Cabin Fever

By Summer

Beta Read by: Janine and Kathryn Ramage

Episode: Nine

Please pre-read The Immortal TNG series in order before proceeding to this story.

Warnings: Usual, bondage issues, strong language, adding- Non-consensual themes but does not go to the extreme.

***

In this episode there is a bit of repeat history, as the storyline should remind all the original Immortal series fans of the episode To The God’s alone when Fletcher has Ben captive in a cabin.

**

The snow blew out of control, outside the small cabin, at the top of Ridge Mountain. Glancing out the window, Dom couldn’t see more than an inch in front of him. Outside wasn’t fit for man or beast. The blizzard had come out of nowhere and looked like it would continue for at least a day or two. No way would Vincent be able to fly in and fly them out.

Closing the curtain, Dom turned to see Elijah shivering on the couch. He endured the freezing cold wind as they trailed up the mountain to find cover here in this cabin. Ben Richard‘s cabin. Elijah’s hands were still cuffed and his lower lip had finally stopped bleeding. They were right in the middle of a good brawl when the storm had started. Thankfully, the cabin was only a short distance away. Otherwise--Dom looked back out the window; they may never have gotten here at all.

He glanced around the small cabin. It was a stereotypical wooden cabin with four rooms. A kitchen, living room, one bedroom, and one bathroom. The living room was spacious and rugged looking. Ben had stayed here for some time, but it seemed he did not leave too much behind. A couch, one glider chair, a coffee table and several lamps hanging on the walls. Dom had lighted them as soon as they entered inside.

The floor had a thin, brown and red rug; and the fireplace was directly in front of the couch. Moving to the small pile of wood, Dom got it set up and started a fire with his lighter. Once he was sure the fire would stay lighted, he directed his attention to Elijah.

“Looks like we'll be here for awhile.”

Moving forward, Dom tried to ignore the angry and frightened look he received from Elijah, and taking out a set of keys, he took off the handcuffs he had placed on Elijah’s wrists an hour before.

Elijah at once jumped up, and Dom quickly took several steps back, prepared for any attack Elijah might direct at him. Instead, Elijah rubbed his wrists then ran to the door and opened it. A blast of wind and snow hit him. Dom quickly closed the door and stared at Elijah in obvious amusement.

“Making a run for it in this weather is not a good idea. You wouldn’t make more than a few hundred feet, before you would freeze to death. Besides, with the wind factor and snow falling, you wouldn’t even know which direction you were going. You could fall off a cliff or wind up in a bears cave-who might just invite you for dinner.”

Elijah turned away, scoffing at Dom’s sarcasm and without a word, moved to the fireplace. He knelt in front of it, and began to try to warm his hands, all the while nursing his swollen lip.

“The last I heard on the news, was that this eastern storm will continue for a few days. I guess we'll have to rough it. I was hoping to have you out of here before it hit. I guess luck was not on my side today.”

Taking a seat now on the couch, Dom undid his backpack and began to look over what he had brought with him. Elijah idly watched as he pulled out rope, flashlight, binoculars, compass, insect repellent, first aid kit and a gun with tranquilizers, minus the handcuffs. Elijah took another step away from Dom.

Noticing Elijah’s facial expression, he put the gun into his backpack and pocketed the casing, which held two sleep darts. Then opening the first aid kit, he patted the couch.

“Come on, let me see what we can do about that lower lip. I didn’t realize I hit you that hard.”

Elijah hesitated, but seeing he didn’t really have much choice, he sat down at the far end of the couch. At once, Dom began to look over Elijah’s lower lip, all the while, Elijah flinched at every touch.

“No scarring and looks like the bleeding stopped--should be ok. I’ll look in the kitchen and see if I can get some ice for the swelling. At the same time, we'll see what your father left here for food. I don‘t know about you, but I am starving.”

Elijah watched Dom head into the kitchen and then, with a low exasperated sigh, he got to his feet and followed. Lighting another lamp, Dom looked over the small room. Spotting the medium-sized refrigerator, Dom opened the freezer and saw a tray of ice, but no meat or frozen dinners. Finding a nearby towel hanging on the sink, Dom put the ice into it and folding the ice into the cloth, handed it to Elijah, who at once began to nurse his still-swollen lip.

“Well, let’s see…I take first dibs--refrigerator.”

Elijah shrugged and spoke for the first time. “Top cabinets.”

“Bottom cabinets are mine.”

Elijah didn’t argue and added. “Fine, then I get the bed and you the couch.”

Dom didn’t argue, figuring he probably got the better end of the deal anyway. Opening the fridge, Dom frowned, when he saw that inside was a bottle of ketchup, a half jar of pickles, and what looked to be moldy cheese. He watched as Elijah opened the top cupboards to find several unopened canned foods. Peas, corn, three tins of hash browns, two tin spam can’s, and several cans of different kinds of soup. Elijah eyed Dom, who was looking back at him with a wry look on his lips.

“Again, my luck is not with me. You knew that the refrigerator was empty?”

Elijah shrugged. “Dad told me where I could find the food.”

Elijah pushed the cans back and reached for the best prize of them all, a large box of dark chocolates.

Dom bent down and checked the bottom cabinets and found mostly pots and pans and a few glasses and bowls. He did however find one box of cereal. Lucky Charms.

“Funny, real funny.” Grimacing heavenward, Dom in the end conceded that at least he had something to eat.

