Author: The Wanlorn
Title: A World in a Grain of Sand 19/?
Summary: This is a sequel to "Every New Beginning…"
Rating: PG13 for language
Spoilers: I honestly don't know, so beware.
Distribution: Ask, and ye shall receive. Take without permission, then screw the Law of Three, I will cures you with the nefarious curse of…da da dum…WRITER'S BLOCK!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Same as all of the last times, so far. The lyrics are from Salivia's "Always". They're a bit screwed up to make them fit, but, ya know.
Thank Yous: Thanks to Carla, my beta. Thanks to all my reviewers who feed my addiction.
Chapter Nineteen
The child stared, unanswering. Nire sighed exasperatedly.
"How did you know I was in someplace safe? As far as you knew, we could have been in some battle! That's why you *ask* first!"
"If I'd-a asked," the boy burst out angrily, "you'd-a just said no! You *always* do!"
"No I would not have," Nire said, toning her voice down. The effect on Abel that her anger had was not lost on her.
"Yuh-huh! If Amariyah or Dawn or Ivy asked, you'd-a said yes. But you always say no to *me*." Abel could smell the salt of the angry tears that streaked down the child's face.
"Yeah, well, the baby's a baby. And I most certainly do *not* always say yes to her. And Dawn 'n' Ivy still think I'm gonna dump them back with their aunt, or just leave them somewhere. So of course I'm going to say yes to them. *Honestly*," she huffed.
"It's still not *fair*," Micah cried.
"Life isn't fair. And didn't I say I as going to tan your hide if you pulled any of this shit again?" Nire said warningly.
Abel whimpered softly, trying to burrow into the chair and still be able to see Nire. Jander, noticing this, spoke quietly.
"Easy there," he said gently. "Her bark is a million times worse than her bite - all threats and no action. Watch."
Nire growled in frustration, pointing to Jander. "Go. Satisfy yourself that Jander's still alive, too."
The boy sulkily went over to the couch. Jander ruffled his hair. "You should have asked, young one. She would have said yes, this time."
Micah grumbled, looking utterly miserable. He went back to Nire, his head hanging. "I'm sorry."
"Damn, kid. Why can I never stay mad at you guys for long? C'mere, ya little suckuh." She hugged the little boy reassuringly. "Don't I *always* give you a reason why I say 'no', kiddo? There's a reason why you're supposed to ask."
"I just wanted…" he sniffled.
"Yeah, I know kiddo. Do Chris or Sasha know you're here?" she questioned.
"No," he pouted.
"Then you have to go back right now."
"But-" he started to protest.
"No buts," Nire ordered, handing him money. "Here. I'm bribing you now. Tell Chris I said to take you out for ice cream, or something. We'll be home in a couple days."
"But-" he tried again, sniffling.
"Nope, I don't wanna hear them. Plus, isn't this one time you got to see me and the girls didn't?"
That seemed to pacify the boy. He muttered a goodbye, the cash clenched in his fist, and left. Muttering to herself, Nire went back to the couch and plopped down on it. When she went by him, Abel flinched away uncertainly.
"I swear, that boy is going to drive me to drink," she muttered, remarkably subdued.
Abel shivered in his chair, frightened. True, she had not acted on the threat of physical punishment, but still… She *had* threatened it. And threats could become reality all too quickly.
The terrified look on his face didn't escape Nire's notice. She patted the couch next to her. "C'mere kitty kat."
He crawled over to her reluctantly, whining quietly. He cringed on the couch next to her, cringed away from her fearfully. When she touched his shoulder, he flinched away and whimpered.
"Whoa, easy there kitty kat," she murmured, quietly purring. "C'mere. I'm not going to hurt you." She gently pulled him closer to her, until he was stiffly curled against her, braced for pain. But the regular rumblings in her chest were slowly relaxing him, negating his fear. Touching, being touched, comforting human contact was… was a balm on his pain. Especially the way Nire did it, like she was protecting him from the world through every touch.
"Listen to me, kitty kat, okay?" She ran her fingers soothingly through his hair, her hands cool against his hot skin. "There's a *big* difference between spanking a child and abusing someone. Number one, a *child* is spanked. And you are most certainly not a child. And being spanked hurts for a few seconds at the most." She sighed and rested her cheek on the top of his head. "Ah, kitty kat. What more can I say? There's an ever bigger difference between whapping an orphan like Micah, and whapping someone like you. The first one's sometimes okay, but the latter's a *big* no-no, no matter what."
Abel could feel the peaceful vibrations of Nire's purring lulling his fears. Talk was cheap, but the rumbling feel… He drew his knees up to his chest, locking his arms around them. How could he feel this safe with her? But he did. She had promised to protect him, and she had not done anything to convince him that she wouldn't. Of course, she had done little to prove she would. Either way, when she touched him, it didn't hurt, it comforted. So, when would it change?
