Chapter 43

Richie sat there and listened intently all the while his stomach twisted in knots at what he'd heard from Gia, seemingly he had no idea how much this had effected her emotionally and Mic, the bonds were something so intricate and deadly all at the same time, in a myriad of ways for everyone. Shit he thought.

She stood and moved to the cabinet and pulled down an empty cup. Freshening her cup and then pouring one for Richie she turned towards the bedroom and put a smile on her face. Balancing the cups she opened the door and moved back into the room. As she reached the bed she sat her cup down and slowly waved the second cup near his nose.

Richie opened his eyes sniffling appreciatively "Mm coffee," he said as he sat up and took the cup from her.

She smiled at him as her heart and mind followed Mic, trying to comprehend why she'd suddenly gotten so closemouthed. Taking a long slow breath she sent the feelers out, hunting the surrounding area for Mic's special signature. A slight smile coasted onto her lips as she found Mic and honed in on her thoughts.


As she wrapped her mind around Mic's she felt the confusion and heat mixed in with emotions Mic couldn't place. Well well her best friend was falling hard and wasn't sure? Mic did understand how she felt, she was feeling the same thing for Jon. Why wouldn't she say so though? Mic had it no easier she did, so ok there was no blood loss involved, but hearts and feelings were a bit more important.

Shaking her head to break the connection, her last thought being she was gonna have a little talk with her friend. Opening dazed emerald eyes and smiled at Richie. "So coffee good?"

"Exceptional darlin" he studied her quietly "How are you feeling this morning?" he asked.

She reached over and brushed his lips gently. "Amazingly well. No lasting after effects of that other vampires nibble fest."

Richie chuckled "Hell that was just so odd, to see other vamps here, guess it honed in reality though, what have you been doing, I could hear you two chatting" he said.

A brow lifted. "I keep forgetting your hearing is so damn good." She frowned slightly, "you heard everything?"

Richie nodded, taking the lead that honesty was indeed the best policy from last time.
"You see everything? Feel everything? God Gia.. I cant imagine what that’s like" he shook his head.

She wrinkled her nose, "I have this theory," she paused and gave him a gentle look, "that were I to go out and well do what you did, you'd feel how I did. You seem to be able to find me no matter where I go, you sense when I'm hurting, so you'd probably feel all I felt IF I were with some other guy."

Richie's eyes widened "Well hell, its kinda like a free porno channel?" He did NOT want to see that at all.

She chuckled softly, "Seems so."

"Does it bother you? you said it does?, and I mean darlin it would bother me as well if I could see you doing all that.." he sincerely spoke.

Her gaze slid past him to the window, as her heart thundered in her chest. "Id be lying if I said it didn't bother me. IT shouldn’t, I mean we're nearly strangers, what you do shouldn’t concern me. But it does, God it nearly kills me sometimes. But," she looked back to him, "I don't want you to stop.. you have to do it, you HAVE to be and do what you're meant to be and do."

kiwitresc: Richie nodded digesting the thoughts. "I know, and we're in a sticky situation at the least as its the only way I can at this point feed, and know how to without it being obvious, I don’t like it ya know.. I told you earlier it’s not the same"

"Blood's blood Richie. What do you mean it's not the same?" Her quizzical gaze studied him intently. "How's it different?"

Richie leaned back "It tastes different darlin, it really does. This sounds soo cliché’ but the sluts that I were with, sometimes their blood didn’t taste so good, like it wasn’t fresh or something, but mainly if they were scared, and sometimes they were, emotions can taste different that’s all"
“So its just the emotions that change the taste, blood is just blood. You can survive on anyone?"

Richie shook his head "If only if it were that easy, ever had a meal and you felt not full at the end of it but there was always a certain food that would do it for you, make you feel satisfied? Your my hamburger.... I dont feel complete without you."

An unladylike snort huffed over her lips. "Hamburger huh?"

"Hey, well they are my favorite ya know.. with pickles, you just have jalepenos baby" he grinned.
"You are so weird Richie." She started to laugh, "I guess it's not sooo bad being saddled with a weird guy."

His eyebrow rose "Hey, I am not weird, I just like food and a certain type of blood that tastes like sweet honey..." he snorted, "Ok maybe I'm weird"

"For a vampire you're probably totally normal." Her hand slid up to brush the hair away from her eyes and neck as she stretched. "I guess you'd be normal. Haven’t met too many of your kind before, hell NONE before you."

Richie's eyes fell to her neck and then scooted away "So, aren’t we going bowling today?"

She tilted her head and grinned at the sensation flowing through her. "Yeah we are a bit later. Jon's still sleeping and Mic's out thinking and walking. I think she's falling for Jon, but don’t get it yet, she's never been in love before."

Richie again drew his gaze to her neck then to her eyes. "Really? Aww poor lil Mic, she's probably so confused, falling for Jon? Ick" he teased "Can’t say I see the attraction. She must be confused by all this huh?"

She picked up a pillow and tapped it with him hard. "Hey he's a cute guy, seems to have it together, AND had the good sense to let you in his band. Any other day I might have went for him myself." She grinned slightly as she spoke, her hands slowly moving up to stroke through her hair. "Yeah always did like blue eyes."

Richie rose his eyebrow "Oh really? Well maybe I like Mic better, always did like lil platinum blondes" he teased as his throat began to growl at little.

"Well let me go get her for ya on my way to Jon then. We'll just do a swap." She slid off the bed and stood, her eyes twinkling as she stretched the morning kinks from her back. "You sure bout this now?"

Richie couldn’t play any longer, he hissed and grabbed her, throwing her back down on the bed, her hair sweeping away from her neck leaving her skin well exposed. Licking his lips and feeling the pulsating of her vein drum in his mind, his teeth slowly sank into her neck.

Her hands slid up along his arms to twist into his hair, pulling him tighter to her neck as a soft whimper escaped her. "Ok I'm weird too cuz damn I think I’m addicted to this." her breathing hitched slightly as he started to sip.

He took what he needed to in small sensual sips concentrating on the pleasurable thoughts that he sent her body. He pulled away finally as he licked the wound once again over his favored spot.
"Addicted huh?" he asked as his own veins started to flow with the fresh energy that she had given him.

She moaned softly as the feeling of release spread through her body just as he pulled away. "Ahhuh, Can you be addicted to a bite?"

Richie shrugged "I dunno, maybe you can, maybe Mic would know, but I guess if its like a feeling I can't see why ya wouldn’t" he lay back pulling her close thankful that he had a mate that at least understood him, in more ways than she needed to.

Chapter 42

Mic awoke the next morning, again feeling like the disheveled woman she was becoming around Jon, sighing watching him sleep she leaned over and kissed his chest gently before slipping out of bed wrapping on her robe and walking into the living room, the house was an eerie silence as everyone was still sleeping, she made the coffee and poured herself one, sitting down overlooking the books and things she'd found yesterday. Why was this all such a mystery she wondered as she sat there lost in thought.

Her thoughts turned on why she felt so forlorn every time she thought of Jon being away again and returning to his rock star lifestyle which she had to assume was just like Richie’s. She sighed, closing her eyes. Maybe it was just the bond, she didn’t fall in love, and he was so young and carefree, she doubted he did. She carried on reading.

