Writer’s note: Please read all stories in order before reading this final episode to season One of my series.

The Immortal: The Next Generation

Episode Ten/Season Finale

Two weeks later from last episode (We are now nearing November 1993)

Warnings: Slash, bondage issues, strong language, violence

Special appearance: President Napoleon Solo (Man from Uncle)

Part One

Awareness was slowly coming back to him. He could feel his fingers, and his head ached a bit, but otherwise he felt all right. He was lying down and was apparently on a bed, for he could feel the pillows and the blankets covering his form. As he stirred, he knew he was also barefoot, wearing only his pants. Everything else was gone, including the watch Jason had given him several years ago for his birthday.

Sitting up slowly, Ben brought his hand to his forehead and tried to clear his mind from cobwebs and figure out where he was.

The last thing he recalled, after seeing Elijah off, was going into the men’s room at the airport. Then, nothing. Sighing, he looked upward and was not surprised to see the camera on the walls staring down at him. Shaking his head, Ben began to examine his newest prison. A prison that looked like some high-class hotel suite.

The room he was in was huge. The floor had wall-to-wall carpeting. The bed was king-sized, filled with down pillows and satin sheets. The room itself had several glass windows letting the sunlight in through white silk curtains. A table with a chair next to it was off to his left. A huge tray sat in the center, and from the smell, there were tempting treats for him. To his far right was a small, but cozy looking living room, with a library of books and a TV. His host was doing his best to make his stay as comfortable as possible. He also had a closet. Five silk robes, four pairs of loose pants, several t-shirts and 3 silk shirts. He also had slippers. He had never had fleece slippers before.

Looking above on the walls, he saw several paintings along with two vents. He could feel the AC already working, cooling the room to a manageable seventy degrees. He even had a dark cherry wood desk and matching chair. No computers or phones. But he had several pens and some notebooks. In short, the room was beautiful. Everything matched in its furnishings, which were of the highest quality. Only the best, for Ben Richards.

Getting to his feet, Ben went to the first window and looked outside. He saw rocks below the window and an ocean surrounding him. Ben swallowed and went to the other window. Same thing. Then he went to the next to see a small pathway, which led to a small dock. He was in some kind of one level ranch house on what appeared to be, a small island. No more than perhaps an acre in length. The house seemed to cover most of the land, leaving him not much room to wander outside. Provided he could get outside. Ben swallowed and turned back to the camera.

“Fletcher?”

It was only then that a familiar voice filled the room. “Awake at last, Ben. I hope the accommodations meet with your approval? I did my best. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”

The voice sounded strange. Distant. Fletcher also sounded tired, as if he hadn’t been resting or had just awoken himself. Moving to one of the two doors in the room, Ben opened the first door to reveal a spacious bathroom with a large whirlpool and shower stall. The tiles on the floor were of Asian design.

Closing the door, Ben moved to the opposite side of the room and opened that door to reveal a small hallway, which lead to several more rooms. The first door led him to a recreation room. Pool table, pinball machines, as well as several weight machines. The second door opened to a small courtyard with hundreds of plants and stone benches. The sun from above was shining through the skylight. At night he would be able to see the stars. Ben moved quickly to open the third door to reveal another large room filled with couches and lounge chairs with a large swimming pool in the center. Its cool waters called to him, as a small waterfall cascaded down a glass pane window and into the pool itself.

By the time he was finished, not counting the gourmet kitchen, he had counted eight rooms in all, including an extra bedroom with its own private bath. Questioningly, Ben looked up to see the ever-present cameras positioned throughout his new home.

“For your son. I wouldn’t dream of separating you from him, Ben.”

“Where am I?”

“That’s not important. However, your safety is and you are safe. As safe as anyone can be these days.”

“You can’t do this! Fletcher, my son will need me!”

Ben felt the world spin around him and tried to steady himself by leaning against the wall.

“Your son,” he said, “will be collected as soon as it is possible, but he is not the one who is in danger of losing his life. My main concern is for you, Ben. You are the one who is in danger. I will not allow Saxon to carry out his evil plans. He wants to kill you and Jason. Which reminds me, you wouldn‘t want to tell me, where your brother is at the moment would you? It would make everything so much easier?”

Ben took a breath, regaining some of his balance, and returned to his room, shaking his head. Sitting down, he tried to calm his nerves. Getting angry was not going to help matters. However reasoning with Fletcher was out. Fletcher was never one he could ever reason with.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I’m not a part of Saxon’s plans. For now I am merely a nuisance, a bug to get rid of. All I know is that he wants you and Jason dead. He wants Elijah and Jericho. That is all I know. Why he would want to kill the most valuable men in the world is beyond me.”

Ben narrowed his eyes as he listened to Fletcher‘s rants and picked out what Steal was not saying. “He tried to kill you?”

“He failed. As he will fail in what ever evil he is up to.”

“How can you be sure?”

“All will come together, Ben. You’ll see. In the meantime, just relax. If you need anything you need only to ask. Food will be provided for you. This place will work out much easier. Preventing my men from harming you and you,” he said, “from harming them.”

Ben got back to his feet and moved back to the window. Outside in the distance of the ocean, he could see two small white ships moving slowly in circles around the island. He could see several men on them holding what appeared to be weapons of some sort.

“Guards?” he asked.

“This is only temporary. Eventually, I hope to move you to a private island I own in the Hawaiian Islands. I would have taken you there, but I dare not risk Saxon knowing about them. This place, no one knows about. Not even my own son.”

“I see, and I’m to stay here…isolated from everything and everyone?”

“I, “ he said, pausing, as if searching for the correct phrase, “am taking care of some last minute transactions, but I will join you in a few days. You will not be alone, Ben. I would never do such a thing to you.”

Ben could only lower his head into his hands. “What about Jean?”

“She has made her choice. You know that. Vincent heard your discussion. She will not budge even for you. Not even for her own son. Foolish woman, to sacrifice her only child for her own personal gain. But then I did tell you that once before, Ben. People pretend to be kind and generous but they are only looking out for themselves.”

“Saxon is using her.”

“That is for her to realize on her own. You cannot save the world. People must be allowed to figure that out. What is that saying, God helps those who help themselves? Well, I do believe that saying is quite correct.”

“I hate you,” Ben replied in an angry, low, whisper.

“I know, and I’m sorry, Ben. Truly sorry. This is how is must be. For now. It won‘t be so bad. It won‘t. You’ll have everything I can give you and more. ”

“Except my freedom. Fletcher? FLETCHER!”

Ben heard the connection break, and he knew that Fletcher was gone. Ben remained where he was, shaking his head. His stomach growled and he moved to the table. It was time to eat.

The days of running, at least for now were over for him. He had been on the run for over twenty years, and in some small part of his mind, Ben wasn’t sure if he was altogether unhappy about that. Perhaps that is what scared him the most in life. Not so much as surrendering to the cage, but in time that cage, he would come to accept. As for his son, Elijah, his days of running, had only just begun.

***

Seated at the counter eating his breakfast, Elijah looked around at the truck stop café in silence. It was still early, and there were only a few patrons present. An older woman served him some coffee, and he thanked her before drinking it.

Sighing, Elijah glanced at his watch for the fifteenth time. He hadn’t been able to make any contact with Jericho for almost a week. He had called the Cargo Bay Inn, and the woman he spoke to, had said that last she saw of Jericho, he was heading to California.

Elijah had a really bad feeling about all of this. He now knew going back to his mother to rescue her from Saxon’s clutches was useless. It had been a really stupid move on his part. But now he didn’t know what to do. His father was being held by Fletcher and Jericho…God only knows where he is at the moment. He had never felt so alone, and he didn’t know what to do.

He had never needed to think of strategy before on his own. What if Saxon had Jericho? What should he do? What could he do? The name came to the surface of his mind almost immediately. Find Jason. Uncle Jason. Jericho, or rather Sean’s father.

He was the oldest living family member of the Richards family, and Elijah knew somehow that Jason knew so much more about their blood than anyone. How did they become immortal? Where did it come from? Were there anymore of them, people like me, out there? If so, shouldn’t they be found and warned of the danger they were in? The other problem was that his dad had spent more than fifteen years trying to find his brother. If his dad had trouble finding Uncle Jason, how much harder would it be for him? He just couldn’t do it alone.

The waitress handed him his bill, and Elijah paid her the exact amount and a five dollars tip. While waiting for his receipt, Elijah flipped the pages of the local community newspaper, skimming the front page which announced that the President’s daughter was ill and had been airlifted to Fletcher and Saxon Medical Institute for further tests.

The article included a picture of President Napoleon Solo and his daughter at what seemed to be some kind of military airport. Perhaps taken a few months ago.

Elijah suddenly stopped and went back to the first page, looking at the photo more closely. A familiar figure stood just behind the President to his right. A blond male, dressed in a dark secret service suit. Elijah’s mouth dropped open. Billy Adam‘s?

“No,” he murmured.

Jericho had been right all along. Billy was working for a third party? The government? It was then he felt someone tap him on the back.

Elijah looked up to see a young Oriental woman staring at him. She was about his height. Although she was Oriental in appearance, she had to have some sort of mixed blood, for her skin was light and her eyes were green. She was dressed in a dark green suit, and around her neck was a green stone necklace. Swallowing hard, he stared at the beautiful woman, whose hair was tied up in a bun, held together with a long needle adorned with an emerald stone. She looked to be about twenty or so years old. Young, yet when Elijah looked into her eyes, he saw a much older person. Much older.

She reached out her hand and handed Elijah a watch. Elijah recognized it at once. Jericho’s watch. He looked back at her, the fear in his eyes growing. She smiled a predator-like smile, as if the fear was a turn on.

“Saxon has a message for you. No more games. You will come to his estate in two days time. Your mother wants you to be the one to give her away.”

“Come to his estate?” he asked, not quite sure he heard her correctly.

Like he was stupid enough to go back there after what happened the last time?

“After the wedding, Jericho and his friend will be released. Truce. Just until after the wedding. Saxon will go off with his lovely bride, and when he returns the chase will begin. Doesn‘t that sound, reasonable and fair?”

“That simple? I don’t believe it?”

“Believe this then. If you do not come, Jericho and his friend will die. By my hand.”

As she moved to leave, Elijah reached to touch her. At once, she ripped away from him, her hand reaching for something behind her back. She stopped when she saw Elijah step away.

His hands at his sides showed no form of fight or defense.

“He is not doing this for my mother. What else does he want?”

“Your blood. Just a pint. He needs it, for a certain someone.”

