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

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

Part LXXX...

Fence at the far edge of Auntie Rosa's estate ranch, facing a magnificent view of a canyon beyond…Sunset…

"I remember when you used to come to visit and we'd come out here…" Roderigo smiles at Guillermo.

"And I'd have hay fever and have to head back in…Or I'd trip on the brush or fall on the fence or somehow hurt myself." Sigh.

"You're too hard on yourself, cousin. I remember how you could name animals and things I didn't know existed…All the stars and constellations, I admired you."

"You were always a good friend, Roderigo. I'm sorry I haven't been down more often these last years, it's been busy back there in New York."

"It's fine…And I enjoyed the times I came up to see you, my cousin in the Big Apple."

"Hardly. I knew less of New York than you did. You knew everything, I couldn't even find my way around without a map."

"You always had the nose to the grindstone, maybe a bit too much, Guillermo…Gui…" shrewd smile. "But I see more recently you've managed to stick your head up and get around a little. She's quite a catch, kiddo."

"Not really my catch, Roderigo."

"Kid…" sigh, shake of head. "That girl adores you. Matter of fact, I'd say both your lady friends think pretty highly of their guy 'Gui'. Wish I had whatever it is you got, though I suppose I'm getting by."

"You sure are…I saw how Jacinta was looking at you." Guillermo, teasing tone. "So you finally landed our girl. I knew you would."

"It was touch and go but she finally decided she'd take a chance on me, seeing as I was so good with Auntie."

"You were, cousin. Thanks. I know it must have been heavy, I should have found more ways to help. I honestly would've if I'd known how bad she was getting, though it's no excuse…"

"She didn't want you to be worried…And it was fine, it helped me get some balance in my life, working here."

"Which is why you should be in charge here. You know the place, I don't."

"We're partners, cousin. I know you have a life up North, but this is your home too." They paused at the fence, staring out as the sun dropped finally below the horizon, red and gold clouds streaming towards them.

"It is, it always will be." Guillermo agrees. "But you're the man to run it, if you want to. I'd rather family did than some management team."

"Family is what Auntie would want. Well, Jacinta does want to come back and try to help, with the occasional month's sojourn in the States, I guess we'll settle in here, if you're sure. But the place is always yours as well. And Sue's, when you settle things."

"Well, we'll see…I'm not sure if I'm really what she wants, to be honest. She's very kind but…"

"Guillermo, don't be a fool. She doesn't seem the flighty type to me. She loves you and I know why…"

Slight nervous stare…

"You've just never let yourself believe in yourself. But she sees what Auntie and I always saw, a great guy with a big heart, capable of doing anything he sets mind and heart to. She's lucky, Guillermo. And, so are you. Though, dude…" slight grin. "I think you have a lady problem given Miss Phyllis." Shake of head.

"A little bit of one, I guess. Though I…Well, no…It is my fault, really."

"Guillermo de la Cruz, playa…" chuckle. "Just kidding, coz." Eyeing the stricken face. "I guess it is pretty bad, eh? What? She's been through the wringer with guys and was hoping she'd found a safe haven? It's not that unusual, Guillermo. Look at the movie stars…Sure they marry their costar, the bad boy, but after two years that's over and you read they wound up with some nice pudgy brilliant guy who reminds 'em of their dad. Is that about it?"

"Maybe…But more to it…" shrugs

"Well, I can't believe you did anything to hurt her. I'd guess you were sweet to her and she latched on to you. Be careful…Those can be the most dangerous kind…And Susie don't seem the type to share."

"No…She isn't. But I just feel badly."

"Just be Guillermo, cousin…Kind and honest. She'll understand. Unless of course the problem is you can't choose…?" smile.

"It's more…I have no right to…" Guillermo sighs. "And I have other things that I have to focus on…Some that neither of them may like…They both may end up hating me for it."

"Phew…" Roderigo nods. "Really? Sounds heavy, cousin. But you're a good guy and you'll sort it out. Auntie always believed in you and so do I. So do they, I'd say."

"Too much, I'm afraid. We'd better get headed back."

"One more minute till the colors fade." Roderigo looks out over the canyon. "I forget sometimes how beautiful it is here, being here all the time. I'm glad we did this but next time you bring Sue out here to see this. It should be shared with the folks we love."

"If she still wants to by then, sure." Wistful nod.

"My money's on her. But don't keep anything from her. If it hurts her and she's mad, it's still best to get it out in the open." Careful stare. "Though it's hard to imagine unless, one of your patients? A relative of hers?" He put up a hand. "Sorry, not of my business."

"No, not at all businesswise, I only wish I could tell you more…You're partially right, it does involve people she loves."

"Well, soon as you can…Tell her…And Miss Phyllis…It's the best way."

"They'll find out soon in any case…" sigh. "Well, we'd better head back." He pauses to eye Roderigo. "Jacinta? She finally caved to one of us? I thought sure she'd bring back a gringo doctor or professor."

"Believe me, it took long enough." Roderigo smiles.

The Old Residence…The Fancy Room…

"Signed and sealed…" Simon beams at the closing documents. "The new Castle Devious, as of two days from now. You will be out of here by then, as I'll have the wrecking crew in at 6 am the first day?"

