Author's note: Continued thanks to my loyal and awesome review fans. Sorry it took so long to write this chapter. I've been doing graveyard shifts at the hospital where I work. Lots of thanks to all three of you- Azure

Blood Ties

Part 12: London Calling

Part 12:

The rain fell in thick sheets of cold wetness against the night sky as Jean-Rene and Correen managed to push free of the crowd. They were trying to find Vicki and Mike; both of who had jumped a flight to London; 9 hours ago. Henry was on his own plane and his arrival was unknown.

The cold wet air made Jean-Rene shiver; she hadn't dressed for wet or cold and had forgotten the weather in London. Correen was hopping up and down in an effort to find the two Canadian's. Jean-Rene was doing her best to scan those around her. There were just so many people.

COrreen grabbed her arm, "There!" She hauled Jean-Rene through the crowds. They stepped out from under the shelter of the airport roof. Both of them were drenched within seconds.

"Vicki! Mike!" Correen was waving wildly and shouting after them. Jean-Rene had managed to get her self free of the woman; but still had to rush to keep up. She had so much energy even after 9 hours of cramped flying.

Jean-Rene saw the ex-couple pause as they loaded their bags into a cab. Mike frowned as he spotted them. "What are you two doing here?" His gaze lingered for a moment on Jean-Rene. He looked away as she glanced at him.

Vicki was upset, "Correen? What is going on?"

Correen nudged Jean-Rene, she managed to look at Vicki, "Henry knows you are here and isn't thrilled with the idea. I came here in the hopes of convincing you to leave. He isn't going to forgive this Vicki."

The former cop crossed her arms and stared hard at Jean-Rene; the staring match continued for several minutes. Vicki scoffed, "What makes you think I am here for him?"

Jean-Rene wasn't in the mood to stand here and fight with the woman. She was soaked, cold and could feel a headache starting. "You think you can change his mind about me."

"Yeah, I do." Vicki looked around for a moment, "I don't see him."

Correen answered quickly, "He took his own plane."

Vicki frowned, "He owns his own plane?"

"Yep." Correen grinned, "I wonder if he collects air miles?"

Jean-Rene felt her body shivering and had to hug her self. Her teeth were chattering slightly and she was increasingly anxious to get warm.

"Look, let's just get somewhere warm and dry." She stepped up the curb and waved down a cab. "Follow me."

A few minutes later the two English taxis were driving through the dark night. The city lights of London swirled through the rain on the windows as the water splashed and hissed against the cars.

The cars pulled up to the address and Jean-Rene paid him with the appropriate currency. She stepped out and ran to the gate; unlatching it she hurried to the steps and ran up them. She heard someone behind and saw Mike rushing up. She found the key in the place she had left it and unlocked the door. The interior was dark but warm and more important it was dry.

Mike hurried inside, "What is this place?" He set down the bags he carried and looked around.

Jean-Rene found the light switch and flicked them on. Dim light filled the dark space and the detective looked around at the empty space. "No one lives here?"

"Not in a while." Jean-Rene motioned to the stairs, "You and Vicki can share the room at the end of the hall; it's the largest. Correen can have the other one."

He looked at her as she rubbed her arms, "And what about you?"

She shrugged, "There is a small room beyond the kitchen, I can stay there."

Mike stared at her for a few seconds, "Jean-Rene…"

Vicki and Correen came in; "God it's cold."

"English rain is cold." Jean-Rene shivered on impulse. "I am going to start a fire."

Vicki looked around as Mike went upstairs. "Who owns this place?"

"My grandmother; but she hasn't lived here in years."

"Where does she live?" Correen asked.

Jean-Rene crossed the living room floor and found supplies to make a fire. She busied herself with that as she answered. "She's spent the last three years living on a yacht."

Correen whistled, "How'd she swing living on that?"

Jean-Rene lit the match and tossed it in; watching as the fire slowly built it's self up. "You'd have to ask her. I only know she lives there. Travels the world and seems to like it."

