| Chapter 15 Tracy sat up in bed with a start. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her breathing erratic. Looking around, she realized she was home, and groaned, throwing herself back on the pillows. "You'd think after a hundred years, I'd stop having this dream," she muttered to herself, rolling over and checking the time on the clock. 2:37PM. She sighed, pulling herself out of bed and heading to the bathroom. Peeling her pajamas off she stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wake her even more. She wondered what Brian had been doing all morning. She had felt him walk by her room, even though she was asleep. Handy ability that was. Even in the deepest sleep you where aware of who was coming. That one alone had saved her life more than she could count. She laughed at herself, shaking her head. It was funny that the first thing she thought about was Brian. That had been happening more the last few days, and it was making her nervous to say the least. She was here to help the boy, nothing more. At least that's what she kept telling herself. And darn Nancy for even bringing up the thought that it could be something more. She smiled, "Just like her to want to fix me up," she said, turning the water off and reaching for the towel. She quickly dried off, then got dressed. She found herself taking a little extra time doing so. Making sure that her low riding jeans looked good with the baby-doll t-shirt she had on and the boots she picked out. "Oh stop it," she chided herself, going back into the bathroom to blow dry her hair. As she flipped her head this way and that, she wondered if she shouldn't cut her hair. It was well past her shoulders, and really getting to be a hassle to take care of. Once it was dry, she brushed it and put it up in a pony tail, making sure she had a few strands framing her face. She took one last look in the mirror, then headed downstairs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nancy was setting the small table in the kitchen when Tracy walked in. "Afternoon Miss Tracy, I have your breakfast right here," she said. Tracy sat down, going for the full glass, "Thanks Nancy." "Did you sleep well?" she asked. Tracy shrugged, "As well as it gets." "Still having the dreams dear?" Nancy asked, concerned. "They are a permanent fixture now, wouldn't be right not to," she answered, smiling. Nancy shook her head, going about setting another plate on the table. "Where's Brian?" Tracy asked. "He's with the babies. Has been all day," she answered. Tracy's eyebrows went up, "Oh really? They didn't eat him?" Nancy laughed, "No, in fact, they liked him right off." Tracy ate her fruit and finished her glass, "Well, that's interesting. Has he fed yet?" "No ma am, he ate this morning, but he didn't ask for the drink," Nancy said. Tracy took the full glass Nancy had sat down for Brian, "I'm afraid he won't ask for it yet. He has issues with what he is, and he's uncomfortable with it." "So in the future I should just give him the drink wether has asks or not?" Nancy asked. Tracy nodded, taking the glass and heading out the back door. She walked down to the garden, scanning the lawn for him. She smiled, seeing the top of his head in the maze of hedges. He was wondering around, and she wondered if he was lost in them. She headed towards him, catching up to him quickly. "Found you!" Brian laughed, as he scared one of the babies that had been hiding among the hedges. The dog barked, jumped on Brian and licked his face, then took off in search of another hiding place. Tracy laughed, "You're playing hide and seek with my dogs?" Brian turned to face her, smiling, "Yeah." She shook her head, grinning, "There's only one other person that they let play with them like that. They must really like you." He moved closer to her, taking the drink she offered him, "I guess. Who was the other person?" He took a drink, but didn't miss the flash of hurt in Tracy's eyes, "Um, well it's not important. You ready to go to the Network?" He downed the last of the liquid, smacking his lips, "Um, I probably need to shower again. I think I smell like the babies." Tracy laughed, as they headed toward the house, "I believe you do, but that's not a bad thing." He looked at her mischievously, "So you like the smell of dog?" She blushed, "On you, it's nice." He laughed, holding the door open for her, then following her inside the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jennifer walked into the darkened room, "You called Mistress?" Raven turned in her chair, motioning for the girl to come closer. "You are aware of the watcher?" she asked. Jennifer nodded, "Yes." Raven smiled, the evil behind her eyes burning like a flame, "Good, I want you to get close to him. Distract him from his duties for a while." Jennifer bit her lip, "Mistress, he travels with two slayers." Raven tossed her hand in a dismissive gesture, "Slayers are of no matter, especially those two. One is to young to know anything, and the other ... well you can best him any day. Now, go and do as I ask." Jennifer swallowed hard, nodding, "Yes mistress," then she turned and left the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian trotted down the stairs, freshly showered and back in a pair of jeans and t-shirt. "This Ok? I wasn't sure what to wear," he asked, a little embarrassed. Tracy smiled at him, "You look fine, except maybe ......" she pulled his shirt sleeve down a bit, covering his tattoo, "there we go." He glanced down at his arm, then back to her, "Something wrong with it?" She smiled at him, "I like it, but there are some that would um find it offensive." "Oh," he said, feeling lost again. Tracy took his hand, "Don't feel bad about it. It's a symbol that means something to you, just make sure that when we're inside the Network you keep it covered." He nodded, as she pulled