Gia’s eyes opened and she smiled. She was firmly connected to a long tall body by arms of steel. Wincing as the bathroom called her name she wiggled slowly and gently from under his arms and slid from the bed. Picking up a tee-shirt she slipped it on and padded to the bathroom. Coming out she smelled the fresh scent of coffee and decided to snag herself a cup.

With a backward glance at the man sleeping soundly in her bed she opened the door and headed to the kitchen. Walking into the kitchen she saw Mic bent over yet another dusty old scroll. "Morning Mic. "

Mic looked and smiled "Hey you" she swung around and put her feet up on the chair.

She sat, sipping her coffee. "So find anything interesting Mic?"

"Well kinda, seems that a long time ago our people and the Upiers were in fact on the same side, and the Upiers used to use us to feed off and it was like a mutual friendly arrangement and they used to protect us... but " Mic picked up another piece of old parchment "It seems one Romany girl did fall for a Upier and her Romany mate were captured with the Upier, and she had to save one and she saved the Upier, and the Romany man died, not to mention he was the son of a chief... so they banished the Upier forever... shit..." Mic exclaimed.

"And they've lied about the Upier ever since and turned them into monsters." Gia shook her head. "Why though? It’s obvious they aren’t."

"It appears so, I dunno why, I guess whatever they decided was just accepted through the generations and no one ever bothered to question it, till now..." Mic closed her eyes.
"God what are we going to do, I mean how are you and Richie you know? getting on" she asked her mind flittering back and forth to the possibilities of the situations.

Gia leaned back and took another sip of coffee. "Well I know I can't manage to stay mad at him. I should have been braining him with a pan after yesterday, but then last night happened, and well," She looked up at Mic confused, "Its gotta be the blood bond, all that he keeps saying. The intense connection he feels. He can't love me, shit he’s only 25 years old Mic. He’s a flipping rock star, women at his beck and call, traveling the world. What the hell is so special about me? Other than my damned blood. Hell I could have it bagged and sent to him on ice over night. He'd never need to see me."

Mic laughed "Yeah but even Richie would know that he didn’t have to hang around, you've given him so many outs to just have your blood and carry on and he's never taken them so that oughta tell you something, but I understand ya babe, they are just young guys.. and well.. I don't know if its possible to love so early.. but.." she trailed off deep in thought.

"I don’t know what to do Mic. Predisposed to be with ONE particular man, a man that until recently my own people claimed was evil. So many damned lies through our history. It's too easy to say "I love you," and it be a truth. God I bet he told every girl, every night "Love ya darlin." Its what he uses to get what he needs. What makes MY blood so fucking special?? what makes your energy so special?? I don't get it."

Gia twisted her cup round and round on the table, her eyes centered on the door the sleeping vamp lay behind. "It makes no sense."

"I know what you mean, what to believe now, apart from what is here, but is that even enough... I can't face knowing that he'll go off and be with other girls, Richie kinda has to but Jon? I can't stop him, he can feed that way too but technically he doesn’t have to, I feel sick thinking about it" she said looking into her coffee.

"You think it makes it easier knowing he chooses to have sex to feed? With his power of persuasion, if he'd exercise and practice he wouldn't need to. He's being a typical guy and getting his rocks off. There's bound to be other ways Mic. You think its easy just cuz i know he needs to feed?? It's not. I shouldn’t feel jealous, I shouldn’t care if he fucks 1 or 100, but dammit.." She sighed softly and looked into her cup wishing the answers were there in the dark coffee depths. "Makes it no less easy, I HAVE to be understanding." She looked up curiously, "Do you know when he’s, ya know, doing it with someone?"

She shook her head "No, I don't. The day they came here I could tell he'd been with someone, just the energy he had inside him, but when apart I have no idea, and he's Jon.. he's the fuckin lead singer, he's going to get offers all night long... never a shortage I am sure, and now with his energy he can do so much more with his powers with the girls I just bet" she shrugged. This was like an arranged marriage but worse, an arranged marriage where one party felt more than the other.

Gia blushed, "It's worse Mic, I can feel it, every time he ... I see and feel it in my dreams for god sakes, I can be walking down the sidewalk and feel the fucking orgasm. I can damn near heard it. Add my abilities to see and sense things in people? Its only heightened. I can close my eyes and watch it if I wanna, girl after girl, night after night, I can hear his grunts, his moans as the blood flows. Shit I can damn near TASTE it. Its..." she blinked back the tears, as she realized she'd admitted to more about the terror and torment she'd been through the last two months than she’d intended too. "Every single night, sometimes more than once. and I have a front row seat."

Next door in the bedroom Richie was lying, half asleep but his hearing was awake as he became aware before too late to pull away what the conversation the girls were having. His eyebrow winged to his forehead as he listened to Gia's explanation of how she felt and what she could see. It stunned Richie, as he had no idea that this had effected her so much, he was aware of the physical separation but not that she could actually see and hear what he was doing. He felt sick. How could he go on now knowing this, and every time he did this she would know and see it.

"Yet I know he needs it, and I could never ask him to NOT do anything Mic. There's no telling what not feeding could do to him. I can't travel with them, shit its not possible. You can't tell him ok? He's gotta be able to be normal. Its the least I can do for him. Shit he's saved my life twice. maybe more who knows, but if its what he needs what kind of woman would I be to expect him to NOT be what he was meant to be?" She glanced up at her friend. "What kinda human would I be?"

Mic nodded "Its ok I won't tell him" she said silently.

Everything about him answers something inside of me, but Mic? if there were a way to break the bond and free him? Id do it in a heartbeat, Id give him his freedom at any cost. If he's not bound, he could do whatever he wanted with no consequences. He'd be happy, He'd find another. You can't tell me that my DNA is the only match to his. In billions of people in the world that’s insane."

"Well I don’t know about that, it seems pretty concrete how this is set and chosen, so I guess there really is no other" Mic sighed and stood up, Gia's issues seemed so much more dire than her own and she still couldn’t make head nor tails or what was going on inside of her. She had the easy way to be bonded it seemed.

"Listen Gia, I need to get some air, but I will be back soon" she smiled sympathetically at her as she slipped out the door to take in the cool morning air.

Chapter 41

Richie put her feet down and moved closer to her. "I feel the same way, it all doesn’t matter anymore, we just gotta deal with it, and I will try and make it as easy for you as possible.. and, " he blushed a slight red, "the lying was really stupid, I guess I just didn’t want you to know, even though I know ya do.."

"I feel it, in some weird sort of way. When you are far away it feels like the brush of a dream, but I KNOW. I'm almost tempted to try it in reverse to see if you feel it."

Richie's eyes widened "Well I can't stop you...but just so you know, its never the samewith those women as it is with you and if I honestly didn’t have to feed.. I don’t think I would... but its just easier to lure them in"

A slender brow arched, "So you're saying its ok If I go find someone to screw?"

