Thanks guys, for all your kind comments. The programming office has been cruel to me, but I'm over it now so I finally got the next chapter written. There's just 2 more to go so I really hope you enjoy this chapter!
No worries about not reviewing earlier Flare102; I'm just happy you like the fic. Hope your computer's all well now though! I know I hate it when my computer goes all bizarre on me.
Disclaimer: Moonlight and characters don't belong to me; I'm simply a fan having fun with the characters.
The streets were crowded with more people than he had expected and Shane almost regretted choosing this area; it was the closest place to the bank that had come to mind but that was where the convenience ended. The theft itself had been easy enough—the people at the store had been so wrapped up in their little lives and counting the minutes until their shifts ended that they had barely noticed when he entered the store. He had literally walked back out, bag of formula in hand and their only reaction had been to smile and wish him a good night, having mistakenly assumed that he had been among the confusion of people at the register. Normally, Shane would have never taken such a risk but tonight, he was desperate; it had been almost a day since he had fed Gilly and he didn't have time nor did he have the patience to skulk around and wait for the perfect opportunity. The few cans he had stolen wouldn't last Gilly long but he would arrange another heist later tonight; right now, he had to get back.
The problem now was that he could only go as fast as mortally possible if he didn't want to alert suspicion. He suspected he had already done so—what else could explain the visitors at a bank that had burned down two decades ago?—and wasn't eager to invite more attention upon himself. Still, the moment he stepped away from all the noise and the lives, he released a sigh he hadn't realized he had been holding and sped off. Gilly had been sleeping when he left her but he couldn't shake the unease that grew with each passing second. She had been high-strung and cranky tonight, whimpering and refusing to remain quiet when Shane left her sight. He knew it was, in part, due to her hunger and unmet expectancy for nourishment but it had never been this bad so far! When he had first taken her, he had underestimated the amount of milk she would need and consequently, the formula he stole consistently fell short of her needs but on those occasions, she had simply looked at him with large sad eyes that seemed to say, I understand, I forgive you. Tonight, his departure seemed to be a signal for some impending doom and every time he came back to try and calm her, her eyes begged him to stay. He had been on the verge of bringing her along but when he held her in his arms, ready to go, he knew it was too risky and that he could be in and out much faster without her.
Shane stopped suddenly, sure that he smelled Gilly. The blurs of colors around him slammed into place and sharpened into distinct shapes. Shane tuned his eyes to the darkness but all he saw was a lone silver car. He squinted after it but it was speeding away and all he could make out was a blonde at the wheel; he relaxed slightly when he realized she was a human. He lifted his head and inhaled again, but this time, he smelled only the staleness of the abandoned area. Shane frowned, unconvinced that the smell had only been a figment of his imagination. But then the bank was nearby… perhaps his abilities were enhancing from frequent use…
He gave his head a shake. Why was he standing here when the bank—and Gilly—was within reach? He covered the remaining distance in a flash and was instantly struck with the scent of fresh fear and nervousness.
A blonde—the blonde!—steps into the bank's interior, glancing around restlessly. Another figure, dark-haired, a man, hovers protectively, close behind her. He soon takes the lead however, seeming to have assessed that there is no danger. With quick, unfaltering steps, they make their way to the back of the bank, to Gilly's room. They seem surprised to see the room, but not as if they haven't seen it before; rather, it seems they are seeing something other than what they expect to see.
They argue quietly for a few moments, then the blonde strides across the room and picks up Gilly, his Gilly! She holds her tenderly but purposefully and leaves the room, stopping to say something to the man. He nods at her and touching her on the arm, tells her to be careful. Then she's gone, and it's just him. He stares after her, caught in some unreadable emotion but a moment later, he turns his attention to scrutinizing the room and it is as if she was never with him.