She held her hands above the warmth and slowly it thawed her fingers. She watched the flames and was reminded of Henry. She glanced at the two women as they walked through the house and muttered to each other. They were comfortable with each other; they were friends. Jean-Rene had never been much for friends. People had sensed she was different and stayed away from her. It would have been nice to have one or two; but it just never happened.

Now she had Henry; and he more than made up for her lack of friends. But there was something bothering her; what would happen in 20 years or 30 or more? Henry would never die and she would, eventually…unless…she too became a vampire. Jean-Rene had spent the last five centuries being re-born and living and searching for him. Now she had him; did she dare to risk it? Was immortality the way to keep them together for ever this time?

She sighed and realized someone was watching her; she expected Correen not Mike. He stood back a little ways; just watching her. She studied his face and wondered what he was fascinated by.

"What does Henry have that I don't?" Mike asked softly.

The question surprised Jean-Rene and she wasn't sure how to answer. "Why are you asking, Mike?"

"First Vicki and now you? I can't seem to win on either count."

She was even more surprised, "You expected to 'win' with me?"

He shrugged, "Henry would kill me; but yeah the idea occurred to me."

She smiled softly, "You're right, he would kill you."

"Seriously, though. What's he got?"

Jean-Rene sighed; settling herself on the floor, closer to the heat of the fire. Slowly she was beginning to warm up. "I don't know, Mike. I honestly don't. I have only and will only ever love Henry. So I am not sure how to answer you. I can't imagine being with another man; not ever. Pehraps you should ask Vicki?"

"I tried; she just scoffs at me." Mike approached the fire; he rubbed his hands together. "You make a good fire."

"Thanks; my dad used to take his family camping in the summer. I learned." Jean-Rene watched the flames dance and sway in the hearth.

"Correen said you came to London to stop Henry from killing Vicki. You think he would?"

"Yes." She sighed and realized how tired she was. "Good night, Mike." Jean-Rene stood up and grabbed her backpack from the front door.

"Hey, Jean-Rene?"

She paused and looked back, "Yes?"

"He's a lucky bastard."

She chuckled, "You have no idea how right you are." And with that she went to her room.

Vicky and Correen joined him several minutes later. "This place is huge." Correen muttered, "I wonder why she only mentioned the two rooms? There are at least five more around here."

"Maybe she doesn't want us trasping through her grandmother's house." Mike muttered and glanced at Vicki, "She said confronting Henry was a bad idea. Why can't you just let him go, Vic? He has her now."

Vicki shook her head, "She isn't right for him."

Mike sighed, "Well maybe she is."

"Meaning what?" Vicki snapped, "You like her so of course you're going to side with her."

"It has nothing to do with me liking her. That woman has been reincarnated for the last 5 hundred years. Something had to keep bringing her back; something strong and real. Love is about as strong and real as it gets for some people. Need I remind you of Lee and his woman? Those two had one heck of a story."

"Yeah and it ended badly, really badly." Vicki grumbled.

"So maybe would stay out of this one. These two deserve each other; that's all I am saying." Mike turned and went upstairs, "Night."

Correen said goodnight and followed a few minutes later. Vicki was left to stand in front of the fire. She didn't go to bed until the fire had died down and it was nearly dawn.

**

Jean-Rene woke the next morning and dressed for the day; it was still cold but not raining. Making her way to the kitchen she found her guests up and sorting through the cupboards.

"They're empty." Jean-Rene said lightly, surprising everyone. "Sorry about that. We'll have to go shopping."

It took time before everyone was ready to go. Jean-Rene used that time to find her grandmother's car keys and bring her car around to the front. The others eventually piled and off they went.

The grocery store was close to the house and the foursome walked in with a cart. Mike and Correen were the most excited about shopping. Jean-Rene couldn't shake her headache from last night and was still cold. It had nothing to do with wet and everything to do with tension. She didn't want to be in London; there was way too much history here. Way too much to remember in one place and far too much pain for her to cope with. Vicki was hangning back with her as Mike and Correen darted between the aisles.

"Coreen said you were here to save me." Vicki muttered as they passed the frozen food section.

