"Sit Mason!" Captain Bloodworth ordered gruffly.

Jorge did not obey for a second then sat stiffly on the edge of his seat, indicating he knew he was about to be lectured, something he deeply resented. What did that intruder have that he didn't? Jorge asked himself. Even though it had been explained exactly what Jazz's boyfriend had that he didn't, Jorge hadn't absorbed a word, as he was too full of himself to take anything anybody else said to heart. It went in one ear and right out the other.

"You know why you're here Mason," Captain Bloodworth told his officer sternly. "I would like an explanation for your behavior and it had better be good."

Jorge said nothing for a few minutes as he tried to to find the words he needed. Finally, he blurted our what he had been thinking. "I was just trying to get people to see that David Rossi is not who they believe him to be."

"And what do you believe him to be Mason?" Bloodworth asked.

Jorge didn't answer, so finally the captain said, "I'll tell you what you believe. You believe that David Rossi stole what rightfully belonged to you right out from under you."

Jorge looked startled at the captain's words.

"You think I don't know that you've had a crush on Jazz Lincoln for years son?" asked Bloodworth in an exasperated tone. "Hell, anyone with half a brain can tell that you have a huge crush on that girl. I knew about it, even before David Rossi came into the picture. There isn't much that remains private in a small town like this one, you should know that, as you've lived here all your life. I don't like to get involved in people's private lives but you're making that necessary son. You are an officer of the law, which means you must be professional and polite at all times particularly when you're on shift and representing the police department. You harassing one of our most prominent citizens is only ruining what you have remaining of your career, which, as I've already said, is hanging by a thread. It's clear to me that you simply aren't suited to be in this line of work. You been bucking the rules ever since you came out of the academy."

"But sir!" Jorge protested finally.

"Now you've been warned before about the way you conduct yourself, multiple times and it hasn't done anything to correct your behavior. I understand loving someone that doesn't feel the same, but you've got to stop bothering her son. All you're doing is making an idiot of yourself and making the lady as mad as hellfire. Jazz Lincoln has the right to date anybody she pleases.

"You've hardly made a positive impression on her with the way you've acted towards her over the last few years, practically the minute she came back to town from finishing her education. Believing she was capable of murder was just one of many nails in your coffin when it came to a possible relationship with her. You didn't bother to do a proper investigation just believed that she was guilty. You didn't bother to look for any other suspects either. I won't say there wasn't some circumstantial evidence against her, but that happens in a lot of cases and it doesn't mean that person is guilty. You have not exactly endeared yourself to her or her family and bragging to everyone that you knew she was guilty didn't help your case either."

Jorge hung his head, because he knew the captain was right. The way he had handled that situation several years ago had been sloppy at best.

"Jazz has taken your attitude with a lot more patience and fortitude than you deserve, as she should've at least reported you for your behavior. Everyone has a breaking point and I'm sure that Jazzlyn Lincoln has reached hers. You will either leave her and her boyfriend alone or you will face the consequences. You will stop entering her place of business to harass her and her beau if he happens to be there. It would be wise to avoid her bakery altogether. You can go to the one across town, though I know it's out-of-the-way."

"But she's mine!" Jorge finally protested with real anger and frustration in his voice once Captain Bloodworth had fallen silent. "We are meant to be together ever since she rescued me from those bullies all those years ago. She has to know it somewhere deep down."

"Jazz isn't a possession son," Captain Bloodworth sighed, running a hand through his grey hair, in a gesture of frustration. "She doesn't belong to anyone except herself," Bloodworth finished in a exasperated tone, as it became clear to him that Mason had created a rich fantasy life starring himself and Jazz Lincoln. "She might have saved you from those bullies, but that's only because she's a nice person who doesn't like to see anyone getting beat up. It does not mean that you're destined to get married. I'm sure that she and David Rossi are planning to get married."

The fact that the captain knew that Jazz and her boyfriend were planning to tie the knot was beside the point.
"Noooo!" Jorge exclaimed practically screaming his protest, acting like a little boy who wanted what he wanted and didn't care who heard him pitch a fit in protest, as if that would stop such a thing from happening. "She belongs to me!"

