Disclaimer: Priest and its characters belong to Scott Stewart.

Claimer: I own Tessa.

Chapter #15: Secrets

It had been a total of four days since they had left the mansion, and two of them had been spent driving to another town. This one, too, was untouched by the vampire menace, much to Tessa's relief. There was no telling where and when they would strike next. Hell, they didn't even know how many there were at this point. When she had asked him how many had been bred before the queen banished him, he had said roughly one hundred vampires were ready. Where those one hundred were now, or how many had been bred since then, neither of them knew. He refused to allow her to leave his sight. Where she went, he followed, and vice versa. It took all she had just to keep him from lurking outside the bathroom door so she could pee in peace. They were just exiting a pub and making their way towards the inn across the street when a sudden voice called out to Tessa. She turned about curiously, and when she saw who the voice belonged to her face lit up with elated surprise.

"Farah?"

"Tessa! Oh my God!"

The women threw their arms around each other in a swooping embrace, careful of the bundle the other woman held in her right arm. Black Hat hung back, watching curiously from under the brim of his hat.

"Thank God! I heard about what happened at Blackshire. I thought you were dead!" the woman, Farah, exclaimed.

The sparkle in Tessa's eyes faltered briefly, but she managed a small smile. "I made it out."

Behind her, Black Hat's eyes fell.

"How did you make it out?"

Tessa turned to Black Hat, who stared at her, but she surprised him when she just smiled faintly. "He saved me."

Farah looked up at him.

"Julian, this is Farah. Farah, this is Julian."

He nodded his head to her once, but the woman took him off guard when she embraced him using her free arm. "Thank you!"

Arms held out a bit awkwardly, he wasn't sure how to respond to the abrupt embrace, when a small gurgle caused him to look down at the baby in her arm. Upon seeing him look down at her, the infant grinned up at him with a cute giggle. Farah released him after a few seconds and turned back to Tessa.

"So what brings you two to Rapture?"

"Honestly, we're just passing through. At the moment, we're not sure where we're headed," Tessa answered.

"What do you mean? Are you two in some sort of trouble or something?"

"Or something," said Black Hat.

Tessa looked back at him. Farah looked nothing short of concerned. "What's going on, Tess? You're scaring me…"

"We'll be fine." Tessa made an attempt at a reassuring smile. "I always figure things out; you know that."

"Do you even have a place to stay?"

"We were just going to stay at an inn for the night."

"Don't be ridiculous. You're coming to stay with me. Your friend is more than welcome as well."

They exchanged glances. Eventually, they followed Farah to her home, and she lead them inside to the guest room. "Sorry there's only one bed."

"I don't think that'll be a problem," said Tessa. Black Hat smirked behind her. Farah stared at them a moment, as a glint of realization sparked in her chocolate brown eyes.

"Oh. I didn't realize you two were…"

"I've known him for over five years. We were just reunited a little under a week ago."

Farah's eyebrows rose. "Wow. Talk about convenient timing." Tessa smiled. "Well, I'll go and start dinner. Would you mind watching Mya for a little while?"

"Not at all!" Smiling broadly, she held her arms out as she was handed the baby, cradling her close to her body. "Hello, Mya. Last time I saw you, you were still in your momma's belly." She returned her gaze to her friend. "She's beautiful, Farah."

"She's got her daddy's eyes. Well, I'll leave you two to settle. Don't be afraid to give a holler if you need anything."

Tessa smiled thankfully, and the woman left. Once she was gone, Black Hat walked over to join her side, looking down at the baby. Glancing up at him, she smiled faintly.

"Want to hold her?"

It was clear by his eyes that he was shocked she would even think about allowing him to hold something as precious as her friend's child, but after a moment he gently took the infant from her. She smiled when she didn't have to tell him to watch the head, and together they gazed down at Mya, one out of love and the other out of curiosity. She was staring up at him with big, curious eyes, and a quiet, amused chuckle came from Tessa.

"I know, he's a strange one, huh?"

Turning his head, he gave her a small, sideways smirk before looking back down when the baby made a small noise. She smiled up at him with a toothless giggle.

"She likes you."

Black Hat grunted. "I think her mother has something to worry about."

She laughed quietly, and a thought popped into his head.

"Where's her father?"

"James passed away shortly after finding out Farah was pregnant. He had a virus of some sort, but the doctors didn't know what it was."

A sudden sniffle caused them both to return their attentions to Mya, whose face had begun to scrunch up with the tears that had formed in her eyes. Tessa cooed her gently when she released a couple whimpers.

"She might be hungry," he mused.

