AUTHOR'S NOTE: Due to reasons beyond my control I'll be sans spellcheck for the upcoming week, which will make updating very hard. I might not update at all, but I'm sure youstand to wait a bit longer. Hopefully this will give me time to think of the plot and where it's headed. Once again, any suggestions are wanted and appreciated.

This chappy became pretty short. I was unsure as to how information much I would give away, which turned out to be very little. Oh well, at least its forwarding the plot somewhat.

CHAPTER 21 -AWAKENING AND SUMMONING-

Fred had not realized that she had fallen asleep until she felt herself sliding down the chair. She jerked up and fixed her posture. She had been sitting next to Mabon's bed, weathering through all the secondhand nightmares, for a full day. Everyone else had made the occasional visit and given her a chance to change her clothes and get something to eat, but she never stayed away for long.

Fred yawned, when a soft, familiar voice whispered. "Fred."

Fred opened her eyes, finding Mabon looking at her. He smiled at her, and despite his pained face. it was a real smile, the first real smile since he had been rescued.

"Mabon. How are you feeling?"

"Not very well, to be truthful." Mabon glanced around him. "We're at the hotel?"

"Yes. We got you back."

"How long?"

"Over a day ago."

"You were worried? I am sorry for that."

"No! Mabon, you have nothing to be sorry about. You're my friend and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

For a second a strange look went across Mabon's face, something bordering between happiness and sorrow. But soon the smile returned.

"You truly care. I am humbled and glad."

"After what you did to me, how could I not care about you?"

Mabon shook his head carefully. "Not everyone has a habit of feeling gratitude. Not everyone cares, but I know that you do."

Fred giggled, "did you ever doubt it?"

Mabon chuckled in response, "no. But let myself forget."

Mabon's sleepy eyes stared directly at Fred. Slowly his right hand appeared and reached forward, his expression became pleading.

Fred leaned forward. "What is it?"

"Please. I want to feel you, to be sure it's you."

Fred held out her hand and took a gentle hold of Mabon's bandaged counterpart. As their hands connected, Mabon flinched.

"Are you okay?" Fred moved closer.

Mabon's features softened. "I am fine. The pain isn't that bad, not now that I know I'm really here, now that I know this to be more than a dream."

"Mabon?"

"Yes?"

"When you were asleep you kept saying "Taro". What does it mean?"

"Taro was someone I knew a long time ago." Mabon looked down at his pillow. "Someone I made a promise to that I could not keep."

"A friend?"

"And more than that. He cared of me, much in the same way that you now care of me." Mabon was slipping away. "Fred, please don't let go."

"I won't, I'll be here for as long as you need."

- - - - - - - - - -

Bruce stood in his hotelroom, displeased beyond belief. He did not feel safe returning to his home, they might waiting for him there. Bruce knew his hands were tied. While the vampire and his gang had the elemental, he and his men were unable to act. There was only one course of action that Bruce could think of and its chances of success were very questionable. Yet Bruce was not in the habit of giving up, tohim taking the risk was worth it.

Bruce sighed and stared at the spot on the floor. He had done everything that was required, now it was only a question of time.

Soon an orange light appeared before Bruce. The light twisted and ebbed, eventually parting to reveal the person Bruce had sought after.

The stranger looked at Bruce in distaste. "How dare you summon me?"

Bruce took a step back and bowed. "I apologise for disturbing you, my lord."

"A metallurgy demon? Do you have a deathwish, or are you merely stupid?"

"Sir, I do not wish to anger you..."

"It's a little too late for that, I was having a very nice rest." The stranger examined his nails.

"My lord, I summoned you, because you are my only way to demand retribution."

"Retribution? Who do think I am, some kind of mercenary that you can hire?"

"No! Not at all, my lord. It is just that this matter includes one of your kind."

"Oh?" The stranger raised an eyebrow. "Why would I care? My kind does not have to answer to the likes of you."

"Yes, I am aware of that. But you see, this indivitual, he is bonded with my family and... Well, he's been kidnapped, in a way."

"Why would an elemental bond with a metallurgy demon?"

"I cannot say, my lord. But Mabon-"

"What?" A flame engulfed the stranger and he stepped closer to Bruce. "What was that name?"

"Mabon."

With a fluint motion the stranger had pinned Bruce against the wall by his neck. Fire crept from his body and began to burn Bruce. At first the demon felt nothing, but eventually the heat became too high and Bruce tried to release himself from the grib.

"Please, my lord..."

The stranger narrowed his eyes. "Where is he?"

"Most likely in a hotel in L.A."

The stranger released Bruce and allowed the demon to fall to the floor, gasping for breath. "Tell me everything, demon, and perhaps I will let you live"