"It's clear to me that you're not going to give up your obsession," Bloodworth said with a disgusted shake of his head. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, as you've been obsessed with her for nearly 20 years. You've created such a complete fantasy of you being together that it's going to take professional help to rid you of it. I suggest you go see a psychologist who will help you get rid of the idea that Jazzlyn Lincoln is yours. You do anything to hurt that girl and you will regret it," Bloodworth added in a warning tone. "I've known her, and her family nearly her entire life. I feel very protective of her so you had better watch yourself. She's almost like a niece to me, perhaps even a daughter. So far she has committed no crimes, though from what I hear she's very close to popping you one. Any sensible person would leave her alone before they got their nose broken or a split lip and black eye."

Jorge looked rather startled at the thought that the woman he was obsessed with would commit violence against him, but if he really believed Jazz wouldn't hit him he really was an idiot. Everybody in the known universe had a breaking point, and Jazz had long since reached hers where he was concerned.

"You know it is rumored that the Lincoln family are distantly related to Abraham Lincoln and that they helped found this town. You're harassing one of the most prominent families that has a lot of power if they cared to use it, which is not smart thing to do. I mean Jazz's mother is on the town council and has a lot allies that will likely back her up if required. You could be banned from town faster than you could blink and there would be absolutely nothing anyone could do about it, but since you've basically burned your bridges with the citizens I doubt they will consider you being banished much of a loss. They'll probably be relieved you're gone."

Jorge knew of the rumors about the Lincoln family, as he had lived here all his life but that wasn't going to stop him. Besides, they probably weren't true. Lincoln was a perfectly common surname after all. However, the fact that Jazz's mother was on the town council might very well be a problem and the father was a very well respected stockbroker with some power with people that mattered. They were respected for their honesty and integrity, but when you messed with a person's family most people would immediately circle the wagons to protect the member who was in trouble. That neither of Jazz's parents had done anything to protect their daughter before now told him that Jazz hadn't wanted them to and had probably requested that they not interfere, though that very well might be different now, considering what his captain had said about Jazz's patience being at an end.

"There are also rumors that the family are witches," Captain Bloodworth added with a straight face. "Whether those rumors are true or not I have no idea, but even if they can't curse you into oblivion that doesn't mean the family can't do anything to protect themselves."

Jorge scoffed when Captain Bloodworth mentioned the rumors that the Lincolns were witches. Magic wasn't real Jorge, thought disdainfully. He didn't pay any attention to the fact that it was rumored that Moonlight Gorge had been built as a haven for witches of all kinds.

Captain Bloodworth observed his officer and shook his head in grave disappointment as soon as he had dismissed Mason from his office. His officer was going commit a fatal mistake sooner or later and he would regret it when he came to his senses, but by then, it would be too late.

