Any characters you recognize belong to Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m just doing this for fun. This is rated PG-13 to be safe.

 

Once again I have to thank my fantastic beta for her hard work even if it was difficult for her to take. And I owe a big thanks to Luna for helping me write this piece. Thanks Princess. I promise this will end soon.

 

Missing Pieces (Nate’s Story Chapter 36)

 

New Year’s Eve, I was sitting at home trying to piece together something that was nagging at me. You know that feeling you get like there's something you're supposed to remember but you just can't bring it from the depths of your brain. I knew I had been hurt. But why, by whom, I didn't know. No one else in my little group would answer my questions, so I stopped asking.  Somebody had wiped my memory and I'd give you three guesses as to whom. The first two guesses didn't count.

 

I knew I was supposed to go to Dead Druids for the New Year’s bash. I wasn't sure I really wanted to though. I guessed I could hang out on the balcony and watch everyone. The station was going to do a remote from the club. I could hang out with Callie or maybe Dianne. Yeah, Dianne… Fellow Cajun… Very easy on the eyes, she was a little taste of home.

 

Roan was going to pick up Kendra. He'd borrowed the Viper to do it and left me the keys to his Ninja. 

 

“What the hell,” I said to no one in particular then went upstairs to shower. 

 

I planned to wear jeans and a sweater but when I walked into my room my attire had been picked for me. Lying on the bed was a pair of black leather pants and a deep blue muscle tee.

 

“It's January, not exactly tee shirt weather.” I mused looking around for my wardrobe adviser.

 

The Simi appeared. She was dressed in what looked like a Catholic schoolgirl uniform. Her hornays were plaid.

 

I shook my head at the demon. “Ash know you're dressed like that?”

 

She looked at me like I was crazy. “Akri no tell Simi how to dress. Akri tell Simi take these to Nathan hunter and tell him to have some fun.”

 

“Tell Akri to shove it.” I growled.

 

“You need to have fun. He say you too uptight.” She nodded.

 

“I'm uptight?”

 

She pouted. I didn't know a demon could pout. “You no fun anymore.  Besides you look good in these.” She picked up the pants and held them to my waist. “You no Travis but you cute.”

 

“Gee thanks Sim. That means a lot.”

 

She nodded. “Yes. Yes. Maybe you see that Luna woman Akri has been talking about.” I frowned as she continued, “Akri think she a strong hunter. Stubborn like you.”

 

“Simi, you aren't supposed to tell the Hunters what we talk about.” Acheron had flashed in by the window. He turned to me. “You need to go to this party and relax.”

 

Ash’s demon apparently agreed. “Relax. Relax. He need a woman.”

 

We both stared at her before shouting simultaneously, “Simi!”

 

She just grinned unabashed.

 

Thinking now was a good time to change the subject I asked the pair, “Hey, how did I get hurt?”

 

“Ares.” Simi replied.

 

“What?” I was lost.

 

The big guy just shook his head. “Nothing. Go and have some fun.”

 

Sighing I turned to my boss. “Did you wipe my memory?”

 

“Why would I do that?” His face was blank.

 

Simi chimed in. “So he wouldn't…”

 

“Simi. Go back to Sanctuary.” Acheron cut her off.

 

“Simi go here. Simi go there.” She prattled in a sing song voice.

 

“Simi,” The big guy barked.

 

“Yes Akri.”  She disappeared before he could say more.

 

I turned to my boss. “Did you let her dress like that?”

 

He sighed. “Do you think I have any control over how she dresses?”

 

“So what was she saying about Ares?” I asked.

 

“It was nothing. There's a jacket in your closet. Wear a helmet.” With that, he was gone.

 

I yelled at the empty room. “You can't tell me how to dress either! Besides I don't have one.” A black, full face helmet fell onto the bed. “I really hate all this time warp stuff.” The Rocky Horror Picture Show flashed into my head complete Acheron dressed as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. I shuddered. It was not a vision I needed in my mind.

 

I got dressed and looked at myself in the mirror but not because I was vain. It was because I couldn't believe I was actually dressed like... well like Kyrian before Amanda settled him down. Yeah. The guy could still kick ass when warranted but he loved his family. It was good for him. Some of us dreamed about normalcy. Some of us dreamed about an end.

 

I pulled the black leather jacket on, grabbed the helmet and left the house before I lost my nerve. Riding was not a problem. I had a Ninja at home. I knew Ryan would keep it in top condition. I missed my Squire. We shared a lot.

