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

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

Part LXXV…

Poughkeepsie…

"Yes…" the grim-looking mid-thirtiesish governess?/housekeeper?/voluntary familiar? eyes the waiting, smiling Jen at front door.

"Hey. I was by to leave my card the other day…I spoke to Miss Acura."

"I know who you are, minion." Grim tone. "Begone or my natural pity for the enslaved will be overcome by my need to protect my niece from the likes of you and your foul Master…Or Mistress."

Jen blinking… "Now, just a minute…" annoyed tone.

Hmmn…Probably would have been better to go with "are you crazy, lady?" but she can obviously sense the Master's hold, so…

"Go! Now! And tell your foul Overlords…"

"Aunt Bess! That's enough!" a voice from the stairs behind her. Althea in blouse and khakis descending, hair pulled in bun. "Hey, Ms. Steinecke."

Aunt?

Dracula's…Sis? Jen stared at the woman.

Well, could be just an affectionate title for a familiar. I sure don't sense vamp…Though she does have something…

"Hi, Althea. Ummn…Sorry to bother you…"

"They sent you, huh? It's ok, Aunt Bess." Althea urged the older woman back. "Mrs. Steinecke isn't here to hurt me. What's up?" smile.

"Don't invite her in!" Aunt Bess, insistent. "Even if she weren't the minion of a vampire you'd be granting access to in her person, we never let strangers in the house, Althea."

"I'm fine right here." Jen notes. "Look, I just came by to follow up about the other day and to drop off a letter."

"What…Letter?" Aunt Bess, scornfully.

I wasn't born yesterday, cutie. In fact, it was a week ago, 574 years ago.

"Dad's not back from his trip." Althea eyes her. "And I really don't think he's inclined to move. We like being out of the city."

"Well, I do think we could find you something nice a little closer and better value but…" Jen sighs.

I know my mission to deliver Master Nandor's letter is primary but I never like to lose a potential client…

"Well, I'll tell him that when he's back…Who's the letter from? Your guy?" steady gaze.

"No, but I am married…Not to…" pause.

"I understand." Althea, kindly nod. "That must be hard. I know you must love them both, now anyway."

"Makes one weep. Give me the letter and get out." Aunt Bess, coldly, extending hand.

"Stop it, Auntie. The poor girl can't help herself, you know that. You've been there."

"And I know what duplicity she's capable of…"

"I can handle this, Auntie. Jen, how's about we go sit in the backyard, ok?"

"Althea!"

"I can handle this." Firm look.

"Is there anything else you can tell me?" Guillermo, to Dr. Acura, as they walked outside the cathedral, several family members greeting Guillermo kindly, a few somewhat grovelingly, suspecting he was now the one to touch in future, one or two including a scowling cousin Enrique, grimly eyeing him.

"Watch out for some of the young cousins making eyes…" Acura grinned. "But above all, beware their mothers. You are now prime marital fodder. I've been there…" confidential tone. "Actually, it's not always that bad…My Elisabete was an arranged marriage but we both 'fiddled' with the arrangements." Smile. "So long as you can, not really a bad system. Just don't leave it all in the moms' hands."

Guillermo sighs…Yeah.

"But…"

"But as to when and where our people will come, seeking your friends? No, even I don't know that. Even they and my daughter are awaiting the right sign. The proper moment to free your friends…"

"It sounds pretty complicated."

"Oh, yes. All truly good things are…"

"Your daughter? She's a Hunter too?"

"The greatest of them all, Guillermo." Smile. "And my dearest joy apart from Elisabete's calls to me. But we should rejoin the ladies…I see your Susan is getting impatient." Indicating an indeed impatient Susan standing with Phyllis and Mrs. Afanas.

"So…We should get back. I should tell Roderigo…"

"I think it best to finish the formalities. Your Aunt's will is to be read and you are, I happen to know, well mentioned. And it's important to do things right by the family. You do have a life outside your noble calling, son…And a right to lead it. I'm sure things can wait a day or two longer."

"The ladies back home…As well as my friends…May be in danger. Simon Devious is trying to screw things up Redemptionwise…Why does he hate them so?"

"Ah, poor Simon…The bastard." Dracula shakes head. "Yes, I know him, the skunk. He helped to lead my dim-witted idiot grandnephew…The 'Dracula' of Stoker fame…Astray. Nearly got him to kill me over my redemptive efforts."

"Really?"

"And did not succeed, as you see. Yes, he knows all too well there's no redemption for him, poor sad fool. Though even more sadly he could have it in a second, if his soul but made an effort."

"It's that easy?"

"Oh, no, son…It's the hardest thing in the world. It took me nearly 500 years even with my devoted wife striving for me. But Simon, I fear, will never have the courage to take the step…The leap of faith required."

"That's almost sad…"

"Sad, indeed…And God, in Her infinite mercy, weeps for him but cannot help him. That step is one only we can take. Anyway, don't let Devious worry you. He won't act until the last possible moment, far too cowardly. And our people are keeping watch on him, as is Professor Van Helsing."

