive!" Alison replies quickly, flicking her wrist a couple of times to indicate her hurry.
"How did it go?" Cosima turns on the ignition, but her eyes continue to scan her friend.
"It was fine!" Alison dismisses her flatly.
Cosima frowns again and shakes her head to herself. Something's not right with Alison, there's an awkward nervousness in her gestures, her body even more tense than usual. Alison has always been a bit weird for Cosima's standards, but never quite like this. Of course she'd be a lot more worried if she could detect any sort of injury in her friend, but she looks unharmed and that makes Cosima feel a lot more confused than worried.
"So..." Cosima restarts slowly when they stop at a red light. "Did you make any new friends?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Alison jumps in her seat and shrieks.
Cosima eyes her with intensity and tilts her brow, then it suddenly hits her, not really sure how she knows it, but she does and starts to laugh uncontrollably. "Oh my god, Alison!" She manages between laughs. "You totally got some!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," the other woman defends stubbornly, her entire being fighting for control that only makes Cosima laugh harder.
"Don't tell me it has been so long you've forgotten the lingo," Cosima teases, restarting the march once the light turns green. "Got some, had sex, do the nasty!"
"I don't do the nasty, Cosima," Alison says horrified.
"Was it good?" Cosima pushes her buttons with a smile. "I mean, if it has been that long anything would be great, right?"
Alison crosses her arms over her chest, but at least has given up denying the obvious. Cosima ceases her teasing and gives her friend some time to collect her dignity, even if now and then a chuckle fills the vehicle.
"Besides your sex life, what else did you find out in there? Anything useful to us?" Cosima couldn't resist the little nudge if she tried - which she doesn't.
"The... gentleman..." Alison begins slowly. "He works for one of the elders."
"Oh... Did you spy bang one of them?" Cosima laughs again.
"He says they meet there regularly," Alison says, ignoring Cosima's comment. "We've exchanged numbers. He'll call when the next meeting takes place."
"Sounds like he's setting you up for a booty call," Cosima says. "And I'm happy for you, but we already have Felix to tell us that."
"Yes, well... this way we know where and we can get there before they do," Alison sounds no nonsense. "Besides, if we continue to meet maybe I'll be able to get information from him. If I gain his trust, that is."
Cosima smirks to herself, her eyes on the road. "In my experience, and it's quite an extensive one, nothing gains someone else's trust faster than an orgasm... or four."
Alison snaps her tongue. "Cosima..." She scorns.
A week passes without news, although that's to be expected. If their information is correct, these meetings take place every two or three weeks. So things remain calm and the only change in Cosima's routine is Felix's visits. The vampire has started to come around Cosima's place, assuring her that he's not being followed. In fact, according to him, Shay's been so consumed by whatever is going on behind the scenes, that's she's barely able to keep track of what's going on in her own house, where - again, taking Felix's word - things have started to fall apart. Without a right hand, Shay's been stretched too thin and the once tight control she had on everyone is starting to weaken.
Cosima doesn't know if she should feel pleased or worried with this news. Of course, she herself had loathed the tight grip Shay had on her and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. But most members of her species are not exactly like her, especially if Shay's coven is now filled with young vampires who have very little if any control over their natural impulses. When experiencing the power the transformation for the first time, it's easy to forget there are limits to what one can do. Without the forced control that the head of the family provides, who knows what can happen. Certainly nothing good could come from a big city crawling with young, out of control vampires.
On the other hand, what this also implicates is that, whatever is happening, is big enough for Shay to ignore her duties as head of the coven, something she always considered of great importance. Shay's many flaws certainly never included dismissing her responsibilities. If anything she was always controlling to a flaw.
And this is exactly why this news is so disturbing to Cosima. Something's changing, and it's big enough for Shay to no longer put the family first, and very little would cause such a drastic change, especially in such a small span of time. Two years is nothing for someone who's lived centuries and has the theoretical possibility of eternal life. Vampires are not exactly known for the human trait of impatience since they can afford the time to make changes. This brings Cosima to a very disturbing conclusion: the elders are not moving at their own pace. In fact, they are usually very resistant to changes, fighting them using every trick in the book. They know something and they're making a move against it - that's the only thing that could possibly force their hands.
