Disclaimer: CSI and Ocean’s Eleven or any other fandoms mentioned in the story are not mine. The names of the all characters contained here-in are the property of Jerry Bruckheimer and CB and various other producers. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and no money is made of it.

 

Disclaimer 2: This story was written as a tribute to the wonderful universe created by Beverly (Bjjones). Her Sylum Stories and the entire world she’s created made me write this. Sylum and the universe is hers, I just play with it.

 

 

The Last Descendant

 

By Valerie

 

 

Part 1 – The Quest

 

*Brazil, April 2006*

 

Danny Ocean was working with Seth, practicing and training when he suddenly tensed. Something was wrong and he shivered at the sense of dread that he felt through his bond with Rusty. Before Seth could say anything, Danny stopped fighting and ran towards the house.

 

“Danny, what the hell are you doing?!” Danny knew that Seth had followed him and heard his angry shout, but before he could explain, he froze as he saw the men standing next to Rusty with their guns. One gun was pointed at the blond vampire’s head while the others were pointed at him and Seth.

 

A dark haired man walked calmly up the stairs and Danny closed his eyes as anger crawled up his spine. “Terry Benedict!”

 

“I told you I would find you Ocean.” Danny shivered at the oily voice and hard eyes and yet he couldn’t help but be fatalistic about them being found. It was part of their job, part of who they were and they had known that Terry Benedict would try to hunt them down. Still, though, so much had changed since they had started the casino job that in a way, he had forgotten about the threat that Benedict had issued right before he had tossed him out of his casino.

 

If you had anything to do with this, then run and hide because no matter where you are, I will find you, hunt you down and make you pay.

 

I looked as if it was payback time now...

 

“Took you long enough,” Rusty’s comment caused Benedict to jerk his head towards him and as if on a silent command, the goon standing next to Rusty moved his gun. Danny saw the movement, but it all happened too fast and before he could stop it or cry out, the taller man hit his mate with the back of his gun.

 

He jerked as he felt Rusty’s pain through the bond and he had to hold himself back from jumping the creep who had dared to hurt his other half.

 

You will kill to protect or avenge your mate.

 

Something Horatio had told him a while ago flashed through his mind and he finally understood the truth of that statement.

 

Rusty seemed to feel his agitation and he felt the blue eyes on him. There was a warning in them and it calmed him enough to look at Benedict coldly.

 

“So you found us. Now what? You kill us and have some fun?”

 

There was a gleam in Benedict’s eyes that made Danny shiver, but the casino owner shook his head at the question.

 

“I want my money back.”

 

Sharing a look with Rusty, Danny tried to shush him, but his mate answered with a shrug.

 

“Sorry, spent it... The house always wins, you know?”

 

It earned him another blow and this time he looked dazed and a drop of blood slowly made its way down his face. Benedict however looked unconcerned as he watched them coldly.

 

“Well, if you have no money left, then you’d better find this for me.”

 

He tossed a picture towards Danny. Looking at the picture of an ancient Greek goddess, Danny frowned, but before he could ask anything, Benedict gave a sign and, moving as if they were one, his goons moved towards the large black cars.

 

Benedict walked past Danny and looked at him coldly, handing him another picture. This time the picture made his blood freeze as he recognized the ten men he had worked with on the Bellagio job.

 

“You have a month, and then every week, one of your merry group will die. I’ll save your friend for last and believe me he will be looking into your eyes when we kill him.” Benedict got into the car and was just about to drive away, when Danny suddenly jumped over and knocked on the window.

 

“Does this lady have a name?” Benedict seemed amused by the question, though, then let his eyes wander and linger on Rusty.

 

“It’s the Talisman of Troy.”

 

---

 

*Brazil, April 2006*

 

“Look, if Benedict wants this statue, we’ll find it for him.” Seth watched as Danny paced the room, while Jack and Will lounged in their chairs. Rusty sat in the other chair and shook his head as he argued with his mate. “How can we find something that has been lost for over thousand years? I mean Benedict knows we’re no treasure hunters.”

 

It wasn’t so much the question of the ‘how’ that bothered Seth; it was more the ‘why’. Why would Benedict want this statue so much? He remained silent though as Danny stopped in the middle of the room. The dark eyes were full of pain and Seth saw how the Benedict’s threat had scared the con man. For a while they were all silent, then Jack lifted his head from his spot on Will’s shoulder and looked at the two younger vampires.

 

“Why don’t you ask Croft or Indy?”

 

Danny shook his head immediately and the determination in his eyes made his wish very clear. “No, no involvement of anyone from Sylum.”

 

His voice was harsh and determined and glancing at Rusty, Seth saw the same determination in the eyes of the blond man.

 

“This Benedict guy called it the Talisman of Troy, didn’t he? I mean what if it really is? Hector could probably help you with it. You really should ask Speed or Nick to set up a meeting with them or at least a phone...” Will’s voice trailed off, when Danny slapped his hand on the table.

 

“I said no involvement from Sylum, no calling Nick, no bothering Speed. For God’s sake, Nick really has enough to deal with without us bothering him.” Danny looked at Seth and his eyes pleaded with him to understand. “If we’re going to do this, then it’s going to be me and Rusty. Just us, no Sylum, no Sanctuary. We do this on our own.”

 

Sharing a concerned look with Jack, Seth looked at his two children. True, they weren’t his real children, but he felt responsible for them nevertheless; in fact he was sure that he couldn’t feel more responsible had he really sired them. With Basher away most of the time, it had been he who had taught them everything.

 

Their training had been hard at the beginning and he had been surprised to see that neither had had much experience with weapons. It made sense though he thought now, that he knew them better. Their cons were too elaborate, and thus didn’t require violence but intelligence and both Danny and Rusty were hesitant to use force. Still, once they had seen the reason behind their training, they had thrown themselves into it with all the enthusiasm and will they had.

 

Now almost a year later, they both were already highly qualified fighters and only lately had he watched how Danny had beaten Ethan in a mock fight. But despite their training, the thought of them going off on their own, into some obscure quest, he felt concerned and just simply didn’t like it.

 

“You’re still new vampires. I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

 

Rusty snorted and looked up from his comfortable resting place with a raised eyebrow. “Seth, please... we’ve been fooling people about who we are for our entire lives, don’t you think we can manage to hide our true nature?”

 

Will had been silent after Danny’s outburst, but now he looked at Rusty and Danny. “Why are you so against asking Sylum for help?”

 

Seth saw how Danny’s mask slipped for a moment and saw the second of fear and sadness in his eyes, before his face morphed back into the perfect mask once again.

 

“It’s not clan business and I respect Nick too much to make this his issue.” There wasn’t much that Will could say after that answer and in the silence Danny finally asked Luther who was the only representative of Sanctuary’s Council for his permission to go to Europe.

 

“Our friends’ lives that depend on this.”

 

Luther looked at the two vampires and Seth could literally see how the Council member’s thoughts worked until he finally nodded. “I’ll let Nick know that you’ve gone to Europe without going into too many details. But I want you to keep in constant contact with Seth and if I say constant I mean constant. Ok?!”

 

The relief in Rusty’s face was mirrored in Danny’s eyes and as they left the room their steps seemed much lighter than only hours before when they had entered it. Waiting until the door closed behind them and they had truly left the building, Seth looked at Luther. “I don’t like this.”

 

Luther shrugged and looked straight at him. “Neither do I, but what should I have said? I couldn’t say no, and even if I had... they would have gone anyway; this way at least we’ll be able to keep an eye on them.”

 

Seth shook his head. “I should go with them.”

 

“They wouldn’t let you.” Ethan had been silent so far, now though he looked up and fixed Seth with his eyes. “They want to do this alone for whatever reason and you know that Seth, because you know what they mean with this ‘no Sylum’ bullshit.”

 

Sighing heavily, Seth flashed back to the night he had first seen Rusty and Danny. He had flown to Vegas after Nick had contacted him about a man who looked liked him, a man who was as they had found out a con man and who had in the same night robbed three casinos. It had been a crazy night, Stendhal had attacked them and had almost killed Danny. Basher had been there and so had Riddick, the two long time enemies coming to an understanding after finally talking. It had been a night with many changes for all of them. He had acquired two new children and Danny and Rusty had sworn their loyalty to Sylum.

 

“Nick wasn’t too happy about the fact that two con men had been turned and were part of Sylum. He accepted them into the clan, but basically told them that they should never ask the clan for help if any of their cons turned sour.”

 

He could see the understanding dawn in Ethan’s eyes and growled lightly as the dark haired hunter shook his head.

 

“So they figure because it’s Benedict, they can’t ask the clan for help.” Jack’s voice was thoughtful and Seth could see him make the same conclusions he had drawn while watching Danny only minutes ago.

