| Chapter 38 Brian sat in Lyn's living room watching the sun set over the ocean. Tracy had let him sleep all day, and had just woken him up a couple hours ago. He felt better, and since waking up, hadn't felt any of the emotions he had earlier. He didn't know wether to be happy about it, or worried. At least he knew she was alive when he felt her pain, now he wasn't even sure of that. Brian became aware that someone was standing next to him, and looked over to see Lyn. She was also staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts. Brian reached over and took her hand in his. She looked at him and smiled, "You feel like eating anything?" He shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno. I don't really have much of an appetite." Lyn sighed, "Neither do I." They both stood there looking at the sun dipping into the water. "Bri, I hope Nick doesn't hurt her. I don't think I could stand it if he did," she said softly. "I don't think he would, I mean it's Nick, he loves her," Brian said. Lyn faced him, "Bri, you know what Tara said about when someone turns. That they no longer have a conscience, that all they want to do is what pleases them. If Nick really did turn, he's not gonna care that it's Tara. He'll only be in it for what he can get out of it, and he's not gonna care who he hurts in the process." Brian sighed, looking out the window, and unconsciously bringing his hand up to bite on his nails. Lyn reached over and slowly pushed his hand down. "Damn it," Brian mumbled, knowing Tara would be on him for biting his nails. "Bri, we both need to face something here," Lyn said. "What's that?" he asked, looking at her. "That even if both of them do come back, neither one of them is gonna be the same person as when they left," she said. Brian nodded, "I'm afraid your right. You can't go through what they have and not be changed." "So we make a pack right now," she said, "No matter what happens, we will be there for each other. No matter what, OK?" Brian smiled at her, "OK, but we don't have to make a pack for that. That's a given with us." "We don't know what we're gonna be faced with. I just needed to know that," Lyn said. "Lyn, you are one of my best friends. I will always be here for you anytime you need me," Brian said, squeezing her hand. Lyn smiled at him, "I will be here for you too." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tara lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. After Nick had fed her, he'd left her alone for the rest of the day. Tara took the opportunity to rest. She had slept most of the day and had just woken up a few minutes ago. The sun had set and the darkness was creeping into the room. She lay there silently praying. She had noticed that at some point during the day, someone had come in and given her another shot while she slept. She still couldn't focus enough to do anything. She slowly sat up, wincing as she did. Her entire body was sore and hurt. Tara knew this plan well, they were gonna keep her drugged and in pain until she gave in and let them have what they wanted. She'd done it to countless others herself. And as the old saying goes, �if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Tara looked over as the door opened and Nick walked in. He smiled at her, "You tired of being in here?" She shrugged her shoulders. "Come on," he said, holding his hand out for her to take. She looked at him skeptically, "Where are we going?" "Just to the sitting room," he answered, "Come on." Tara reluctantly took his hand and let him help her to her feet. She walked slowly, trying to hide just how sore she really was, but not doing a very good job of it. "The offer still stands ya know," Nick said. "What offer?" she asked. "To help you with your pain," he replied. "I'm fine," she said. Nick laughed at her, "You are a really bad liar, you know that?" Tara didn't say anything, but just continued following him through the house. She sighed as she watched him. Sometimes he was like the old Nick, and then there were other times that he scared her. He had completely embraced his new identity, and she knew it was going to be a fight to bring him back. Nick turned a corner, and walked into a small room. There was a table and chairs set up, and the table was adorned with the finest china Tara had ever seen. Several candles were lit around the room, and there was a small bouquet of fresh flowers in the center of the table. Tara looked at Nick, who was smiling at her, "What's this?" "This is dinner," he said, as he led her over to a chair and pulled it out for her. Tara sat down and watched as Nick walked over and sat in his seat, then he cleared his throat. Ephah walked in with a bottle of wine in his hand, and poured them each a glass. Then he left the bottle in a chill bucket and walked out of the room. After Ephah left, the girls came in, serving them their food, then left. Tara looked at Nick, "What did you do to them to make them do this?" He grinned at her, "I never tell my secrets. Now eat before it gets cold." Tara looked down at her plate. The food looked wonderful, but she really didn't feel like eating. She knew she had to to keep her strength up though, so she forced herself to eat as much as she could. All the while she was eating, she was watching Nick. Taking in his behavior, trying to find a weakness she could exploit. He seemed almost like his old self, talking to her, smiling, making jokes. He