Splintered Faith

By Summer

Beta’d by Saura and dear Aprilkat. Thank you ladies, without you I would be lost. I mean that.

Type: Slash

Fandom: Sort of an RPS but not, more like a AU PS with actor‘s from LOTR playing a character that I have created. The first names remain the same, last has been changed. (for instance, Elijah Wood is playing the role of Elijah Chevalier. Etc)

Pairings: (To date), Dom/Elijah--- Soon-- Orlando/Shawn (Sean B)

The Immortal The Next Generation series

Episode eight: Two parts

Disclaimer: I am in no way saying or suggesting that in real life they are gay and lovers. This is just a story folks. That’s all.

1

Saxon Estate

Straightening his suit, Nigel Saxon took a closer step towards her. His eyes narrowed when he saw the open suit case and the clothes she was placing into it. He looked to the night table and saw a full glass of water and a tiny cup that had two small pills in it.

He had already been informed by one of his doctors that she had stopped taking the medication.

“Jean.” he replied softly, keeping his voice unemotional.

“What are you doing, Jean?”

“What does it look like I am doing? I’m leaving. I can’t stay… I am going to my sisters for awhile.” She would not say which one she was going to.

He reached for her then, taking her by the shoulders and forcing her to look at him.

“Going? Does this have to do with the pills? Doctor Raven said it was important for you to take them.”

Pulling away from him, Jean stared angrily at the man she thought she loved. It had taken her far to long to realize what he truly was, but her eyes were open now.

“I won’t take them. No! I don‘t care what Doctor Raven said.”

“And may I ask why not?”

“They make me ill.”

“You mean…confused don’t you?”

Jean didn’t take the bait. “I know what they are. You think I am so stupid? They’re to keep me sedated and easy to control. My mind may have been clouded before, but no longer. I now know what you are. What you have done.”

Saxon smiled lightly and paced around her slowly. He paused to stand behind her where his hand gently touched the nape of her neck. Frightened, Jean pulled away and took several steps away from him; shaking, she reached for something to use for defense. She found the vase and clutched it in the palm of her hand.

Saxon couldn’t help but laugh. He started to go towards her, but when she raised it high in the air he stopped, turned and walked towards the window. He looked outside and then slowly faced her.

“You think you know everything, but you have no idea! You are not prepared to face the truth."

She nodded slowly and lowered the vase in her hands. “Then why don’t you explain it . I will make up my own mind whether I am prepared to face that truth.”

Jean swallowed unable to find anything to say at this point. If Ben had a brother, it all made perfect sense.

Nigel moved towards the bed and sat down again. He took up the cup of water and the pills and held them in his hand.

“When I met Fletcher, I thought for certain that in time…he would lead me to Ben Richards and eventually to Jason. Alas, that was not so. It did lead me to you and Elijah.”

"All this has been a lie to get to Elijah, then? Just to have my son? To kill him?"

A tear fell from Jean’s eyes. It had all been a lie. Everything. What a fool she was.

“Elijah will not die my dear. He will be of great value to myself, Doctor Raven and our…employers. In return, for my assistance in certain…matters which do not concern you, I get an added bonus.”

Jean thought about the added bonus he would receive and didn’t take long to come to a conclusion, touching her stomach.

“Yes, my dear. The baby. Which was consummated on our wedding night, with special blood from your son in my veins. A child that I have always dreamed of coming to be. The perfect child, my child. My failure with William only inspired me to continue my search.”

He got to his feet and held out the bottle of water and the pills. “These pills are especially designed to cloud your mind, if you wish…brainwash you…open to suggestion and such. They won’t harm you, Jean…or the baby you carry. I want you to continue to take them. And you will take them.”

“And if I don’t?”

“If you don’t….well…” Saxon laughed and put the water and pills back on the table. When he turned, he took only three strides forward and was literally on top of Jean. She tried to throw the vase, but Saxon caught her wrist and applied pressure. She cried out in pain and released her hold.

The vase fell crashing to the floor. Peering down into her wide frightened eyes, Saxon literally growled in reply. “Well, for starters I will make your life a living hell and then I will make certain that you never see your son again--”

Shaking in terror, Jean moved slowly away from him. After a moment, she went to the night table and picked up the glass of water and the pills; turning to Saxon, she put the pills onto her tongue and tipped the water into her mouth and swallowed.

Saxon smiled and slowly put his arms around her. “There now. You see, you can be reasonable and so can I. No more talking about leaving. You will unpack and then you will get washed up and we will have luncheon. Hmm? You really are so beautiful. Of all the women I have desired you truly are the most precious of them all.”

Jean, who was still shaking, nodded her compliance, and Saxon gently kissed her on the cheek.

“Don’t fear. I have it on good authority that Elijah will soon be caught and then we will be one big happy family. Like I promised.”

Turning, and with a smile still on his face, he walked out the door.

Alone, Jean slowly sank to the floor. When she was sure he was gone, she spit out the pills and onto her hand. Staring at the door she closed her eyes and began to weep.

***

Orlando moaned in his sleep and thrashed around the bed wildly. He was once again locked in a nightmare. He tried to cry out, to wake himself. He knew it was just a dream…no, not a dream.

He stood in the middle of an odd street; he wasn’t sure where he was, but he knew it was in America. In the distance, he could see a huge “Welcome to the City of Lake Wood” sign.

Trying to catch his bearings, Orlando stared in horror at the hundreds of bodies that lay at his feet and all over the street. The cries of the dying could be heard; blood was everywhere.

In the distance, Orlando could see Shawn‘s form, but his back was to him. Orlando was about to call to him when he saw a dark shadow sweep over Shawn’s form and he disappeared from his sight.

“No!” Orlando started to run, but the bodies were all around him and he tripped over one of them.

“Help me! Please, help me!”

Trying to get to his feet, Orlando stared into the face of a woman in her forties; she had long dark brown hair and eyes that reminded him of caramel. She had blood leaking from them. Sores covered her body and face. She was holding something in her arms. When Orlando took a closer look, he could see two small hands outstretched. A baby?

“Please…Please! Save my baby!” She cried.

Orlando reached for her and then stopped when blood began to pour from her mouth.

Then, he saw more. Dozens of them in the air. And images of places he had seen in books filled his mind. L.A., Washington D.C., London, Paris, Japan, China. The missiles came down and a sonic explosion took place.

Gigantic mushrooms of devastation and death rose into the heavens.

Everything was dead. Plants and animals –everything around him. Men, women, children –killed by millions. No one would be spared.

Orlando covered his face with his hands, tears coming to his eyes. “No. Dear God. NO!”

With one loud cry, Orlando opened his eyes and sat up. The dream was over. No, not a dream. The future--

Taking a deep breath, Orlando stared at the nearly empty bedroom apartment he had been staying at for two days. Shawn Dean’s apartment.

Upon arriving and obeying Shawn’s orders to unpack his things, Orlando found there wasn’t much to unpack. Food was also not to be found in any cabinets or the refrigerator and Orlando was forced to go food shopping if he wanted to eat.

The money Shawn told him he could use in his desk had been more than sufficient. He felt bad using it, and shopped well looking for the best deals. In all, he only spent about 50 pounds. That still left more than 500 pounds in the desk.

Orlando pondered about trying to get a job to pay Shawn back, but Orlando wasn’t sure that was a good idea as he really didn’t want to get a job at the moment; he wanted only one thing…to be with Shawn. But alas, Shawn was gone; he had left him to do some more work for the mysterious U.N.C.L.E.

In fact, Orlando didn’t know what he should be doing at this point. It all seemed so bizarre.

How did it start anyway? Oh yeah, he got fired at the shipping docks Medical center in England two years ago. With no other job in sight, he had gone back to school to finish out the last of his medical classes to be a Medical Science Lab assistant, when the job offer came out of nowhere. It was on a bulletin board outside the Center. A job to work at the Science and Medical Institute in L.A. for the Fletcher and Saxon Corporation.

Well, he wasn’t a baby anymore. He was an adult and he wanted to see the world.

Okay, so England wasn’t really seeing the world in the grand scheme of things, but he found a cheap apartment to rent and had even made a friend or two. Then, he got sacked and when Orli thought he may have to turn tail and head home to get the ‘I told you so’ by his Aunt, he saw the job post.

Yet, it was so far away. He had fully intended not to go and look for something else when he had a dream.

He dreamed of a large building and mysterious men. They surrounded him and yet were not a part of him. He also saw that face. The face of Shawn Dean. It continued to haunt him for days.

And finally Orlando allowed destiny to take control and buying himself a one way ticket and leaving everything behind he headed for America.

He was certain he had made a mistake. Especially when his dreams began to change. Dreams where he was on his knees with unknown men having guns pointed at his back. But, always--always the face, that face haunted him, it now had a body that belonged to and a name Orlando could murmur: Shawn.

Even as a child, Orlando knew he was different from other children. It was when he was twelve that he started having dreams of the future. Dreams, premonitions. Sometimes they had been fun, but most of the time…they had been tragic and sad.

They had frightened him, especially when he dreamed of his mother dying from a fire. Not even three months later it happened just as he had seen it.

Sometimes he had received the dreams and had been able to change them. Like the little boy running out into the street. He was supposed to get hit by a car but, Orlando saw him while heading to school and had rushed out to push him out of the way. The boy had lived.

There was also the kitten he saved in the sewer hole, and the elderly lady who would have died when she fell down a flight of stairs in his complex. He had managed to be there at the right time to catch her.

