1

The park grounds were empty of any audience. It was still early, and it gave the boys and Natasha time to take a break from being on the road and get a chance to work out the cramped legs with a small walk on the grassy field. They picked out a picnic table and began to eat last night’s leftover Chinese food. After a few minutes, Jericho had made a suggestion to Elijah and now, two hours later, Elijah was beginning to regret his choice.

“Come on, Elijah. Think, what do you do? How do you escape?”

The tight hand held his head firmly in place, and Elijah found he had little movement capability. Elijah struggled, wiggled and tried everything he could think of to break free from the head hold. Nothing was working. Sweat poured down his face. His shirt was nearly drenched from perspiration and he was becoming quite pale from all the strain. Clearly worn out, Elijah was ready to surrender.

“I can’t…I can’t,--Jericho! Please. Stop.”

A frustrated voice, only snorted a reply, “Vincent and the IIA are not going to call it quits just because you’re tired. Think Elijah! Break my hold! This is a fight for your life!”

In response, young Chevalier tried to kick Jericho in the shins, but Jericho easily evaded and kept a firm hold.

Elijah felt like crying. If being unable to break the hold wasn’t bad enough, Elijah could feel the shame coming to his cheeks knowing that he had an audience. He felt like such a fucking weakling.

“Sean! Elijah said stop. Let him go right now!” Shouted an annoyed and angry female voice. Jericho huffed and released his grip. Without Jericho holding him up, Elijah hit the ground with an exhausted plop.

“You’re a prick!” shouted another voice. “A cold-hearted, sadistic prick!”

A form with blond hair came into the picture and quickly gathered Elijah protectively in his arms, already trying to comfort the youngest boy of the group.

Jericho stared down at Elijah, who looked completely defeated and truly wiped out. Only then did he realize that perhaps he did go a bit too far. Dominic Fletcher held Elijah in his arms and--as usual--was coddling Elijah as if he was some broken rag doll.

Glancing around, Jericho could see that no sympathy was coming his way. Both his sister, Natasha, and Billy were glaring at him. They had wanted this put a stop to a half an hour ago. Shaking his head, Jericho was unable to help feeling a bit taken aback by all the angry looks.

“I’m sorry, kiddo.” Jericho went to give Elijah a hand up, but Dom swatted it away.

“Bugger off!” replied Dom rather heatedly. “What the fuck is wrong with you anyway? It’s Elijah’s birthday tomorrow and all you’ve been doing is hounding him about having to defend himself!”

Jericho had had enough and he met Dom’s glare with his own. “Because someone has to! Elijah has to learn how to fight and defend himself. I won’t always be here to save him!” Turning angrily, Jericho returned to the car and got into the drivers seat, slamming the door behind him. A few minutes later, Jericho turned on the ignition and put on some good old country music. The sounds of Vince Gill’s, “Give me just one more last chance” filled the air.

Dom cursed again and stared down at Elijah. “It’s ok. He can be such an asshole sometimes.”

Elijah only growled and pushed Dom away and got to his feet on his own. Rather taken back, Dom recovered from the brush off, got up and tried to take Elijah’s hand--only for Elijah to place both his arms firmly around his chest.

“You didn’t have to say those things, Dom. I asked Jericho weeks ago to start teaching me how to defend myself. He can‘t help it if I’m…just a hopeless case.” Feeling a bit less defensive and more put down then anything, Elijah walked over to the picnic table and sat down next to Natasha and Billy. Opening up a coke, he took a long gulp. He wiped away the sweat on his forehead and stared at his soda, completely defeated.

Dom moved to the table and sat down on the opposite side, reaching out his hand again. After a few moments, Elijah grudgingly took it and squeezed it before letting it go.

“I understand you were just protecting me, but that’s the problem, Dom. All of you have protected me and I’m no better for it. Jericho is right: some day you won’t be there to protect me. I have to try to start learning to defend myself.”

“You don’t have to learn how to defend yourself all in one day,” replied Natasha, patting his shoulder gently. “I took a course in college on defense tactics and it was four weeks of classes. To this day I still have to practice and I am no expert. Sean is trying to put it all in one day. He needs to cool it a bit.”

Billy nodded, and raised his hands, signing to the group. “I agree, Jericho means well and all. I suggest an hour a day practice only.”

“Have you all finished?” The voice came behind them and they turned to see Jericho staring at them with his hands on his hips. No one had noticed the music and car being shut off. “Now, can I say something?” Seeing that he had their attention, Jericho nodded. “All of you are right. You’re right, Dom, I pushed Elijah too hard. Two hours was a bit much. From now on, as Billy said, one hour a day.” He looked to Elijah and saw the young man gave a firm nod of agreement.

“It is important Elijah learns how to defend himself. Who knows what tomorrow will bring and he needs to be able to defend himself if one day we are not here to help or save him.” All eyes seemed more calm and reasonable. Jericho looked at his watch. “Okay, enough with the adult stuff, we’re thirty minutes away from New Orleans. Wouldn’t you know it, just in time for the Mardi Gras week celebration! I don’t know if we’ll be here for Fat Tuesday, but while we investigate further for my dad’s whereabouts, maybe we can join in with some of the festivities.”

All three joined in on Jericho’s smile and, packing up the picnic food, they piled into the car. Dom tapped Elijah on the shoulder, unable to resist a last comment.

“Did he actually say I was right?”

Elijah nodded.

Dom grinned. “I am going to mark that down in the record books.”

***

Viggo’s back connected against the wall, followed by a hard fist across his jaw. He took the beating and did not fight back. He knew it was well deserved. He hit the floor with a loud thump.

Vincent Caesar bent down and put his face directly aligned to Viggo‘s.

“You almost killed Dominic Fletcher, Steel Fletchers son! You used a real gun on the boys! What were you thinking?! You could have gotten them all killed! I told you I want them all unharmed! Do you not understand English?!”

Viggo remembered the near fatal accident as he fought with Jericho over the gun. He had been trying to use Billy Adams Saxon and Natasha Richards as bait to lure the boys in. It had ended drastically with Dominic Fletcher getting shot. (All The Way To The President Episode)

Viggo grimaced and after a moment, Caesar offered him his hand and helped him back to his feet.

Moving behind the desk, Vincent sat down and stared angrily at the younger man.

“I screwed up. I’m sorry, Vincent. It won’t happen again.”

“Correct, it won’t happen again. Because, Mr. Loner, you are going to have someone accompany you from now on to make sure it doesn’t.”

Viggo now gritted his teeth. Vincent really must be pissed, for he knew Viggo despised having anyone help him on a mission. But Viggo also knew he screwed up big time. He had no choice. Of course that meant that he would have to share the booty. And that really sucked. “Who?” he finally asked, once his anger was under control.

Vincent leaned back in his chair and shrugged. “Who do you think? I have sat behind this desk long enough. I will be accompanying you to make certain no more mistakes happen.”

“What about the Fletchers’ estate? I thought Mr. Fletcher left you in charge while he’s…gone underground.”

“You let me worry about that. Now, go clean yourself up and have a nice long nap. Because it will be the last real good sleep you’ll have for a while. The boys have been spotted heading for New Orleans and a plane will be waiting for us at the airport at six to take us to Mississippi.”

Viggo nodded and headed out the door. Alone in the room, Vincent swallowed and shook his head.

***

Mama Pallione was a woman of the South; her dark skin and thick New Orleans accent was unmistakable. She was an older woman, looking to be in her sixties and, though she was no spring chicken, she still had a twinkle in her eye that enticed many people. She lived high on a hill in a cottage made into an inn. She was alone as her four children had all gone off to see the world, though not completely alone. She had taken into her employ a fifteen-year-old girl two years prior to keep up with the household chores and a gardener who had been in her employ for the past nine years.

Jason had known this woman for some years. As of yet, Jericho was unsure how they had come to know each other. It was apparent, however, that Mama Pallione had a great fondness for his father.

Jericho had tracked down her number and spoken to her briefly on the phone two days before, and the woman seemed quite happy to see the young boys when they arrived at her estate. She gave each boy and Natasha a hug and a kiss on the cheek, all the while talking a mile a minute. It was obvious this woman was happy to dote on everyone around her. Especially when she saw Natasha and pinched her cheeks.