No! No, it couldn't be! Shane tore off, to the back of the bank and peered through the half-collapsed window. And just as the vision had predicted, there the man was, sitting cross-legged in the center of the room. What did he do now? Did he stay and confront this insolent man who had the nerve to help the woman take Gilly and then remain? Or did he go after the woman who had his daughter? He sniffed the air and to his shock, realized that the man was no man at all! Shane knew the other vampire was much older than him—a lot of vampires were. Surely he understood why he had taken Gilly, surely he knew he would never hurt her! He recalled the way the other vampire had looked at the mortal woman… he understood; Shane was sure of it! His anger flared; how dare this vampire interfere. Who did he think he was? Shaking with fury, Shane stepped closer to the window until he was almost pressed against it. He placed a hand on the glass, trying to judge the force it would take to break it completely. The vampire still sat inside, unmoving, unaware. Unconsciously, Shane's head leaned in closer, calculating the distance between them, envisioning the trajectory he would take. He felt his eyes burn as their color bled to a pale, almost-white, blue. His fangs extended more rapidly than he thought was possible and finally, the strength, heady and intoxicating, began to circulate through him. He stumbled back a few steps and stood, knees bent, muscles tensed for the jump. He was ready. A second later, the peace around him vanished as glass exploded in front of him, behind him, everywhere.
Mick anticipated the attack a full half-minute before it happened. He could feel Shane moving, positioning himself so he could get it just right. Finally, Mick felt him still and knew he was ready. Mick loosened his crossed legs and pushed his palms more firmly against the floor. Behind him, he heard the window shatter and before Shane could grasp what had happened, he was on his feet and retreating to a shadowy corner. Shane landed in the center of the room, tumbling forward as his hands grabbed the air viciously, unbalancing him.
"Missed me," Mick called quietly.
Shane whirled around and charged toward him but Mick's hands flew up reflexively and caught his arms. "Where is your friend taking her?" he growled, while trying to break free.
"To her mother, where she belongs," Mick replied coldly. He hurled Shane across the room, then sped after him. "Tell me, did you ever love her?"
"Who, Anna?" He tried to dodge away but Mick caught his neck and pinned him to the wall.
"Yes, Anna," Mick hissed, now fully vamped out.
"Of course I did. I still do."
Mick dropped him in surprise. Immediately, Shane barreled into him and the two vampires slid against the floor. Mick twisted away just as Shane leapt onto the spot where he had been. "If you love her, then why did you take Gilly? She's all Anna has; did you even see how this has been affecting her?"
"Gilly is my daughter too!" He rammed into Mick and this time, he didn't miss. He encircled Mick's throat and applied pressure. "Tell your friend to bring her back! I don't want to have to hurt her but I will if that's what it comes down to."
The mention of Beth brought a surge of energy through Mick. "Leave her out of this!" He ripped Shane's hands off and slammed him into the wall. It shook and debris crumbled into the air around them. "Do you hear me? If you hurt her in any way you'll wish you were dead after I'm through with you!" He threw him into the wall and this time, cracks spiderwebbed the surface.
Shane slid to the floor, coughing. But instead of acquiescing, he smiled slyly. "You know, you and I, we're not so different."
"We're nothing alike!" Mick was beginning to wish he had brought one of his knives instead of just a stake. As long as they had recovered Gilly, he didn't really need answers; he just wanted them… Now, the truth in Shane's words was making him hesitate.
Seeing his opportunity, Shane continued, slowly slinking away as he spoke. "That woman you were with, you love her don't you? But you could never turn her? That's how it was for me too. I wanted to turn Anna but when the time came, I couldn't do it… all she wanted was a normal life. I couldn't take it away from her and hurt her like that."
Mick descended on him, roaring, but he scrambled away with a surprising speed. "But you hurt her anyway when you took Gilly."
"Gilly loves me; she knows I'm her father even when she sees me like this."
"That doesn't justify what you did." Mick sped into him and they hurtled out of the window and onto hard concrete. "I won't let you hurt them anymore." He pulled out the stake.
The sight of the stake seemed to enhance Shane's strength; Mick had to struggle to maintain his hold on him. "I was lonely," he cried out wildly. "Surely you understand… I had no one!"
Mick hesitated and too late, he realized that that had been what Shane had been counting on. The stake slipped from his hand and clattered toward the bank. Mick reached to grab it but Shane shot into him and they collided into the bank, the stake just out of reach. The wall trembled behind them and a large crack ran along the top. It teetered precariously and fell on them, most of it disintegrating as it did. Mick blinked the dust out of his vision and saw that Shane had managed to retrieve the stake. "Shane," he warned. "You don't want to do this… they deserve better, you know they do."
He shook his head, making sure to never loosen his hold on Mick. "I'm sorry; I didn't want to do this. But I can't let you take Gilly back… She needs me… and I can't spend eternity alone. I just can't." He plunged the stake down.