But, he had not been able to save his mother. Some things, he guessed, could not be changed.

He did not know why this was so. Orlando didn’t even understand where he got this “gift” or rather curse. He had wished many times that he was normal, in more ways than one way.

He liked girls, and easily made friends with them, but his desire and passion went elsewhere. He had never told his mother, but Aunt Kassandra had figured it out. She not only knew that he was gay, but was understanding about it all. Like it was absolutely normal.

It was not that he did not love his Aunt. She was kind, in a sort of condescending way. Gentle and sweet and yet firm too. She could also be pretty strict and controlling.

Controlling most of all, and Orlando found he just couldn’t live his life being under her thumb. As much as he loved her. He wanted to be free. So, even right now, Orlando was pretty sure she was searching for him. Orlando could only hope he could elude her yet.

They were meant to be together. Orlando couldn’t explain the reasons he knew this. He just knew.

ESP (The phenomenon or magic tricks?)

Lost Treasures

Mysterious Unexplained events

Orlando pushed them aside and reached for the last book. An Atlas. Sitting down on the couch, Orlando began to rifle through it.

The pages suddenly began to move by their own accord. Orlando smiled and waited, watching in anticipation. Another one of his gifts.

And then the pages stopped. Orlando blinked and looked at the page it had stopped at. Greece. “Where in Greece?” The page turned once again by an unknown and invisible hand to reveal Athens, Greece.

Shawn was in Athens. A slow smile came to Orlando’s face. After making a quick call to the airport, Orlando put on the TV to hear the latest news before calling a cab. As he switched on the tube, he saw a large temple with columns appear on the screen with an elderly man speaking about one of the greatest tourist attractions in Greece. The travel channel was always showing something of interest. It was then that Orlando heard the narrator say The Temple of Zeus.

***

Athens, Greece

Dressed in blue jeans and a white opened buttoned shirt with a hat to cover his head, Jericho sat at the front of the table looking over a map of the city. Sitting next to him dressed in shorts and a tan shirt with also a hat on his head was Billy, who was looking over a piece of paper that had a list of names. Jericho and Billy had gotten this paper while they were in New Orleans; they still to this point had not figured out why Jason, Jericho’s father, had left it for them.

Mike Bay

Carrie Bent (m)

Linda Crulley

Shawn Dean (M)

Mary Higgins

Pearl Jacobs (d)

Diana Jacobs (M)

Jeff Jacobs (m)

Peter Johnson (d)

Barry Marks (d)

Jeremiah Marks (m)

Ashley Millers

Orlando Mccay

Laura Widows (m)

Fray Widows (d)

Jay Widows (d)

The list of course went on and on, and Billy had counted at least 100 names on the list.

Fanning herself with her hand, Natalie Richards sat beside Billy, wearing a short white mini skirt with a ruffled lilac tank top. Although she wore no hat, she had wrapped a large scarf around her long blond hair to protect the top of her head from the bright rays of the sunlight.

“Sean, I'm worried for dad. We've been here for three days already and there has been no contact yet."

A waiter stepped forward handing then each a cold drink. He smiled at them. These young people had been his usual clients in his terrace for 3 days already; they left good tips and were really nice!

(He didn’t sleep well last night, so he stayed at the hotel. He will be here later.)

Jericho translated this last part and Billy smiled at that, while Natalie simply rolled her eyes. The waiter then went off to serve his other customers.

Giving his sister his attention, Jericho returned to speaking English. “I'm sure he'll show up. We'll wait until he does"

Natalie shrugged and, putting her arms on the table, she lowered her head on top of them.

“That is not very lady like,” said Jericho, as he refocused on the map.

Jericho didn’t miss the loving glance they gave each other and sighed audibly.

“Look, I know you’re both bored…so, I tell you what. Why don’t you and Billy go do some sight seeing--”

Jericho hadn’t even finished and Natalie was standing and taking Billy’s hand into her own.

As they hurried away, Jericho huffed again. “And while you’re all gallivanting stop by the hotel and check on Elijah?”

“Will do,” shouted Natalie and disappeared with Billy around a corner.

Smiling lightly, Jericho returned to looking at the map. Love birds. Well, he figured Greece is supposed to be one of the most romantic places in the world.

Now if only Elijah thought that way. Instead, ever since Dom pulled a vanishing act, Elijah had slowly isolated himself from everyone, falling into a deep depression that Jericho couldn’t seem to help Elijah to overcome.

When he saw Dominic Fletcher again, Jericho was going to give him a whipping he would not soon forget. Should have known better than to trust a Fletcher.

Jericho was so keyed up looking over the map, he did not notice the reddish blonde woman watching him from the other side of the café. She watched him like a hawk and then, after finishing her drink, she got to her feet and walked away.

A car was waiting for her outside the café and drove off quickly to parts unknown.

Jericho asked for the bill, but the waiter told him it had already been paid by a tall brunet looking man, who left him a note to give to him. Jericho then asked the waiter about what the man looked like –the waiter however didn't know.

Normal looking. Blue eyes, brunet not too tall not too thin, average tourist for the waiter.

“Meet me at the theatre of Dionysos, 10 pm tomorrow. Dad.” The note said.

Jericho sighed and looked all around the cafe, but didn’t see a hint of a familiar face and most certainly not his father.

For some reason, Jericho did not like the look of this. Not any of it and was concerned he was walking into a trap. But what other choice did he have?

Calling for a cab, Jericho decided for now it would be best to head back to the hotel and check in on Elijah himself.

***

He was tired of sitting in a hotel room and staring at four walls. Elijah knew that if he didn’t get outside into the open air, he might just do something he would forever regret.

It was ridiculous the emotions and the feelings of pain and hurt that seemed to be consuming him each day. Dom had left them at the port in Hawaii and since then, Elijah could feel himself getting lost in despair. And a part of him wanted to just drown in it.

He had gone through many different emotions since then, from shock to sadness to even angst filled worries at blaming himself for Dom leaving. That somehow he had pushed Dom to leave. Until finally he felt only angry.

And though Elijah tried not to think about Dominic at all, Elijah‘s every waking moment was of him. Dom’s touch, the smell of his skin, the texture of Dom’s golden locks to finally those wonderful lips of his. Elijah even missed the beard, which he was constantly telling Dominic to shave off.

The presence of so many people helped a little to make him feel not quite so alone. Reaching one small fruit stand, Elijah handed out some change not sure which was which and pointed to the red apple.

The elderly woman smiled and took one coin and then handed him not one but two apples.

“Too skinny,” she said in Greek, patting him on the cheek.

Elijah, not understanding what she said but happy with the two for the price of one, smiled back at the woman and then started to walk away.

That was when Elijah heard a soft voice speaking in the crowd that seemed to be growing more fearful by the minute.

“No, please…I don’t speak Greek. Does anyone speak English? Anyone? HELP.”

Turning to his right, Elijah could see a young man, a few years older than him, standing in the middle of the Marketplace. He was taller by several inches and had very soft features with dark brown wavy hair and eyes to match. He was dressed in a beige shirt and long denim jeans.

Going towards him, Elijah saw he was holding out a map in one hand and in the other he was holding a tourist book. Elijah smiled; yeah we tourists know how to stick out like a sore thumb.

“I speak English. Can I help you?”

***

Orlando was about to head back to the hotel and call it a day. He was in trouble and he freely admitted it. He hadn’t expected finding Shawn would be this hard. Everyone spoke Greek here.

Then, suddenly out of the darkness and mass of people a younger man, perhaps in his late teens, came towards him. He was very beautiful looking with dark brown hair with a lovely shade of blue eyes. He was positively cute. A little skinny though.

“Thank heavens. Hi, I’m Orlando, but everyone calls me Orli.”

Elijah smiled and looked at the map then back at him. “I’m Elijah. And everybody calls me Elijah. What can I do for you? I am afraid I am rather a tourist myself.” Elijah pointed to the tourist book and looked back at the man.

Orlando now turned from relief to worry. “Lost too?”

Elijah thought about that and then shrugged. “No, but if I was I probably wouldn’t care right now. I’m just taking a walk that’s all. I’ve been here for three days and this is my first time out.”

Orlando could only look back at the young man in surprise. “You come all this way to Athens and you stay in a hotel for three days? Sick?”

The young man only looked briefly down at his feet before looking back at Orlando. “Kind of…and I really don’t want to talk about it. Anyway you didn’t answer my question. What are you looking for?”

"Yeah, look. I'm looking for a place called—Hey! That's a really nice ring!"

Orlando pointed at the sparkling ring on his right hand. Elijah looked at it, and remembered it was a gift given to him by Dom months ago. At Virginia Beach. It had been a vow from Dom of his eternal love. Elijah sadly looked away, stroking it gently. Oh Dom. “Thanks. It was a gift.”

Orlando seeing the sadness in the boy’s eyes decided he better stay on topic and handed Elijah the map and pointed to one area. “I have never been here before as you can tell…”

Elijah chuckled, despite the sadness he felt as he thought about Dominic. “I don’t think anyone would have figured that out.” Elijah abruptly took the map and turned it all the way around and handed it back to Orlando. “There now we may be able to figure this all out.”

Seeing a sparkle in the boy's eyes, Orli grinned even more and feeling slightly foolish to boot. Elijah was not only cute but had a great sense of humor.

