Chapter 3

"So did you call your friend to tell her you would be showing up for awhile?" Cian asked JJ once he had picked her up the next morning to take her back to the auto shop. Apparently, her car was going to take awhile to fix as the parts had to be ordered.

JJ had been told that she was lucky that the parts were still being made at all, as her car was ancient, something JJ had already known. It was going to be expensive though, not only for the work to install them, but for the parts themselves. JJ's insurance would cover a lot of the repairs but not everything.

"Yeah, I did and she was glad to know I was alright, even if my car had broken down," JJ said. "She scolded me for not getting a new car and I told her I simply couldn't afford a new one right now."

"Which is why you were driving that ancient car that broke down on you. At least you were near a population center and not out in the middle of nowhere when it did," Cian said silently thanking Hecate JJ hadn't broken down in the middle of nowhere.

"Now that was lucky," JJ agreed.

"At least your friend knows you're OK and that's the main thing," Cian said.

"That's true," JJ agreed. "I would love for you to meet her sometime, as we've been friends ever since we were kids, but then, she moved away and I haven't seen her in several years."

"Who knows I might get that opportunity," Cian said.

"I hope you do," JJ said. "She's quite a character. We kept in contact ever since she moved."

"So where do you want to go for lunch? My treat," Cian offered.

"I feel bad that you're always paying for my food," JJ said. "You should let me pay this time."

"You don't need to, as I don't mind it, I promise you," Cian said. "I know you're short on funds right now and why put any more strain on finances then the hotel room you got Moonlight Inn? Not to the mention the cost for the repairs to your car, which insurance doesn't cover?"

JJ caved when Cian gave her his best puppy dog eyes.

"OK, fine, have it your way," JJ finally gave in sounding resigned even to herself. "I am going to pay you back."

"Don't worry about it," Cian told her waving a hand in dismissal. "I can more than afford it I promise, as you can make a lot of money in the antique business if you're any good at it. My aunt taught me a lot, as she's quite good at her profession and I've learned a lot more on my own just from experience."

"Kind of on the job training," JJ commented.

"That's a good observation," Cian complimented his mate who blushed. "There's only so much that my aunt could teach me and she told me once I gained experience that I would learn a lot more and she was right about that. She told me to always have antiques from multiple sources for example and someplace like a flea market can be good for that type of thing. People often sell things that they have no idea can be considered antique and worth more money then they realize. Whenever I'm on a business trip to go to an auction I always go to at least one flea market sometimes more."

"That's quite interesting," JJ said fascinated, as she was learning so much about antiques.

"I'm glad you think so," Cian grinned at her.

The expression just made his face light up and thrilled JJ deep inside.

"Oh, I do, though I can't say I thought about that type of thing before we met," JJ said.

"Most people don't, because most people don't belong to a family that owns a whole chain of antique stores that's all," Cian said.

"Were you expected to go into the business?" JJ asked.

"Of course not. I could've done anything I wanted with my life and my family would've been happy with whatever I chose to do, but I've always found the field of antiquing fascinating and I seem to have a good eye and a instinct for that type of thing, which you need to be any good at it," Cian said. "Not everyone in the family got the right type of instinct for the antique business, so we have lawyers, doctors, shop owners, a couple in different branches of security and a bunch of other professions in my family."

"That's good to know," JJ said.

She hoped she could meet his family one day, as so many parents tried to force their children into a certain profession whether they had the desire or an aptitude for it. The Hotchners sounded completely different from a lot of parents from what Cian was saying about them. It was clear that Cian's family would've been happy with whatever path he had chosen for his life, though she was sure that was only so long as he didn't become a criminal or get into drugs or something else nefarious, as no parent wanted their child to go down that type of path.

