Chapter 11

(Decision Made)

Memphis' Point of view

I left the count's room and headed for the elevator. I wanted to believe them and rebuke them at the same time. The idea slayers I knew might be on random senseless hunts disturbed me. I wanted to believe they'd never do it. Then again, it was because of them I'd lost Hope and a son I hadn't even known about. It was slayers that had wanted to kill Angel before she was born and they had even been willing to kill Katie.

I took out my phone and headed to a quiet area. I logged into a slayer site I had used when I had been with Monica and the others. My access was immediately denied but I wasn't surprised. I'd been gone a long time. I tried three passwords and quickly gained access. One thing about Dennis, he could never choose difficult passwords because he could never remember them.

My eyes scanned the screen as I went into their recent activities list. My eyes widened as I saw a list of terminated individuals. As I read the list and my eyes came across a couple of names I recognized I felt a sense of pain and anger. I knew the two witches on the list, a slayer, and two wolves on the list weren't evil. They'd been wrongly taken out.

I clicked into other files before coming across a list of plans. Reading the list I knew they were planning a strike in Seattle, WA. A frown crossed my face as I looked at the targets. They were targeting a woman that had been an informant for us. I knew she had stopped because, like me, she'd fallen in love with a wolf. Unlike me, she could easily walk away. Looking at her name I envied her; she'd done what I couldn't. Looking at her name on the list, however, I also knew her choice had just cost the woman her life.

Reth's words came back to me, "It isn't just slayers, Memphis," Reth said rising to his feet as well. "There are vampires that need to be taken out. There are even shifters that need to be taken out." As I looked at the screen I had my proof. I looked at the clock and my eyes went wide. I only had fifteen minutes to make my choice and get to the airport if I was going.

Dracula's point of view

It felt so good to feel my little girl in my arms again. Little. I couldn't help but internally smirk at my own thought. Angel was young but she had grown up quite a bit. Her age was showing as it was clear the body of a child was giving way to that of a woman. I had to mentally force myself not to let my daughter know my thoughts. As a father I wasn't entirely pleased. Little girls were safe but young women were another story. I could only hope the knowledge that she was my daughter would stop anyone from having any thoughts about pursuing Angel. I wasn't so sure I could handle that.

"Where's mom?" Angel asked me; her blue eyes beaming.

"Sleeping." It was the first thing I could think of to say. I did not think it was appropriate for me to be completely honest with her. Some things just shouldn't be said between parents and children.

"Sleeping? Why would she be…." Angel's voice fell silent as a huge smile suddenly crossed her face. "Wow! You didn't waste any time did you?" She said and tapped my arm. At first I didn't understand but then seeing Reth look amused I realized I'd glanced away when Fox had asked why her mother was sleeping. I felt mildly embarrassed and she either saw it or sensed it from me because she laughed openly delighted.

"Get on the plane," I told her rather abruptly. She laughed even harder but was quickly bounding up the staircase to the plane.

I sighed and turned only to see Reth smirk out of the corner of my right eye. I was going to have to watch what I said and what I did in the future. Having my daughter around might not be entirely good for my imposing reputation. I couldn't help but be glad I wasn't dating.

Gently I reached into the limo and very carefully brought out a sleeping Katie. I rolled her toward me so that her head was on my chest. "Get the bags," I ordered Sedrick. My servant immediately obeyed but I was somewhat irritated to find even he was amused by my daughter and me. 'What am I getting myself into?' I wondered. Shrugging it off I walked up the steps of the plane and boarded with my lady in my arms. Sedrick was right in purchasing me a private plane. I'd have to remember to thank him later.

I walked down the aisle of the plane all the way to the back and placed Katie down on a bed in a private room in the back of the plane. I looked at how peaceful she looked and smiled. "Sleep well beauty." I closed the door and walked out to the main area of the plane. Chances were high it would still be some time before she woke.

As I walked back up toward the front of the plane I could see the uncertainty on Hope's face. She was looking out the window and glancing down at her watch. The wolf was very nervous about what the outcome would be. Reth had decreed if Memphis didn't come that Hope would be given to someone else. It wasn't what she wanted and in truth I didn't agree with him. Hope would only ever love Memphis as I would only ever love Katie. I loved Fox of course and always would but that was parental love. My love for Katie was different.

"He will come," I told her. I watched as her eyes looked my way; so full of hope and fear.

"I hope so," she said.

"I know so," Angel said appearing next to me.

"How can you be so sure?" Hope asked clearly wanting to believe my daughter.

"Look out the window."

Hope looked out the window and Fox and I barely had enough time to get out of the way before the woman raced past us and off the plane.

"Remind me to step out of the way first next time," My daughter commented glancing over at me. I could only nod.

Memphis view point

I paid the cab driver and ran for the plane. I could see the plane as I ran for the chain link fence. I saw them close up the luggage area and get ready to pull the staircase away. I started to stop to explain to the guard at the gate but he just waived me through. I couldn't help but feel like Dracula had known my choice even before I did.