“Oh glory be, what a beauty you are. Jason didn’t tell me you were so pretty. And look at all of you boys. My goodness, I bet your mama’s had to beat off all those girls with broomsticks to keep them in place.” She laughed loudly and started into the pristine white cottage. In the back of the house, Jericho could just see a patch of woods. A lone figure was standing by the wall. A man dressed in overalls and holding gloves and some cutting shears. The Gardener?

“Yes, I knew Jason back after his college days. He came to work under my father as an apprentice. Stayed here for about four or five years. Ah, he was a dear friend. Always so valiant and sweet to me. I had my eyes sparkling over him for a long time even after he left. Dear me.”

“Has my father come to see you recently, Mrs. Pallione?”

“Oh, dear honey child, you just call me Mama Pallione, everyone else does. Your father was here about…oh six or seven months ago. Stayed about a week and then one morning, he was just gone. Didn’t even bother to say goodbye. Nearly tore my heart out. When you see him, you tell him that I am still rightly mad with him leaving without saying a proper farewell.” She led the boys into the large foyer of the inn and allowed her guests to see the walls were filled with many different paintings of what looked to be important people.

“That is my father, God bless him where ever he is. He lived to be right into his late eighties before being called home. That’s my mama. The good Lord took her very young: shortly after the fever swept through the town in 1939. And these are my four sons. Thomas, Raymand, Turner and Herman. They’re all seeing the world. Thomas lives in England and works as a professor at Dayton University. Raymand works in the Relief Corp in Costa Rica. Turner is a Reverend and does his work for the Lord in Brazil. Last is my Herman--such a good boy. Always followed his mama where ever I went…” Without explaining where he was, Mama turned back to the boys and pointed to another painting. “And that was me. 1967. See, I was young and pretty like you once.” She pointed at Natasha, who only shook her head at the comment.

“You still are, Mama Pallione.”

“Hush now, honey child. I’m not as young as I once was. I know that. These hands shake more and wrinkles are showing on my face and I no longer fit in a size four anymore.” Natasha shook her head again and went to put her hands on the elderly woman. “Now, don’t be wasting compliments on me…better to place them where they will do the most good.” She even winked towards the direction of Billy, who was still enthralled at the pictures on the walls. Natasha giggled in surprise of Mama’s intuitive thoughts.

“Those are beautiful. Are they your family’s?” Elijah asked, pointing at Mama’s young portrait where the woman was wearing beautiful pieces of jewelry. A diamond tiara, several stone rings, and a large triangle necklace made of sapphires around her neck.

Mama Pallione nodded, though her face grew sad. “Yes. They belonged to my mother, given to her by my father. He made them himself as he was a great black smith in his time. For many years my family wore them traditionally in the Mardi Gras parade.”

Jericho turned to Mama. “Not anymore?”

“No. Not anymore.” Mama then smiled and led the boys up a stair case, where more pictures were proudly shown of her sons in various stages of there life. “Raymond as six, oh how he loved to climb trees. Thomas, he was 12 then and loved to see how everything worked. So curious for a boy and into such mischief. That is Herman…at 15 he wanted to hold the world in his hands so he could give it to his mama.” The woman once again looked at the painting before moving to the top of the stairs.

“The first bedroom is for you, honey child.” Mama pointed to Natasha and then to the other boys. “And the next four you boys can figure out amongst yourselves. Once you get your things put inside I’ll take you to Jason’s room.”

It only took a few minutes for the group to figure out what bedrooms they wanted. Elijah settled on the window view of the back of the house. In the distance, he could see just past the trees a small black gate that led into a cemetery. A fire place was in his room, though it was not lit at the moment. Looking over the fine marksmanship of the bricked fireplace, Elijah couldn’t help but notice old scuff marks that slid across the floor. Someone must have been moving furniture and wasn’t careful. Sighing, he looked back out the window before unpacking.

Natasha had a clear view of a garden of flowers. Her room also had a bricked fireplace and she had a goose down-filled bed, much to her delight. Billy’s room was smaller but similar to Elijah’s room with a full bed and a shelf filled with books. Looking out of his window, Billy saw a part of the garden from his window view.

Throwing his bag on the bed, Dom moved to the window and could see their car and the main street.

In his room, Jericho glimpsed out of his window to see a part of the garden and forest. The gardener was not there. Jericho didn’t bother to unpack, deciding instead to place his bag on the dresser. Within five minutes they were out in the hallway with Mama leading them further down.

“Jason was a dear friend to my father and whenever he came to visit, he was always given the same room.” Mama took out a set of keys and paused at the end of the hallway and pointed at a small white wooden door.

“No one has been in there since Jason left. I had come that morning to bring him some breakfast…I was so hoping to spend the day talking about my father, in the garden, but when I knocked and received no answer…I got worried and so I opened the door. He was gone. He had taken all his belongings save a small trunk.”

She unlocked and opened the door to a loud creak. She then turned to the boys and Natasha and nodded. “He left a note, saying he had to leave unexpectedly and asked me to leave this trunk here in case a friend or family member should come for it. He also asked me to keep the room locked.” She handed Jericho two keys. One to the door she used and a smaller key that unlocked the trunk.

“Now, I must see to supper. My girl Nellie is a sweet little thing, but if left alone in the kitchen she’ll put too many spices in the meal and make it quite unfit to eat. If you little ones need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I won’t be too far away. Either in the sewing room or the garden with Jordan, he’s my gardener. He’s a bit gruff so just ignore him like I do. Oh, don’t forget the Mardi Gras Parade is all this week. I have a schedule of the whole event in the parlor. Feel free to join in. Mardi Gras is a truly wonderful celebration. Since it’s your first time here, you shouldn‘t miss it.” As she headed down the stairs the woman continued to speak about Mardi Gras. After they were sure she was gone, the group laughed lightly.

“She really is sweet,” stated Natasha. “I like her.”

“Yeah, problem is she doesn’t let you get a word in edgewise,” snorted Dom.

“And that’s a problem in what way?” asked Jericho. For once, Elijah noticed that Jericho’s jab at Dom was not actually nasty but more teasing. Ever since Christmas, Elijah had noticed Jericho’s feelings towards Dom lighten. They would never be bosom buddies, but at least they were friendlier now. Elijah was relieved beyond words over this small miracle.

“I can’t wait to see the floats,” he cut in.

Billy sighed happily, signing with his hands. “And the food.”

Natasha giggled, unable to resist. “And the singing.”

Jericho sighed at the lot of them and headed into the room. Seeing the small trunk sitting on the bed, he sat down and set to opening it.

Inside were several pieces of paper and a small black book. On the first sheet was a vast list of names. After each name, several marks had been made. Many had the letter D, a few with M. D for Deceased, M for Missing.

Putting the list aside, he took up the book and opened it. The hand-writing was his father’s.

“Billy….Give me Dad’s diary.”

Billy had kept the diary ever since it was found in Florida at the Cargo Bay Inn. Jason apparently had not wanted just anyone to stumble upon the diary and read its contents and had created a code. Billy had been trying to decode it ever since. When finding Natasha, Billy had showed her the book, but Natasha hadn’t even known her father kept a diary, never mind trying to understand the contents.

Billy took out the book from his coat and handed it to Jericho. Opening the two books, Jericho looked over them closely.

“Is it Dad’s?”

“Yeah, it is. And from what I can tell, I think…this black book is a decoder for his diary…look.” Jericho held up the black book to reveal certain words with an explanation defined for each.

Billy’s ears perked up in wonder and snatched the book from him to begin looking it over. Jericho faced the group.

“Look, it’s at least three hours before supper. Why don’t all of you head down to the main part of town and see some of the sights? Billy and I will stay here and continue to look over the books and see if we can make any sense of them.”

Elijah picked up the list of names, his finger scrolling down them one by one.

Barry Marks (d)

Jeremiah Marks (m)

Laura Widows (m)

Fray Widows (d)

Jay Widows (d)

Mike Bay

Peter Johnson (d)

Mary Higgins

Carrie Bent (m)

Linda Crulley

Ashley Millers

Pearl Jacobs (d)

Orlando Maccay

Diana Jacobs (m)

Jeff Jacobs (m)

Elijah paused a moment. Why did that name sound familiar? Shawn Dean? And Elijah felt a cold chill run up his spine as he wondered if that name had any connection to Lt S Dean who worked for the IIA and was now leading a force to kidnap the Immortals. No, probably didn’t mean a thing. After all, many people had the same last name and that didn’t mean they were related. The list contained exactly 100 people. Who were they and why did his Uncle have a list of these people? What did this all mean?

