Blood Ties

Love Reincarnated

Part 4: Clean up, Aisle One

Part 4:

The tea pot sat on the mat as Jean-Rene took down mugs. "Do you think Vicky will want tea?'

Mike shook his head, "She's not a tea-kind of girl."

"Oh."

Mike looked around at the kitchen, "I didn't know Fitzroy had any of this stuff." He picked up the bottle of honey.

"We bought it tonight."Jean-Rene chuckled, "We were supposed to go grocery shopping, instead he took me to this tea shop and insisted we buy tea. I forgot how pushy he can be when he wants something. "

Mike watched the woman across from him; her dark curls shone in the kitchen light. Her full-figure was appealing and it matched the warm, generous nature that lit up her eyes. Her face was open and friendly; he could tell she would be a wonderful mother. She had that soft touch; the patience and calm that one needed to deal with young children.

Mike shook his head, "No wonder."

"No wonder what?" She asked lightly. Jean-Rene set the mugs on the counter and checked on the tea. "Do you like strong tea?'

"Sure do." Mike watched again as she took down a small plate and filled it with tea cookies and cut up an orange. "So how long have you known, Fitzroy?"

"Oh, a long time. Like I said earlier." She set the small plate on the counter and checked the tea again. "Honey, officer?'

"It's detective." Mike let her pour tea and she handed him the honey. "What's the orange for?'

"Oh well, I like fresh orange in my tea; takes the edge off the honey." She dropped a slice of orange into her cup and poured tea over it. The air was perfumed with the scent of oranges and mint. She poured the honey into her tea and stirred it slowly.

"So, what kind of detective are you?" She asked lightly

"Homicide."Mike muttered absently, he picked up a cookie. Glancing at the silence he saw the pained expression. "What?"

"Nothing," She shook her head, "Sorry; I just feel sympathy for you. Seeing all that stuff. I mean granted I have only seen it on television and I know that's not a good relation to reality. But still; you must be a very strong soul to deal with the facts. You have a good heart, detective. Like a knight."

Mike stared at her for a moment. No one had ever called him that before. "Thanks."

She looked into her tea for a long time. "My brothers used to be like you. In the past, I mean."

Mike was curious. "What about your family? I mean you have been here for almost two weeks. Aren't they worried about you?'

She shook her head. "My family isn't what you would call functional. My parents separated years ago and I lived with my father and two sisters. We lost touch when I moved to Nova Scotia for school. I tried to keep in contact with them; but none of them did the same. Communication is a two way street, as I am sure you know."

Mike looked away from her as she met his eyes. "Yeah, it is." He looked to the bedroom door. "What do you do for a job?"

"Oh a little of this and a little of that; I used to sing in a club downtown but wanted to take a break. Everyone kept saying I should try out for Canadian Idol. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. After awhile I just decided to stop singing. So I got a job in a piano club; worked there for a long time. It was really nice; then I decided to travel a little bit. I did that for a year and got back to Canada the night I met Henry again."

Mike made himself look at the woman across from him. "I see; you like to move around."

"No, not really. I was just looking for something." She glanced at the bedroom door. "And thankfully I found it again. I can stop searching."

Mike stared at her; the love in her voice, the soft warmth that radiated from her. She loved Henry; honestly loved him. It was the kind of emotion that lasted for 50 wedding anniversaries and would last until she died. This was a woman who honestly and genuinely loved Henry Fitzroy. Mike was stunned by that revelation.

Perhaps there was more the former-Prince then the detective had allowed for. Then again, Henry didn't do much that impressed Mike. Maybe it was time gave the vampire a break; he wasn't such a total jerk.

"What about you, Detective?" Jean-Rene asked lightly, "Are you married?"

"No," Mike shifted uncomfortably on the seat.

The bedroom door opened; Vicky was frowning as she came to stand beside Mike. Henry came to Jean-Rene and put his arms around her; standing at her back, he cuddled her close.

"So?" Mike looked at Vicky and the vampire, "What's the verdict?"

Vicky looked at the girl in Henry's arms; she had her eyes closed as she rested against his chest. Henry kissed the top of her head and whispered softly to her. The woman smiled at the words. Vicky shook herself and glared at the counter.

Mike touched her arm; she jerked away and crossed her arms. "Vick?"

"I am going to wait downstairs." Vicky turned and stormed out of the apartment.

Mike stood up, quickly downed his tea and grabbed another cookie. "I better go with her."