"I'll be right back." She returned a moment later with a baby bottle, but what she didn't expect was for him to hold his hand out for it. She handed it to him wordlessly, watching with interest as he turned it over in his hand before holding it up to Mya, whose cries had ceased upon the sight of the bottle. His eyes were strange as they stared down at her. It was a look she had never seen before on him—looking almost reminiscent in appearance. Once the bottle was empty, he placed it aside before shifting Mya so she was resting against her belly on his shoulder as he patted her back. It wasn't until he met Tessa's stare that he realized she was smiling at him softly, a sparkle of admiration glowing in her hazel-green orbs.

"What?" he asked finally.

"You just continue to surprise me, that's all."

He smirked faintly.

"Where did you learn to care for babies? They teach you that in priest school?" she teased.

He chuckled a little. "I was fifteen when the clergy took me. Before then, I had a baby sister."

This caught her interest. "You did? What's her name?"

"Kathryn."

She noticed he seemed almost sad. "Something happened, didn't it?"

"She died from a fever at age two."

Her eyes lowered. "I'm sorry."

"It happened a long time ago."

"What of the rest of your family?"

"They're all gone. Died during the war."

Her eyes expressed her compassion, and she lifted her arm to place a consoling hand on his shoulder. His eyes met hers, and she offered him a sympathetic smile. It was enough. Once the baby was burped, Farah walked in, and she smiled at them when she saw Black Hat holding Mya.

"Practicing, I see?"

His head snapped to her, at the same second quickly tilting his head down to hide his eyes. Tessa merely giggled before taking the baby and handing her back to her mother.

"So how did you two meet?" Farah asked with light curiosity.

"I met him when I was living in the city. He lived in the apartment next to mine." Her description lacked severe detail, but it was probably for the best. "He's saved my ass a few times, actually. I'd be dead six times over."

"One near-death experience a week isn't enough for her," Black Hat added sardonically, and she nudged him. That was when a light bulb suddenly went off in Tessa's head.

"Farah, could I ask you a huge favor?"

"What is it?"

Turning away, she reached into the pouch she kept Kaiya in and held her up for view.

"A baby bunny? Where on earth did you find a baby bunny?"

"You'll have to ask him that." She nodded to Black Hat. "She's very special to me, but we can't keep carrying her around like this…"

It was enough for the woman to get the idea. Smiling softly, she stepped forward and took the bunny in her hands. "I'll take care of her. You just make sure you stay alive, you hear?"

Tessa hugged her. "I'll be fine. I have the best protection available by my side."

Black Hat smiled faintly. Later that night, Tessa was sitting at the dinner table with Farah. Black Hat had said he didn't feel well and stayed in the bedroom. Of course, Tessa knew the only reason he wasn't joining them was because of the fact his diet was held specifically to one food source, but Farah didn't know that. So far, the woman remained completely oblivious to the fact there was a vampire in her guest room.

"He's a mysterious one, eh?"

Tessa glanced up at her. "He's just very cautious."

"That outfit of his is very ominous. Makes him look like an outlaw."

"He's not far from it, to tell you the truth," she admitted.

Farah's eyes shifted to her, frowning.

"He won't hurt us," Tessa mended.

The woman was shaking her head. "What is it with you and bringing home strays?"

"He's not with the crowd he used to be with anymore, you get me? It's just us now, and all he cares about is keeping me safe."

"So what did this one do?"

"I'd rather not say."

"Why?"

"Because it's in the past. He's ashamed of what he's done, and I'd rather encourage the good he's doing now," Tessa explained patiently.

"Are you sure he's not a threat?"

"I'm one hundred and ten percent sure."

"Does he know about the sanctuary?"

"No." Tessa looked at her. "Speaking of which, do you have transportation, Farah?"

"I have a truck."

"I need you to go there. The sanctuary."

Farah frowned. "But you said—"

"I know what I said. Look, the war's not over. Vampires are out there, and they're growing in number. I want you to take your baby and go."

"Tessa—"

"I know it's sudden. It's only until I sort things out. I'll come see you when this is all over."

"What?" The woman was shaking her head slowly, and there was fear in her eyes. "Tess, you're not a priest! What the hell are you planning to do?"

"I know two priests…. One of them is in the other room."

Her eyes widened before snapping down the hall where Black Hat would be in the guest room. She looked completely nonplussed. "He's a priest?"

"He was."

A lengthy silence drifted between them.

"You trust him, right?" Farah persisted.

"With my life, and, if I had one, the life of my child as well."

She nodded. "Tell me about him. If you trust him, then he must be worth it."

Tessa smiled softly. "Julian, you can come out."

Farah's eyes shifted up at the sound of booted footsteps, and confusion etched itself into her face when he walked into the kitchen.

"So, I'm assuming you heard all of that?" Tessa looked up at him, and his eyes shifted to her before Farah. She was staring at him inquisitively.

"You heard us?"

"He can do more than hear at a good distance," said Tessa.

She looked to her. "Tess, what's going on?"

"Show her."

He seemed to hesitate a moment, but then he reached up and removed his hat. Farah's eyes widened when she saw his eyes. "…What are you?"