 

I pulled into the Dead Druids lot, parking the bike as close to the building as possible. The music was loud even outside. Judging by the crowd waiting in line, the place was packed.

 

Taking the helmet off, I just managed to clip it to the bike when I was grabbed from behind. As I turned ready to fight, I found Myra. She grinned. I kissed her cheek noticing she was dressed rather conservatively in blue jeans and a sweater.

 

I grinned. “Hi!”

 

“Hi yourself.”

 

“You doin' the remote or just here to party,” I asked.

 

“I'm here to party. How about you?”

 

I sighed. “I was told to relax. So, I'm here to get drunk and party.”

 

Myra smiled and took my hand. We got in line to wait but the bouncer recognized us as jocks and let us in. I was surprised I was still considered an employee.

 

Inside was a wave of people. The band was dishing out kick ass rock. I'd have to ask Callie who they were. I handed my jacket to the cloak lady and pocketed the receipt. I turned to find Myra staring. Frowning I asked what was wrong.

 

“Nothing. I've just never seen you dressed so... like that.” She hedged.

 

“Like what?” She shook her head so I asked again.

 

She sighed. “Like you're trolling… Looking to get laid.”

 

I leaned in very close to whisper in her ear, “Maybe I am,” before making my way to the bar. 

 

Diane was serving as well as the guy Luna had called Liam. I asked Diane for a Sunrise. She set the drink down in front of me a few minutes later. I watched as the syrup sank allowing the orange juice to claim the top of the glass. Perfect. It was the only sunrise I'd seen in years.

 

“What's wrong Mon Ami?” Diane asked.

 

“It's been a long year Chere…  Too long.”

 

“You just need to have some fun.  You're dressed for it.” She gave me a wicked smile. Sighing I ordered a beer. She handed me the beer asking, “You aren't gonna carry that puss into the New Year. Are ya?” 

 

“Depends on how the night goes.”

 

“It's about time you showed up.” I swiveled the stool until I faced Roan as he added. “We have a table down front.”

 

“I'm sure you and Mouse can do fine without me.” I told him, not moving.

 

The wolf growled at me. “Don't do this Nathan. She got the night off for us.”

 

Standing I threw a hundred on the bar and asked for a bottle of Jose and a glass. I told Diane to keep the rest.  He was right. The table was down front to the left of the stage. The station's gear was set up to the right.

 

I set the bottle and glass on the table, then said hello to Kendra and kissed her cheek before heading over to see Callie. She was finishing talking to Jake when I reached her.

 

She jumped up, wrapping her arms around my neck. “It's good to see you.”

 

“You too,” I told my coworker.

 

“I got a new tat. Wanna see?” She asked.

 

I shook my head. “Maybe later.”

 

“You always say that.” She pouted giving me puppy dog eyes.

 

I grinned. “You can show me later. I'll be here.”

 

“Promise?”

 

“Promise,” I assured her. She kissed me and unattached herself from me as I asked, “Wanna come over and sit?”

 

“After the next spot.” I nodded and turned to walk away only to hear her yell, “Nathan!” Turning back she grinned at me. “You look hot!”

 

I turned back toward the table not knowing what to say especially when several women at a nearby table began agreeing. I was ordered to have fun after all.  So I put on my best smile and rejoined Kendra and Roan.  Pouring myself a half glass of tequila I turned to watch the band.  When the band took a break, I asked Mouse if she was having fun.

 

She nodded. “I am. I wish you were.”

 

“Don't I look like I'm having fun,” I asked. She shook her head so I added, “Ah well looks can be deceiving. Inside I'm having a blast.” I drank the golden liquid down and poured another glass.

 

“Are you going to drink that whole bottle?” Roan asked.

 

“Not if I can help it.” Luna chimed in as she grabbed the bottle out of my hand and took a drink. “Ah the good stuff.” I laughed as she asked. “Can we join you?”

 

“More the merrier,” I told her as her friend Ares, and four others appeared.

 

Tara I remembered from the masked ball. She was the pink ballerina. Luna introduced the others as Nadia, Daniel, and Josh. Empty chairs were pulled up to our table and more drinks were ordered. I noticed that Luna was wearing the necklace I had given her for Christmas. We exchanged a smile. I turned to Tara and asked where her tutu was. She blushed furiously.