“Elijah!” Dom, put his hand on Elijah’s shoulder and Elijah gave the list back to Jericho and faced Dom. “Let’s go, Lijah.” Elijah nodded and putting all of his thoughts aside he headed out the door, giving Billy and Jericho a brief wave.

Left alone in the room, Billy and Jericho got to work.

***

Mama Pallione handed Elijah the schedule and waved to the boys as they left to check out some of the things New Orleans had to offer Alone, the woman paused to look at her son’s portrait before heading to the kitchen to find Nellie.

Elijah was just getting into the car with Natasha and Dom when he spotted a figure in the garden. That must be Jordan. The man met Elijah’s eyes and seemed to scowl. Always trying to be polite, he waved. The gardener only looked away.

***

“Mama sent me.”

Billy and Jericho looked up to see Nellie standing in the open doorway. In her hands she carried a tray with two glasses of freshly made lemonade. Nellie looked to be about fifteen years old, her hair braided in locks, dressed in a crisp, white summer dress.

“She thought you would like something to drink.”

“Thank you, Nellie,” replied Jericho as he and Billy accepted the drinks. “That was very kind of Mama and you for bringing them. Thanks.”

The girl smiled, showing her white teeth. “You’re welcome, Sir. Did Mr. Jason Richards leave all that?”

Jericho nodded. “Yes, he did. Did you know my father?”

“Briefly, Mr. Jericho--”

“Just Jericho, Nellie.”

“Mr. Jericho, I had only been working here for about a year and half for Mama. He was very nice. He was always going into town and when he came back…he always had candy to give me.”

Jericho smiled back at the young girl and nodded. “My dad always loved children.”

“He was a bit sad he was…he talked about missing his children dearly. I’m glad you’re trying to find him. He was a very nice gentleman.”

“Did he talk to you much about me or my sister?”

“No, Sir. But he liked it here. He said it was peaceful-like. Reminded him of days when he was young again, without responsibilities. He also talked about his wife. She sounded like a nice lady, too.”

“Do you like working here, Nellie?”

Billy, who was vaguely listening to all of this, was concentrating more on the two books. He had taken out a notebook and was currently trying to figure out the first entry to Jason’s diary. It was slowly coming now with the coded black book. The first sentence was quite clear. Apparently the book was written about the time after Katherine’s death and dedicated to her:

“Oh, yes, sir. My parents died a year ago leaving me to take care of my younger siblings. I needed work and, thanks to Mama, my brothers won’t be starving.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your loss.”

“Thank you. But we are coping. You will find here in New Orleans we tend to help each other and somehow we find the strength to go on.”

“I’m sure Mama also must miss her sons deeply. Especially her youngest, Herman.”

Nellie made a face and for a moment, looked behind herself and turned back to Jericho. “I know I shouldn’t be talking ill over Mama’s sons and truly all of them save one are really good to her. They send her letters all the time and call at least once a week. Mama is hoping they will all come for Christmas next year.”

“All but one?”

“Mr. Herman, sir. Mama’s youngest. He hasn’t sent any word to his mama for eight years. From what I hear he was a no-count thief, always into trouble. He even had the gambling fever and some say when he went missing eight years ago he had actually run off to escape all his debts.” Nellie paused and shrugged. “The same day Mama Pallione’s jewels went missing too.”

Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, Nellie stopped and, biting her lip, turned and quickly headed to the stairs, passing Mama as she went. Mama looked at the child questioningly before heading over to Jericho.

“I just came to tell you I’m feeling a bit under the weather and going to lay down for a bit. If you need anything, just ask Nellie, she will be here until six.”

Jericho turned to Billy to see he was looking at Jericho, equally curious, having over-heard Nellie’s explanation.

“Do you think her son took the jewels and ran off?”

Jericho shrugged. “I don’t know. But it's none of our business. Now, what have you got so far?”

Billy showed him the first few sentences and Jericho picked up the notebook and read the words.

“So, it was a diary…and my dad made it out to my mom. Amazing! Even though she had been dead all these years, he still missed her.”

While Jericho reminisced about the past, Billy continued to try to decode the diary.

***

“So what do you want for your birthday?” asked Dom for the fifth time with a growing sense of annoyance for having to repeat himself. Natasha, who was walking several steps behind them, laughed at the faces Elijah kept making. Every once and while, Natasha would stop and look into several stores on the main street. Clothes kept catching her eye, but seeing yet another costume store had her suddenly cry out and run inside.

Both Elijah and Dom waited for her outside. This was the third store she had ran into, only to come out a few moments later having a crestfallen face, always repeating the same thing. “All out of them…all out of them.”

Of them what they did not know. Which led Dom to asking Elijah what he wanted for his special nineteenth birthday.

“Well?” Dom asked. Elijah didn’t look at him. Natasha came out a moment later with her face looking even more discouraged than before.

“All out again!”

“Natasha, what are you looking for? Maybe we can help.”

Natasha shrugged. “A costume. What’s the point of coming to Mardi Gras if one isn’t in costume?”

Elijah laughed. “But there are tons of costumes!”

“Not those! I want a particular one.”

“What type of costume?”

“You’re going to laugh.” she replied and started walking. Elijah and Dom followed her.

“No we aren’t. What kind of costume do you want?”

Natasha mumbled something under her breath and both boys looked at her questioningly. “What was that?”

Natasha huffed and finally said it a bit more loudly. “A Mermaid costume. I want to be dressed as a mermaid.”

Both boys looked at her, then at each other and started laughing. Natasha crossed her arms around her waist and narrowed her eyes at them.

“You want to be Ariel?” cried Dom and started making an Ah, ah ah sound.

Elijah proceeded to do an imitation of Sebastian the Crab. “I am going to kill me a crab that is what the King is going to say!”

“Are you quite finished?”

The boys stopped and looked at her, laughing all over again.

“You both are acting like school-boy hyenas. I don’t want to be Ariel; I want to be a Mermaid. A siren that doomed sailing ships and drowned the sailors to the sea! Especially annoying, bratty ones!”

Elijah finally got control. “I’m sorry, Natasha.”

“You should be.”

“I just couldn’t help it! I mean, of all things? Why a Mermaid? Why not an Amazon Princess, or a middle ages queen…or even an angel? Why a Mermaid?”

Finding a nearby bench on the street, Natasha saw a young woman coming up with roses in her hands, she paused at the boys expectantly. Dom handed over a five and the woman gave over two roses. Once the woman was gone, Dom handed a rose to Natasha and then to Elijah. Elijah shot him a small smile before sitting down next to his cousin and put his arm around her. “Does it have something to do with your mom?”

Natasha nodded, tears filling her eyes. “Dad told me that my mom used to collect mermaids. Statues and paintings. Every year at Halloween I would dress up as a Mermaid. Except last year. Brit demanded I try another costume. She made me dress up as Princess Leia and I hated it. Not that I dislike Star Wars or anything, it was just…anyway, it took months to get that dye out of my hair. It just didn’t feel right.”

Elijah squeezed her hand. “Being in that costume made you feel closer to your mom, right?”

Natasha nodded. “I have no memory of her. I’ve seen pictures of her, and stories…but it’s not the same. I know it’s stupid but, being in that type of costume...”

“No, it’s not stupid,” replied Elijah. He started down the street with Natasha’s hand still clutched in his own.

“Hey, shouldn’t we be heading back?” asked Dom, glancing at his watch.

“Not until we find a mermaid costume for Natasha.”

Dom followed behind them, still scratching his head. Why couldn’t Natasha act like every other woman on the planet and just want to be dressed either as a princess or a witch? No, she wanted to be a mermaid. Made no sense at all.

***

The man watched them go past him, eyes completely locked on Elijah Chevalier. He knew he would not be recognized. Not with the Harlequin Mask over his face. After they vanished into a store, the man turned and headed across the street, taking off his mask as he got in the car. It had taken him months, but he had found him again. Found his little angel.

Very soon, Elijah Chevalier, you will be mine. Prince Lance grinned into the mirror and started to make his plans. Ever since King Arthur’s Fair he had been trying to track the boy down. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the right opportunity to make his move.

***

By the time they arrived back at the inn, supper was on the table. Jericho and Billy were already setting up their plates. Seeing the boxes being carried inside, Jericho looked at the three questioningly.