***

Elijah sat quietly on the rug, near the fire, using a poker to keep the fire going. The cold chill in the room had finally burned away to a more manageable climate. Dom and Elijah both had taken off there their jackets and hung them up nearby to dry. Dom was currently sitting on the couch, eating his box of Lucky Charms, eyeing Elijah as he every now and again popped a chocolate from his box and into his mouth.

“You aren’t going to eat that entire box by yourself, are you?”

Elijah faced him with one raised eyebrow.

“I mean, you are going to share. Right?” Dom offered the Lucky Charms; he still had half a box. Elijah in response, popped another chocolate into his mouth, and took his fine time eating it. He moaned with extreme pleasure at the indulgence of rich dark chocolate as it touched his taste buds.

Dom grimaced in annoyance. “That’s mean. You know that?”

Elijah only looked back at the flames, and seeing that the fire needed more wood, added another log. After a moment of silence, he finally asked softly, “How did you find me?”

“Vincent, he was incognito at Saxon’s party. He spotted your dad and then you. He went to get some back up, but by then you and your dad had vanished. Some of his men finally caught sight of your dad at the airport, and with a little persuasion from a clerk, we found you had just left for Alaska.”

Elijah felt his blood go cold. “My dad?”

Dom looked at his Lucky Charms, his hunger suddenly was gone.

“No! No, you didn’t…Dom?”

“He’s fine. Vincent took him to my dad, and I came for you. I was able to give Vincent a call before the storm hit. He should be on his way--but with this weather, I suppose it will hold him off for a few days.”

Finally looking at Elijah, he saw the tears in his friend's eyes. “He’ll be ok, believe me, Elijah, Vincent and my dad we’re doing what’s best for you and your father.”

“Best for you? For them? Not for us. Certainly not for me! Putting us in a cage is not for the best and you know that!” Looking away, Elijah got to his feet and paced the room. Eventually, he sat down in the glider chair and shook his head, before pushing back several strands of hair out of his face. “Tell me, how would you feel, being put in a cage? Having your freedom taken from you?”

“It won’t be a cage--Elijah. My dad’s estate-”

Elijah glared at him and Dom stopped speaking. “A cage is a cage. Dom, no matter how pretty it looks. You said you were doing this for me? Because you love me but its not love. It’s what you want and you’ll sacrifice anyone that stands in way of that.”

“My dad won’t hurt your father. Besides, he’s a lot better off with my dad than being with Saxon!”

Dom was now leaning forward and his own voice was starting to rise in pitch. His temper was flaring as he strove to make Elijah see his side of things for a change.

“That is not the point! Dom, try and understand. We are human beings. With a right to live our lives as we see fit. You and your father, even Saxon, are trying to take that right away from us. And as for hurting us--you’re already doing that.” Elijah lowered the icy cloth and showed off his still slightly swollen lip. Dom swallowed and curled deeper into the couch. “I finally understand, Dom-” Meeting Dom’s questioning eyes, Elijah nodded softly, before looking at his hands. “I understand that you thought of me as your whole world and maybe that somewhere under all that selfishness that you do care about me and that you made your pact with the devil by choosing the best side, the best hand you had. Your dad is powerful and so is Saxon. You were afraid your little pet would be taken from you.”

“I don’t think of you like that!” Dom argued.

“Fine, but that is how it looks to me and I even understand that, Dom. What I don’t understand, is how you could turn your back on me so easily that if you loved me the way you said you do why didn’t you choose my side? Even if it wasn’t the stronger side?”

Turning away, Dom tried to focus on something other than Elijah. “I see, because once again you had to be the one in control. That is not a relationship, Dom. Relationships aren’t about power and control…they're about trust, and giving, because they're not selfish and they don't try to beat the other person into submission. Instead, they surrender because they want that other person to be happy. That is what love is to me. It’s what I felt for you. Once.”

Facing Elijah once again, Dom stared on in mild surprise at this revelation. “Now, I don’t know what I feel, but angry and hurt”

Getting to his feet, Elijah moved to the couch and sat down, but as far as he could away from Dominic. The two watched the fire continue to crackle and warm the room. It was about an hour later that Elijah finally got up, and headed into the kitchen. Dom remained where he was, listening to the sounds of pots and pans being moved, and then finally the sound of a stove being ignited. A few minutes later, Elijah came back into the room carrying two plates. He handed one to Dom, while he took the other. Dom nodded and starred at the hash brown and Spam Elijah had mixed together. Dom grimaced, it looked disgusting.

Elijah was already eating.

And he took a bite. He was surprised when he realized it wasn’t that bad. He took another bite. In fact, it was pretty good; either that or he was very hungry.

***

It was late, Elijah yawned and took one more glance out the window before he headed to bed. The blizzard was still running strong. Settling under the covers, Elijah was just getting comfortable when he felt a presence in the room. Looking over to his left, he saw Dom stripping and coming to the other side of the bed.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Going to bed, what do you think?” replied Dom, trying to pull the covers down, so he could get in to the bed. Elijah held them in place.

“I said couch for you! The bed is mine!”

Dom raised one eyebrow. “You were joking, of course?”

Elijah only stared back. “No, I wasn’t. There are several blankets in the closet by the bathroom. Now get out!”

Dom only stared right back. “On the couch?”

“Yes, on the couch.”

“Again I say, you're joking?”

Elijah only lifted his arm and pointed out the door. Dom remained where he was and sighing, he lowered his head, turned and walked out. Two seconds later, he was back. He stared at Elijah, with eyes that seemed to be questioning, almost pleading. Elijah only narrowed his eyes and glared back at him. Dom let out a breath of exasperation, and this time, left the room without returning.

