Oh, relief major. I though I was planning this story for no one. Alright, thanks to AngryTolkienPurist, iridescent eyes, Klineox, and Steph M. Still haven't heard which one of my characters you like better, though
Oh, Neverneverland, not sure if you're still reading, but if you are, I think this chapter answers a question you had earlier
iridescent eyes: I try to give more detail, but I'm not much of a detail person. I like to skip to the point, which for me is dialogue. I don't write in script format because there isn't enough detail, so this is sort of the way I go. I try to write a lot of detail, but after a while my story's lose it, sorry if it doesn't have enough. Exactly with the detail, though, because a lot of stories focused just on description is boring. I suppose there is a difference between description and detail, though, so I'll try to put in more detail. Also, I would like to say I don't think I'm going to go into great detail about what happened with Michael and Selene, being the reason why I left it out originally was because I couldn't think of how it came, but there might be a little info. Thanks for reviewing
AngryTolkienPurist: Thank you for reviewing. I tried to keep the chapters close together, but people were losing interest, they lose interest, I lose interest.
Klineox: That's actually really funny, cuz I just noticed that, too. About Simon, that is. He was supposed to be a clownish smart guy, and somehow he's changed into an obsessed weirdo. I'm thinking it's just stress, but he'll be back to his normal weird self in no time … hopefully. Since I just noticed it and all, I think I'm going to say it's stress, yeah. Please review again
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THINGS JUST GET TRICKIER
Michael tapped lightly on the oak door before him. "Simon!?" He called hesitantly. "What's got you so held up in there?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Simon called, before pulling the door back. "You could have just come in, you know."
Michael stepped into the chamber where Simon was staying. The table and the desk were covered entirely with papers, and tossed hastily about. When Michael looked at Simon, he noticed the lack of sleep in his friend's eyes, and his messy appearance. Not to mention the stench that rose from not having bathed in at least two weeks.
"God, Simon! Didn't I tell you to take a shower or something?" Michael exclaimed, trying desperately not to cover his nose.
"What?" Simon asked with confusion. "Oh, oh yes, bathing. Just slipped my mind." He turned over to his papers and started shuffling through them.
"I don't see how you could forget. Don't you realize how bad you smell?"
"Smell?" Simon lifted his arm and took a deep breath, before gagging. "Ugh! I see what you mean. I'm sorry Michael, I've just been preoccupied is all."
"Obsessed is more like it," Michael acknowledged with humor. He picked up a sheet of paper and turned it over. "What is this stuff you're working on, anyways?"
"Nothing!" Simon exclaimed, pulling the paper back and setting it on the table. He turned and gave Michael a semi-crazed smile. "What – what … what did you want to talk to me about?"
Michael looked his friend over for a few minutes, and then collapsed on the bed. "It's Marcus," He said finally.
"Ah, the great vampire elder," Simon deducted. "I was wondering how long it would be before you two needed to duke it out."
"No, no, it isn't like that," Michael said. "It just seems as recently he's been leaving all the work to me, and everyone has complaints while he's off on his own doing god knows what. Then there's Selene."
"Well, see, there's a topic."
"What's that mean?" Michael asked.
"Tell me of what's bothering you, my friend. The two of you have been getting pretty close, I daresay. Close enough to conceive?"
"What!?" Michael demanded, staring at Simon with shock.
"Yes, yes, I've spoken with Selene about this already," Simon replied, beginning to rummage through his desk. "Oh bother. You put something somewhere, it disappears right under your nose. Ah ha! Here it is." He pulled out the book he has shown to Selene and Erika a little over a week ago. "Continue. What's bothering you about Selene?"
"Uhh … She seems to be hiding something. Simon, what is going on?"
"Oh, uh, in a second, Michael. I seemed to have misplaced my mind at the moment," Simon said. He looked considerate, and then put the book down as he stepped forward. "You say she's been hiding something, eh?"
"I said she acts as if she's hiding something. She's thrown herself into battle plans and we haven't spoken in at least three weeks," Michael said. "Every time I try to talk with her, she makes an excuse to leave."
"Have you bedded her yet?" Simon asked.
"Huh?"
"You know. Have you two slept together?"
"Uh … I'm not sure what that has to do with anything," Michael said.