The two continued to talk, even as they waited for the paperwork to be completed for JJ's loaner vehicle.

~~~Cian and JJ~~~

"I'm so glad you met your mate, Cian," Maverick told him.

It was several days later and Cian was done with work for the day and had joined his cousin and several of the other family for dinner at Maverick's home. Maverick was mated and had been for several decades so his children were nearly grown-up. Maverick's mate was Blaire and they had three children, the youngest was nearly 18.

"It was really something of a shock when I saw her car stopped on the side of the road," Cian said truthfully. "I stopped to offer my assistance and when I saw her face to face after she'd gotten out of her car that's when I knew."

"That's the way it always happens," Blaire commented taking Maverick's hand in hers. "I met Rick, totally on accident one day and while Maverick knew I was is mate I didn't know anything about immortals or magic at that time."

"Blaire is absolutely right," Maverick said smiling at his wife fondly.

"I thought he was very handsome and was very attracted to him, so when he asked me out I said yes and the rest, as they say is history," Blaire added.

"I never expected it," Cian said. "I mean I was adopted into the family and I'm not really related by blood, so I thought maybe I wouldn't have a mate like everyone else."

"Blood related or not you're still family, as being blood related doesn't really matter," Maverick told him. "My parents took you into their hearts and their home and they wouldn't have done that if they didn't love you Cian."

"I know they do and I'm grateful. It was just that I figured that I wouldn't have a mate because I was adopted," Cian shrugged. "I wasn't born immortal like the rest of the family, so I figured I probably didn't have a mate."

"Every immortal has a mate," Blaire said, "adopted into the family or not."

"Absolutely true," Maverick said, even as he patted Cian on the shoulder in a friendly gesture of understanding.

"I didn't used to believe in immortals and magic you know just like you didn't, but everybody who didn't grow up in that world doesn't, at least at first," Blaire said.

"So have you told grandmom and granddad yet that you met your mate?" Maverick asked Cian and the younger man shook his head.

"Not yet," Cian said "as I've been getting to know JJ. I haven't had a chance to get away and head up to Philadelphia where they're living at the moment and I hate to do it over the link."

"You need to tell them soon then," Blaire recommended.

"They will be very happy for you and you know it," Maverick said obviously agreeing with his wife.

"It's not that, it's just that I just moved here and I have a business to run," Cian said. "I haven't wanted to take the time off to go and see them, as between the business and JJ, I just haven't had any free time."

"You could go and be back in a day, as shuttle travel has gotten so much faster now," Maverick told Cian.

"True," Cian agreed. "I suppose I could take the time off from the business for a day or two. Even though I've already taken some time off when I met JJ to help her out, but I know Aunt Shonda won't mind if I have to close for a few days."

"I would if I were you," Maverick told him. "You could just tell them over a link call, but I know you would prefer to tell them in person."

"I could, but I'd have to be circumvent if I did, since such calls can be eavesdropped on," Cian said.

"All to true," Maverick admitted. "Why anybody would want to eavesdrop on any of us though is the question."

"There are a lot of reasons that somebody will eavesdrop on someone you know," Cian said chuckling. "Including it happening on accident. If that happened, whoever heard us talking, could then try to blackmail whoever it was, because they'd have the information and it doesn't matter how it was gained, rather on accident or deliberately. Now, while, that person might not try to blackmail us, as they might be too honest, still, it's better not to take any chances, because you know that the family will have to deal with anybody that tries such a thing. I would prefer that not happen, at least when I'm the one at fault for giving our secret away, just because I wasn't careful enough."

"True," Maverick admitted.

~~~Cian and JJ~~~

Several days after he had had dinner with Maverick, his mate and children Cian and JJ were spending the day together.

"By the way, I wanted to let you know I'm going to be out of town for a day or two," Cian said. "Business trip."

"That's too bad," JJ said. "I'll miss you when you're gone. I've gotten very fond of you over since we met."

"That's good to hear, because I've gotten quite fond of you too and I'm hoping that you'll still be in town when I get back, as I would like to continue to see you," Cian said. "I wouldn't go at all if it wasn't important."

"What could be so important to have you close the business while you're gone?" JJ said.

"Oh Rich has agreed to take over while I'm gone," Cian said, "so Walters Antiques won't have to close at all. He's 17 and the oldest son of my cousin whose name is Maverick by the way though he goes by Rick."

"I don't blame him for going by Rick," JJ said winkling her nose at the name Maverick.

"Yeah, his parents have some weird ideas for names," Cian said chuckling at JJ's expression.

"I don't really have a right to criticize, as I know very well it could be a family name," JJ said. "It's not like your cousin had any choice on what his parents named him."

"No, he didn't," Cian agreed not bothering to tell JJ that his aunt and uncle had simply had so many children that they'd had to be creative when it came to baby names, as they had used all the most common ones long ago. "At least there's a decent nickname for it, as some names don't even have that going for them. My family is large and most of the common names have been used long since. The way that people are living so much longer now you have to sometimes be really creative when it comes to baby names."

