Blood Ties

Part 10: You hit like a Girl

Part 10:

Vicky adjusted the fit of her glasses as she stepped off the elevator. She didn't bother to knock as she walked into Henry's apartment.

"Henry?" She called, there was silence. "Damn."

"Hello Ms. Neilson."

Vicky looked over at the bedroom and frowned. Standing there in jeans and one of his shirts was Jean-Rene. "It's Nelson."

Jean-Rene bowed her head, "My apologies. Henry has gone out with Correen; I expect him back shortly. You are welcome to wait if you like."

Vicky didn't want to be in the same room as this woman; but she had come all the way over her; it made no sense to leave before speaking to Henry. She shrugged and looked around.

"Sure, I can wait."

Jean-Rene partially closed the bedroom door as she stepped forward. She crossed the floor quietly and went to the kitchen. "I was about to fix tea; would you like some?"

"Ah, no. Thanks. I don't like tea."

Jean-Rene smiled, remembering Mike's words. "Perhaps something to eat?"

Vicky watched the woman putter comfortably in Henry's kitchen. "No, thanks."

The woman across from her took down everything for tea and was happy to be silent rather than chatter.

"So. You and Henry go back a ways, huh?" Vicky asked.

"Yes."

Vicky nodded and cast an eye around again; checking for signs of anything that said she lived here, other then the kitchen. She spotted Henry's work desk; there were fresh pages ready for his editor.

"Please, feel free to sit down, Ms. Nelson." Jean-Rene was seated at the bar with her mug of tea; she offered a shy smile as Vicky watched her for a moment.

"Just call me Vicky, okay?"

"As you like." Jean-Rene sipped at her tea for a while. She noticed the looks Vicky kept giving her, "Something wrong?"

Vicky nodded, "Yeah, actually there is."

"I am not a detective, but I can listen if you like." Jean-Rene faced the woman more fully.

Vicky pursed her lips and crossed her arms as she face her. "It's you, actually." She paused, Jean-Rene said nothing. "You show up out of the blue; acting all innocent and sweet, like some princess or whatever. I don't know how you did it but Henry is wrapped around your little finger. Hell even Mike is duped into this act of yours. Look, whatever you and Henry had howver long ago, it's history, okay? He's got a new life now; one he built for himself. He doesn't need you in it. You're a distraction; a problem. He doesn't do anything when you're here, which is all the time. So he never works."

Jean-Rene arched a brow at that last part. "Henry finished a whole book; surely you noticed the pages." She paused, a thought coming to her. "Or perhaps you mean your investigation work. On that he has lessened, yes. But that was his choice. I had nothing to do with that. In fact, I encouraged him to return to help you with the last case. Also, he does this for free, correct? So really, he is volunteering to assist you."

Vicky frowned at her; she hadn't been expecting such an intelligent reply. She hadn't thought the girl that bright. "And what happens in twenty years or thirty years? Hmm? What then? You're going to die one day and he won't. Henry will live for ever and you won't."

"With all respect, Vicky, that is a matter for Henry and I to discuss in our time. I don't see how that's any of your business."

"Henry is my business, okay? And your messing with him is my business. So as long as you are here, princess, I am going to be in your face."

Jean-Rene sighed, she carefully considered her words. After a moment she stood up and set her tea aside. "I understand of your jealousy. You are fond of him; even drawn to him. That is understandable; given who he is. I do not begrudge you the feelings you have for him." She clasped her hands together and looked at Vicky, "We are close in age, Vicky. So I know your thoughts very well. And I can even sympathize with your anger." Jean-Rene stepped up to Vicky, close but still a polite distance. "But understand me now: When Henry was Duke of Richmond; he would attend his father and his women. I am sure you know your history well enough to know what a charismatic man Henry's father was. He inherited that from him. Along with a number of other…skills which are none of your business. You must keep in mind; that as the Duke he was second in line to the throne of England. In the days I knew him people often called him "Your Highness". As with his father; Henry had several lovers. All of them beautiful and alluring. I knew of his reputation before I met him."

"What of it?" Vicky frowned at her.

Jean-Rene met those eyes and her own brown ones were dark. "I did not allow for competition when I first knew him and I will not allow it now." The words came out gentle, almost a whisper. "Consider this a kind warning: Keep your distance if you cannot control your desires. One trait that the Great King and I shared was a complete lack of tolerance when it came to competition. Nothing stands in the way of what we want. There is always a way to remove it. Be it as subtle as relocating the person or as drastic as removing their head."