Orlando decided right then and there, he liked this kid. It was then a new emotion hit Orlando all in one sweep of a hand. An emotion and a feeling of brotherhood with this young man. Almost in a way, as if he had known him all of his life. No, soon to be all of his life. It was not a dream –but it was the same sensation that always assaulted him when he was awake. He was as familiar with it as he was with his dreams, and trusted them as well and this sensation in the pit of his stomach said that from this day forward he and Elijah would be friends.

That made Orlando very happy.

“Yeah, I came here to find someone. My friend, ah Shawn…anyway…I know this is going to sound odd but, I have a feeling that I maybe able to find him around here.” He pointed to a certain tourist must see place, “But, I don’t know how to get there.”

Elijah, smiling sadly looked at the spot he pointed at and nodded. “The Temple of Olympian Zeus. Wow, that is quite the distance from here. Which is logical since you were reading the map upside down. I think it would be better to take a cab.”

Orlando looked at the map and realized that this had meant to happen. He was meant to get lost so he could meet…Elijah. But that meant he still had to find Shawn. Orlando sighed audibly and Elijah could see the fear in his eyes.

“Yeah, quite the distance.”

Well, what the hell, Jericho and the others were probably busy sightseeing anyway. “Come on, I’ll take you, I saw some brochures about that place on the plane. Could be fun.”

Realizing he would not have to go alone, Orlando smiled in relief. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

***

The Arch of Hadrian.

Dominic held his duffle bag, paid the cab and stared all around him. The sight really didn’t impress him. Nothing ever would until he found Elijah. He wasn’t exactly sure now where he would find his lover, but he knew he was here somewhere. He could feel it.

Mopping his brow, Dom felt a wave of nausea hit him once more. He took an unsteady step forward and then sat down quickly. Several pedestrians glanced at him worriedly, but Dom just waved them off.

Struggling to get to his feet after a few moments, Dom looked all around him uncertain. In the distance he could see ancient structure with twelve columns. A woman with a tour group coming off a bus began to direct them towards it.

“This is the Ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus. Now if you will come this way, I will give you a full detailed explanation about this temple.”

Dom swallowed and turned away, first off hotel. A nap and maybe some food. It was probably why he is so sick. Either that or he got a stomach flue or something.

He would continue to try and find Elijah after a little bit of rest. He took two more unsteady steps and then suddenly everything began to spin around him.

That was the last thing Dominic knew before he hit the pavement.

***

Elijah was gone. He left a note at least. Gone to the Omonia Square. Jericho thought about going after him, but in the end he knew that the best thing was to leave Elijah alone. Jericho was beginning to realize, at long last, that he couldn’t fix every problem Elijah had. He had to be patient and wait until Elijah was ready.

Finding a small but nice looking café with a great view of the town hall, Jericho began to relax and ordered himself a drink and a Greek salad. While waiting for his meal, and looking over the note his father had left him Jericho saw a flash of red hair out the corner of his eye. Turning towards it, he saw a woman looking at him from across the street.

Jericho made his decision to follow the mysterious woman and left the appropriate money.

***

Stepping out of the cab, and shaking his head in amusement, Elijah watched as Orlando ran quickly passed a tourist group of people and straight to the temple.

Elijah had to admit the temple was rather impressive. He knew a little information about it.

It was the largest temple built on Greek soil. This temple was dedicated to the Olympus God Zeus, the head order of the ancient Gods. They had started building it in the 6^th century BC, but only finished it in Hadrian’s rule. Originally there were to be 108 columns that surrounded the temple and supposedly protected a stature of gold and ivory made of Zeus. The statue was lost long ago and now only 15 columns remained.

Yet even like this, Elijah had to admit it was stunning. About to follow after Orlando, Elijah paused to see a group of people standing in a circle. They seemed to be looking down at something or someone. A strange prickling sensation began on his arm and Elijah suddenly felt goose bumps on the back of his arms.

***

He opened his eyes, feeling more sick than before. Dom forced himself back to his feet, all the while trying to avoid the worried looks he was getting from a group of people that surrounded him.

Dom sighed as a hand tried to hold him up; all the while the people around him began talking to him in Greek.

“Are you all right, young man? Shall we call an ambulance? Take you to the hospital?”

He had learned the little he knew from a Greek boy staying at his boarding school, in England. The foreign exchange student. Good kid. Great fuck for a while. Got transferred or something—Dom's head hurt if he tried to think too deeply. Once more the sense of nausea and confusion began to consume him.

“Oxi.” (no)

Elijah! Tears of relief filled his eyes, and he began to stagger forward towards his lover not noticing that there was no warm welcome in Elijah’s eyes.

Elijah was about to move on when a figure pushed through the crowd of pedestrians. Elijah caught his breath, when he realized who the figure was.

Elijah didn't want an explanation as to why Dom left or why he was back. Elijah started to remove the ring from his finger. The young man swore he would make Dom eat this ring along with all of his false promises of love.

However as Elijah started forward with his hands balled into fists, he stopped suddenly as his mind clicked on several points at the approaching figure. Dom looked sick, almost deathly pale. His skin was clammy and he was staggering, barely on his feet. He was also shaking, trembling uncontrollably and tears were rolling down Dominic’s cheeks. Dom was crying.

“Dom? Are you all right? What happened? Dom?” Reaching for him, Elijah barely caught him in his arms in the nick of time. Holding him, Elijah felt his body…it was freezing cold.

It was over 80 degrees here today in Athens, and Dominic was cold to the touch!

Pulling him closer in his arms, Elijah turned him around and saw his blue-gray eyes completely washed by tears look up at him.

“Lij, forgive me. Forgive me.”

Elijah shook his head and felt his own tears surface. Dominic’s face was screwed up in misery and agony. Whatever happened to him hadn’t been a good experience.

“It’s going to be all right, Dom. Calm down. Everything is going to be fine. Come on; let’s get you to the hospital.”

As the crowd of concerned bystanders remained near the two boys, Elijah felt a pat on his shoulder by a tourist who spoke to him in broken English. “Ambulance…on way.”

Elijah nodded, and continued to hold Dominic, confused and frightened at Dominic’s appearance. He really looked pale. It would be a few minutes later that an ambulance would arrive.

Even as they took Dom into the ambulance, Elijah stayed close, holding Dominic’s hand in his own.

It was only after Dom and Elijah were away, that another ambulance made its arrival. Two men came from the vehicle and asked where the sick tourist was.

No one had an answer.

***

The strange woman seemed to have led him to what appeared to be an ancient Monastery. The Monastiraki. Arriving at one of Greece‘s most famous tourist attractions, Jericho lost the woman among the crowd of tourists.

She just vanished. Maybe she went inside the church? About to head in, Jericho paused to see a young couple trying to calm their crying young daughter, who had fallen on the pavement. Her nose was bleeding profusely.

They were obviously tourists and were calling for help. An elderly woman had run off to see if she could find a nurse or doctor. Smiling, Jericho moved forward and nodded at the couple. “Let me see, maybe I can help.”

Before they could say anything, Jericho was already looking down at the tearful child. She couldn’t be more than seven years old. Slowly, he bent down to his knees to make himself look less towering.

She was holding her finger to her nose and blood was gushing from it.

Jericho quickly took out a handkerchief and held it to her nose.

“My mom use to do this trick, when I was a kid, to some of my friends when they would get hurt. She would say, count to ten and then it will be all better. Can you count to ten?”

The little girl nodded and began to count, all the while tears ran down her cheeks.

Jericho closed his eyes, to avoid frightening her. A second later, as she reached ten he reopened his eyes. He pulled her finger and the hanky away from her nose and smiled. “There, it stopped. All better now.”

Her parents stared in surprise at the little girl to see that the bleeding had indeed stopped. Patting the little girl on the head, Jericho turned and hurried inside the church.

The little girl fingered a necklace placed on her neck. It was labeled *hemophilia bleeding disorder.

***

Jericho glanced all around the room. Many people had come inside checking the church out for all different reasons. Some seeking solace; some seeking God and others just to see the architecture of the structure. All Jericho wanted to find was one woman.

But, she was nowhere to be found. But he did notice two familiar people. A young man and woman.

They were both staring at a tapestry on the wall, holding hands. Then just as quickly they looked at each other and were moving in for what appeared to be a kiss.

“Wow, cool tapestry…yeah, must admit the view here is spectacular. Don’t you say?”

Natalie sighed, while Billy just looked at Jericho in confusion.

“I thought you were going to hit the museums?”

Natalie shrugged. “We did but a woman we bumped into told us about this place and suggested we should check it out.”

“A woman?”

Natalie only sighed and brushed her brother’s shoulder off. “Yeah, she was very nice. Had a great accent, I think it is from Ireland. Very pretty too with her red hair.”

Jericho kept his face neutral and nodded slowly. “Let’s head back to the hotel and see if Elijah is back.” Before Billy could speak, Jericho explained. “He went sight seeing. He seems to be finally ready to rejoin the rest of the world. Come on.”

***

She watched them leave. Placing her hand on the stone wall, she looked down at them as they got into the cab and drove off. To return to the hotel. Excellent. They would soon know that she was after them. But not just them.

The woman with red hair bypassed a young couple with a seven year old child and getting into the same car she got in at Mama Francesca Restaurant she told the driver to take her to the next destination.

Vouliagmeni Beach. The game pieces were now on the board and all she had to do was collect them one at a time.