"Yeah," Jean-Rene was in no mood for conversation, "Don't ask me why; I still can't figure out why I care." She paused and stared blindly at the selections.

"I get that you don't like me."

"No, I don't think you do." Jean-Rene looked at her, focusing. "I don't care if Henry kills you; but to just stand there and let him do it without at least 'appearing' to care? That wouldn't go over well. I don't like you Victoria Nelson and I don't care if you live or not. Let Mike and Correen care about that."

Vicki opened her mouth but Jean-Rene motioned her silent.

"Henry and I are going to get married; and nothing you say or do is going to stop it. I hope you will realize that interfering in that is a bad idea. Henry isn't going to let you slide on this one. I would have thought that after two years with him you'd understand that better. But perhaps he's never really opened up to you." Jean-Rene paused for a moment and nodded, "I can see that being an issue with you. You don't let people do anything you can't walk away from. I am not going to stand here and analyze you. I am giving you a chance to save yourself. Leave London on the next flight; take your friends with you and leave us alone."

Jean-Rene turned and walked away; leaving Vicki to stare after her. It was a chore to keep from walking out of the store and driving off. She couldn't abandon Mike and Correen; but it took effort. Nothing in her wanted to stand around and wait for them. So instead she went for a walk out side. There was a book store beside the grocery store and it would fill time.

Jean-Rene heard the chime over the door as she walked in. The store-keeper looked up from his newspaper and gave her a warm smile.

"Morning." Jean-Rene hesitated as an idea came her, "I am looking for anything related to the Emperor's Heart."

The man knew what she meant; "We don't have any books on it. It was never officially documented." He paused and stood up from his chair, "But I might have something…" He pulled out a scrap book and flipped it open. Jean-Rene came over as he set it on his counter.

"That it!" She pointed to the ring; it was the same one Thomas had made for her. "Is this being shown?"

"No deary, it's being sold." He pointed to the little write-up about the collection. "I guess the owner needs the money more then the jewels."

"The whole four-item set is for sale?" She hunched up and read it over; trying to memorize the information. "Wow."

"You sound like someone who knows their true value."

She looked up at him, "Excuse me?"

"You know what the set symbolizes right?"

As a matter of a fact she did, first hand. But she didn't want to scare the man. "Tell me."

"The story goes that the jewel was meant for Queen Katherine, during the reign of Henry VIII. He couldn't let her keep it so he had the stone carved into four items: A ring, a necklace, a broach, and a set of earrings. The legend goes that who ever owns all four items and has them given to them by a loved one will live for ever with their lover."

She had known that; it was Thomas who had cultivated the myth when he'd learned that Henry was her lover. Over time it had changed slightly but the core was still the same.

"That sounds like a wonderful story." She gazed again at the photo. The ring she had once worn was so close but so far. "Well, I hope ever buys it makes good use of it."

"Me too."

She glanced out the window and saw the three others looking lost. "Excuse me."

Making her way across the road she used the keyless remote and unlocked the doors. Correen saw her first and waved. She nodded. Vicki didn't look up; just got in the passenger side back seat and slammed the door. Mike loaded the groceries; Correen returned the cart. Mike sat beside Vicki, which put Correen next to her.

"We need to make a stop, hope you don't mind?"

"We're starving!" Correen announced.

"Okay, tell you what? I'll drop you and go on; I need to look after something."

Once the groceries and people left her car; Jean-Rene drove to the auction house that was selling the jewels. There was a policy that the items for sale could be viewed by the public before they became available for sale. There was of course heavy security and a perimeter rope kept people back a certain distance; but you could see them.

She parked and had to walk a couple of blocks to reach the auction house. She had to walk through a metal detector and joined the crowd milling around the interior. They were mostly older couples. She saw a few people dressed in fine suits talking on wireless headsets; they were talking quietly and formally. She knew them to buying agents for wealthy people. They would quite often come to these and sort of check out the competition. The world of super-rich buyers wasn't that large; so most for their people recognized the other. It was a good way to try and get a feel for how the bidding might go.

