A/N: John and Batista aren't wrestlers because when I wrote the first one, they weren't even on the scene at the time. Then as I went, I started drawing the story more away from the wrestling aspect of it until it eventually became an AU.

CHAPTER 13

Mark followed the directions Amaranta had given him, finally halting in front of yet another posh hotel room door. "Should we?" He asked, looking down at Jaden.

She shrugged, her eyes red from crying. "I guess, if John and Isis really have lost it, they might… might come after us." She had to bite back the sobs once more. "Mark… they…" She broke off, turning away from him.

Mark gently turned her back, bending down to look into her eyes. "Everything will be fine Jaden… this'll pass." He assured her, though secretly he doubted that, there was just something way to wrong with the whole madness scenario.

"Come on, before we lose our nerve." Jaden braced herself and knocked on the door loudly.

It was opened almost instantly by the vampire they had met, Batista, he was dressed in only a pair of black silk pajama bottoms, looking like he was getting ready to sleep though he showed no surprise at them being there. "Come in." He said gravely, moving away to open the door wider.

Jaden and Mark exchanged looks before stepping across the threshhold.

Jaden woke up to the sound of lows voices. She opened her eyes, for a moment thinking John would be there to greet her. It wasn't John who was leaning over her though.

It was Mark, his green eyes filled with concern. "Are you all right?"

Jaden nodded, sitting up slowly as she gathered her bearings. "Yeah, just thought it might all have been a dream."

"No dream, come look at the television."

Reluctantly she followed him out of the bedroom and into the main room where Amaranta and Batista were standing in front of a television that took up an entire wall, both blank faced.

A reporter was speaking to some people, all of them in tears. Behind them was the motel the zealots from Montana had been staying in, bodies being carted out. The scene changed to a street corner, which had been taped off.

Jaden had to glance away, already knowing what was coming. She walked out onto the balcony, staring down at the traffic and people that went on with their lives, wondering if this was all immortality was, lonliness and madness.

"Are you all right miss?"

Jaden didn't bother turning around, feeling her stomach give that familiar lurch at the sound of Batista's concerned voice. "I will be."

"This madness…" His tone was gentle, delicate even. "It could pass."

"What if it doesn't?" She whispered, her hands gripping the railing tightly.

Batista's large hands curved over her shoulders, holding her firmly and tenderly all at once. "You have time on your side Beautiful One," He murmured, his mouth mere inches from her ear. "Enough time even, to mend a broken heart."

Mark watched Jaden and Batista from inside, well aware of Amaranta staring at him, Sighing heavily he turned to her. "What?"

"You're a blunt person Mark," She said softly. "Were you that way when you were mortal?"

"I've never been one to beat around the bush." He admitted gruffly.

"That's an admirable trait."

Mark stepped away from her, avoiding her purple eyes, not sure if he really wanted to see what he would find in them. "When do we leave?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Soon, I've already sent for my car."

"Car?" He echoed.

Amaranta laughed, a silverly, tinkling sound. "I'm mortal enough to love my little luxuries."

John thundered down the stairs to find Isis sitting on the couch, sharpening her dagger with a whet stone. "You look cheerful." He greeted.

She smiled coldly at him. "They didn't come back."

"I noticed." He dropped down in a chair, studying her thoughtfully. She was already dressed and ready to go out, trading in her country girl clothes for a pair of black leather pants and a black tank top, black fingerless lace gloves on her hands, her long nails also painted black. "Nice look."

"Better than yours." She retorted, staring pointedly at him.

"What?" John looked down at his jeans and jersery.

"Let's go shopping." Isis said suddenly, standing up and tossing her dagger aside.

Jaden watched out the tinted windows as the city quickly disappeared, finally looking at the her traveling companions.