“Don’t ask.” replied Elijah, sitting down at the table and diving into the food. “Where’s Mama?”

“She’s still sleeping. I guess she got a headache and it refused to go away. She’ll see us in the morning. Nellie…” Jericho turned his attention to the young girl, “you can head home now if you want. We’ll clean up after.”

Not about to argue, Nellie smiled at the four and headed out.

“Did you manage to make sense of Uncle Jason’s diary?” asked Elijah.

Jericho nodded. “Yes, Billy and I managed to translate at least three entries. But so far, they were more about my mom’s death and Dad coping with it. Tomorrow, Billy and I will continue to try to decode the diary entries. In the meantime, at least for right now, we’re staying in New Orleans. Do you have any plans for your birthday tomorrow?”

Elijah didn’t look up from his plate. “No, not really. I would like to see the float parade.”

Suddenly Natasha cut in. “There was an opening for the Singing Princess Float in the parade. I signed up to play in it. Please, Jericho? They even said we could go in costume!”

Elijah was just about to put a forkful of food in his mouth when something under the table jabbed him. Putting his fork down, he put his hand under the table and a small piece of paper was shoved into his hand. Opening it, but keeping it out of sight, Elijah saw the words written quickly on the white paper. Your room at Midnight?

Looking up, Elijah turned to Dom and winked.

The conversation continued without interruption.

Jericho took a sip of water.

“I don’t see why not. Just be careful. The IIA and the rest of those blood hounds could be anywhere. I really don’t think we’ve been followed, but you never know. So stay close. We’ll stay until Wednesday then head out.” Jericho then filled them in on what Nellie told them about Mama’s jewelry.

“Wow, do you really think her son would do that?”

Jericho shrugged.

“Gambling is an uncontrollable disease,” Billy signed. “It makes people do terrible things for money.”

Elijah couldn’t resist. “Immorality makes people do a lot of terrible things.”

No one made any further comments for the rest of the meal.

***

Dom stared at his watch for the seventh time and knew it was now or never. Jumping out of the bed, Dom put on his robe and, as quietly as he could be, headed for the door.

***

Elijah couldn’t sleep. The room he was in had a slight musty smell and though the bed was soft, it was suffocating. Elijah wryly smiled, realizing he was getting use to sleeping in the car.

His thoughts turned to his family, especially his mom. He could only hope that her marriage now to Saxon was all that she had wanted. She was pregnant with Saxon’s baby and, for reasons Elijah couldn’t fathom, he was kind of looking forward to having a younger sibling. Elijah just wished it wasn’t Saxon’s. Having an older brother (or, rather, step-brother) like Billy was cool and the thought of having a younger sibling sounded awesome. In fact, Elijah was surrounded by family and that gave him a feeling of completion.

He had everything now: family, Dom…just not his freedom. Sleep was finally just about to take him when a soft knock came at his door.

Elijah smiled, and waited. Another knock and slowly the door opened and Dominic Fletcher stepped inside.

“Okay.” Dom moved slowly towards the bed and stopped half way. “It’s your birthday. I have only one present and I hope you accept it. Please?”

Elijah could see the hesitation in Dom’s eyes and for the first time, Elijah saw a bit of fear within those depths. Dom was ready.

Was he?

Elijah allowed all his thoughts come together and weighed it in. Dom had grown a lot since high school. He wasn’t completely changed, but he was heading in the right direction. Problem was, had he changed enough?

Elijah still had some doubts that if Dom was given another chance he would betray him, but he also knew that Dom would never leave him. Their love was true.

So the real question was, Elijah Chevalier…are you ready for this?

Elijah made his choice and lifted the blanket. Dom nearly bounced into the bed.

Elijah was nude under the covers and as Dom lay down against the pillows, he was still feeling quite hot. Dom was already kissing and nuzzling his collar bone and neck. In return, Elijah had his hands on Dom’s shoulders but so far hadn’t made any moves. Elijah could feel the hardness of Dom’s body, every part of his body, and his own was responding to the loving assault.

It was too much.

Elijah suddenly pulled away, with Dom panting and blinking at his lover, in confusion. “Lij?” Wide blue eyes revealed their fear. “You’re scared?”

Elijah nodded. “I’ve never done this before. Not even with a girl. If we do this, there’s no going back.”

“Would that be so bad?” Elijah only shrugged.

“Lij, we can stop right now.” Dom paused, making a soft, painful sob. “Or we can do this together. I can’t lie, I have done this before. Women and men. I’m not ashamed of it but none of them meant anything to me. Not like the way I feel towards you. Making love can be beautiful. Not just the act, but the before and aftermath. If you will let me, I’ll show you what I know.”

“What do I do? Will you show me?”

Dom smiled and moved back into Elijah’s arms. “Yes. First, stop being a mannequin. You don’t have to keep your hands in one place. Move them up and down, across my back, a slight touch can bring a good reaction.”

Elijah looked at him in confusion, but nodded. “Go on.”

Dom used one hand to hold Elijah’s chin up while the other hand made circular motions around Elijah’s chest and stomach. “Hands can move and you will find the body is very sensitive to certain places.”

Still seeing a little fear in Elijah’s eyes, Dom proceeded to kiss different parts of his lover's body: his neck, his cheek, his chin, forehead, nose, finally the mouth. A soft moan escaped Elijah’s lips as he started to pull away and Dom returned to give even softer kisses.

“Kissing is another art of touch,” Dom continued. “Some people don’t like it.” He kissed just under Elijah’s earlobe.

Elijah sighed blissfully. “I like it, I like the kissing.”

So Dom gave him more kisses, hands moving to different parts of flesh. His left hand had moved to cup Elijah’s back, while the other made small strokes in Elijah’s inner thigh. Slowly touching the soft sacs and the throbbing, hardening flesh. Elijah was well packed, like him. That gave Dom a great deal of joy.

Dominic wasn’t sure how far he would take this. Elijah wasn’t ready for too much--at least not this first time--and if he did this right, there would be more encounters and they could explore deeper pleasures. For now, Elijah was a virgin and Dominic wanted this first time to be memorable and a happy one. He wanted Elijah to be so ready to take him, the younger man would ask for it, beg for it--

Dom could feel Elijah’s member harden against his legs. The breathing was becoming quicker now, and the shaking had started. Desire was in his lovers eyes, in both their eyes.

Dom could feel one of Elijah’s hands rubbing his back shoulder blade, while the other clutched onto his rump. Elijah was still learning, moving slow and a bit unsure. He was still a bit afraid, but he was at least not acting stiff and was willing to allow this moment not to be all one sided.

“Lovemaking is meant to pleasure both, not just one party. The best part of making love is to allow both partners to reach climax. There are also many forms of making love. Even for men. There doesn’t always have to be any penetration.”

Elijah could only nod. Speaking was impossible, at least at this point. His emotions were running in fifty directions at once. A part of his body was screaming yes, yes, more, much more. But another part of Elijah was also scared. This was it? This was the moment? Was he going to be good enough? Did Dom truly love him? Once he gave in to this fire, would Dom still want him?

Putting aside his fears, Elijah moved his fingers and hands slowly down Dominic’s back. He smoothed and squeezed Dom’s round rump and then slid his hand down further, moving closer to his goal. He grasped gently at first. The flesh was hot and alive in his hands. It felt strange touching someone else’s body. Dominic’s cock. Dom made a low growl in his throat and spurred onwards by this response, Elijah started to stroke the hardened flesh. Slowly then faster and slow again, but always with a continued motion.

Pausing, Elijah looked into Dom’s eyes and saw they had widened and tensed. “Dom?” Before Elijah could speak any more words, he felt something warm on his stomach.

Dom couldn’t believe it. One moment he thought he was in full control of his body and then the next thing he knew his body climaxed. The storm had come quickly and fled just as quickly. It seemed his body had been denied too long for the physical lovemaking to last more than a few minutes. Dom also blamed it on the fact that he had desired Elijah too long.

It was not what he wanted and yet, caught in the wind storm, Dom allowed himself the rush. His hips thrusting gently back and forth with Elijah’s hands on his cock and those blues eyes staring at him in wonder.

When his climax had slowed, Dom took a breath and smiled apologetically at his lover. “Sorry, Lij. I tried to hold back but I guess… We can try again in a minute.”

