Title: Legacy (part X)
Author: BELOVEDbyWAR
Rating: PG
TV verse: Blood Ties
Disclaimer: Not mine, not making any money.
Summary: Phonecalls
AN: Thanks to luvinmike for beta-reading!
WK: 1174
Happy Easter!
Legacy X:
Hearing the vampire's steps trail off, Mike sat on the couch with a heavy heart and a deep sigh.
What was he supposed to say?
Mike knew that he had reacted a little harshly, but the problem was that if Vicki or any other human visited in the next few days he would probably react in exactly the same way. They did not know how it felt to be almost violated by someone else's feelings, and not happy feelings either! He had felt pity and fear. His strong, brave Vicki had been terrified of him and that had been something he could not bear! He had become just like Fitzroy, only worse, because unlike the vampire, he could not hide behind a human façade anymore. He had become his worst nightmare. He had become a monster!
Taking one long calming breath, he picked up the phone knowing that he could not delay any longer.
It rang four times before Mike finally heard the voice he so desperately missed, but strangely enough, also feared.
"Vicki Nelson Investigations?"
Came the tired voice from the other end.
"Vic? It's me…"
"Mike? God, how are you?" she answered, suddenly alert.
Mike was genuinely touched by her concern for him, but it did not change what he had felt last night.
"As good as can be expected, I suppose."
"---"
"Look, Vicki, I—I am sorry for how I behaved last night-"
"No, Mike, it's OK. I understand." She interrupted his apology.
"Do you?"
A short pause followed until Vicki finally said:
"Both Coreen and Henry have explained to me what kind of changes you are going through right now and – well to tell the truth, I would be lying if I said it did not intimidate me. But regardless, I want you to know that no matter what, you are my best friend and will always be."
Yea, best friend. Nothing more… and now there never would be more again, he thought, but said:
"Thanks, that means a lot! So…. we are good?"
"The best!"
"Again, thanks. Call you tomorrow?" he abruptly tried to end the call.
"Until then. And Mike?"
"Yea?"
"Take care!"
"You too."
"Bye!" and she hung up.
"Bye…." Mike whispered, feeling that somehow with this phone call, he had said goodbye to his dreams of a future with Vicki.
It hurt.
He suddenly felt so alone in the world. Then something took hold of his heart and squeezed it until he felt dizzy and a cold sweat covered his body. He had to lie down.
Lord. What was it with the dizzy spells the last few days! And why wouldn't the world stop spinning?
Lying down did not help. Suddenly, Mike felt like he was going to throw up so he desperately searched for any kind of container he could use. At the last second he saw the garbage can, threw himself off the couch, and emptied the contents of his stomach in it, until he only dry-heaved. Exhausted, he fell next to it, trying to catch his breath.
-
That is how Henry found him. Curious, he had hovered nearby to overhear what was being said during the phone call. He knew it was no way to behave for a prince, but he couldn't stop himself.
To his surprise when he returned all was silent. Suddenly the sounds of retching broke the house's peace and Henry ran swiftly to see what was wrong. He entered the room in time to see Mike fall exhausted on the floor.
Wrinkling his nose at the smell of puke, Henry quickly got rid of it and returned immediately to hoist the unresponsive blond from the floor and return him to the couch.
He did not know what was wrong with the man. Only minutes ago, he was making a fuss about his clothes and now he lay here almost as unresponsive as Henry was during the daytime.
Time to consult an expert!
"Betty? It's Henry"
"Oh, Henry. How nice to hear from you. I trust you're calling in reference to your elf theory?"
"Yes, dear. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your help! Have you found anything?"
Dr. Sagara told Henry all about elves she had found and that the number 39 could be of significance because the world of elves was seen as the third empire of the third dimension, and any human with elven blood would enter in his third life phase, namely that of an elf. What the last 3 stood for Betty had not found out yet, but it was basically the concept of 3 being the radical of 9 in a number that basically consists of that very number, or something like that.
Henry had never been very good with mathematic, so he simply took her word for it. What spiked his interest the most was when Betty told him that an elf was, for lack of a better word, almost invincible. They were stronger, faster, immortal, and magically untouchable.
"So, where is the catch?" Henry asked.
"Catch? What do you mean, dear?"
"My sweet Elisabeth, when you live as long as I have, you realize that everything comes with a price, and I doubt very much that ultimate power comes without a hidden clause."
"Oh, well. I can't be sure as it is quite vague…"
"Tell me, please!"
"Well, it does not really make sense, but in one inscription I found, it says that the strongest power on earth would be an elf's greatest weakness and its greatest strength."
"That is it? Earth's greatest power?"
"Yes. Sorry. I told you it was vague."
"No, no. Thank you, Betty! Thanks for the help!"
"My pleasure entirely! Oh, and Henry?"
"Yes?"
"Who do you think is the lost elf?"
The vampire let out a suffering sigh.
"Celluci."
A short silence followed until the older woman suddenly started to laugh heartily.
"Ahem, Betty, what is so funny?"
"Oh, oh it is just – it is so fitting! An elf would be the opposite of a vampire, you see. While you are a predator, he is a protector. While you die from the sun, he gets power from it. You prey on life and he nourishes it. Basically he would be the white to your black. No wonder you two never got along!"
She said with amusement in her voice.
"No, really? And I thought it was his endearing self!" he answered, slightly irritated.
"I am sure it is that, too," she said affectionately.
"Be that as it may. Good night, Betty, and thanks again for your help!"
"For you always, my dear! Good night." And she hung up.
So, Celluci's only weakness was earth's greatest power. What the hell was that supposed to mean? And how did that help him now with the catatonic elf lying on his couch?
Frustrated, he looked at the pale face and was strangely drawn to it.
"The greatest power…" he whispered, lost in thought, absentmindedly pushing one stray blond lock behind an intriguing pointed ear.
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