Blood Ties

Love Reincarnated

Part 5: King of the Ring

Part 5:

Henry picked Vicky up at her office; they drove in silence. Henry parked the car and got out; he waited as Vicky shut her door and came to stand with him. They headed into the club to talk to the owner. A few hours later they came back out. Vicky adjusted the fit of her glasses and absently rubbed her cheek where Jean-Rene had hit her.

"So what now?" Henry asked as he opened her door and went to his side. "And where's Mike? I thought he was going to join us?"

"I told him to go home." Vicky got in and closed the door. "We should talk to the guy's girlfriend again. She's a stripper at a nearby club. Unless you need to get home?" Vicky eyed him.

"Nope, but I do need to feed." Henry glanced at her, "Unless you want to volunteer?"

She made a face at him, "Not right now."

"Okay, well you can talk to the girlfriend alone, I am going to feed. I'll find you." He started the car and they headed to the strip club.

**

Henry arrived home just before dawn. He shrugged off his jacket, not caring where it fell. He paused as he realized the blackout drapes were already closed. He glanced at the bedroom door and crossed to it. Jean-Rene was asleep. An open book lay on the bed, it had slid from her hands. Her head was rolled forward; her hair framing her. Henry crossed to her, gently closing the book and setting on the beside table. Carefully he settled her more comfortably. She jumped suddenly and woke with a start; there was fear in her eyes for a moment before she focused on him.

"You okay?" Henry asked gently, smoothing his fingertips down her cheek. He didn't like seeing fear in her eyes.

"Henry?" She grabbed his hand and kissed it. "You're home." The relief was obvious as she kissed his hand again.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just had a horrible dream." She sat forward.

Kissing his neck softly. His eyes fluttered closed as passion stirred in him; he smoothed his hands up her arms. His hands ached to go lower, to feel softer things. But he held back, letting her taste him The feeling was incredible; he shivered with her gentle kisses; the warm breath on his skin. Her lips brushed his jaw and found his mouth. Her arms slipped around his head and pulled him down. Henry caught himself on his arms and kept himself above.

"Dawn is close; we might not have time to finish."

She gave him a teasing smile. "Let's try."

Henry lowered himself and gave in to his desire.

**

Sunset released Henry from sleep and he woke to find his bed empty. He sat up right and called out.

"In here," Jean-Rene's voice floated to him, "I just finished my shower, I'll be right out."

Henry appeared behind her and let his hands find her breasts. "Good evening."

She laughed as he pulled her towel away and captured her body. "Again, Henry?"

"Of course, "He nuzzled her neck, kissing his way across her shoulder. "And again," He kissed down her shoulder blade and across to the other side, "And again."

She laughed as he led her back to the bedroom. He pulled her down to the bed.

**

Mike checked his notes again as he stepped off the elevator. He knocked on Henry's door; a moment later it opened. He paused at the sight of Jean-Rene in one of Henry's shirts; that was all she was wearing. She carried Henry's coat over one arm.

"Hello detective," She stepped aside, "Come in, Henry is just getting dressed. Can I get you anything?"

Jean-Rene turned her back to him and walked to the kitchen. Mike couldn't look away from the line of her legs; the swell of hips under the shirt. The woman had world-class gams and a body to match, he'd never really noticed before. The view from the back was just as nice.

"Jean-Rene," Henry's voice made Mike jump, "He's doesn't need anything."

"Come now, Henry."

Henry shook his head, "Get dressed, we'll leave when you're ready."

She looked down at herself and her face turned red, "I didn't even notice!!!" She hurried to the bedroom and closed the door.

Mike jumped as Henry appeared in front of him; the vampire grabbed the human cop and held him by the throat. Mike choked. He stared into black eyes and knew his life was in danger.

Henry spoke softly but clearly, "Look at her like that again and I will tear the eyes out of your head."

Henry dropped the man and let the human stumble to stay on his feet. "Do I make myself clear, Detective?"

Mike nodded, rubbing his throat. He did his best to stand tall but it was hard with Henry giving him a lethal stare. "Sorry, Henry."

Henry scoffed at him, ignoring the words.

The bedroom door opened again; she was in jeans and the same shirt. "Sorry about that; I didn't even realize it." She was embarrassed and it made Mike feel even worse. "But Henry if you have to go help Mike and Vicky, I can wait until tomorrow."

"No," Henry grabbed his coat, "I promised you tonight." He said sharply and opened the door. Jean-Rene gave him a curious expression as she passed him.

Mike made to pass him and heard a low growl. He paused; the vampire stared at him with black eyes. Mike waved him through and shut the door. Jean-Rene turned to lock it; Henry put himself between her and the cop.

As they walked down the hall; Mike moved to walk on the other side of Jean-Rene; Henry made a sound and Mike paused, he let Henry put his arm around her waist and Mike walked beside him. Once at the car Henry opened her door, putting his back to Mike and making the man wait until he shut the door. Mike sighed.

"Look Fitzroy, I apologized."

Henry went to his side of the car and looked at the cop across the hood. "Did you? I don't recall acknowledging it; I guess I didn't hear you." He slid behind the wheel.

Mike rubbed his neck as he sat in the back seat of Henry's car. They left the building and drove to Vicky's office. Mike took the stairs two at a time; Henry walked with jean-Rene up the stairs; letting her hold is arm. Mike glanced back and had a second to admire that. He wished Vicky would let him do stuff like that.

He knocked once on the door and opened it. "Hey Correen, is Vicky in?"

Henry put a hand on the door to keep it open and let Jean-Rene walk in first. Correen gave a happy greeting.