Henry and Jean-Rene watched them leave; he didn't speak until the door closed. "I have agreed to go with Vicky and Mike tonight for a case. Will you be okay until I get back?"

"Sure, I can order in if I get hungry."

Henry had forgotten about the groceries, "No, come on. We can pick up a few and then drop you at home."

"What about the case?" Jean-Rene asked as Henry went to get their coats from the closet.

"Mike drove Vicky here, they can go ahead and I will catch up with them."

Henry held her coat as she slipped it on; he kissed her neck as she shrugged it over her shoulders. Opening the door he waited for her to go through before locking it and handing her a set of keys. She paused, looking at him.

"Keys?'

"Yes. For when you go out, in case I am not home or we don't go together." He took her hand and they walked to the elevator. "I was thinking we could go shopping tonight too."

"For what?" She asked.

Henry pressed the button on the elevator, "Anything you want. You mentioned new running shoes; and a new winter jacket. Perhaps we could pick up new sheets and a new blanket too."

"What on earth for? The ones you have are perfectly fine." Jean-Rene said as they stepped onto the elevator.

Henry shook his head, "No, we need sheets, just for us." Henry looked down at her, grabbing her and kissing her deeply, "Just for us."

She laughed as he kissed her neck and his hands drifted over her body. "Henry, this isn't the place."

Henry whispered, "I can't help it."

She giggled as he pressed her up against the elevator wall and one hand reached for the emergency stop. She saw where he was reaching. "Henry don't! Other people need this elevator."

"Shhh," He pressed the button and the elevator stopped. "I own the building; the other people can take the stairs.'

"Of course you do." She shook her head as he pulled her to the floor.

In the lobby, Vicky was tapping her toe on the marble floor. She kept looking at her watch and frowning at the elevator. "What is taking so long?"

Mike shrugged, "Who knows? Does it matter?" He stared out at the city streets, "She seems really nice; you know. Like an actual good person."

"Give a rest Mike. No one is that good. Neither is she." Vicky looked at the elevator again before looking at Mike. "You like her, don't you?"

Mike shrugged, "Haven't thought about it."

"Sure you haven't." Vicky shook her head, "Men."

Mike frowned at her, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You are just like Henry, "Vicky countered, "Sucked in by that sappy smile and shiny-eyed expression. God, you'd think she was genuinely like that. It's disgusting the way you and Henry are falling over yourselves for her."

Mike pointed to the elevator, "You're acting jealous. One would think you are envious of her. What now you want him? Now that you can't have, Henry you want him?" Mike glared at her, "God, you're impossible. You don't want me, no, no you want some vampire!" Mike shook his head and walked a few feet away. He was quiet for a long time before looking back at her, "Did ever occur to you that Henry may not want you anymore, Vicky? Maybe, just maybe he doesn't need your bitter kisses and harsh love." Mike stormed out of the building leaving Vicky staring after him.

The elevator finally pinged and the doors opened. Jean-Rene stumbled out laughing. Henry had his arms around her; their clothes were dishevelled and her face was flushed a wonderful rosy red. Henry pulled her back, kissing her firmly on the lips as he swept her up his arms and spun them around. She out her arms out into the air and he spun them around a few times. They were both laughing when she kissed his lips.

Vicky frowned hard at them; glaring at the happy expression on Henry's face. He'd never been so happy and it bothered her.

Henry saw the look on her face and shrugged; he walked right by her. "Have Mike drive you to the scene; I'll meet up with you later. We have to go grocery shopping." He kicked on the doors open and swept through with a grand and noble motion.

Vicky hurried to follow the vampire and rushed out onto the street. She paused at the sight before her. Henry was at his car; the passenger side door open. Jean-Rene was buckling herself in. Henry stood with one hand on the door and one on the hood; he was talking to Mike.

"You know," Mike said, "I've never seen a vampire grocery shop before. As a detective I think it a personal responsibility to witness this. Never know when it might help in a case."

Vicky walked across the street and stepped into Mike's car. She heard him say, "We'll follow you."

Mike got in the car and started the engine. Soon enough they were following Henry's Jaguar as the vampire drove to a grocery store. Henry found a space and parked, Mike parked across from him. The vampire got out and swept around to the passenger side; he opened the door, offering a hand. Jean-Rene took his hand and stepped out. Mike decided to do the same; Vicky already had her door open and was waiting by the time he got around to her side.