It would be his problem to deal with when Mason finally crossed the line. Something he wasn't looking forward to having to deal with.

~~~Dave and Jazzlyn~~~

"So I think it's time we have a serious talk," Jazz told Dave. "You did just propose after all."

Dave had dropped down on one knee and everything and proposed to his mate. Before she accepted though Dave knew Jazz had some things to tell him and the opposite was also true.

"Yeah, we do," Dave agreed softly trying not to show how worried he was about the upcoming conversation. This was the the moment she would either accept him for who he was, or she would tell him to get lost. Being someone who didn't age and couldn't die very easily wasn't exactly normal. Dave only hoped that Jazz would accept it, as he loved her so much. She was his mate the one that completed him, the only one he could have children with. It wasn't the kind of secret he could keep from his soulmate, as Jazz would begin to notice that he didn't age after a few years and that didn't even include the children who were bound to get injured at some point, even if that was just a skinned knee. Besides, he would start to turn her immortal if he had sex with her without protection so it wasn't something he could keep to himself.

No, it wasn't the kind of secret he could keep and really, it was better to be honest before they went any further.

The two of them sat on the couch in Jazz's living room, which was above the bakery. Jazz certainly didn't have to go far to go home.

"I'll go first," Jazz said finally we neither one of them spoke for a few minutes. "This is the secret of my entire family," Jazz began and Dave listened attentively. "If the wrong people found out we would be hunted by those that would want our powers for themselves."

"I know where this is going," Dave said before his mate could continue.

"You do?" Jazz asked looking up into Dave's eyes with astonishment in her expression.

"Yes, I do," Dave promised her kissing her on her pert nose. "You are about to tell me that your family are witches something that most people don't believe exist. I know very well that they keep to themselves for a reason and never reveal what they are to someone who is untrustworthy. I never suspected, so you're very good about concealing your magic."

"Good," Jazz said, her rather tense shoulders relaxing. "I was afraid you wouldn't believe me as I know to most people magic is fantasy. So can I ask how you know about magic."

"Well, this has to do with my own secret," Dave explained. "There was this male witch a very long time ago. I helped out him and his family, saving them from being burned for being what they were. I got them away in the middle of the night so they could start new lives elsewhere. There was a father, a mother and four children, all the children were under 12. The oldest was an adorable little girl with dark red hair, though she somehow avoided inheriting the freckles that most redheads have, at least on her face. As a reward for my help, even though I never asked to be rewarded, as it was the right thing to do, the father of the family turned me immortal. I had to agree to it of course. He was a very powerful witch, by far the most powerful I've ever run across actually. I kept in contact with the family for many years, but then, lost track of them a couple hundred years ago."

"So what was this family's name?" Jazz asked calmly her mind busily working.

"Ambrosius," Dave said calmly.

Dave well knew what a bombshell that last name was and wasn't disappointed in his mate's reaction.

"Wow! You helped Merlin's descendants," Jazz said in amazement.
"I didn't know who the family was at the time. I just didn't believe that magic was evil, like so many people did back then. It was actually one of the children that alerted the authorities of the time that the Ambrosius family wasn't quite normal. His magic got out of control, which is not unusual in small children who are just learning how to control themselves."

"So where did this happen? And when?" Jazz asked and Dave could tell that this was a little test for him, to make sure he wasn't just making it up. Dave couldn't blame Jazz for being cautious.

"It was a small town in Wales, a town that doesn't exist anymore," Dave said and gave Jazz the name of the town.

Jazz was nodding as this meant that Dave's explanation was true, because not many people knew the name of the town where Merlin supposedly resided when he wasn't traveling. It was supposed to be where his descendants had raised their families until they supposedly disappeared just before their upcoming execution. It was rumored that they had disappeared into hiding, but no proof had ever been discovered, at least not concrete proof and yet the rumors had persisted over centuries.

"So how old are you Dave?" Jazz asked and Dave told her.

"I really stopped counting the years a very long time ago, as I'll always be the age I am now," Dave said. "However, the age I gave you is very close to my actual years."

Jazz took a minute to absorb exactly how old Dave was and she could hardly believe it. On the other hand, she was sure he could farther prove it by showing that he was indeed immortal. The fact, that he had given her information about the Ambrosius family that hardly anyone knew about was proof enough for her. For all she knew the family had changed their last name centuries ago and never told anyone outside their family who they were really related too. If that was what had happened Jazz couldn't blame the family at all, as they would've been hunted.

"So does this mean you can't die at all?" Jazz asked worrying her bottom lip.