***

It was the dead of night, except for the loud sound of a wind, all was silent. Elijah awoke suddenly to the feeling of something heavy on top of him, with hands, touching him in various places. His hands, his arms, shoulders, neck, chest, hips, the curves of his ass.

“Wha?” Elijah felt hot lips on his own, and the musky smell coming from the body above him, filled his senses. He could feel his body beginning to respond, and then he felt the panic rise inside of him.

“NO! Get off, get off! Dom.”

“Easy baby, I know it's what you want. I’ll be gentle!” As Dom sought Elijah’s mouth, Elijah finally managed a good grip, brought up his legs and threw Dom off the bed.

Sitting up, Elijah tried to get off the bed, after throwing the blankets off, when Dom, recovering from his landing had come back, literally leaping on him, throwing both back against the bed. The wind was literally knocked out of Elijah and for a moment he was too stunned to move. Again, Elijah could feel Dom’s hard body pressing against his own, one of his hands had somehow managed to pin Elijah’s arms up over his head, all the while he pressed hard kisses on Elijah’s lips and neck. Elijah stared into his friends eyes and saw a wild look of burning, the eyes lacking any control in its depths.

“Stop it! Stop it, Dom. You’re hurting me!”

Dom paused long enough to look into Elijah’s eyes. He thought he saw fear in them, but no, it was desire. It had to be. Elijah had said he felt something for him. So Dom convinced himself that the fear he saw was just an illusion. First time is always a bit scary! But only the first time.

“That’s what you say now, but I know you want this. Just as much as I have. For years, you’ve had me hanging. I’ve had enough of this cat and mouse game. I know you want it, say you want it!”

Elijah only pressed his lips together in a fine line, and shouted at the top of his lungs. “NO!”

He tried to buck and throw Dom off balance, but Dom already had his legs firmly clamped around Elijah’s hips, holding him in place. Dom pressed on, he was already naked and all he had to do was get Elijah’s pants down.

Keeping one hand tightly around Elijah’s wrists, he moved his free hand to Elijah’s jeans, and began to unzip them.

“Dom! Please!” Elijah could feel real panic. His heart was beating rapidly now. He could see Dom’s member; it was hard and throbbing. He knew what was coming and in Dom’s madness, he was not going to stop. Elijah knew he was outmatched, pure and simple. This was not what Elijah could possible ever have dreamed would happen.

“I will have you!” yelled Dom. Helpless, Elijah felt his body go cold and with it surrender.

Closing his eyes, Elijah stopped fighting and lay as still as possible. Dom had just managed to pull the pants free, when he realized that Elijah had stopped struggling. Pausing, he looked back into Elijah’s face, to see two blue eyes staring at him coldly.

“Go ahead. This is what you want then do it! It’s NOT what I want. Don’t you fool yourself into thinking that. Go ahead! Hit me, beat me, rape me! But know this, it could have been real, Dom. Once, it could have been…”

It was at that moment, that Dom’s eyes seemed to clear and the hot wild look of burning, disappeared from his face which was slowly replaced with bewilderment. Dom moved off Elijah’s body and slid to the floor. Elijah used that moment to pull up his pants and rezip them. Moving to the farthest corner of the room, Elijah slid down to the floor, curling himself up into the tightest ball he could manage.

Dom remained where he was for a long time, on his knees, with his head in his hands. Time seemed to have stopped, but the storm outside continued to rage on.

California Saxon Estate.

Jericho lowered the binoculars and faced Billy, all the while he clung to the top of the tree branch.

“Ok, we have been at this for two and half days and I still don’t see a way in. Got any ideas?”

Billy Adam’s took the binoculars from Jericho, and looked through the tree branches to stare at the Saxon estate. Everywhere were guards and guard dogs. They had been watching the grounds the past few days for any signs that Saxon had captured Elijah or Ben, but so far they hadn’t seen anything suspicious. Even Saxon had made no appearance.

Billy finally signed to Jericho. ‘Maybe he escaped?’

Jericho pointed at a nearby window. Inside, a dark haired woman could be seen having a cup of tea.

“Elijah wouldn’t have left without his mother. Something’s just not right. We‘ve got to get inside somehow and see what‘s going on.”

That was when Jericho and Billy both heard a loud clicking sound from below them. Looking down, they saw two security guards looking up at them with two guns pointed at their chests.

“Don’t move. Call it in, Mike. I think we found some peeping toms.”

Jericho frowned and after climbing down from the tree he raised his hands in surrender.

***

Confiscating all of their stuff, the guards then took Jericho and Billy into the house and forced them down into the basement. Coming down to the lowest level, one of the guards pointed down another corridor.

“Move.”

Seeing a door down the end of the hall, Jericho opened it and entered a small square room. There were no windows and only this door. The floor and walls were cemented. Two chairs and one bed and one bulb dangled above them on the ceiling.

“Mr. Saxon will be arriving back from Washington DC tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll be most pleased to see that he has visitors.”

The guard then closed the door and locked it. Sitting down on the bed, Jericho rubbed his face and shook his head.

Billy looked at Jericho and shrugged then signed. ‘Well, we’re inside.’

Jericho only growled in annoyance.

***

Elijah put more wood onto the fire, and then headed into the kitchen, and sat down quietly at the table. He managed to find some coffee in one of the lower cabinets and boiled some water on the stove. He preferred milk and sugar, but at the moment, he was settling with just about anything. Both of his wrists were bruised, where Dom had held him down and now both of his lips were slightly swollen. Taking a long sip from his coffee, he flinched when he heard footsteps coming from the bedroom towards the kitchen.