While they're being proactive, Cosima has no other choice than to be reactive. She's making her moves shackled by the information she's getting too late to really anticipate their next move. She can feel all the urgency in the world, but without knowing what's going on, there's very little she can do about it. She's constantly several steps behind.
This concept enters her mind again when she receives a very fidgeting Alison in her place.
"The nerve of that asshole!" Alison says loud, entering Cosima's home and heading straight to the fridge.
Cosima's stunned for a moment, but it doesn't prevent her from smiling. "I might regret asking this," she says, "but what exactly are you talking about?"
"The doctor at DYAD," Alison's voice rises even higher as she fills a glass of wine to the brim.
Cosima's body tenses and she frowns, the humor of the situation dissipates. "What about it?"
"Asking me questions that are really non of their business." The other woman downs half the glass.
Cosima continues to frown but she's starting to connect the dots. "I'm sure it's not the first time you've had to answer those questions." She starts to smirk again. "The only difference is that this time your answer has changed."
Alison sits on the couch heavily, balancing the glass in her hand, not losing her proper stance entirely as she crosses her legs and sits with her back impeccably straight.
"Why do they need to know that anyway? What does that have to do with the treatment?" She says much calmer, now that the generous drink of wine is starting to take effect. "As if enduring the secondary effects of those damn shots isn't enough."
Cosima shrugs and sits next to her friend in a much more relaxed position, completely resting her back in the corner of the couch and raising one leg on top of it to look directly at the other woman. "It's supposed to ascertain your commitment to the program."
"Like hell it is!" Alison huffs. "Is just another way to control us."
"Hey! I didn't say I believe it!" Cosima raises her hands. "I'm just repeating Delphine's words."
"Delphine?!" A perfect brow arches, surprised at the familiarity with which Cosima mentions the doctor. "Oh Cosima... Don't tell me you did something so stupid?"
The older vampire clenches her jaw and her hand flexes around the cushion of the sofa, but she keeps her temper in check. "My relationship with Dr. Cormier is nothing but professional," she says in a calm, controlled voice.
"I wouldn't call it a relationship." Alison's stare remains suspicious, but she waves her hand dismissively. "Anyway, it's entirely irrelevant, since apparently she's no longer our physician."
"What do you mean?" Cosima's tone raises a few octaves, being caught completely off guard by the news.
"I know right?!" Alison nods and takes a small sip of the wine. "She didn't last long, unfortunately and I kind of liked her - not as much as you, apparently. But, according to Krystal, Dr. Cormier has been reassigned."
"Those were her words? Reassigned?" Cosima's nerves are definitely getting the best of her and she can no longer keep the concern out of her voice, her body completely taut. "Not resigned or fired?"
"No, not at all," Alison responds, her stare closely inspecting the other vampire's reaction. "It was more like a promotion, Krystal said. Which means she doesn't have to deal with our sad lot anymore."
Cosima takes in a deep breath, fighting every instinct to find out more. But she decides she knows enough for now; Alison is a limited source of information and to pursue the interrogation is going to cause her already suspicious friend to be even more apprehensive - Alison is not nearly as clueless as she might seem. Cosima's only concern should be for the doctor's safety, and if Delphine has gotten a promotion it means she's probably safer than before. As Alison said, at least the blonde is no longer in direct contact with vampires.
So, the best thing to do is to sit tight, her appointment day is coming soon and she can get more information from a much well informed source. Cosima can make Krystal talk; no problem.
It's quite revealing of Cosima's character that as soon as she hears Alison's door close upstairs, she jumps to her feet, and quickly puts on her shoes and coat. When she closes the front door as she leaves, she does so quietly.
It's still too early. If Delphine has kept her usual working hours, she won't leave DYAD for another hour or so. But it serves a purpose; Cosima walks aimlessly around the city and makes sure she isn't being followed. The doctor should go straight home from work, not that Cosima will risk getting anywhere near the institute to see for herself. Instead, she finds herself roaming along Delphine's street until she approaches the alley where the blonde was attacked, and hides in the shadows, out of sight.
And waits.