Vicky watched the woman in front of her. "You're threatening me?"

Jean-Rene gave a soft smile and shrugged, "If you wish to call it that."

Vicky leaned into the woman's space and kept hold of her gaze. "Just try it, peaches. I'll put you down. Besides, what would Henry think if you killed me?"

Jean-Rene didn't move back despite the invasion of her personal space. "He's a Tudor; the only son of Henry VIII and as you like to remind him, also a vampire. He is practical to the core. He would understand."

Vicky couldn't resist; she shoved the girl in front of her. A gentle but firm push, "Step off, bitch."

Jean-Rene moved only slighty; she tipped her head to the side as if considering. "As you like."

Vicky didn't see the fist until she was on her knees and blood was dripping from her lips. The next blow landed her flat on her back and she stared up at the ceiling. Her glasses sat askew. She fixed them and stood up slowly.

"Is that all you got?" Vicky pushed the sleeves up her jacket. "Come on, princess."

"Vicky, I would advise you to stop." Jean-Rene had her hands folded in front of her; her tone calm. "I do not wish to hurt you without cause. If you do this, you will be harmed."

Vicky scoffed at her, "I've faced demons from hell; you're nothing."

Jean-Rene sighed; she hung her head for a moment and whispered something. Lifting her head she nodded deeply; almost bowing. She held out her left hand; sweeping it to the side.

"Very well."

Vicky came at her; using her police training; she combined a series of punches with attempted grabs. It was similar to Judo; designed to take the opponent down and fast. To her surprise, every attack she threw; the woman in front of her countered swiftly and easily. They moved backward into the living room and around the couch. Vicky was breathing hard as she did a series of kicks and jabs.

Jean –Rene dodged them easily; and managed to come up beside Vicky. She threw a quick blow; using her elbow and driving it down. The blow connected with Vicky's knee and she hit the floor. Both women knew Jean-Rene could have seriously injured her. A blow like that can dislocate the knee cap. Jean-Rene had held back on purpose.

Vicky was down for a moment; her knee ached.

"Where the hell did you learn to fight?"

Jean-Rene stepped back, "I had several lives as a warrior after I knew Henry. I have remembered some of what I learned then; mostly it comes from this life. I studied martial arts extensively when I was younger."

Vicky regained her feet and shook of the aching in her body. She hadn't realized Jean-Rene had landed so many blows. "I am not even close to being done with you."

"Come now, Vicky. This is useless. I don't want to fight with you.

"Yeah well I would love to break you in half."

Jean-Rene sighed in resignation. "I have not stolen from you, Vicky. Henry was never yours. He is free to love whomever he chooses as passionately as he chooses."

Vicky lunged at her and Jean-Rene caught the attack; the both staggered backwards and Vicky struggled to grab her opponent. She got hold of her shirt and yanked hard. The material made a ripping sound but managed to hold a little. Jean-Rene got her self stable and foot swept Vicky down to the ground.

"I am sorry you feel so betrayed, Vicky. Honestly I am. This was not my intention. I saw you together at the art gallery the night I faced Henry. I had intended to leave. But he…" She paused and sighed, "He was quite determined that I should stay."

Vicky stood up; grabbing hold of whatever she could. She held a lamp up over head and rushed Jean-Rene.

Henry laughed with Correen as they neared his door. He paused; keys in hand, breathing in sharply.

Correen glanced at him, "What, Henry?"

"I smell blood and excitement." He reached for the handle and the door opened. He stopped in his tracks at the sight before him.

Correen peeked around him; gasping. They both stood awestruck at the sight of his apartment. There were pieces of broken lamps; shattered tea pot and mug with tea all over the floor. A chair was laying on its side; the couch was overturned and there were two women breathing hard and bloodied sitting apart but glaring at each other.

Correen spoke first, "Vicky, what…what happened?"

Henry didn't know what to think as he stared at his lover. Her shirt was ripped; hair wild around her face; her cheeks flushed with the activity and she was slightly bloody from scratches on her neck and arms. He knew what to think; she was ravishing and sexy as hell.

Correen went to kneel beside Vicky who was sitting near the kitchen. She was far more battered and bloodied then Jean-Rene. And for that Henry was glad; he couldn't have let the woman live if she had harmed his lover.

Henry managed to walk the few steps to Jean-Rene; he stood over for a moment. She looked up; her chest heaving with the effort the fight had required.