Dom stood in the open doorway and leaned against the wall. His eyes were cast down and the look on his face was pale and withdrawn. After a long time, he finally spoke.

“I suppose saying I’m sorry about what happened won’t help?”

Elijah took another sip from his coffee.

“I’m sorry, Elijah. I don’t know what happened to me. I was on the couch, I was sleeping and then I woke up and I heard…I heard you moaning in your sleep. I heard you call my name when I went to check on you and saw you I-I- think, I snapped. Please, I’m sorry.”

Elijah refused to look at him. When Elijah didn’t reply, Dom finally left the doorway and went back into the living room. When Elijah finished his cup, and went to put it in the sink, he glanced into the living room to see Dom was putting on his coat and was reaching for the door.

“Where are you going?” Elijah heard himself speak.

Dom didn’t look back, and took a hold of the door, opening it, a blast of snow and wind hit him, but Dom only went out into it, closing the door behind him.

“DOM!” Elijah turned and hurried to the door, opening it, he too was caught in the blast of snow and wind. Ignoring the cold, Elijah covered his eyes and tried to see where Dom was. A small form was making its way into the snow covered mountain. Going back inside, he grabbed his coat, and without taking the time to zip it, he headed out after him.

***

It seemed to take a lifetime to reach the fleeing form. He felt the cold go through his entire body, and felt the wind burn his skin. If he didn’t get out of this in a few minutes, he and Dom would freeze to death. They would never be found and no one would be able to rescue his mom or his father. Elijah called Dom’s name, but whether he heard or not, Elijah didn’t know.

The wind cleared just enough for a moment, and Elijah realized where Dom was heading. Straight towards a cliff.

“DOM!”

He was just two steps away from the ledge. Elijah ran as fast as he could, but in several feet of snow, it was more like slow strides. Just when Elijah thought all was lost, he managed to reach the form, and get a firm grip on Dom’s jacket. Just then the snow on the ledge gave way and Dom was falling.

Elijah pulled with all his strength, and barely managed to throw Dom clear, with his body landing on top. The wind continued to rage around them.

Breathing hard, Elijah looked down at Dom to see the icy tears in his eyes. Dom’s eyes looked away, avoiding direct eye contact, but Elijah could see they were filled with genuine pain and grief.

Steeling his response, Elijah pulled him back to his feet, and roughly pushed him back to the cabin, or at least he hoped what was towards the cabin. Again, in what seemed like a lifetime, Elijah pulled Dom with him into the warmth of the cabin.

By the time Elijah and Dom were inside with the door closed, Elijah felt numb all over. His feet and fingers were tingling, but he didn’t care; finally safe, Elijah swung Dom around and, ignoring the pain his hand, he balled a fist and hit him right in the eye.

Dom went down like a ton of bricks.

Elijah left him on the floor and went to get blankets and more wood to put on the fire.

***

Elijah had taken off his jacket and dried himself off, when he finally felt the warmth coming back into his fingers. He headed into the living room, to see that Dom was still where he'd left him, sitting on the floor looking pathetic.

Shaking his head, Elijah went to him and began to take off Dom’s snow soaked jacket. Then seeing the icy, blue, cold, fingers, Elijah began to rub them with his hands. Pushing Dom closer to the fire. he tried to get heat back into his body before frostbite set in.

It was nearly an hour later, when Elijah felt sure enough that Dom would recover, that he went and made some more coffee.

Coming back in the room with a fresh cup, he moved to Dom and handed it to him.

“Drink this! And don’t argue with me. Drink it.”

Without uttering a word, Dom put the cup to his lips and drank it slowly. But Dom still refused to meet Elijah’s eyes. He now had quite a shiner on his left eye; which by tomorrow it would be black.

Again, time seemed to have slowed to a halt. At his wits end, Elijah turned and went back into the bedroom. Exhausted from lack of sleep, he fell into the bed and within minutes, he was asleep.

***

Elijah awoke when he felt the bed dip slightly. Looking to his right, he saw Dom sitting on the end of the bed with his back to him. Dom was currently staring at his hands.

Sighing, Elijah sat up and pulled the blankets down. Grabbing Dom’s shoulder, Elijah pulled him up to his feet and into the bed. Covering Dom, Elijah slowly laid back down, but he was sure to keep several inches away from any body contact. It took a few minutes, but Dom finally closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Sometime later, Elijah found himself also drifting into oblivion.

He awoke to darkness and the sounds of the wind still roaring outside. Sitting up, Elijah felt around for the table and finding the lamp, he put it on. The room glowed dimly, however, allowing Elijah some sight. Dom was still sleeping. Getting up, Elijah took the lamp and went out into the living from to see the fire was dying low. Grabbing more wood, Elijah put it in. The fire soon came back to life and brightened the room around him.

Not really hungry, Elijah sat down on the couch and looked down at the floor. His box of chocolates was still waiting. He had one left. Elijah smiled, and opened it and took out the last chocolate.

Dom slowly opened his eyes. He didn’t know where he was at first. He remembered feeling hurt, more hurt then he had ever felt before in his life. He still couldn’t believe what he had almost done to Elijah. He remembered the erotic dream he had once before. (*City That Never Sleeps*) It had been so exciting. Elijah tied up, at his mercy. But the fantasy dream was nothing to reality. To his horror, Dom realized he had almost raped the one person he loved more than anything in this world. To actually take someone against their will--it had left him cold and scared.