“I have already donated to the cause!” Elijah replied, remembering the painful transfusion he had to endure in Saxon’s estate not even a month ago.

She smiled. “He wishes for another donation.”

Glancing back at the newspaper, Elijah saw again the clear picture of the President and the little girl.

“Well?” she asked, impatient for his answer.

Elijah lowered his head. What other choice did he have? He had to get Jericho free. If anything happened to his cousin, it would be all his fault.

“I’ll come,” he said. As she led him out to the waiting limo, Elijah asked for her name.

“Me? Oh, I’m no one of consequence, unless you cross me. Then you’re dead.” She laughed harshly and added, “You can call me Jade.”

***

Vincent Caesar walked down the long hallway, and paused in front of the doorway. Taking a breath, he was about to knock on the door when he realized it was slightly ajar. Peering inside, Vincent saw Saxon at his desk, signing several documents, handed to him by a distinguished black gentleman, who looked to be in his early fifties. Vincent recognized the man as Dr. Paul Raven. Vincent did not know much about the man other than he used to work for the government and had hunted after the Richards family for nearly two decades.

“And here,” said the black gentleman.

“Blasted protocol. Hate this shit. Is the girl settled?”

“Yes, she is in the blue suite. The President was quite moved by the lay out.”

“Where is the President now?” asked Saxon.

“At the moment he’s on his way to New York, getting ready for a conference at the UN this week. He will be returning to spend time with his daughter by Monday. Several Secret Service men will be staying nearby, as well as the child’s nanny, Mrs. Willow, until he returns.”

“Make certain the nanny is given a room near the child‘s room.”

“Already done.”

“Now, what about the blood?”

Dr Raven’s voice suddenly softened and became more emotional, almost giddy. “Your science lab is the best in the country. More so than anywhere else I’ve seen. I am most impressed by the unsurpassed technology, years ahead of --.”

“The blood, Sean’s blood? Does it match Elijah’s blood sample? What were the results from the tests?”

“It is not so simple to explain. First you must understand the genetics. Jason Richards and Ben Richards Blood is O negative. Both of the boys’ fathers must have been of the same blood type. Probably from their grandparents. I have no way of finding out which family line had this special genetic blood. Putting that aside for the moment, the blood we’ve obtained from the two boys has tested differently in the lab.”

“Explain this to me. What do you mean, tested differently?”

“Jason and Ben’s blood as I said was O negative. Katherine Richards was AB positive. Sean’s blood type matches his mother’s as AB positive. Not his father. Though his body has stopped aging and he is immune to disease, his blood, does not have the same capability as Jason, Ben. He cannot give immortality to another. His blood, for some reason, when transfused to another, mutates to conform to the receiver. Not vice versa.”

“So his immortal blood cannot be used to give another immortality.” Nigel at once scowled. “Damn it. He is useless to us then.”

“He has other gifts. His special ability to heal by touch can prove to be beneficial in some capacity. Healing the gravely injured is not something to be just thrown aside. In war he would be of great interest.”

Saxon nodded. “Agreed. So we will keep him alive, for now. We can always use him for Project C experiments.”

Vincent’s eyes widened wondering what Project C was exactly?

“Yes, that might work nicely. He won’t be too damaged and will still be usable in other areas. Yes. Perfect idea.”

“What about Elijah and his parents?”

“Now this is where it gets interesting. Jean Chevalier appears to have O negative blood, matching Ben Richards. Curious isn’t it, that Ben fell in love with a woman who matched his genetic blood type?”

Saxon mildly shrugged at that. “Go on.”

“From the blood we took from Elijah, he, like his father, has O negative blood.”

Saxon leaned back against his chair and nodded. “And Elijah can give immortality?”

“If he continues to donate his blood to one participant. Then that one person can live, well, nearly forever. Barring any fatal accident. But there is just this one last thing. Elijah‘s blood, is slightly different from his father‘s blood. I am not exactly sure, I need to test further, to be sure-”

“Yes, yes what?”

"Elijah‘s blood is stronger then his father’s. What I mean to say is that the cells seem to be developing and changing even more slower then his father‘s.”

“I don’t understand?”

“It’s like his body has revolutionized into an even stronger specimen. He is aging slower, that is why though he is eighteen years old, he still looks like he is sixteen. Also his blood is richer and where his father’s blood when transfused to another lasts only a few months, Elijah’s seems to last longer.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, not yet. I’ll need to perform more tests.”

Saxon rubbed his chin and stared at Raven for a few minutes. “The blood type? Something about their blood type. Genetics, DNA, something within Ben and Jason in who they mated with decided the fate of their offspring. Why? And where did this blood originate?”

“I do not know. I have sought many years to learn of this, but so far, I do know that Jason - Jason Richards - knows more than he ever told me. I tried to get him to talk, but he was quite, unbreakable and at the time I did not wish to kill him.”

“He is still alive. Well, I want him dead. Him and Ben Richards.”

“That would not be wise, Nigel. They are worth more alive.”

“They are in my way.”

“They can be of use.”

“All I need is Elijah. He is the key. He will be the one. I know it. The moment I saw the boy at Fletcher’s estate, I knew it. He’s more then just immortal. He’s special. He is all that matters to me now.”

“Perhaps then, Ben and Jason could be given over to me? I would find them of great use.”

Saxon shook his head. “No, they’re too dangerous. They have escaped you twice and nearly killed you. No. I will not risk them escaping and taking Elijah from me. No, they must die. No further discussion.”

Raven bowed his head, but it was obvious that he was not happy with Nigel‘s decision. At that point he Vincent decided his appearance would be a great break in the conversation the two were having, Vincent knocked and entered the room without waiting for a reply.

Saxon smiled at seeing Caesar step into the room. “Ah, Mr. Caesar. What can I do for you today?”

“As you know I am now in control of Fletcher’s corporation and stocks until his return. I was looking for last month’s economic growth report, and Miss Sarah Walker informed me you had them.”

Saxon nodded, and looking on his desk, he found the papers and handed them to Vincent. “I do hope my dear partner will return soon. I miss my old friend.”

Vincent refused to be goaded and only raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure he will return eventually to claim what is his.”

“Naturally, a pity. I was going to have him as my best man, at my wedding. I guess Paul will have to stand in for him. Have you met Dr Paul Raven? He has taken over Dr Stanton’s job.”

Paul Raven didn’t look up as he looked over several files in his hand. Vincent glanced at the doctor and then back as Saxon.

“His and Fletcher’s disappearances have me greatly concerned. If you hear anything, I do hope you will inform me.”

Vincent didn’t even blink.

“If there is anything else I can do for you. Mr. Caesar, please feel free to ask.”

Knowing he was being shooed out of the room, Vincent obeyed and took his leave. Alone in the room, Saxon looked up at Raven.

“Two more thorns in my side that need to be removed. Caesar and that spoiled brat of Fletcher‘s.”

“Do not be foolish, Nigel. You have already raised suspicions that you may have caused harm to Mr. Fletcher. No proof has been found with no body, so you must tread carefully.”

Nigel smiled and shrugged. “After the wedding, you may take Jericho to the East Cyaide project building in Rome, Italy. You may do with him as you wish there. I am sure your people will find a great many things to do to his body, as you did to his father’s. But you are right. Don’t kill him. He may prove to be useful to me in the future.”

Raven licked his lips and then tilted his head. “What about Elijah?”

“For now, he will be kept at the estate where I can keep a close eye on him,” Saxon replied almost with a evil grin on his face.

“What about Ben and Jason Richards?”

“That is in hand. What I want from you is simple, to make certain our plans begin to take seed. Once I have Elijah.”

“If he will come. How can you be certain he will return to your estate? After so soon escaping it.”

“Oh, he will come; trust me. I have the right bait this time.” Chuckling, Saxon reached over to a small box on his desk and took out a large cigar. Reaching for his lighter, he prepared to have a nice long smoke.

***

The gardens were almost finished, chairs were being set up, and Jean watched outside her window at the gates to see Saxon was returning from his business meeting at the institute. Sitting down, Jean smiled at all the presents laid out in the room.

She had had her bridal shower the week before, and now she had the wedding presents to deal with. There were so many. And from people she didn’t even know. She paused and turned around when she felt a presence in the room. She turned to see a young man standing at the doorway.

“Hello, Billy. How are you this morning?”

Billy nodded, but he did not smile at the attractive woman. Jean Chevalier was Elijah’s mother, and that called for him to treat her with some respect, but her blind love for his father had her lose some points in the like department.

Jean reached for him and began to straighten out his jacket, removing wrinkles that were not there. “The wedding is tomorrow. I can’t believe it. It’s happening so fast and so soon. Nigel must be so happy to have you back in his life. Someday you will have to tell me where you were and why you never came back to your father.”

Billy met her eyes with quiet submission to her motherly ways at fixing his clothing, but inside he was cringing. He wanted to escape but that was out. He couldn’t leave, not without Jericho.

“He loves you. Your father, you know. Just like I love my little boy. I think you two will make the best of friends. I always felt Elijah needed an older brother to look after him.”

Billy looked away. His eyebrows drew together in worry as he saw his father enter the room.

“Ah, two people whom I love most in the world.” Nigel stepped forward and tapped his son and moving him aside, Nigel took Jean into his arms. “Missing only one now to complete our family. And I have it on good authority he is on his way.”

Billy’s eyes widened in alarm. He has Elijah?

Nigel smiled at his son‘s response. Oh he was feeling mighty good today.

“Really? Elijah is coming?”

Nigel nodded and Jean kissed him in her joy as he replied. “My dear, don’t you know? I would move heaven on earth to make you happy. He should be here in about three hours. In the meantime, why don’t we go have something to eat?”

Moving her to the door, he paused to look back at Billy. “William, why don’t you take your stepmother to the dining room? I will join you in a moment.”

Billy signed at once. “What have you done to Jericho?” he asked.

Nigel smiled and nodded at Billy. “He’s fine, don’t worry. You will all be together soon. I know none of you would wish to miss out on the wedding of the century.”

Allowing Billy to escort Jean downstairs, Nigel moved to the staircase that led to the attic. Jericho had been taken there two days before.

Brushing between the guards, Saxon took out a set of keys and unlocked the door. Opening it, he closed the door firmly behind him. Jericho stared up from where he was chained, looking almost defeated. He was sitting on the floor with his arms raised above him with three inch thick metal chains attached to the wall. His legs stretched out in front of him chained ankle to ankle. His shirt was gone, and he was dressed only in his jeans. His arm was still bandaged where Dr Raven had taken a pint of blood earlier in the week. He had been worked over. A few bruises were marked on his throat and chest. But otherwise Jericho was still healthy, for the most part, although at the moment he was thirsty, very thirsty.

