Authors note: I listen to music when I write. The following links to a song that inspired this story. Listen while you read. This is Henry's song.
The song Greensleeves
(in case it doesn't open Youtube -Greensleeves -- By King Singer's)
Blood Ties
Love Reincarnated
Part 2: Bitter Moments
Part 2:
Henry paused at the door to Vicki's office; could he just walk in there and say he was through? That was the idea. But he couldn't take that last step to the door. Had he really come to this? Henry felt his hand clench into a fist; his father would be disappointed in him. How could Henry have fallen so far from his destiny?
Vicki had been a fascination to him; a way of filling his nights. Now he had Jean-Rene; he no longer needed Vicki to keep him company. What was Vicki to him; truly, what was she?
Henry took a few steps back from the door as he heard her voice inside. It was true; she had brought him many happy moments. And he could not deny he cared for her. Vicki had made him laugh in joy and growl in frustration. But she didn't need him.
And Jean-Rene did.
She had always needed him; it was the soft innocence in her eyes that had captured him all those centuries before. And even now; after being reincarnated, she still had that look in her eyes. The look that calmed his temper and warmed his heart.
There was no fighting with Jean-Rene; she could stand up to him; but she rarely got angry enough to do so. Where as Vicki constantly fought with him; if not with him then she was fighting the attraction between them. Vicki had been resisting him for two years now. Whereas Jean-Rene had never resisted him. She had welcomed his love despite the troubles it brought with it.
Henry realized something than; he loved them both, in his own way. But his heart ached for the soft touch of Jean-Rene, not the feisty slap that seemed to come from Vicki.
As Henry turned to leave the office door opened. Vicki stepped out shrugging on her coat.
"Keep trying, I'll call his cell phone." She called and shut the door.
Henry rushed down the stairs and to his car; by the time she opened the building door; he was calming sitting on the hood of his car and waiting for her.
Vicki stopped short and stared at him. "Good of you to join us." She snapped. "Where have you been for the last week?"
"I've been busy. Better enjoy this," He mused and got off the hood and opened her car door. "I won't be around much longer."
Vicki stopped as she climbed in the car, "Where are you going?"
"Away, I've had enough of this city." He got behind the wheel and looked at her, "Shall we away, m'lady?"
She scoffed at him, "Please, that's so cliché."
Henry took a moment and realized another great difference between the two women; Vicki treated him like a modern woman; Jean-Rene treated him like he expected; he had been raised to expect.
"Where to?" He asked sharply.
She gave him the address and didn't talk again.
The two of them scouted the abandoned warehouse. It took 2 hours and they found nothing to indicate this was the place they needed. Vicki made a frustrated sound, "The trail has gone cold; it has been a week."
Henry grit his teeth as her words hit him. "Haven't you been doing your job?"
She glared at him, "I can't see that well at night, in case you forgot!"
"Why don't you get Mike to help you? I am sure he would be happy to." Henry turned and started back to the car. Vicki marched after him.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Henry opened her door and went to his side of the car. "You still love him, Vicki. We both know it." He slid behind the wheel and she slammed her door as she got in.
"That's none of your business; he's a friend."
Henry gave her a cold look, "You kiss all your friends then?"
She made an angry sound and crossed her arms. "Whatever."
The drive back to her office was silent; Vicki slammed her door again as she got out. Henry followed her. They made it to her office; Vicki opened the door and stormed past Correen and a visitor. Henry stopped in his tracks; Jean-Rene rose and curtsied, bowing her head. Henry instantly felt better.
"You don't have to do that," He said gently, closing the distance between them and hugging her. Whispering, "But I am glad you do."
"I know." She gently kissed his cheek. "Forgive me for coming, Your Grace…I mean, Henry."
He stepped back and saw Correen grinning at him, "What?" He asked.
Correen looked at her and had a giddy expression on her face. Henry sighed to himself, "Go ahead, Correen."
She gave a squeak of joy, "So she's really reincarnated from your human days?"
Henry glanced at Jean-Rene; she ducked her head sheepishly. "She asked me; I saw no reason to lie."
Henry sighed, "Yes, Jean-Rene is from my human days."
"This is so cool!" The goth girl explained happily, "So she can tell me all about your secrets, huh?"
"She could," Henry smiled, "But she won't."
"Oh come on!" Correen faked a pout, "What were you like before Christina?"
Jean-Rene tensed under his arm at the mention of the female vampire. She turned her head away as he glanced at her. Correen noticed the shift in body language and started to apologize.
Henry stopped her with a raised hand, "It's fine, Correen."
Vicki came out of her office; still upset. She glared at him, "What are you still doing here? I thought you were leaving."
Henry became angry again, "We are, right now." He opened the door and Jean-Rene went through first; he slammed the door behind them. He went first down the stairs, offering a hand to help her; which she took.
Jean-Rene didn't say a word about Vicki or his display of anger. Even after they arrived at his place, she still didn't ask. Henry angrily removed his coat and threw it on the floor. He stormed into his kitchen. He saw Jean-Rene pick up his coat and silently hang it up. He watched her move quietly around his apartment. She never questioned him or talked to fill the quiet. She just let it fill the room.
"Aren't you going to ask?" He demanded, sharply.
"No." She settled on his couch and turned on the television.
Henry stood behind her and gently touched her shoulders, "What would say to leaving this city? Starting over some where new?"
"If that's what you want, we can do that." She said gently.
Henry frowned and gently tipped her chin up, so he could see her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her lips.
"What's wrong, m'lady?"
"Tis nothing, m'lord." She turned her face away from his and focused on the television.
Henry realized she wasn't going to talk to him. He settled at his work desk; the soft noise of the television echoed in the space as he worked. Neither of them spoke.