Richie gritted his teeth "I can't stop you, and its not fair if I tell you that you can't, but I don't have to like it" he admitted. His mind flicked to how bizarre this whole situation was. He knew he felt so close to her, but could he actually expect her to feel the same way to him.

She shook her head, "I don't want that, but I don't know how to fix this Richie. You're going to be gone a long time, you have no breaks in between gigs. I just.. I dunno how to fix that."

Richie sighed "I know darlin, I'd tell ya to come with me in a heart beat but we just don’t have that sort of cash, I guess we can just try and meet on my days off, we'll sort it out better this time, I promise, we have to, I cant go without you that long, and I don’t want to," he said as he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips, moving to her ear "I need you"

A heated sigh whispered over her lips, "I need you too, I just didn't wanna admit it."

Richie chuckled "Is it too soon to say I love you? I think I do..I mean I know its probably the bond...I dunno," he said as his lips trickled down her slender neck and across her shoulders.

A shiver raced over her spin at the feel of his lips. "Bonds do not form emotions, those come from the soul. I have read of bonds that existed when the people hated each other."

He murmured into her collar bone "Well there ya go darlin, maybe I do" he pushed her down further on the couch pressing his heat against her, his hands lifted her top up to reveal her flesh, as he rained kisses along her neck and over her shoulder.

She wiggled beneath him with a giggle. "Richieeeeeee there's a bed not 10 steps away..."

"I know but we're alone now..." he chuckled. A loud thud came from the far bedroom and muffed giggles. "Ok bed is good" he confirmed as he peeled himself off her and got up pulling her up as another loud thud echoed from the room.


She grinned a moment then winked, "Race ya," as she took off for the bedroom.

Richie laughed and in a blink of an eye he was reclining on the bed before she even got there. "Sorry what was that darlin?" he asked innocently

"HEY that’s cheating!" She jumped the last 2 feet and landed on him, giggling when he made a soft oooph sound. "and payback is so fun."

"Owwwwww" he crooned in a mock hurt.

She pressed a kiss against his chest as she straddled his waist and wiggled. "Awww is the poor vampy all hurt?"

"A little" he pouted as he pulled her up to meet his lips, his hands running down her back teasingly. Pushing her top up and over her head quickly he ran his hands across her breasts and brushed against her nipples.

She arched into his hands, her own hands sliding up to brace on his chest, "you have talented hands did ya know?"

Richie beamed "Uh huh, that’s not all I have darlin'," as his hands slid lower to unfasten her jeans. Slipping his long fingers under the lacy scrap of cloth she called panties he slowly brushed over her begging wetness.

She whimpered as his fingers slid under the denim and began to tease her into a higher plane of existence. "What else do ya have," was gasped out as a question, her hips lifting as the denim slid down and off her legs.

He reached down with his free hand and undid his own and pulled out his engorged member, pulling her hand down to grip it he chuckled. "This."

Her hand wrapped around his hardness and began to slide slowly up and down. "Ahhah and what else?"

He moaned as he leaned forward. She was making him insane as her soft hands caressed the soft skin on his now rigid shaft. The sensation had his fangs descending as he brushed them against her skin. Gently he hooked some of the lace in one finger and ripped it aside to reveal the heated moistness he inspired. With a smirk pleased at his task he licked her and sucked on her nipple flicking his tongue around it.

"Oh god," she bent into the sensation, her hair brushing over his chest, "That is just wickedly good."

He rolled over taking her with him, as he ended up on top of her, his lips still firmly attached to her breast. His hands fumbled with his own jeans and soon both were on the floor.

She looked up at him, a heated smile on her cupids bow lips. "My my, I’m suddenly down here."

He let out a soft growl, but this time it was one deep and husky filled with want and need."Uh huh" he dipped his head to kiss down her body down past her breasts over the flatness of her tummy and the line down her bikini line whispering over her bundle of heaven that was waiting for him. "Wont be needing these down here" he winked at her as his fangs receded again, and his tongue came snaking out to tickle her slits.

She bucked up against his lips moaning. "Oh god... "

Continuing to delve his tongue, teasing her nibbling at her centre lavishing every part of he could with his tongue.

She arched against his lips whining softly as his tongue teased her into insanity. "Richie... please"

He didn’t pull away this time, intent on her to cum, his thumb brushed against her clit, building her higher. "Come for me" he muttered into her slickness.

She arched and cried out as his thumb brushed over her hard nub. 'oh god Richie!'

Feeling her body shudder around him and satisfied she came, he sauntered back up her body and kissed her hard on the lips, her eyes sated and sleepy. "I ain’t finished yet" he parted her legs and lifted her leg over his hip as he easily slid into her.

She whimpered as his hard length slid past tender walls, her hips automatically arching up to meet him. Her hands slid over his back, caressing each muscle before sliding lower. "ya feel so good."

"Not as good as you do" he groaned as his concentration wrapped around her center as he thrust deeper into her. "Shit" he groaned.

She felt her soul catch fire as he moved deeper within. her blood began to sizzle as wave after wave of pulsing need began to build. "Need more Richie, please more."
Grunts and groans took him near his release, he was nearly there but content on driving her home. He lifted her hands above her head and pulled himself in deeper and deeper. "God, yesss darlin, yess"

One arm snaked up and wrapped around his neck, pulling his head to her as her head tilted in offer. "Please.. god please.. "

One final push and he drove them home, as his fangs found their solace in his place, only his place on her body, with the purest of thoughts he sipped he partook from her once again.

The slightest pinch turned into a raging river of passion as all thought, all rhyme all reason fled. She cried out, his name a sob on hitching breath as her body melted into his and became one wiht him. This was her place, her meaning in life. "Yesss.. god yessss Richie..."

Breathing his life back into hers he slumped down beside her, her breathing in time with his as they both fought to come back to the land of the living. He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. "You are sensational"

Shh giggled softly, "Your not half bad yourself." She turned and curled into his heat and shivered at the feel of silky sweat and man. "Mmmm I could stay here forever."

"Well you can, for two weeks" he chuckled as he pulled her close breathing in her sweeter than sugar scent.

She curled up next to him, her hand across his waist as her leg tangled into his, "Richie?"

"Uh huh?" he mumbled sleepily

"I'm not mad at you anymore." she smiled as her eyes closed, "Somehow I think I wont be able to hold onto a mad around you."

Richie chuckled. "Damn I am good" his hand tangled in her hair as he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 40

Richie chuckled "Nah darlin, don’t think like that," he looked out the window and hoped they weren’t too far from home. Finally Jon pulled into the driveway and they all scurried inside closing the door to the outside world firmly behind them.

Mic rushed to the first aid kit and her draw of elixirs selecting a good vitality one, Richie laid her on the couch as Jon went to see what he could do to help Mic.

She kept her eyes closed as the room began to whirl. "I just .. I didn't know he.. " She huffed softly and shut up, the fire in her shoulder all she could think of.

'Mic?!" Richie panicked as he watched her fade in his arms.

Mic rushed back in, her blond curls bouncing as she gave Richie the liquid to give to her. "You have to feed her, thin her blood and restore it with the good stuff" she turned to Jon. "Dr. Jonny I need you to do what you do best, she needs everything possible" she said touching his arm.