Jean-Rene ignored them; she couldn't afford the set; but she had to see it. She had to look at it in person. It was like a compulsion she couldn't resist. There was a large crowd around the case; and she had to work her way through it. Finally she got to the front. Her breath caught; heart pounded. Her head ached with memories. So many of them came flooding back in a Technicolor rush of sound and activity. All by seeing the one piece she had owned for a very short time.

Flashback

Jean-Rene kept running; but only half-heartedly. In truth she wanted him to catch her because then he would kiss her and he was a wonderful kisser. She glanced over her shoulder and laughed as he appeared around the corner. She ducked around another corner and paused. She could hear him running through the corridor; she peeked around and his arms trapped her. She giggled as he pulled her close. Her lips were captured by his in mere moments.

The kiss ended but he still held her. "Jean-Rene, I have something to talk to you about."

"What's that?"

They were interrupted by the arrival of a servant. "Your Grace, Bishop Thomas is here."

Jean-Rene looked at him, "Does he mean my brother?"
Henry nodded, "I was hoping to surprise you over dinner; after we had talked. But since he is here."

Henry let her loose and she ran through the house in search of her brother. She found Thomas sitting in a richly decorated room. She threw herself at him and he hugged her. Thomas was dressed in fine silk robes of his office and he was much older then she remembered.

"Hello, little sister." He stepped back from her as Henry entered. "Forgive the interruption, Your Grace."

Henry waved him off and sat in his chair. "So did you bring what I asked?"

Jean-Rene was intently curious as to what was happening. She knew it was important; Thomas wouldn't come to Henry's house for just a random visit. Henry had his own minister for spiritual matters.

"Please, Thomas." Henry waved the man to sit down. "I trust you brought what I asked?"

"Indeed." Thomas withdrew a small velvet pouch from his pocket, "I only had to complete the first piece; the rest are still being completed." He handed the pouch to Henry. Glancing at Jean-Rene.

Curiosity ate at her as Henry opened the bag and reached inside. He paused as if remembering her presence and motioned her over. He gently took her hand and put the pouch in it.

"I had hope to surprise you tonight." He kissed her softly, "Happy Birthday."

Jean-Rene opened the pouch and turned it upside down. The contents spilled out and she was speechless. She stared at the beautiful ring that sat in her palm. The rich red color of the ruby set in a fine gold band. It was something for a queen.

Henry stood from his chair and gently slipped it on her finger. "A promise, of what I plan for us. A piece of my heart, for you to keep; the rest is coming." He smiled at her and she was crying. He held her tightly for a few minutes. "I love you, Jean-Rene."

As it was; she had never seen the rest of the pieces, Henry had commissioned for her. A few weeks later he had disappeared. A short while after that she had locked herself away in her country home and never ventured out again. She had taken the ring off the night before her death; it was the only other time she saw Thomas again. He had taken the ring at her request.

"Keep the set together." She has whispered softly, "I want his heart to be whole; even if I can't hold it."

Thomas had held the ring tightly in his fist. "I will do as you ask. Jeanne, he did love you. I know he did. He was planning on marrying you. I was there when he spoke to his father about it."

She was near tears, "It doesn't matter now; he's dead and I am soon to be with him."

Thomas leaned in close, "I am sure you have heard the rumors; Henry is not dead. He wanders the night, to this day, still looking the same as he did ten years ago."

"Hush, Thomas. Such idle gossip doesn't suit you, a soon to be Cardinal. Those are peasant rumors. Pay them no mind."

If only she had listened to him back then. If only she hadn't given up. But her heart was broken beyond shattered by then and she had stopped hoping. She had grown distant and absent from the world. Without Henry in it; there was no need to stay. It seemed cruel to believe in such things; but some part of her had believed. It had believed so strongly that it made her soul reincarnate repeatedly until it found Henry again.

End of Flashback

Jean-Rene was in her car, weeping. The world was a cruel place; that hadn't changed since her first life. The buildings had been updated; the language had changed; styles of dress and perhaps even the people looked slightly different. But the world was the same. Cold, empty, and lonely.