"Of course not, I'm not a god," Dave assured her. "There are several ways I can die if I care to end my life and who knows I might decide to do that someday. No one knows what the future brings after all, well, unless you're seer."

"So as old as you supposedly are why don't you have any children? I would think you would've been with at least a few women by now," Jazz asked pure curiosity in her expression.

"The answer is fairly simple," Dave told her as calmly as possible. "I'm sure you won't be surprised if I say yes, I've been with quite a few women over the years, but the reason I've had no children is simply I couldn't."

Jazz's expression fell at that, as she assumed the same would be true for any woman Dave got involved with.

"Don't look so downcast," Dave told her gently guessing exactly what she was thinking. "Just because I didn't have any children with those other women doesn't mean I can't have them with you."

"I thought you said you couldn't have them, which would apply to me as well I would think," Jazz said with hope in her expression.

"It doesn't and I'll tell you the reason why," Dave told her gently, with a tender expression, gently running a hand through her dark hair. "The reason why is the because Godfrey Ambrosius told me that the only time I could have children was with my mate."

Jazz stared at Dave for a long minute as she worked out what he meant.

"I'm your mate?" Jazz finally asked he tone full of disbelief after a full 10 minutes of silence where Dave waited patiently for Jazz to absorb what he meant.

"You are," Dave promised in a tender tone of voice. "I knew it the second I walked into you're coffee shop several months ago. It's why I was so persistent about getting you to say yes, to a date. I'm so glad you finally agreed."

Jazz was silent for a few seconds and then threw herself into Dave's arms. "This actually relieves me a great deal," Jazz told him, as she buried her head into his chest breathing in his scent.

"Oh? Why?" Dave asked curiously.

"Because witches also have a mate, and while I wasn't entirely sure at first it was you I have been for some time. While magicals don't have the same restriction on having children whether or not they find their mate, a lot prefer not too procreate outside of a truly mated relationship. That's mostly because mates aren't going to leave each other and leave one of them raise the kids alone. Also, a truly mated relationship is always extremely happy. I won't say that mates don't argue a little, but they aren't going to split up because of a major or even a minor disagreement, not even if they happen to lose a child. I'll admit I was undeniably attracted to you from the first, but that isn't a sure indication. However, there are other signs."

"Such as?" Dave asked curiously.

"Well, one sign is if a couple are truly mates they grow close really quickly. I knew that I would say yes, when you asked me to marry you, several weeks into our relationship. Another is acceptance of that witch's magic and any other traits that people would consider odd or weird. It has been known to happen where a fiancé or significant other have rejected a witch that they supposedly love and sometimes, it leads to very significant consequences. Of course, if that happens it just means that they aren't truly meant to be together, though that doesn't mean it isn't still sad when such a rejection happens."

"I can guess very well what some of those consequences are," Dave said gravely. "You would take the person's memory of ever having known about magic."

"Or put them to death if they had attacked that witch and injured them severely," Jazz added. "It really just depends on circumstances. If we do put someone to death, well, we do it in such a way that any fingers are not pointed in that witch's directions, as a lot of this town is human. Those cases usually remain unsolved."

"Like Jorge," Dave said.

"Exactly," Jazz agreed. "Though Shonda and I don't think he's completely human," Jazz added and went on to tell Dave what she and her friend had discussed awhile back.

"I don't know as much about magic as I'm sure you do, but that seems possible to me. I'm just glad it never affected you or you might have actually agreed to date him and dumped me in the process," Dave said.

"Or never started dating you in the first place if we were together before you arrived," Jazz said. "I'm pretty sure that it only works on people who aren't confident in whatever area of their life that Jorge is making nasty comments about. Shonda is a beautiful women, but she's never been sure of her desirability and she's always believed she's overweight, even when she's not. She told me she ate salads and other healthy foods for months and gave up anything fattening completely. If there's one thing I know she's a chocoholic and loves all types of sweets. I convinced her that she wasn't fat and I think the only reason that worked is because Jorge wasn't talking directly to her, but making a comment she overheard. I'm not positive, but I think he would've had a stronger effect on her if he had said it to her face. I'm also not entirely sure if it would've worn off after awhile, or if it would have been permanent. Truth be known, I noticed immediately that Shonda had lost more weight then she should have. She was dangerously thin."

"So Jorge Mason likely has some witches in his family," Dave said and Jazz nodded.

"Probably, I've been meaning to talk to my mother about that, as she would know better than I. She's the one that keeps track of all the magical families in town. It's quite possible that he's descended from one of the known witch families. Of course, the surname Mason isn't a name of a magical family, as far as I know, but that doesn't really matter. Shonda did say she felt that she had been put under a spell. Normally, Shonda never would've listened or believed what Jorge said, as for one thing he's not known for his manners or being polite. He's the kind that talks behind other peoples backs and also says nasty things to their faces. He's really lucky that somebody hasn't popped him one by now. Several someones come to that."

