| Chapter 16 Howie and A.J. raced through the lobby of the hotel, a mob of fans chasing after them. "Hold the doors!" A.J. yelled, seeing the elevator doors starting to close. He and Howie just made it, leaving their body guards behind. "What floor?" a female voice asked. They both turned around to see the red head they'd spotted in the store standing there, her own shopping bags in her hand. Howie smiled at her, "Sixteen please." She pressed the button and leaned back against the wall, "So, you guys shopping too huh?" A.J. nodded his head, but didn't say anything. It was obvious she was interested in Howie. "Um, yeah. I'm Howie," he said, extending his free hand. She took it, "Jennifer, nice to meet you." "You too," he said, feeling rather awkward. He shifted his weight on his feet and cleared his throat. A.J. glanced over at him, nudging him with his elbow. Howie glared at his friend, giving him a �don't push me' look. Jennifer watched the two, rather amused, she started giggling despite herself. They both looked at her. "Oh sorry," she laughed, "You two are funny." "We are?" Howie asked. She nodded, as the elevator stopped on her floor. The doors opened and she stepped out, holding the door open, "Howie, if you're not busy later, maybe we could have dinner?" A.J.'s eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't often that a girl was so forward with them. "Um, yeah, that'd be nice," Howie answered. Jennifer smiled, "Great, I'll see you around seven then?" "Ok," Howie said, as she let the door go and it shut between them. A.J. grinned, clearing his throat, "I want details in the morning." Howie slapped his arm, "Oh shut up! It's not like that." He cocked his head, "Uh huh, sure it's not like that. That girl just asked you out D, what do you think she wants?" "Dinner," Howie answered, leaning against the wall with a sigh. A.J. laughed, "Like I said dude, details." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian wrapped his arms around himself and closed his eyes, as the elevator neared the top floor. It was bad enough that he was nervous and scared, but the elevator was one of those glassed in ones that allowed you to see the entire city on the way up. He was quickly adding panic attack and throwing up to his list of things to do. Tracy put her hand on his shoulder, "We're almost there." He nodded, afraid to open his eyes and look at her. Once he heard the ding indicating the elevator had stopped, he nearly ran through the doors getting out. He leaned against the far wall, taking deep breaths, trying to calm down. Tracy patiently waited next to him until he had composed himself and turned to her. "You alright?" she asked. He nodded, "Yeah, but um when we leave can we take the stairs?" She laughed, taking his hand and pulling him down the hall, "Sure we can. All twenty-six floors." She lead him into a lavish office with a huge waiting room. It reminded Brian of a doctor's office ... a very rich doctor's office. Soft music played in the background, and the walls were covered with fine artwork. Plush chairs were arranged around the walls and small tables with magazines were scattered throughout. "Come on," Tracy said, pulling him up to the receptionist desk. The girl looked up, and smiled, "Tracy, how nice to see you! It's been to long." "Yes it has Alice," she said. "So what brings you here?" Alice asked. Tracy nodded towards Brian, "I have a new registration." Alice looked over and smiled at him, "Well hello there. Is he yours?" she asked. Tracy chuckled, "No, you know I don't do that anymore. He's a friend, I'm just helping him out." "Oh, to bad," Alice said, smiling mischievously as she pulled out a few forms and placed them on a clip board. "You know the drill," she said, handing the board and a pen to Tracy. Tracy walked over to a chair and sat down. Brian sat next to her and she handed him the board, "Fill this out." He took them from her, "Why do I feel like a piece of meat?" "Oh, she was just kidding Brian. Usually when someone brings a new registration in, it's their child. And we refer to our children as ours," she said. "Like a possession?" he asked. She nodded, "It's a term of endearment to us. For the most part when we choose to embrace someone, it's someone we care for and love." He looked down at the form, "Oh, I see." Tracy winced at the hurt and sadness in his voice, but didn't say anything. This was neither the time or the place for that conversation. Brian filled out the forms, asking her questions now and then on what this or that meant. When he was finished, Tracy took them back up to Alice and came back, "It'll be a few minutes, then they'll call you back." He looked at her nervously, "Um can you come with me?" She gave him a comforting smile, "Yes, if you want." "Thanks," he said, breathing a sigh of relief. He knew he couldn't do this alone. True to her word, it was only a few minutes before the door opened and his name was called. He slowly got up and walked to the back, Tracy right behind him. He was lead to an office, and asked to take a seat. He