Closing his eyes, he remembered trying to apologize to Elijah, but Elijah wouldn’t talk to him or even look at him. It was over. He had lost Elijah--forever. So there was no reason left to live. He had gone outside, hoping to get lost in the snow and the cliff.

Dom remembered Elijah had come for him, pulled him back, and brought him to the cabin.

He closed his eyes and felt the tears burn behind his eyelids. Forcing them back and reopening them, Dom caught the whiff of something. The smell of chocolate. Looking to his left, he could see on the night table a lighted lamp and beside it was one piece of chocolate.

Dom picked it up, and this time, he let the tears fall.

***

When Dom came into the living room a few hours later, he saw Elijah had found a Scrabble game and had it set up on the coffee table. Dom took a nearby seat and glanced at Elijah.

Turning the board, Elijah began to pick seven letters.

Touching his blackened eye, Dom smiled lightly and picked seven for himself.

“I deserved this black eye, I guess.”

“You deserved more than that,” was all Elijah replied.

For a long time, they just sat there and played the game, never speaking or even making contact.

Elijah’s first word was escape.

Dom countered with desire placing the last E on escape. Elijah narrowed his eyes and added the word Bed to the Desire word. And that was when the trouble started.

“You are cheating again! Quit it!”

“I am not cheating.”

“You can only use words in the English dictionary, Bugger is not a word in the dictionary!”

“Yes it is. Its perfectly usable.”

“It is not! Stop cheating!”

(Writer’s note: It is; my beta checked. Elijah is wrong! Dom is Correct.)

“Fine! How about this word?” And he clearly put down a word that was most obscene. Elijah retaliated.

“You are an asshole!”

“Well that is my word!”

“You know what, Dom, fuck you, fuck you and the horse you rode in on!”

“Ouch, now that is vulgar!”

Dom put the game away and Elijah sullenly went to make some coffee. He came back with two hot cups. Handing one to Dom, Elijah joined him on the couch and both stared at the fire in silence, drinking the hot liquid. Once in awhile, they would make eye contact and the arguing started again.

“Cheater.”

“Cry baby!”

“Butch Queen!”

“Anorak.” (*British term for Nerd8)

“Snob!”

“Wanker!”

Elijah flung back the only word he knew that was British. “Smeghead.”

“You don’t even know what that means!”

“Yes I do. It means Dick head!”

“Oh, piss off!”

And it went on and on and somewhere along the way, if one really looked, they could see that the words were not spoken in anger, but in amusement.

Eventually, their coffee was empty and they called a truce long enough to get some fresh coffee and add more wood in the fire. But when it was done, no one spoke. There was only silence and the sound of the wind.

***

“I’m sorry.”

“I know you are, Dom. Forget about it.”

“I can’t.”

Elijah put down his cup of coffee, and turning onto his side, he stared at Dom. Dom was still looking into the fire. His eyes were filled with dread and sadness.

“I know I’ve screwed up everything. If I could turn back the clock, I would change so many things. Being on the opposite side really sucks. I should never have taken my dad’s side in all this. I know that now, I regret it. I swear to God, I regret it. I wish I could undo last night. I wish I could go back to when things were so simple--when I just had your friendship even that was something. More then what we have now.”

Choking, Dom wiped at his red, tear-filled eyes and shook his head.

“I’ve lost you, and I’ve lost any reason to go on. I wish you had let me go-” everything was lost, dark and empty.

“I don’t,” Elijah replied simply. Dom only lowered his head, more lost in his own grief. But Elijah knew he was listening. “Dom, you screwed up royally! Ok, everyone does. That’s the part of being human. I could have eventually forgiven you that. I told you before, I finally understood why you did what you did. Why you chose your dad’s side. I don’t agree with

it, I think there could have been another way, but I do understand why. I think I even understand what happened last night and…if you promise you will never do something like that again to me-”

Dom began to shudder and spoke forcefully, but still unable to make eye contact. “Never, never! I am so ashamed.” In utter shame, Dom covered his face with his hands.

Elijah reached out, and pushing Dom’s hands away from his face, he gripped his chin, and made Dom look into his eyes.

“Promise me--”

“I promise.” Dom replied with a sob in his throat. Elijah could see he truly meant it. Dom would never try to force himself on him again. Elijah smiled and released his chin.

“Then last night never happened. We will never speak of it again.”

Dom nodded and let out a shuddering breath, before nodding firmly. “Elijah, I love you. I will love you forever.”

Elijah sighed and after a long moment, he nodded. “I care for you too, Dom. But you don‘t know what you are talking about.”

Dom tried to grasp and understand, but found he couldn’t. Elijah tried to explain.

“People say I love you all the time, it doesn’t really mean much. Most of the time it's just physical, lusting. It’s not substantial. It's not forever. People use to stay together, until death did them part, but now. It's like I love you until, something better comes along or if the boat gets a little rocky they bail out. And when you are talking about forever--come on! Forever is like 20 years or 30 years of marriage for most. But with me it’s different--I’m immortal I will live forever and forever is more then a few decades. It's much longer then that.”

“Some people are married 50, 60 years. It can happen.”

Elijah only picked up his coffee.

“Ok, Dom. Let’s play out the scenario. I surrender. I go with you to your dad’s. It’s not too bad. He gives me access to the entire estate--as long as I stay within the bounds. Besides, I have you. No problem, right? Love makes sacrifices. It’s love. And we are together. It's burning and real and hot the years go by--. Five, ten, twenty years. We’ve gotten to know each other well. We even complete each other’s sentences. Your dad has an accident of course, on one of his trips and sadly, he dies. I help you to mourn. We have more freedom now that he is gone--but you're scared. Afraid that you might lose me, so you kind of keep me on a tight leash. It's better you say, that I continue to stay on the estate. I love you, so I agree to it.