 

“They don’t feel sure about their place in Sylum and at the same time they think the world of Nick. So what do you get if you add two parts insecurity and one part hero worship?” The pirate made a rhetorical break and then theatrically jumped up and declared. “A reckless one man show...”

 

Ethan snorted at Jack’s comment, but Seth growled low and dangerously.

 

“I want them to join Sanctuary.” For a moment there was complete silence in the room as the remaining four vampires stared at Seth as if he had grown a second head. “What? At least here, people care about them.”

 

Luther looked at him disapprovingly and it only fuelled Seth’s anger.

 

“I mean, god dammit. They haven’t seen their Sire more than twice since they’ve been turned and that was because they met him by chance and not because he came to see them. He doesn’t seem to care about them. And have any of you ever seen someone from Sylum around? I get phone calls from Nick but all he ever asks is if they are staying out of trouble. He hasn’t once asked how they are, if they’re happy here or if they would prefer to go back to the Manor. Do you have any idea what those two went through while all that shit was going down?”

 

Seth trailed off, but seeing the astonished faces of his friends he calmed a bit and explained quietly. “Danny and Rusty think the world of Nick and Tony and Speed. But they feel as if they don’t have a right to call Sylum their clan because of who they are.”

 

Luther started to say something but remained quiet and Ethan was looking at Seth calmly. “You ever talk with Nick about it?”

 

Seth shook his head. “What should I say? It was his decision to accept them in Sylum but keep them at the border of the clan family. He had every right to make such a decision.”

 

Ethan wanted to argue that, but before he could say anything, Luther interrupted. “Don’t you think it’s too much of a coincidence to be a real one?”

 

Eight confused eyes rested on the tall man who shrugged and pointed towards the copy of the drawing that Danny had left on the table. “Danny and Rusty are being sent to find the Talisman of Troy.”

 

Seth was still in the dark and from the looks on Jack and Ethan’s faces so were they. Will though seemed to understand and gasped, shocked.

 

“Oh my god, is Rusty...?” He understood then and suddenly something that had made no sense before now made a lot of sense and his blood froze at the implications. “A descendant of Achilles…”

 

It still could be a coincidence, because really how would Benedict know about Rusty’s bloodline leading back to the legendary warrior? Even more how would he know the link between the bloodline and the Talisman of Troy, but still. Seth had lived for too long to believe in coincidences especially those that were too obvious and too real. Looking at Luther he saw how the Council member and the friend battled in him and growled at the sudden dread in his stomach as he looked at Will.

 

“Is it confirmed that he is a descendant?”

 

Will shrugged. “Nick said something about it when we were in Miami, but then he also said that Hector was looking into it, so I’m not sure.”

 

Once more Seth locked eyes with Luther and when he saw the go ahead, he spoke. “I’ll have Christian look into it, and then I guess we’ll tell Stephen and Jack about it and have them decide whether or not to call Hector.”

 

He walked to the door swiftly only to be stopped by Will. The eternally young man looked at him concerned. “Tell me that you make sure they’re safe.”

 

Seth swallowed hard and nodded, only now acknowledging the fear that had settled deep in his heart.

 

Rusty Ryan might be a descendant of Achilles, but Danny Ocean was one of his. He had once failed to protect a brother, and since he’d been turned, twice failed to protect a child.

 

He had already lost three of his blood.

 

And he didn’t want to lose another.

---

 

“So, where do you think we should start?” Rusty felt Danny’s eyes on him as he asked the question. Danny was reading something on the computer, but still found the time to answer. “The beginning would be a good idea...”

 

Chuckling lightly, Rusty was surprised how this one laugh made his heart feel lighter. Without thinking, he leaned over and kissed Danny’s neck from behind, nibbled at his mate’s ear and finally looked up and rested his chin on Danny’s shoulder he started to read what Danny was looking at. His mate was researching the lost treasure on the Web and seeing the myriad of information and links, Rusty felt the familiar tingle in his body. Forced or not, he loved the excitement of their profession and although he shivered thinking of their friends, he still looked forward to this hunt.

 

They might not be treasure hunters, but hey they might very well become so.

 

“There’s tons of stuff about it around. Weird, if you think that it’s been lost for so long.” Swatting Danny’s hand from the keyboard, Rusty used his leverage to move Danny’s chair and trap his mate between his body and the desk.

 

“And everything will still be there tomorrow.”

 

Danny’s eyes flashed as Rusty leaned down to capture his lips and a deep moan escaped him.

 

“You’re right and anyway we know where to start looking for answers. We even have the tickets and the maps and the bags... oh god...” Danny’s sensible words ended in a gasp as Rusty knelt and nuzzled his face against his crotch.

 

“Oh god, love... please... yes... please.” Helpless moans that turned Rusty on beyond belief. He had never loved anyone the way he loved Danny and the bond they shared had only made those feelings stronger. His hands shook as he opened the button and lowered the zipper. Reaching in, he moaned at the feeling of the hot, hard flesh in his hands and nudged at Danny until he lifted his hips then he pulled the pants down, exposing Danny to his care.

 

“Need you...” Just a whisper, but Rusty was powerless against the lust and love he saw in the dark eyes and with a moan he swallowed Danny’s length, causing his mate to cry out in bliss.

 

---

 

*Las Vegas April 2006*

 

“They took the bait.” Terry Benedict looked at the blond man who sat opposite him in the visitor’s chair. There was something about the young man that made him shiver, something about the attitude and coldness in his eyes. This was a worthy adversary.

 

“You gave them how long? A month?” Even the voice was cold, detached and almost bored. Benedict nodded and saw how the other man smiled. “So I’ll contact you then. If they have the statue, I will pay the requested price. If they fail to recover it, I’ll hand you the list with the other nine names.”

 

Benedict got up and shook the younger man’s hand to close the deal. He felt good having finally gotten payback for the robbery that had not only cost him much money, but also publicly humiliated him.

 

“It was a pleasure to do business with you Mr. Stendhal.”

 

The blond man smiled, but the smile never reached his eyes. “It certainly was.”

 

---

 

 

*Between Brazil and Turkey, April 2006*

 

“It certainly does pay to travel in style, doesn’t it?” Danny grinned as he looked from his seat to Rusty leaning back in the comfortable first class seat. His mate had reclined his seat so that it resembled a bed and right now the flight attendant came over and handed him both a pillow and a duvet. Rusty smiled at her and thanked her graciously causing her to blush and Danny to growl.

 

He wasn’t jealous, just a bit possessive sometimes.

 

Rusty grinned and Danny knew that his lover loved it  when he got like this. It seemed to reassure the younger man that Danny really wanted him although why he even thought that Danny could ever lose interest in him was beyond him. One day he would ask, but until he had worked up the courage to do so, he would just show his mate how much he loved him.

 

“You know this is the perfect setting for an introduction into the mile high club.” He smiled at Rusty’s confusion though Rusty blushed and shook his head. “You’re crazy if you think I’m getting up and into a cramped airplane toilet to have sex.”

 

Looking carefully around to see if anyone was looking at them, Danny decided they needed more privacy and asked the flight attendant to close the privacy curtains. Once they were sheltered from prying eyes, he moved his seat so that he was on the same level as Rusty and slowly leaned over towards his mate.

 

“Now who said anything about a toilet?” His hand sneaked under Rusty’s blanket and over his mate’s chest. The airline had provided pajamas for them, but they preferred the light sweats and t-shirts they had brought themselves. Slipping a hand under Rusty’s shirt, Danny slowly drew circles over his mate’s chest. Further and further down he moved his hand, while his eyes kept Rusty’s captive and he saw the desire rise in the blue eyes. His lover was nibbling at his lips, desperately trying to suppress any moans or whimpers. Danny almost came at the sight alone.

 

Rusty was beautiful like this.

 

“Stop it Danny,” Rusty’s whisper was frantic but not entirely serious. Danny smiled and shook his head, instead he moved from his seat and kneeled next to his mate’s seat and looked at Rusty’s eyes. “Let me do this love, please?”

 

He knew that Rusty was helpless to his pleas and true to this, his lover sighed and reached out to caress his face. Rusty’s hand on his face made him shiver and he instinctively leaned into the touch.

 

“But what about you?” Smiling he leaned up and whispered right next to Rusty’s lips. “Just open yourself up to me and I will feel everything as you do.”

 

Rusty groaned and Danny leaned down a bit more and kissed his lips. The pleasure that spiked through him was doubled and opening himself up to the bond, he let himself be surrounded by Rusty’s love and passion as he moved his hands over his lover’s chest down over the toned body until he slipped into the loose sweats and the already tented boxers. Rusty’s cock was hard and hot in his hand and he shivered at the sudden longing he felt.

 

“I wish I could just kneel down in front of you and love you like you deserve.” A surge of heat flowed through their bond and Danny felt Rusty’s hand on his face once more as his mate reached out blindly.