"I'm surprised you decided on a dog instead of a cat since you are a witch," Dave commented. "You did say you grew up surrounded by cats."

"If you're talking about the familiar aspect, familiars can really be anything. That witches always have cats as familiars is a myth. Alright, I admit the myth has some basis in fact, but that's just mostly the way that witches are written in movies and books. I haven't found my familiar yet and I might never do so, as some witches never find the animal that is right for them," Jazz explained. "I knew an old man when I was a child that had a snake as a familiar. It was a long deadly cobra that stayed in it's tank all the time. It was rumored that the old man could cast more powerful spells when he brought his snake along and that he harvested the venom for some unknown purpose. Whether those rumors are true or not I have no idea."

"I stand corrected," Dave laughed, hugging his mate close to him. "I'm sure I'll be learning about magic for a long time to come and I don't mind that at all. I'm sure I'll find it all fascinating, even if I can't perform any myself."

Jazz beamed at him so happily that her smile practically outshone the sun.

"I still remember as a young girl that Captain Bloodworth warned that old man about his cobra. Said if he ever escaped he would be hunted down and killed, especially if it bit anyone. I'm sure you know that venom of a cobra is deadly," Jazz added reminiscing, even as she snuggled into Dave.

"And I'm sure he would've ended up facing charges," Dave observed and Jazz nodded in agreement. "I can think of several charges right off the top of my head, reckless endangerment, carelessness, unintentional mayhem and possibly murder."

"And probably several more," Jazz said.

"So is that old man still around?" Dave asked.

"Oh, no, he died years ago, as he was positively ancient," Jazz said. "I was actually glad he died while I was in college. I always worried that his cobra, whose name was Nessy by the way, would get out and attack people. Luckily, he wasn't the careless sort, not even as old as he was."

"I'm actually glad he's not still around, because while poison won't kill me, that doesn't mean that I won't appear to die for a few minutes until it's neutralized by my body's defences. If that happens in public it will cause questions that I don't want to answer."

"I can see that," Jazz said in understanding. "I feel the same way about my magic. Luckily, for me my magic is the subtle sort and not really showy like some witches. That doesn't mean I can't defend myself if necessary but my main talent is baking."

"I'm guessing that you just put a little magic into the treats you make and that's probably what makes him so utterly irresistible," Dave guessed and Jazz nodded.

"It also does things to people," Jazz explained.

"Like what?" Dave asked seriously.

"Well, let me give you an example," Jazz said thinking back. "A few months ago, right before I met you this man came into my bakery to buy something sweet for his fiancé. Not much later they had a big argument and I heard they were talking about not getting married."

"And the treat made them realize that they really did love each other," Dave guessed.

"Yep, the guy came back in the next day and thanked me. He and his fiancée had been arguing furiously when they both took a bite of the brownie he had bought. It made them realize I think that they did love each other and it was just stress of planning the wedding," Jazz said. "There are plenty more heartwarming stories like that and most people never truly realize that it's magic at work, so as I said my magic works subtly."

"If only because most people don't believe in magic at all," Dave said in understanding.

"Exactly, barring ones like you of course," Jazz agreed. "It was incredible luck that you already knew about magic."

"Or fate perhaps," Dave suggested with a mischievous expression.

"If you believe in such things," Jazz teased him. "Most people don't believe in something as nebulous as fate."

"Those people are not like you and me," Dave said simply. "They live out their short lives never realizing that there are greater forces in the universe and I don't necessarily mean the Christian God that so many people believe in."

"Or Hecate the goddess of magic," Jazz added. "Magicals revere her along with Merlin. It is said that Merlin was the first powerful magic user in the world. The first one that was granted such an ability. It is rumored that the whole community of magicals from every corner of the world are descended from him."

"Or Hecate," Dave agreed. "And who knows if those rumors are true or not, that all magicals originally descended from Merlin."

"It might be true, as for one thing those rumors have persisted for centuries, but who really knows?" Jazz shrugged.

Dave took that to mean that the conversation was over for the moment they have both accepted each other for who they were which meant that Jazz had accepted his proposal even though she had never said so.

Dave said nothing and simply slipped the ring he had bought onto Jazz's right hand. Jazz accepted it without a word and then kissed him passionately, which told him that she agreed with his action.

It went unsaid that that made him over the moon.

The two of them headed to the bedroom as enchanted with each other as any pair of newlyweds, after making sure the two dogs were fed and had fresh water.

~~~Dave and Jazzlyn~~~