Heart's Price

by Severitus

---Part 2---

"Hey boss, you seem happy today," Cash called from his perch in the tree near the front door. For some reason, the young Gangrel Primogen had claimed the tree as his own. It was at least once a day that Julian spied him perched in the tree, either reading, listening to music, or simply watching the stars rise. This time the Gangrel had obviously been waiting for him, as he hopped down from his perch as soon as Julian arrived.

"Yes, well…even I have the occasional good day, you know," Julian commented, smirking back at Cash as he followed him through the door.

"Do I get to ask?" Cash asked, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Julian snorted, before casually flipping off his jacket and hanging it on the hook by the door.

"No," Julian replied tauntingly. He was preparing to engineer a change of subject when he saw Cash freeze out of the corner of his eye. The Gangrel had frozen, staring at the coat, his nostrils flaring. "Cash?"

"Oh gods and demons…Frank Kahonek?" Cash stuttered, eyes suddenly wide. Julian froze, muscles tensed. Damnit! He'd forgotten how acute the Gangrel's senses were. Well, there was no hiding it now, but if Cash had a problem with it…Julian was at a loss for what to do.

Suddenly, Cash seemed to shake himself free of his shock, standing straight and his expression turned all business. "I…apologize. It is not my place," he said, though his wide eyes still bespoke his shock. Relaxing, Julian laughed softly, shaking his head.

"Take it easy, Cash. Frank and I…well, let's say it's a recent development. I do not intend to keep it a secret, but…discretion would be appreciated nonetheless," Julian said, and Cash seemed to relax at his words.

"Er…right. I'll try to keep my nose to myself in the future," Cash said, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"So…was there a reason you were waiting for me?" Julian said, and Cash seemed grateful for the switch to a more comfortable subject.

"Uh…right. Yeah…The Prince of Seattle called for you earlier. He'd like you to contact him as soon as you can. Apparently there have been some murders popping up along the coast that are likely Kindred related. He wouldn't tell me more, save that it was urgent."

Julian frowned, not pleased that there may be another rogue on the loose in his city so soon after the Starkweather debacle. "Thank you. I suppose I mustn't keep him waiting then," Julian said, and began to head for the stairs.

"Hey…Julian?" Cash called, standing with one hand on the front door. Julian turned, watching him expectantly. "Congrats. Frank's a good guy," he said, smiling. Julian returned the expression, feeling some of the contentment from earlier returning.

"Thanks, Cash," he said, and stood staring after as Cash slipped out the front door, no doubt returning to his tree. Shaking his head, Julian continued up the stairs. Maybe the reactions wouldn't be as bad as he thought, after all.

---

Later that day at the Police Station, Frank was settling into his routine. He had a small smile on his face despite the fact that he'd been fighting to keep his expression neutral, or even grumpy. Already too many people had been asking questions. Did he really smile so rarely that instantly the entire station noticed? He'd been asked at least three times already if he'd had a 'good night.' Rolling his eyes, he bent and began sorting through the files in his desk, wondering which ones could be shifted to the file room in the back.

"Hey Frank," Sonny called, dropping a stack of his own files onto his desk across from Frank's. Frank grunted, busy rescuing a stack of papers that had spilled from his desk onto the floor. Hmm…phone records from three years ago. The file quickly landed in the box by his feet destined for the file room.

"You seem happy today," Sonny commented. Frank rose up enough to glare.

"Damnit am I wearing a sign on my forehead or something?" he grumbled. Sonny laughed, before coming around the desk to help rescue the scattered papers.

"Well, let's just say you have the look of someone who either had a good night or had too much caffeine. So, who's the lucky gal and why haven't you told me about her yet?" Sonny prodded.

"Look, it's kind of a recent development. And it's none of your business anyway," Frank said, though his cheeks flushed a light scarlet.

"Well, at least tell me you didn't wear that ratty old jacket on your date…" Sonny said, eyeing the jacket on the back of Frank's chair speculatively. Frank sputtered.

"It's not ratty! And besides…it wasn't a date. We just sort of…met up. Now leave off, will you?" Frank said, but Sonny had developed an evil glint in his eyes.

"Y'know, one good thing that comes from you knowing my secret is that I can do this," Sonny said, and promptly snatched up Frank's jacket.

"Hey! No fair!" Frank reached to snag the jacket, but Sonny danced out of his reach, the jacket dangling tauntingly from one finger. Before Frank could stop him, Sonny lifted the jacket to his nose and sniffed.

"Ah, hell…" Frank muttered, dropping his head to his desk.

Sonny's eyes had popped wide open, and his nostrils flared a second time as if to be sure of what he smelled. "Kindred…Ventrue…Julian?" Sonny sputtered after a moment, turning to stare at his partner in shock.

"Couldn't leave it alone, could you?" Frank sighed, sitting up from his slump and leaning back in his chair.

"Frank…you were on a date with Julian?"

"It wasn't a date, okay? We just met up and talked and stuff," Frank grumbled.

"But Frank…he's the Prince!"

"You think I don't know that? Look, have you got a problem with it?" Frank said, standing abruptly and meeting Sonny's eyes. If Frank had been Kindred, Sonny would have sworn that he was trying to dominate him. Sonny sagged, tossing the jacket back over Frank's chair.

"No, man. I don't have a problem with it. It's just…Frank, I didn't even know you swung that way!"

"To be fair, I didn't either. And keep it down, will you? If the guys find out I might be out of a job," Frank said, looking carefully about the station to see if anyone had been listening. Sonny nodded distractedly.

"Look…Frank…be careful, all right? Even if I don't have a problem with it, there are others who will."