What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."

Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar…

Part XXII…

Dark interior of minivan, under stretched tarpaulin…A battery lantern thoughtfully provided by Guillermo, along with a flask of vintage blood…

"Well…" Laszlo eyes camera… "Here we are, on our way to Ms. Zeller's office. Jen has kindly set up a video link so we can actually see outside, the rather lovely if harsh light of day…Here, on her phone…" He holds up the phone, view of outside whizzing by.

"Jesus, Guillermo, drive carefully!" Nadja peering at phone. "Jennifer?! You should drive! Guillermo drives too fast."

Cut to front of van with Jennifer and Guillermo, Guillermo at wheel, frowning…

"Ma'am, I'm going thirty in a forty mile speed zone." Guillermo calls.

"I'm not so used to using the back tube mirror as Guillermo, Mistress Nadja. I really think Gui's driving as well as I could, he's being very careful…" Jen calls back.

"Damn…" Nadja, feeling a very slight bump. "All we need now is have a deer or bear or boar run across the road and we crash, tear open, go 'poof'."

"Now, darling…You always get this way. We're well protected and Guillermo's a very careful driver." Laszlo notes. "And Jenny is watching him. We're quite safe. Right, Nandor?" bangs on Nandor's suit of armor laid flat beside him.

"Mmnn…Please stop that, Laszlo. I am getting a headache." Nandor's muffled reply.

"Maybe…That boy is slow-witted and probably using drugs to escape the burden of his labors. I saw documentary on television about humans addicted to drugs to escape burdens…" Nadja, fretting.

"I don't use drugs…" Guillermo, nervously to Jennifer. They able to hear all over Jen's phone and just by Nadja's voice in the cabin.

"I'm sure Mistress Nadja isn't accusing you, she's just nervous…" Jen pats him. "You're doing just fine." She beams.

"When did she become 'Jenny'?"

"What?" Laszlo eyes Nadja eyeing him carefully.

"You call her 'Jenny' now? Like… 'Milly'?" glare.

"Now, darling…It's just a pet name. Short for Jennifer..."

"Uh-huh. 'Jenny'?" Nadja, forcing calm. "You wish to sleep with my husband? I will not oppose. He will need a bedwarming companion."

"Uh…Well, Mistress Nadja…I…" Jen, nervously…Reddening…

"That's not fair, Nadja. Jen can't help herself." Laszlo, frowning. "I haven't slept with her and I don't intend to…Right, Jennifer?"

"Yes, Master!" emphatically… "We've never slept together…" slightest of sighs.

"All right…Fine. I am jealous bitch. Apologies, Jennifer. Forgive me." Nadja, somewhat peeved at first, then easing. "I know you are good girl, more or less. I am just nervous here."

"I understand, Mistress Nadja!" Jen calls, settling back in her seat with a slightly woebegone look.

"I'm sorry. Love is tough, I guess." Guillermo, briefly patting her arm with his free hand.

"Thank you, Gui." Jen, sadly.

Cut to Nadja in back under tarpaulin, lantern illuminating her face…

"All right, now I feel badly. Laszlo is right, Jennifer cannot help herself from loving him. And I was lucky to find a mate who still loved me after he turned, not just when helpless victim. But driving like this makes me so nervous, I was in train wreck a century ago. Nearly killed by daylight, screaming and suffering people all around me…For the first time in long time, I felt remorse for killing, though it's just what we do, like hunting to eat…But it was very traumatic."

"Oh, I remember that…1897." Laszlo nods. "We'd gone out to Chicago on the train to see if the meat-packing places were as fun as some had told us what with humans and cows getting all mixed in together, went to see the sights, had a silly argument and Nadja'd run out and then taken a train home by herself."

"You mean when I found you in the arms of that opera singer…" Nadja glares.

"That 'dead' opera singer…And given it was Chicago one could question if it truly was 'Opera'. Though the girl was not too bad, really. But the key word here is… 'Dead'. As in she was food, not a rival, dear."

"You fed on her to death but after sex with her." Narrow look.

"Well…Yes…But need I point out…" he begins.

"Ow…Please do not move around so…" Nandor calls.

"Sorry."

"Fine, she was only temporary. But I was still hurt. I thought for a moment you had turned her, replacing me."

"But…I didn't. And when I got that telegram from your familiar that the train had crashed and she couldn't find you, I was so frantic…"

"Yes…" Nadja, sight smile… "You were…"

"I ran out into the daylight, forgetting…I nearly burned to death but for that hansom cab."

"I remember…" she pats fondly. "You were still smoking a bit when you found me in rubble."

"Yes, well I was trying to dig you out with just an umbrella held by our familiar for cover." He nods. "And by the way, who is Gregor? That name you kept crying out when the Vampiric Council was set to roast us alive?"

She blinks…

…..

"I know David is a good man and I do love him as much as I still can…" Jen, sobbing now on Guillermo's rather nervous free, though not so free as traffic increases, arm… "But even if I can't help loving the Master and wanting to do him morning, noon, and night…Forever… I cheated on David before just to move deals, Gui. It seemed like nothing at the time, just something I was doing for him and for Suzie' s future, but now…"

"I'm sure…Uh…He'd understand." Guillermo, trying to pat with held arm. "If you explain you were doing it for him...Maybe."

"He might but he'd never be able to trust me again…Especially if I ever try to kill him or Suzie to protect the Master." She notes, sadly.

"Well, that is different. You're enthralled, you can't help that." Guillermo shrugs. "And it may never happen, you'll be careful to see he never finds out. Master Laszlo doesn't want to hurt him or your daughter. He's fond of her and you and I'm sure he'll like David when they meet."

"David is very impressive, despite being on the small side…But Master Laszlo is…Just a bit…" sheepish grin.

"Yeah…But a powerful vampire all the same and very cultured and all."

"They're both wonderful…" she beams. Sobbing immediately… "And look how I've treated them…Well, David…But I've sort of cheated on the Master too. I know he prefers virgins."

"Oh, no…Uh, could you move…? Thanks." Guillermo moves arm out. "Little bit more traffic here. No, he's very fond of you and he understands. You were married, he knew that."

"But I could have been monogamous. I know men of his era preferred that…"

"He and Mistress Nadja haven't been…That. Don't let it bother you. Just try and make David happy and take of Suzie and do your work for Master Laszlo and the guys and don't worry about it." He sighs. "After all, you're enthralled but I'm not. I probably should feel very guilty about some of the things I do for Master Nandor but…You know…People die. Our masters just do what they have to. The main thing, I think…Is not to be mean, you know. And you are the sweetest person I know, Jen." He eyes her. "David and Master Laszlo are lucky. And if David has any brains he'd be glad just that you stay with him and he has a daughter with you. Though maybe, it might be good if you go ahead and try cut back on working so hard and…The extra stuff with your clients?" sheepish look. "I know I'm no one to talk but..."

Wistful look...Nod….

"You're so sweet, Gui. I've gotta find you a nice girl. Maybe once the guys are done in the office and some of the girls are more…Receptive?" hesitant pause. "Or a nice guy, if…?"

"A girl is fine...But I was keeping myself for my vampiric bride." Guillermo notes, slightly wistful glance.

"Oh, Laszlo!" sob from under tarpulin. "You know I love only you, really. When you don't do things like abandoning me when you escape from Vampiric Council."

"Nadja, I was going to come back...Soon as I got help, weapons."

"What help?" frown. "Guillermo?"

"He and Colin did save us all."

Guillermo, slight smile, Jen patting him.