Amaranta was sitting across from her, one leg crossed over the over, looking quite stunning a silver gown that slit up to her thighs. Mark sat besides Amaranta, though as far away from her on the seat as possible, staring out the window himself. Batista sat on the same seat as Jaden, at a respectful distance though he kept glancing over at her, his face that of a concerned gentleman's.

"Are you all right?" He asked for the second time that evening.

Jaden nodded, aware that Amaranta was now studying them.

"You'll find Batista a most… amicable companion." Amaranta chuckled.

"You look so much better." Isis commented, staring at John.

He studied himself in the many mirrors, turning every which way. "It'll do." He admitted.

She had clothed him in black leather pants and a white beater, swapping out his usual heavy gold chains for a sleek, silver anhk.

"Will that be cash, check or credit card?" The salesperson who had been waiting on them asked, holding John's cast off clothes.

Isis and John exchanged knowing looks, both beginning to grin.

"Neither…" Isis murmured.

"How do you like your room?"

Jaden looked up from the clothes she'd been sorting through to find Batista leaning in the open doorway of the bedroom she'd been given at Amaranta's New York home. "It's lovely." She stepped away from the wardrobe, pulling a royal purple silk sheath gown out. "Is this all right?"

"Anything will be fine." He smiled reassuringly at her. "You'll be among friends here Beautiful One, others of our kind."

Jaden returned the smile, swallowing hard. Others of their kind… Upon arriving in New York, Amaranta had immediately sent out invitations to every vampire she knew, inviting them to a midnight ball, in honor of Mark and Jaden's arrival. Jaden couldn't understand why Amaranta would go through so much trouble for them but she didn't dwell on it too much, unable to think of anything but John mostly.

As if sensing her thoughts, Batista took a hesitant step towards. "Try to forget him," He whispered. "Just for tonight, try to enjoy yourself."

"I don't know if I can." She admitted, sitting down in front of the ebony vanity, automatically reaching for the hairbrush. When she looked up into the mirror, he was standing directly behind her, something akin to sympathy in his eyes. "Please don't pity me." She pleaded. "Don't feel sorry for me."

"It's not you I feel pity for." Batista gently stroked the side of her face with his knuckles, leaning down so they were cheek to cheek, staring into her eyes through the mirror. "It's him, giving you up the way he did… I pity such ignorance…"

Jaden's breath caught in her throat as his hand slowly moved down her neck, and finally coming to a halt over her heart.

"Let it heal, if only for one night."

"What do you want to do?" John asked, sounding thoroughly bored when they had finally left the clothing shoppe.

"I don't know…" Isis admitted, smiling seductively at a young man who paused to gape at her. "I'm full right now so I don't feel like killin' off anyone jus' yet."

John halted, staring at the other man. "Is there a problem?" He demanded.

Isis watched on amused.

"Looking ain't hurting nothing." The other man replied quickly, his face flushing angrily.

"Not yet." John threatened, taking a step forward.

"Oh John, come now…" Isis intervened, placing a small hand on his forearm. "He's just a kid, be nice." She winked at the man. "Why don't you come home with us?"

"Huh?"

John quickly caught on and began to grin. "Yeah champ, come with us and have a drink, let me make up for being a jerk." He slung his arm around the other's guys shoulder.

"Sure…"

"That was fun." Isis sighed contentedly, leaning back against John, her eyes closed.

John had to agree, staring at the remains of the young man, Brett had been his name. Well Brett certainly hadn't had as much fun as they, but still… not everyone was always a winner right?

"I s'pose I should go wash up." Isis yawned, not having to open her eyes to know how she looked, covered from head to toe in blood, her hair caked with it.

"Let's torch this place." John said absent-mindedly.

"What?"

"Let's torch it, I want to go somewhere else anyways, Texas is getting boring."

"I agree with you on that, where too?" Isis sat up, looking at him curiously.

"I don't know…"

Isis smiled suddenly. "Ever been to New York?"

"What's in New York?"

"Some awesome huntin' grounds."

John's smiled was the only answer she needed.