Gia muttered softly. "It's not that bad. I don't wanna drink no stinky elixirs." She opened her eyes to focus on Richie. "You make it sound like I'm dying or something, it was jut a tiny bite."

Mic stroked her forehead "Just trust me on this one girl, we cant risk an infection, look, I am going to drink one too, just to be on the safe side so we can tag team shot it" she winked.

Richie held her hand "Please darlin for me"

Something deep inside of her refused, and she knew it wasn't needed by instinct alone. "I'll make you a deal.." She hiccupped again and smiled. "if I'm wrong I'll drink all the stinky elixirs you want. ok?"

Richie sighed "Ok but you gotta take my blood ok?" he asked seriously.

She tried to reach up with her bad arm and almsot growled. "That was my deal. I .. have a feeling I wont need the elixirs."

Richie nodded "Ok babe, lets do this" Richie bit his wrist piercing the skin, and held it up to her mouth, pressing his lips against her forehead as he blood fell into her mouth.

Mic leaned back into Jon's arms as they watched, she knew she still had to take the elixir so she drank it as vile as it was and closed her eyes to let the liquid seep into her system.

Her lips fastened around the wounds he'd made and suckled gently, the slightest gasp vibrating her throat as the coppery sweet liquid filled her throat. She knew two such wounds shouldn't bleed that way, but understood somewhere inside of that this too was because of his will. She drank deeply for a moment then pulled away and laid back, her eyes open and startlingly clear and sober. "Well dammit thats one side effect I didn’t expect."

Richie smiled "You feel better?" he asked concern etching in his voice, his worry and pain had eased from his own body so that told him she would be coming around.

She took his chin in the palm of her good hand and angled it so he could watch her shoulder. "You tell me."

Richie's eyes widened "Well I'll be god damned" he said running his finger across where the wound moments ago was clear and fresh, and now it was as if it never existed.

Mic gasped "Gia, what the hell? How did you do that?" she asked excitedly.

Gia shook her head, "I didn’t do it."

"You must of babe, without realizing it, when a mate is bonded sometimes their abilities enhance, this must be yours babe, how exciting, I mean it had to be something big considering who you are and all" she grinned. "I guess mine is wish magic" she winked at Jon with a naughty grin.

Gia shook her head again. "It wasn't me. It.. well... I dunno how I knew I just knew, but his blood can do that for me."

"Well its still something babe, but hell that was a little freaky, how the hell did we run into two Upiers in one night, I mean I haven’t ever seen one around these parts," Mic pondered.

Gia snorted and muttered, "Maybe there’s a convention in town."

Mic laughed "Maybe, I dunno about everyone, but I could use a hot drink before bed, anyone else want one?" as she stood up.

Gia shook her head, "I've had a warm drink, that’s’ not exactly what I want before bed now."

Richie shook his head "No thanks sweetheart, I'm just fine."

She turned to Jon "Now caffeine junky I know you want one," she teased

Jon grinned and nodded. "I'll even help you baby." He glanced back and clearly read Gia's gaze. "I so do not wanna be in here any way."

Mic chuckled "Why what ya see?" she asked as they walked into the kitchen

Jon snorted, "I get the feeling his blood reacts on her the way my energy does on you. Does that explain things?"

Mic looked back and sure enough Gia's gaze was clearly sending the signals Jon was taking about. "Well shit, lets get the coffee and get outta here, I don’t wanna hear or see it, besides.." she ran her hands down his back and cupped his ass."I'm thinking that maybe now I'm feeling.. I dunno..." as she leaned into his chest feeling his warmth and energy bubbling inside.

Jon laughed and grabbed the cups of coffee and led the way to her bedroom. "Yeah and you can wish up all the soundproof walls you want baby, I so don’t wanna be listening in this time."

"Glad I have your permission, hmm I wonder if I can wish things bigger..." she teased as they walked into the bedroom shouting out good night to the others.

Gia lay back on the couch cushions and studied the man sitting beside her. So much unresolved, so much to learn and she had no idea where to start. "so, tell me about you."

He sat back and grinned "Well my name is Richie Sambora, and I come from Jersey, only child, two parents, pretty normal upbringing, till I was a vampire..."

She snorted, "You call being a rock star normal?"

"Yeah, well that's only just happened, met that asshole a few years ago and bam here I am, Dunno what will happen in the future but we will see I guess... it takes a lot to get used to, its not all ritz and glamour like they portray it, what bout you?" he asked as he propped her feet in his lap and began to massage them.

Daughter of the Rom Baro*, Grew up in the caravan, but when I hit 18, I wanted to be independent. Even then I felt something was off about the customs and history. Mic felt the same way I did so we left the clan to live alone. and well here I am, a few years later living proof history is a lie."

Richie raised his eyebrow "Wow, you two are quite the rebels, no wander Kidd and I drawn to you both" he snorted "Although we're really not that bad underneath all the stuff"

"I couldn't figure this out, I mean why me right? A total stranger to you, but then tonight you came, and suddenly it didn't matter." she sighed softly, "I can't change what you are, or the fact you need certain things that might be beyond the norm in a relationship, but don't lie about it too me. Lies only make me wonder." She studied the tall length of him, her eyes finally meeting his. "Can't say I'm thrilled about certain parts of it, but as long as you make me forget it will be ok."


*Rom Baro loosely translated in Romany means Big romany.. or the leader ofthe clan

Chapter 39

Gia felt Mic's jolt of pain and whimpered, her hand moving up to hold her neck tighter. "Woah girlie you just sit down." She watched as Mic hit the chair and laid her head on the small table. Suddenly the drink didn’t seem so important, hell nothing but sitting did. "Ya know Mic I don’t feel so good."

Mic looked up from the table the pain seeping into her head. "It will be the bite Gia, just try and remain still babe." Mic suddenly felt sleepy, and tried valiantly to signal Jon as this energy inside her was sucking her dry.

Something wasn't right with Mic, even in her state of drunken beyond belief she could see it. The sparkly aura around Mic was flickering wildly. Forcing herself into a standing position she reached for the empty bottle on the table and walked towards the man Jon was holding. "Excuse me a moment?" She tapped the odd man on the shoulder and as he twisted to growl she let it fly right into his face. "Go to sleep now."

Richie wanted to send this bastard to meet his maker, he’d dared to touch his Gia, hell he’d dared to taste what was only his. He growled "Never fuckin bite her again ya hear? What the hell are you thinking you piece of shit!" Richie yelled in his face. Stefan tried to wrestle from his grip. "She was begging me for it, something about your bite being too weak, she wanted a real man," he smirked.

Richie's temper blew at the words, "Fuckin liar," he spat as he tightened his grip on his neck. "I want to fuckin' kill you," he growled. Never in his life had he felt the way he did right now. In an instant Richie bit down on his neck and began pulling the man’s very life force in. The man screamed in pain as he struck out with his claws, his fangs descending as he started to gnash them Richie’s way.

"Yo, Jon! A little help here bro, I need ya energy!" Richie scrambled to hold onto the vamp that had to have been a bit older, holding him was becoming impossible.