"Oh, it has plenty to do with everything. She may be drawing away because she fears it was a mistake. When was the last time you two were together in bed?"
"Simon -."
"Oh, don't be so fretful. Come on, I know you two have been banging. I'd ask for the details, but seeing the appalled look on your face, I'll just try and get to the bottom of this."
Michael frowned at him. "A month … maybe another two weeks," he finally admitted.
"Now that wasn't so hard, was it? Bet it was good, eh?"
"Simon," Michael said, shaking his head with humiliation.
"Oh, don't try and hide it from me. I've been telling you needed to get some for a while. Although normally I'd disagree with the fact that it was a vampire, desperate times call for desperate measures," Simon said.
"What's this all about?" Michael asked.
"Well, look here," Simon said, pulling the book forward and passing it to Michael. The hybrid stared at it, dumbfounded.
"A book?" He asked incredulously.
"A very entertaining book," Simon said defensively.
Michael studied him. "You're getting weirder, and weirder," He finally said.
"But I do have some advice for you."
"This should be good," Michael said.
"Talk with Selene. Tell her if she doesn't sit down and talk with you, then you'll take her off of field work. This is important. You and Selene have something. And maybe, when you're through, you could explain to me how you made the ice queen melt," Simon said.
"Don't be crude," Michael snapped. Then he shook his head. "I will talk to her, though."
"Good idea," Simon said.
Michael looked thoughtful. "Then you and I will talk. You haven't been acting like yourself. Derek's worried."
"Derek's more concerned with Kailyn at the moment," Simon said, almost sadly.
"Derek's just at that age," Michael told him. "It may have been a while for you, but Derek seems to have a crush on Kailyn. And likewise."
"I know," Simon said. "Still, I do suppose I miss my partner in crime."
Michael stood and patted him on the shoulder. "Take a shower, Simon. And then maybe you and Derek should take a day out, do some father son activities together. A break from this gloomy room won't hurt you." With that he walked out.
Selene
"Ah!" Selene cried out, clutching her stomach.
"Are you okay?" Erica asked, pulling her up. Selene jerked away.
"I'm fine," She grumbled, causing Erica to grimace. "I just – I stretched the wrong way." She said quickly.
"You stretched the wrong way?" Erika asked doubtfully, folding her arms over her chest. Selene snarled at her.
"Yes, I did," She growled. She stood up strait, and glanced across the room to where Kailyn was watching them. "What?" She demanded.
"I didn't say anything," Kailyn said hastily, raising her arms to show innocence.
Selene narrowed her eyes and then grumbled some choice words under her breath. Erika looked her over, and then turned to Kailyn.
"Was she even moving?" She asked.
"I don't want to argue about this!" Selene snapped.
"Hey, hey, no one's arguing," Kailyn said, before laughing lightly. "You're too uptight, you know that?" She picked up her duffel bag and started for the door.
"Where are you going?" Selene asked; now better from the sharp pains in her stomach.
"Ricky and I have combat training before dinner, remember? I'm supposed to meet her in five minutes," Kailyn explained.
"Oh," Selene relented. She glanced at Erika, who gave a wry smile. "Well … have fun."
"You too. See you at dinner!" Kailyn called as she backed out of the room.
Selene sighed, and then started for the door. Erika looked startled.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
Selene stiffened. "To my bedroom," She said.
"We need to talk," Erika told her. Selene spun.
"About what?" She demanded.
"About what REALLY just happened. If I didn't know better I'd say you should see the doctor," Erika said.
"Well why don't you?" Selene growled.
"Because you're avoiding Michael," Erika replied.
"Michael isn't the only doctor," Selene said. "Besides, I don't need to see a doctor."
Erika pursed her lips. "So you say. You may think differently, Selene, but we're stuck together in this, and we're going to have to learn to trust each other. I don't want to trust you and you don't want to trust me, but we're going to have to. Since Markus has commanded we work together, I'd appreciate it if you would just try. I know I've said this before -."
"Yes, you have said it before, and it's getting old. You don't see me jumping into your business," Selene exclaimed.
"I'm not jumping into your business!" Erika exclaimed. "I'm looking out for you! Damn it, Selene!"
"Just stick to looking out for yourself," Selene said snidely.
Erika let out a frustrated sigh, and then marched out of the room. Selene stared at her retreating head, and waited for the door to slam shut before she relaxed into a chair.
