Title: Never More

Author: Night Of The Land

Disclaimers: I own none of the characters you recognize, the ones you don't either belong to me or a friend. Alex is mine. All others belong to the fabulous Sherrilyn Kenyon. I will attempt to describe her Hunters but I honestly can not do them justice. If you wish to learn more about the Dark-Hunter go to Mrs. Kenyon's web site. Read the profiles.

Rating: T

Summary: For nearly 11 thousand years Alexandra has lived in the shadows, much like her mysteriously missing bond mate, Acheron. On a very strange night in New Orleans the two are reunited, but Alex does not realize that the mysterious man who saves her life is her bond mate. She and Acheron must reunite before Stryker rips the world asunder.

A/N: Okay, I think this is a record for me. Updating twice in one week!! Hahahahaha!!! I really love this idea though, and I hope you do too!! So here goes.

Chapter Two: Strange Awakenings

A pale beam of sunlight shone through a window, hitting Alex square in the face. She groaned thinking to herself, why the heck is the curtain open, I always close it.

She rolled over; almost falling off the soft mattress she was laying on. Her eyes flew open. Wait just a second. She never slept on the side of the bed; she always slept in the middle. She was staring at a beautifully decorated room. It was designed in the fashion of an old Greek villa. On the wall a mural of the Greek country side was painted. It was beautiful. It reminded her of home.

She cringed at the thought. She had not thought of home in nearly forever, too many bad and painful memories, but also too many good happy ones as well. She sat up, her head spinning as she did so. Urgh she did not feel well. So instead of being sick on the very expensive looking carpet, she laid back trying to ease her stomach. Closing her eyes, she hummed mentally, and before long she fell back asleep.

A shadow passed over her face. She opened her and squinted at the shadowy person standing over her. He had shoulder length brown hair that was cut in a fashionable but shabby way. His loud Hawaiian shirt was just that, loud. Bright blue eyes watched her with interest.

"Hey, Ash, I think she's waking up." The man said in an almost whisper. Note the word almost, it was close but not quite there.

She grumbled at him, "Ever heard of the personal bubble?"

Light laughter was heard from the doorway, as an impossibly tall black haired man stepped into the room. He wore sun glassed despite the fact they were indoors. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his longish hair fell over his shoulder in a ponytail. "I think she wants some space, Nick" he said, his voice a rich baritone.

Alex's eyes widen slightly as the man stepped into the light. Oh gods, it really was him. She whimpered slightly. He was the man that had saved her last night. It was Acheron Parthenopaeus, a man she had never hoped to see again. It was a man she had once loved with every fiber of her being, but when he had betrayed her, that love had shattered. It was too late though, for they had already bonded their life forces together. That meant as long as he lived she did, as was testament to her 11 thousand plus age.

Acheron came to side of the bed, not recognizing her at all it seemed. She whished she could see his eyes, they would tell her what he was feeling. He was always so closed off, but his eyes told all.

Alex clambered out of bed, on her guard. The man called Nick jumped back. Now that she thought on it he seemed very familiar. Oh yes, she worked with his mother, Cherise Gautier. She'd seen Nick around before, but never had she had the pleasure of meeting him.

She glared at the man before her. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask, 'What I saved your life and you freak out? How messed up is that?'

"Acheron Parthenopaeus, you evil SOB!! You left me when I needed you the most! How could you?" she snarled in Atlentian, a language she had not spoken in forever and a day.

He visibly recoiled at the sound of her voice and the words she spoke. Recognition lighted his features, and he started to take a step forward, but seemed to think better and stayed where he was.

"Nick, leave." He said, not looking at him, facing Alex head on.

Nick began to protest, but Ash said, "Please Nick just this once don't argue."

The stubborn man complied but did so grudgingly. He walked from the room, closing the door behind him with a snap.

"Alexandra…" Ash started but was at a loss for words. After all these years of looking for her, here she was in the flesh. She must have been in New Orleans all the time and she had slipped right under his nose. She worked at Sanctuary even. Gods was he ever the fool.

Alex stepped towards him, her hand out stretched as if not believing it was real. She was POed at him, sure, but the affection she felt for him still ran deep. Inside she still had admit she love him, despite all the horrible things that had happened between them.

When she reached him, she cupped his face in her hands. She drew in a shaky breath. Oh God, this dream was real, Acheron was standing here. He was really here. This was not just some dream. She pulled off the sunglasses, and met his eerie, swirling slivery gaze unflinchingly. Yes they were the same expressive eyes that she remembered, only now they were tinged with hurt, betrayal, pain and suffering. A mirror image of both their lives.

Alex swallowed hard as feelings assaulted her. One part wanted to take his man in her arms and never let him go, another part wanted to lash out and strike him, another part still wanted to weep and beg for forgiveness.

She was so lost. So she decided to listen to the third thoughts. A single silvery tear slide down her check as she stared at him.

Acheron was watching her just as intently. Here she was. He wanted to hold her tight and never let her go. He wanted to yell in joy. He wanted to beg her to forgive him for leaving her. When she started to cry, his heart shattered and he pulled her into his arms. He whispered soft apologies into her messy dark brown hair. He noticed that her hair still smelled the same. It had always smelled of sandalwood and chocolate, even before chocolate had been invented. And now it was the same scent he remembered. He stroked her hair, still murmuring soft words to her.

Alex cried against his shoulder. She said that she was sorry over and over, but her voice was lost in the sobbing. She could feel his strong arms holding her close to him. It was not sexual but it was as some one would comfort a friend. His hand was gently stroking her hair, saying soft things to her. This was the Acheron she dreamed about at night. The caring kind compassionate one. Not the feared leader of the Dark-Hunters.

She pulled away from him, wiping her eyes. She gave a small grin. "Sorry." She murmured quietly. She was ashamed that she had broken down. She felt so childish.

Acheron gave a rare smile, "Alexandra, you know I don't care. Don't worry about it." he told her.

Alex bowed her head slightly, before she brought it up to look straight into his eyes. She wanted to kiss him. But she knew she should not. Oh, how she wanted to though. Before she could change her mind again, she leaned forward and captured his lips. Ash reacted immediately. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her as he kissed her back.

Both were so lost in the moment that they failed to realize that Nick had returned his eyes wide, hand still on the door knob. His jaw was hanging wide open. He snapped it closed, and cleared his throat, give a wide grin as they both jumped and spun around to stare at him. The girl's face was flushed with embarrassment, and a happy smile tugged at Ash's lips. Good grief, ancient people were impossible.

A/N Wo ho!!!! I have completed another chapter! Yay go me! Anyway please leave your reviews, I love to read them!!! Thanks!!

Love,

Night Of The Land