"True," JJ agreed. "Your name for instances is pretty unusual in this day and age as I've never heard another person named Cian before you."

"I have met a couple of people with my name, but you're right, it's not that common," Cian agreed. "My middle name is Teagan by the way."

"That's a little more common, though not much," JJ said. "I have actually met a couple of Teagans. I went to high school with one of them."

"Well, at least my name is mostly unique and I don't have a name that hundreds of other peoples have. One of my uncles is Aaron and my other is David, though he goes by Dave."

"Now, those are really common, every day names, like Jennifer," JJ said.

"Yeah, they've always been popular unlike some names," Cian agreed. "Still, one of my aunts is Shonda and my other aunt is Jazzlyn, though she goes by Jazz."

"So apparently unique names run and your family," JJ said.

"I could give you other examples but why bother?" Cian shrugged. "I was just trying to point out that I'm not the only one with a unique name in my family. Personally, I think having an unusual name builds character, as you learn to let people's casual insults on your name roll off your back instead of reacting to it. If you knew how many people had insulted my name, because it's so unusual you'd probably be amazed."

"I doubt that, as I know what teenagers in particular are like. Anyone who is different they tend to pick on, even if that's just an unusual name," JJ commented.

"I went to a private school along with my cousins, so there wasn't much picking on, as the teachers put a stop to any bullying, but still after I graduated some people have commented on it and made nasty remarks, even if that's off hand," Cian explained,

"You would think people would know better then to make nasty comments about somebody's unusual name. It's not like you picked your name as it was given to you at birth," JJ said shaking her head in dismay.

"The human race will never change JJ, so you have to learn to live with it and how most people aren't very well mannered," Cian told her. He didn't tell her that he had vast experience with how rude people could be and not just about his unusual name either.

"So what is this business trip about?" JJ asked.

"I often travel for auctions and things," Cian explained. "There's an antique auction in Philadelphia that I don't want to miss."

Cian spoke that truth and the fact he would visit his aunt and uncle at the same time he kept to himself. He was sure his aunt would be at the same auction, as after all she and his uncle lived in Philadelphia right now so it was basically local for her. He was simply killing two birds with one stone.

"So you're going to Philadelphia for this auction," JJ said and Cian nodded.

"Yes, but I should be home in just a couple of days," Cian said. "It's not going be an extended trip like it is sometimes."

"I wish I could go with you, as I've never been to Philadelphia and I've heard the city is gorgeous," JJ said. "I would love to see all that old architecture as it's one of the oldest cities in America."

"Maybe we can take a trip there sometime," Cian suggested kissing JJ's cheek.

"That would be wonderful, but we might not even be dating in a few more weeks so I'm not going get my hopes up," JJ said. "I mean I have to get back to my job at some point, as I only have so much vacation time."

"I want you to stay here in Moonlight Gorge," Cian told her seriously. "I'm sure you could find a job here just as easily as where you are living now. I want to continue seeing you."

Cian didn't bother to tell her why he wanted to continue the relationship, besides the fact that he liked JJ very much. Normally, that attraction might not lead anywhere, except them breaking up at some point, but that wasn't going to happen in this case, at least not on his end. JJ on the other hand, knew nothing about immortals or mates and while she might like him a lot she might not want to change her life for what she might consider just a fling.

"That's really sweet of you Cian, but you have no idea if our relationship is going to work out, so it's better that we stop seeing each other before we get anymore attached," JJ said. "I have a job in Milwaukee and a life."

"I'll only follow you," Cian told JJ plainly gazing at her calmly not letting her see his panic at the thought of her going back to Milwaukee. "I'll move to Milwaukee if I have to, as my Aunt Shonda can get someone else to run Walters Antiques at this location if she has to, as our family is quite large."

"But why would you do that, since our feelings could be just lust and attraction and that's no reason to move somewhere totally new, especially since you just got here less than six months ago," JJ protested.

"You're making it necessary, JJ because you're not giving our relationship a chance to develop into anything more," Cian said. "In a way, I can understand not wanting to leave your life in Milwaukee. True love, comes along only ones Jennifer and then never again. I think we could have something special if you just give it a chance to develop further. Walters Antiques here in Moonlight Gorge, will be just fine as there are plenty of members in the family that can run the shop just as efficiently as I can," Cian said looking determined.