glanced around the nicely decorated room. Several filing cabinets lined the wall behind the large wooden desk. A computer monitor was on one end of the desk, flying windows zooming on the screen. There was a golden name plate facing him. It read, Marcus West, Case Manager. The door opened and Brian nearly jumped out of his seat. Tracy suppressed a laugh as Marcus walked in and sat down, with Brian's file in his hands. "Well, Brian nice to meet you. I'm Marcus West and I'll be your case manager," he said. Brian shook his hand. "Welcome back Tracy, long time girl," the black man said, giving her a huge smile. "To long Mark," she answered. "Will you be here long?" he asked. She shook her head, "Not long, just a week." "Aww, that's to bad. Maybe I'll catch ya at the club before you leave?" he said. "Maybe," she replied. Brian watched the two. They seemed to be old friends, and suddenly he felt like a third wheel. "Ok Brian, let me get this information in the computer," Marcus said, pulling the keyboard out and opening the program he needed. "Um, is this all confidential?" Brian asked. "Yes, our security is of the upmost importance," he answered, never looking up. "Well, I uh, I'm kinda famous and if this ever got out ....." Brian said. Marcus looked up with a smile, "I assure you, your information is safe with us. We have many celebrities as clients and none of them have been discovered." Brian nodded and looked down at his hands. After a few minutes of typing, Marcus looked up, "Brian, who is your sire?" He bit his lip and glanced over at Tracy. "It's alright, go ahead and tell him," she urged. "...en" he mumbled. "I'm sorry, who?" Marcus asked. Brian looked up at him, "Raven." Marcus literally dropped the papers he held in his hand and stared at him as if he had turned into a three headed dragon. "Did you just say Raven?" he asked again. Brian nodded, looking back down. Marcus started to say something when he caught Tracy's glare. She shook her head, and he took the hint. He cleared his throat, "Alright then, when where you bitten?" "Two weeks ago," Brian answered. Marcus typed in the information, "And will you be needing the international package or the continental?" Brian looked at Tracy confused. "International," she answered for him. "Very nice," Marcus said, hitting a button on his keyboard. One of the printers behind him started running. Brian leaned over, "What's the international thing?" he whispered. "If you're going to be traveling internationally, it will connect you to the Network in those countries. If you weren't a traveler, you could just get the continental, it includes the US, Canada and South America," she explained. "Oh, that makes sense," he said. Marcus added Brian's papers to his folder and stood up, "Now, if you'll come with me, we'll get your ID done and set up payment." They followed him down the hall to another room that was set up with a camera. It reminded Brian of the DMV without the long line. His picture was quickly done and they moved on to a third room. This room was smaller than Marcus's office, but still very nice. The man behind the desk was a bit gruff looking. White hair, scruffy beard, a cigar hanging out one side of his mouth. He smiled the moment he saw Tracy, "Well damn, if it ain't my favorite lady vampire." Brian noted the Irish accent. Tracy sat down, "Aren't all lady vampires your favorite Angus?" The man laughed, "Well, I'd say they where," he admitted, finally looking over at Brian and giving him a once over. "I thought you gave up taking children?" he asked. Tracy sighed. Leave it to Angus to say whatever pops into his head, no matter how it hurt. "I did, Brian is a friend," she answered. Angus cocked an eyebrow at him, "You know who you remind me of? That Italian fellow that got staked a while back ....what was his name?" "Theophilus," Tracy and Brian said at the same time. "Yeah, yeah that was him. Cocky little shit that one was. Can't say I was sorry to see him go," Angus laughed, turning to his computer. Brian glanced at Tracy, seeing something in her eyes. A memory maybe? Whatever it was, it wasn't good. "Now, how'd you like to pay? We have monthly, quarterly, or yearly," Angus asked. Brian bit his lip, thinking. "Come on boy, don't have all day here," Angus said, "Unless money is a problem?" "No, it's not that. I just have accountants that look into my stuff. I don't want them asking questions," Brian explained. "Oh well, that's not a problem. We bill under the name of The National Network for Blood Research. It's set up as a charity and fifty percent of your bill is tax deductible," Angus smiled. "Really? Um well then I guess monthly would be good," Brian said. "Alright, method of payment?" he asked. "You take credit cards?" Brian asked. Angus laughed, "Do we take credit cards? Of course! Who doesn't?" "Angus, be nice. He's new here," Tracy chided. Brian dug out his wallet and pulled out his credit cards, finally deciding on his personal Visa. He tossed it at Angus. Angus took it and moved to another computer, "Gotta check it out. All routine