"Not really the best way to handle a situation, huh?" A voice asked. Selene spun around to see none other than Caelan strolling towards her.
"How long have you been standing there?" Selene asked, looking her over.
"How long have you been here?" Caelan countered. She sat down across from Selene.
"Impossible. We were in here alone," Selene said, narrowing her dark eyes at her.
"Oh, you are never alone," Caelan said knowingly. "At least, not at this moment."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I think you know what it means, Selene."
"Why is it that you always seem to pop out of nowhere?" Selene demanded.
"On the contrary. I always come from somewhere. But you want to know why I'm always meddling in your business. It's simple, really. Your business is my business," Caelan said. Suddenly a doughnut appeared in her hand, and she bit into it.
"How did you do that?" Selene asked in amazement.
"That's right," Caelan said when she swallowed. "You still don't know who I am."
"And that would be …?"
"Caelan, the oh so dangerous 'enemy'," She said sarcastically. Then she started laughing. "Honestly, why would I leave my little sister in your hands if I were your enemy? I just don't get your thinking."
"Your Caelan," Selene said; her eyes wide. She reached to pull her gun out, but it disappeared and reappeared beside Caelan.
"There will be none of that. I just came to talk, honestly. I see you've done as I suggested."
"And that would be …?"
"Oh come now! Must I say it out loud? Oh fine. You got yourself pregnant. There, I said it."
"How do you know about that?" Selene demanded, jumping up. "No one knows about that."
"I can smell her," Caelan said.
"Her?" Selene asked, puzzled.
"Oh yes, your daughter. You've been dreaming of her long before the time she was conceived, of course? I trust you have some new insight."
"I don't understand."
"Of course you do! You just don't want to admit it." She swallowed the last bit of her doughnut, and licked at her fingers. "I sent you the dreams. Before you say it, I didn't make them up. I just showed you bits of the permanent future. There was also a bit of the hopeful future. You saw time with you and Sandra. Times you would have to come through together."
"How do you know so much about us?" Selene asked, now curious. "I mean, why are we so important?"
"Oh my dear, now that is a secret! But I trust your adorable friend Simon has a few … appropriate theories, hmm? Oh, come here, this should be good for you." She handed Selene a bowl full of warm blood that had just appeared there.
Selene stared at it in awe.
"Oops, suppose I forgot a spoon," Caelan said. She held out her hand, and a spoon popped into it. She placed it next the bowl with a smile. Then she frowned. "Oh, now what is the matter?"
"I -." Selene stopped before blinking. She scowled. "What is this?"
"It's blood."
"No, what did you put in it? Ultra violet capsules? Garlic?" Selene demanded.
"Oh, come now. You don't truly believe I would try to kill you off, do you? Please. I need that baby alive. Not to mention you could be a valuable asset in this war all on your own," Caelan explained.
Selene eyed her warily, but her stomach giving a loud growl made it obvious that she hadn't eaten in a long time. Caelan burst into a fit of giggles.
"Now there, you see! I do believe Miss. Sandra is hungry. Eat up, Selene."
Selene reluctantly allowed her bloodlust to take over, and began to greatly down the blood before her as Caelan watched with interest.
"I don't believe I've seen a vampire feed since Markus," She commented.
"You know Markus?" Selene asked.
"Quite well, actually," Caelan said as she sat back, her fingers gently resting beside her head as she looked pensive. "I do miss those days."
Selene was surprised to hear the sadness in Caelan's voice. "How close were the two of you?"
"He was like my father," Caelan said with a small smile. If she didn't have the sunglasses on, Selene would have seen the small tear glistening in her green eye. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you were to look at it, the tear was hidden.
Caelan stood up straighter. "I suppose I should be heading out, then. Oh, one more thing before I go Selene. Actually, two, I suppose. First, you don't need to tell Michael just yet. Give him a bit more time to … ponder. But, secondly, you do need to speak with someone. Perhaps … Erika? She would be a good source. And she has her own dirty little secret. You do need to trust her some more. You and I both know she could make a very excellent acquaintance. Well, I'm off then."
And with that, she disappeared, leaving Selene to consider all that Caelan had told her. Erika, huh? Well, it was a start. Not bothering to hide the small smile crawling upon her lips, she began to dig further into her bowl.