"Oh, we and all our prized possessions will be gone, I assure you." Laszlo nods firmly.

"I really should be given that hat as part of the deal…" Simon grouses, grim look.

"I told you, I destroyed it." Nadja, sternly. "Besides it was nothing but trouble."

"Yeah…But it's a witch's skin. Where can you get good witches' skin these days?"

"Actually…" Nandor notes. "There is a coven of witches here on the Staten Isle, we had a bit of trouble with them kidnapping Laszlo and me, for our sperm recently."

"Hey…" Colin frowns.

"And Colin Robinson, though he had none to give."

Glare..

Ok, mostly true…Colin shrugs. Still…Glare…

"Honestly? Oh, right…Lilith and her crew." Simon nods. "Hmmn…Yes, I tried to grab one of them but they'd fled Manhattan…Apparently rents were getting too high for their lair and boutique. You know we larger property owners really need to band together to protect our smaller businesses, they're the backbone of the economy. Especially the artistic ones, they generate so much revenue and extra business…I'm pushing for a tax credit and mortgage relief for landlords who agree to rent controls for them, I was just talking about it with Bill the other day. DeBlasio? Our mayor?" to questioning stares.

"We're not really into current politics, Devious." Laszlo shrugs.

"Well, you should be. Especially if you're going to join the Greatest City in the World." Simon sniffed. "Attitudes like that are what got Trwump and Hitler into power. And amusing as they both have been, they were truly bad for business. Anyway, Bill's a good guy and he's considering it. But getting back to Lilith…She's really here?"

"I'd be cautious taking her on, Devious. Living witches don't take kindly to being skinned." Laszlo notes.

"Well. Perhaps she and I can come to an agreement. I have sperm too, you know."

Not so much to use in any dealmaking, Samarta, rolling eyes.

"Maybe she'd be willing to sacrifice the oldest biddy amongst them for the Devious blend."

Eehew, the various ladies…Likewise Laszlo, Nandor, Todd…

"But the hat's really…Gone?" he eyes Nadja.

"Gone and why do you want such a stupid thing? It got your club burned down and you nearly destroyed…Made Laszlo look idiotic in the human traffic, bouncing about…And killed at least two of our minions. You nearly died when you were fused to that grating last time you tried to steal it."

"Because it's there…" Simon, winsomely mystical look.

Have to admit I must agree there, Laszlo thinks.

Men. Nadja rolls eyes to Soul Doll.

"But what of Van Helsing, Simon Devious?" Nandor demands. "You promised you would tell us of him. And while your romance with his descendant is touching and winsome, it did not speak of him or his ghost…"

"Ah, right…Yes. Well, after Lesley admitted she'd rather fallen for me, even hoped I might consider the Redemption bus, I was of course torn between making use of her weakness and a certain degree of well…"

"You really care for her?" Nadja stares.

"Well…It's like when you're given a dog by someone who needs to get rid of it. And at first you want to eat it or strangle it? But then, over time, it kind of grows on you? Even if it is a human. Not that I have anything against our primate ancestors, especially as what's for dinner or in enslavement…Great job you're doing there, by the way!" He calls to Jacqueline in her maid's outfit who'd just set a vial of fresh blood before him on a small table…

"Thank you, sir." She curtsies.

Surprisingly well for a twenty-first century American, formerly known for scheming and selfishness, Nadja thinks.

"But as a permanent, well actually very temporary, but very intense, relationship…?" Simon continues.

"So, take her and keep her as a mate." Nadja shrugs.

"That's a bit more tricky than you might think…" he sighs. "Don't think I haven't tried."

"She's that good?" Laszlo eyes him.

"Yes, and quite resistant to our 'Dark Power' so mind control's out, but even more than that…Her ancestor is very protective, in his way, as much as he can be…"

"But isn't he just a ghost?" Laszlo stares.

"A Ghost who still can call on the Vampire Hunters Corps, the Slayer…And…Filthy old traitor…"

"Oh…" Nadja grins. "He scares you. Well, he should…"

"No little Redemption wuss frightens the Devious!" Simon glares.

"It's no shame, really…" Laszlo shrugs. "If Dracula threatened me, I'd surely back off a kill."

"Ah, so that's it, in part…Dracula's been charged to protect her…Avenge and give her the Peace thing if you ever took her, right? And that's why you've had to play nice with Van Helsing's ghost and Ms. Lesley." He beams to Simon's glare.

"Well…I really do like her too. And if she went vamp, some of her freshness and spirit and innocence might go in the grave with her soul." Sigh. "But it's mainly that Dracula, the Hunter Corps, and the Slayer would be on my tail in five seconds. Plus…" smile.

"Plus, you want to help them destroy the Vampiric Council and to stop them from redeeming us and to do that you need to stay in the loop…" Laszlo, shrewd look.

"Well, you can't really be very fond of those chumps…And you say you don't want Redemption, so…" Simon notes, shrewd return look.

"Fair enough…And plausible." Laszlo nods. "In fact, I think we can do business as far as a temporary alliance goes."