~~~~{@
Nick hummed to the melody of the classical music playing on the radio. Natalie had left her purse in their bedroom, and wanted him to get it for her before picking her up. After driving around the city for a while, he had finally made his way back to the loft. Turning off the engine and stepping out of the car, he could hear the commotion up on the second floor - the *happy* commotion. Nire was talking, Abel was laughing; Nick decided not to interrupt. Instead, he went up the back stairs and directly onto the catwalk. But the scene downstairs stopped him.
One of the three had figured out how to work his CD player. Nire or Abel must have provided the CD, because he definitely did *not* have 'Cotton-Eyed Joe' in his collection. Nire was bouncing around, doing the line dance that went with the song. Abel was shyly attempting to follow the moves, his face slightly flushed and happy. Jander watched them over the back of the couch, his eyes flickering between Nire in the middle of the room and Abel in the corner.
"No, no, no," Nire said. "That's not how you do it. C'mere. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mere." She motioned Abel over until he came. His movements were still hesitant, but there was not nearly as much fear in his step as usual.
"Now watch," Nire said, narrating what she was doing. "Five, six, seven, eight. Right two, left two, right left right left, foot front foot back, step cross step clap, step spin step clap, and do it again."
Abel's grin widened as he nodded. Nire trotted to the store to restart the upbeat song. For a couple more seconds, Nick watched, a slight smile on his face. Never had he seen Abel this happy, this relaxed. Then he went into the bedroom to find Natalie's purse.
~~~~{@
Abel's eyes sparkled as the song ended. He was thirsty now. Tentatively, as the track changed to "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" by Simon and Garfunkle, he offered to Nire, "Do you want a glass of water?"
"No thanks," she said, humming along to the tune.
He went over to the sink and filled up a glass for himself. As he finished the last drop, Nire said, "Actually, yeah, I am pretty t'irsty. Couldja grab me a glass of water, kitty kat."
Eager to please his new, benevolent owner, he quickly filled a new glass and hurried over to give it to her. The thump of Sydney jumping onto the counter distracted him and he glanced back. That brief moment was just enough to make him run smack-dab into Nire. The glass went flying out of his hands and smashed onto the floor, shattering. Nire tripped backwards and fell, he landed on top of her.
Abel immediately scrambled backwards, scuttled backwards, and crouched, trembling, on the floor. "I'm sorry," he whimpered, his stark blue eyes filled with terror.
"Are you okay, M'ija?" Jander asked, concern filling his voice.
"I don't know," Nire groaned. "I think I'm dead. Frell, that *hurt*."
Abel cringed as she pushed herself up and to her feet. "I'm sorry," he whimpered again.
"It's okay," she said soothingly. "C'mere, kitty kat."
He slunk to her feet and huddled there, trembling, bracing himself for a blow. When her fingers touched his head, he whimpered. But she stroked the side of his face and cupped his chin, gently making him look at her.
"It was an accident, kitty kat. Not your fault, not mine. If anything, it was the cat's fault." He cringed and mewled as she held out her hand, palm up. A gentle smile spread across her face. "Easy there kitty kat. You want a hand up?"
His hand inched up to hers, involuntarily jerking back as she grasped it. Loosely gripping his wrist, she wouldn't let him pull back, instead gently pulling him to his feet.
"Come on, kitty kat. Let's clean this up before Nick and Natalie get home." She smiled amiably at him, gently squeezing his hand before dropping it.
Nick came out onto the catwalk, Natalie's purse in one hand. "You guys okay down there?" he asked, just to make sure. Abel's heart sounded like that of a cornered rabbit.
If it had been physically possible, the young man's face would have gone a whiter shade of pale. As it was, his heartbeat sped up even more and he started to noticeably tremble.
Nire beat him to the punch. "Sure," she said brightly. "Kind of a funny story, actually. We were horsing around, ya know, bounce bounce bounce." Her hands flew all over, weaving the fictitious tale just as much as her words did. "And I was like, 'awla awla awla, I'm dying of thirst,' and bing bang boom I traipsed over to get a glass of water. An' then I was bouncin' back over, drinkin' my water, an' not paying attention. Pow!" Her hands crashed together, the loud noise making Abel jerk. "I crashed into Abel. And bam! We whammed to the floor. And I was like 'ack! I'm dy'n!' cuz, ya know, my stitches hurt. An' Abel was like, 'oh no!' " She clapped her hands to her cheeks, Macaulay Culkin-style. "Meanwhile, the glass was flying through the air with the greatest of ease, until crash! Tinkle tinkle, it shattered on the floor." She took a deep breath. "So, yeah, I kinda broke a glass. But, ya know, I'll clean it up and all."