“Those bruises still look pretty ugly. Pity you decided to give the guards a hard time. I was very sorry to have to let them punish you.”

Jericho seethed in silence, refusing to be baited into another battle of wills. As Saxon reached down to touch the young captive’s chin, Jericho pushed away and spit on him.

Saxon merely took out his handkerchief and wiped the spit from his cheek. He calmly folded the cloth and returned it to his pocket, and then he raised his hand and punched Jericho across his jaw. Blood spurted from his lower lip and Jericho hissed in pain.

“Such a wicked boy you are. So very naughty. I think it will be better that you are removed from this house. You might be a bad influence on my son, Elijah.”

Jericho glowered back at him. “He is not your son! He is Ben Richard’s son. He will never be yours!”

Ignoring Jericho‘s angry retort, Saxon smiled down at him as if he were an insect. “Here, you haven’t had any water for a day. Wouldn‘t want you to die of thirst now would we?”

Walking over to a table, Saxon poured some water from a pitcher into a glass and brought it to Jericho. Still glowering, Jericho allowed Saxon to cup the water to his lips and quench the burning in his throat. He drank every drop.

“There, you see, you can behave and I can be civil. If you’re a good boy, I’ll have one of the guards give you some food. Not too much though, wouldn’t want you to regain your strength.”

“Where’s Billy?”

“Billy? Why Jericho, concerned for your friend are you? A boy you’ve been quite unsure is a friend?”

Jericho stared him down.

“You really are stupid, you know that. You have no idea of what is going on and where the pieces fit. Amnesia can be such a bitch.”

Jericho shrugged again at the older man towering above him. “What do you want to tell me, Saxon? Just spill it out!”

“Oh, that would take all the fun out of this. I will, however, tell you something,-” Taking out his wallet, Saxon opened it and, pulled out a photo, which he dangled in front of Jericho‘s face. “You know, of course, that your parents are Jason and Katherine Richards. But did you know that your mother was,” he said, pausing for effect, “my sister.” Saxon waited for the surprise he expected to come.

When he didn’t respond, Saxon frowned in disappointment. “You knew? Ah, you remembered? Or perhaps your father told you?”

Jericho refused to speak.

“Ah, well, that ruined my surprise. It’s rather a long story, you know. Dull, but I suppose I can be just this once informative. They met, about thirty years ago. I was quite young then and dealing sadly with the death of my brother. I was married at the time, my first marriage, with a child of my own. Lovely child. So sweet and innocent. Pure. We hired a new stable worker, Jason Richards. I didn’t like him from the moment I met him. He fell in love with my sister, my dear sweet gullible sister. She was my whole world, she and my son.”

“I would not lose them. So, I offered Jason money to leave. He turned me down. So I fired him. I thought that would end it, but my sister ran off with him and before I knew it, they were married. Lovely isn’t it. True love conquers all.”

Jericho only lowered his eyes. He could see the vision of a happy young couple in love.

“She had you nine months later while they were on some expedition somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Buried treasure. I guess. Ah, what a lovely. happy family. Of course, you don’t remember that part. Do you?”

Seeing Jericho’s anguish with his amnesia blocking out almost all of his memories including the ones of his parents, Nigel continued. “I met with Jason several times and tried to persuade him to go away. I wanted my sister back. I even told Katherine I would accept the bastard boy she carried, as long as she returned to me. You see, what is mine is always mine. But Jason was such a stubborn man with such high morals. Vowing his eternal love to Katherine and his son, he fled with them many times, but I found them each time. And each time I got angrier and angrier at your father’s defiance of giving up that which did not belong to him.”

Grabbing a clump of Jericho’s hair, Nigel jerked Jericho’s head back into a painful angle. “I tried to call a truce to give myself time to think of some plan to rid myself of him. That was when I learned, first learned, of your father’s blood. We soon put aside our differences. Jason believed that at last I was accepting their marriage, and he forgave me for his wife’s sake. It wasn’t long after that I began to perform some experiments. I always enjoyed dabbling in the science arts as a lad. I knew Dr Raven then. We were both so young. We were a team. Oh yes, I have a degree, a doctorate, in science. I’ve always had this taste for knowledge.”

Jericho swallowed. “Please, please let me go.”

Nigel smiled and though he allowed Jericho to move his head in a more acceptable position, he did not release the hair in his hand. “My first experiment was on my son, my beloved son. I wanted to make him perfect. Immortal. Forever. It failed. My son was weak. and my first wife, Diana, discovered my intentions and took the child away. It didn’t matter. The boy was no longer my concern. After all, I still had other experiments I could perform on one other, a young boy, my nephew, my dear precious Sean. You were such an inquisitive child. So curious. However, my wife had warned my sister about my experiments, and they fled. This time they hid well from me. Nearly eight years. I had to be rid of my problem, your father. Yes, you do see that. Once I got rid of him, I knew my sister would fall back in line, and you both would be mine once more.”

He paused and waited. Jericho’s eyes flashed in rage. “You sent someone to kill my father? You bastard! He murdered my mother, your own sister, instead!”

“Yes, that was most unfortunate. He paid for that. Yuri died quite horribly by my hand for his mistake. Still, you managed to escape with your father. Since then, you have eluded me time and time again. Now that I have you, I find you are useless to my plans.”

With those last words he released Jericho’s hair from his hand. “Don’t worry.” He patted Jericho lightly on the cheek as Jericho gritted his teeth. “I won’t kill you, Sean. Though in time you may wish I had.”

Nigel continued to stroke Jericho’s cheek in an almost affectionate way. But it was anything but affectionate.

“Your father is still alive and I will use you to be rid of him once and for all. You are no longer a part of my ultimate plan, but you will be of use in the years to come. Tell me where is Jason? I know you were looking for him. Make it easier on yourself. Tell me, and I will make things much better for you? In fact, I’ll release you from these chains and get you something to eat. I can see you’re hungry. Two days of starvation can do that. What do you say?”

Jericho only shook his head. “Go to hell!”

Nigel rose to his feet and chuckled. “Guards!”

The guards entered the room and stared at Nigel waiting.

“My nephew is being a bit stubborn. Why don’t you loosen his tongue a little?”

Nigel reached for the leather strap on the shelf and handed it to one of the guards. He then handed the other guard what appeared to be a small torch. “No scarring now. I want my nephew to be in fair condition to see my wedding tomorrow.”

Jericho bit down his lip and felt the blood start to flow again. Closing his eyes, he did not watch their deadly approach.

***

Oh, how he enjoyed watching the boys play with Jericho. They had stuffed a thick cloth in the boy’s mouth and then had lots of fun with Sean. It got a little out of control at one point, and Nigel Saxon had to intervene but only at the end.

“Easy now, easy. We wouldn’t want to kill the boy now, would we? Dead men don’t talk.”

The wounds, of course, had already been tended to. He wouldn’t want the boy to bleed to death. Still, even in tears and agony, Jericho refused to speak. Damn. Well, he would just have to be patient and try something else.

He sat down at the table to see that Billy and Jean were just about to have dessert. Billy signed to his father asking for Jericho again. Saxon didn’t respond until Jean had left the table.

Rising, Billy signed again.

Saxon smiled. “He will live. Perhaps you can be a little more informative than he was and tell me where Jason is?”

In response, Billy threw down his glass on the table and made for the door. Saxon’s hand snatched at his arm and held him in a tight grip. In retaliation, Billy raised his hand, but his father blocked the punch.

“I am not so stupid, child. I know who you are working for and what you are doing. And I won’t allow you or them to interfere.”

Billy only pushed the older man away taking a set of keys from his father’s pocket with him. Billy took several unsteady steps back, staring his father down, before making a hasty retreat from the other side of the room. Saxon let him leave with the keys and sat down at the table to eat his meal.

***

The limousine pulled up to the gates, and once security saw who it was, they opened the gates manually. The vehicle slowly drove towards the entrance. The chauffeur stepped out and opened the door for the passengers.

Jade was the first to step out. Elijah was the second.

Staring at the mansion, Elijah felt a feeling of deja-vu wash over him. He had never thought to come back here. All other thoughts left his mind when he heard a loud cry of joy and was wrapped in a warm and loving embrace. Elijah didn’t see Jade vanish from the scene.

Staring at his mother, Elijah felt a mixture of joy and sadness. The separation had seemed like forever to him, and now he wasn’t sure if he was with his mother at all.

“Elijah! Oh my baby, you’re home at last!”

Home? Elijah didn’t even know where that existed anymore.

***

Billy pushed the guards aside and entered the room. His heart sank at the sight of Jericho. Putting the tray of food aside, Billy raced to Jericho and began to examine the extent of his wounds. Jericho’s head came up and though his eyes were filled with tears, he still managed to look defiant. Taking off his jacket, Billy covered Jericho’s form and then set about releasing him from the chains. Once this was done, and Jericho was no longer held up by the shackles, he fell to the ground in a heap.

At once Billy threw the keys onto the ground next to the tray of food he brought for Jericho and pulled the young man into his arms. In an effort to make him more comfortable, Billy placed Jericho‘s head on his knees. Stroking his hair, the young man shook his head in sadness and anger at this horrible situation, unsure what he could do to get Jericho out of here in one piece.

A hand reached down and picked up the keys.

Hearing the clattering sound, Billy looked up to see his father and two guards.

“Pathetic. Did you really come from my seed? You are so weak!”

Billy glared at him in rage and signed at him. “And you, Father, are a bastard! He is my cousin. No matter what he is a part of my family.”

Saxon only laughed in disgust, and refusing to speak any further to his wayward child, he walked out of the room. The guards took up their positions outside the room, and Nigel Saxon personally locked the door.

“They are to remain inside.”

**

Billy offered Jericho some water only to have Jericho brush it away from his mouth. Billy tried again only for the same result.

“No, I said!”

Putting it down, Billy offered him some bread. Jericho grudgingly took a small bite. Finding some strength, Jericho was sitting up, and now the two sat with their backs against the wall. Jericho was recovering, but whether it was because of his special blood or the water and food he was eating remained a mystery. After a long moment, Jericho turned his head to stare at Billy. Sipping his glass of water, Billy met Jericho’s stare, waiting for what was to come.

“So you’re Saxon’s son?”

Billy shrugged and then signed. “Yes, unfortunately”

“That would make us cousins. By blood? I can’t believe I would be saying this, but I am sorry.”

Billy shrugged and continued to stare at the door. “He didn’t send you to get us, did he?”