"But…Your daughter? Isn't it dangerous for her?"

"Terribly. And I tremble for her each time…But the Slayer knows her Duty, much as she may hate it…And fulfills it. Besides, she's the best there's ever been…If a proud father may indulge a bit." Fond smile.

The…? Stare…

"Yes…" Althea facing Jen as they sat in the Acura backyard on the patio. Mock-formal tone with grin. "I am Dracula's daughter."

"Sorry…I love saying it that way ever since Dad and I watched the old 'Dracula's Daughter' on TV. And you can guess, I don't really get much chance to say it to folks who'd believe me. And you may as well know, there's more to it than adoption…" smile.

Jen staring…

"Meaning I really am a member of Dad's bloodline…" Althea nods. "All that 'magnetism' didn't go to waste just providing a steady food supply." Rolling eyes. "But, please don't say I said that to my dad, he'd be so embarrassed. Though I do like to hope she, whoever she was, liked him…Most of those he hooked up with before Aunt Elisabete returned to pull him back whom I've met did." Smile.

"You've met them?"

"A few…" shrug. "Some trying to lure their dark Master/boyfriend back to the Darkness, some who just wanted to say hi…A few who found their own Redemption and are more or less human again…A couple, every now and then, want to hear how he managed Redemption and if it might be right for them."

She grins. "Sounds like we run a cult or a natural health/miracle cure stand. But it's true…Some vamps get the Call now and then even without Dr. Abe pushing it."

"Van Helsing?" Jen eyes her.

"Uncle Abe to me, but yeah. Oh…" she nods. "He's possessed you, hasn't he? They always blush a little when he's possessed them. He did behave himself, right? I know he's a good guy but sometimes I think he enjoys that part a bit too much."

"He was nice…He saved my life in fact." Jen notes. "One of my colleagues was gonna kill me to try and destroy him…He took her and stopped her."

"That's Unc…But don't think the randy old guy didn't enjoy it." Shake of head.

"I'm sorry for you…" she eyes Jen. "I know it must be hard, deep inside, trying to fight and being so bound to your guy at the same time."

"I don't feel that way…" Jen shrugs. "You know I'm enthralled so I'll just say, I love him and being his has made my life better."

"I'm sure you feel that way…And, to be honest, that feeling doesn't just 'go way' when the vamp hold is broken. There may even be something to it. They can be very nice people in their way…"

"He is…He's…" Jen intensely…

"Hold it…" Althea, sternly. "Back down, sister…I only trust you so far."

Jen settling back in seat.

"Sorry…I just love…Him… So much…If I could just make you see how good a person he is…"

"I know he is. Whichever of them he is. Laszlo? Or that tall dude who tried to put the summons on me, Nandor?"

"Laszlo…Cravensworth…" Jen nods.

"Oh…Yeah, he seems very fun…Brit but a real sense of humor, if kinda randy."

"You've read up on them…" Jen stares.

"Oh, sure…" nod. "They're special people. I love Laszlo and Nadja the couple…" smile.

"As do I…" Jen sighs.

And then there's Nandor…The Relentless. Dad loves to talk about the times they had together. He's actually been waiting for the day Nandor might start to break free…He's really been excited about it since the first signs even before…Well, me." Grin.

"I think he misses having someone who knew him in the old days…Even when he was human, before. And he and this Nandor have quite a history. Real frienemies." Chuckle. "I remember he was telling me a couple of weeks ago about this year or two he and Nandor spent in a Sultan's dungeon…They wrote this epic poem thing together about the fall of Constantinople? Some historian found it a few years ago and published it, it was written up in all these journals about Byzantine and Balkan history?…Dad was so like, pleased, though he tried to brush it off. Did Nandor ever hear about it?"

"I don't know…He hasn't mentioned it…"

"Good. Dad will love getting to show him the reviews." Chuckle.

"Miss Acura…If he loves Nandor so much…"

"That's why he's so glad to help…Though it's not always been 'love' exactly." Smile.

"Couldn't he…Couldn't you?" Jen tries.

"No, ma'am." Althea, calmly, firmly. "We could not. I know it's hard for you to get this now, but we're trying to save him and your Laszlo and Miss Nadja. They want this, in their true hearts. It's cause we care we're trying to do this at the right time, not just run in and stake em."

"Please don't talk like that!" Jen rose.

"Sit." Althea, calmly. "You're upsetting Auntie Bess." She indicates the older woman now rushing onto the patio.

"It's ok, Auntie. Jen's just concerned for her friend. Things are cool."

Hmmn…Frown at Jen.

"Really. Please, Auntie?"

"Fine…But I am watching you, girl." Grim look at Jen. "Either of you girls want some juice or water or coffee?"

"Juice for me, thanks." Althea nods. "Jen?"

"Coffee, thanks. Just black."

"Just a minute…" Bess nods and heads back in.