JJ threw up her hands in exasperation seeing she wasn't going to convince Cian any differently. While she didn't want to admit it she was flattered, as Cian was handsome, financially solvent and nice. He'd been helping her out ever since her car had broken down right outside of town.

He'd been buying her meals on his own dime and he didn't seem to mind the expense, not that those meals had been expensive or anything, but it was still the nice thing to do, as it saved her a few dollars. He'd taken several days off work in order to help her out and driven her to the auto shop to pick up a loaner vehicle and to the inn so she could get a room.

He'd suggested the perfect place for her to stay, as it was inexpensive, as he had known she didn't have much money. The room was nice considering how cheap it had been, especially in this century. He hadn't demanded anything in return other then to spend time with her, which JJ considered unusual for most people. His only motive seemed to be keeping their relationship going, but it was like they were from two different worlds or at least two different cities that were hundreds of miles apart.

Was Cian really willing to put in all that effort for a relationship that might be just a fling and break up naturally in a few months, JJ thought to herself.

She had to meet him halfway JJ suddenly realized or it wouldn't matter how much Cian wanted it to work out. Was she really willing to move nearly a thousand miles for a relationship that might not work out in the end? On the other hand, her job was practically intolerable as not only was she not advancing, even though she was perfectly capable, and should have advanced long ago, but there was this guy, that had been annoying her for sometime. Her boss was a sexist pig and the one of the employees at the news station she worked at was just a smarmy, evil little man who thought he was gods gift to women and had come on to her so strongly that she felt as if she was covered in slime.

She did like most of her coworkers, but those two she could gladly live without for the rest of her life. Her boss would keep her down as long as he could JJ knew and you would think that in this century men like him wouldn't exist but they did. JJ was sure if she slept with him like he had hinted at that she would get what she wanted but she wouldn't lower herself that much by sleeping her way to the top.

Besides, if she did, she well know he could then blackmail her into keeping her indiscretion secret, but only if she continued to sleep with him.

She had been taught all she had to do was work hard to get what she wanted, but with men like Jarrod Simmons around just working hard wasn't enough to get past her current obstacles. She was sure if she could get a job here they probably had a news station and they might need someone with her skill set.

"Is there a news station here in Moonlight Gorge?" JJ asked Cian.

"Of course, there is just like there's a newspaper and other essential services," Cian answered. "It's only a small station but if you want to go and see what kind of jobs they have I'll show you where it is."

"So you don't know if they're hiring?" JJ asked.

"I'm afraid not, as that's not an area of interest for me," Cian said

"Well, I can check it out anyway," JJ said. "I do need a job if I'm going to stay in Moonlight Gorge."

Cian lit up at that and JJ knew that she had made him very happy when she had said that.

"If all else fails you can help me out in the antique store while you look for something better. I've been looking for an assistant anyway," Cian offered.

"What about Rich that you said was going to look after the store while you were gone?" JJ asked.

"He's willing to help me out, but he does start college in a few months, so it's only a temporary thing," Cian answered. "Really, one person is enough to run the store here in Moonlight Gorge because it's not as busy as some of the other stores. If he needs any help all he has to do is call me. The antiquing business isn't really an interest of his, but since I'm paying him and he wants some extra money for college he's willing help me out."

"So basically it's not his choice for a career," JJ said and Cian nodded.

"Nope," Cian agreed. "He hasn't decided what he wants to do for the rest of his life. As for me, I'm perfectly happy running a antique store."

"I'm willing to help you out if I can't find anything else at least right now," JJ decided. "But I know basically nothing about antiques as it was never an area I explored."

"I'll teach you the basics if necessary," Cian said.

"Well, hopefully, I'll find something where I can use my college degree," JJ said.

"I'll look up the local paper with all the want ads," Cian said.

"What is the name of the local paper?" JJ asked.

"Moonlight Gazette and I have a subscription for it," Cian said.

"I'll look it up on my tablet for you."

Newspapers weren't published on paper in this century and it was all online, but you still had to pay for a subscription, as how else were they supposed to stay in business and pay reporters and editors and other employees. Newspapers around the world had gone over to online publishing centuries ago, and it sure did cut down on the amount of paper that was degrading in landfills everywhere.

"I always read the paper, as I'm enjoying breakfast," Cian said. "I left my tablet back at my apartment, but I'll bring it with me tomorrow."

"That sounds fine," JJ said smiling.

The two continued to talk for a while before it was time for dinner.

~~~Cian and JJ~~~