***

Orlando had returned a half an hour later back at the entrance of the temple. He had raced inside sure that he would find Shawn there waiting. That was not to be so. After waiting for nearly twenty minutes, Orli remembered Elijah and his promise and had returned to the entrance to reunite with the young man that had been intent to help him.

He was a little sad to see Elijah too was gone. But, something told him he would see the young man again. About to turn around and head back inside, Orlando felt a strong hand take a hold of his arm and pull him roughly towards a more secluded area. Glancing up fearfully, his face changed to joy when he realized it was Shawn.

“Err, ah--Hi Shawn? What are you doing-- ah, here?”

" No. What the hell are you doing here, Orlando!?"

Shawn’s face was not filled with delight at finding Orlando here in Greece. In fact, he looked pretty pissed off.

“It’s Orli.” He was going to say more, but seeing Shawn’s fury filled eyes he decided to clam up instead.

Shawn continued to glare at him.

Okay, thought Orlando, this certainly did not work out the way he had hoped.

***

The ambulance came to a stop and Elijah, still holding Dom’s hand, waited for the men to come into the back to help take out Dom. Dominic had lost consciousness just before the ambulance arrived for them and had yet to awaken. After a minute of complete silence, Elijah felt something was wrong.

Elijah tried to look out the window and found he could only see darkness.

Looking back at Dom, Elijah could see his breathing was getting more shallow. Getting up, Elijah knocked on the back door. “Hello?” Hearing nothing, Elijah reached for the knob and turned it.

The door swung open suddenly out of his hand, and Elijah found himself face to face with the men that had taken Dom in the ambulance. In their hands they held guns. Behind the men, he could see a beach and a large white yacht docked by a small harbor.

The men eyed each other and, with a smile, they gestured with their guns for him to come forward.

“I am not leaving Dominic.”

The taller of the men spoke in a strong Greek accent. “We will collect him in a moment. Come with us.”

But, Elijah only glared back at these men. “I said I am not leaving Dominic.”

The taller of the two men without a response grabbed Elijah by the shirt and pulled him down violently out of the ambulance and towards the yacht. As he was helped on board, Elijah spotted a woman on the other end of the boat watching him. She had reddish blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white hat and a plain white dress that showed off every curve and feature. She was beautiful but didn’t look dainty. No, the word to describe her was 'strong'.

She smiled at him. Elijah remained still, not certain what to do next. Another man stepped forward and took him by the arm. The other two men headed back to the ambulance. They came back a few seconds later with Dominic slung over the taller man’s shoulder.

The men hurried off to do their work. Elijah remained where he was, wanting to be with Dom and still a small part of him wanted to know who this mysterious woman was.

“I think Dom is sick…he needs a doctor. Please.” With more fear in his voice, Elijah added, “I think he’s dying.”

Engines roared to life and within seconds they were heading out to sea. Elijah swallowed and stared as the woman, who refused to answer him, made her way to a table with a lighted candle. She gestured to the empty chair.

“Sit.”

He returned, a moment later, with a dish of different cheeses and breads.

“Eat.” She replied.

Elijah didn’t touch anything. “Who are you?”

“You wouldn’t even want to guess, little one?” she replied still smiling. One thing that Elijah noticed was that though she gave the others sharp toned commands, when she spoke to him it was softer and gentler.

“No…”

“My name, Elijah, is Kassandra.” She didn’t even blink.

That name hit home and Elijah swallowed. So, this was the woman who sent those men after Uncle Jason and them in Hawaii. But the name also was familiar. Elijah remembered Ian McKellen at the fair had told a story, that many years ago he had met a woman who was searching for Jason. Her name was Kassandra. And then, there was Uncle Illya. He had mentioned a woman’s name Kassandra at Virginia Beach. The woman who had warned him about Dr Emerson and Dr Raven Paul. Was this the same woman, or a relative?

“You tried to kill us? Those men that captured us---”

Kassandra shook her head. “No. My intent was to capture you. All of you, as well as your Uncle Jason. A man I have been chasing after for many years. However my hired men went out on their own. Greed…so very typical of men.”

So, this was the same woman? But, how was that possible? She didn’t look more than in her late thirties.

She offered Elijah a piece of cheese. He hesitated and then took it.

“What are you going to do to Dom? He’s sick. He needs a doctor.”

She didn’t even bat an eye. “He’ll be fine. Once Jericho gets here. We’ll have him all fixed up in a….ah what is the word…jiffy?”

Elijah didn’t smile, and slowly chewed on the cheese. It was quite good.

“What do you want from us? Our blood? Immortality? What?”

The woman only laughed. Elijah put down the remainder of his cheese and glared on at her, though a small bit of fear still showed in his eyes. “Did I say something funny?"

“No.” She replied simply. “I am not after immortality, or your blood like so many others. Like Saxon, Like Fletcher…Like the IIA, or rather…THRUSH reunited. Oh yes, I know many things.”

“Then what do you want with us?”

Kassandra shrugged. “That is a long story, little one.”

“We apparently have time,” he replied hotly; Elijah was growing annoyed with this woman‘s cat and mouse game.

She grinned once more; so it seems the kitten does have some claws after all. Good.

“I will answer two more questions, and then you will go below. So, ask them.”

Elijah thought on that for a while and then asked. “Why are you trying to capture us?”

“Because I have been ordered to. To collect every immortal that is on this planet.”

Elijah swallowed and thought about that list…the list of names. Was this Kassandra’s list? Had Uncle Jason taken it from her and left it in New Orleans for Jericho and then to try to keep the others safe. But, who was she working for? Who had ordered her to capture them and for what purpose? Of all the questions Elijah wanted to ask, he instead went with a different one altogether.

“So the person you are working for…and yourself want immortality? Is that it?“

The woman grinned as a guard came back above deck, ready to escort Elijah back down below. She nodded at the guard who took Elijah’s arm firmly in his hand.

“No, Little one….I have no wish for your blood. You see, I am immortal and that one was your second question. Take him down with the other one."

And a look of shock still on Elijah’s face, he was taken away.

***

Natalie was surprised and worried that Elijah was not back. It was getting dark outside.

“Where can he be? It‘s getting late.” She replied.

“Okay, you two stay here. I’ll go see if I can find him.”

The stranger closed the door and locked it behind him, before turning around to face Jericho.

Jericho was most taken back by the man, and was preparing for a fight when a cry of excitement hit the air.

“DADDY!!”

Natalie pushed Jericho aside and dived into the man’s arms.

The man was taller than all of them, at least six feet tall, and had a very strong build. He was wearing dusty old jeans and a matching shirt. His hair was dark brown with matching eyes. His face and jaw were a bit rugged giving him a handsome but refined look. He looked to be no more than a few years older then Jericho. A man in his mid thirties.

Jericho sensed familiarity but was still not certain. Was this his father? Everything seemed to indicate it.

“Nat!” the man cried with glee and picked her up into the air and swung her around in circles before setting her down and giving her a hug and a kiss. The man then turned and stared at Jericho and grinned.

“Sean.”

Jericho swallowed and took an unsteady step back.

Jericho shook his head. He didn’t know this man? Did he?

Jason offered his hand. "I can understand that you’re angry with me for leaving you like this, I'm sorry."

It was only then that Jericho picked up a peculiar smell. A smell of musk cologne. It brought back memories to the surface. His father laughing and carrying him through a room. Memories of his father helping him ride a bike. Reading to him, playing ball with him. His father…His father….

For a moment time stopped and then, finally Jericho felt tears fill his eyes and he pulled his father into a hug. “Dad,” was all that he could choke out. And it was more than enough for Jason.

Natalie screamed and hid behind Billy who tried to shield her. The men moved in on them.

***

Vincent Caesar watched as the boys, an older man and the girl were placed inside a black van outside the hotel.

He glanced at his watch and then looked at Viggo and Jade who were sitting in the back seat of the car.

“What do we do now?” asked Viggo.

“We follow and see who else has come to play on our game".

When the van moved away, Vincent Caesar started the engine and followed a safe distance behind them.

Elijah was pushed into a small room with an already occupied bed. Elijah heard the door close and lock behind him. They were taking no chances it seems. However, he didn’t look back; instead Elijah ran to the form lying on the small bed in the cabin.

Dominic had been placed in it with a blanket covering his body-- his face was pale and covered by sweat, his lips blue and his hair glued to his forehead. Elijah noticed that Dominic’s arm now had a bandage. When Elijah gently touched it, a moan escaped Dom’s lips.

“Dom?” Even more concerned, Elijah touched his cheek, and Dom’s eyes fluttered open.

“I’m here. Dom….what happened?”

Dom felt like he was swimming under the water; everything seemed so distant and far away. Even Elijah seemed to be drifting away from him.

Dominic shook his head and tried to respond but wound up coughing as his dry mouth constricted.

“Water--Lij.”

Finding a pitcher with some water, Elijah took an empty glass and, filling it, he brought it slowly to Dom’s lips. Barely able to bring his head up, Dom took several tentative lips and then laid his head back down on the pillow. He felt so heavy, so weighed down. And why was it so cold?

“Mmm--cold,” he whispered.

Elijah placed a hand on his forehead and could feel he was burning up. “You have a fever, Dom, that is why you feel so cold. But, I’m here now. I’ll take care of you.”

Finding more blankets in a small closet, he quickly covered Dominic’s form and then sat back down beside his lover, pushing back Dominic’s locks of hair with his finger tips

After a few long moments, Dom opened his eyes and glanced around the room.