Jon dropped the unconscious vamp and grinned. Spitting into his palms he rubbed them together and walked over, slapping his hands against the man’s head. "Be my pleasure Bro."

Gia wavered again, then turned to the Bar. "DAVIE boy, Gimme a double!" She growled internally about stupid vampires that had to fight when Mic was hurt. Well hell if they wouldn’t notice she’d let them know. Taking a deep breath she called as loudly as possible, "JONNNY MIC'S HURTING!!" She turned to her drink and lifted it slowly taking a sip, uncaring of the blood seeping into her dark sweater. Not like anyone would notice unless they were close, hell even the one who could read her like a book was so busy he hadn’t noticed.

Turning she moved back to Mic and sat down, then slid off the chair onto the floor. "Well Mic, we have us a couple of winners huh?"

Mic just nodded; the pain was becoming unbearable, but she knew the guys were dealing with the scum, so she could wait. "Your bite Gia..." she managed to whimper out.

"Ehh whats a couple of holes? She tilted her head and yelled again. "I KNOW you hear me Jonny. Mic needs you dammit!" She laid her head back down and closed her eyes. She couldn’t tell Mic of the pain the bite caused, or the damage racing through her system. She could feel it as veins started to collapse. Stupid vampire, had acid or something in his blood and it was turning her into one big ball of pain.

Jon glanced over and saw the pallor on Mic's face and cursed. That vamp had done something to her. Dropping his hands he ran to the table and placed his lips on the top of her head and concentrated on what was going on inside of her.

When he saw the curled ball of mixed energy he inhaled and pulled it into his body, his hand reaching out to connect with the one Richie was still holding only to send it into him. "Fuckers better learn to not mess with my woman."

Mic finally felt relief as he pulled whatever the hell it was out of her head. Resting a minute as his new energy seeped into her she felt instantly better.

Richie using Jon's energy obliterated the man that was under him and sent his soul to the shallow depths of hell. As his life flickered out of him Richie snarled."That's what you get for fucking with things that aren’t yours asshole"

From a darkened corner of the bar eyes went wide in shock. Not only was Michaela seemingly involved with a Upier, but damned if the Rom Baro's own daughter was involved somehow. There were four vampsin the city and the girls were right in the middle of it. Had they denied all the teachings of their people? He'd have to report now for sure.

Gia whimpered softly, as she felt a surge of anger sweep over her. Fuck everything was hurting as it was, she didn’t need that too.

Richie stood up from the ground satisfied his job was done and looked around the bar, he knew they had to get out of here and fast before people recognized them and anyone saw what they truly were. He skittered over to where the others were and rushed to Gia seeing the blood weeping from her shoulder.
"Darlin are you ok?" he asked softly.

She cracked one eye open and laughed. "I'm just peachy. Gonna buy me a neon sign yep yep."

Richie looked at Jon who was still soothing Mic "We need to get out of here bro, you ok with that? She ok?" Richie asked.

Jon nodded and scooped Mic into his arms. "She's gonna be ok now."

Richie nodded and did the same to Gia "Come on girl lemme take you home and fix you up," scooping her into his own arms.

Her nose wrinkled as bleary emerald eyes peered up at him. "I'm still mad at you."

Richie pressed his lips on her forehead and whispered "I know darlin, and you can have it out with me when you're better I promise, I was a jerk, I know I was." They quickly exited the bar and finding the car they hurriedly slipped into his safe interior, Jon opting to drive as Mic was still a little dazed in her recovery.

Richie slid in the back seat as he cradled Gia on his lap, slipping the sweater off her shoulder he carefully checked out the offending vamp's bite and gasped, she'd been almost hacked by his teeth. He could still see the nearly venom like blood seeping from the wound. Wrinkling his nose he nearly blanched as he scented the near acid like properties in the dead vampire’s bite. Leaning down he placed his lips over her bite and gently began to attempt to suckle away the poison, fear and hurt.

She shuddered and whimpered at the feel of lips on the wound. "Dammit that hurts, why's it hurt?"

Lifting his head, his lips fresh with her blood and whispered gently, "Just getting the bad stuff outta ya, and then we’ll will have to put some good stuff back in darlin.” His head dipped again as his tongue trickled over the wound seamlessly taking away the bleeding.

She hiccupped and wanted to cry. Every time he came he was on rescue duty. "I just wanted to .. dammit every time you see me you have to rescue me." She shivered again , her body feeling the coolness of the car intensely. "Gotta stop doing that dammit."

Chapter 38

Gia winked at the tall pale man as he set another drink in front of her. "If I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to get me drunk."

Stefan grinned and shook his head, his slight European accent teasing and kind as he reached out and pulled her into his body. "My name is Stefan sweet lady and all I want is a dance."

Gia started to laugh then whirled to the dance floor, the alcohol taken in over the past five hours had shut down all thought processes. "Let's Dance!"

Stefan pulled her in close to her, her scent floating into his nose, just as he suspected she was a life mate of another vampire, but he easily could taste the discontent that she was radiating, her bond with him was fresh and she was unsure of something. He twirled her out and then back into his body, his lips pressing on her hair. "You're a little wildcat baby," he whispered.

She dipped and swayed in the dance, her eyes closing as she lost herself in the music. There were no problems, no lying mates, nothing but teh music and moving with it. "You say the sweetest things Stefan."

"Well you deserve it baby... you deserve to be treated like a goddess," he purred in her ear as he leaned in and licked it.

She shivered and stepped back a pace, her words slightly slurred. "Hey now, dancing is ok, licking not so much."

"Oh no, come on baby, you look so delicious almost good enough to eat" he teased as his fangs started to inch from his mouth.

She wavered as the last drink began to overload her system, a sweet laugh escaping her. "Dancing only, I just wanna dance." She twirled, ready to dance away from the green eyed man. "I'm not interested in other stuff Stefan."


He grabbed onto her arm. "Well I am, so sorry honey looks like you don’t have a choice tonight, I need what I need, and something tells me you can provide," his eyes flashed a deep red before his smirk revealed two very jagged fangs.

Her eyes grew wide as the fangs began to show. She tried to rip herself from his arms, as the stupid thought that she did have that neon glowing sign on her head "I am NOT interested at being your appetizer jackass." She pulled again trying to escape. "Let me go or I'll scream bloody murder."

She struggled harder, as his grasp tightened and he pulled her closer inch by inch. Her heart tightened in her chest as the whimpered plea whispered in her head..."Richiiieee..."

The three of them entered the bar which was full of locals and a band playing in the corner. Mic looked around the room as her eyes fell on Gia who was dancing with a sleezy looking man with short hair and buggy eyes. She was about to alert the others but Richie had already honed in on them.

Richie saw the man on her and he felt the terror in Gia's mind. He was different, not like a human, why couldn’t he read him as clearly and it was then that Richie saw white fangs slip from his mouth. "Holy hell!" he exclaimed frozen to the ground.

She tried to get away, and felt herself being twisted and lips whispering over her neck. Raising her foot she stomped down on his instep. "Let me go!"