 

“Oh, she only brings that out for special occasions.” Nadia explained then winked.

 

Roan turned to Luna. “Are you here to arrest somebody?”

 

She shook her head. “Not tonight.”

 

“Ares you look so stiff.” I told the shifter. He just gave me a look.

 

“He's always stiff.” Kendra blushed as soon as she said it. We all laughed as she added, “I didn't mean it that way.”

 

I grinned. “It's okay. All guys named Ares are a bit stiff.”

 

My canine roommate added, “Especially if they're a god.”

 

I nodded in agreement.

 

Nadia looked over at us. “You two are strange.”

 

I looked at Luna who just grinned. When Callie got over to the table, we had added a few more people. Since there were no chairs left, she plopped down in my lap. Everyone had switched to beer or pop except for Luna and I. We had at least two hours until midnight.

I knew if I kept drinking this heavy, I would pay the next day.  Luna and I had our heads together trying to hear what we were saying over the music. We finally gave up and I excused myself to go to the men’s room. 

 

Roan followed. “Man you'd better slow down a bit. What's up with you?”

 

I looked over at him. “I was ordered to have fun. I'm having fun.”

 

He shook his head in disgust. “Good thing there aren't any daimons around. You'd be in no shape to fight.”

 

“Careful wolf or I'll show you just how good of a shape I'm in.” I growled at the shifter.

 

I finished my business and left the room. At the bar I bought another bottle of Jose before going back to the table.  Luna watched me as I returned. Her only comment was a single raised eyebrow. She pushed her glass towards me.

 

“Another,” she said simply.

 

I looked from her to Ares. The big man just shrugged. I filled her glass and mine.

 

Raising my glass toasted my table mates I declared, “To good times and good friends.” 

 

“Good times and good friends” was echoed by those gathered.  Luna and I emptied our glasses so I refilled them.

 

Josh shook his head. “I do not want to see you two in the morning.”

 

Luna rolled her eyes at the young man. “You see me every morning.” She reminded him.

 

Roan came back with Myra. She took one look at all the cats gathered at our table, turned on her heel and left. Luna smirked. Roan gave her a questioning look.

 

The cat shrugged. “I'm not exactly popular with her crowd.”

 

“Why is that?” My comrade asked.

 

Her eyes became blank. “Not your concern.”

 

Kendra sighed. “You know I think I'm going to go.”

 

“You don't want to stay for the countdown?” Roan asked.

 

She shook her head. “I’d rather be someplace quieter.  I'll call a taxi.”

 

“No you won't. I'll take you.” He told her. The wolf glared at me as Kendra said goodnight.

 

Daniel watched them leave before asking, “What was that all about?”

 

“I think he was challenging me.” I told him.

 

Tara shook her head. “Somehow I don't think it's a good idea.”

 

“It isn't.” I added as I looked over at Luna who was filling our glasses.

 

“Actually I think he was telling you to get a handle on me.” The alpha leopard explained, not taking her eyes off the drinks she was pouring.

 

I asked her. “Why is that?  You want to be handled?”

 

Her mouth twitched. “Sometimes we all want to be handled.”

 

“Yeah,” I agreed.

 

I wasn't sure how much we had actually had to drink though the table currently held three empty tequila bottles. The crowd around us was winding up as it got closer and closer to the New Year. As the countdown neared we all stood to watch the large clock that had been placed above the stage tick down. At the stroke of midnight there was a rush of noise and energy as everyone inside the club cheered and hugged.

 

Luna and I got caught up in the moment. A light brush of the lips turned into something deeper. When the kiss was broken, we stood there forehead to forehead, arms around each other’s waist.

 

I sighed, “Happy New Year Princess.”

 

“You're... I'm...” Luna stuttered.

 

“Yep,” I grinned.

 

She smirked and started to say something but stopped as she looked past my shoulder. I'd seen that look before, the night outside the condo but this time there was no slamming of the front door. I steeled myself waiting for him to reach us. I watched the emotions play out in Luna's eyes. There was shock, anger, and then Irish got there.  He spun me around and got right in my face. It took a lot not to draw my knives.

 

He glared at me. “She wasn't falling this time was she? Why can't you keep your hands off her?”

 

Luna stepped between us. “You're dead. I watched them take your heart.”

 

“Believe me I remember.” Irish bit out.

 

She shook her head. “No one can come back from that.”

 

He shook his head. “It's a long and complicated story.”