"He's a human vampire."

Her head snaps to Tessa, whose stare was calm but solid.

"A what?"

"He was on a hunt for the queen. He didn't make it out, and the queen turned him. That was five years ago."

Farah's large eyes moved back to Black Hat. It was obvious she was putting the pieces together in her head by the way her eyes scanned him up and down. "All of that… those attacks… they were you?"

He didn't say anything, his eyes hard.

"He's not that person anymore," Tessa cut in calmly. Farah's eyes shifted back to her. "He won't hurt you, but the others will."

"You knew him as a priest? When he was in the city."

"Yes."

She was shaking her head. "I don't get it. How did you two become so close?"

Tessa smiled finally. She had already told her so much that there was no point in lying now. "What's life without a little forbidden love?"

The woman looked completely baffled. "You two were lovers?"

"I can't tell you how it happened. It just did." She smiled over at him, and he returned it faintly.

"She was different from other people," he said, making Farah look back at him. "I was injured the day I met her, and she insisted on treating my wounds. I'm not sure how it happened, either, to be honest. I found myself insatiably drawn to her after the first day."

"Did anyone ever find out?" Farah asked.

"No."

"Yes."

Their replies came at the same time, and he looked at her, brows furrowed a bit.

"Who?" he asked. "Benny?"

"Priest. The blue-eyed one."

His eyes widened. "How the hell did he—"

"He came to my apartment after the hunt to tell me of your fall. He said he could sense when you told him about me," she admitted.

He frowned. "All I told him was about what you did for me concerning my wounds, and when you showed me your books."

She shrugged. "He said he saw it in your eyes."

Finally, a light smile tugged at the corners of Farah's mouth. "I know that look." She smiled faintly. "You were looking at her with it earlier."

He frowned a bit.

She continued, "If two people are truly in love, it always shows in their eyes when they think about, talk about, or look at the person they're in love with. It's this undeniable fondness that they look at no one else with but you."

Briefly, he thought back on all the times she looked at him with that fond stare in her eyes he adored, and he allowed a miniscule smile to himself.

"So what made you leave the vampires?" Farah pressed.

He glanced at her and down briefly. "I was cast out by the queen."

"Why?"

"I don't know… but it looks like I'm the hunted once again."

Tessa took his hand in hers.

"You should take your baby and go," he said. "There's no telling what town they might hit next."

Farah nodded slowly. "…Okay. Okay, I'll go."

"Don't take any unnecessary stops. If you can avoid staying in one place for more than a day, do so. Do not stop until you reach the sanctuary," Tessa instructed firmly.

Black Hat's eyes shifted to her curiously.

"I understand," said Farah.

Tessa nodded and then stood up from her seat. "Wait until dawn."

"Tessa?" She turned back to her. "Promise me you won't let those leeches get you."

Black Hat answered before she could, "She can't promise you that, but I can."

It took her a moment, but the chocolate-eyed woman smiled at him weakly, as did Tessa. Eventually they retired back to their room while Farah began packing her belongings. Sitting down on the bed, Tessa leaned back against the pillows with a sigh. After shedding his coat, boots, and hat, he came over and joined her. Laying on his back, he rested his head in her lap, and she lifted her hands to play with his hair softly, gently running the tips of her nails over his cheeks and neck.

"That went better than I thought it would," she mused.

"She trusts you."

She hummed quietly in response. A moment of silence followed briefly after.

"I love you, Julian."

He smiled up at her, but then it faded as he remembered the conversation earlier. "What's the 'sanctuary'?"

She fell silent. "It's a long story."

His frown deepened. "Why won't you tell me?"

"Don't take it personally. There's only so many people who know about it."

"You think I'd jeopardize it?"

"No." Her fingers softly caressed his cheek. "I'm just very careful how many people I let know about it. Honestly, if you weren't being hunted by a pack of psychopaths, I would tell you in a heartbeat. I just can't risk telling you, and then having it slip out if they manage to…" She trailed off. "I love you unconditionally, and I trust you explicitly. I'm just being cautious. Once this is all over, I'll take you there myself. Okay?"

He sighed but nodded after a moment. "I love you."

She gently traced the cross on his forehead. "You know, you're still a priest… vampire or not. God doesn't judge us on what we are… but who we are."

He scoffed. "I think it's a little late for me, Tess."

"It's never too late… not so long as you're still breathing."

His gaze shifted up to her peculiarly. "Why do you have so much faith in me?"

"I could ask you the same question after the hell I put you through."

"I just wasn't ready to let you go."

"And I'm glad you didn't." She gently stroked her thumb over his cheek. "Thank you for being so patient with me."

"Thank you for staying," he replied softly.

Bending down, she kissed him on the lips.

So, who's been waiting for blue eyes and Julian to meet face-to-face again? Next chapter ;) What will happen? Reviews are greatly appreciated. xoxo