He pulled her closer to his body "I'd like to see you try baby," as all his strength held her close to him, he moved her top down off her shoulder and in one slight move sank his teeth into her.

Goddamn it hurt. She cried out softly, even as his hand went across her mouth to muffle the sound. Jesus Christ it felt like red hot pokers being sent through her blood. Her knees began to waver as he pulled hard against her vein, draining more quickly than she'd felt herself lose before.

Richie stood watching the scene unfold, blood red anger flowed through his body as he watched in horror as the strange vampire bit down on his Gia’s shoulder. Richie cringed as he felt evil pain shoot through his body and felt Gia’s inner cries, but soon concentrated it all into blood thirsty rage as he flew across the room at lightning speed, a loud growl roaring from him. Knocking Gia out of the way and the offending vampire to the floor he went to his knees, his hands at the vampire’s neck.

She gasped as the wind left her body, the roar of rage vibrating in her ears. "What, did she taste bad or something? He'd just tossed her like a rag.

Mic leapt over to Gia and crouched down beside her. "Gia, Jesus Christ are you ok?" she dragged her friend to the side away from the now brawl that looked like it was about to break out, as Jon followed Richie.

"Miiiiiiiicccccccccccccccc heyyyyy girl whatcha doin here?" Gia looked up blurrily, the fumes echoing off her small frame. "Is my neon sign still on?" her voice twanged with a way too many tequilas slur.

Mic rolled her eyes as she realized she was drunk as a skunk.
"How much have you had to drink, Richie came to save you-" just as she was cut off by a loud growling sound as the two vampires came to blows.

Richie leaned all his body weight on the ugly son of a bitch. "What the FUCK do you think you are doing?" he yelled holding him to the ground but his throat.

Gia held up her hand in a just this much gesture. "Just a lil bit Miccccckie.. wanted to relax." She glanced up looking over her head. "Stupid fucking neon sign.. its still glowing."

"Honey focus, its me that’s glowing because, well never mind wake up and we gotta move as I don't wanna get in the middle of all that" Mic said looking over to where Jon was helplessly standing trying to pull Richie off the other man, with not much success, Mic looked down at her shoulder which had a healthy bleed dripping from the tear in her shoulder. "Shit Gia" Mic pulled off her cardigan off and placed it on her shoulder.

"Girl can't even get a drink in this town without being sipped FROM. Where's the justice?" She reached over for a chair and tried to pull herself up, her eyes following the noise and seeing Jon holding some odd guy and Richie snarling at Stefan. "Jeez, Hope he kills that jackass." She wavered and took a step towards the bar, seriously considering another drink. "Want one Mickie?"

Mic looked over at the scene, still very concerned what the hell was gonna happen but if she could get Gia away from it and if that meant the bar so be it.
"Sure babe, make mine a double" Mic said looking over them with a worried glance towards Jon, and who the hell was he holding now?

Jon grabbed the man trying to sneak up behind Richie and took a big shock for doing it. Oh it was another psi vamp, and his energy was singing. Snarling softly into the man's ear, everything inside of him wanted to send every ounce of killing energy his way. "Thought you'd get involved and help your friend? I DONT think so."

Giorgio stared into the man's blue eyes and that's when he saw it, a way to make the blue eyed one stop. Glancing over to where the blond was feebly trying to help her friend to the bar, Giorgio send a path of energy her way right into her mind.

As the pain came through her head Mic winced holding her temple as it whipped right through her, the oddest sharpest feeling.

Chapter 37

Jon laughed and pulled her closer, his lips sliding over salty wet skin. " I think I found a new reason to love the beach."

Mic sighed into his shoulder, part of her wanted to stay out her forever with him, where things were so simple and it was just about them being together. Back on the shore lay a bundle of thoughts, life after this, him back on tour being who he was, girls lining up for him. A slight pang of jealously ripped through her but she soon dismissed it. "I need you Jon, I need you right now" her voice become husky and her eyes brightened with the desire building inside of her.

Jon lifted her from the water and quickly made his way back to the blanket. Kneeling he laid her down and hovered over her, as one hand quickly undid the ties on her bathing suit. Dipping down his lips began to slide along her salty skin and tasted her gently inch by precious inch.

He groaned as her slender fingers pushed at the waist of his board shorts. As the air hit his hardness he twisted forward, buried himself within the velvet glove of her walls and began to pump. "Now that’s what i call beach fun."

Mic’s hands slid down his back coaxing him further into her as she met each of his thrusts with a soft scream. Her lips dipped further down to brush across his soft fur and licking his taut nipples as she did releasing her own special brand of energy through them.

He groaned as the connection opened between them and emotions and energy began to swirl between them, brightening the very area surrounding them. His hips rotated faster as his thumbs began to brush over her nipples. Oh god baby... what you do to me."

Mic threw her head back, all the pleasure and feeling washed in a flood of emotion. The calloused skin of his thumbs on her breasts sent her plunging into the abyss of pure unadulterated light. Her release sailed off her lips in a primal scream.
He drilled into her one final time as her named dripped from his lips like a song. Slowly lowering himself he quickly put her suit to rights and pulled his own shorts up. "Definitely how to spend a day at the beach." His smile was lazy but brilliant as his body leveled back into a normal state, his soul and needs sated.

Mic giggled as she quickly pulled a tee-shirt on. "You keep saying that, seems like its something we'll have to do again" she said as she reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips to sedate the energy in her body.

They both spent the next couple of hours lazing on the beach talking, learning more about each other's lives, Jon's before the band, and Mic's up till now, sharing the food, laughing and just enjoying the simplicity of their relationship as it was now.

As the sun began to set they headed back to the car and decided it was time to return to reality and see what their counterparts were up to. Hopefully Gia had come to her senses and returned home to talk to Richie. As Jon pulled into the driveway she leaned across and kissed him gently, her kiss lingering on his lips.
"I really enjoyed today babe" so much more she could of said but didn’t.

He returned the kiss and pulled back with a quip. "Next time your driving. I won't do San Diego madness again."

Mic laughed "It was one way to learn, as hopefully you'll keep coming back" she winked as they grabbed their bags and headed inside.

He crowded in on her and wrapped his arms around her from behind as she opened the door. "Oh I'll keep coming back for more than driving lessons."

She smiled as the small spark of hope flickered through her. She knew he would come back as he needed her, but she wanted him to come back because he wanted her.

As they walked in the house was deathly quiet, except a dark figure that was sunk in the chair in the corner, mulling silently.

"What's he doing?" Mic whispered to Jon.

Jon blinked, seeing something he never usually saw. "I'd call it brooding, but Richie never was a brooding type." He stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Yo King, Why so silent?"

Richie had sat there for five hours straight, waiting for a sign of her to return, a sign of her in his mind, but nothing came, not a thing. Over and over the scene played in his mind, his actions from the last month, the girls, the bites, her... it was all a facade, the only truthfulness in this was her.

Cursing himself for his lie to her, why couldn’t he just have been honest. She wasn’t stupid, she knew his lifestyle. Lost in his thoughts a Jersey accent brought him back to life in a flash, looking up into bright blue eyes of his friend, and glancing at Mic he nodded.