Nick smiled bemusedly. "Okay… I'm going to pick up Natalie and go to the grocery store. Any requests?"
Abel shook his head nervously, watching Nire with fear in his eyes. She had lied to keep him out of trouble. So what did she expect in return?
"What month is it?" Nire asked.
"Um… December," Nick replied, slightly confused. Why else would a Christmas tree be up?
"Then nope," Nire said happily. "See ya later."
"Right. Bye.' Nick shook his head slightly was he went down the back stairs.
As soon as he was gone, Nire began to purr softly. "Take a deep breath, kitty kat. You're okay.' She stiffly bent down and began picking up the big shards of glass. Abel quickly dropped to his knees and began to help. "Careful," Nire warned. "Don't cut yourself." She began the process of calming down the abused man all over again.
~~~~{@
Out of the corner of his eyes, Nick watched Natalie as she walked up and down the aisles of the grocery store, pushing the cart of food in front of her. She was nervous, but only he could tell. The store was almost empty at this time of night, and they were almost done. It was one of the many benefits of shopping for only one person. Two, now that Abel was staying with them.
As she tossed a gallon of double chocolate fudge ice cream into the cart, he dropped a light kiss onto the back of her neck.
"Are we almost done?" he asked, just to be a pain.
"Yes, Nick," she said patiently, smiling at him. Even when he was being an idiot, he was cute.
She had hoped that Nick would have gone to the store while he was waiting to pick her up. But, no, he wanted her to come, because he didn't know what to get. As she pushed the rattling cart down the aisles, throwing things in, she mused over how her perspective had changed. Before, going through a store, the other people didn't really exist. They were just… things that she only noticed if they got in her way.
Now… Now, however, her nerves would have been up on edge if Nick had not been beside her. Even so… she knew where everyone in the aisle was. No longer were they innocuous entities, but possible threats to be watched. She was on high alert.
And she hated it.
Never was she more glad than when they went through the checkout and loaded everything into the trunk. She sat in the car while Nick put the cart back. Were she to be completely honest with herself, it hadn't been that bad. Certainly not as nerve wracking as she had expected. Of course, that had probably been because she could *feel* Nick and his support like a faint tingle at the base of her skull.
Nick leaned over and kissed her cheek as he got into the Caddy. "Love you, Nat."
She smiled softly. "Love you, too."
Nick nuzzled her cheek, then turned the key in the ignition. As he pulled out of the parking lot, he half-glanced at Natalie, a boyish smile on his face. "What do you say that you and I go out to dinner tomorrow night?"
"It sounds like a plan." Natalie smiled widely. She could not say no - not when he said it in that tone of voice that indicated he had already had everything planned out for a long time. "May I ask where?" she inquired curiously.
Nick's smile was reminiscent of the cat that ate the canary. "Well…" he drawled teasingly. "I was thinking, maybe… the 360?"
Natalie gasped happily. "Really?" she asked, her voice full of excitement. "Can you even get reservations that fast?" she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Nick glanced over at her again and said sheepishly, "I made the reservations a couple weeks ago, then completely forgot about them…"
Natalie grinned happily. Nick always seemed to know exactly what she needed, and knew it months before she herself knew. She did not know how she would have survived everything without him - she'd have gone insane.
Eventually, they reached the loft. As they began loading the paper bags into the lift, Natalie realized that she could hear ripping vocals of a woman's voice coming from inside. Slightly curiously, she listened to the lyrics.
"I love you / I hate you / I can't get around you / I breathe you / I taste you / I can't live without you / I just can't take anymore / This life of solitude / I guess that I'm out the door / And now I'm done with you."
How did songwriters know how to put life into such simple words? She loved Nick dearly, but there were times when he drove her insane. His over-protectiveness - as if she were going to shatter into a million pieces at times, his incessant guilt, his insistence that everything that went wrong was somehow his fault… all of those things made her nuts at his blindness. But how could she live without him around? He had become such an integral part of her life… As pathetic as it was, she actually did miss him when he was gone, even just at work. It didn't matter how she *wanted* to feel, she needed him. How many times had they *both* tried to walk away? Each time, they were stopped by the other, pleading for one more chance. And only God knew how much she hated living alone, in more ways than one. That was why she couldn't begrudge Abel for wanting to stay.
"I love you / I hate you / I can't live without you / I left my head around your heart / Why would you tear my world apart / Always / Always / Always / Always."
Nick smiled slightly, the phrase of music striking a chord within him. The very first law of being a vampire was to *never* get emotionally attached to a mortal. And yet, as soon as he met Natalie, saw her lack of fear of him that thought went flying out the window. Rational thought, at least on that subject, was nonexistence. The siren call of her spirit captured him like a fly in a spider's web.