“No.” he signed.

“I see. He experimented on you? What is he after? What did he do to you?”

At first Billy didn’t respond, then after a few moments he started to unbutton his shirt and bared his neck to Jericho. He winced at the sight of the large gash at Billy’s throat.

“He did that to you? That‘s why you can‘t…speak? Your own father?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Billy thought about that for a moment and then after re-buttoning his shirt, he signed, moving his hands in perfect harmony. Jericho had to admit, sign language was one of the most beautiful languages in the world.

“Because, one of the things he wants is to live forever,” signed Billy.

“There has to be more than that. Why the experiments? Why on you? Why is he marrying Jean when he could just keep Elijah to become immortal? Why the elaborate plans and schemes? What is he after, Billy?”

“I don’t know.”

Then after a long pause, Billy added, “I’m afraid of him, Sean.”

Jericho nodded. “You’re not the only one.”

***

Dominic Fletcher lowered the binoculars and cursed.

“He has Elijah!”

“He also has Jericho.” Replied his teacher, Vincent Caesar.

“Shit! Now what?”

“Now, we go inside and get them out of there.”

“How?” asked Dominic.

Vincent handed Dominic Fletcher a small white envelope. It read:

“By Invitation, Dom opened the invitation and saw the words below. You are cordially invited to the wedding of Nigel Saxon the Second and Jean Chevalier

Dominic looked up at Vincent and nodded. “Let’s do it.”

**

New York City, US government building.

A brown skinned Spanish looking man, dressed in a dark suit knocked on the door to the private office. Inside was his boss and the President of the United States. Ignoring the questioning looks from the security men, he heard the abrupt “Come in,” and opened the door.

Stepping inside, he was just in time to see a heated discussion taking place.

“You don’t get it! I want him found. He’s vital to me, and I need him at my side!” shouted President Solo.

“I understand the reason that you would like him to be found, but sir, I must inform you that for the past twenty years your Russian has gone underground. He does not want to be found, least of all by you.”

“I don’t care! Emerson. I won’t let him get killed because of your incompetence and his defiance.”

He paused and waited, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. They both stopped to see the Spanish man. General Emerson didn‘t look like he was in a good mood. Too late to run now.

“Yes, what is it, Portel?” replied his boss.

“Sir, I am sorry to report this, but our special agent, we lost contact with him.”

The President growled in obvious displeasure. “What do you mean Billy has gone missing? I thought you had this under control?”

The President turned to Emerson with anger clearly expressed on his face.

“Sorry, Mr. President. There are just some things that are not in my control. Where was he last seen, Portel?” asked Emerson.

“L.A. Near Saxon’s estate.”

“Wonderful. Let me guess Saxon again?”

No one responded. The President threw up his hands in annoyance.

“I should never have trusted you, and with my daughter in that damn institute.”

“Don’t worry Mr. President. She is well guarded and Saxon wouldn’t dare harm her.” replied Emerson too confidently.

“I am not so sure of that. If I weren’t so damn desperate and put between a rock and a hard place. Look, you have to find Jason; you find Jason you‘ll also find my missing comrade.”

“What about the boys, sir?” prodded Portel.

The President only glared at the man. “Oh well that was Billy’s job wasn’t it. He was supposed to keep those boys safe and sound and as far away from Saxon and Raven as possible. You are all doing one hell of a job. In my day, my boss would have had a field day with all of this!”

The President scowled and paced the room. Finally coming to a stop, he stared at the man behind the desk. “That’s it. Portel, assign Agent Dean to go to Saxon’s estate and see what he can do to help those boys get away and then have him bring them here!”

Portel quickly nodded and made a dash out the door.

Facing the man at the desk, Emerson, the President glared down at him. “And I don’t care if you have to turn over every rock on the planet. Find Jason Richards and Illya Kuryakin. Now!”

Until Death Do Us Part

2/2

By Summer

Writer’s note: Please read all stories in order before reading this final episode to season One of my series.

The Immortal The Next Generation

Episode Ten/Season Finale

Two weeks later from Last episode (We are now nearing November 1993)

Warnings: Slash, bondage issues, strong language, violence

Special appearance: Viggo Morton: Viggo Mortensen

(Agent IIA) Lt. S. Dean: Sean Bean

Part Two

Elijah wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be doing, but he knew sitting out on the sun porch, looking at a garden, sipping lemonade was not it. His mother was sitting beside him, pouring herself a cup of tea and talking non-stop about the wedding. Acting as if this was all normal, which was really freaking him out.

“You should have seen the reaction to my wedding dress your aunts gave me. It is magnificent, though, and all the way from Paris! And did I mention the bridal shower. Oh it was just amazing having all those people come to see me. The governor’s wife! Elijah, the governor’s wife came. I mean can you imagine, me, a waitress actually in the company of someone that special? Oh, it was something out of a dream. I wish you had been there. Oh, did I forget? I took the liberty of having my tailor make up a nice tuxedo for you to wear tomorrow. I’ll have to double-check your size. You look like you’ve lost weight, darling. Have you been eating? Would you like another roll?”

Elijah had about enough. He put down the lemonade and pushed the plate of rolls away from his plate and stared at his mother. “Stop it! Will you please just stop it?”

At once, Jean put down the teapot and faced her son. Her face was questioning, but her eyes seemed as if they were not really there.

“Why are you acting this way? As if this is all normal? You know it’s not. You know that Saxon and Fletcher were chasing after Dad and me for our blood. That Saxon is using you. This isn’t some fairy tale marriage. Don’t go through with it, Mom. Saxon is evil. He’s evil!”

Jean wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then after a few seconds, reached again for the hot rolls in the center of the table. “Try these hot rolls, baby. They’re really good?”

Without thinking of the consequences, Elijah hit the plate setting it off balance and causing it to crash onto the ground in a heap. Jean reacted in return and slapped her son across the face. Both stared at each other in stunned surprise. It was Jean who reacted first, her eyes softening and almost tearing. “Oh, baby. I’m sorry!”

Elijah retreated, still staring at her in horror. “You, you’ve never hit me before.”

It seemed only then that Jean’s eyes cleared, and she shook her head with regret. “I’m sorry. Elijah, sweetie, I didn’t mean to hurt you. But you have to understand that this is how it must be. It’s for your own good, and it’s not going to be so bad. We’ll have everything now. Everything!”

“I don’t want everything, I want none of this!” Elijah waved his hand around the estate, his voice rising slightly in his anger. “The only thing I want is to go back to the way things were before! Don’t you understand, I don’t want to be rich, not at the price of my freedom or yours. Please, Mom, please come away now. Don’t marry him! Please? Do this for me.”

Jean continued to stare at her son, and then, taking a deep breath, she sat down at the table and took several teaspoons from the sugar bowl, adding it to her tea and stirring it. Elijah watched as her hands trembled slightly in the process.

“Mom?”

She swallowed and nodded. “Nigel loves me, and I love him. He wants a wife who will be dedicated to him, and he wants a family. I can provide him with that. In return, I get to be treated like a princess. I get to keep my son at my side, and Ben...”

“What about Dad? What did he say about Dad?” Elijah half yelled in anger, half not wanting to know what Saxon had said about his father.

“That he will leave your father alone. All he needs is to take a pint of blood from you every two or three months - that’s all. That’s not so much to ask for when he will give you so much in return. Elijah--” She slowly rose and moved towards her son.

Elijah backed up, but finding he had nowhere to go, stopped and allowed his mother to place her hands on his shoulders.

“You will have everything you could ever want. Cars, money, the best education, all paid for. You and I will never have to struggle again. It will be perfect, and no one will ever hurt you. Unlike your father, you‘ll be safe.”

“No!” Elijah replied, tears filling his eyes. Somehow he held them at bay. “He hurt me, Mom. I was here at your engagement party and he hurt me! He threatened things, horrible things he would do to me. You have got to believe me! He’s evil, a liar! He will never keep his word to you. Please, let‘s go away from here.”

Jean smiled sadly at her son, and then it was like she was in another world. She raised her hand and touched his forehead and proceeded to stroke his hair. Then just as abruptly, she dropped her hand, and turning away from Elijah, moved back to the table to pick up her tea and sip it gingerly.

“I’ll talk to Nigel. He won’t hurt you again. Now, why don’t you go inside? There is someone who is going to be so happy to meet you. Nigel has a son, you know. He was missing for a long time, and then out of the blue he appeared. His name is William, and once I marry Nigel he’ll be your new bother. Isn’t that delightful? You‘ll finally have a brother.”

Elijah could only shake his head and attempted to touch her on the shoulder but she gave no response to his light touch. “Mom, what is happening? Why are you acting this way?”

But his mother only continued to drink her tea. “I always thought you needed a sibling. I can still hardly believe the wedding is tomorrow. The governor and his wife will be attending along with some very influential politicians. Can you imagine, at my wedding? They’ve even offered me to visit them for tea after my honeymoon. Isn’t that lovely.”

Unable to bear another moment of his mother’s haughty behavior, Elijah turned and entered the house to come face to face with Nigel Saxon.

Saxon grabbed his arm and steered him off into a private room. Saxon closed the door behind them.

***

“What did you do to my mother?”

“Calm down, child. You mother, well, she hasn’t been completely well. Dr Raven has been giving her some prescribed medication, and she is doing much better.”

Elijah could only gape at him in shock. “You’re drugging her?”

“Sedatives. Nothing that will cause any lasting effects. She has been distraught over her missing son.”

“You bastard!” Elijah did all he could to hold back, but the rage was boiling over. This was the final straw. “That’s why she’s acting this way? Nice and docile! You brainwashed her and now you’re drugging her. What kind of monster are you?”

“The monster that is going to have full and total control over your life, and you had better start behaving like a good little boy, or I can make your life very miserable. Do I make myself clear?”

Elijah lowered his eyes, and after regaining control of his temper, his eyes came back up to meet Saxon‘s. “What have you done to Jericho?”

“He’s well. You’ll see him in the morning. All of you will be attending the wedding.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Saxon turned to see Paul Raven standing in the doorway. “Ah, Dr Raven is here.”

Facing Elijah, Saxon pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat, young one, so we can get some of the details out of the way. Don’t forget to roll up your sleeve.”

As the doctor came into the room and began to set up his equipment, Elijah seeing he had no choice sat down on the sofa. An hour later, Elijah was escorted to his room, where he was not surprised he was locked in.

Exhausted and feeling hopeless, he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. When he awoke, it was morning, and as he sat up, he saw the tuxedo he was to wear for his mother’s wedding hanging on the door. His time had run out.