really seemed to be enjoying himself. Tara endured it, answering him only when necessary, but the rest of the time she was studying her environment. She needed to know where things were in the house, in case she needed to use them when she made her move to leave. "What are you thinking about?" Nick asked. Tara looked back at him, not realizing she'd zoned out, "Huh?" "You, just now. What were you thinking?" he asked again. "Um I really don't remember. I think the drug you guys are giving me is really starting to affect me," she said, tiredly. Nick stared at her, "You have had a rough time since you've been here, but you know if you would just cooperate with us, it wouldn't have to be so bad." Tara shook her head, "Nick, we've already had this conversation. I'm not going to become their �sister', and I'm not gonna leave with you, so can we move on to something else?" "I'd love to, but you won't let me," he said, a malicious grin on his face. Tara rolled her eyes and sighed heavily, "I'm done. I'd like to go back to my room now." "Not yet," Nick said, standing up and grabbing his wine glass as he walked over to take her hand. "Where now?" Tara asked. "You'll see, bring your glass with you," Nick told her. She got up and followed him. They walked through a part of the house that Tara hadn't seen before. She lagged behind, taking it in, memorizing where things were. Nick reached back and took her hand, hurrying her along. "There's nothing here you can use, so stop looking," he said. Tara let him pull her down a small corridor and through a door. She looked around, surprised. They were standing on a patio, outside. The night sky was glittered with stars, and a warm breeze was blowing. "Come sit," Nick said, pulling her over to a large patio swing. Tara sat on one end as Nick sat down and looked at her. He laughed, "Come here, I don't bite ya know," he said, pulling her closer to him and putting his arm around her shoulders. Tara tensed at the movement, but didn't push him away. He was up to something, she could see it in his eyes. Nick felt her tense and looked at her, "I won't hurt you." She met his stare, "You already have." Nick ignored her, looking at the sky, "Isn't it beautiful?" Tara looked out, but didn't say anything. "This reminds me of when we used to sit out on the patio at home and just stare at the stars and talk, I miss that. We don't do that anymore, and I want us to start again," Nick said. Tara glanced over at him, pretty sure he'd completely lost his mind. "I'm married Nick, don't forget that," she said. He glared at her, "You won't be for to much longer." Tara's heart was in her throat, "What do you mean by that?" Nick grinned and looked back out at the stars, "You know, I never can remember the name of that constellation." Tara stood up and faced him, "What did you mean I'm not gonna be married for to much longer?!" Nick laughed, "Don't get so upset, you're not pretty when your upset." She put her hands on her hips, "Tell me right now!" Nick shrugged his shoulders, "Just that Brian's not gonna be a problem for us anymore, that's all." Tara stood there in shock, her brain in overdrive trying to figure out what he was talking about. Then it hit her, Jered wasn't present for their little dinner. "Where is he?" she demanded. "Who?" Nick asked. "Jered, you asshole, where is he?!" she yelled. "He's out taking care of something for me. Why, you want him again tonight?" Nick asked, smiling. Tara turned away from him, not wanting him to see her tears. God, please protect him, please, she prayed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I'm gonna go out for a walk," Brian said, getting up and heading for the door. "You want some company?" Howie asked. "Naw, I won't be long," Brian said, leaving the house and heading down to the beach. "You think he should really be alone right now?" A.J. asked. Kevin shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno, but there are several �others' around. I'm sure they'll watch him." Lyn walked over to the windows and watched as Brian walked down the beach, till he was out of sight. She sighed, and went back to her computer, burying herself in her work. Brian prayed as he walked. He was worried, not having felt anything all day. He walked past several of the other angels that were there with them, not paying much attention to them. They didn't bother him, knowing he was talking to God, and that he needed that time to himself. Brian finally got tired of walking and sat down, digging his toes into the sand. It was still warm from the days sun, and it felt good against the night air. He watched the waves, getting lost in their rythum, the silver of the moon dancing on them. "God, please be with her. Please give her the strength she needs, and please bring her home soon," he prayed. Brian heard someone walking up behind him, but didn't turn around. He figured it was one of the angel's coming to check on him. They stopped behind him, not saying anything. Brian didn't look up, "I'm OK," he said. "Well that's good to know," a not so familiar voice said. Brian's muscles tensed and he slowly turned around, "You!" Jered smiled, holding his sword to Brian's chest, "Hi hubby, I got a message from Nick." Brain slowly stood up to face him, "Yeah, what's that?" "Your time is up," Jered said. Brian looked at him confused, then Jered plunged his sword into Brian's chest. Jered vanished as Brian collapsed. Chapter 39 |