Just as I neared the plane I saw a flash of blonde hair as someone got off the plane. I slowed down and walked up to the plane as I watched Hope come down the stairs. 'She's so beautiful,' I thought to myself. A smile crossed my face as she came running down the stairs toward me. She reached the bottom stair and stepping off she stopped and looked at me.

Fear and hope were in her eyes and she was so emotional I saw the tears forming in them even before I reached her. Hope wanted me to say I was coming but I also knew she was bracing for impact.

"I walked away from you to protect you Hope," I told her. "I

"Reth told me," she said in a somewhat shaky voice.

"Yeah, well, I'm telling you. You need to hear it from me. I didn't want to walk away from you then and I am sure as hell not walking away now." Hope was away from the stairs and in my arms before I could blink. She squeezed me tight like she was afraid if she let go I'd suddenly be gone.

"I'm not going anywhere but with you." I grabbed her shoulder length blonde hair and forcing her head back away from me I looked at her and then crushed my lips to hers. Come what may Hope and our son was mine.

"Do you two plan on getting on the plane or what?" Michelle teased from the top of the stairs with a smile on her face. Hope abruptly wrapped her legs around my waist and I did the only thing I could. I walked up the stairs holding on to her.

We boarded the plane and after reaching Hope's seat and mine we sat down. "No sex on the plane!" I heard someone yell. I smirked and Hope playfully glared at me before laughing when I shrugged.

"Do remember there are children on the plane," Dragos said.

"Children?" Raquel said. "I'm offended!"

"You are also a child; sit down and put your seatbelt on. We need to return to the castle," Isaiah said.

"Stop by Seattle or an old friend will be dead," I told them. All eyes fell on me. "I hacked their site; I know their target."

"I assume someone that may be beneficial to us?" Reth said.

"Shrewdy."

"You… we need to get to Seattle," Reth said openly agreeing with me and looking at the count. The count looked at him and then me questioningly. "She's helped us in the past and can be very helpful now."

"Very well. Sedrick inform the pilot there has been a change in plans."Ten minutes later we were airborne and headed for Washington State.

I looked over at Hope and still couldn't believe we were together once more. "So is our son here or…"

"There next to Fox," she told me. I looked over to see a blonde wolf laughing at something Angel had said. If I had known I had a son before and if I had seen him before, I would have known he was my son. He looked up and over at us. He looked at Hope and then back to whatever it was they'd been looking at.

"Does he know I didn't know?" I asked.

"Yes. Phoenix knows."

"Phoenix. Very appropriate" I said and looked at him and then back to her. Hope and I had spent a wonderful weekend in Phoenix once. It had also been the first time we'd been intimate. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You were afraid I wouldn't come," I told her knowingly.

"I know what your decision means. I wanted you to come but, given the whole thing with Katie, I wasn't sure," She admitted.

"I won't lie, Hope. I listened and then I hacked their system to get some verification," I told her. She nodded and looked down. "I don't make decisions without thinking them through."

"That's kind of the reason I was afraid you wouldn't come," Hope told me. "I don't remember you ever making life changing decisions this fast before."

"I did when I walked out with Katie," I told her. "They were actually willing to kill her."

"Did you know then?" She asked.

"I had a feeling it was possible," I admitted. "Still….Angel hadn't even been born yet. There was no guarantee and…I never was one to kill a child." Hope smiled and leaned into me.

"Memphis." I looked over to see Reth and Isaiah. "What are we headed into?"

"I would suggest the count not be in attendance." I felt his presence almost instantly behind me. "The longer they don't know your alive the more of an advantage we have," I commented.

"Continue," he said walking around to the side and sitting down in a chair.

"They are expecting an easy kill. Three new slayers from what I can tell, four intermediate and one advanced. One isn't named but…I'm betting it'll be someone we know. Someone she knows."

"Dennis?"

"No. He's in planning stages. I'm thinking Dixon."

"Why Dixon?" Hope asked.

"They had a thing for a time. Who better for her to lower her guard for?" I asked.

"That's almost cruel to send a former lover. Can he do it?" Hope asked.

I nodded. "He knows she left for a wolf. I hate to say it but I doubt he'll hesitate." I looked at Hope. "You and Michelle stay with the plane."

"Hey, I…"

"Michelle, you're a woman."

"Well thank you for noticing!" She said angrily.

"I believe Memphis is concerned that the anger Dennis has at Shrewdy could turn your way and you would both quickly become targets," The count remarked. "Am I correct?"

I nodded. "Yeah. He'll be even more pissed if he knows I chose a wolf and to be with wolves and vampires over slayers."

"You boys have fun," Michelle announced. I couldn't help but smirk. "I get to go next time."

"Any other time Michelle," I told her. She nodded and walked away.

"I'll let you talk," Hope said and getting up, followed after her friend.