Our love flourishes more, we decide to adopt better yet, you find a surrogate Mother and we each impregnate her with our sperm and she gives us several children--our love blooms with the additions. It's wonderful. We feel young and alive with the kids. But they get older, and eventually, they move out and it's just us again. Oh, you're now in your forties. You're starting to age. It’s ok, I start giving you my blood. I want you with me. We love each other--it's what would be right. Thirty years go by, forty years--fifty. We make our golden years. I’m content living my life in the estate.

The kids write and visit, but not as often--they have families of their own and do other things. I miss them and slowly, I turn to you. But lately you have been rather listless. You seem distant--I chalk it up as missing the kids. You feel a bit edgy. Its ok, take a break--go on a trip. I want to go with you, but I see you need the time away. You smile and we make love the night before you leave. You are away for about a week, and you call every day. You come back.

Months go by and you start looking closed in again. So, I suggest another vacation. You go, happily with my blessing. This time you're gone two weeks and you don’t call. But it's ok, I wait. You come back, after all you must, if you want more blood from me. You come back, but the distant look on your face is still there and once more, there is something else I see in your eyes. I’m afraid and I look away. You go away again a few days later. This time you don‘t even ask.”

Dom went to protest, but Elijah held up his hand, his eyes getting blurry with tears, but he refused to stop.

“We’ve had fifty-five years of marriage--you have a right to go off alone. I sit and wait for you to return,--months go by--you haven’t called, or written. A doctor shows up. He explains that everything is ok, he says, that you’re away on business and will be back soon. He asks for my blood and I give it of course. Six months later you return. You’re cold and distant though you try to look like you love me, I look into your eyes and know. The love is gone, It has been gone for some time. Inside is hate and bitterness. I know why: you want to move on, but you can’t. Not if you want to stay young and live forever. As I was trapped with you, you are now trapped with me. It makes you angry and I try to ignore the feminine perfume on your clothes and the lipstick on your collar. I pretend nothing is wrong. I’m good at playing dim-witted.

In the middle of the night, I try to make love to you, but you turn away. You tell me you have a headache and not in the mood. In the morning, you are gone, again. I cry myself to sleep.

Months go by, a year. Finally you come back, this time you have a handsome young man in tow. He has blond hair and beautiful green eyes. You tell me he is your new accountant. I know he is more than that. I catch you one night, making love to him. I back out of the room and close the door. When morning comes and the accountant leaves, I say nothing. What can I say? We have had sixty years of marriage. That is much longer then most anyone has ever really had. In our world, 60 years would seem like forever. I finally, with a heavy heart, tell you to go. I know it is over between us. You get up. You smile--and you go. And this time--you don’t come back.

I stay, in the estate. I am well cared for. I have servants and you make certain that I have whatever I want. What I want is you, but I have lost you and I know I can’t get you back. That you won’t be back, because the Doctor came and he said that my services are no longer needed. They have found a way to duplicate my blood. I’m free to go.

I thank him, he leaves. I go to the kitchen, the servants of course have been discharged. You graciously have given me a million dollars, enough to hold me and get me back on my feet again. It was in your letter.

I am alone. I am scared. I have not ventured out of the estate for more then 60 years.The world has changed since then. I don’t want to be alone. I am. I realize I have been for the last ten years. So I take up the dish detergent and I mix it with the orange juice and I drink it.--”

“No! Stop it! Stop that!” Dom felt the tears come to his own eyes as he saw Elijah’s pain in his.

Elijah looked back at Dom but finished his story.

“You laugh at my funeral of course, What a stupid child I was, you tell The accountant, I still had so much to live for. However, you see, I didn’t because all that I lived for was you, and when you were gone--there was no me left--nothing because you took it all. Don’t you see, Dom? It wouldn’t work. Maybe for awhile, but not forever. What about the fact that we are both men? You say you’re bisexual. Well, I haven’t even come to grips of what I am? Who I am? I don’t want to be gay. I don’t want to be called a faggot!”

Elijah wiped at his eyes but more tears came. Dom narrowed his eyes in anger at the very thought. “I’ll kill anyone who calls you that.”

“In today’s society they still consider it perverse. That it's unnatural. People will always look at us like we are sick. They would make fun of us.”

“Never. I won’t allow it.”

“You can’t stop that. You can’t stop the prejudice or the hate, Dom. It exists in this world. They even kill people like us? For being what we are.”

“Love is never wrong.”

“Maybe some believe that, not everyone.”

“Elijah--”

Elijah only got to his feet and paced the room slowly, paused and faced Dom.

“What we feel for each other will never work. Even if society agreed to it, even if I could forgive you for all the things you’ve done to me and my family. Even if I was willing to try--it won’t work.”