***

They had been given food that morning and allowed to wash up before getting in the clothing Saxon picked out for them to wear at the wedding. Jericho still required some assistance, and Billy was there to lend him a hand as much as he could.

As they headed down the stairs, with an armed escort, Billy glanced out the window to see the early arrivals, The catering company, the service company, and extra security guards. Guests would be arriving within the hour. Billy knew he had to think fast. He had to get Jericho and Elijah out of here and soon. After the wedding, Billy knew his father would have Jericho shipped away to some place where he would never be found again. And with Elijah in his father’s hands, Billy didn’t even want to think of the consequences and hell that Elijah would endure by Saxon.

Reaching the bottom floor, Jericho lost some of his footing, and would have fallen, if Billy hadn’t caught him. One of the guards nudged Billy forward, but he only glared back at the guard. Billy could do it, right now. Take down these two thugs and run Jericho out of the house, but that would be about it. His father had about twenty added security guards walking the estate, not including the gates that were code locked and more security guards at the entrance to face. He had to think of a better escape plan.

He helped steady Jericho on his feet and allowed the guards to lead them into the living room. Once inside Billy heard the door close behind them. A figure moved by the window, and Billy had never been so glad to see anyone in his life.

**

Elijah heard footsteps and moved to the window just in time to see two figures thrust into the room, the door closed and locked behind them.

“Jericho!” Running forward, Elijah helped Billy place Jericho gently onto the couch. Jericho for the first time seemed to come to life at seeing Elijah. “What happened? You’re hurt?”

“I’m okay. I’ll live. Oh, kid, you shouldn’t have fallen for it.”

“I had to come, Jericho. He threatened to kill you.” said Elijah.

Jericho’s eyes filled with regret. “All my fault. I thought you had done something stupid when I called the airline and you hadn’t gotten on board. I came here thinking that Saxon got you. Then he got me. I have never been used as bait before. Sucks big time.”

Elijah lowered his head in shame. “I didn’t get on the plane, and I did come here. But dad got me out.”

“Oh, thought you could play hero, huh?”

“Yeah, but not very good at it, I guess,” said Elijah.

“Oh, that’s just being polite.” Smiling faintly, Jericho ruffled Elijah’s hair playfully to reassure the kid he was not angry. The tension seemed to wash away and Elijah managed a weak smile.

“But I have to tell you. I have to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Dom found me in Alaska. They, they got Dad.”

Shaking his head, Jericho cursed.

“And, I think Saxon is drugging my mom. She’s not acting herself. Please.” Elijah paused and then started again. “I may not get another chance, and I - I have to tell you. I’m afraid that you aren’t going to like me anymore.”

“It’s okay, tell me.”

“It’s not that easy, Jericho. I did go to the cabin, but Dom got me and there was a blizzard and,” he said, pausing. “You see, Dom and I came to an understanding and he could have given me over to his dad’s men but he didn’t he let me go. Jericho--”

His hand went up, and Jericho cut Elijah off. “I know, Elijah. You’re in love with Dominic. I’ve known for some time. Don’t look so shocked. It’s not that hard to figure out.”

Looking at the floor, Elijah nervously placed his hands together. “I don’t want to be gay, and I don’t even know what this all means. I - I don’t know what to do. Dad is being held by Fletcher, Mom won’t--she’s totally brainwashed. And I’m in love with an obsessed psycho. I can’t seem to do anything right. Maybe I‘m the one that‘s warped.”

A tear fell from Elijah’s cheek, and Jericho placed his hands gently over Elijah’s. “Gay, straight, bi, it doesn’t matter to me. Elijah, you’re my cousin. My favorite cousin, and I like you just the way you are. That is not going to change. I don’t understand how fate drew us all together, but it did for a reason. So we can stick together. Your mom isn’t a lost cause, just something that is beyond our ability to save at the moment. What we need to do is get out of here and fast. Then will figure out what to do then. Okay?”

Elijah finally met Jericho’s eyes, and taking a shivering breath, he replied, “Thanks. For still liking me.” Jericho chuckled lightly. “I have to like you, didn’t you know that, it’s a rule about families.”

It was then that Elijah faced Billy. His eyes turned from sadness to immediate anger. “So Jericho was right about you. You were a spy? Weren’t you?”

Billy remained still, he glanced at Jericho then back at Elijah. He chose not to deny, but neither would he explain.

“Elijah, I want you to meet William Adam Saxon the first. Saxon’s son, from his first marriage. You know him better as Billy. The EMT on vacation.”

Elijah stood up and walked over to him. The two stared at each other for a long moment. Jericho saw the fist and his hand reached out and grabbed it. “No, Elijah. He is not working for Saxon. I think I was wrong about that. He may have kept his parentage a secret, but I believe he really, really hates his father. Saxon is the reason why he is mute. Seems the old man loves to perform experiments. Even on his own son. Besides, I found out some things about my past. Seems my mom, Katherine Richards, was Saxon‘s sister. Which makes Billy here my cousin and yours, although if Saxon marries your mom, then he will also be your half brother. Weird.”

Elijah dropped his fist, but though he was shocked by this revelation his eyes did not soften. “He may not be working for Saxon or Fletcher, but you were right, Jericho. He is a plant. I saw the paper with the President, the one with the Secret Service standing behind him! You’re working for the government…aren’t you? You’re out to get us, too?”

Billy raised his hands and signed in an attempt to change the subject. “I can explain later. But we don’t have much time. We’ve got to get out of here first.”

About to protest, Elijah stopped when Jericho patted his arm. “He’s right. The wedding will begin in an hour or two, and we’ve got to get out of here as quickly as possible.”

“I am afraid that won’t be happening.”

All three heads turned to see Saxon and two armed guards behind him.

“Now, let’s not be secretive. We have a wedding about to commence and you are all going to be there. Elijah, you will give you mother away. Billy and Jericho, my dear son and nephew, will be my ushers.”

Recovering from that shock, Elijah looked at Nigel with pure venom. “You have no intention of letting us go?”

“Absolutely correct. My plans, after all these years, are about to bear fruit and nothing is going to stop me.”

“What is it that you want, Saxon?” asked Jericho.

Smiling, Saxon raised his arm and quickly rolled up his sleeve. He removed a small bandage from his arm.

“I have just been given a dosage of immortality from Elijah. Just in time for my wedding to the most beautiful woman in the world. Fitting, isn’t it. How the Richards family took my prized possession, my sister, and I in return take Jean, Ben’s beloved love of his life. You can call it revenge; I call it justice. I am going to be so thrilled when I take your mother on her wedding night, knowing that the seed I plant in her body will grow and when that baby is born it will be immortal and mine.”

Moving to stand aside from his father, Billy signed to Elijah and Jericho, “He has always been obsessed with immortality, but not just wanting to live forever. He wanted to create a master race from his body. Power can be easily gotten with the right sources and money. It can also be easily lost as one gets old and decrepit. My father has always longed for power and immortality. That is why he wanted you, Jericho. As a child, he saw within you the possibility. Fortunately your parents managed to keep you away from him and why he came after Elijah.”

Nigel smiled and shrugged. “Weak and mortal William, you still have much to learn. It is not just power and living forever. It is someday seeing my offspring, under my hand, grow up and find a foothold in the making of all things.”

“World domination? You want to rule the world?” Jericho could barely suppress his hatred as the realization struck home.

“And why not, Sean? Why shouldn’t I rule the world? As is, this planet is filled with conflict and chaos. People are dying in the thousands each day. A street gang killing, drugs, a simple act of murder. War! I can bring order into the world. Control.”

“You’re insane!” replied Elijah.

“Perhaps, and perhaps not. It’s really all in the eye of the beholder, child. Do you really think the world will be that unhappy, when someone steps forward and assures them an end to their pain and diseases. And gives them the promise of safety and security. Every one lives in a cage, Elijah. It’s just a different kind of cage. A cage for their job, family, everyday living. I can promise the world so much more, and they will come. Thanks to you.”

Elijah looked to Jericho and then back at Saxon. “What do you mean?”

“I need you, child. You’ll be vital for my plans. You shall give me immortality and the ability to create a master race. In return, I will see to it that you are not harmed. You may live here in the estate near your mother’s side. I won’t promise you everything your heart desires, but you’ll be well treated. Like a son you shall be to me.”

“Like Billy was?” asked Elijah.

Saxon glanced at Billy, then returned to look at Elijah. “My son died over twenty years ago. This, thing means nothing to me. He is a weak-minded fool. After the wedding, he may leave, and I hope never to see again.”

Billy moved to Jericho and Elijah and shook his head, burying down the pain that struck at his heart at his father‘s words. “Not leaving without them,” he signed.

“We’ll see about that, William.”

“What about Jericho? What are you going to do to Jericho?” asked Elijah.

Moving to the table, Saxon went towards the window and gazed outside to see the first of the guests were arriving. “Jericho, well, he is no longer of importance. To me at any rate. Don’t worry, Elijah. I won’t have my dear nephew killed. He will go with Dr Raven who I’m sure will find him of great value in the years to come.”

Jericho tried to swallow and found his mouth was too dry to allow it. Elijah shook his head in horror. “No, no,” he muttered.

Facing the three of them, Saxon smiled. “The guests are arriving. You will remain here for now. Until the beginning of the ceremony.” Turning, he headed out the door. Not bothering to look back. “I trust you will all behave because one of you is expendable. Don‘t force my hand, or William will die. And I assure you, I will kill him without hesitation.”

Billy didn’t hide the horror on his face from his father‘s callous words. He blinked and then looked at the ground in unmasked fury. The door locked behind Saxon, trapping them within.

***

With Dr Paul Raven at his side, Saxon began to meet the arrival of his guests. The governor and his wife were the second to arrive, and Saxon poured on the charm. They had barely passed him, when Saxon took a double take at the surprise arrivals. Vincent Caesar and Dominic Fletcher.

“Vincent? Dominic, my dear boy. How wonderful you could make it to my wedding. I figured you two would be busy elsewhere.”

“Miss the most social event of the year, Mr. Saxon? I wouldn’t dream of it.” said Vincent.

Dom couldn’t resist cutting in. “Marriage number six, right?”

Saxon faintly chuckled, which was more forced then anything. “I assure you, my last. Jean is everything a man could ask for and more.”

“You can quit the façade, Saxon.” Pushing Dom aside, Vincent stood up to Saxon. “I know you have the boys here. Where are they?”