But Elijah’s hands only came to cup Dom’s face and, for the first time, Elijah had an odd look on his face. Before Dom realized it, Elijah was kissing him fervently all over his face and neck.

He had never believed he could ever find such beauty and desire as he did in Dominic’s eyes. Dominic, for the first time, seemed to lay his very soul on Elijah’s shoulders and it was so beautiful it felt like a miracle of trust and love.

“Dom, oh Dom. That was so beautiful and…” Elijah couldn’t go on. The experience was too much and Elijah was sure he would never find love making as wonderful again.

Dom smiled in relief, glad Elijah didn’t feel left behind. “Now, it’s your turn. Another lesson. The mouth can be used as a very handy weapon.”

Leaving Elijah’s hands, Dom bowed his head and moved downwards. He left a trail of kisses down Elijah’s chest, past his waist and hips, down his legs and then to the right and middle. In one fluid movement, he had Elijah’s cock in his mouth and began to suckle like a newborn calf getting its first milk.

Elijah jolted in surprise and a bit in fright. The sensations assaulted his body, sensations he had never known before. All of this was new to him. He had done the act himself with his hand many a time - what boy didn‘t? The urge was too much at times, but jerking off just to get IT over with was nothing compared to this.

Dom is here, in my bed, on top of me. Naked, with his lips on my…on my… Elijah closed his eyes. He couldn’t even express what was happening to him. He felt like he was on fire, surrounded by flames. His body was shaking and every part of his flesh was aching for Dom’s touch, his kisses, his love.

Moaning, Elijah could only feel the storm rising inside of him, his hands digging into Dominic‘s shoulders. It was as if he was making his way up a mountain and falling. This was more intense than anything he had ever known and he felt himself let go and, for the first time, Elijah felt himself flying.

Dom milked Elijah for all he was worth, enjoying the taste of his lover's body. He would never have enough of Elijah. Never. Giving the now flaccid penis one last lick, Dom released it and moved back into Elijah’s arms.

His breathing was still a bit off balance, but was gradually coming back into control. When it did, Dom saw tears streaming down Elijah’s face and he could hear soft sobs. “Lij?” Had he hurt his lover? Dom closed his eyes, feeling the sting of regret and shame. What had he done this time?

“Lij, I’m sorry.” But Elijah only pulled away and wrapped himself up into a ball, his eyes still closed. “Lij? Talk to me? Please?” Moving towards Elijah, Dom wrapped both his arms around him and waited. “Just tell me what I did wrong so I can make it better. Please? I’m sorry, I just meant--”

Dom stopped when Elijah’s hands covered Dom’s own. Although Elijah didn’t open his eyes or stop crying, he did finally take a breath and with a small shake, tried to speak.

“Not you. You did everything perfect. I never had those sensations before. It was so--so intense--so real--so final.” Elijah opened his eyes and sobbed. “I am gay? I am.”

And that was when it dawned on him, dawned on Dominic. That Elijah was not crying over the love making but because he had finally come to terms with himself.

A long time passed and when Dom was sure Elijah had more control, he nuzzled Elijah’s ear.

“Baby…guess what? You’re still here. The world didn’t end and the sun will be rising soon. Another day. You aren’t any different than you were yesterday, except, like your first lesson in learning to fight, you learned how to make love.”

Finally, a small smile came to Elijah’s lips. “You still want me?”

Dom paused and laughed. “Is that what you thou-- Lij.” Dom looked at Elijah with a serious expression. “I will always want you. You’re in my heart and, if I have it, in my soul. I will never stop wanting you. I love you.”

Elijah wanted to believe that, but a bit of doubt entered his eyes. Fortunately, Dom wasn’t looking into Elijah’s eyes at that moment.

Nodding, Elijah spoke again. “I love you too, Dominic Fletcher.” Turning in Dom’s arms, Elijah held him tightly around the waist. They looked deeply into each other’s eyes and smiled.

As they both started to slowly drift off to sleep, and just as Elijah felt the darkness claim him, he heard Dom’s voice from the distance. “Happy Birthday, Elijah.”

***

“Hey, sleepy head. Get up. Breakfast is almost over and if you want to beat the traffic and see the parade you better get your ass up.”

Elijah opened his eyes and saw Jericho poking his head into the room. Realizing he was still in bed and feeling the warm sunlight bathing him from the nearby window, Elijah sat upright when he realized that Dom was gone. He was alone in the bed.

“Mama Pallione has a special surprise for us. So get a move on.”

Elijah nodded and when the door closed, he wiped his face with his hand. Had it all been a dream?

He put on his jeans and t-shirt and hurriedly made his way to the staircase, without even bothering to comb his hair. As he reached the staircase he came to a stop, to see Dom leaning against the wall. His arms and legs crossed as he stood there. He never looked so dark, so mysterious, so beautiful.

“Dom?” Elijah looked at his Dom with uncertainty in his eyes. What was going to happen now?

When their eyes met, Dom grinned. “Hmm, Lij? You’re looking mighty disheveled this morning. I think you have a little time to at least comb your hair and brush your teeth.”

So, it was a dream? He had dreamed it all?

Elijah started to turn away with a sad, wistful look when two arms took a hold of him. They slid underneath his own and around his waist.

“Happy Birthday.” And Dom’s lips touched his, and Elijah could feel and remember the taste of Dom’s body and his lips oh those lips, his sweat and his passion. It hadn’t been a dream. It had been real. Dominic and he really were lovers.

“Dom?”

Dom only smiled and, releasing Elijah, he moved to the staircase. “We’ll have to do that again sometime.”

“Yes, soon.” Now that his sexuality had been uncovered, the box of his desires opened, Elijah realized he wanted more. Much more.

Dom took a step on the stairs. “Very soon. You still have much to learn. I‘ll be glad to teach you.”

And staying close at Dom’s side, Elijah smiled to himself, unable to wait to learn more--about love.

***

After a filling breakfast, Elijah returned to his room to take a quick shower and change clothes, when he realized the bed hadn’t been made.

Not wishing to be a poor host, or make Nellie work to hard, Elijah felt the least he could do was make the bed. Once that was accomplished, Elijah went to the nearby fireplace. He bent down, preparing to restart the fire, when he noticed that one of the bricks was a bit loose. Well the house was old. Elijah went to shove the brick back into place when he heard a creaking sound. Getting to his feet, Elijah watched as the entire fireplace came forward.

A secret doorway? A passage? Somehow Elijah figured he shouldn’t be surprised. Most of these houses in the south were built during the civil war and just in case the enemy came, they may have wanted an escape route.

Glancing around briefly, Elijah couldn’t resist the urge to see where this passage would lead. Dom’s room perhaps? Taking up a candle, Elijah took the nearby matches and lighting it, he headed into the darkness.

It was only moments later, that the door to his room opened and Natasha walked in. “Elijah, are you rea--” She saw only the fireplace pulled forward and a large dark hole that was not there a few hours ago.

“Jericho!”

***

The tunnel led him down several stair cases. For one part of the journey Elijah wondered if he should continue. But his curiosity was still pressing in on him and his legs kept walking.

A cobweb hit him in the face and Elijah sputtered and wiped the webs away before continuing.

This place must not have been used for a long time. Dust and cobwebs confirmed that much.

Reaching what he hoped was the last step, Elijah was surprised to find himself coming to the end, a brick wall blocking his way.

Oh well, so much for being a Hardy Boy. About to turn back, Elijah stopped and brought up his candle. The wall was completely smooth apart from one small brick that seemed out of place. Elijah pushed and a loud creaking filled his ears. A small part of the wall pushed forward. Smiling, Elijah used the rest of his weight to push it open further. When he cleared the way, Elijah found himself to be in what looked like a catacomb. The room was small and had several stone crypts. On the other side of the wall was a black metal gate. Looking through it, Elijah could see the cemetery.

So, the secret passage must have been used by the confederate soldiers and families to make a dashing escape. Delighted, Elijah turned to look around the catacombs to count at least ten tombs.

It seemed rather small to have been the final resting place of Mama’s Palliones ancestors.

Elijah looked around for doors and finally found one just behind a metal statue. Michael the Archangel. Pushing the statue aside, he touched the metal door. It was locked. No way of getting in; the door had to be several inches thick and the metal lock looked to be old, but still sturdy.

Elijah looked at the statue. The sword! Its tip had a few cut edges. Elijah turned it around and pushed it forward. The sword went directly into the metal lock. Smiling in satisfaction and eagerness, Elijah heard a low click.

