Thanks to jellysnakes, EE Diamond, Cat2000, Angelic Chocolate Fairy and Vampirehelsing for reviewing! Hopefully there aren't too many mistakes in this chapter…
I don't own the Nightworld no matter how much I want Ash! (sigh).
8. On the run (again)
Over the next three days, Mary-Lynette learnt a lot. Circle Daybreak, Thierry's operations, what Ash had been doing all year and perhaps most importantly, the other soulmate couples.
It was quite reassuring, she found, talking to some of the other human partners of the couples. Knowing that they too still felt somewhat bewildered at being dragged into a world that they hadn't even known existed before they had met their soulmate. Eric in particular she found she had a lot in common with. If Ash was off doing something official, she started to seek Eric out to talk with, much to Ash's annoyance…
Mary-Lynette admitted to herself, that if it wasn't for Ash, she would probably have been quite interested in Eric. When Ash had found that out he had become quite wound up until she had managed to fully reassure him that Mary-Lynette loved Ash and no one else.
Boys could be sosilly sometimes…
On the fourth dayafter they arrived in Las Vegas, Mary-Lynette was sitting with Eric out in the garden. They had been discussing over which was more useful to society, physics or biology, Eric obviously arguing for biology and Mary-Lynette for physics.
Mary-Lynette hand been elaborating on the physics involved in hunting, (forces, projectile motion, trajectories and the like). "Look at the development of the human race that came from being able to hunt with tools, like the bow and arrow, or even stones, that the use of relies completely on physics."
"Yes, but humans would not have been able to use either of those tools without the evolution of the opposable thumb," Eric countered.
"Oh, so you're going to bring opposable thumbs into this now. We wouldn't have evolved those without physics. If we didn't need-"
Mary-Lynette was cut off by the sound of a gunshot. It had come from inside the building.
They looked at each other, and then quickly dropped down behind the seat they were on. They could hear shouting now and then a few more shots.
They crouched, trying to stay hidden. Mary-Lynette was feeling slightly sick. She knew that these people were looking for and Ash. By staying at Thierry's they were endangering everyone here. It was time for her and Ash to leave.
When the sounds of fighting had disappeared, Mary-Lynette felt a tentative thought being sent out.
Mare, are you okay? Where are you? asked Ash.
Beside her, Eric began to relax, and she realised that he too must be communicating through the soulmate link to Thea. I'm fine and so is Eric. We were out in the garden together. Is it safe to some back in now?
Yes. We're in the main room.
She and Eric stood up simultaneously. Looking at each other, they exchanged a knowing smile.
"I wonder what was going on?" pondered Eric. "And where are we supposed to meet? Thea and I don't have a telepathic bond, seeing as neither of us are vampires. We can share what the other is feeling, and that's enough to know the other is safe, but not much good for giving directions…"
"We're going to the main room. And I think it was probably an attack. People looking for Ash and I."
"Oh."
Mary-Lynette walked quickly to Ash when she saw him, and he put an arm around her tiredly.
"We're going to have to leave," he said.
"I know. There's too much danger to the others if we stay."
"We'll get away from them, somehow."
"Yes. And I'm going to say it, I don't care how clichéd it is, but I don't care where we are as long as I'm with you. And can see the stars," she amended.
Ash kissed her gently on the forehead.
Thierry began to speak. "We were attacked this afternoon by forces from Oak Redfern. They were looking for Ash and Mary-Lynette. We will have to impose tighter security measures to ensure that this does not happen again while they are here. We will-"
Ash cut in abruptly. "It won't happen again Thierry. It's kind of you to offer, but Mary-Lynette and I know we have to leave. We don't want to stay here and endanger everyone else. We're lucky no one was hurt today."
Thierry looked at Ash intently. "I don't think what you're planning to do is the only answer Ash, but if it's what you think is best, then do it."
Thierry looked around the room. "Thank you all for coming. If you want anything you know where to go." As people began to disperse, he walked over to Ash and Mary-Lynette. "Come on you two," he said with a weary-looking smile. "We need to sort out what's to be done next."
Ash was feeling frustrated. And angry. No matter what he did, he would always be putting someone in danger; Thierry, James, Poppy, his sisters, and worst of all, Mary-Lynette.
Why did his father feel that they had to be killed? Why could he just disown him? Ash couldn't care less if he was disowned, he fully expected to be, but killing just seemed a tad extreme.
They reached Thierry's office and sat down. Ash looked glumly at his hands, knowing that this was entirely his fault.
"First of all," said Thierry, "Ash, this is NOT your fault. For a start you haven't seen your father since just after your sisters left, for all we know he could have become a deranged lunatic in that time."
"That makes the future seem so much brighter Thierry, but thanks for trying." He looked at Thierry and Mary-Lynette bleakly. "I'm going to have to kill him. He won't let this rest until someone is dead.
"Why should someone have to die? Surely we can find somewhere to hide?" said Mary-Lynette.
"I agree with Mary-Lynette. Killing does not have to be the answer."
Wow. Thierry being a pacifist. What a change of pace, thought Ash to himself, knowing just how wrong they both were.
"I have a suggestion for the two of you," Thierry continued. "You can do what your sisters did, Ash. We find the two of you a sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere, with no Nightworld and no one to tell on you."
He reached into a desk drawer. "This is very spy-movie, but I had these made for you in case you needed to leave in a hurry. New identities." He pulled out two envelopes. "In here you will find passports, birth certificates, high school diplomas, everything you need with your new name on it."
A folded piece of paper emerged from the drawer. "This is a map. Marked on it are areas and towns with no known Nightworld presence. It's up to you to find a place."
Thierry shook his head slightly, seeming to remember something. "One final thing," he said, reaching into the drawer once more. "This is a number of a secure line. Ring it every day between two p.m. and two twenty, to check in with us so we know you're okay. Ash, I trust you to be discrete about things…?"
Ash nodded tightly, hardly able to believe what he had been told. They were being exiled to some hick town? Brilliant.
"Arrangements are being made as we speak for you to leave Nevada undetected," Thierry sighed once more. "I hope that everything works out for the two of you. Not very many couples have had to go through as much as you two."
It was then that Ash realised just how much Thierry understood what Ash was feeling. After all, Thierry had done everything he could, in so many lifetimes, to make sure that he and Hannah could be together.
"Thanks Thierry."
"For everything," agreed Mary-Lynette.
"Goddess bless," replied Thierry. "And good luck."
A/N: Don't worry, they're going to stop running all over the country now. I'm sick of them running (and I think they are too). Please R&R!