"She's still not back, she didn’t have to work today, I knew that and I still let her go dammit, I still let her walk out of here and now I don’t know where the fuck she is," his voice rising in the room.

"She's been gone ALL this time man?" Jon quizzed, "She was angry, but fuck, she shoulda been back by now right Mic?" He turned to his woman with the question in his eyes and on his tongue.

Mic nodded silently thinking about her friend and where she usually went when things turned to the crapper. "Ah, I do have an idea... there is a bar we usually frequent, and normally when one of us was pissed or down we'd drag each other along," she explained thinking that this is exactly where Gia was.

Jon glanced at Richie, who still sat this as still as a statue. "Ok man what is it?"

Richie shook his head "I dunno man, something’s just very off, I can't explain it" his hand rose to his chest and he breathed in. He looked back into Jon's eyes."I think we need to go to the bar" he confirmed, something odd was pulling him there. But not something good.

Jon nodded, "Give us five minutes to get outta this sandy shit man. We have five minutes right?'

Richie nodded "Yeah five minutes," his senses brought him back to life as he eyed the ruffled look on both of them. A slight grin slipped on his lips. "What the hell have you been doing?"

"Went to the beach man, you know me and salt water."

Richie snorted "Yeah I do," noting the contented look in Mic's eyes.
"Go get outta here, ya making me sick" he lightly joked to try and calm himself.

Jon took Mic's hand and pulled her towards the bedroom. "We better hurry, he’s really on edge."

Mic nodded "I don't have a good feeling about it, something’s stale in the air," she said as they both quickly shared the shower and re dressed before heading to the door.

"Come on Rich, lets get ya there" Mic said as she grabbed her purse.

Richie rose from the chair and followed the two of them out to the car. Not noticing the small looks and playfulness between them as the drove to the bar, his mind was completely zoned somewhere else. He felt eerily calm, as if before a storm.

Jon's gaze kept flickering back to the silent man in the backset. He was too still, way too still for Richie. This wasn’t good at all.

Chapter 36

She left the music store a couple of hours later, her anger beginning to simmer on high as she continued to chase the happenings of the morning in her mind. She wasn't ready to go back and face him, her te'sorthene, her ever loving blood drinking, stubborn as hell mate. She knew Mic wanted to go bowling, knew Jon would enjoy it, but she didn't want to face Richie yet.

Turning to the left out of the parking lot she headed towards Da Bar. No time like the present to wash away her worries. As she pulled in she breathed a sigh of relief to see it wasn't too crowded today. Slipping from the car she walked in and leaned against the bar. "HEY MICK!!"

Mick glanced up and grinned. One of his regulars and she looked pissed. "DOUBLE SHOT night Gia?"

