A/N: Sorry this chapter took such a long time to get posted. I came down with a severe case of writer's block that refused to respond to treatment. And then I got grounded from the computer because I wouldn't go to a baseball game with my dad (because he always ignores me when we go) and then refused to go to Six Flags with him (because last year I came and promptly threw up everything I'd eaten that day.). My mom won't go to Six Flags with him because she hates the rides, and I'm not too fond of them either. So why did I get grounded? Good question. Probably for the same reason he took my door last year. Which is something I still haven't figured out. I think it had something to do with canned vegetables...

Disclaimer: OCs are mine and the plot is mine, but that's it. Not a penny to my name for this fic, so don't sue. I can't afford it.



Chapter Five: A Deal

Ravyn's sobs slowly subsided, fading to fait hiccupping gasps. Chris still held her, however, and she made no move to disentangle his arms around her. The truth was that it felt so right for him to hold her, and she didn't want to leave his embrace. One of his ands was stroking her hair and the other held her to him. She drew back a little, reluctantly.

"What are we going to do?" Her voice was thick and hoarse with crying.

"I don't know," Chris admitted. "But you are going to get some rest before we do anything." He helped her to her feet and began to lead her towards her bedroom.

"But Cody—" she said, looking back at the boy's lifeless body lying on the floor of her hallway.

"I'll handle it," Chris said firmly, pushing her gently onto her bed. He knelt to take off her shoes, then tucked her under the covers, much like he would a young child.

"Sleep," he said, kissing her gently on the forehead. He stood and turned to go.

"Chris," Ravyn said as he reached the door. He turned back to her inquiringly.

"Don't leave me tonight." There was a slight tremor in her voice. "I...I don't want to be alone."

He smiled reassuringly at her. "I'll be right back. I'm just going to call Jack real quick and have him deal with this."

Ravyn nodded and he left, shutting the door softly behind him. It pained him to see her like this. The fire, the passion, the kick-ass attitude that was the Ravyn he loved was gone. In her place was a vulnerable little girl that Chris couldn't help but feel sorry for. He secretly hoped she would let him help her through this, because he didn't want her to lose the fiery spirit that had made him fall in love with her to begin with.

Quickly, not wanting to leave her alone with her thoughts for too long, he dialed Jack's number.

"Hello?" came a voice on the other end of the line. A female voice.

"Is Jack there?" Chris asked.

"Hello?" said Jack's voice a few seconds later.

"What the hell were you thinking!" Chris exploded, wanting to yell, and knowing he had to keep his voice down so as not to disturb Ravyn.

"Is this Chris?"

"You have better thank God I'm not there right now, Jack, because I'd love to kick your fucking ass right now!"

"Chris, calm down, and tell me what's bothering you," Jack commanded, his voice steady and level.

"What are you, my shrink? Listen to me, Jack, if you think you can toy with people's lives like you did with Cody and Ravyn, you have another fucking thought coming. And if you've done any permanent damage, you asshole, I swear I will kill you." The tone of his voice told Jack that he was being completely serious, and he wondered, not for the first time, if putting those two together as partners was a good idea. "Now send someone over here right now to pick up the body."

Chris hung up without waiting to hear Jack's reply. He forced himself to take a deep breath and calm down. He couldn't go back to Ravyn angry.



Xareth couldn't believe his luck. The vampiric fool back at the bar had been incredibly cooperative. Or incredibly stupid, depending on how you looked at it. He was after someone, a girl, apparently, who had magic. And who knew Evelyn Chicaya. It had taken Xareth quite awhile to discover Adalon's otherworld name. Or was Evelyn her real name, and Adalon her otherworld name? She was from here, after all.

Never mind, Xareth dismissed the train of thought, going back to his conversation with the vampire.

"So this cold iron stuff will prevent her from casting a spell on me?" Kraven had asked. "Are you sure?"

"Quite," Xareth responded icily. He was practically a king, where he came from, and wasn't used to people doubting his word. "If it can control one of the more powerful enchantresses, why not a simple girl off the streets? Trust me, cold iron is the ticket."

"But how do I get it?" Kraven persisted. "You said it's very difficult to make, and hard to get, especially here."

"Well there, my good fellow, you are in luck. I happen to have some I don't need, which I will give to you—for a price of course."

"What kind of price?" Kraven asked suspiciously.

"I'm searching for an—an old acquaintance. I need to know where she lives."

"Who?"

"Her name is Evelyn Chicaya. She lives somewhere in this city, I know, but I need to know where exactly."