"Your Grace," She dipped her head.

He pulled up her in a quick and aggressive motion; crushing her to his body. The kiss was almost crazed; his hands went everywhere they could. Everything in him screamed that he take her and never stop.

Correen shook her head, "Come on; we should go." She helped Vicky to her feet and the two of them left the apartment. Vicky leaned on her friend as they waited for the elevator. "So what were you two doing?"

Correen chuckled, "He wanted me to help him find a ring."

"Oh? Why not just steal the Crown Jewels?"

The woman nodded slowly, "That was his original plan; but I talked him out of it. Something like that is bound to attract attention; they don't need that."

"So he actually went and bought a ring?"

Correen shrugged, "We looked at a few things. He's so damn picky. He wasn't satisfied with anything we found. That's why it took so long."

"So what now?"

The elevator arrived and they stepped on.

Correen pressed the button for the lobby. "He's going to steal the Crown Jewels."

The doors shut.

Henry lifted himself up on one arm; kiss the pale shoulder next to him. He trailed kisses along her collar bone and up her throat to her lips.

"Mmm, that's nice."

"Yeah?" He le this lips drift over her body for until he had kissed her from head to toe. "You know what else is nice?"

"Not at the moment." Jean-Rene's voice was heavy with sleep; her eyes closed.

"You,"

The woman in his arms chuckled and he enjoyed how her body moved when she did. "I don't think Vicky would agree with me."

"What did happen between you two?" He let his fingertips caress her body as she gave him the story. Henry shook his head when she finished. "I never thought she'd attack you."

"Ah well, she's not the first."

"really?" He tipped her chin down and looked into her eyes. "Tell me."

"It happened at your country house. One of the visiting ladies did her best to try and claw my eyes out. I feel rather badly actually."

"Why? What did you do to her?"

"I threw her in the lake near the gardens."

Henry shook his head, "I never knew about that."

She shrugged, "I saw no reason to tell you."

"Well," Henry looked at her and smiled brightly, "I am glad I returned before you seriously hurt her."

"I would not have done that. Indeed I did my best not to harm her."

"I know." He kissed the tip of her nose, "I know you did, love."

"Where were you all night?"

"Hmmm?" Henry shrugged as he rolled out of bed, "No where important." He pulled on a pair of red silk pans and crawled back into bed. "What would you say to going to the movies with Correen tomorrow?"

"Movies?" Jean-Rene considered, "There are several I'd like to see. But I'd rather rent them."

"I think you should," Henry handed her his cell phone, "Call her, she will still be awake."

Jean-Rene gave him a doubtful look but did as he asked. To her surprise the woman answered, bright and happy as anything. She relayed the request and was both delighted and taken back at the enthusiastic reply.

Handing back the cell phone she watched him as he ran his hand through his hair. "Henry?"

"Hmm?"

"Why?"

He glanced at her; his curls falling into his face, "Why what?"

She reached up and swept them back from his face, "Why are you asking me to do this?"

"Don't you want to? You like Correen, don't you?"

Jean-Rene shrugged, "She is nice."

Henry chuckled, "Darling, she is wonderful; just strange."

"But why so enthused about a movie night? And where I am to get money to rent movies? Correen wants all kinds of movie food and such. I would be a sore hostess if I did not have those things to give her."

Henry smiled as he lay back on the bed; he rested his head on her hip and kissed the skin. "You are truly remarkable."

"Oh?"

"You were always so thoughtful and considerate. When not enraged, that is." He pushed himself up on his elbows. "Don't worry. I will leave you money for tomorrow."

"And where are you going to be?" She watched him as he settled himself on the pillows and turned his head to see her.

"I have to go out of town for the night; first I have to drop the new book at my publishers office and then I have to take a flight to London. There's a book signing I have been avoiding."

"Really?" She shook her head, "You can't fool me, Henry. Something is going on."

"No, honestly." He picked up his cell from the bedside table, pushed a few buttons and handed it to her. "Here, the voicemail from my publisher."

She listened and it was all true. "She sounds mean."

"I have been avoiding this for months. She's just grouchy with me. I would invite you to come but it will be all work. I am have to give an interview on the radio and do a television appearance."

Jean-Rene laughed softly, "The pains of fame. It was so much easier five hundred years ago."

"Tell me about it." He sighed and prepared to settle in for the day. "Being king was easier then this."

They both drifted to sleep as the sun rose over the city.