Her eyes scan the unsuspecting humans heading home after another day of work. Cosima doesn't know exactly why she's here, or what she'll say to the doctor once they meet, but the impulse to see her again was too strong to fight, and she hated the idea of having the fascinating woman removed from her life so tempestuously. She ignores thoughts that this is a terrible mistake; that, being in the middle of a war, albeit involuntarily, this is the last thing she should be doing. Delphine is not a priority, Shay is. In fact, the doctor is nothing more than a liability, a distraction from the real problems that Cosima could do without. Furthermore, the last time Cosima met the blonde, she'd made it clear she wanted nothing but distance from the vampire. Is that what this is about? Does Delphine's change of position have anything to do with Cosima? Was this the way the doctor found to keep them apart? And, if so, shouldn't the vampire respect the alluring human's wish?
Cosima is undecided. Does she leave, not force her presence in Delphine's life, or stay and try to get something from the doctor, a justification? No, not a justification, Delphine doesn't have to justify herself. More like a reason, if she chooses to share it with Cosima. This is a mistake, the vampire thinks again, her survival instinct which has served her for so long and which she has always valued more than anything is being completely ignored. She compromises in the end: if the doctor insists on the distance, Cosima will do so, but not before one last talk.
Delphine is late. The night has completely fallen before the vampire captures her scent, carried up the street by a strong breeze which raises suddenly. Reluctant about meeting the woman in a place that would bring her bad memories, Cosima walks ahead of the human and passes Delphine's building. She stops and turns around, making herself visible under the beam of the closest streetlight and waits for the blonde to reach her door. She watches as Delphine looks around before entering her pin to unlock the door, and her eyes land on the vampire.
At first she scowls, and Cosima notices her chest rise and fall with a deep sigh. Even so, the doctor needs no further incentive to approach her.
"What are you doing here?" Delphine asks in a harsh whisper, grabbing the vampire's arm and pushing her away from the light.
"I heard you no longer do consultations," Cosima says after a short hesitation, caught off guard by the sudden motion.
"So?" The doctor frowns, her tense stance doesn't change.
The vampire shakes her head to herself, dreads sway around her face. "I don't know..." She whispers lowly.
She feels lost, her mind struggles to work but it's like there are parts missing, rendering her entire cognitive system useless. A mistake, it sounds in her head again and she's certain of it now. How could this be happening? Cosima's a reasonable person, even in her human years, she was always so careful about every step she took. Safety is the priority, it has always been. What is she doing here? Stalking a human that will only bring her troubles. What does she think she can get out of this?
Delphine bites her lip and her breathing increases, deep, unsteady pulls of air as she turns to furtively look around herself.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"
Cosima's eyes struggle to focus, roaming every inch of the engaging features at once and not settling for any. Yes, this was definitely a mistake. How could she have forgotten how overwhelming it feels to have Delphine so close? Her control is slipping. She clenches her jaw, a low growl, almost like a purr rises to her throat and the arm being held by the human burns with a paralyzing intensity, instinctively the fangs unsheathe themselves.
Delphine senses the change, and she noticeably swallows a gasp and steps back, releasing the vampire's arm.
"I wasn't followed," Cosima's voice is rough when she speaks, trying to sound as nonthreatening as possible, as if that should be Delphine's only concern.
She wants to re-establish the physical contact. She's never considered that something that burns would be so seductive, so desired, but here she is, wishing for the intense heat Delphine's touch causes, wanting to feel it spreading across her entire body and find a way within herself. But she reminds herself of the promise she made earlier, Delphine must have her way, the doctor is the one who can dictate the path they take.
Delphine's posture softens a little. She has never really felt threatened by the vampire, but the fact that she's obviously given maneuvering room seems to raise her self assurance. While she keeps her hands to herself, she does approach the small woman, lowers her face and looks directly into the blazing eyes. Still, the tension doesn't diminish, she continues to nervously look around herself, as if expecting the danger she announced to take them by surprise.
"I wouldn't be so sure of it," Delphine says in an almost intimate tone.
"I was careful, Delphine," Cosima insists, but she's starting to suspect that the risk the doctor fears isn't coming from Cosima herself.
Delphine shakes her head vigorously. "You can't be here," she says and there's a renewed urgency in her voice, a gleam in her already bright eyes. "Tell me where to meet you!"
Cosima raises a brow, her mind startled by the turn of events, wondering if she's imagining things. "The Nightcrawler," she hears herself say. "Knock on the back door."
The doctor nods once and, before Cosima's mind has the chance to catch up, Delphine is walking inside her building.