Disclaimer: I do not own the following: Aubrey, Jessica, Mayhem, or New Mayhem.

Chapter 3

January, 2003 New Mayhem, New York

"...Don't wanna be just like you! What um sayin' is this is the Anthem, throw all your hands up! Y'all got to fee-Hey!" Elizibeth ceased her hopping up and down to yell at Aubrey.

"Then turn this crap down! I do have an important guest you know." Aubrey was growing weary of Elizibeth's music, and her endless hopping; although, this was far better than her rap stage less than two years before.

Elizibeth was still thirteen, due to her father's mistake 140 years before. Aubrey hadn't changed Elizibeth -to her disappointment- but simply blood bonded her to him.

After 'the big mistake' (what Elizibeth and Aubrey referred to the 140 year old incident as) Aubrey took Elizibeth to the best healers he knew: Smoke witches. Aubrey hadn't wanted Elizibeth to experience the burden of being changed too early so he left her on the Smoke's door step with a note saying "Heal her as soon as possible. Pease.".

As soon as Elizibeth was in as best condition as she could be in the Smoke's care, Aubrey took her back. Several days later her wounds reopened without warning and she lost a good amount of blood. Since Aubrey didn't want to change her and he had to give her at least some blood, he blood bonded her.

Elizibeth turned the radio back on and yelled, "It's not crap!"

Aubrey turned the radio down again, grabbed Elizibeth by the shoulders and looked directly into her eyes "I don't care what it is, just keep it down."

He turned from her to the door then back "Sorry...just don't blast it when I have company. Okay?"

"Okie Dokie! And don't be sorry. We all lose our tempers sometimes!" Elizibeth chirped brightly, as she hugged Aubrey. He tensed, and then hugged her back. She'd explained to him once that young girls need emotional support even when they don't seem to.

Aubrey left Elizibeth's room and headed downstairs. Jessica had wanted to speak with him earlier. She'd been concerned with Elizibeth's well being, which was a first. Jessica normally wouldn't give a trunk full of rat's behinds if something happened to her-unless it affected Aubrey.

"Hey," Jessica barely cracked a smile as Aubrey greeted her again in his parlor.

"So, what exactly did you wanna talk to me about?" Aubrey was eager to find out why Jessica was worried about Elizibeth. The sooner he found out, the sooner he could poke fun at her.

"Like I said before, I heard these two mom's talking 'bout an Elizibeth. I didn't think they meant the brat upstairs 'til I recognized one of 'em. She was that kid Cory's mom who dropped her off at my old place once. Anywho, they were talkin' 'bout that time she wore the plaid mini-skirt and that white, low cut blouse to school. Well, it just so happens that Cory's mom saw her that day too. They think that her 'parents' are neglective and they're gonna have a social worker come and check out this place."

Aubrey shrugged nonchalantly "Your point is..?" He was slightly disappointed that Jessica hadn't said something embarrassing that he could hold against her for...EVER.

"My point is that if that social worker comes here you'll probably get sent to jail for being an unfit father and the brat 'll go to a foster home. And trust me, I don't think she'll fit in one. She could end up having to go through a hell of a lot of families that think she's great - until she gets them angry one to many times." Jessica was actually more afraid for Elizibeth this time. She knew what could possibly happen if the wrong family took her in. That fact alone could destroy Aubrey. He'd end up getting into issues way over his head because of his overprotective tendencies.

Aubrey really didn't see what the problem was. He figured he could just take Elizibeth back like he'd done every other time she got stuck in an unwanted position. "So I'd just-"

"No, Aubrey, You can't just take her back. That would cause major issues with the government. They'd know it was you because they'd think you're her biological father. And heck, what parent in their right mind wouldn't want their kid back from someone they didn't know...Look, just make the place look like a normal clean home. That's all you have to do. It'll let you keep Elizibeth and a good record." Jessica thought that he would have been smart enough to get the idea, but Aubrey was still in his own little world, where everything works to his advantage.

'He really has to start thinking about the real world again...I wish he'd just think about the kid a little more...' Jessica hadn't realized she was thinking openly.

'So you do care about Elizibeth? Thanks for the blackmail info!' Aubrey could now pretty much make Jessica do whatever he wanted. She didn't much like people other than those really close to her knowing her 'sentimental' side and the only person really close to her was Aubrey.

"Now that you are a slave to my word, let's do what I wanna do." Aubrey loved having power over people.

'Yeah, yeah. I know what you want.' Jessica moved over to Aubrey's side of the couch and cuddled into his arms. Trying to hide her smile she tilted her head upward and kissed him.

Locked into each other's auras as they were they hadn't noticed Elizibeth slip down the stairs to see what the hissing was all about.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Aubrey looked up from Jessica and thought 'Get yer behind upstairs now!'

"What if I don't wanna?" Elizibeth snarled at him. Before Jessica came over her night was to go like so; Aubrey would take her out to dinner at Aculpolco's. Then they'd go to West Coast Video and pick out three old fifties horror movies and two recent horror films.

'Upstairs now!' Aubrey thought more fiercely. This time Elizibeth complied with a snort. In her room Elizibeth decided to call her 'rescue team'.

Nearly an hour later Elizibeth came back downstairs. She stared defiantly at Aubrey as she gracefully skimmed down the banister and bounced off the end. Grabbing her coat Elizibeth stated her case emotionless.

"I'm going out."

Aubrey stood to object the girl's decision. 'No, you're aren't.'

"Too late." Elizibeth scampered out the door before Aubrey could stop her. She scurried down the driveway to an oncoming Jaguar Prowler. Elizibeth hopped into the Black Beauty of the automotive world. Aubrey gazed after the Jaguar angrily.

'What the hell are you thinking?! ...Elizibeth!...Whatever you do, Don't get yourself killed!...please.' Aubrey desperatly hoped Elizibeth heard him. Although even if she did she wouldn't heed any of his counsel.

So, how'd'ya like it? I think it was too short...sorry...Please review! Constructive criticism accepted. smiles