him towards a door that lead to the garage. "Wow," he said, seeing the choice of cars. She smiled, "I like cars .... so which one?" "How bout the convertible, it's a nice day," he suggested. She smiled, grabbing the keys from a hook on the wall and getting in the car. She let the top down, as Brian got in. "Got your shades?" she asked. "Yup, don't leave home without them," he joked, holding them up for her to see. She giggled, putting her own on before hitting the button to open the garage door. They both squinted as the sun light came into the darkened garage, but quickly adjusted. Tracy shifted the car into reverse and looked over at him, "Seat belt." Brian put his seat belt on as she waited. Once he clicked the belt into its lock, she slammed on the gas, sending them flying out of the garage. "Holy cow!" he said, as she threw it in drive and sped down the paved road to the gate. She laughed, "I always wanted to be a race car driver." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I don't get it D, what else could it be?" A.J. asked as the two walked down the sidewalk, their body guards in tow. Howie shook his head, "For the tenth time Alex, I don't know, but I'm sure it's not his heart." "How can you be sure if you don't know?" he asked, stopping in front of a shop window and peering in, "Ohh let's go in here!" he said, taking off into the store. Howie obediently followed along. Shopping with A.J. usually required the stamina of a marathon runner and the patience of Job. Luckily Howie was used to it by now, and it served as a good distraction from what had been going on lately. He didn't realize how stressed he was until Brian left and he could breathe for a moment without worrying about him. He made a mental note to thank Tracy for taking him with her, he needed a break. A.J. took off to try on some clothes, leaving Howie to wonder around the store. He was looking at a rack of shirts when he noticed her looking at him from across the room. He smiled, receiving a smile back, then went about looking at the shirts again. He figured it'd only be a minute before she approached him for his autograph. So when she didn't come over, he looked back up. She was shopping, her back to him. There was something about her he couldn't place. She was petite, with long red hair that hung in spiral curls down her back. Her skin was ivory, and her eyes! She had the deepest green eyes he'd ever seen. They put Kevin's to shame. He quickly glanced down, when she looked up, catching him staring at her. "Well, think I'm done here," A.J. said, startling his friend. A.J. laughed, "Where were you?" "Nowhere, you just scared me that's all," Howie said, walking with A.J. to pay for the clothes. A.J. tossed his credit card on the counter, glancing around the store. "Ohh niiiiceeeee," he said, eyeing the red head. Howie looked over, catching her eye again. She smiled coyly at him, then walked out of the store. A.J. slapped Howie on the arm, "Dude, she likes you." Howie rolled his eyes, "Cut it out J, she's probably just a fan that was to shy to come and talk." "Mmm hmm," A.J. said, grinning. Howie shook his head, grabbing a few of A.J's bags and headed out of the store. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian held on to the door handle for dear life. It took them no time to get back into the city with Tracy driving. Besides with Nick, he'd never been more scared in a car before. She whipped in and out of traffic like it was standing still, all the while humming a little song to herself. He let out a small yell when another car pulled right into their lane and she jutted around them. "City drivers," she muttered. Brian stared at her in amazement, "Tracy, you're driving like a bat outta hell, slow down, I'm not in that big a hurry." She looked over at him, changing lanes as she did, "You don't like my driving?" Brian pushed himself back in his seat as they headed straight for the back end of a semi, "Tracy!" She grinned, whipping around the truck and taking the next exit, slowing down, "That better?" she asked. Brian nodded, still gripping the door handle for all it was worth. Brian's heart was still pounding as they pulled into a parking garage. Tracy put the top up and exited the car, locking it. Brian looked around as they walked down to the street. They where in the business district, tall skyscrapers all around. "It's a few blocks down, but this is the best place to park," she told him. He nodded, his stomach doing flip flops. This was it, he was a few blocks from the Network, and he was nervous as hell. Tracy reached over and took his head, lacing their fingers together. "Don't be nervous, it's a harmless process," she assured him. He nodded, but he didn't feel any better. They walked in silence the few blocks to the building that loomed in front of them. It was several stories high, and contained several different businesses. Tracy started to walk through the door, but Brian froze. She turned, seeing the fear in his face. Gently she pulled him to the side, "It's alright, you're safe here." He shook his head, "It's not that ... I just ..." She watched him glance around nervously and bite his lower lip, "You haven't had to admit what you are yet," she finished for him. He looked down at his feet and nodded. Tracy couldn't help it, Brian looked so lost and scared, that she pulled him into her arms and hugged him. "I know your scared, but there's nothing to be scared of. Vampires are people, just like anyone else, we just live longer," she smiled, making him do the same. "All you know is what you've been fed by the media, once you see the truth, you won't be scared at all, alright?" she said, placing her hand on his shoulder. He nodded, his blue eyes cutting through her. They held so much confusion, fear, and shame. She squeezed his shoulder, "Alright, let's go in." Chapter 16 |