“Where--?” Talking seemed to take so much out of him, and yet Dom could see the fear in Elijah’s eyes and knew he had to try and fight this sickness that was taking him over.

“On a boat, heading for Crete. We’ve been kidnapped.”

Dom sighed, “Things never change-- do they?” He wanted to laugh but was too tired to even try and make the effort.

“Some woman named Kassandra has us.”

Dom gave that some thought and nodded. “She wants --to kill us?"

“She said she was trying to kidnap us…not kill us. Dom, do you remember, Mr. McKellen mentioned a Kassandra…a woman that was looking for Jason years ago in Europe and Uncle Illya…he mentioned a Kassandra that tried to warn him about Emerson and the IIA.”

Dom coughed again, and Elijah offered him some more water. He pushed it away with his hand and looked at Elijah, fighting to speak, to explain.

“I went home.”

The room had only one window and the port hole was not even five inches in width. No way they could try to slide out of it.

Dom saw the pain in Elijah’s face and it scorched him to the core. He thinks I betrayed him? Somehow Dom managed to reach out and lay his hand on top of Elijah’s. This one touch caused Elijah’s mind to turn back and focus on Dominic.

“Please, don’t hate me. I had to.”

Looking at his hands, Elijah stroked the ring on his finger lightly. Dom’s vow.

“Please… Let... Let me--… explain.” Everything was spinning, and Dom wasn’t sure how much longer he could stay conscious, but he had to. He had to explain.

Elijah nodded slightly, but he would not meet Dom’s eyes. “I’m listening.”

And with a great effort, Dominic slowly began to tell Elijah how he had met his aunt in Hawaii and how she had suggested his mother had an affair.

By the time Dom finished the tale and informed Elijah that he was still the son of Fletcher and that he thought his entire family was a bunch of psychos, tears were running down his face.

“Lij…I’m sorry. I had to go. I had to know the truth. I didn’t-- want to…leave you.”

Elijah’s head snapped up and he looked at Dom with what can only be described as anger. Dom felt as if he had been slapped across the face.

“Lij? I love you. Please, don’t be angry with me.”

Elijah shook his head. “Don’t tell me what I should be. If I should be angry or not.”

Dominic then seemed to shrink before him and become even more pale and fragile. It scared Elijah and he softened his voice. This was neither the time nor the place to fight. Beside, Elijah knew that Dom was in no condition to handle anything at this point.

Elijah was truly getting worried. Was Dom dying?

Dom now tried to sit up, but another wave of sickness hit him and he fell back against the pillow gasping softly, his face whitening even more.

Pausing, Elijah lowered his voice more, his hands gently reaching out and touching Dominic‘s chest and hands. Dominic in return reached for him, and Elijah took his hand tenderly in his own.

Elijah shook his head unable to meet Dom‘s eyes. “Love and a relationship have to do with trust…and you didn’t trust me enough to tell me what was happening?”

“I did…I did trust you. I was-- afraid--didn't want to put you in danger."

The words were forced out of his mouth, and though Dom had tried to shout them, they came out more of a whisper. He was starting to feel dizzy and his mind was getting muddled. He was going to pass out again.

“Again, you made the decision for me. Dom, I am not a child. I can make up my own mind about things. If we are to have this relationship…it has to be of equal footing. Communication….and even allowing me to make my own decisions. No matter what may come from them.”

Dom paused and squeezed Elijah’s hand fighting to breathe, fighting the darkness that seemed to be taking over. “I will. I swear. Forgive me. Forgive me, please."

Elijah finally stared into his eyes and saw the tears running down Dominic's face. Dom was sincere. He wasn’t lying and, more to the point, Elijah knew Dom loved him more than life itself. The anger and the hurt seemed to leave him then. Elijah knew that was all that was important. Dom loved him and, not only that, Dom had thought of only ways to try to protect him from his father Fletcher.

A warmth filled his heart. For the first time, Dom had learned to let go of his possessiveness and thought of someone else…before himself. Elijah reached over and wiped Dom’s tears away gently with his finger tips and shook his head as Dom stared into his eyes and spoke, “I love you. Lij.”

Elijah smiled and reaching forward he kissed Dominic lightly on the lips. “I love you, you stupid, stubborn… jerk. Now lie down and rest. Let’s not talk about this anymore. We have other worries at the moment. The woman who captured us just told me she was hired to capture not just us but every immortal and that she is Immortal too. Like me.”

Leaning back against the pillows Dom took a deep breath; he was going down for the count. Everything was blackening around him. But he wouldn’t go silently.

“Bugger.”

Elijah didn’t disagree. Seeing Dom looking still pale and very weak, Elijah joined him on the small bed and took Dom gently in to his arms. Enfolding Dom with his own body and hopefully giving him some body heat, he gently placed Dom’s head against his shoulder. In this moment in time, it was just the two of them, holding each other and feeling the love between them shine past the pain, the darkness and the hurt. Moving beyond the past and hopefully on to the future.

“Lij…”

“Yes, Dom.”

“I. Think. Vincent. did something. to me…and I think… he might have-- followed me.”

***

“Okay, Orlando Mccay, I am going to ask this only one more time, and then I want an answer. How did you find me here?”

Orlando could see the distrust in those green eyes; Shawn thought he was with the enemy. Whoever the enemy was? He would have to come clean. He would have to tell him the truth.

Orli had never even told his Aunt Kassandra. And though Orlando had resolved the fact that he would have to tell Shawn, it was not something he felt ready to do.

“Orlando.”

Orli sighed and knew that if he wanted Shawn to trust him and to believe in him he would have to do it. “Orli…”

“Orlando, I am not playing. Either you tell me what is going on…or…”

Defeated and rising to his feet, Orli walked over to the men and took the tourist magazine and brought it back to Shawn and handed the closed magazine to him.

Seeing the confusion in his eyes, Orlando sat back down at the table his face filled with sadness and surrender.

When he spoke it was soft and yet said firmly. “Where is Shawn?”

The magazine seemed to suddenly come to life in Shawn’s hands and the magazine opened and pages began to flutter wildly.

Shawn dropped the magazine onto the floor in his surprise and watched as the pages finally stopped at a particular page with large print that said. Athens, Greece.

Furthermore, underneath the title of “Where to Sleep in Athens” there was the name of the hotel they were staying in… and the page ripped itself until the end of the ripped part pointed directly to that name.

Shawn swallowed in shock. The men had risen where they sat, forgetting their hunger, and held one hand on their guns, not sure what to do.

Shawn looked at Orlando who still hadn’t opened his eyes. “How? What?”

Orlando opened his eyes but they did not come up to meet Shawn’s. Orlando knew what he would find there, hate, anger…more distrust.

Fear.

“It is my curse. Since I was twelve, I have seen things, premonitions. Mostly in my dreams. And I can find things, as well. Missing things and people,” Orlando added so softly that for a moment Shawn was moved to pity.

“I’m a freak.” Orlando covered his face with both hands, as if trying to hide from the rest of the world. He looked just so---alone.

Now alone in the room, Shawn moved towards Orlando; taking a seat in the opposite chair he looked on at Orlando with new eyes.

“Premonitions?”

“Yeah. Bad things--sometimes good things, and sometimes I could change them. The lady that lived upstairs from me…I saw her falling down the flight of stairs to her death. I was able to prevent that and she lived and she met a nice man and got married. I saw a boy get hit by a car…was killed…would have been killed but I managed to stop that too. I saved him. But…I saw my mom die in a fire and…I wasn’t able to stop that. She died.”

The young lad refused to face him, and still covered his face with his hands. “Orlando…” Shawn gently reached over and pulled Orlando’s hands away from his face and still the young lad refused to meet his eyes.

Was he that scared?

“In school I use to find lost things…keys, pens…it was fun for a while and the kids were even nice to me…but then, one day I helped a man find his son…his body in a pond. Drowned. They got scared of me after that and called me a freak.”

“You are not a freak.” His tone of voice was softening and gentle. But Orlando didn‘t even dare to hope.

“Did you know about me?” asked Shawn, trying to get Orlando back on track.

Orlando swallowed and nodded. “I saw you in dreams but I didn’t know you or your name…only that we were to meet. To be…” Orlando paused uncertain whether he should mention lovers but instead replied. “--friends.”

Shawn nodded and watched as Orlando stood up and paced the room before sitting down on one of the beds. Orlando looked sad, defeated and even heartbroken. He was touching his fingers and refusing to look up at him.

“I should call the asylum and have you locked up…tell you that this is too crazy to believe and yet-- Orlando, I believe you.”

“You do?” Orli replied and then remembered those odd books in Shawn’s apartment. ESP, UFO’s, the unexplained.

“Yeah.” Taking a seat beside Orlando, Shawn shrugged and tried to explain, placing his hands now on his lap. “My sister was special. She could start fires….with her eyes. In fact one day when I was twelve she set fire to my shoes…while I was still in them. Taught me never to touch her dolls again.”

Orlando smiled lightly. “You have a sister?”

Shawn sadly looked away. “She died. She loved to ski and one day she took a bad turn and fell. She broke her neck and died instantly. I promised my parents I would take care of her and I failed them.”

“I’m sorry.”

Shawn faced Orlando and smiled. “No need. That was a long time ago…Orli.”

Orlando smiled at this; it was the first time Shawn had called him by his nickname. A pleasant and warm feeling went through him. Maybe there was still hope for them after all. At this moment he would do anything for Shawn.