"She's not…"

"Hmmn?" Althea stares. "Ooooh…No, no…She's Dad's sister. Not my stepmom. Mom's still incorporeal since she was staked in the 1880s. Long story, she keeps checking in, but she can't be with Dad just now. In time, sure. But he can wait." Grin.

"Though frankly…" Althea, shrugging sheepishly. "I think it's harder on Mom. Maybe you get hornier when in the other world, I dunno. Please don't say I said that to Dad. It's just a joke. Though I really do think sometimes it's harder on her."

"It's good of him to wait for her like that." Jen, wan smile.

"He loves her…And being Immortal, more or less, it can't really even be that long, right?" grin.

"But…Your aunt? Really is…"

"My aunt…" Althea nods. "Dad turned her over 500 years ago and helped her, natch, when he got redeemed."

Jen, chuckling a bit… "What?" Althea eyes her, smiling.

"Oh, just something Master Laszlo said to his documentary crew…You know they're working with a team that wants to study vampiral life and lore. And us, the minions."

"Yeah, I heard about that…Weird. I hope I get to see it someday. So, what did he say?"

"Oh, just that this 'redeemed' stuff makes one think of being a soda bottle…"

"Hmmpf…Ha…" Althea laughs, gaily. "Right on. I knew that dude had it."

"Cicely." Jen tries, earnest tone.

"I haven't used that name since 1880. And I don't fully remember all my life then." Althea eyes her. "But I get it…" sigh.

"Jen. When I caused my Will's death…And that memory does come clear, ever since my last self remembered it. I didn't try to keep him Undead. I set out to save him or dust him…"

"Or join him…" Jen notes, quietly.

Althea, shrewd glance. "You have studied up on me. But while I know the story and even feel the memory of the feeling, it's not my life now. Yeah, if all else had failed, I would have tried to join Will, even as a vampire. I was pretty pissed at my Watchers' Council then for helping me murder him."

"That must have been…"

"Yep. And it resonates to this day…I tried to save him, was tricked, and he ended up condemned for over a century because I couldn't see I was being played. But I did help him and eventually he saved himself. And I'm proud of that, more than you can imagine." Beam.

"Though, it doesn't stop me from checking out cute guys now…After all, one could be him." Shrewd grin. "And I'm a teenager, he'll understand."

"He's coming to you, again?"

"Sooner or later…He always does. My love puppy…" smile. "Tell him I called him that and you die. Well, no but I would be very embarrassed."

"Couldn't you, for his sake…Laszlo, Nadja, and Nandor are good people. They've helped people more than they've killed them and they'd do their best not to kill people…"

"Eehew…Living on what? Dogs and cats?" Althea winces. "One of the Council's informants here in this era is a little weasel of a vamp who does that. It's so…Eehew. But he's a valuable informant so…I spare him." Sighs.

"Look, Jen…Mrs. Steinecke. I'm trying to help them. We all are. And they will be happier for it. But I can't do as you wish. And you don't really want me to, deep down." Althea nods.

"But I can tell you. No hard feelings 'bout Nandor's little call. I know he meant no real harm. And when the time comes, I'll be kind, not cruel. We all will."

"I'll have to fight you, Slayer…" Jen sighs. "I can't let him die."

"I'm sorry. And I hope to God I won't have to hurt any of you." Althea nods. Eyeing the letter on table…

"Can I take a peek or is it strictly for Papa?"

"I think it's ok." Jen shrugs. Careful stare…Althea eyeing her briefly.

"Jen. I don't want to be mean but don't try anything. I can control my adrenalin even better than you guys, I have demonic energy to spare, and since I know you'd fight to the death, I'd have to hurt you. Lets keep this pleasant, I know you can't help what you feel for Laszlo." She notes calmly, opening letter.

"Quill and ink…Nice. Dad will appreciate that touch." Reading…With smile.

"He's sweet. Reminds me of Dad…They both really have mellowed over the years."

Oh…She looks up at Jen…

"He's really ready to sacrifice himself? For the others? And you guys?"

"Yes. He is. So is Laszlo, I'm sure."

Please, don't make me ask…Oh…Forgive me, Master Nandor but I have to…For Laszlo…

"Would that be enough?"

"No." Althea shakes head. "It's beautiful, but no." reading…

"Wow. Dinner at their place? With all of you."

"Under a truce…It's their new place."

"I think that would be neat, Dad would love it, I'm sure. But, explain to Nandor it makes no difference…" hard stare. "Dad will have to decide, but, far as I'm concerned, I'd love to." She beams.

"Good. We will try to make our case you know."

"Sure…But the nicer they are, the more convinced I'll be that this is the right thing to do." Althea, hard stare.

"You made a mistake once…Sending William away." Jen tries.

"This won't be a mistake, Jen. And you'll see that, soon. Hey, Auntie…Thanks." As Aunt Bess enters patio area bearing tray.

She sure looks good for 500, more or less. Jen notes.