“Damn it, Elijah.” Dom finally got to his feet and pushed Elijah down on the couch. “No! This time you listen to me! You have had your say, now hear me out. First off, who gives a rat’s arse what society deems right? They have their noses so high up there arses they can’t even smell anything but there own shit! They can say whatever they want behind our backs, but I am rich, and people who love money will not say anything, not if they want what I have. Second, about us loving each other forever, all right! I can’t promise forever. There are no guarantees! None! I only know how I feel right now, and I know that I love you so much that sometimes just staring at you I have to fight to breathe! Maybe we'll beat the odds. Maybe we'll love each other for 100 years or a thousand. Maybe we'll love each other for 25 years and go back to being friends. I don’t know what will come. For heaven’s sake, even with your blood, we could be sitting out on the porch and all of a sudden a plane crashes in my yard and kills us both, or a lightening storm causes a fire and we get trapped and--Damn it, Elijah. I can’t live for tomorrow. I only want to live for today. Today, I love you. But if it will make any difference, I am damn sure I’ll love you tomorrow too. When you’re near me I feel like I’m on fire. I feel complete and happy and when you are gone--these past few months I felt like I was in hell! I feel so empty inside. So lonely. I feel like, I’m dying inside. Why can’t you just believe me? Why can’t we just live for today?”

Elijah swallowed and looked back into the flames.

“Because more is at stake than just me and you Dom. I can’t let Saxon marry my mom. I can’t let your dad dictate our lives. My father’s life. Even with all the nice trimmings you’re offering. I have to live free--I have to be free. Dom, I do care for you but I can’t--I just can’t be what you want me to be.”

Dom finally stopped and glanced up and listened and so did Elijah. The wind had stopped.

Moving to the door, Dom opened it and saw the snow was now gently falling down. It would soon cease. The storm was almost over. He closed the door, and putting his hands in his pockets, he sighed when he felt the handcuffs in one and in the other pocket, he felt the tranquilizer box. It took him only a moment to make his decision.

Elijah’s widened as Dom took out the handcuffs.

Cringing, Elijah started to rise, but Dom moved faster, tripping Elijah’s feet causing him to fall back against the couch. Dom grabbed one wrist and cuffed it, and then handcuffed the other hand with it. Elijah stared back at Dom with confused eyes.

“I thought you wanted to change the past? Why not try starting to change in the present? Dom! Dom!”

Dom only turned and headed into the kitchen. Alone, Elijah stared at the cold handcuffs and pulled slightly, they didn’t budge. Elijah wiped at his eyes and leaning his head back against the couch he stared at the window. The snow storm was over. Caesar would arrive soon. Very soon.

***

Saxon slowly stepped out of his limo. He was on his way back to L.A. when he got the call. He couldn’t believe that these young kids would be so stupid as to come back. Fools! But now he had them. Elijah and Jericho, and this time, he had no intention of letting them go.

Without a backward glance, he hurried into the mansion. Jean was not to be seen. It was about noon, she was probably off with her sisters, still looking for the right wedding dress. That was good, it would free him to deal with the kids, without any interference.

By passing his guards, he hurried down the hallway, and down the stairs to the basement.

“They have been fed and given water?”

“Yes, Sir. We’ve made sure they were taken care of.”

“Good. I don’t want them harmed.”

Reaching the end of the corridor, he saw two security guards by the locked door.

“Open it.”

They quickly unlocked the door.

***

He heard the footsteps from a distance, and felt the hair start to stand on end. He wasn’t ready for this. He just wasn’t. Looking down at Jericho, Billy saw he had awoken at the sound of the footsteps and with his eyes open, he sat up. Standing, Billy moved off to the side away from the door. Jericho however stayed front and center.

The door unlocked and it opened.

***

The first thing he saw was two shadows. One was Jericho, clearly standing in front of the door with his hands on his hips, looking sullen an angry. The other shadow, he didn’t make it out right away, except that it was shorter than it should be. They had failed to recapture Elijah. So if Jericho was here--then where was Elijah Chevalier?

“We meet at last, Mr. Jericho--”

“Cut the bullshit, you know my real name is Sean Richards.”

“As you wish. Mr. Richards. I hope they have been looking after you in my absence.”

Saxon noted the empty trays on the side of the door.

Jericho only shook his head. “Whatever you want, forget it! I’ll die first before helping you!”

Saxon only smiled at the young man. “Ah, Now, Mr. Richards, you already have given me what I want. Except, of course, Elijah Chevalier. Why don’t you make it easier on yourself? Just tell me where the boy is and I’ll arrange for my men to pick him up. Then will have a nice dinner together, upstairs in the sun room, where there’s plenty of sunlight and air. Hmmm?”

“Shove it!”

“And what about your friend? Perhaps he will be more accommodating--”

Saxon stopped. He had finally turned and faced the stranger beside Jericho, getting at last a real good look. Who he saw had him stopped mid-sentence and his mouth dropped open in stunned silence.

Billy looked back at him, staring coldly at the man before him. The man that had made Elijah and Jericho’s lives a living hell these past few months.

Saxon at once turned and walked out of the room, speaking to one of his guards.

“Bring him.” Indicating Billy and then disappeared up the stairs.

The guards grabbed Billy and yanked him out of the room. Jericho tried to intervene, but a gun in his face halted his attempt. The door closed and locked behind him.

Billy allowed himself to be dragged up the stairs. His heart was already beginning to pound.

***

Saxon was making himself a drink in the main den, when Billy was pushed into the room.

“Leave us!”

The guards quickly left. Alone, Saxon finally stared at the boy and shook his head. All the while, Billy folded his arms around himself and looked at the floor.

“It’s been how many years? Twenty? And you haven’t changed--not really. You still look like your mother. William my son.”

Billy’s eyes came up and met his father’s eyes but in those depths there was no love within them, only hatred.

***

Dom looked at his watch; the snow had stopped. It wouldn’t be long now. He looked away from the window and stared at Elijah. He was still sitting on the couch, staring at the fire. It was almost out. Dying now with the last of its embers.