“Why I present no façade at all Mr. Caesar. Yes, they are here. Under my promise they would come to no harm. You know Elijah. He cannot resist trying one last attempt to save his mother from my vile clutches.“

“If you’ve harmed Elijah,” Dom started, his hands in fists, but Vincent held him back, and Saxon chuckled this time in pure amusement.

“You’ll what, little one? You do not have your father’s protection now? Where is the old man? Hiding in some cave somewhere? Lost his nerve?”

Dom shoved forward. “You bloody bastard! I know you tried to kill my father!”

Vincent held Dom firmly back. “Calm yourself! Right now!”

Turning to Saxon, Vincent flattened his voice and with every word dripped pure venom. “He has not only his father’s protection but mine as well. Mark my words, Saxon. You so much as lay a hand on Master Dominic, and I’ll kill you. You will hand those boys over to me right now. You know very well that Fletcher made a deal with you that they are to be given over to me until his return.”

Saxon eyed Raven to see the man was busy adjusting his sleeves. Saxon looked back at Caesar.

“Let’s not pretend anymore, Caesar. We are enemies. Make no mistake of that. The boys are mine to do with as I please. If you want immortality, then look elsewhere. I hear Ben Richards and his brother Jason are still alive. Why don’t you go track them down for a change?”

Caesar’s hands went forward and Saxon flinched, expecting an attack. Vincent only touched the white flower on Saxon’s tuxedo. Each of them glanced around to see more arrivals coming into the estate. Vincent lowered his voice so only the four of them could hear his next words.

“This isn’t over, Saxon. I still have partial control in Fletcher’s stocks at the institute until his return as well as all of his assets and estate. I will keep you in line, and Fletcher will return. Count on it. As for the immortals, who they belong to is still up in the air. Remember the old saying: finders keepers, losers weepers. Come along, Master Dominic.”

After they were gone, Saxon frowned in anger and looked at Raven. “Send for Jade. I want to speak to her, after the ceremony.”

Raven with a slight bow left to head into the estate to make a quick call.

***

Jean glanced at the bottle of pills for a long moment, and then she opened them and popped two pills into her mouth. Reaching for a glass of water she swallowed the pills in one gulp. Putting the bottle of pills back on a nearby shelf, she moved to put her veil over her face and looked into the mirror, smiling. Her sisters had just left, after helping her get dressed for her special day. Now she stood in all her glory. She had been told the dress she had on was worth over 25,000 dollars. Her hands gently stroked the satin cloth in admiration. She looked like a princess.

A knock came at the door. “Come in.”

Elijah opened the door and stepped inside. The guards a few moments before had taken Jericho and Billy outside. Left alone, Elijah made his way to his mother’s room. Seeing his mother in her wedding dress, he had to catch his breath. She looked beautiful. Like a princess.

Recovering, Elijah lowered his eyes. “Mom, if you still love Dad, my father, please don’t go through with this. I’m begging you. Please?”

She continued to touch the ringlets of her raven hair and the white veil, never looking at her son, just at the vision in the mirror. “It’s time to go on with my life, baby. Don’t worry. I have everything under control. You’ll see. Someday you’ll understand. When you meet that right girl and fall in love, you’ll see.”

Elijah swallowed and shook his head in denial, and finally Jean turned and smiled at her son but was more through him than at him.

“Of course, I will be so much more understanding than you are with my love for Nigel. Come.” She offered her arm. Elijah sighed and took it. “It’s time.”

***

Vincent pointed to two vacant chairs. “Take a seat and stay put. I should have taken you straight to your father. However, time is short. Do not make me regret bringing you here.”

“But Vincent,” Dom began to speak only to be cut off by his teacher.

“Silence! Just do as I say. I promise, I’ll do what I can to get Elijah out of here.”

Vincent wandered off to speak to several caterers. Dom sat down and looked around. He could see Saxon and Dr Raven. He could also see Jericho.

Biting his lip, Dom rubbed his chin and then glanced back to see Vincent’s attention was off him as he spoke with the caterers. When Vincent returned with two drinks, he was not surprised to see Dominic was gone. He sighed softly and wondered if Dominic would ever learn to listen.

***

Billy finally found the book and necklace in the last draw in his father‘s desk. He had managed to return to the house after his father’s men came to collect Jericho. There wasn’t much time left, and if he was going to attempt to escape with his friends, he knew Jericho would want these things returned. Billy also felt that they were of vital importance. They could unlock the secrets of where and how their immortal blood had come from. Taking the things out, Billy walked to the window to see that the last of the guests had arrived. The gates were closed and locked into place. About to head outside with his find, Billy stopped when he recognized one of the guests walking past the window.

What is he doing here, Billy thought.

The man had blondish brown hair, and blue eyes and was dressed in a dark three-piece suit. He was tall, standing about 6 feet, clean shaven, looking to be in his forties. His face was not handsome with his hawk-like nose and narrowed eyes. But he was not unattractive.

Agent Dean? They must have sent him.

Swallowing, Billy tapped the window to get his attention. Dean, paused and looking nonchalant, made his way to the window. Opening it, Billy quickly signed to him. The man nodded. and when he spoke it was with an Irish accent.

“Thought you might need some help. The President and General Emerson want the boys brought in. Things are escalating and not to our liking. So we jump to plan B. Wait for my signal.”

Billy watched him walk away and swallowing, he shook his head in distress. All was coming together, but now he had just one problem, regret. Jericho’s words seemed to return to him.

Billy stared at the book, and the two necklaces he held in his hand and then putting them into his jacket, he made his way out of his father’s den. And, though he was silent, a battle of wills began to take place in Billy‘s mind.

Whose side was he on?

***

Elijah paused at the stairs. A gathering had begun at the entrance of the mansion. His aunts were in front, and his mother was at his side. They were waiting for the signal to go outside. The wedding was about to start, and he was madly trying to find a way out of this. Some kind of escape, but no ideas were forthcoming.

That was when Elijah’s eyes came to a halt to his left. In the dark corner, behind the window’s curtains Elijah spotted a figure hiding but enough to be seen. Dom. Dom met his eyes and nodded. Elijah swallowed and weakly shook his head, showing clearly his fear and confusion. But Dom only smiled with eyes that tried to reassure that all would be okay. Words unspoken, Elijah could hear them without being said. Calming his anxiety, Elijah nodded once in return.

***

Jericho was forced to stand only a few feet away from Saxon and Raven. Gritting his teeth, Jericho had not only a clear view of the wedding, but he could also see Vincent Caesar seated several feet away.

I wonder where Dominic is? Usually where Vincent is, Dominic is not too far behind, he thought.

Unable to move with one large thug standing right behind him, Jericho could only seethe as the preacher made his way towards the flowered trellis. The guests had all arrived and had taken their seats. The music was starting with a lovely tune called “Unchained Melody.”

The wedding was just about ready to commence. Billy came up beside him and slipped something out to Jericho.

The necklaces and his father‘s diary. The ones he found in his father’s trunk in Florida.

He had thought for sure Saxon had destroyed them. He took them and at once put them into his jacket.

“I thought you might want those back.” Billy signed to him.

“Thanks,” whispered Jericho.

“We’ll get out of this, somehow. Trust me.”

Jericho turned as the wedding march sounded. He wasn’t so sure anymore of anything, but for the first time since he met Billy, he wanted desperately to trust the man, if only to get them out of this predicament.

***

Saxon fixed his cufflinks and smiled as Jean’s sisters and their husbands came walking down the aisle. In the far back he could just see Jean in her wedding dress. She looked like an angel. At her side was Elijah. The boy, he had to admit, looked handsome in an almost beautiful way. It was all coming together. Jean and Elijah were his now,, and they would be his for all eternity! What belongs to Nigel Saxon would always belong to Saxon.

***

The bridesmaids turned to the side as they arrived to the front of the trellis and took their positions to the far right. Jean with Elijah at her side slowly walked down the aisle, making the last steps to Saxon. Reaching Saxon, Elijah helplessly let his mother’s arm go, and at once, Jean allowed herself to be swept into Saxon’s waiting arms. Not sure what to do, Elijah remained still, until Dr Raven grabbed him roughly by the arm and forced him to join Billy and Jericho. Glancing around wildly, Elijah saw Dom standing at the door to the mansion.

***

“In the Garden of Eden, before the forbidden tree had given its terrible fruit and the devil had touched the world, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. So he made a help-mate suitable for him and created the rite of marriage. God created marriage out of wisdom and goodness and designed it to bring happiness for men and women and to be the foundation of home life. It was honored by Jesus at the marriage at Cana in Galilee and was declared by the apostle Paul to be honorable in all things. So God ordained that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. If you, Nigel William Saxon the Second and Jean Maria Chevalier have freely and deliberately chosen each other as partners and know of no just cause why you should not be married, please join your right hands.”

Saxon took Jean’s hand into his own and Jean stared up at him. Her eyes were glazed, but filled with love and hope. Elijah, unable to bear this, started to move forward as if in an attempt to stop the proceedings, but Raven grabbed his arm and tightly held him in place. Showing a gun hidden in his pocket, he gestured towards Billy. Cringing Elijah felt his heart begin to sink in despair and resumed his original position. Elijah wanted to believe that Nigel would not allow his son to be shot, here in front of all these people. But in Elijah’s heart, he knew there was also a chance he would. That alone kept his silence.

“Do you, Nigel William Saxon, in taking the woman you hold by the right hand to be your lawfully wedded wife, before God and the witnesses present, promise to love her, to honor her, to cherish her, and leaving all others, cleave only unto her, and be to her a true and faithful husband, so long as you both shall live? Do you promise?”

“I do,” replied Saxon.

“Do you, Jean Maria Chevalier, in taking the man you hold by the right hand to be your lawfully wedded husband, before God and the witnesses present, promise to love him, to honor him, to cherish him, and leaving all others, cleave only unto him, and be to him a true and faithful wife, so long as you both shall live? Do you promise?”

A tear fell from her left eye. “I do.”

Elijah looked to heaven and for the first time since he was twelve he prayed to God to stop this nightmare.

The mysterious Dean remained seated in his chair in the last row. He glanced over at the gates. He could see one of the security guards look over in his direction. The Oriental guard gave him a salute. Dean nodded and purposely rubbed his chin. The guard returned to his controls. Looking up, Dean spotted two men up on the rooftop of the mansion. They were dressed in black and carrying automatic weapons. Looking to his right, Dean saw two caterers at the table watching the wedding and seeing Dean nodded once in his direction.

“Exchange of rings please!” The priest announced and at once Raven moved past Elijah to hand Saxon the rings.