“So you saw the future?”

Orli looked away.

“That bad, huh?”

“I saw things just before coming here Shawn, and it wasn’t pleasant. I saw an epidemic…”

Shawn’s left eyebrow raised. “Epidemic? Like a virus?”

“Yes, I saw thousands of people dying and…and then I saw missiles and cities exploding….death…the end of everything.”

Shawn didn’t like the sound of this. “Do your premonitions always come true?”

Orli shrugged looking scared and biting his lip that made him look much younger then his age. “Almost always.”

Shawn sighed. “We’ll talk about that later.” Rising to his feet, Shawn suddenly had an idea. He moved to the desk and opening one of the drawers he took out a folder and handed it to Orli.

“Orli, these people, we need to find them. Do you think you could help me?”

Orli grinned. “Sure.” Opening the folder, Orli saw photos. The first picture showed a man in his early thirties with brown hair and green eyes.

Orli smiled as feelings and emotions began to wash over him.

Orlando put the photo aside and looked down at the next photo. It was of a young girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes with a sweet angelic face.

“She is sweet, innocent…nice. She has been protected all of her life. She is also special.” Orli paused to look at the photo he had seen first and then back at her. “They are related…these two. Siblings-- I think? But she is not like him. She…is not a healer like him but she does heal…and longevity…she has a long life span…” Orli put that aside with the other photo and took on the next one.

He saw a blond haired youth with blue almost green eyes and a not exactly handsome face but certainly endearing.

“Funny…”

Shawn nodded. “Yes.”

“I see…he is mute? No, was mute…he can speak now.”

Shawn sat down beside Orlando and nodded. “Does he?”

Shawn grinned at the photo. “Billy married? Who knew.”

“Is that his name? William…he has suffered much…from his father…” Orlando paused a moment and shook his head. “Father…or is that his…odd…”

“What is it?” Asked Shawn.

“I don’t know.” Orlando replied. “The man I see in my mind…I am seeing two things. A father figure and yet…something else…” Orlando shook his head and the vision disappeared. “like he isn’t his father.”

Shawn shrugged and prompted him to look at the next photo.

“Hmm, I see whirling winds around him. He is chaotic and at odds with the world and himself. He is capable of much good and much evil. Balance, he needs balance in his life. His life is not set. Ever changing. I don’t know…” Shrugging Orli pushed that photo along side the others and moved to the last photo.

A young boy, with familiar dark chestnut hair and beautiful blue eyes. An angelic and sweet face.

Orlando paled and dropped the photo onto the ground. Getting to his feet Orlando took several steps away from Shawn and the folder.

Shawn picked up the photo. “Orli?”

Orlando looked at Shawn in surprise. “Why are you after them? Why do you need to find them?”

Shawn shrugged. “Because they are in danger and U.N.C.L.E wants to get them to safety. Do you know this one? Orli?”

Orlando nodded. “Elijah…I saw him today.”

Shawn almost hit the floor in shock. “When? Where?”

“At the Omonia Square….he helped me find you…we got a cab.”

“Where is he now?”

Orlando shook his head. “I don’t know.” He backed away, now suddenly unsure if he should be helping Shawn. He could see a cage, and bars and Elijah…being hurt. Suffering---

But, Shawn wouldn’t take no for an answer and pushed the photo back into Orlando’s hands.

“You must tell me. Where is he? Orli…please…I mean those boys and that girl no harm. Help me find them. They are in danger.”

Orlando closed his eyes and tried to open his mind, but he felt the lines blurring over. But, Orlando knew…he just knew that Shawn meant what he said. He had no intention of hurting Elijah or these kids. U.N.C.L.E were the good guys.

Orlando felt his cheeks redden slightly and could feel his body responding to the vision.

Orlando looked at Shawn in shock feeling suddenly tired and worn out--as if he had run a marathon. “They are in danger. I can feel it.”

“Can you see where they are?”

“Orli concentrate…please this is important. They could die. I only want to protect them.”

Shawn had no need to say it; Orlando could feel that already. Death….death. He could see those missiles, the deadly epidemic and Elijah---Elijah in pain. Orlando pushed away from him and closed his eyes. Bad things were going to happen, very bad things.

A face for a moment surfaced in his mind. A face that reminded him of his Aunt Kassandra. Then it faded. Why did that appear? Orlando was more confused then ever.

Orli opened his eyes and moved back towards the table and looked at the tourist magazine on Europe. He swallowed and stared at Shawn for a moment before closing his eyes.

“Where is Elijah?”

When Orlando turned to look at Shawn, he found he was already closing the door behind him. Orlando started after him, but as Orlando tried to open the door he found it was locked.

***

Saxon Estate

Jean was tired but couldn’t bring herself to sleep. Alone in her room, she surfed the TV to find some news. She paused to see an updated report live on L.A.

“Channel four, bringing you up to date with the still unaccounted for six nuclear war head missiles that were being shipped from Fort Levingston to Fort Gregory in Atlanta Georgia. It appears that four more nuclear warheads have turned up missing in Berlin Germany and the Soviet Union. As of now, no one has disclosed any possible reasons for these missing weapons although many have speculated that the perpetrators may have something to do with the uprising and conflict with the Middle-east countries. The US government however has not ruled out any other possibilities--”

Jean shut it off and shook her head. The world was going to hell in a hand basket. Sadly, she went to get up and get herself something to drink when a sudden pain hit her, and seconds later she felt a warm wetness between her legs.

She gasped in fright. No, it is too soon. She wasn’t due for another four weeks.

Another pain hit her and Jean cried out in fright. A moment later, Nigel Saxon was in the room. He had been heading to his office when he heard her cry. Seeing the wetness and the fear in her eyes, Saxon took it all in hand and led Jean towards the bed.

“Relax my dear, everything will be all right. Lay down and I will fetch Doctor Raven.”

Jean did as she was told and laid down on the bed, but after Saxon left, Jean reached for the phone. She needed help and fast, she no longer trusted Doctor Raven or her husband anymore.

She dialed 911; but the phone line was dead.

***

Kassandra stood outside the top of the lighthouse and leaned against the railings. The wind was strong and blew her hair and dress behind her. The sun was beginning to set. Smiling, she was delighted to see the boat coming towards the harbor.

Her guests were arriving. She had them all now. Well, minus one Ben Richards, but she would get him easily enough. With Dominic Fletcher in her clutches she had something to bargain with. Steel Fletcher was an obsessive and dangerous man, and as much as he wanted to keep Ben Richards, he would give her Ben in return for his son.

Grudgingly perhaps, but he would do it.

Everything was falling into place. It would take only another year or two and she would have them all. Then…then her job would be done and she could call home.

They could all go home.

She turned her head upwards towards the darkening sky. There were no clouds out and soon the stars would sparkle across the heavens.

That was one of the few things she loved about this place….she was able to see the stars.

She turned then to see Elijah behind her. He was looking at her in confusion. His hands had been shackled but his feet unbound. He looked frightened and confused but unharmed. He kept asking for Dominic.

“Where is he? What did you do with him?”

She had brought him up here as soon as her boat had docked. She shook her head and smiled. “He’s fine. Your cousins and your Uncle have been caught.” She pointed to the boat coming into port. “As soon as they arrive, I will have Jericho heal your precious friend.”

Elijah only looked down and sighed. “Why are you doing this? Who are you? What are you after?”

Kassandra only smiled more, and reached out to touch a strand of his hair. Elijah backed away.

“I’m not going to hurt you, little one,” she replied softly. He really was a skittish thing, she thought. So young, so very young.

***

Elijah walked slowly down the spiraling staircase with Kassandra helping him, making certain he didn’t stumble. He was completely perplexed by this woman. She seemed cold and untouchable one moment and then soft and gentle the next.

If it was possible he looked worse. Elijah finally faced the woman. “Please, let me give him my blood….he’s dying, can’t you see that?”

Elijah was about to take Dom’s hand when he remembered the bandage on Dom’s arm. Elijah looked back at Kassandra who pulled something out of her pocket and showed it to him. It looked like a computer chip of some sort.

“Fletcher and his men think they are so very clever.” She dropped the device on the ground and used her foot to smash it into pieces. “But, I am far more clever than they and far more dangerous then anyone can possibly imagine.”

***

She paced the room slowly, her hands kept at her sides, while Elijah continued to stay at Dom’s side doing his best to try to keep calm.

Natalie, Jericho and Billy entered first, all of them with their hands in shackles. Behind them came what Elijah could only guess was Jason, his Uncle Jason.

Kassandra didn’t waste any time and pointed at Jericho to Dom’s form. “Heal him.”

Jericho paused and looked at Elijah, relieved to see he was unhurt but also more worried then before. They were all captured now. All of them. No hope of rescue in sight.

Moving forward, he gritted his teeth at seeing Dominic Fletcher; however, what anger he held for the boy disappeared when he saw how deathly pale he was. He glanced back at the woman in annoyance.

“Let me guess: you are Kassandra…”

“The one and only. The Queen Bee herself,” shot Jason.

“Your work?” asked Jericho, giving Dom another glance.

Kassandra merely raised her right eyebrow with a smile still on her lips.

“Jericho…please, no time to be arguing…Dom’s dying.” replied Elijah.

It seemed like an eternity to Elijah, but it was over within seconds. His eyes flashed a neon green and then slowly Jericho’s form began to pale and become clammy.