 

She was having none of it. Her eyes filled with heated anger. Energy was rolling off her. Her buddies pressed in close.

 

“Luna, you need to calm down. Things could get out of hand.” I told her.

 

She growled low in her throat, then said to Irish, “You let me hurt. Let me think you were dead. All of it playing out in my head over and over.  I can still hear Elijah scream when he knew he was too late. I can still see your body, your eyes staring at me.  Why? Someone could have told me.”

 

Her hands were balled into fists. She stepped around Ares, but didn't move closer to Irish. She didn’t seem sure if it was safe, or that he'd disappear.

 

The Irish hunter told her, “They were forbidden to tell you.  Even Elijah didn't know until he returned home.”

 

I stood watching. Hell what could I do? Ares and the others were stunned. They had all thought he was dead. The place was quiet except for Irish and Luna arguing. The club looked like it had split in two. I noticed that Liam, the bartender and another guy had moved to stand behind Irish.  The guy with Liam favored Irish, a lot. 

 

Luna shot them an accusing look. “You knew that he was alive. Knew he was here.

Didn't you?” Neither man answered. She turned to me. “And you?”

 

I sighed. “I didn't know that you two had a past. I just knew that he avoided you and anyone else from the District. I didn't know more until a dream.  Then I kind of put it together.”

 

Luna exploded, “You sonuvabitch!” Irish moved to hold her but she pushed him away. “Don't touch me!”

 

“Luna, I'm sorry.” My roommate reached out to touch her arm and Ares stepped between them. Irish bristled. He growled out. “Get out of my way.” When Ares didn't move Irish tried a different approach. “Is this your new bedmate Luna? Is he the only one?”

 

I swear I saw sparks in her eyes.  Was he that stupid? The guy behind him paled. Liam was shaking his head. Ares was very stoic but I watched the big shifter clench his fists.  People were gathering, waiting for the first blows.

 

Luna stepped around Ares to stand in front of him. “How dare you take that tone with me! I thought you were fuckin' dead. So now that you're suddenly back, I'm supposed to what…”       She waved her hands around in the air. “What is it you think I'm supposed to be doing?”

 

He just looked at her. “I thought maybe you'd change a few habits. I sure as hell didn't think you would sleep with my best friend. I figured it would be Patrick you came to. Not Elijah.”

 

Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, her nostrils flaring. She moved so fast that none of the others had time to react. One moment she was standing behind  Ares, the next she had slapped Irish so hard that he stumbled back a couple of steps.

 

She fumed. “How dare you! Lija was the only one of you sons of bitches that came to see me. To see how I was holding up. So tell me, was he any happier than I am right now when he found out what a complete and utter bastard you are!”

 

They stood there arguing. Ares once again had moved up to stand behind her. He had a hand at the small of her back. If he was trying to help it was having no effect.  This was all going down hill too fast.  Tara gave me a pleading look. I think she was frightened. Then something cool ran through and around me.

 

Asher's voice spoke in my head. “You need to stop this,” he said.

 

“Oh yeah? And how am I supposed to do that,” I countered mentally.

 

I was moving even before I realized I had taken the first step. Irish had backed off some but he was so angry that it was like a heat wave surrounding him. He was not happy and the heat wave surrounding us made a tense situation that much worse. I stepped in front of her and placed my hands on either side of her face. She growled and tried to pull away but something in my eyes stopped her. Her face was a mask but her eyes gave everything away. She was beyond angry. She was livid.

 

The others could feel the power flowing around and between Luna and me.  I didn't understand how to use the power I now held. I'd never felt anything like it, not even when I had been training to hunt daimons. This must be what it feels like to be a god, I thought abstractedly.

 

The voice that came out of me couldn't even remotely be called mine.  It was too refined, too cultured. It felt strange to hear his voice come out of my mouth. ”Cessation requel. Calme, Mon Chat. Revenir`a`moi.  La`rudemant emportement.  Revenir` a moi. Plaisent” *

             

 

She gave a shuddering sigh her forehead falling against my chest. Slowly she lifted her head and looked deeply into my eyes as if looking for something before taking my hand in hers. She gave one last look at Irish and the rest and we left the club. Ares and the others followed.

 

We walked all the way to Guilty Pleasures like that. Asher was waiting.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* French translation: “Stop this. Calm, my cat. Come back to me. There is much anger. Come back to me. Please.”