"Damn straight and keep 'em coming."


~~~~~~~~~~

Jon stood and shook his head. Reaching for Mic's hand he pulled her up and started towards the bedroom. "Come on baby, we have things to do."

Mic nodded "Yeah we do, you sure you want to come to a dingey old bookstore with me" she laughed as she followed him into the bedroom.

"Baby anywhere you go has gotta be fun. Besides I ain't staying here with Mr thwarted vamp."

Mic laughed "Hell yeah, he's going to stew all day I think, I'm kinda glad our connection is a little more stable" she pulled out some clothes.
"Anything I need to take? for after the book shop? its such a nice day out there" she said.

"How about a blanket, sunscreen and a bathing suit baby? I feel the need for sun." Jon winked as he watched her get ready. "We'll pick up soem take out for lunch."

"Sounds like a plan stud" she said as she threw the essentials in a bag and grabbed her bathing suit fastening it on under her clothes.
"No peaking" she teased as she tied the top half around her neck.

He twisted and watched unabashedly as she dressed. "Ya got something different I haven’t already seen?"

Mic snorted "No I guess not, just not used to be so naked around a man" she admitted.

"You slept naked in a bed, I made love to your naked body, I’m a man, you were pretty used to that baby." He grinned and winked as she walked towards him. "Let’s go get your business done.

Her cheeks deep crimsoned "Yeah well, as I said, I'm not used to it, before you honey, always been a bit of a loner" she said as smiled heading out the door.

He followed behind her, his gaze centered on the small of her back. There was just something about the sway of her hips he couldn't resist. Today was gonna be a good day. Those hips and a bathing suit promised fun.

Mic and Jon headed to the bookstore, after Mic convinced him to drive in San Diego which he obliged, after nearly two minor accidents and laughs they made it.
After talking with Giselle and introducing Jon, Mic found what she needed, some ancient texts from the Romany from a long time ago she needed to translate and study. She stored them safely in the trunk before climbing and Jon headed for beach. The sun was out, and the day promised to be a good one, she stole a glance sideways of him driving and softly singing along to the Beatle’s track that was playing while his long sandy hair blew in the breeze.

Pulling into a free parking space he switched off the car adn grinned. "Lets go sun worship baby."

"Sounds good to me" Slipping on her sunglasses and swinging her bag over her shoulder she climbed out of the car, Jon slung his arm around her waist low as they trundled down the beach away from the crowds. Finding a spot away from everyone they plopped down in the sand and Jon rummaged through the bag of food that they'd picked up on the way. "What ya got in there gorgeous?" she asked.

Jon chuckled, "Oh sandwiches, beer, chips, standard beach food baby." He flopped back and spread his arms out a huge sigh escaping him. "Now this is the life."

She stole a chip from the bag and ate it thoughtfully watching him with a grin spreading across her face. She reached out and and grabbed a little handful of sand and in one quick motion shoved in down his board shorts.

"HEY!" Jon bolted up adn growled, "That's not an area for sand paper products." Standing up he swiftly scooped her into his arms and started towards the water. "Someone needs to learn what happens when they are naughty."

She shrieked with laughter as he carried her out towards the water. "Noooo, its good for the skin, a nice scrub didn’t ya know" she tried to get out in between fits of laughter.

"And with all good scrubs you need a good rinse." He waded in to his waist and started to count. "One...... Two.... Three!" On the final three he swung her out and let go.

She screamed as she hit the salty water, thankfully it wasn't as cold as she anticipated. Surfacing quickly she squealed. "You so die for that Jonny Boy, so die" she said flicking her hair and wading towards him as she pounced on his back wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist trying desperately to tip him. "I wish you were as wet as I am right now" she teased.

The skies opened up suddenly as a downpour coated them both in rain water. Jon glanced at her scowling as he began to shake his hair, the water whipping from its dripping ends. "Let's discuss the usage of the word WISH around me baby."

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply before taking her arms in hsi hands. Pushing carefully he began to dunk her, a soft warming energy flowing from his hands to her. "Wonder if I can electrocute someone this way?"

Mic shuddered as the electric jolts tingled all the way down her body to her spine, sending her hairs standing on end. She whimpered as the feeling was both pleasurable and concerning. "Ok ok, you win, I wont use it, well try too" a mischievous grin broke out on her face.

His hands slid from her arms to her waist as one hand dipped lower and slid along her thighs before one finger slid under the bathing suit bottom. "I always win Baby."

Mic whimpered as his finger found its way through the salty water and into her.
"Its because you play dirty" she gasped holding onto his waist. Her own hands slid down the front of his board shorts as she cupped him gently.

He pulled her tighter and waded further out, his fingers never leaving the moist center they were teasing. As the water grew cooler in the deeper water his fingers slid home and began to pump slowly, as he sent pleasure after pleasure through his finger tips.

As the cooler water washed around her, her arms wound around his neck holding her body upright, the heat and pleasure radiating off his fingers sending her senses into frenzy. "Jonnnn" she cried as her nails dug into his back, concentrating she lifted her head to meet his lips in a sizzling kiss, sending her own shocks onto his soft lips.

They were unaware of a set of probing eyes watching them from the shore, curious about the blinding light that the couple canoodling in the sea were causing. Squinting closer Glen was sure that his eyes had fallen on a PSI Upier and his te'sorthene. Shielding his eyes further his horror revealed to him the identity of that mate, Mic Davies, one of his own kinds. He shook his head and noted how heated and close they were, he immediately knew he had to report back to the elders as soon as possible, but before he did that, he’d just watch them for awhile, after all where ONE was another was sure to be. It would secure his place in the clan if he could help rid the world of such evil.

Chapter 35

Gia snorted and shook her head, "guess that depends on whose doing the catching." She turned her head to look and Mic and Jon. "So what you all up for doing today?"

Mic shrugged looking at Jon "I hadn’t really thought about it, what are you doing?" she asked Jon as she had no idea even how long there were here.

Jon glanced at Richie, "Well King? What are we doing for two weeks?"

"Well I know what I am doing and that’s staying right here, dunno about you, you can please yourself" he grinned.

Gia's nose wrinkled slightly, "King?"

Richie shaded a little "Yeah its my nickname, as on tour, well I had to... feed alot so the guys thought I was... you know" he explained.

Gia shook her head, "Right, and you so didn’t have sex with ANY of them."

"Not many" he lied as he looked at Jon for back up.

Jon's brow arched slightly as he watched the girl in Richie's arms go stiff. "ahhh yeah, he only fed."

Gia glanced at Jon then looked back up at Richie and slowly slid out of his grasp. "So only I have to tell the truth. Ya know gorgeous, bonds work both ways??" She turned and walked quickly to the bedroom and slammed the door. "AND YOUR SLEEPING ON THE COUCH," was yelled clearly through the now shut door.

Richie just watched wide eyed "Whaaa I do?" he asked.

Mic shook her head, "Um Richie she can tell when you lie too you know, it works both ways you know" she explained with a grin.

Richie gulped "Shit" he muttered.

Jon leaned his head back and roared. "Ass caught by the revolving door. Man when will you learn?"

"Don’t you laugh, you're not exactly that innocent either" she teased.

His head turned as blue eyes twinkled, "I never claimed to be baby."

"Well shit, she had to have known, she was the one that accused me of it for fucks sake" Richie sighed.

Jon shook his head, "Thinking it, and wanting to hear the truth are two different things my man. She wanted to see if you'd lie. YOU were the one screaming about honesty here."

She paced in the bedroom, her thoughts racing. He was her te'sorthene* there was no doubt about that. It was being proven over and over. He could smell when she lied, could feel her pain. Why didn't he understand it went both ways? He screamed for honesty, then turned around and lied.

It was bad enough to have to live with the fact he'd be living off other humans, and it sucked to know he would be in bed with more than one woman every night of his life bar the nights he was with her, but he didn't have to lie about it.

"Fuck you Kidd, I did it to protect her, shit, I don’t wanna brag around her," Richie said eyeing the bedroom door sensing her unrest behind it.

Jon rolled his eyes, "Since when is being honest bragging jackass?"

Mic looked at him and smiled "Ah yes Richie but what you gotta know is that Gia has a small thing about lying, she's never stood for it, and now that it looks like we've been lied to all this time about the Upier, and Richie, she knew of your activities, she had visions you know, she accepts it, she doesn’t care.. you just cant lie to her" Mic explained the complexity of the whole damn situation was near enough mind boggling, she had so much more work to do so many things needed to be figured out and resolved and her head hurt thinking about it. She leaned into Jon and sighed.

Jon’s eyes closed as he felt the niggle of a headache threatening. He tilted his head as he considered the possibilities. Could he draw that from her? Reaching up he feathered a finger over her temple, his mind centering on the pain he felt. Brushing over her skin gently he willed her pain away slowly, and sent warmth and relief through the brief feather light touches.

Mic closed her eyes and opened them in relief feeling the headache subside as his finger left her skin. Opening her eyes meeting his, she smiled and leaned in for a light kiss. "Thank ya honey, that’s a neat trick"

He leaned in and brushed his lips over her ear. "Just call me Dr. Jonny."

"I'll remember that" she chuckled turning her gaze back to Richie.

He shook his head "I fucked up didn’t I?" he asked the room.

Jon flicked a glance back to the bedroom door. "Lets see Bro, She’s in there, you're in here, the door is shut between ya. I'd have to give you a qualified YES! on that question." He shook his head. "I guess you wanna see how comfy this couch is tonight."

Gia stared at the door a few minutes longer. Well fuck him he wasn't gonna come in and explain, and she wasn't gonna hide in here much longer. Moving to the closet she opened the door and rambled through her clothes searching for that perfect top to make her point. Finding it towards the back she pulled it off the hanger and swiftly pulled it over her head. "Take that Fang Boy."

Turning to the door she opened it and stepped out and moved to the living room. Moving to her favorite chair by the window she sat and turned her gaze on Mic. "So Mic, Which place did you need to go for research today?"

Richie took the hint she was going to ignore him as he silently watched her in her ridiculous turtleneck sweater.

Mic looked up at her friend tucking herself under Jon's arm. "I was going to go to the old bookstore downtown you know the lil one hidden out the back by that Chinese place, it has some really old texts, maybe... I could always meet up with you wherever ya'll go"

Gia smiled. "Ahhh, tell Gisele I said hiya." She glanced at Jon and grinned, "You going with?"

Jon nodded, "Not letting her get outta my sight babe. Who knows we might end up somewhere else before the day is over."

Gia laughed and shook her head, "Oh I bet. Well I guess I'll go see what’s going on at work."

Richie shook his head and kept his small smile to his lips. He knew she didn’t have to work, he'd heard it all through the wall. "Have a nice day at work won’t ya darlin" he winked at her with a sly grin.

Mic nodded "I will say hi to Gisele for ya, maybe the four of us should meet up somewhere later?" she suggested hoping that some fun might be on he cards for them all, as they needed it.

Gia stood and nodded. "Right then. I'll see ya when I see ya Mic. You and Jon well you have fun today." She turned towards the kitchen. "Just gonna get my keys and I'll be outta your hair. "Richie, house is yours, have fun. Just if you wanna find a girl please God get a motel room." She sauntered casually from the living room to the sound of Jon's laughter.



*te'sorthene —In Romany it means bonded generally by heart or spirit. We are taking this to the vampire bonding level for this story.. the te’sorthene being the bonded life mate)