"I see / The blood all over your hands / Does it make you feel / More like a man."
Oh, yes, Natalie knew how that felt. When Nick took her blood, he tried to shield her from the more gruesome images and feelings from his past. She had seen the blood on his hands and felt the small part of him - the piece he called his Beast - that was proud of it. It wasn't that which bothered her, but the fact that he refused to admit it. She could never get him to understand that the only difference between him and a mortal man, in that respect, was that the little piece of him had a physical manifestation, too.
"Was it all / Just a part of your plan / The pistols shakin' in my hands / And all I hear is the sound /I love you / I hate you / I can't live without you / I just can't take anymore / This life of solitude / I pick myself off the floor / And now I'm done with you…"
As they rode up in the lift, Nick's slight smile turned sour. Ah, yes, LaCroix in a nutshell. In a rare moment of honesty, Nick admitted to himself that, as much as he hated his master, as much as he wished that the ancient vampire would drop off the face of the earth, he could not imagine a world in which LaCroix was not constantly haranguing him. There *had* been times in history during which they had gotten along relatively well. Perhaps…
Nick's thoughts were interrupted by the lift's door opening. For a fleeting moment, he could feel, like a whisper against his mind, an intense anger. And it was not from Natalie. As soon as he registered it, it was gone. The three people were in a semi-circle, a shy grin on Abel's face. A smile, a fake one, was plastered on Nire's face - Jander looked just plain miserable.
"M'ija…"
"Leave it," Nire growled. The smile slowly faded from Abel's face, as he looked back and forth between the two. But Nire turned to him, grinning. "Damn, kitty kat. You've got to be the best third we've ever had."
The girl turned to Nick and Natalie. "You guys want some help?"
Nick shook his head. He would put money on the fact that it was Nire's anger he had felt. Although how he had been able to feel it… That was odd. When the groceries were all put away, Natalie opened her laptop, logging on to the server at her office. Nick sat down at the piano and began toying with a melody.
Everything was quiet for a while.
It got to be late - two in the morning. Natalie was still typing paperwork, stuff that she didn't need to have gone to work to do. Over in the living room, the TV was on to provide background noise - no one was actually watching it. Jander dozed on the couch, only half-awake. Nire entertained both Nick and Abel with card tricks.
"Cut the deck," she told Abel. He did so, and she put the two halves back together, picking up the top card. "A'ight. This is the card you cut to. Ace of Spades." She paused. "Well, that's certainly not good luck. Anywho," she put the card back on top of the deck, telling Abel to hold out his hand. He extended it hesitantly. The card was put in his hand, facedown, and she told him to cover it with his other hand.
"Obviously, I can't take that card out of your hand without you knowing, right? Well, regardless, I'm going to make that card change to a different one…" She drifted off, her attention distracted by a news report on TV. It was nothing new, a repeat of already aired information, but something had caught Nire's attention.
"A-bel," she said in a falsely cheerful tone. "Please tell me that's *not* your brother?"
Natalie glanced up at the TV and quickly went back to work at her computer. Abel looked at the screen, at Nire's face, and quickly at the floor. "He is."
"And is he…"
Abel nodded miserable, risking a quick glance up at her. She was pissed off, and Jander was suddenly awake and sitting up.
"I can't *believe* this," Nire growled. "What the frell kind of luck is this." Abel flinched as she spoke. A warning look was shot her way by Nick, but she ignored it. "I hate this. I *hate* it. I need a frelling drink."
Nire disappeared with a pop, Abel cringing from the sound with a whine. His lower lip began to tremble as he fought back tears. It was not his fault who he was related to. Maybe she was mad because he hadn't told her right away. He didn't want her mad at him any more than he wanted Natalie mad at him.
"She's not mad at you," Jander said kindly. "It's me she's angry with." He frowned slightly, rubbing his temples as though he had a headache. "Let's just say she's been having a bad month.'
Nick listened interestedly, hoping to find out more about his strange houseguests - including Abel. The young man looked up at the elven vampire, eyes disbelieving. He knew what people looked like when they were angry, and Nire had been furious. The odds were, when she got back, she'd take it out on him somehow. Especially if she managed to come back drunk.
"She's going to wander around the city for awhile," the vampire continued, his voice flowing like a river of silver, "walk her frustration off, then come back here. And we'll work out a plan."
"What do you mean, 'plan'?" Nick asked. Jander was making it sound as thought hey were all going to be in danger for some reason. If that was true, then he wanted Natalie out of the city. Feeling his concern, she looked up, devoting her full attention to the conversation.
But all Jander would say from then on out was, "When Nire deems the time appropriate, she will reveal what she wants you to know."