“Elijah, I have to do this. Saxon is dangerous and I can’t keep you safe with him running loose. Please understand.”

Elijah wouldn’t look at him. Furious, Dom picked up the empty coffee mug on the table and threw it against the wall. Elijah quickly darted back against the couch, staring at Dom in surprise.

“What the fuck do you want me to do!“

Turning at least several times in a circle, Dom paced the room like a caged animal. Elijah watched his every move, wondering what was going to happen next.

After what seemed a long time, Dom finally came to a stop. He pulled the keys out of his pocket and threw them onto the couch. Then he headed into the bedroom, slamming the door closed behind him.

Elijah watched him close the door and then grabbed the keys and freed himself from the handcuffs. He grabbed for his jacket and made his way to the door, opening it only to stop. He counted to ten and then closed the door.

***

Dom was lying on his back on the bed, one arm under his head and the other over his eyes. He heard movement and someone enter the room, but Dom remained still.

“I will count to 100...that is all I can do. Now go--1, 2, 3, 4,” Before he got to five, he felt the bed dip slightly and then felt the ever slightest brush against his lips.

Lowering his arm, Dom saw blue eyes staring down at him. Time seemed to have stopped again. They stared at one another for a long time and then... “5, 6, 7, 8.”

Elijah gently touched his cheek and nodded. “I-I-I love you, Dom. I always have. I will think about what you said about living for today.” He turned and paused again to add, “Oh, and I don’t like the beard--shave it.“ Then he fled.

Dom continued counting without moving and slowly counted his way up to 100. And when he reached 100. He started again. While he counted, he also muttered words under his breath that sounded like--

“20-Like my beard, 21-not shaving the beard. 22”

***

The helicopter made a landing nearby and the first one out was Vincent. He held a gun in his hand and made his way quickly to the cabin. Upon opening the door, he saw Dominic sitting on the couch, he had one handcuff on his left hand and was secured to a table.

Dom sighed and shrugged, pointing to the far end of the room where the key lay out of reach. Vincent fetched it and freed Dom, who gingerly rubbed his wrists.

“How long, Master Dominic?”

“Several hours I think.”

Vincent nodded, then looked into Dominic’s eyes, including the slight blackened one. “The truth. You let him go?”

Dom lowered his eyes.

“Master Dominic?”

A second later, Dom softly nodded. “I had to.”

“Your father will not be pleased.”

“You're going to tell him?” Dom more or less said it as a fact than a question.

“No. But I think it's best that you return to him. Your objectives have changed. You will be more of a hindrance then a help now.”

“I love him, Vincent.”

“I know that. Unfortunately it is a weakness Elijah will use upon you. I will continue the hunt for Chevalier on my own. Come.”

He led Dom out and back to the helicopter.

Dom paused and confronted his teacher. “Vincent, you said once--a saying, if you love something let it go?”

Vincent helped Dom into the helicopter and waved the driver to leave.

“Yes, it’s a modern-day saying. If you love something let it go. If it comes back to you it is yours to cherish and love forever, but if it doesn’t, then it just wasn’t meant to be.”

“Do you think that someday--?”

Vincent leaned back in his seat and shrugged. “Life is full of possibilities, young one. I wish no ill will upon you and Elijah or even the love that you have for each other but the path you’re choosing will not be an easy one. It may bring you more heartache than happiness. But sometimes--just a small brief moment in time that happiness can last more then a lifetime and sometimes it's enough.”

***

Elijah hurried down the mountain and finally reached the main road. An eighteen-wheeler was passing by and he thumbed a ride. Inside, Elijah smiled to see that the trucker was a woman looking to be in her forties.

“Hey, sugar, what you doing so far from home?”

“Seeing the world.”

“You are a bit young to be on your own, aren’t you? Can’t be more then sixteen?”

Elijah smiled at her. She had a nice voice and her eyes were soft and friendly.

“I’m eighteen.”

“You not joshing me now are you?” “

No, Ma’m.”

“Ah, honey, don’t make me feel so old, call me Carol. I’m heading to Tundra, Nevada. Where you be heading?”

“Same,” he replied too quickly. She paused to shift gears and then looked at the young boy.

“You not running away from home, are you? I bet your mama will be worrying some if you don’t be getting back to her.”

“She knows where I am,” he replied firmly.

But the woman only smiled, shaking her head. “All right, whatever. I guess we can ride together. You put on your seatbelt now, sugar.”

Turning on the radio, she put on her favorite country music. Buckling himself, Elijah leaned back against the seat and glanced up at the sky to see a helicopter making its way ahead of them. It soon vanished into the clouds and mountains. Elijah slowly closed his eyes and remembered the jolt he received when he placed his lips against Dom’s. It felt--like he had been made complete. He opened his eyes and sighed. Like he had come home.

Closing his eyes again, Elijah allowed himself to drift away to the music of Garth Brooks, singing on the radio:

Well you and I
We're buddies
And we've been since we first met
Me and you
Well we've sure been through
Our share of laughter and regret

Lord knows we've had our bad days
And more than once we've disagreed
But you've always been a friend to me

You can be so stubborn
There's times I think you just like to fight
And I hope and pray
I live to see a day
When you say I might be right

And there's times I'd rather kill you
Than listen to your honesty
But you've always been a friend to me

You've always been
Time and again
The one to take my hand
And show me it's okay to be
Just the way I am
With no apology

Oh you've always been
And you will 'til God knows when
Yes you've always been a friend to me

The End. Look for the conclusion to Season One, Until Death Do Us Part.