"My two favourite old couple." Correen was bright-eyed as Henry closed the door. "So do I call you countess or princess?" She asked Jean-Rene.

Jean-Rene was taken back, "Rene is fine."

Correen pouted, "Won't you tell me what you were?"

"I don't see why that's important." Jean-Rene, "I am jus Jean-Rene right now."

Henry put his arms around her, "She is and always be my princess." Henry kissed her hair.

"That is just so cute!" Correen gushed. "So how old were you when you first met Henry?"

Jean-Rene sighed, "You aren't going to let this go are you?'

Henry and Correen both said "no," in unison.

Vicky called for Henry, "Can you come in here a minute?"

Jean-Rene settled on the tiny couch across from Correen's desk. "The first time I met Henry I was fourteen; he was a year old then me."

Henry closed the door to Vicky's office and frowned at the glare he got from her. "What did I do now?"

Correen sat back in awe, "So you only ever loved Henry?"

Jean-Rene nodded, "He was my first and only love. I was okay with it then and I still am."

"But he had a reputation," Correen paused, "Didn't you know that?"

Jean-Rene shrugged, "That happened after me. I can only go from what I knew then and what I know now. The things he did between that time is well, quite frankly none of my business."

Correen smiled at her, "Have you ever let him bite you?"

Jean-Rene eyed her, "You make it sound exciting."

"I hear it is. Vicky has let him bite her before. It seems to be cool."

Jean-Rene kept her face blank, hiding her emotions at that statement. "Honestly we've only talked about it once before." She stood up, "If you will excuse me? It is stuffy in here." She left the office and hurried to the car. Tears burned her eyes as she made it to the car.

Henry turned away from the humans in front of him; he stared out at the street and saw Jean-Rene crying. "Shit," He crossed to the office doors.

"Henry, wait, what about Mike's apology?" Vicky called after him.

He ignored her. Rushing to the other door; he used his super speed and came out at the street. He put his arms around the weeping woman at his car. "What happened?"

"You've bitten Vicky!"She sobbed into his chest.

Henry smoothed his hands through her hair, "I was dying."

Jean-Rene shook her head; balling his shirt in her fists. "Why won't you share that with me? Correen makes it sound exciting."

Henry took a breath he didn't need, "Jean-Rene you are more to me then food. That's why I haven't bitten you."

"Is that the only reason?" She asked; her voice soft.

Henry kissed her hair and held her to him for a moment. 'No, that's not the only reason."

"What else is there?" She lifted her head quickly, looking at him with angry eyes. "What else have you shared with her?" Jean-Rene weakly punched his chest with her fist; sobbing.

"Nothing else," He made her look at him, gently cupping her face. Her cheeks were damp with tears. He licked the tears from her face; gently kissing them off her lashes. "I don't want my wife to be my dinner as well."

Jean-Rene gasped, staring at him for a long time. "Did you say...?"

He nodded, "This time we don't have to wait for my father's approval." Henry smiled at her, "I hadn't planned on asking you like this. I wanted to do it the right way, with a ring and champagne."

She shook her head, "This is perfect."

Henry kissed her lips softly, "We are going ring shopping, tonight if you want."

"Henry, I don't need a ring." Jean-Rene insisted.

"Yes, you do."

"Wait until have you have finished helping with this case, then we can look at rings."

"I said were going shopping for your new runners, we can look at rings too." He considered for a moment, "Actually, that seems kind of tacky. We should go to a real ring store; not something you'd find in a mall."

"Henry it's expensive either way," She realized he wasn't going to give up finding her a ring. "Okay, fine. We will go a real ring store, whatever that might be."

"Good."

"But only after the case is closed."

He sighed dramatically, "Yes, dear."

She laughed gently. "Thank you for asking me, Henry."

"I am sorry it took five hundred years to finally do it."

She rested her head on his chest. "I am sorry for the water-works."

"Don't be." Henry gently kissed her hair again. "You don't have anything to apologize for."

Vicky and Mike came rushing out the door. "Henry, Mike said he was sorry, you need to let it go."

Jean-Rene gave him a quizzical look, Henry sighed. "I threatened him for staring at you."

The woman in his arms chuckled, "I am proud of you for restraining yourself. If I remember correctly you weren't so kind to the Earl of Devonshire."

Henry laughed brightly, "Ah, yes. The man never walked properly again."

"I'll never forget the flying leap across the banquet table; the way you tackled him. It would make any NFL player jealous. And let's not forget the fight that followed." She shook her head, "You two ruined several tapestries and a number of china plates were destroyed. Duelling your way through the Great Hall like a bunch of bandits."

Henry laughed harder, "The look on your mother's face when I kissed you at the end of it all."

"I distinctly remember a very loud Tarzan-like yell from you when he admitted defeat."Jean-Rene nudged him, "Frightened my sister off men I think."

Henry gave her a deep kiss, "All she needed was a night a real man to change her mind."

Jean-Rene returned the kiss, "There is no one better than you."

"That is true;" Henry admitted, "But I am so glad you agree with me."

Vicky interrupted them, "So it's all forgotten then?"

Henry shook his head, "Not even close." He swept around to the car and opened the door, "Now if you don't mind, we have a case to solve and a ring to buy."

Mike and Vicky stared at them before looking at one another.

"He did say a ring, right?" Vicky asked

Mike nodded, "I think so."

Correen, who had been standing in the door way, gave a happy cheer, "True love conquers all!"

Jean-Rene shook her head as she laughed, "Not until we solve the case. Now, both of you behave."

Mike shook himself and climbed into his car, Vicky followed him. Henry followed their car as he held Jean-Rene's hand in his.

**