I assure you." Tracy leaned over, "I just think he likes to see how much money everyone has." Brian laughed, as Angus turned back around, "Damn boy, what do you do to get that kind of credit?" "I sing," Brian answered proudly. Angus shook his head, entering the credit card information into his computer, "I'm in the wrong business." He handed Brian's card back to him, "You're card will be billed every month on the sixth for your services from the previous month. We never bill in advance, cause well, we never know how long anyone's going to stay around," he grinned, "Now, if you'll head on back to Marcus's office, he'll have your packet ready." Brian stood up, and thanked him, then headed out the door. "Tracy, you take care hon. Don't let the newbie get you killed," Angus warned. She laughed, "I won't, see ya around." Marcus was sitting behind his desk, when Brian came back in. He gestured for him to sit down then walked around the desk, his hands full of booklets and papers. Tracy walked in as Marcus started explaining what everything was to Brian. "Here's your card," he said, handing him what looked like a diners club card, "Guard it with your life. You can't receive any orders without displaying this card. And here's your international booklet, this outlines all the restaurants in the various countries that cater toward us, and has useful information like what cities to avoid, and where the best clubs are. This paperwork is in case you need to change your address, or your financial information, you can just fill it out and send it in. We also do identity changes for when you need that done, and here are the numbers for that," he pointed. He took Brian's card out of his hand and flipped it over, "This number is North America and its provinces only, the one below it is everywhere else. When you need an order, just call and give them your location and within half an hour you will receive it, guaranteed. Now this number is an emergency number. If you're in a bind and need a quick way out, call us. Any questions?" Brian looked at the wealth of papers in his lap, truly overwhelmed. He shook his head as Marcus gave his card back to him. "My number is here, if you have any questions or need anything, just give me a call," he said. Brian pulled his wallet out and placed the card inside it, "Thanks Marcus." He smiled, "No problem. Good meeting you Brian, good luck." Brian nodded, as he and Tracy left the office. As they walked down the hall she nudged him, "See, piece of cake." He sighed, "Yeah, it wasn't that bad." She walked to the door marked Stairs and pulled it open, "Race ya!" she giggled, running down the stairs. Brian laughed, running after her, "Wait! No fair, you cheated!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie messed with his shirt collar, while A.J. sat on the bed watching him, and laughing. "Will you shut up?" he asked. "Nope," A.J. answered, with a grin. Howie turned to face his friend, "Well, how do I look?" "The clothes look good, you look nervous," he answered. "I am," Howie admitted. "Why?" A.J. asked. Howie shrugged, "I have no idea J. There's just something about her, I can't place it, but it's intriguing." A.J. chuckled, "Oh I'll say she's intriguing alright. If she wasn't into you, damn I'd do her." Howie rolled his eyes, as someone knocked on his door. A.J. bounded up and ran to get it. "Hey Nicky," he said as Nick walked in, looking like he just woke up. "Hey, what you guys doing?" he asked. "Hanging out. D's got a date," A.J. blurted. Nick looked at him, "A date? With who?" "Girl we met in the elevator," A.J. laughed. Nick chuckled, "Man, if you're that desperate I'll give a few of the numbers I got." Howie threw a pillow at the both of them, "I am not desperate. She's a nice girl, and we're just having dinner. See harmless." "Maybe on your part D, but I saw the way she was looking at you," A.J. teased, "Like she was having you for dinner." Nick cracked up, "Oh man, you gotta tell me what happens." "I will not," Howie protested, "My private life is private." A.J. leaned close to Nick, "I'll tell ya, don't worry," he whispered. Another knock at the door. A.J. walked over and looked out the peep hole, "D, it's her." "You gave her your room number?" Nick asked. Howie shook his head, "No, I dunno how she found it." "Well how'd she get past security?" Nick asked. Howie shrugged as he opened the door. Jennifer stood there in a black mini skirt, a lace top and shiny boots. Her hair was pulled back from her face, allowing a perfect view of her eyes. He stared into them, "Hello Jennifer." She smiled, "Hi Howie, are you ready?" "Sure," he said, hearing Nick clear his throat, "Oh um, Jennifer this Nick and A.J." A.J. shook her hand, "We met in the elevator," he said. She nodded. Nick walked over and shook her hand, "Hi there." Jennifer smiled brightly at him, blocking herself from him, "Hello, you're much taller in person." Nick grinned, as she let go of his hand and took Howie's, "Shall we go?" He lead her to the door, "Night guys," and with that he was gone. Chapter 17 |