Putting the statue back out of the way, Elijah pushed at the door and it moved backwards.

It led into another dark tunnel. Taking up the candle, Elijah paused for only a moment to consider things and then, with a shrug, he headed past the door.

***

Jericho stared at the fireplace. “I’m going to kill him. One of these days, I swear I am going to kill him.”

Looking at Natasha, he pointed his finger at her. “Stay here. Dom, Billy come with me.”

Taking up a candle, Jericho was about to enter the secret tunnel, when Natasha shook her head and got in front of her brother. “I’m coming, too. He is my cousin!”

Jericho was about to argue and then thought better of it. “Fine, you want to join the boys club? Be my guest.”

He handed her a candle and, without further arguing, all four entered the tunnel.

They hadn’t even gone a few steps when Natasha made a yelp. “Ewwww, cobwebs--!”

***

The dark tunnel seemed to be on level ground, which Elijah was grateful for. There were more cobwebs, also torches. And as Elijah soon realized they still worked, he used his candle to light them.

The fire light was reassuring and Elijah continued on his journey. He wondered where these went to. A railroad? Forest?

The end of the tunnel opened and to Elijah’s horror it led down another long corridor with metal gates closing off to smaller rooms. A dungeon? Elijah felt a sudden fear claim him and he was about to turn around when he stopped and closed his eyes.

Don’t be stupid, Elijah. It is just a dungeon. Relax. No one is down here.

Opening his eyes, Elijah looked through the windows of each door as he walked down the corridor. The rooms were small; no more than five to eight feet in length and width. Enough to hold a person, but not much else. The last cell however had Elijah stop dead. His eyes widened in horror to see that one of them wasn’t empty. The remains of a corpse was laying on its side. He was fully clothed, though the clothes were now worn, old, and badly ripped up. Looking at the metal bars, Elijah could see a lot of scratches were made on it.

Beside the corpse, Elijah could see a knife in his outstretched hand. Bending down, Elijah could see initials on the knife clearly written. HP. Herman Pallione? This was Mama's son?

To die in this horrible place, no food, no water…alone. Elijah got to his feet and turned to leave when something hard got in his way. Elijah dropped the candle and was about to shout, when he realized to his relief, it was just Jericho. Behind him stood Dom, looking a bit annoyed. Natasha was also there, holding Billy’s hand.

Elijah smiled. “Hi. I was just ahem…ahem, I just wanted to see where the passageway led.”

Jericho let out an exasperated sigh. “Elijah, will you ever learn?”

Elijah didn’t know what to say. Finally he gestured to the cell. “I think I found Herman.”

Jericho and the others looked towards the cell. Natasha jumped back several steps and in the process of doing that she hit the wall and pushed up against something. Screaming, the wall gave way and she fell backwards with a loud crash.

Everyone turned and ran to the small hole. Inside appeared to be a small and almost completely empty room. Except for one Natasha, lying flat on her back, and on an alter in the center of the room was an old chest.

Helping Natasha to her feet, Billy brushed the dust and dirt off of her.

“What am I to do with the both of you? For pity’s sake, Natasha.” Jericho stopped suddenly.

Annoyed at Jericho’s preaching, Natasha only pointed her finger back at him. “Excuse me, Mr. Bossy, I’m sorry I have never seen a dead body before!”

“And this is from someone that wanted to become a pathologist?” snickered Dom to Elijah.

Dom stopped when Natasha’s temper now came upon him. “I meant one in a cell! Murdered! Besides, I wasn’t prepared!”

Seeing Jericho step towards the chest, Elijah pushed past Dom and Natasha and followed him.

It wasn’t locked, so Jericho pulled the latch and the chest opened. Inside, was indeed a lost treasure. Mama Pallione’s lost treasure.

***

With her eyes filled with tears, Mama Pallione just stared at the chest.

“Those catacombs were built many years before I was born. I did not know about that other tunnel by the statue. Somehow my Herman must have found it as a boy. He never told me about it and he told me everything.” She closed the chest and sadly wiped at her eyes. She faced Jordan, standing by the wall.

When the boys had come in with the chest, Mama had been talking to Jordan about planting some more juleps in the back of the house. When the boys dropped the chest, the gardener had backed away and allowed the boys to tell the story to the very surprised and horrified Mama Pallione.

“I’ll call the police and have them look over the cell. When they finish, I’ll see about my boy getting a proper burial.” She smiled and for a moment a weight seemed to lift off her shoulders. “I always knew something bad must have happened to him. Although, I had hoped not. At least now I can have closure and not be wondering where my son is. Not lost in some casino in Vegas, but lost in one of my family’s secret tombs.”

Elijah went to her and touched her shoulder, his eyes filled with sympathy. “Mama Pallione, I am sorry about your son. Please remember you still have three other sons who love you.”

Jericho and Billy glanced at the gardener, who huffed gruffly at Elijah and, as usual, wore a scowl on his face. The man certainly seemed imposing and not the least bit friendly to outsiders.

Mama smiled and touched Elijah’s cheek. “Oh child, you really really a sweet little thing. Now don’t you be fretting over me. I’m a strong lady, and I’ve mourned my youngest for eight years. Those days are over. Time to move on.”

“But how did Herman wind up in that cell?” asked Dom. Jericho had to agree.

“Rather, who locked him in there eight years ago and left him to die?”

Nobody knew when it was that the gardener had left the room.

Mama held Elijah’s hand in her own, before speaking. “The police will find the culprit and I’ll make certain that person is found and pays for what they’ve done.”

***

They were ready for Mardi Gras. Finally showering and each getting into costume, courtesy of Mama Pallione, they stood in a circle in the living room, looking at each other.

“These were just hiding away in closets. You wear them today for Fat Tuesday. No arguments now, I insist.”

Jericho and Dom were handed Noblemen’s attire of the late eighteenth century, Elijah was handed a yellow and white princely costume.

“My husband one year played King Henry the Eighth. So shall you be.” Elijah couldn’t help but look to Dom who looked at Elijah with a rather hot look. “Or perhaps more princely than kingly!” Mama replied with a chuckle.

Billy was handed a black and green outfit with a mask. Billy couldn’t resist putting on the simple black mask first. He looked the part of a bandit.

The last to come out was Natasha. And all four boys and Mama Pallione looked at her with admiration. She was stunning in her costume, seeming to have stepped out of a fantasy romance book.

She wore two clam shells tied by string on her chest, and at her hips to her feet she wore a long and very tight fitting dress that had various sea creatures sewn into it. Her hair was flowing in curls all around her shoulders and down past her back. In her hair she had several diamond starfish to finish the look.

Billy was transfixed. He blinked and moved forward. Natasha bashfully glanced at them all before turning to Billy. For a moment, time seemed to stop and they just stared at each other. Billy reached out his hand and touched one of her curls, her cheek. Natasha smiled and one of her hands moved up covering his. They looked like they were about to kiss. Until Jericho loudly cleared his throat, breaking the spell. Billy took a step back.

“Ah, a Mermaid princess…But missing one little thing.” Mama Pallione moved to her chest and opened it.

Out she pulled two pieces of jewelry and put it on Natasha. The diamond tiara, and the sapphire triangle necklace.

Natasha at once protested. “No! You just found these! They have to be worth a fortune. I can’t!”

Mama only smiled. “You can and will. Besides, I’m too old for such baubles. Jewelry was made for the young. You can return them later. For now, wear them with pride for me.”

“But what if the police want to use these as evidence to look for the person that killed your son?”

Mama only continued to shake her head. “Honey child, whoever killed my son all those years ago may already be dead. Besides, if they were so carefully hidden by my Herman, I’m certain the man who killed him never got his hands on these. Otherwise they would not have been in that chest, right? Now no more arguments! My mind is made up.”

Natasha looked at Jericho, who smiled and nodded. Natasha let out a squeal and hugged Mama as hard as she could.

The case was closed.

***

2

Everywhere in the city, life and events seemed to be taking place. Thousands of people had come to celebrate. Many wore masks and costumes but most just enjoyed the festivities: eating and joining in various games and activities. Venders were selling balloons and sparkling spindles at every corner.

Several times the boys had to come to a stop as Natasha got caught up with either a puppet show, a clown juggling act, or even a few men giving her a lustful looks. Fortunately, Billy was able to catch up and hold her hand. One look from him was enough to inform all that she was spoken for.