 

“Just having you here with me, feeling you like this is enough Danny.”

 

Danny looked up and quickly glancing around he leaned down and licked a trail along Rusty’s neck, then looked up and found his mate’s eyes. “Do it.”

 

Smiling at the hunger and longing in the blue orbs, he nodded and slid his fangs into his mate’s skin. Rusty moaned and shivered. “Danny.”

 

It was an almost broken plea and it undid Danny completely. Nearly frantic, he sucked his lover’s blood and felt in his body and soul when Rusty crashed over the top. Shivering, he released his mate and licked the wound closed then looked at Rusty.

 

“Love, please...” Rusty seemed to understand what he wanted, and caressingly moving his hand down to Danny’s neck he followed the same path with his lips. Danny shivered in anticipation feeling the desperate need to be close to Rusty. He didn’t understand the need, the urge which suddenly drove him, but he couldn’t help it and as soon as he felt Rusty sink his fangs into his neck, his body jerked and he came.

 

“Wow!” Danny smiled when Rusty groaned. “Welcome to the club.”

 

---

 

*Brazil, April 2006*

 

“They what?” Seth had seen his leader angry, annoyed, happy and in many other emotions before, but he didn’t think he had ever seen Stephen like this. The usually pale man had gone as white as a sheet, his eyes were burning though and as he focused his gaze on Seth, the look in his eyes made the hunter consider his non existent mortality.

 

“Look it was their choice, what should I have done? Tie them to the house?”

 

Stephen had calmed himself down and exchanged a look with his mate. “Seth, please tell me everything from the moment this Benedict guy showed up to when Rusty and Danny left.”

 

Feeling dread crawl up his spine, Seth began to do as requested and interrupted himself when Jack reached for his phone and dialed an internal number.

 

“Christian, can you try to find out anything about a guy named Terry Benedict, a casino owner in Las Vegas? Nick? No, not yet. I’ll let you know.”

 

Looking from Sanctuary’s second in command to his mate and back, Seth finally lost his patience. “What is going on?”

 

Once more Stephen and Jack shared a look then though the former doctor sat down and gestured that Seth should do the same. “Hector called me four months ago and asked me to keep an eye on Rusty. After Nick told him about having a new vampire in his clan who looked a lot like Achilles, Hector asked Minerva to look into his bloodline.”

 

Stephen trailed off and Seth once more felt fear clench his stomach and with a shiver he looked questioningly at the older vampire. “Hector didn’t say much more, just that he found out that Rusty is a descendant of Achilles’ son and Andromache, his own great-grand daughter. And he asked me to watch over them.”

 

For a long time there was silence in the room, then Seth shivered lightly.

 

“And four months later, Rusty and Danny are forced onto a treasure hunt to recover the Talisman of Troy...”

 

Remembering the conversation he’d had with Will and Jack on the eve of Danny and Rusty’s departure he suddenly growled angrily. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’m training them, I’m basically their sire. How the fuck did you forget to let me know?”

 

Growling too, Jack got up ready to defend his mate, but Stephen calmly stood and looked at Seth. “I promised Hector to keep it a secret. He was afraid that this heritage could endanger Rusty should it become common knowledge. I still should have told you though, I am sorry.”

 

Pacing the room not unlike Danny had just three ago, Seth looked at the two men. “And now? What are we doing?”

 

He knew the answer before he had even asked the question and with another sigh he looked at Jack who answered. “We wait until Christian has some more leads.”

 

Jack walked up and clasped his shoulder. “Seth, Danny wanted to do this without help from Sanctuary or Sylum. And unless we have no choice, we’ll honor their wishes.”

 

Seth knew that Jack was right, but still the icy feeling of dread would not leave his heart.

 

---

 

*Turkey - April 2006*

 

The city had once been incredible, Rusty thought as he stood on one of the little hills that overlooked the ancient ruins. Even now, three thousand years later and burnt down and rebuilt several times, the ruins still exuded power and dignity.

 

“Would have loved to see it in its heyday.” Danny’s voice was slightly wistful and smiling Rusty walked over to his partner and hugged him from behind. Danny was slightly taller than him, and it was rare for him to be in this position but the slight slope of the hill made it possible. Closing his eyes and enjoying the love between them, he just felt Danny.

 

“We should have done something like this long ago.” Danny quirked an eye at him and smiled at the cryptic comment.

 

“Something like what?”

 

Grinning at the light teasing in Danny’s voice, Rusty shrugged. “Traveling again, seeing places... doing some jobs...”

 

Danny nodded and slowly they walked towards the ruins. There was something about the place that drew Rusty, something that made him shiver and woke a yearning in his soul. He didn’t understand it and it confused him. Shaking himself, he looked at his mate.

 

“So, what do we do now? Start digging around?” Danny shrugged and pointed towards the group of students that were already digging in the earth. “Let’s just ask them, don’t we?”

 

Nodding in agreement, Rusty walked over. “Yeah, let’s have someone else do our work.”

 

Danny grinned and greeted the group friendly.

 

“Can you help us?” A young woman looked up and smiled friendly before taking Rusty’s offered hand and getting out of the hole.

 

“What can I do for you?”

 

Studying her, Rusty quickly assessed her capacity to see through a scam and decided on the half honest approach. She was someone who obviously knew a lot about archeology and would have seen too fast through a long winded story and yet would never answer truthfully if he gave her the complete truth.

 

“We’re sort of history nuts and a friend of us told us that there is a museum near the excavations of Troy where the Palladium is exhibited. But somehow we didn’t even find a village.”

 

He smiled at her and she reacted by giggling lightly before she shook her head. “Your friend unfortunately got it all wrong. There is a museum planned here, showing some of the things that were discovered when Heinrich Schliemann first found the site, but the Palladium won’t be a part of that show. The truth is, no one even knows whether it really exists. I know it was featured prominently in the Iliad, but then much of the recounting of the war between Troy and Greece is more a fairy tale than accurate history.”

 

Rusty smiled at her once more and leaned in slightly. “So we’ve flown all the way from the US to find out Robert scammed us?”

 

She moved even closer, close enough that he could smell her flowery perfume and spoke in a stage whisper. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”

 

He heard Danny’s growl behind him, but ignored his mate for the time being, knowing that she liked him and would tell him more just because of that.

 

“So let’s say if we wanted to see some of those exhibits before the museum opened, where would we have to look?” He winked at her and she smiled even brighter, but before she could say anything, her eyes strayed to Danny and her smile faded a bit. Glaring at his mate, Rusty told with his eyes to move back and let him work. Danny’s eyes glowed faintly, but he did smile and turned away pretending to watch the other students work.

 

“You’d have to fly to Germany. The German excavators sent most of the things they found back to Berlin and Germany hasn’t returned the treasure yet. As soon as they do, the museum will be opened.”

 

Germany, well... better than nothing. Smiling brightly at her, he thanked her, yet just as he wanted to walk away, she stopped him with a hand on his arm.

 

“You won’t find the Palladium there either. Why don’t you hang around here for a bit?” Her eyes said that she would show him a good time, but this time he didn’t hold Danny back, when his lover slid his arm around Rusty’s waist. She looked forth and back between them and her eyes turned cold.

 

“You better tone that down. Turkey isn’t that liberal towards queers.” Shrugging at her harsh words Rusty turned around and walked towards their rental car. They drove away silently and not for the first time since Benedict’s visit, Rusty felt as if they had been given an impossible task.

 

“Hey, everyone told us we would never succeed in robbing four casinos and we did it.” Danny had read his mood perfectly, but the reminder of their previous adventure only served to heighten Rusty’s dark mood.

 

“Yeah, but the casinos were there in plain view. This statue thing just sounds so elusive.”

 

Danny’s hand tightly on his made him look at his mate and at the dark eyes full of love. “We’ll find it Rusty. We’ll protect our friends.”

 

Their eyes locked and Rusty drew strength from his mate’s words. They would find it, they had to.

 

---

 

*Brazil, April 2006*

 

Seth walked into Stephen’s office and tensed immediately when he saw that not only Sanctuary’s second in command and his mate, but also Luther, Ethan, Jack and Will were present.

 

It was a too large group to not be concerned and without his usual teasing comments, he sat down at the larger meeting table.

 

“Christian has sent us his findings on Benedict. We have to call Sylum.” Jack’s words made everyone tense, Luther looked at his leader and Seth could literally see how the dark skinned vampire tried to read the Captain’s face.

 

“What happened?”

 

Stephen pointed at the report and his eyes fixed with Seth’s explained. “Benedict has mob connections, but what really concerned Christian was the fact that lately he has started to have very close business ties with a Swedish real estate tycoon.”

 

Seth looked at Jack and Stephen and before either could say anything he growled the name of the man who’d almost killed Danny only six months ago. “Stendhal.”