Jericho sank backwards, feeling a moment of weakness and dizziness. His father fortunately moved in time to catch him from falling.

Elijah however had turned to Dom and saw that Jericho had once again performed his miracle of healing. Dominic’s skin was a healthy pinkish glow, no longer cold to the touch. His face had smoothed out and he was breathing normally again.

Elijah sighed in relief. “Thank you, Jericho.”

Jericho nodded and regaining his composure got to his feet and faced Kassandra.

“So, you want to tell me what the hell this is all about? Who you are and what you are after?”

Kassandra only smiled and glanced at Jason. “Why don’t we allow your father to explain? I am sure he is just dying to tell his version. Jason?”

Gritting his teeth, Jason looked away not saying anything.

“What, cat got your tongue? Hmm, and here we all are and you just clam up? How typical. So… do you want me to tell them? My version?”

Jason looked back at her, his eyes narrowed and angry. “What do you want me to say, Kassandra. To tell them that all my life you have hunted me, that you have hunted people like us?”

She laughed outright and moving towards him she glared back angrily.

“As usual, you cop out. Just like running away from that fire that killed your father, from your brother at the orphanage when he was a child. Always you, frightened and wanting to know the truth and then running when it is given to you. Running away as you have run all of your life to escape responsibility.”

“My responsibilities? Who the hell do you think you are? Playing judge and jury? I was a young man for Christ’s sake. I wanted to be free to do my own thing. I loved my brother Ben, but I wanted to see the world first.”

“We knew that already.” replied Elijah almost wanting to roll his eyes at this woman.

“But young one, the fire was not accidental. They were murdered, or at least Topaz thought he murdered them.”

“It is not that complex, little one. Another of our kind… an Immortal one that is insane… who was sent into exile many centuries ago by my leaders. He found out that three ships had crashed landed on Earth in 1910 and sought revenge ever since by trying to find all those who survived and kill them.”

“You didn’t tell them that either?”

Jason swallowed and would not meet her eyes.

“You are such a weak….insolent…stupid…”

Jason’s eyes shot up at her. “Hold it, I--”

But, Kassandra just raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

“Shut up! I have given you the opportunity to explain to these little ones what was going on and who they were and what they are since Hawaii? And what happens? You run off and steal things that are my property in an attempt to stop me from keeping them alive and safe. You, Jason Richards are a fool! My job is to protect all of you.”

She turned at the boys and Natalie and shook her head angrily.

“You don’t even know the basics.” She finally moved to the staircase and sat down on one of the steps, her left hand going to her temple as she closed her eyes. “Just perfect.”

She took several breaths and then reopened her eyes.

Turning, she moved towards Jericho and Elijah and glanced down at Dominic to see his eyes were open and staring at her in awe and perhaps fear. She sadly lowered her eyes and softened her voice more.

“Those ships, those three ships crashed onto this world and that is how the Immortals came to be here. The purebreds. Your great grandmother as well as those who survived the crash saw just one recourse. To blend in and to co-exist with the human race. But they took their co-existence too far and they bonded and fell in love with them! ” She paused and looked at the boys’ faces. Natalie’s was looking rather greyish. The boys looked as if she had just dropped a bomb on them. Well, in a way, she had.

She looked at Jason and snorted at him before looking back at them.

“Trapped on this alien and barbaric world, where humans only live for a mere hundred years? To fall in love with them? Can you imagine the heart break of my people? Those that survived sought to make the best of things. A few even thought to embrace this world. Like your great-grandmother Althea Xanthus, Alexandria and Stephanie were born from that union.”

She paused again allowing all of this to sink in. “However, as I stated before, there was a man…Topaz an immortal that we…centuries ago brought here in exile. He was a monster in our world. Killed, where killing was forbidden. We have no death penalty and therefore could not bring ourselves to killing him. So, our scientists knew of Earth and decided that the best course was to, well, dump him off here. In the centuries that he has existed, he has caused much chaos and evil. Not that human kind isn't capable of doing that themselves. Yes, he fit in quite nicely. And of course, when he learned of the crashed ships he came seeking them. This monster searching for the survivors… capturing them and using them for his own purposes. Killing them as he pleased. Experimenting and doing things that are completely…ah what is that expression you use? Yes, Inhuman?”

Kassandra paused once again and then looked at Jason. "I was one of the Generals in one of the ships that crashed. One of the few survivors of my aircrew…"

She looked at her fingernails and smiled. “My first agenda was to find all the survivors and make them accountable. The ships however crashed in different and great distances from the other. This was the early 1900’s and had to use the transportation of the day to get to these places. By the time I arrived most had gone, disappeared or were dead. That was when I learned of…him. My second agenda was to find Topaz and stop him”

She smiled sadly, and then getting to her feet she walked by each and everyone of them slowly looking them up and down. Natalie, Billy, Jericho, Jason and then finally Elijah. Elijah was clinging to Dominic. His face was pale and wide in horror. The human, Dominic appeared to be slowly coming around. It seemed the youngest of the children was the most emotional and sensitive. She would have to keep a close tabs on this one. It was quite apparent that he was a Ches-nay. But Jericho, like his father, Illya Kuryakin and Ben Richards were more like a Nalute. (* Nalute and Ches’nay will be explained in Virus Unleashed by Jason Richards.) A Ches’nay…that made Elijah Chevalier very valuable indeed. She would have to make certain she looked after this one.

She glared at Jason who only shrugged indifference to her plight.

“Still pissed off that I left you that morning in bed. Sorry, I didn’t have time to leave a note.”

Kassandra narrowed her eyes, and Jericho’s eyes almost became like saucers. Did his father just say what he thought he just said? His father had a--romantic interlude with this woman?

Jason had enough and faced his son and daughter. “I loved your mother; she had been dead for some time and I had to get to the truth and that was the only way. It is not important; what is important is her agenda.

Kassandra glared at Jason, and folded her arms around herself and kept her head high.

Jason wasn’t buying it. “And eventually when they found what they were seeking they left taking a whole bunch of us with them. For what purpose? Huh? Slavery? More experiments? That’s something you still haven’t told me yet? How about some truth there? Huh?”

“All right, I knew about our blood…before…when Katherine was alive and you were kids.” Ignoring the hurt look in Jericho’s eyes, Jason continued. “I didn’t know what to do about it…and I couldn’t help Ben or Illya…yes, I knew…I knew he was being hunted, that people like us were being hunted, and I didn’t help him or any of them. Eventually Katherine died and…well you know the rest. For a time I hunted for more clues, to find out more about Kassandra and our blood. Eventually all clues led me to Bermuda and there, Kassandra and I finally met for the first time. All those years of hunting me, and I came to you. And yes, I used you…to try to figure out what you were up to. Who we were exactly and what we are? We are not Purebreds of anything. What I am and you Sean…Elijah, Nat…We have strange genetic makeup…with human tainted blood. Which mixed this mix within us has caused different reactions to our dna and structure when we mate and produce with other humans.”

Kassandra smiled and paced around him and seeing the boys’ confusion elaborated.

Jericho nodded slowly. “I am immortal but cannot give the same life giving blood as my dad and sister…Elijah…I can heal with touch instead?”

“Not just you, Jericho. You forget there are other immortals…and with their genetics mingling with the human race, other things have occurred. Special abilities are given and others taken to a different plateau while others still are abnorm--I mean human mortality.”

Jason sighed slowly as Kassandra cut in angrily. “Not all are the original survivors. Some, like you –are the descendents. My list is a list that took me many years to collect. Those of course that have no genetic makeup-- our genetic makeup-like Eternians are discounted and allowed free to continue to live their…although short…lives here on earth. Ah, my list, Jason took from me as well as my communication device.”

Billy now spoke, softly but determined. “The letters…M, D….? Missing? Dead?”

Kassandra raised her eyebrow and nodded slowly. “And the ones left in blank I know exactly where they are and can get them at any time at my leisure. However, my first and foremost objective was to retrieve the Richards family. You…all of you are vitally important to our race. You are the heirs of the royal blood line.” She spoke this last part as if this all made perfect sense.

“I learned about her plans to capture all the immortals…to communicate with her kind…and take us away…against our will.” replied Jason.

Kassandra let out an angry breath and looked back at the boys cutting in. “A new world awaits you. There you will not be chased, or hunted or treated like…guinea pigs. You will be treated with love and respect. You will all be free to do what ever you want…be what you want…without the worries of Fletcher or Saxon…or some blood thirsty monster. I am doing what is best for all of you. On our world you will be normal or rather mostly normal.”

Kassandra turned to Jason and after a moment she turned to her guards. “Enough talking. We can discuss this further later. Take the boys back to the boat; the submarine will be here soon. We will then head back to Bermuda….to the underwater city.”

The guards didn’t waste any time and began to gather the boys and Natalie.

Jason took the opportunity to try to struggle. He moved forward swinging, but Kassandra caught him in mid swing and sent him back against the wall, holding him there with one arm against his back.

“As for you Jason Richards, I want my list back and my device…I need that device…where did you put it?”

Jason only gritted his teeth. “Go to hell.”

As Kassandra turned, Jason tried to kick her. Kassandra again blocked the blow and twisted Jason’s body around and sent him onto his knees.

Both Jericho and Billy tried to follow Elijah, but the guards held them in place. Dominic however weaved his way through and headed up the stairs after Elijah.

Kassandra cursed and threw Jason towards her guards. “Take them to the boat, now! I will go get the Princeling.”