The foursome walked into the local store; Mike went to get a cart and came back with two of them. Vicky gave him a cold look. Mike shrugged, "I need to pick up a few things too, you know?"

Jean-Rene grabbed their cart, Henry put his arms around and walked at her back, hands over hers as she steered the car. Mike shook his head, "How does he make that look so easy?"

Vicky scoffed at him and they followed the couple through the store.

Henry watched as Jean-Rene carefully looked over each item before picking up a piece. She held it in her hands, gently squeezing it, smelling it and closely inspecting each piece. Henry was reminded of his human days. The afternoons they had spent in the gardens.

Flashback

Henry swam to the edge of the lake and climbed out. He kept his eyes on the woman before him. She laughed at the look he gave her. He pounced, she yelped happily has he landed on her and ravished her. Henry rolled off and lay naked in the sunlight. He sighed happily putting his hands behind his head. He watched as she fixed her dress and stood up; Jean-Rene walked to a nearby fruit tree. Taking her time she carefully looked over the apples and gently smelt each one before picking two and coming back to his side. He ate the apple she gave him.

End of flashback

Henry shook himself and realized they had moved through the store. The air smelled of cold blood and he felt the hunger in him stir slightly. He had to shake himself a second time before he could see clearly. Jean-Rene was talking to Mike as they stood over the meat cooler and pointed at various things. Vicky was standing next to Henry with a grumpy expression.

"Try to enjoy yourself, Vicky."

Henry urged gently; he folded his arms on his cart and looked at the contents. Lots of brightly coloured veggies and fruits; he was reminded again of the feast where he hand Jean-Rene had met; that had been a wild night.

"Who knew they sold bison meat at the supermarket?" Mike announced.

Jean-Rene and Mike returned with their selections and the group carried on. They stopped at the cookie aisle. Both Mike and Jean-Rene picked up packages of Oreo's. Mike paused at her selection. "You like the double-stuff too, huh?"

"Only with milk." She told him. Luckily the milk aisle was close by.

Henry decided to get involved, "What kind of milk?'

"Get a 4L of skim." Jean-Rene picked up a container of yogurt. Mike noticed it was plain and made a face. She laughed softly, "It tastes really good in smoothies and with honey over fruit. It's a good breakfast if you're in a hurry."

Mike considered her words and grabbed a container; he also picked up honey. He watched what kind of oatmeal she picked out and did the same. Henry helped her pick out the laundry soap and the dish soap. The two men headed down the house wares aisle and picked up garbage bags; while Jean-Rene went over one aisle and grabbed a bag of almonds.

"Well, I think that's it." Jean-Rene looked at her cart, "That's more than I ever buy."

Henry kissed her cheek, "Good thing I have a large empty fridge at home."

"I guess, but I can't afford all this." She started going through the cart and taking things out. Henry put his hands over hers and made her look at him.

"But I can, let me." He gently put the items back.

"Henry, no. I can look after this; I just need to pare it down." Jean-Rene moved to take stuff out again. Henry put his arm around; gently pinning her hands behind her back.

He looked into her eyes and spoke softly, whispering. "I have a lot to make up for; more than a cart full of groceries can repay. But this a good place to start."

"Henry..." She stopped herself, "Why do you think you owe me anything?"

"Because I should have married you instead of waiting for my father to decide what was best. I should have come home to you that night I left the jewellers. I should have done a lot of things for you and I didn't. I just didn't think about it. But now I have to; I have eternity, you don't. I need to do right by you each and every day; anything could happen to take you from me. And as much as I hate to think about it, that's reality for me now. While I have you, I am going to spend each day making up the last five hundred years."

Jean-Rene was in tears when he kissed her gently on the lips and hugged her close. She grabbed him; holding onto him with all her strength.

"Oh, Henry." She cried softly in his arms, "I missed you so much."

"I know and I am truly sorry."

Mike stood by his cart with Vicky and nudged her, "Henry, romantic, go figure."

"Shut up, Mike." Vicky turned away from the scene and pushed his cart to the front; Mike hurried after her.