 

Jack nodded and looked at him. “I gave orders to prepare the plane for you, but we have to call Nick first. This is no longer a matter of Danny and Rusty, this is clan business now.”

 

Sharing a look with Jack and Will, he saw how the two hunters had their hands clenched in anger, glancing at Ethan he saw the same anger in the handsome face of the former spy. He knew that all three vampires had formed a deep friendship with the two con men and he remembered Will’s plea to keep them safe. Meeting the younger vampire’s eyes, he smiled lightly.

 

“They will be alright; I’ll make sure of that.”

 

Will just shivered. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

 

Seth didn’t answer, couldn’t answer, because he felt the same way.

 

---

 

*Las Vegas, Washington, Miami, April 2006*

 

“Seth, Stephen. I got your message this morning; we’ve set up a conference call. The other four should log on any minute.”

 

Nick looked at his mate who was lounging in the chair and once more wondered how Warrick managed to fold his body like that and still be able to talk. Bones of rubber obviously.

 

“Sorry everyone, had to get the director off of our backs first.” Tony’s voice sounded as if he had jogged towards the conference call, which was probably accurate Nick thought, as Jethro’s voice filtered through five minutes later.

 

“Hi everyone, care to tell me what’s this about?”

 

Nick grinned, but before Stephen could answer, he interrupted. “We’re still waiting for Horatio and Speed to sign on, so...”

 

“We’re here, sorry... got stuck in traffic.” Horatio’s voice filtered through the speaker, then Speed spoke too.

 

“Hi.”

 

There was still so much hurt in his son’s voice and for a moment Nick shivered, wishing with all his heart that he could take just some of Speed’s pain from him, but Warrick’s hand on his own drew him from those thoughts and with a jerk he forced himself to listen to the phone call. Stephen explained swiftly and curtly why he had called.

 

“Rusty and Danny were blackmailed into a treasure hunt by Terry Benedict five days ago. They left the day after to fly to Turkey. We didn’t inform you on their request, but now new information has come up which changes everything.”

 

Sharing a look with Warrick who had tensed at the mentioning of the two con men, Nick gritted his teeth forcing himself to answer calmly instead of letting loose the harsh words that were on his tongue. “Why didn’t you inform us?”

 

Seth’s voice was harsh when he answered and combined with Warrick’s sarcastic smile, the words made Nick flinch. “Benedict threatened them and their friends because of the casino job. Now how was that again Nick? ‘If you get caught and in trouble because of your jobs, Sylum is not going to help you get out of it’?”

 

Probably feeling that Nick was close to snapping, Warrick spoke before Nick could and he was grateful for that. He understood that Seth was protective of the two men; still the hunter had no right to speak to him like he just had.

 

“Ok, but why call us now?”

 

It was Stephen who spoke next, probably sensing that Seth was too much on the edge to deal with the leaders of Sylum. “Two reasons. First, I had Christian look into Terry Benedict and his report shows that he has had lots of business lately with a Swedish millionaire.”

 

Nick and Warrick shared another look, this time though they both were alarmed, but before either could say anything, Horatio’s voice came through hard and cold as he spoke the name they all had thought. “Stendhal?”

 

“Correct.” Erik Stendhal, Basher’s nemesis, the vampire who had killed Riddick’s adopted child and Basher’s mate. Was he now out hunting the English vampire’s new children?

 

“What’s the other reason?” Tony’s question interrupted Nick’s thoughts and he waited for Stephen to talk again.

 

“A phone call I got in December from Hector. You were right Nick, Rusty is a descendant of Achilles, but there’s more...” And that more was bad, Nick could hear it in the way Stephen hesitated then suddenly stopped. “You all are on secure lines, aren’t you?”

 

No, it wasn’t just bad, it was very bad. Nick confirmed and so did both Tony and Horatio. There was another moment of silence, then Stephen spoke again.

 

“Rusty is the last descendant of both Achilles and Hector, the last one to carry the blood of both lines. And Benedict sent them onto a treasure hunt for the Talisman of Troy.”

 

He had been right, Nick cursed lightly, and it was bad.

 

“So who is behind this? Is it just Stendhal or is it Patroclus?” Horatio’s question made Nick smile despite the serious situation. The head of security was incredible when it came to knowing everyone’s enemies and once more Nick sent a thankful glance at Warrick for suggesting Horatio as Diego’s replacement.

 

“So far we don’t know yet. Christian was limited when it came to looking into Benedict’s records; you should have more luck with that.”

 

Nick agreed and made a note to get Giles to do some research.

 

“I’ll leave tonight for Europe.” Seth’s voice was hard, but this time Nick didn’t take offence, instead he thought quickly and making his decision and asked. “Can you fly through Miami? I think Riddick will want to join you.”

 

Someone chuckled lightly and for a moment Nick wondered who it was... Jethro probably... or maybe Horatio...

 

“Sure, I’ll call him after we get off the line. It’s been a while since I’ve hunted with him.”

 

There was a moment of awkward silence, then Stephen wished them good bye, and went on disconnecting. Nick stopped him. “Seth... thanks.”

 

The hunter was silent for a moment, then answered more friendly but still distant. “They’re my children even though I’m not their sire.”

 

Alone and among each other, the leaders of Sylum were silent for a moment, and then Jethro exploded seemingly out of nowhere. “Fucking idiots, what are they up to now?”

 

Tony’s answer was immediate and harsh. “Calm down, how would you react if someone threatened your friends, threatened everyone you cared for...”

 

Nick knew that Tony was right and seeing Warrick’s eyes rest on him, he interrupted the argument. “Jethro would call us for help, but Rusty and Danny didn’t dare because I was an idiot.”

 

Warrick’s smile made him feel better, and holding his mate’s eyes he continued. “I’ll talk to them when they’re back and tell them that they don’t have to be afraid to ask the clan for help.”

 

They kept on chatting about the issue for another ten minutes, then Horatio signed off to let Riddick know about his upcoming trip to Europe and after another five minutes, Tony and Jethro left too. Warrick and Nick sat in the conference room for another moment, then Nick reached for the phone and called Giles.

 

Danny and Rusty had not dared to ask their clan for help, but maybe it was time to show them that help sometimes came unexpected and unasked. Locking his eyes with Warrick’s he dialed another number.

 

“Ed, this is Nick. Can you call me when you’re free? We have a situation where we need your help.”

 

Warrick smiled at him, then as they were alone drew him against his body.

 

“I failed them.” Immediately Warrick’s arms tightened around him and he looked up. “No you didn’t. You were afraid Nick and that’s why you made a mistake.”

 

Nick sighed and enjoyed his mate’s comfort. Yes he had been afraid, afraid that having Danny and Rusty in his clan would make Warrick remember what he had given up to be with him. Afraid that his mate might suddenly regret that choice. “I never could regret anything...”

 

Warrick’s green eyes shone with love. “I might miss the sea sometimes, but nothing I gave up comes even close to what I gained.”

 

For a moment they remained close, holding each other. Leaving the room, Nick looked once more back at the phone. “Let’s make sure they’re safe.”

 

---

 

*Berlin, Germany, April 2006*

 

Danny watched the older man sitting on the park bench talking to his dog and smiled fondly. Ben was still the same old conman and exchanging a look with Rusty, he grinned when their friend started peeling an orange. Silently, they walked up to him and sat down next to him. Ben didn’t even look up from the orange, instead he just grumbled in a friendly fashion.

 

“I saw you in the cafe before I walked into the park, third table from the left and you had a cappuccino. I saw you standing next to the street vendor when I bought my own newspaper. I saw you before you even got up this morning.”

 

And he probably had, Danny thought. Ben Becker might look as if he were eighty, hell he was eighty, but his mind certainly still was as sharp as it had been thirty years ago, when Danny had met him for the first time.

 

“How ya been, Ben?” Looking closely at first Rusty then him, Ben squinted his eyes a bit, but then grinned morosely.

 

“Never better.”

 

Enjoying their bantering and knowing exactly how to talk and act with Ben, Danny pointed at the fruit in his hands. “What's with the orange?”

 

“My doctor says I need vitamins.”

 

And that was just such a great response that Danny heard Rusty’s answer before his mate even said the words. “So why don't you take vitamins?”

 

Still looking at them, now though with a fond smile in his eyes, the old man shook his head.

 

“Why are you guys here? I heard through the grapevine you’d quit. Wondered if you had changed that much...”

 

It was on the tip of Danny’s tongue to tell Ben how much they had actually changed, but as if Rusty sensed the sudden lump in his throat, he shrugged and tossed a brilliant smile at Ben. “Guys like us don't change, Ben. We stay sharp or we get sloppy, but we don't change.”

 

Giving them a once over, Ben shook his head. “You’re certainly not sloppy. So you’re going to tell me what’s going on?”