Arriving at the parade, Jericho helped Natasha onto her designated float. He was not surprised to see that it was a singing band with everyone dressed up in costumes from under the sea.

“We’ll be down on Fifth Avenue and pick you up on Sixth Street.”

Natasha nodded and, waving him good-bye, she joined the others and quickly took up the microphone.

With Elijah, Dom and Billy beside him, Jericho led the way. The crowds were thickening as the float parade was about to start. Several firecrackers went off to announce its arrival. Reaching the correct street, the boys took to standing by the sidewalk and watched slowly as the parade made its way past them.

First up was a leading band, probably from a local school, followed by a few people dressed up as clowns, providing jokes and games to the crowd as they passed.

Elijah, watching the various displays, laughed for the first time; he was starting to relax. Maybe everything was going to go off without any trouble for once. Tomorrow morning they would be on their way. They were no closer in finding Uncle Jason, but they were closing in. It was just a matter of time. Then they could try to find his father and could stop Saxon once and for all.

Elijah felt a slight shove from behind and turned his head to see a tall man in a mannequin mask.

“Sorry,” the man replied. Nodding, Elijah turned back to see Natasha and her float finally coming up the street. He was delighted when he could hear she was already singing. From the look of things she was completely relaxed and having the time of her life. But after all…this was Mardi Gras. Colorful beads flew in the air, confetti drifted out of the sky. And everyone began to wave.

Let me take you to the Mardi Gras, la la la la la la
There’s romance and adventure there
Music and laughter everywhere

You don’t want to miss the Mardi Gras, la la la la la la
It’s an endless game, a grand charade
Melody makers on parade

Come for a day in the celebration
Round every corner there’s a new sensation
Join in the fun
Come take part
Who’s to say
You may lose your heart

Won’t you come to the Mardi Gras, la la la la la la
There are Dixie bands on every street
New and exciting folks to meet

Won’t you come to the Mardi Gras
You’re gonna love the Mardi Gras
Come with me to the Mardi Gras
You’re gonna love the Mardi Gras’

Elijah watched the float pass and clapped. The crowd was getting even more packed and suddenly hands were grabbing him. Before he could protest or cry out, he was yanked backwards and disappeared.

Dom turned after the last float went by to say something to Elijah to find him gone. He turned all around and quickly and then started to push through the crowd. “Lij?”

When Jericho finally looked behind him, he was rather annoyed to see only Billy. Dom and Elijah had vanished.

***

Sixth Street. Jericho told her to meet him at Sixth Street. Natasha had left the boat and her growing fans as well as several people who wanted to hire her to sing in their band. She took the numbers they offered but made no promises. A part of her would like to check out that record deal from that Mr Henrickson, but she knew her future and career was all on hold.

At least until they found her dad. She looked all around her and found only unfamiliar faces. Where were they?

A hand suddenly took a hold of her and she looked up in fright, relaxing when she recognized the man.

“Your brother wanted to check something out. I was passing by and he told me to collect you. Come on.”

She smiled and nodded. “Okay, Mr. Jordan.”

***

Jericho finally made it to Sixth Street with Billy in tow. At least he hadn’t lost him. Or was that such a good thing? When Jericho arrived and didn’t see Natasha, he was getting down right pissy.

Sighing, he headed to the float area to see if Natasha was still there, but as soon as he arrived, he knew she was gone.

Jericho and Billy looked at each other and split up.

***

“Ow! You’re hurting my arm. Where are we going anyway? Why would Jericho want me to meet him down here in this place?”

Jordan had dragged her from the streets and down by the harbor bay. He had taken her through a doorway and down a long corridor. Reaching a staircase, Natasha suddenly felt a cold chill go up her spine when she saw a small yacht waiting underneath the harbor docks.

“Mr. Jordan?” Pulling away, Natasha felt her heart beat just a little faster when he pulled something from his pocket. A very big knife.

“Not a sound or I’ll slit your throat.”

Natasha only screamed, turned and fled. Jordan ran after her, his knife clutched in his hand.

***

Jericho was just passing a booth when he thought he heard a scream. A shot of firecrackers went off. Must have been the crowd. He looked to his left. Before him were the docks, to his right was the wharf. He started towards the wharf.

***

Natasha ran for the door and tried to shut it behind her, but Jordan was a lot stronger, a man in his forties. He pushed and, managing a bit of an opening, shoved hard. Natasha fell back screaming. Getting to her feet and gathering up her long dress, she ran for the docks. Jordan was right on her heels.

The dock was empty. It seemed most everyone had gone to the parade. Many boats lined the docks, however, and Natasha sought to reach one of them safely. But a hole on the wooden dock caught her foot and she fell to the ground in a heap.

Turning onto her back, she looked up to see Jordan standing over her. The knife was in his hand and raised upwards, prepared to strike a deadly blow.

“Give me those jewels! I’ve waited nearly ten years to get my hands on those. They’re mine! Give them to me, or I swear I’ll kill you!”

Her hand went to her throat, and Natasha put the pieces together. Someone had to have locked Herman in the cell. Jordan?

He killed Herman? Mama’s son. But Herman must have taken the secret of where he hid the jewels to the grave.

“Give them to me!”

Frozen in terror, Natasha could only shake her head in denial and take the pendant of the necklace into her hand. His hand swiped downwards and Natasha screamed.

Something big went flying in the air, and a split second later, Jordan was sent flying forward, Natasha crashing to the ground hard.

Looking at the figure that had taken the man down, Natasha was delighted to see Billy.

Both men rose and faced off. One with a deadly knife and another with deadly fists.

***

He saw two forms in the distance enter a warehouse, just a few hundred yards from the docks. One figure was most certainly Elijah, fighting to get free, while the other one continued to pull Elijah along inside the building. Picking up his pace, Dom hurried after them.

***

Elijah found himself shoved into a warehouse. He had tried to struggle against the man in the mannequin costume, but the costume he had borrowed had been confining and every kick and shove Elijah pushed on his kidnapper was quickly countered and blocked.

“Who are you?”

“Who do you think? Missed me baby, your prince charming? I know I’ve missed you.”

That voice… Lance's, the man who tried to rape him at King Arthur's Fair. The man removed his mask. Elijah felt his blood ice up.

Elijah swallowed and looked for an escape. The room had one window. He ran to it. He looked down and saw he was three stories up. No stairs and no ledge. The window wouldn’t budge.

He turned and saw Lance was laughing and slowly taking off his shirt and unbuckling his pants.

“I have a boat just down by the harbor, it will be waiting for us, but I think it can wait a few moments. Just to let me get rid of this little itch I’ve been craving since that fair. Oh, how I have thought of you my pretty little boy. How I have longed to touch you, your flesh, your body, and make it my own. That’s all I’ve been thinking about these past few months. You and I are going to get to know each other quite intimately for the next few years and when I do get tired of you--do you know what I am going to do then? Hmm? I am going to pay someone to fuck you and enjoy every moment of watching it.”

The words were like poison to Elijah, and they threatened to paralyze him. But Elijah closed his eyes and took a deep breath in. He had had enough. He was not going to let his fear take over. Not this time!

Elijah opened his eyes and looked at him. “It doesn’t have to be that way. Because I’ve thought of you too. Ever since the Fair.” Elijah moved forward and paused to see uncertainty in Lance’s eyes. “Your touch, your hands. I yearned for them.” Slowly, Elijah started to undo the buttons of the shirt -one by one, very slowly. “Please…?” And Elijah beckoned him forward.

Lance’s lust set him off and he moved towards Elijah, his arms grabbing the boy’s shoulders tightly, his member hard and ready. He reached down for those delicious lips, desire and pure lust taking hold.

Elijah brought up his leg, hitting Lance hard between his legs and, as Lance doubled over in surprise, Elijah slammed his fist into Lances face.

He went down like a ton of bricks. Fleeing for the door, Elijah was just getting it open when something hard slammed into his back.

“Agh!” Elijah fell down and found hard hands pulling him back inside the room.

“Not yet, baby; we aren’t leaving until I get my pound of flesh.”

Throwing Elijah onto his back, he hit Elijah’s chest and stomach, slamming his foot in between Elijah’s legs. “How does it feel, huh?”