“Now as a ceaseless reminder of this marriage ceremony and of the vows you have taken, repeat after me. Nigel Saxon. With this ring, I thee wed, promising you love, and all my worldly goods with you I share, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen.”

“With this ring, I thee wed, promising you love, and all my worldly goods with you I share, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen,” Saxon repeated and placed the ring upon Jean’s finger.

“Jean Maria Chevalier, with this ring, I thee wed, promising you love, and all my worldly goods, with you I share, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen.” Jean quickly repeated the vows, only stammering once before continuing.

For a moment, she seemed to look past Nigel as if dreaming of another place, perhaps someone else. But that dream was gone now. Ben was gone. She completed her vows and returned her gaze to Saxon.

Turning to the crowd the priest addressed the crowd. “For as much, then, as Nigel William Saxon, and Jean Maria Chevalier, have joined together according to the teachings of the Scripture and the laws of this state, I as an officer of the law and a minister of the gospel declare that they are husband and wife. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

Elijah covered his face with his hands; Jericho seeing this gently put his hand on his shoulder. Billy moved to the opposite side and did the same.

“No, no, no,” Elijah whispered on in pure despair, all comfort and reassurances gone. A few eyes turned in Elijah’s direction, for those who did not know, would have thought the boy was overcome with joy.

But a certain few, Vincent, Dom, and even Dean, knew it was in horror at what was taking place. The man with the Irish accent did not hide the sympathy in his eyes. This was not a marriage made in heaven. More like a marriage about to be made in hell itself.

Turning the groom and bride to the crowd, The priest continued his speech. “Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit abide with you forever.” The priest paused and then declared, “You may kiss the bride.”

Pulling up the veil, Saxon, curled his arms around his beautiful bride and kissed her deeply. Jean leaned against her new husband allowing the kiss to be deepened, sealing her life to his forever. Unable to take anymore, Elijah turned and ran past the guests, the guards and right past Dom and into the house. Billy and Jericho ignoring their own guards followed after him. Saxon let them go, all the while enjoying his triumph. Victory was his.

***

They found him in the closet by the main hallway. Dom was the first to find him, Jericho and Billy were right behind him. For the first time Dom looked into Jericho’s eyes and waved him away.

Not liking it, but seeing he had no choice, Jericho backed off and allowed Dom to comfort Elijah. Bending down, Dom offered Elijah his hand, but Elijah only swatted it away. Tears were in Elijah’s eyes and he could only hold himself, curled up as tightly as he could in a fetal position.

“Elijah. It’s not the end of the world. Please, come out. We’ll get out of here as soon as I can manage it. But staying in here is not going to help matters or change things. I’m sorry. Believe me, I’m sorry about your mom marrying that barmy Saxon.” said Dom.

(Barmy British slang for mad!)

Wiping his eyes with the ball of his hand, Elijah stared at the wall unable to face anyone at the moment. “How could she do this? How could she choose him over me? How could she marry that snake?”

“I don’t know, but let’s not think about that right now. Let’s think about getting out of here.”

“Why?” asked Elijah. “Why should I leave this prison for your prison or even Billy‘s government prison? What difference does it make at all? A prison is a prison is a prison!”

Dom stared at Jericho and Billy and then returned to Elijah. Seating himself beside Elijah, he held out his hand to his distraught friend.

“The difference is Saxon is a total fucking nut ball. Besides, I have come to some conclusions that have really made me realize that I’m a total arsehole. Elijah, you were right. I should never have taken my father’s side. I should have been on yours. Even if it wasn’t the strongest side. Forgive me? Let me make it up to you. Let me help.”

Elijah’s eyes came up and met Dom’s. For a moment Elijah’s eyes misted and he raised his hand. Dom felt soft fingers touch his cheek. He felt a rush of heat go through him at Elijah’s touch.

“You shaved the beard?”

Dom smiled and shrugged, “It will grow back.”

Puzzled, Elijah looked to Jericho who shrugged, not knowing what to say. “You mean?” started Elijah then stopped unable to speak.

“Yeah, I picked the wrong side and I want to be on the right side. Your side. If you’ll let me?” asked Dom.

“What about your dad? Vincent?”

“I’ll do what ever I can to stop my dad and help rescue your father. Even if I have to go against my teacher. I love you, Elijah. Didn’t what happen at the cabin prove that to you? Please, give me a second chance.”

Once more, Elijah glanced at Jericho, who shook his head. It was obvious that Jericho did not believe Dom’s sincerity.

“Where has your father taken my dad? Dom?” asked Elijah.

“I don’t know,” said Dom. Before Dom could finish, Jericho grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt.

“Bull shit! You know where he is. Stop pretending. The only side you’re on is your own!”

Dom only jerked away from Jericho’s emotional outburst and faced Elijah. His hands, reached for Elijah’s and took them into his own. “I swear I don’t know. Vincent knows that I let you go at the cabin. He was going to take me to my father’s when his contacts told him Saxon had you. I came with him to try to get to you. I swear. I want to help. I want to be with you. Even against the odds. Let me try. Please, Elijah.”

Elijah swallowed. He could see Jericho’s angry eyes and protest clearly written on his face. Elijah turned to Billy.

“And you, Billy? Whose side are you on? The government? Are you to help me escape only hand me over to them?”

Billy took a breath and turning to look at all three of them, he stood tall and raised his hands, making sure to sign slowly and firmly. “My side is yours. To what ever end that may bring. My allegiance will be to reunite you with your father and to insure your freedom. I swear to you upon my mother’s soul.”

Elijah looked to Jericho, who after a long moment, threw up his hands in frustration. Walking away, Jericho muttered curses under his breath.

Meanwhile, Elijah looked at Dom and Billy and then allowed them to pull him out of the closet. Standing, Elijah looked at the two of them.

“Second chance? All right, Billy, Dom, second chance. Now let‘s get the hell out of here,” said Elijah.

***

Cutting the cake, Saxon and Jean eyed each other, their eyes solely upon each other. The crowd clapped as they each took a bite of the wedding cake. Dean watched too, but ever so often looked over at the four boys who had returned and were now clustered on the other side of the Mansion.

They were watching, but it was obvious that they were waiting and searching for an opportunity to run. That time was coming. Dean watched as a small van pulled up near the gates. It was the catering company. The driver kept the engine going and had stepped out of the vehicle to speak to the guard at the gate. The guard checked his board and hit one of the switches on his terminal. The gates started to open.

Raven’s thugs spotted the four boys and were making their way clearly towards them, with orders to re-lock them up inside the mansion. Seeing the approach, the four boys backed away, searching for an escape.

“What do we do?” asked Elijah.

As Saxon moved to take a kiss from his bride, all hell broke loose. The men up on the building came from their hiding places and at once began to fire bullets into the air. Security began to run towards the mansion but were mowed down by the fleeing crowd of guests, as the firing caused the crowd to scramble in a disarray of confusion and panic.

It was Billy who spotted the van by the gates. Jericho and Dom began knocking down anyone who got in their way as all four ran for the gates. Two of Saxon’s men, a caterer, and the guard at the gates tried to stop them but Jericho gave one a karate blow to the neck, Dom slammed his fist into the caterer’s stomach, and Billy kicked the security guard in his shins, bringing all three down like a ton of bricks.

Elijah followed after them, but his eyes turned to his mother. Saxon had her in his arms and was fuming. He was screaming for his guards. His mother looked frightened and sad, almost as if she knew what was going to happen.

The crowd was dispersing. Some ran to their cars, while others hid under the tables and or fled into the mansion.

Enraged, Saxon released Jean and called for more aid. Three came from behind the house with guns in their hands and ran for the gates.

Vincent, who had gotten up from his seat since the start of the chaos, got in the way of the oncoming security men. When they tried to get past him, Vincent brought them down with a wild karate chop and a high kick. Removing their weapons, Vincent was about to shoot at the men on the top of the mansion to protect the crowd, when he realized that they were not firing into the crowd at all.

That was odd. Vincent spotted Dr Raven hiding under the table. As Vincent turned away from Raven he saw one figure in the crowd standing behind one of the flowered pots near the flowered Trellis. The man was blond and was holding what looked to be a walkie talkie.

Who was he talking to?

Looking back up to the roof, Vincent saw the two men on the roof. They had been joined by another man in dark clothing, and he was holding the same type of walkie talkie. They were communicating with each other. Vincent, moving slowly and carefully, made his way towards the mysterious man.

***

“Elijah!” Jean called. She could only watch as the four boys managed to knock away the security at the gates and get into the van. Jericho got into the driver’s seat. A moment later, the van was streaking down the road, disappearing into parts unknown.

Slamming his fist down on the table and causing several glasses to turn over, Saxon grabbed for the first person he could. It was Doctor Raven.

“You damn incompetent fool! You allowed them to escape! You allowed Elijah to escape! Get after him! Damn you! GET HIM BACK!”

Shaken, Raven pulled away from Saxon and calling for several of his own personal men, he hurried to his car and quickly went after the van in pursuit.

***

The helicopter came out from nowhere, and a rope was thrown down for the men on the roof. Each man grabbed the ladder and once they were secure on the rope, the helicopter zoomed away with its men. Several security guards fired clear shots but they were already out of shooting range.

“Ok, clear out. Now! I will join you at the rendezvous point in two hours.” Dean was just putting the walkie talkie away, when he felt something hard hit him in the back of his neck. He didn’t remember anything after that.

Vincent looked for a wallet and found it in the mysterious man’s back pocket. He opened it and dreaded what he saw. It was a badge, it read. IIA (International Intelligence Agency) LT. S. Dean. He just knocked out a government agent. Oops. Making the agent a little more comfortable and returning his wallet, Vincent got to his feet and made his way to his car. It was time he made his own getaway.

***

The police sirens filled the air, and they would be arriving shortly. But it was too late. Saxon helped his wife to her feet and tried to sooth his anger, as he brushed away the few pieces of grass in Jean’s hair. Seeing her tears, he smiled. “Don’t cry Jean. I’ll get him back. I promise.”

He then turned away and faced the gate. The gates were still open, allowing the police cars to race into the estate.

***

The guests were gone, and the police were gone. Raven had just called to inform him that the boys had vanished. They had escaped. Again. Folding his hands together at his desk, Saxon spotted the limo arriving at the gate. It was to take him and Jean to the airport for their two week honeymoon in the Caribbean islands.

Jean was still packing, but she would be ready shortly. He thought about canceling the trip, but that would just not do. He would get Elijah back. The boy would eventually have to return if he ever wanted to see his mother again. Nigel Saxon knew he still held the ace in his hand.