 

Once more Danny looked at Rusty and then slowly he started to explain what they were after, he didn’t get far though, because as soon as he mentioned the name ‘Benedict’, Ben sat up straighter. “Danny boy, what have you gotten yourself into?”

 

Shrugging, looking away, he didn’t answer and Ben didn’t ask again, just waved his hand at no one in particular.

 

“Ok, better if I don’t know. So what does he want from you?”

 

Rusty was watching a group of kids play soccer on the lawn, and Danny couldn’t help but marvel at the way the sun made the blonde’s hair shine. Taking a deep sigh, his mate finally continued the story he had started.

 

“The Talisman of Troy.” Ben tensed at those words and there was a look of disbelief in his eyes as he looked from Danny to Rusty and back. “Stop conning me.”

 

Surprised at the almost angry outburst, Danny and Rusty traded a look.

 

“We aren’t conning you, we were in Turkey, but there they told us that most of the excavations are here, so we flew here. And honestly, we’ve got less than a month... so we could use your help...”

 

It hit Danny right then, the thought that if they couldn’t find this Talisman then his friends would die. He would die, Rusty would not for real, but just the thought of seeing his mate getting shot, of seeing his mate with a gun at his head, made him shiver with fear. Rusty’s hand touched his and he felt both Ben and Rusty’s eyes on him. Blushing a bit, he looked at them.

 

“Sorry, I was thinking.”

 

Still holding his hand, Rusty grinned at Ben. “He does that occasionally.”

 

Ben though had sobered up at Rusty’s plea and looking at both of them, he reached into the briefcase he carried. Grabbing a book, he held it out to Danny and reading the title Danny heard Rusty’s gasp and knew it was mirrored by his own.

 

“The Talisman of Troy by Massimo Valerio Manfredi.”

 

His hands shook when he reached out and turned the book to read the cover text.

 

//A castaway tossed onto a deserted beach is the last survivor of a world that no longer exists. He has a terrible, fascinating story to tell - the true reason for which the Trojan War was fought...

 

The protagonist of this tale is Diomedes, the last of the great ancient Greek Homeric heroes, who seeks to return to his beloved homeland after years of war against Troy. But destiny has other plans for him. Betrayed by his wife, who plots to murder him and persecuted by hostile gods, he has no choice but to turn his sails west, towards Hesperia, the mysterious mist-shrouded land that will one day be called Italy. He ventures boldly into this new world, for he carries with him the magic Talisman of Troy, a mysterious, powerful idol that can make the nation that possesses it invincible...

 

And yet in the mythic land he faces his bitterest enemy and finds out that he has been betrayed.//

 

Danny read the text once, twice and felt an icy shiver going through him. Something about the words, something about the names, caused dread to crawl up his spine and once more he shivered.

 

“What are the chances of this guy really knowing anything?”

 

Rusty’s voice held as much dread as hope and looking at his mate, Danny saw Rusty tense again as his mate read something else. Looking up he saw the same hope and dread reflected in the blue eyes. “He’s a historian, so he might actually know something.”

 

Ben looked at them and his eyes were concerned as he shook his head. “You are drawing at straws here, boys. A book written by an Italian historian that’s your best guess... well I really hope you have a back up plan.”

 

‘Always have a plan b.’

 

It had been the first thing Ben had taught Danny when he had taken the younger con man under his wing. This was different though, and as he thought about a possible plan B. Danny thought about the one thing he had not yet discussed with Rusty, but as their eyes linked once more he understood that his mate had come up with the same idea.

 

“We have an emergency plan, but we’d rather not take it.” Ben’s eyes fixed him and the older man paled. “No sacrificing yourself Ocean... don’t go down that road.”

 

Not surprised that Ben had figured it out, Danny looked away. He didn’t want to, but if it kept the others safe...

 

“Stop thinking about it and get on the road.” Ben’s command made him look up surprised and it was pure instinct and luck that he caught the key that the older man tossed him. Confused he looked at it and then at Ben.

 

“It’s a car key Danny, you know that thing with four wheels...”

 

He wanted to refuse, but something in Ben’s eyes made him shut up and he smiled as he clasped the frail shoulder. “Thanks Ben.”

 

For a moment he wanted to say more, but then just leaned down and hugged the older man who had been like a father to him for so long. Rusty followed his example, but as his mate held Ben close, the con man suddenly looked at him and whispered something in his ear.

 

Danny was surprised when Rusty laughed and blushed lightly, before he smiled and took Danny’s hand openly.

 

“Don’t worry Ben; I’ll take care of him.”

 

Ben grinned and clearly enjoying Danny’s embarrassment winked at them and answered with a leer. “Oh, I am sure you will...”

 

---

 

Part 2 – Clan Intervention

 

*Las Vegas, April 2006*

 

“Mr. Benedict, Mr. Deline is here to speak with you.” Benedict was surprised to see the President of Operations of the Montecito Resort & Casino walking up to him. They had regular meetings, but none had been scheduled today. There was something purposeful in his stride, something that made him tense for no reason. For a moment he wondered what the other man wanted from him, then he met the hard eyes and decided that whatever this conversation would be about, it would have to be held in his office.

 

“Terry, it’s nice to see you. I am sure you’ve met my colleague Danny McCoy.” Polite words, casual small talk. Benedict looked at the younger man who stood casually at Deline’s side and nodded in a curt greeting.

 

“We need to talk in private.” Ed wasn’t one to beat around the bush and as soon as they were seated in Benedict’s office, the older man leaned forward and put a picture in front of him. Looking at it, Benedict paled as he recognized it as the same image that he had given Danny Ocean only five days ago.

 

“Leave these people alone.”

 

Benedict had found his cool again by the time Ed spoke those words, but the simple threat that was in the other man’s voice made him waver a second, before he looked up and focused on the man opposite him.

 

“Those bastards stole $130M from me and you’re telling me to let them walk away?”

 

“You have enough evidence for a conviction?” It was Danny McCoy who spoke now and his voice held the same cold threat that made Benedict shiver for a moment. McCoy held his eyes, then shrugged casually. “If you do, then hand it over to the District Attorney and they’ll be convicted. If not, they walk.”

 

Searing anger flared at the answer, but before he could say anything Ed spoke again and this time there was no mistaking the clear threat. “You got your money back from the insurance company, and believe me Terry when I tell you this. These people are protected by someone far more powerful than you are.”

 

Even more anger rose in him, but it was accompanied by a fair amount of fear. Not showing the fear, instead concentrating on his anger, Benedict looked at the two men opposite.

 

“Who do you think you are, Ed? To come here and threaten me? What makes you think you can even walk outside of this room without getting a bullet in your back?”

 

Ed didn’t answer, but it disturbed Benedict that the older man didn’t even look afraid as he calmly got up and put a brown manila envelope on the table. “Have a look at these pictures and you’ll know why I’m suggesting you just swallow the loss and remain quiet.”

 

Looking at McCoy, Deline turned and left the office without a second look at Benedict; the younger man lingered for a second longer and finally said slowly. “We’ll be watching you.”

 

It was as clear a threat as everything else his visitors had said, but Benedict didn’t understand the extent of the threat until he opened the envelope. It contained a small binder and as he started reading the first couple of pages, Terry Benedict paled.

 

He didn’t know who ‘they’ were, but he knew that if they were powerful enough to compile the kind of information he was currently looking at, then Deline hadn’t lied.

 

‘They’ were far more powerful than he was and if Ocean and his team were protected by ‘them’…

 

Benedict sighed and leaned back in his chair. His eyes were hard as he closed the binder and stared at the picture of the eleven men. He didn’t care so much about the rest of the group, but he wanted Ocean, wanted to other man to pay for stealing not only his money but also his woman. It made him tremble with anger that he couldn’t do anything, but Terry Benedict was a smart man.

 

If Ocean was protected by some sort of higher power, then he would cancel the hunt for him. He would concede defeat in this battle, but certainly not in the war. It was a hard and cruel smile that now crossed Benedict’s face

 

One day, Ocean would stop being useful to ‘them’ and ‘they’ would stop protecting the con man.

 

Deline had been right, it wasn’t about the money, it was about revenge. And Terry Benedict could wait.

 

---

 

*Italy, April 2006*

 

Rusty had always loved Italy; he had done several jobs here but even more it had always been the place where he went if he had to recharge his batteries.

 

There was something about the country, about the light, the people that made him feel more himself, lighter, easier. It had been Italy he had come to after Danny had been arrested. It had been in the lively cities and the quiet towns where he had tried to soothe the ache in his heart.

 

And now he was back here, back in this wonderful country and this time Danny was with him. They had driven all day, finally stopped when they arrived in Como. He had wanted to get a room in the first hotel he saw, but Danny had refused saying that there were some spectacularly beautiful hotels and of course his mate had been right.