And she quickly headed after the two young ones.

Without further delay the guards took them all out of the room.

***

Everything felt like a dream. Or a nightmare. Dominic continued to call Elijah’s name and made his way after him.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he saw a small glass room with a huge light seemed ready to be lit and steer all boats to a safe port.

Elijah was not inside the small glass room. Turning to his left, Dom felt an overwhelming sense of terror.

Elijah was outside and was standing on the other side of the railing, his intent quite clear as he stared down at the rocks below.

Dominic made it to the door and opened it. Stepping outside, he felt the cool breeze of the salty air. It made him feel a bit giddy.

“Elijah…” Dom's tone of voice was loving, trying to calm the young one down.

But his lover did not look towards him.

“Elijah.” He called again, this time more loudly and more angry.

It worked; this time Elijah turned his head and stared at Dom. Tears filled the boy's eyes and terror, complete and utter terror.

“Elijah, come on…what the hell are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Elijah replied and looked back down towards the ocean and the rocks below.

“Elijah please… don’t do this to me. I can't live without you…"

“Didn’t you hear a word she said?” Elijah asked, “I’m not human…I’m I’m a thing. An alien…Oh GOD, Dom!” Tears fell from Elijah’s face and it was obvious now to Dom what was happening. Elijah was in shock…and everything had finally caught up to him. Everything.

“As if dealing with the fact that I am immortal and gay…wasn’t enough, I’m a fucking Martian from outerspace. OH GOD! NO!” Elijah let out a scream, terror and hysteria rising inside of him.

Everything was hopeless, beyond his reach. He felt like he was falling, the darkness closing in around him. He couldn’t breathe. What if he had two hearts or a double brain or something? What other abnormalities were within him?

Dom could see Elijah’s breathing had picked up and he was looking decidedly pale.

“How can you stand to look at me?”

"Because I love you. Because nothing has changed. It is all in your mind. Nothing that woman said down there has changed how I feel for you."

Dom took a step forward, and Elijah moved further away from him.

“Don’t!” He cried. His arms wavered and Dom was certain Elijah was going to let go.

“Dom.”

“NO!” shouted Elijah. His eyes slowly wavered as if he was coming back from some other place. “Dom!”

Dom released one hand and looked upwards. “Let’s do it.”

Elijah’s hand reached out to him, and Dom was there to take it. In one swift movement they were at each other’s side, staring at each other.

“Dom.”

But Dom only moved in and kissed Elijah’s lips. When he released them he smiled.

“I don’t care if you sprout wings and turn into a dragon or grow warts. I love you, Elijah…no matter what comes along in our lives. I love you. And as for not being human… Elijah, you are more human than I will ever be. You make me human….you touched my soul and set me free. Don’t let me go…or I swear I will fall.”

Elijah swallowed and, then after a long moment, he nodded.

The stars began to glitter in the coming of darkness; a strong wind blew all around them, as a seagull flew past.

And then a heavy hand landed on each of the boys’ shoulders, and they looked up startled, to see Kassandra glaring down at them. She looked pissed.

Dominic snorted, attempting to join in as his accomplice.

Kassandra smiled, but hid her amusement from the boys. Best not let them know she now was developing a soft spot with this one. He would most certainly use it to wrap her around his little finger. Like sweet Orli. Shaking her head she dragged them down the staircase and onto the first level and right out the door.

***

The boat was waiting, but Kassandra did not pause to wonder as she brought the boys up onto the deck where her men and the rest of the Richards family were.

It wasn’t until she was stepping towards the captain's bridge that the door swung open and Vincent Caesar, Viggo Morton and the exotic Jade made an appearance. All three held guns on her and the two young men.

Out of nowhere boats, nearly a dozen of them, appeared and surrounded the yacht. Helicopters filled the air and hovered around the boat. All were heavily armed.

On one of the boats moving along side Kassandra’s preparing for boarding was Lt Shawn Dean. He was looking on at all of them.

He smiled when he saw Viggo Morton and saluted. Viggo wryly smiled back at him.

Seeing they had little choice, the three lowered their weapons.

A search was made to find her, but she had escaped, leaving as she had come in a blink of a flash. No one doubted that she would return.

***

Shawn was feeling pretty good. Yeah, in fact he felt like he could take on the world. He pushed Viggo Morton along with Vincent and Jade into the brig with more than a bit of smug triumph on his face.

Closing and locking them into place, Shawn headed back above deck.

The boys, Jason and Natalie were all waiting for him when he got back above deck. They were still shackled.

Jason offered his hands and Shawn laughed. “Sorry, for your safety of course. Once we get you all back to U.N.C.L.E HQ, those can come off.”

“You’re taking us to U.N.C.L.E?” asked Jericho.

Natalie was clinging to Billy, her eyes filled with dread. “What is going to happen to us now?” she asked.

“It seems things are getting a bit sticky. It seems, ahem, THRUSH is alive and regrouped and they are up to no good. In fact, they are making an attempt at this very moment to cause an epidemic and perhaps even world war three as well as trying to get all of you. To kill you that is.” He paused to look at Elijah. “Except you. Why, we haven’t figured that part out yet.”

“Look kids…ah guys and ah girl.” Shawn now looked at them softly. “Things have gotten bad and Mr Solo and the U.N.C.L.E along with Mr. Kuryakin gave me orders to bring you back to HQ pronto. So, let’s all stop with the doom and gloom and try to remember that things…can always get worse. Okay?”

Nobody responded and Shawn frowned.

Not even an hour later after a brief stop at the hotel to collect the boys’ things and one Orlando Mccay, Shawn had them escorted to the nearest landing strip. Moments later a specialized U.N.C.L.E jet took off leaving Greece and its still held secrets of the mysterious Richards family behind.

***

Shawn checked on the boys and Jason as he walked up the aisle. They all looked pretty sad and pathetic. Elijah was clinging to Dominic now, and the girl was clinging to Billy. Shawn paused to look at Billy, who was once his fellow agent and friend, hoping to see some spark of understanding.

Billy glared back at him, holding Natalie in his arms. Shawn quickly moved on.

Jason was seated next to Jericho and apparently was trying to talk to his son, but Jericho appeared to be royally pissed off and was not making any attempts to respond to his old man or look at him.

Shawn moved to the back of the plane. He brushed past the young lad, Orlando and took the vacant window seat and buckled himself in. A moment later, Shawn pulled out a small scrap of paper from his pocket where he could see a list of names.

Shawn put his attention to the paper, handed to him by one of his men. They had taken whatever they could left at the hotel room the boys were staying at. All they found of interest was a paper with a list of names. Shawn began to scan them and then stopped at two familiar names.

Orlando Mccay and the other one….Shawn Dean.

Shawn felt his jaw drop slightly open and then quickly he folded the paper and put it in his jacket; afterwards he stared outside the dark window and at the brightly lighted stars in the sky.

***

She gave one last scream and with the last of her strength, she pushed.

Doctor Raven held up the prize and Saxon was delighted to enfold a blanket around the crying baby.

It took a few moments to clean the small one up, but soon Saxon was holding his child and staring down at it as if it was the treasure of the world.

Saxon only then brought the baby towards Jean, who lay on the bed exhausted and in tears.

“Jean, beloved… Look what you and I have brought into this world. It’s our baby. Our daughter.”

Jean cried and held out her hands, and Saxon laid the small and tired baby into her arms.

Jean wept as she stared down at the tiny creature that she had brought into this world. The baby stopped crying as soon as she lay in her mother’s arms and was soon opening her rosebud mouth and eliciting small breaths that sounded like yawns. It seemed the ordeal had been too much for her too.

“She is so beautiful. So beautiful. Elijah…he has a sister now. A baby sister.”

“And what shall we name her, Jean?” asked Nigel.

Jean looked up at him in confusion. He seemed suddenly less cold, almost kind. He smiled. “Come now, surely you can think of a name for her. What shall we call our little one? Hmmm?”

The name came to her at once. “Hannah. I want to name her Hannah.”

Saxon paused and then smiled. “Hannah it is.” Then, Saxon reached down and plucked the baby from her arms.

Jean let out a gasp as Saxon turned and made for the door. “Goodbye, Jean. It has been fun.”

Crying out, Jean couldn’t believe it as he closed the door behind him with Raven leaving with him. Jean let out a scream and tried to get up to go after them, but found her strength was completely gone.

“I injected her with the serum. It should take about seventy-eight hours to become active.”

Saxon smiled. “And the ambulance will be arriving shortly?”

“Yes, they will take her to a hospital on Lakewood street. They will think that she is suffering postpartum depression and will keep her in the hospital for further observation. By the time they realize what she has… it will be too late. Project V will be under way and no one will be able to stop us. THRUSH will rein supreme once more.”

Saxon couldn’t be more happy. “A pity… about my dear Jean, she was quite passionate in the bedroom. I shall miss her. Ah well….there are always other fish in the sea.”

“And Elijah?”

The baby made a sudden loud cry, and Saxon gently cradled the baby in his arms and cooed down at her.

“All in due time. We will have him….all in due time.”

The limo drove out of the gates. Five minutes later after their departure an ambulance with the markings Lakewood Hospital written on it drove onto the estate and two EMT’s hurried into the Saxon home.

All the while lying on the floor, bleeding, Jean Chevalier was screaming.

“PLEASE! MY BABY!”

The reality finally set in. Saxon had left her and he had taken her baby.

“Somebody…HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

TBC