Henry and Jean-Rene followed a few minutes later. Jean-Rene moved to unload the car; Henry was just that much faster and she let him do it. The teller, a young girl-maybe 20- kept eyeing Henry as he unloaded the cart. She announced the total and he handed her a credit card. The girl kept eyeing him. Henry signed the slip of paper and took the card back. He noticed her interest in him. A part of him urged for more; and his hunger stirred. It would be so easy to take her and feed. She wanted him and he was hungry. But as he put his wallet away he saw Jean-Rene out of the corner of his eye. He looked to her as she stood scanning through a cooking magazine. Mike was talking her; she nodded and turned the page. The cop pointed to something and she shook her head. Henry looked to Vicky; she still had a grumpy expression. She looked up at him; her eyes flicked the sales girl and back at him. She looked away and stared hard at her feet.

Henry loaded the cart and rushed out of the store. Jean-Rene stared after him, quickly following. Henry had the groceries loaded and the cart put away by the time she found him leaning on the closed trunk of his car.

"Henry?" She touched his arm, he flinched and pulled away. "My love, what is it?"

He shook his head and hugged himself, "Don't ask me questions, Jean-Rene." She hesitated at the growl in his voice.

Mike's voice reached them, "What's going on?"

Vicky had the answer they both wanted to know, "He almost took the sales girl in the store. He wanted her and almost took her."

Henry snarled at the woman P.I. and glared at her, "Can't you ever stay out things?"

"Admit the truth to yourself Henry, you're not human. No matter how many feel good memories she gives you." Vicky nodded to Jean-Rene. "You are a vampire and you haven't fed yet tonight. You're not a man, Henry. You're a vampire."

Henry opened his mouth to snap at her but Jean-Rene beat him to it.

"That's enough out of you!" Jean-Rene stepped up to Vicky, poking a finger in her chest. "You are one of the most vicious, selfish, bitter and angry women I have ever met and believe I have known a few of them. You have done nothing but order him around like some servant. You treat him like an animal; like he's a dog! Well, let me tell you something, Henry has more courage and heart then any man I have ever known in five hundred years. He has compassion and grace; he has a zest for life which you will never even taste! He has more strength in his character than anyone else here. This is a man who was born to be a king. He is a king."

Jean-Rene paused a moment, before continuing. "You are nothing but a bitter spinster so lost in her own suffering she can't see the beauty around her. Mike loves you, and you don't deserve it. The thought of Henry loving you is a joke; he is far beyond your cold hands. It doesn't matter to me what he is; a vampire, a purple-people eater or a dragon in men;' clothes, I don't care! But you, oh no, you have to remind him of that. You have to throw it in his face; never let him feel anything if you can't feel it first!"

Vicky slapped the hand away, "And you're using him!"

"No you are! You use him to make yourself feel better. You toy with his emotions and when he acts you push him away. He can get close, just not that close. He can want you, but never have you. You use him to make your life have meaning; to make each lonely night better; and to forget that you're the one with the problem. As long as Henry is there; you can bully him instead of dealing with yourself. And it makes me sick!" Jean-Rene slapped Vicky across the face and the woman stumbled back.

"I need Henry more than any one in is this world. I spent my whole life searching for him. I would never use him. I waited for him to come back, even when they told me he was dead, I waited. It matters not to me what he is now; for he will always me the prince who stole my heart and gave me a reason to be happy."

Henry listened to the words and couldn't believe them. He knew she loved him; knew in his soul, but to hear such passionate words from her. Such vigorous defence of him; it surprised him. He had never seen her upset before tonight.

"Jean-Rene, leave it." Henry closed the distance between them and gently took her hand. "I have to take you home before I help them."

Henry helped her into the car; she was shaking badly. She had her face buried in her hands and was too quiet. Once parked in front of his building he put his arms around.

"I am sorry, Henry. I am so sorry. I just lost it."

"I know." He stroked her hair, "It was impressive. The last time I saw you that upset you threw your brothers into the lake."

She gave a rough laugh, "I'll never forget that day."

"Come on, let's get inside and you can have a hot bath."

She looked at him, "With bubbles?"

He chuckled, kissing her cheek. "Not this time. I have to help Vicky like I promised."

Jean-Rene busied herself with putting away the groceries once they were all up stairs. Henry went to start her bath and came out a few minutes later. He put his arms around held her close; as she held him in return.

"I love you," She whispered, "I am sorry for tonight."

"Stop apologizing for yourself, you did nothing wrong," He kissed the top of her head. "I'll see you at dawn."

Henry paused as he went out the door, glancing back at her. She was still putting groceries away. He smiled and shut the door. Locking it with his keys, Henry went to the elevator and prepared himself to see Vicky.

**