 

It wasn’t exactly warm yet and still Rusty looked over the slightly misty lake, over to the tall mountains and sighed. If only they had come here without the threat of Benedict hanging over their heads...

 

“Hey gorgeous.” Strong arms wrapped themselves around him and with a moan Rusty leaned back into his lover.

 

“I’m not gorgeous...” Danny declined to comment, instead letting his actions speak as his teeth nibbled at Rusty’s throat and the blond vampire had to fight not to moan. His mate knew all his weak spots, but fortunately he knew some of Danny’s too and using that knowledge now, he trailed one finger over the soft skin on the inner side of Danny’s arm. A deep moan resonated through the room and he felt Danny shiver at the tender caress.

 

“So, how do want to handle tomorrow?”

 

Still holding Rusty close, Danny stopped nibbling and Rusty immediately missed the soft contact. Danny leaned over so that his face was leaning against Rusty’s and for a long time they just stood like that watching the clouds and the last rays of sun mirrored in the lake.

 

“Find out where this ‘University Of Economics Luigi Bocconi’ is exactly in Milan and then try to get him to see us.” Rusty smiled at the easy description of their next step and once more wondered how Danny managed to make everything sound so easy. His mate rarely saw a problem in anything and if he did, he immediately found a solution to it. Danny was the eternal optimist. It was good that Rusty was there to bring him back to Earth.

 

“So we walk just in and ask him about the Talisman and if he knows where it is?” Danny looked at him and Rusty could see that his mate was trying to find out if he was being mocked; finally though Danny shrugged.

 

“Yes.” The simple answer made him laugh and he leaned even more against Danny as he shook his head.

 

“That approach will only get us thrown out on our asses.”

 

He could see Danny’s eyes glitter and absently compared it to the sun that had played in the water of the lake, then forced himself to focus again on the matter at hand and his mate’s explanation why they would not get thrown out.

 

“Anyone likes to talk about their work, so we’ll just talk about him and listen carefully...”

 

Shaking his head Rusty smiled slightly, then suddenly tired, he yawned. “Good night and good luck.”

 

Annoyed by the age old quote, he growled and yet couldn’t help smiling at Danny’s loving way as his mate pulled him down onto the bed and in his arms.

 

“Let’s just rest for a while. We have a month and we won’t be able to help them if we break down in the first week.” Somehow Danny’s steadfast conviction that they would find the statue soothed some of Rusty’s fears and yet they would have to talk about a plan B soon, right now though he was too tired to do anything but caress the arm that held him against his mate’s body.

 

---

 

*Miami, April 2006*

 

“I’m not letting you go alone.” Riddick sighed as he looked at his mate’s eyes and saw both determination and fear in the dark depths. He hated it when he had to shut Eric down, hated it when he had to leave him behind, because no matter how long he let him out of sight, he always worried. He had lost his mate once; he couldn’t lose him again. A shiver ran through him as he suddenly thought that at least this time, he would die too and not be forced to live alone.

 

“You can’t join me. Eric, this is a hunt and you are no hunter.”

 

Eric looked at him and Riddick saw the fear in the dark eyes, the fear that something could happen to him and for a second he was tempted to laugh, yet at the same time he couldn’t help the warm feeling that spread through him. When was the last time that someone had really cared for him?

 

“Train me.” For a moment, Riddick wasn’t sure he had heard right, then though his face darkened. “No.”

 

His voice was strong and so full of conviction that Eric didn’t even ask again. Instead he turned away, but Riddick could feel the hurt at the rejection through their bond and with a sigh, he walked towards his mate and wrapped him in his arms. Eric’s body was stiff against him, but soon enough he relaxed and leaned against Riddick’s body.

 

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. But I don’t want you to see some of the things I saw while being a hunter. Love, I don’t want you to go through that.” Eric relaxed a bit more and Riddick smiled as he felt the strong hands of his mate grip his arms.

 

“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

 

Once more he felt swamped by love at the tender comment, and leaned down to kiss Eric’s neck. A low moan escaped him as he felt the love and passion surge through their bond. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

 

The feeling of being watched made him tense and as he looked up he saw Seth stand in the door. For a moment their eyes locked and Riddick could see the naked longing in the other hunter’s eyes. It made him shiver, because he understood and with a short nod, Seth retreated, giving them enough privacy to say good bye. Later as they sat together in the plane, Seth suddenly smiled wistfully.

 

“You’re a lucky bastard.”

 

Riddick looked at the other hunter and nodded with a soft smile. “I know.”

 

---

 

*Milano, Italy; April 2006*

 

“Ok, please read the next fifty pages for the next lesson and remember that the thesis on the excavations of Schliemann is due in two weeks.”

 

Massimo looked at his students and wondered how many of them had already started writing on the thesis. His eyes moved over the young men and women as he silently ticked those off that would not come back after the semester end exam. Maybe it was unfair of him, but he knew that of the fifty students he started with about 20% would not make it to the final year.

 

He shrugged and let his eyes wander over the last row. Young, they were so young and made him feel old, he smiled depreciatingly as he acknowledged that he was in fact getting old then suddenly he stopped his observing as his eyes fell onto two men. They weren’t students of his and he knew that not only because he knew every single one of them. But these two men, they were too old, too richly dressed and there was something about them that made him look at them twice.

 

Tall, slender and yet strong with dark hair and the most intense eyes he had ever seen, the older one drew his gaze. Massimo nodded silently as he thought that he had rarely seen a man as good looking as this stranger, then though his eyes fell on the other half of the pair and with a grin he had to admit that it was hard to decide which of the two was more handsome. The younger man was blond, slighter in build but with eyes just as intense only blue. For a long time, Massimo looked at the pair while his students slowly moved to leave the class. There was something about them, something that tickled his mind although he couldn’t place what it was.

 

“No, I doubt that they are students...” He saw them look at him and felt their eyes on him almost as if they had heard him, he looked at them once again more closely and finally walked up to the pair.

 

“You were looking for me?” Massimo smiled in a friendly way and reached out a hand.

 

“We were indeed. I’m Daniel Ocean and this is Rusty Ryan, we’re big fans of your work and as we’re currently traveling in Europe we thought that it would be incredible to actually meet you.”

 

There was a genuine smile in the dark eyes and although Massimo still had his doubts about the other man, he grasped the hand and shook it. Then, maybe he was taking a chance, but he was pretty sure he was right; he moved his hand towards Ocean’s wrist and smiled as the other man paled. “No pulse, no breath. You want to try again?”

 

---

 

*Between Milan and Geneva, April 2006*

 

Once the clans were involved things suddenly moved at the speed of light, Danny mused. Three hours ago, they had been sitting with Massimo in his study at the university and now they already were halfway towards Geneva.

 

And once there they would be picked up and driven to meet Hector and Odysseus. A shiver ran through Danny at that thought and anticipation rose in him. He wasn’t prepared to meet the Council members; he didn’t feel as if he and Rusty even had a right to see them.

 

“We’re right where we didn’t want to be.” Rusty’s soft voice broke through his thoughts and with a sigh he looked at his mate. “Can’t change it now, so what do you think we should do?”

 

Smiling lightly, Rusty leaned over and covered Danny’s hand with his own. “What we do best, wait and see and if need be play it by ear.”

 

Seeing the confident smile in both the handsome face and the blue eyes, Danny relaxed and sighed silently. “The older I get the more I worry.”

 

Rusty looked at him and for a long time just locked his eyes with Danny, finally he shook his head and smiled slightly. “What happened to you? You never used to care about what others thought, and now suddenly it is so important to you what Nick and the others think about you?”

 

He couldn’t explain it, but what Rusty said was true, he had never cared about anyone’s opinion until he had walked into Reuben’s living room and met the dark eyes of Sylum’s leader. Something about the man had made him want to stand up straighter. Danny shook his head at his reaction and seeing Rusty’s clear and intelligent eyes on him, he shrugged.

 

“I don’t know why, it’s just like when Ben took me under his wing, you know I felt the same kind of awe and respect, but the more I learned the better I got under his tutoring, the awe started to fade. And with Nick, it’s the same, he’s got such a presence, such a strong character and compared to me...” His lover didn’t let him finish and Danny trailed off feeling the finger on his lips.

 

“You’re just as strong Danny. Yes Nick is an incredible leader, but never forget that you are a wonderful person.”

 

Danny smiled and leaning over he let Rusty comfort him, hold him and made him feel safe. His mate was the only person that knew about the deep rooted insecurity, and whenever Danny spoke about it, Rusty made sure that his lover understood how much he was worthy.

 

“Isn’t it that Nick is everything you wanted to be once?” A smile came once more over his face as Rusty spoke calmly and pondering the thought he remained silent for a long time. Was Rusty correct? Finally, he shook his head and answered. “No, not everything, but as a person, yes.”

 

Shaking his head, Rusty fastened his seat belt but his eyes still held Danny’s captive. “When this is all over I want you and Nick to talk.”