Elijah howled and felt sparks of pain hit him everywhere. Stunned for the moment, it freed Lance to throw Elijah on to his stomach and rip the confining cloth from his body.

“Happy Birthday, Elijah-baby, to me!”

He felt cold air on his back and felt his ass now exposed. Two hands grabbed hard onto his hips to keep him in place.

“No!” Elijah struggled, determined that this was not something he was going to allow happen, not if he had any fight left. With a strength Elijah never knew he had, he managed to spin around, enough to throw Lance off balance and fall over. Elijah swung and swung again. The first swing missed, but the second connected to a jaw.

“Damned boy!" Lance backed away and got to his feet, touching his hurt jaw and tasting blood from his ripped lower lip. "It looks like the boy has found strength to fight, doesn't it? Maybe I have to tie you all up like in the fair, would you like that? Or better, I give you a lashing and take the fight off you while teaching you obedience once and for all!"

Elijah only swung again. Lance caught it and brought up his hand, smacking Elijah dead on in the face.

Crying out, Elijah fell back and landed hard against the wall. Lance stood over him with a wild grin. Undeterred and ignoring the pain, Elijah kicked upwards. Lance only blocked the kick and sent his fist down on Elijah’s cheek.

Yelling out, Elijah saw spots and the world started to spin. Still he tried to look at Lance to stare him down in defiance.

Elijah started to get to his feet, but Lance swung again, hitting Elijah on the left side of his face. Elijah gurgled and fell back. Darkness started to claim him and just as he was passing out, he could hear Lance’s laughter.

Sudden running feet and sounds of a scuffle. Shouts, angry words and the shatter of glass.

It was then that he blacked out.

***

“Lij? Lij? Elijah, wake up! Are you okay? Elijah?”

Elijah felt arms holding him and he started to struggle, when he realized that the voice speaking to him was not Lance. It was Dom.

“Dom?” he murmured, feeling as if he had been run over by a truck.

“It’s over. He’s gone now. I’m here. You okay?”

Elijah opened his eyes and smiled in relief to see Dominic holding him and looking down at him. His smile grew. “I fought him this time, Dominic. I fought back. I did!”

"I can see these bruises and that black eye is going to hurt you tonight!" Dom laughed and nodded, then he turned serious “I‘m proud of you…you did great!”

“Where--is he?”

Dom gestured to the window, through the broken glass, the wind blowing inside. Elijah and Dom moved to the window. They fully expected to see a crowd in a circle and see a body in the center of it all. Dead. Instead, they saw only the crowd. No body.

Dom and Elijah felt the chillness in the air. Lance must have survived the fall. But how? Three stories down?

Pulling Elijah from the window, Dom hurried for the stairs. “Let’s get to Jericho. I think we better be leaving tonight.”

Elijah wasn’t about to argue.

***

Billy blocked the first swing and the second. They moved in circles around each other, each sizing the other up for an open area to attack. Jordan slashed and Billy evaded. Billy would swing and Jordan avoided the strike.

Natasha could only watch as the two continued to fight. Then Jordan moved forward and kicked. Billy was unprepared and hit the ground. Getting the upper hand, Jordan got Billy into a choke hold. Forcing him to his feet and with the knife at his throat, Jordan faced Natasha.

“Now, give me the diamonds or I kill your boyfriend.”

Natasha quickly undid the necklace and took off the tiara. “Take them! Let him go.”

The man laughed and, before Natasha’s very eyes, the knife slid across Billys’ throat.

Throwing the boy on the ground, Jordan grabbed the jewels and ran.

Natasha’s screams filled the air and she ran to Billy, who was staring up at her with wide horrified eyes, his hands at his throat that now was covered in hot red liquid. His mouth opened as he began to drown in his own blood.

“NO! BILLY!”

A shrill scream was heard clearly this time and he came running.

Jericho reached Natasha and saw Billy’s state. Not knowing what happened, but knowing he had only seconds before Billy would be dead, he grabbed for the young man’s throat, eyes already turning neon green.

Holding on tightly, Natasha continued to cry and scream, tears falling from her cheeks onto Billy. Right onto Jericho’s hand and Billy’s bleeding throat. Was it just Jericho’s imagination, or did the wet tears glisten and sparkle, just for a moment?

Then time stopped and Billy closed his mouth and his eyes. He ceased all movement. Releasing his hand over Billy’s throat, Jericho saw that the wound had healed. Checking for Billy’s heartbeat he could hear it clearly.

Natasha continued to cling to Billy. “Billy! Billy! No!” Jericho tried to calm her and tell her that Billy was alive, but it seemed she was too panic-stricken. “Don’t die. Please! I love you! I love you, don’t you leave me.”

Billy’s eyes flickered and opened. Jericho almost snorted. Such drama! Billy was playing it for all it was worth. He shot Jericho a wink.

Seeing his eyes staring at her, Natasha finally started to calm down. She shook her head and hugged him and Billy made a loud noise from his throat that sounded like…ooof.

The sound caused Natasha to let go and Billy to raise his hand to his throat in surprise. Helping Billy to sit up, Jericho looked at the two of them. “Billy, did you just make a noise?”

Natasha wiped at her eyes and took Billy’s hand, who squeezed back. After a few moments, Billy opened his mouth and tried make the same sound. This time it came out like--Ssssoooooowwwnd.

They all looked at each other in wonder, Natasha laughing. Jericho joined her and together they hugged Billy.

Billy just smiled.

***

“The police picked up Jordan just on the coast with my jewels. It wasn’t any of your fault young ones. I should have realized he had something to do with it. Or perhaps not. I guess you just can never tell with some people. He confessed to leaving Herman in that locked cell. To die. All because of my jewels.”

The boys and Natasha were ready to make their departure. They each hugged the elderly lady.

“My eldest boy will be coming to visit me tomorrow. So don’t worry none, I won’t be alone. Oh, and before I forget.” Mama handed Jericho a postcard. “I got this in the mail just after you left. It’s from Jason.”

Jericho couldn’t believe it. It was a postcard with a simple hello, an apology for leaving without saying goodbye and hoping Mama was well. It was from Hawaii, sent less than two weeks ago.

They had their next clue.

***

Night had fallen and the boys got into the car and headed out into the main street. They would be on the highway in no time. Seemed most people were staying for the rest of the week’s festivities so there wasn’t too much traffic.

Billy sat in the back seat with Natasha. They were holding hands and, at the moment, Natasha was trying to teach him how to use his voice. Dom was next to them, sitting by the other window, staring at the road.

“Repeat after me…A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z. Each word has a defined sound and..”

“Nat, will you please stop this nonsense? I think Bills can practice without the Kindergarten approach. He did speak as a child.” griped an annoyed Dominic.

“But he needs to practice. Right?” asked Natasha.

Billy looked back at her and, with a smile on his lips, he bent over to the side and gave her a light kiss on the lips. Natasha blushed. Billy then replied with a stutter and forced breath while still signing with his hands. “Lllluuuuvve Yuuuuu Twwwo.”

Natasha took his hand and placed her head on his shoulder, completely content. She did not know yet how this had happened, how Jericho was able to not only stop Billy from bleeding to death but heal his scarred throat so he could speak. Billy was no longer mute and that made her smile. As far as she was concerned, his voice sounded heavenly. A little practice and he would sound like everyone else. Though, oddly enough, Natasha noted the tone of the voice sounded a bit Scottish. She always loved accents.

“Look, we’re all happy now that Bills can speak. Yes, the mute is no longer mute. But we have other concerns at the moment that must take priority. We not only have to deal with the IIA, Saxon and Fletcher’s hired goons but, oh look, a psychotic Prince now in has joined the cast of Get the Immortals.”

Elijah looked up from the map in the front seat and faced Jericho. “He must have been trailing us since the Fair. He’s sick, Jericho. Completely sick.” Elijah’s wounds were almost healed; by morning his bruises would be gone.

Dom’s hand came from behind and gently shook Elijah’s shoulder in reassurance. Elijah touched Dom’s hand and nodded.

As Jericho headed out of New Orleans, he glanced back in the mirror. He didn’t see any cars following: just a spark of fireworks in the starry sky.

“Sorry your 19^th birthday didn’t go well for you, Elijah. We never even got you a cake or any presents.”

Elijah grinned and looked secretly back at Dom. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

Ignoring Jericho’s questioning look and Dom‘s chuckle, Elijah turned back to the map.

THE END.