The only time she felt whole and joyous was with Henry. His presence made her feel alive and complete. Without him…she would fade away and die; just as she had done since the beginning. She didn't want to spend another life with this terrible ache in her heart. This horrible loneliness in her life. It was might she made a choice about her future with Henry.

Returning to her grandmother's house she found Correen by herself. It had become dark outside during the drive back.

"Thank god you are back!"

Jean-Rene paused, "Why? What's up?"

"Henry called Vicki's cell phone. He wants to see her between the book signing and the radio show."

"He called her?" For some stupid reason she was hurt by that idea. It was ridiculous and she knew it; but a part of her was hurt.

Correen raised her eyebrows at the vacant answer, "So? We should go right? Stop him from killing her?"

Jean-Rene stood there and blinked rapidly at the other woman. She couldn't think of a response to that. All she wanted to do was find Henry and have him make the choices. Put his arms around her and hold her and stop the world from reaching them. He had always protected her and she needed that now. She was just so tired of fighting the world. She was exhausted and she didn't care about Victoria Nelson or any other human. They could all turn to dust for all it mattered to her.

Correen shook her head, "Come on." She grabbed Jean-Rene's arm and hauled her outside. They locked up and Correen pointed to the driver's side. "Get in, I'll tell you where to take us."

They arrived at the convention hall. There were several events happening tonight. Finding the book signing was easy; they followed all the young women carrying copies of Henry's books.

Once inside the saw the table was empty. Correen still had hold of her arm as they searched the crowd.

"He's got to be here somewhere."

Correen led them to a set of black doors and tested them. One opened. She led the way in and the door shut behind Jean-Rene. The area was semi-lit and narrow. It seemed to be a temporary hallway; it only went in one direction so Correen and Jean-Rene followed. The hall seemed to go on for miles. Twisting and turning like a maze, but always leading in the same direction. Eventually there was a door at the end and they walked through. They stood in another room. It was full of chairs and had a raised platform with a speaker's podium.

"Henry! No!" Correen ran from where she stood; crossing the room in a vain attempt to stop him.

Jean-Rene finally seemed to shake her foggy-state and noticed where she was. The room was unfamiliar but she saw Henry. Mike was fighting with him; the vampire was easily winning. Vicki lay bleeding on the ground and Correen was crouched beside the injured woman.

She moved forward a bit; she had to at least try to save the humans. Crossing the floor she paused, as a sound reached her. There was a woman standing at the door with something in her hands. She was a pretty blonde thing; dressed nicely. But the look on her face was odd; something close to crazed.

Jean-Rene was puzzled as to her prescence; she'd never seen the girl before. What was she doing here?

Pain exploded in her chest and she jerked backward; managing to stay on her feet. She had no idea what had happened only that she was suddenly hurting. She looked down at her shirt and was confused as it darkened slowly. Someone screamed. Henry turned at the sound and forgot about Mike. The blonde woman was killed as he ripped out her throat.

Jean-Rene's body was suddenly heavy and she was falling. Strong hands caught her and stared into beautiful blue eyes. He was kneeling on the floor as he held her; his brunette curls framed his handsome face; the look in his eyes was one she had never seen before.

"Why are you scared, Henry?" She could barely talk and didn't know why.

"You're dying."

He was crying and she was startled to see tears down his cheeks. Reaching up a hand she paused at the blood on her fingers. Was it hers? She gently brushed her fingers through his curls. He pressed his cheek to her hand.

"You can save me." She whispered and his face darkened. "It's okay."

"No…" He shook his head, "No, I can't destroy you like that."

"Henry, I can't wander the world looking for you again. Not after finding you, not after all this time."

He closed his eyes, "I want to, but…"

"Then do it." She wanted to kiss him, to show him it was okay. But her body was too heavy and her eyes were beginning to close.

Somewhere in the coming darkness she heard a voice, "I love you Jean-Rene."

Her voice was gone as she struggled to scream into the darkness. "I love you, Henry."

**