 

Danny saw the stubbornness in his mate’s face and sighed. “Promise.”

 

---

 

*Las Vegas, April 2006*

 

“Thanks Massimo.” Nick put the phone down and leaned back sighing. Warrick watched as his mate slowly made his way over to the couch and without saying anything he opened his arms in an invitation. He could hear Nick’s soft moan as he started to knead the tense muscles in his mate’s back.

 

“I completely screwed up with Danny and Rusty.” Shaking his head at the guilt he heard in Nick’s voice, Warrick continued his soft massage for a moment, remaining silent before he finally started to speak.

 

“Not completely.”

 

Feeling Nick tense up again, Warrick shook his head in light dismay and decided that it was finally time to really talk with Nick about the conmen in their midst or, more accurately, about one of the conman. “What is it about Danny that irks you so?”

 

Nick shivered and turned so that he was still in Warrick’s arms, but could look into his mate’s eyes. Warrick saw the depreciating smile in the dark eyes and sighed. No one did guilt-trips the way Nick did.

 

“It’s not him. It’s just what he does and he’s...” Warrick didn’t let him finish the sentence and looking slightly annoyed he answered. “We both know it’s not what he does, hell I was a pirate and you still love me.”

 

His words were met with a long silence until he finally mentioned the idea that had entered his mind the first time they had met Danny Ocean. “Isn’t it that Danny is living the life you sometimes dream of? That he’s everything you sometimes want to be?”

 

Nick was silent, but Warrick could feel him relax in his arms and slowly, slowly Nick leaned in and kissed him gently. For a long time, they didn’t speak, then Warrick looked at his partner. “When this is over, I want you and Danny to sit down and talk.”

 

Nick sighed, but gave in. “Promise.”

 

---

 

*Geneva Airport, April 2006*

 

Frank hadn’t really known what to expect when Hector had asked him to pick the two vampires up. All his boss had told him had been their names and when the private plane from Italy was due to arrive.

 

Daniel Ocean and Rusty Ryan.

 

Clan members of Sylum arriving from Milan Malpensa at 9:15am. It had sounded like a normal job until Hector had paused and then almost casually suggested that he’d take Xander with him. Just as a precaution. His inner alarm had started to ring right then and he had looked at the ancient vampire with something akin to distrust.

 

Hector had just looked at him and told him that it was possible the two vampires were being hunted. And here they were now, waiting in the dark car for the two vampires to arrive. The plane had landed only five minutes ago and Xander was the first to spot them.

 

“There they are.”

 

Frank nodded and together they got out of the car and walked towards the pair.

 

“Daniel Ocean and Rusty Ryan I suppose?” The taller, dark haired man looked at him and for a moment, Frank felt as if he was being stripped by the intensity in that dark eyes, then the man smiled lightly and nodded.

 

“Danny Ocean.”

 

He held out his hand but before Frank could shake it, his eyes were caught by the younger, more slender man, there was something in Rusty Ryan’s posture that made him immediately aware of the other man, made him almost shiver and withdrawing his hand, he nodded at the pair in greeting.

 

“Frank Martin and this is my mate, Xander Cage. Hector asked us to pick you up and escort you to the chateau.” Ryan smiled now and shook his hand, before he thanked them and ushered them into the car. He wanted to get out of here as fast as possible. Frank was tense until they all were in the car and only relaxed as he started to drive towards the exit, he knew that once they were out of the airport they...

 

“Shit.”

 

Two dark cars blocked his way and as he started to reverse he found himself trapped between another two cars. Tensing with the preparation of a fight, he pressed the emergency button in the communicator and locked his eyes with Xander, then with his two passengers. “You stay in the car, no matter what happens, you stay here.”

 

Once more he locked his eyes with his mate, trying to convey how much he loved the other vampire before he stepped out of the car with his sword ready. Xander joined him and, standing back to back, they waited tensely for the fighting to start.

 

“We don’t want you, just give them up and we’ll leave you alone.” The vampire who spoke was tall, blond and had an aura of authority that the other vampires lacked. Frank looked at him, memorizing every detail so that he would recognize him should they ever meet again.

 

“They are under the protection of the Council.” He spoke slowly and deadly knowing that there was a good chance that he and Xander would not survive, but just as he thought this, he felt a wave of reassurance flowing through the bond and drawing strength from the love and closeness of his mate he raised his sword to fight. The first three vampires were young and untrained and Frank had no problem in quickly turning them to dust. He started to feel more confident, when pain suddenly seared through him and he gasped immediately understanding that Xander had been injured.

 

His reaction was instant, instinctive and completely stupid. He turned around to support Xander and in the same moment he saw the shock in the beloved eyes.

 

“No!” Xander’s voice was hoarse with pain and sudden fear making Frank shudder even as the movement registered in the corner of his eyes. He saw the sword coming down and understood the fear and pain as he suddenly realized that in his drive to defend his mate, he had left himself defenseless.

 

It was a weird feeling, he thought as he watched the sword come down almost in slow motion, the knowledge that he was about to die. He felt Xander’s hands on his body, trying to draw him away, but he was mesmerized by the glint of steel coming down, closer and closer to his head. Frank felt pain flowing through their bond and relief spread through him as he thought that with his death Xander’s pain would end.

 

Wasn’t it weird how fatalistic he was about dying?

 

The sword still came closer, closer and unable to watch he closed his eyes waiting for the pain, for the impact and heard the hard clank of steel hitting steel. Shock ripped through him at the sound and the voice speaking softly but deadly. “Want them? Then you have to come through me.”

 

Frank felt hands steady him and as he opened his eyes, he saw Danny Ocean standing between him and the vampire who had attacked him. The dark haired vampire stood tall and wielded his sword with a grace and ease that belied the fact that he’d only been turned a couple of months ago.

 

“Frank.” Another voice right next to him and his eyes met the icy blue ones of Rusty Ryan. The younger vampire had opened the door of the car and pointed towards it with his head. “Get your mate inside the car.”

 

Hesitating would be deadly and for once, Frank didn’t question or think, just grabbed Xander and pushed him into the car, he had to let go of his sword in order to move his mate and help the weakening vampire, but Rusty stood next to the door with his sword raised, defending them with the same skills that his dark haired mate showed.

 

And yet, Frank knew that there were too many vampires and that even with the skills Danny and Rusty obviously possessed, they couldn’t possibly win and although his heart and soul cried out he got out of the car to join the fight once more, when the sound of a chopper suddenly sounded over them. Looking up, Frank recognized the helicopter and felt like weeping with relief as he saw two men lowering themselves out of the vehicle with grace and speed.

 

Jason and Kirill had been right on time and with the two trained and dangerous hunters joining the fight, it was over before he could even blink. Dust danced in the air and the two hunters, Frank, Danny and Rusty stood still for a moment, still ready to fight, still poised and tense and yet slowly relaxing as they realized that it really was over.

 

“Right on time.” Frank felt another shiver go through him as pain once more raced through their bond and he swayed a bit. Jason looked at him concerned and just started to say something, when one of the dark vans roared to life and sped away. Before anyone could react, Rusty swore. “Bastard got away.”

 

Frank had seen the man behind the wheel and he knew that it was the blond tall vampire who had commanded the others. Looking at the blond con man he asked. “Who is he?”

 

Danny and Rusty shared a look, before the dark haired vampire spoke quietly, deadly serious. “Eric Stendhal.”

 

Seeing Jason and Kirill shared a look and Frank saw the concern in the hunters’ eyes, before they both walked over to Danny and Rusty to introduce themselves. Only then something occurred to him and looking sternly at Danny, Frank asked him quietly. “Didn’t I ask you to stay in the car no matter what happens?”

 

Danny looked at him for a long time, then smiled lightly even though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m bad at following orders.”

 

---

 

 

*Châteaux Chillon, Switzerland, April 2006*

 

“Stop pacing, you’re going to wear a hole in the carpet.” Hector stopped but only to glare at Methos before he started pacing again. “They should be here now.”

 

He felt dread rise inside his body; he had been on the edge ever since the emergency signal had alerted them of the attack against Frank, Xander and the two vampires they were picking up. Bourne and Kirill were the best hunters they had and yet what if they came too late?

 

“They were just in time, X was injured but will be ok with a few days’ rest and some blood. They’re on their way to the castle now.” Attila had joined the group and the news he brought made Hector’s knees almost give out. He grasped the edge of the heavy wooden desk and prayed for strength, when strong arms wrapped themselves around him and held him close.

 

“Calm down love, your descendant is safe.” Odysseus’ soft words were whispered in his ear and finally understanding them, Hector relaxed and leaned against his mate, letting him support him.

 

“He attacked them.”

 

Looking for more information he looked at Attila, but the dark haired vampire just shook his head. “Bourne didn’t say anything else. So far we don’t have confirmation that it was Patroclus.”

