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)

Chapter 34

Jon glanced at Mic and shrugged. "Lets go see if they killed each other. It got too quiet." He grabbed her hand and started towards the living room only to stop. "Good grief."

Mic just watched on at Gis'a fascination with the vampire in front of her. "Well least they aren't dead"

Richie felt her fingers slide across them lightly. "I have no idea darlin, that's a mystery to me why they don't hurt."

"So you don’t think about how to make it feel good for the girl? You just go hello neck and Bite?" Gia shook her head, "there's gotta be more too it."

"Well I mean I try not to hurt the person, and concentrate on what I feel and what I need, and the sensation that comes from it, I guess a little like controlling thier mind maybe" he pondered.

She glanced up at Mic and Jon, "So if you wanted it to hurt it would hurt?"

Richie nodded "I guess I could do that, I haven’t really ever tried, I mean in anger I can let my fangs down, so I can only assume that I can bit in anger as well"

"Not talking about if you're angry baby." She tilted her head, her hand moving up to brush her hair away. "Don't think about it feeling good. Time to see what those teeth can do."

Richie raised his eyebrow "What? I am not to going to make it hurt on you, no way"

"You'd rather try this on Jon or Mic then?" She smiled reassuringly. "Best its on someone who understands, so BITE me, and don’t concentrate on pleasing yourself or the person."

"I am not trying it on anyone I care about darlin, no way, you're not getting hurt from me" he said stubbornly

She pushed off the floor and stood, her eyes sweeping over him as they began to glitter. "Ahh right, only YOU know what’s best. Well you don't wanna find out what you can do outside of a bed. i get it. Good thing you'll last longer than me right? " She reached behind her and quickly turned the doorknob. "Let's see how long I hold out this time." Throwing the door open she turned and ran like hell down the street."

"Oh for fucks sake," he rolled his eyes and followed her outside and ran after her at lightning pace. "Come back here right now," he was on her before he finished talking, his long fingers wrapping around her wrist. "Don't be ridiculous" he snapped his eyes blazing.

Jon glanced at Mic and shook his head. "She's fucking nuts."

Gia twisted and fought against his hold. "Either you trust me or ya don’t. You have shit to figure out and its either with me or well with whatever you choose. But I REFUSE to be a fucking burden!"

Richie gripped her wrist harder "You want me to trust you, well fuckin fine" he lifted her wrist to his mouth and punctured the vein there, all the energy and fire of the argument behind the bite that she had so loudly requested.

Pain jerked through her nerve endings and flowed like fire into her system. Razor blades, it felt like razor blades scraping over each inch of her bone structure, digging in and twisting as it ran from wrist to brain. Reaching out with one hand she braced herself against his chest, as her face screwed up into a grimace. She'd asked for this, she'd take it until he pulled away, but holy fucking Jesus it hurt, it hurt like hell.

She took it, as her face paled to alabaster, a soft whimper finally escaping her after what seemed like hours, her body slowly starting to crumble as her knees weakened.

He finally pulled away and held her close to his body. "See why I didn’t want to do it, it hurt didn’t it?" he asked softly.

She gathered her scattered wits to her and glanced up with a half grin, "Well now we know one thing, if you ain’t thinking about making it good it hurts like hell."

"Well least I know if I ever have to use it, I guess, sorry it hurt so much darlin" he soothed her close to his body.

"Hurt? fuck Richie that felt like razor blades. Remind me to not piss you off again anytime soon?" she cradled her wrist to her chest and shivered. "PLEASE think nice thoughts when you’re mad at me ok?"

He chuckled "I promise, I would never do that to you, I wouldn’t want to, I will use it to protect you if I have to, I swear I will" his arm tightened around her waist as he lifted her wrist to his lips and kissed it and licked the wound.

She laid her head on his chest as he began to walk back towards her house. "I just didn't want you feeling trapped, hell you're so young, and you don't know me at all. It's alot to take in, alot to deal with, first you learn you're born into something you never knew about, then your tossed a friend, woman, mate..."
She closed her eyes as the thought occurred, did having a *mate* mean he couldn't marry? What if he wanted to get married? "I mean I know you'll wanna get married or hell have a relationship you choose one day."

"I wouldn’t worry too much about that darlin, its still so soon, and we can cross that bridge when I get there" his mind drifted off into a place wondering what would happen in the future, even in the years ahead. "Things have changed for sure, but its ok, you just gotta learn to get through them anyway you can, its not all bad, I coulda ended up with a worse mate" he winked.

"I wonder how its chosen though, what makes a mate a mate for someone like you or Jon." She winced slightly as her wrist throbbed. She needed her head checked for sure. WHY did she try that?

As they entered the house she glanced at Mic and Jon and waved. "Look he caught me."

Mic laughed "Well I never doubted that he wouldn’t"

Jon shook his head. "Thank god I have the sane one."

"I dunno about sane" she winked.

Jon's eyes rolled. "Trust me, your sane, I haven't seen YOU trying to piss off a man that could eat you."

"Well you can't eat me, so I am pretty safe there" she said as she watched Richie and Gia walk inside.

Jon shook his head, "Damn King, Now you're having to chase them down, what’s next?" Jon winked and wandered over to the couch and flopped down. "I thought women liked what you had to offer my man."

"Seems I have a feisty one this time, and like they say, there is always the thrill of the hunt," he grinned looking at Gia.

Gia huffed out a breath and frowned, "Why do i think that hunt wouldn’t be fair? You see better, scent better and run faster. Who'd have a chance to get away?"

"Well this is true darlin, but always fun getting caught too though isn’t it" he wiggled his eyebrows.