"What does she look like?"

"Unnaturally tall, blonde hair, and purple eyes."

"Purple eyes?" Kraven was astounded.

"It's a mark of power," Xareth informed him.

Kraven remembered hearing about someone with purple eyes...but where? It was somewhere in Ravyn's past...

"I think I know who you're talking about."

"Excellent. Now, don't try to cheat me," Xareth commanded, holding out the chain of cold iron, but not allowing Kraven to take it.. "I have ways of knowing things you would rather not have me know. And I can use those things to my advantage should you attempt to cheat me."

"I have no secrets," Kraven scoffed.

"Do you not? What of your...midnight feeding habits?"

The vampire had gone paler than he already was, if that were possible. Xareth gave him a sinister smile and said, "Pleasure doing business with you," something Adalon had said once after leaving him bound and gagged in the forest after a fight. Then he left.

Xareth laughed to himself, thinking how easy it had been. Now he would just have to wait and Evelyn would come to him.



Chris opened the door and saw that Ravyn had fallen asleep—and was having a nightmare. She tossed and turned uncomfortably and there was an expression of pain on her face.

He hurried over to her and touched her shoulder gently. "Ravyn. Ravyn, wake up."

She sat up with a gasp and with her mouth open, Chris thought he saw fangs. But she quickly shut her mouth and he decided it must have been a trick of the light, because when she opened her mouth again, they were gone.

"Chris," she whispered, and promptly burst into tears,

"It's alright," he said, holding her against him. "It's alright. We're going to get through this. I promise."

She took his hand and held it tightly to her and lay down, pulling his with her. They lay together on her bed, with her back pressed against his chest, his arm around her waist, and his hand clutched against her chest like a lifesaver.

Ravyn's tears quickly dried on her cheeks and she fell into a deep—and this time, dreamless—sleep.



A/N: Rather short, I know. But now we know who the guy in the bar is. Just a short explanation on him: he's Adalon's arch-enemy. He is very powerful and has all sorts of different abilities, as far as magic goes. But the only power that's really truly his is the ability to steal other people's power. And he wants Adalon's very very badly. In my actual original fic, he never actually crosses over to Chicago, but I tweaked it a little to fit. He's based on the same guy that was killed in the first chapter. Adalon kicks his ass a lot. She has fun doing it, too.

So anyway, I hope you liked it. Please review, because reviews make me very happy and go a long way towards curing writer's block. I'm going to tell you that I already have chapter 6 written. The speed at which I post depends entirely on you, my readers. The more of you that review, the faster the chapter goes up. So, I'll leave you with that incentive and hope to hear from as many of you as possible.

Alexa.G.: I can't tell you what's up with the dreams Michael and Selene are having, because then I'd have to kill you. And I would hate to do that. Killing off a loyal reviewer would be a sad sad thing, don't you think? Actually, it's a bit of foreshadowing. Oops! Shouldn't of told you that! Oh well, we'll just pretend I didn't say that, right? winks conspiratorially

Xenocharm: 1. I do not like Seth. We've been over this. Many times. 2. Yes you did. 3. Because Kraven is important to the storyline and while he may be mean and stupid, he is most definitely NOT ugly. I love Shane Brolly.

Samara Morgan-Ring: At least I'm safe from Bob. Though I'm tempted to not post this chapter just to see a donkey/bunny hybrid. And you're right. You do eat to much sugar. But we love you anyway!

Reven1539: I'm glad you like it!

Klaudestar: We're getting there, we're getting there! If all goes according to Chris's plan, they will hook up. unfortunately, we don't know if Chris's plan is my plan, now do we?

AngryTolkeinPurist: Thank you for the complement. I try. it's nice to know someone notices.

Khayla: That sentence was confusing. And you're right of course. My faithful readers were here before Randy. And so, here's another chapter for you!

Lady K2: As always, thanks for the review. Yours are much-looked-forward to. The dreams are a foreshadowing of sorts. If you recall, Selene had them while she was carrying Ravyn and her child's powers may have been affecting her at the time...and I've said too much. I hope this chapter helped you warm up to Chris a little. What exactly are your reservations about him? Maybe I can put them at ease? And when will we see more of My Immortal and the gorgeous Geren? Can't wait!

Moose: I'm sorry you're feeling a bit left out on review response. Being my beta reader does take some of the thrill out of reading because by the time I get it posted, you've read it three times. That's why I don't give you long responses. Because you've already heard my response to everything you said. But you know I love you.