The lone figure entered the room. She was dressed in a dark suit, her green eyes narrowed and serious. “I’m waiting,” she said.

Saxon smiled. “One million dollars now, along with all expenses paid and four million dollars after it is done.” The woman smiled and waited.

He picked up the suitcase and placed it on the desk. Opening it, so she could see that inside was a lot of money. Cash. American.

“Your orders, and do please be specific. For I take things quite literally.”

Saxon leaned back against his chair. “All but the boy, Elijah Chevalier. I want him brought to me unharmed. Not a scratch upon his head. He is very precious to me.”

“Again, let me make it clear. The ones named Jericho, Dominic Fletcher and Bill Adams?”

Saxon didn’t even blink. “If they stand in your way, kill them.”

She then added to make sure she got her orders straight, “Including your son?”

“Including my son.”

“Any other orders?”

“If you should encounter Ben or Jason Richards. You will receive two million dollars upon proof of their demise.”

“Any way I please?”

Saxon nodded. “Indulge yourself. Quick and painless or slow and painful. Just make sure they are dead. No one, absolutely no one, is to come between me and what I want, and I want Elijah Chevalier. Bring him to me.”

She bowed to him and then taking the suitcase filled with one million American dollars, she turned and swept out of the room.

An hour later, Nigel was just closing the door to his den, when Jean came downstairs. She was dressed in a white buttoned blouse and pink skirt. Her hair was done up in flowers. Her eyes were wide and glassy. She smiled sadly at him and put down her suitcase with the others by the doorway.

Saxon took her into his arms and smiled.

“Hush now, all will be well. Besides we have a lovely honeymoon to look forward to.”

She nodded and her fingertips lightly touched his shirt. Saxon reached down and kissed her lightly on the lips. Already, he could feel his body heating up, his pants becoming slightly uncomfortable. Yes, things were now a bit delayed, but only delayed.

“Shall we go?” he asked as he led her to the door. Two servants picked up the luggage and followed after them.

Jean smiled and nodded. “Let’s.”

***

Vincent sat quietly on the bench, watching the ducks swim in the small pond. Several joggers went by him. A woman with a small child walked past. To all intents and purposes, it was just another sunny day in L.A. Park Central.

A few minutes later a red sports car drove up and parked just a few feet away. He stepped out, straightening his light brown hair. Smoothing out his black pants and white open button shirt, the stranger moved towards the bench.

Vincent looked at the man and beamed. He was about the same age as him, and though it had been some years, the man hadn‘t changed much, just a scar on the side of his cheek. Barely noticeable. The blue eyes and soft features on his face gave the illusion that he was nothing more then a gentle business man. But he was so much more.

“How was China?”

“Lucrative.”

“You spent five years there. You must really love the culture.”

The man laughed, which softened his features more, but it was his eyes that remained harsh.

“More like the women. They can never get enough of Americans.”

“Rich Americans. It’s been too long, Viggo,” said Vincent.

“Indeed, I missed you, old friend. So, what is it that has called me here to you, Vincent?”

“I need a favor. A big one.”

“Who do you want me to kill?”

“No one.”

Surprised, the stranger raised an eyebrow. “I don’t understand.”

“There are some boys,” Vincent said, taking out a small envelope and handing it to Viggo, who opened the envelope and pulled out several pictures and began to look them over. “That is Jericho. Sean Richards is his name and Billy Adams and Dominic Fletcher and Elijah Chevalier.”

The man looked at the last photo and smiled. “Pretty boys. This one especially, very pretty. Nice on the eyes.” he stared at Elijah slightly longer then he did the other boys pictures. “So what do you want me to do to them?”

“I have reason to believe that they are in danger. That someone is going to try to kill them. An operative sent by Nigel Saxon. My employer wants them kept not only safe from all harm, but brought to him. Steel Fletcher.”

Viggo turned to the photo of Dominic Fletcher and raised an eyebrow to Vincent, holding the photo up to his friend to see.

“Yes, his son, Dominic. He has gone rogue. Master Dominic has always been emotional.”

“Why does he want them and why does this Saxon want them killed?” asked Viggo.

“That’s not important. Their safety and capture is. Can you, will you do this?”

“For you, my old friend? Sure, for a price.”

Vincent nodded. “Name it.”

“All expenses paid.”

“Done.”

“Ten million dollars.”

Now Vincent raised an eyebrow. “Well, you did say unharmed. That will take some extra hard work on my part, and you know how I hate to work hard.”

“Will you need any help?”

“You know me better then that, Vincent. I work alone.”

“The boys are not to be harmed,” Vincent reminded.

Viggo laughed and got to his feet, putting the envelope and pictures into his breast pocket. “Relax. You’re like a mother hen. I won’t hurt them. They’ll be brought to you without too many of their feathers ruffled and out of place.”

“If you run into any problems, don’t hesitate to call me. One last thing. I have reason to believe that a third party might involve themselves, IIA.”

“My, my, these boys must be truly special to get so much attention. The next thing you will tell me is U.N.C.L.E is involved, and you know how much they annoy the hell out of me. Ah well, consider it a done deal. Knowing how much I hate the IIA, If you had told me this sooner, I would have done it for free. A deal is a deal, though. Four boys, capture them safe and unharmed, and bring them to you. Got it.”

Vincent smiled and watched as Viggo returned to his car and putting on his sunglasses started the engine and drove away.

***

Dean picked up the phone and closed the door behind him so the call would be truly private. “Yes, sir. They got away. Yes, it looks like Billy is turning sides. No, not with Saxon or Fletcher. Looks like the other boys got him emotionally involved. Yeah, I think he truly believes those boys should stay free. No, I know. Don’t worry. I’ll find them, sir. Yes, sir. Don’t worry I won’t let sentiment cloud my judgment. No, sir, I really don’t think we need to have the U.N.C.L.E involved. I can handle this. The Immortals will be found and brought to you, and if anyone gets in my way,, well, the death rate will rise a little.”

He hung up the phone and opening the door, he waved to his men. The black car came up, and he got inside closing the door behind him. When the lights turned green, the car sped off to its next destination, LAX airport.

***

Maine

Jane Fielding’s farm.

Elijah stared at his sandwich with no real appetite. Dom sat next to him, reading the paper. It was on the TV and in the news everywhere about Saxon’s wedding and the mysterious attack, which the reporters were calling an assassination attempt.

Putting the paper down, Dom looked up as Jane handed him a cup of coffee. Although she had allowed him in to her home, her scowling face told Dom he was still not welcome.

Dom glanced at Billy to see he was sitting by the window gazing out at an apple orchard. Once and awhile Billy would turn and look at him, his eyes cold and angry.

Dom so far had avoided looking at Jericho, who at the moment was looking over a map in the living room. A few minutes later, Jericho came into the kitchen with the map in his hand.

“Okay, I called the Cargo Bay Inn, and Pollyanna got a postcard from my dad somewhere in Houston, Texas. So tomorrow, thanks to Jane, who is letting us borrow her mini van, we’ll head to our next destination.”

“You really think that your father will be able to help us?” asked Dom.

Jericho looked at Dom with eyes that could have wilted a cement walkway.

Dom winced.

“It is no longer a question if he can help us, but that he must. With Uncle Ben in your dad’s hands, the IIA and Saxon out for blood, we need help, and he’s our only hope. We need to find a way to learn about where we got our blood and if we can somehow make ourselves normal. If not, are there more of us out there and should they be warned as well? This is the only option we have left. Elijah?”

All eyes turned to him, and Elijah looked up with eyes that seemed dull and defeated. “And time for my mom to come to her senses.”

Elijah swallowed and his thoughts wondered what things Saxon was doing to his mother right at this moment. He closed his eyes tightly and cringed. No, he did not want to even imagine it.

Opening his eyes, Elijah nodded. “Houston, Texas. We’ll find Jason and try to stop Saxon and somehow rescue Dad and stay free, no matter how long it takes.”

Looking at his four friends, Elijah smiled. “Together?”

Billy nodded.

“You bet,” said Jericho.

Dom smiled. Elijah returned that smile and under the table his hand reach out. Dom was there to take it.

***

He stared up at the stars and found the Big Dipper easily. As he traced the constellations, he fingered the medallion around his neck. Jericho had given this to him a few hours ago, telling him he had found it among Jason’s possessions. A necklace that should have been given to his father many years ago.

Jericho stepped out onto the porch with a jacket in his hands. His own identical medallion was around his neck. When Jericho had given Elijah the necklace, Elijah in turn had removed the pendant he had been given by his father a few weeks ago. The pendant that had been a gift from his mother, who had vowed her love to Ben many years ago. It was no longer an emblem of love but a reminder of what was lost. The pain had been too much, and so after removing it, Elijah had placed it into a small box and had asked his mother’s cousin Jane to keep it.

“It’s getting cold.”

Elijah took the offered jacket but didn’t remove his eyes from the stars.

“Jericho, where did you think our blood came from? Do you think it was some kind of bizarre experiment?”

Jericho shrugged, and leaning against the railing, he began to stare at the stars as well. A shooting star shot across the sky and Jericho smiled.

“I don’t know, Elijah. I don’t know where our blood came from, or how we came to be immortal. I don’t know any more than you do. I know somewhere out there, I have a sister and a father, and though I have no memory of them, I feel lost without them. As lost as you feel without your parents. But, I promise you this. We, you and I-- are family. Cousins. And no matter what comes, we’ll get through it together.”

For the first time in three days, Elijah smiled. He then looked behind to see Dominic looking out at them from the window.

“I know you’re still angry about Dominic,” said Elijah.

“I don’t trust him,” Jericho confessed. “His switching sides is fishy, but I’m not sure if he switched sides just to keep tabs on us for his father or because of his obsession for you.”

“He loves me,” Elijah said softly.

“He’s obsessed with you. He wants to possess you. That’s not love,” said Jericho.

“But I love him. Please, will you at least try to give him a second chance?” pleaded Elijah.

“For you, I will, but don’t expect me to treat him like a friend, not after all he’s done to us. I won’t let my guard down for a second, nevertheless I will be civil.”

Elijah nodded. “That’s all I ask.”

Jericho and Elijah remained outside for a long time. Dominic joined them a few minutes later, and not long after Billy followed pursuit. It was well into the night before they turned in. For a long time they just stood outside, gazing at the stars and wondering what the future would bring.

The end.

Season Finale. Don’t despair. This is not THE END, A second season is still to come with more stories! More adventure New characters New friends New enemies Danger, love, loss so, don’t miss the further adventures of Elijah Chevalier and Dominic Fletcher. IN the Immortal: The Next Generation.