 

Fury made its way through Hector’s body and he tried to calm himself. “Who else?”

 

Odysseus’s hand on his back made him calm down and with a rueful sight he looked at his fellow clan members only to see no reproach instead only compassion and sadness. They understood his fear and concern, but right now he realized that he needed to be alone with his mate.

 

“We will leave you to meet your descendant and his mate, just bring them over after you’ve met ok?” Methos smiled and finally alone, Hector turned towards his mate. “What if he doesn’t like us?”

 

He saw the warmth in Odysseus’ eyes and felt foolish for the question, but then his mate shrugged. “Did you like all your relatives?”

 

He wanted to answer, but the sound of voices at the door made him tense, he could hear Cleo welcoming them, then footsteps walking towards the door, and then the door opened. “Hector, Odysseus, may I introduce you to Rusty Ryan and Danny Ocean?”

 

He looked exactly like Achilles and yet not. Rusty was smaller, more slender and more carefree, but his eyes were Achilles’ and Hector shivered as he walked towards the vampire pair to welcome them. “Hi there, sorry for the bad reception you got at the airport.”

 

It was the taller man who answered. Tall and dark haired, Danny Ocean smiled lightly, but Hector could see the worry in the dark eyes as he spoke slowly. “I don’t think that you’re at fault, the one who attacked us is. He’s attacked us before. He’s an enemy of our Sire.”

 

“Who was it?” Odysseus had spoken for the first time and Hector could hear the slight tremble in his mate’s voice, saw the sudden tension in the slender body and felt the turmoil through their bond. Something had shaken his mate to the core, he realized and looking at the other man he saw how Odysseus fixed Danny Ocean with an almost burning gaze.

 

Danny turned around at the question and Hector saw the exact moment when their eyes met, felt the shock of recognition through his bond with Odysseus and saw how first distress and confusion then slow understanding crossed over Danny’s face. “Father?”

 

---

 

Images suddenly danced around Danny, voices spoke to him in a language he had never heard and yet understood and he swayed with the impact of memories suddenly rushing into his mind.

 

“Father?” He heard himself speak and knew automatically that he hadn’t spoken in English but a foreign and ancient language, a shiver ran through him and suddenly he recognized the language as the one he had used to dream in as a child.

More images rose, images of a beautiful woman with kind, soft eyes and a touch of sadness around her, images of soft hands and strong laughter, of green eyes so full of love and kindness and as if his body couldn’t support all those memories anymore, his legs gave in and he fell.

 

Strong arms caught him easily and he recognized the familiar body of his mate, leaned against Rusty trusting his lover to carry him, to hold him together.

 

“Danny, come back to me.” Soft, gentle words and they pushed the strange images and memories away. Danny shook his head and finally returned to the room. Rusty looked at him, the blue eyes concerned and frightened and immediately Danny caressed his lover’s face, gently drawing his face towards him. Their lips locked in a soft, tender way that was more reassurance than kiss. Still holding onto Rusty for support, Danny locked eyes with the man who had triggered the memories.

 

Odysseus was ghostly pale and seemed as shaken as Danny was; slowly the older vampire disentangled himself from the protective arms of his mate and walked towards Danny. “Telemachos.”

 

Danny recognized the eyes even though he had never seen the man before and still he, his soul, knew him. Gently removing Rusty’s arms he met Odysseus halfway and found himself safely wrapped in arms and once more the feeling of coming home overwhelmed him.

 

“What’s going on here?” Rusty’s voice wavered and immediately he returned to his mate’s side, locking his gaze with his lover, pouring his love and longing through their bond. He could feel the tension flowing out of his mate and still holding Rusty’s hand he sat down on the couch now facing the man who once, in another life had been his father.

 

“You were my father.”

 

Odysseus smiled lightly at the straight and forward question, then though he sighed and nodded. “Yes and no, you are Danny Ocean, but your soul is that of my son.”

 

He had of course heard about reincarnation, how could he not being a part of Sylum? And still he had never expected to have a soul that had lived several lives. Memories woke again and with a shiver he tried to bring order in the chaos of images and sounds. Trying to make sense of it, Danny looked at Hector and saw concern and love in the dark eyes, concern and love that mirrored what he saw on Rusty’s face.

 

“Is this why we’re here?”

 

Hector shook his head, but as he swapped a look with Odysseus, Danny could see that the other vampire wasn’t sure about it.

 

“What’s going on? Look I don’t want to be impolite, but Benedict gave us a month and we have to protect our friends.” Rusty’s voice was flat, but Danny could feel the fear that raged in his mate’s body, could feel how the new development had thrown him and reaching out he cradled Rusty’s hand in his as he sat down and watched the two vampires opposite him.

 

“You need to feed.” Hector brought four glasses and for a moment Danny smiled as he saw that the glasses were from Riedel, one of the world’s finest glass manufacturers.

 

“It’s not red wine, but looks good in them nevertheless.” Odysseus grinned lightly, before turning serious again. “You don’t have to worry about your friends. They’re safe. Sylum has taken care of Benedict.”

 

If Odysseus had slapped him, he couldn’t have surprised him more. He looked at the ancient vampire and shook his head. “Why?”

 

It wasn’t Odysseus or Hector that answered; instead a new voice spoke slowly but seriously from the door. “Because that’s what the clan does.”

 

The four vampires turned towards the door and Danny couldn’t do anything but stare at the two men or better vampires that stood there. “Seth?”

 

Odysseus though spoke another name and his voice held an equal measure of joy and dread. “Riddick.”

 

---

 

*Las Vegas, April 2006*

 

“He’s what? Okay, well you can certainly say that...”

 

Warrick looked up from the tire treads that he’d been studying when his mate walked into the lab. Nick grinned faintly and spoke again to the person on the other side.

 

“You won’t believe that.” There was an expression of both anticipation and surprise in Nick’s face that immediately made Warrick’s inner alarm ring. With everything being silent after the problems and wars they had had last year, he was on alert for anything that could concern his mate, although lately there had been just one issue that brought this special expression out in Nick’s face.

 

“What’s wrong with Danny and/or Rusty?” Laughing at Warrick’s insight, Nick walked over and closed the door behind him, then leaned against the large table and shook his head again.

 

“That was Maximus, Danny and Rusty arrived safely as did Seth and Riddick.”

 

Ok, now he was stalling, Warrick threw a glance towards the empty corridor and stalked over to his mate pressing Nick against the table and nipping at the exposed neck. “Tell me.”

 

A soft moan sounded through the lab, but before Nick could even press back into his mate, Warrick had stepped back and holding his mate on arm’s length he demanded once more. “Tell me.”

 

Nick growled and then grinned suddenly. “Danny has Telemachos’ soul.”

 

It took a moment for the realization to hit, but when it did, Warrick groaned. “Danny has the soul of Odysseus’ son and Rusty is the last descendant of Hector’s line.”

 

A grin spread over his face. “Well, you better put those two on speed dial.”

 

Nick growled again, but Warrick suddenly laughed. It made sense he thought, made so much sense that it was surprising no one had seen it before.

 

“What’s so funny now?”

 

Smiling at his mate, drawing him close and quickly nipping at the neck once more, Warrick got himself under control and shrugged. “Think about it, Odysseus is like the world’s first known conman. The first one to always choose the non violent, but cheeky way; doesn’t it make sense that Danny has Telemachos’ soul?”

 

He saw the understanding dawn on Nick’s face and slowly the tension flowed out of his mate’s body and Nick relaxed. His pager went off and with a last smile, Nick walked outside. Warrick’s eyes followed him when his own phone rang.

 

“You don’t have to tell me, I’ve just thought the same thing.” Quintus laughed at the comment, but still repeated the words he had told Warrick when the two warriors had been in New Orleans protecting the manor.

 

“I am always amazed how all troublemakers, no matter which clan, are related.”

 

Warrick grinned, but didn’t add what he just thought although Quintus’s next comment proved that he didn’t need to. “And yes, I am talking about your and my mate too...”

 

---

 

*Châteaux Chillon, Switzerland, April 2006*

 

“No.” Rusty grinned at the four men that had just uttered the same word simultaneously and looking at them he pouted a bit. “Why not?”

 

Seth rolled his eyes towards the ceiling, but remained silent and with another grin Rusty noted that Seth had learned not to get into discussions with either he or Danny if they had set their mind on something. Unfortunately neither Riddick nor Hector or Odysseus had learned that specific lesson yet. Rusty shrugged lightly, they would find out now.

 

“Because it’s too dangerous.” Spoken like a true father, Rusty mused. He still had a hard time reconciling his mate and the green eyed man next to him as father and son, but then he had a hard time believing himself to be related to the regal and dark haired Hector.

 

“It can’t be more dangerous than doing nothing.”

 

Riddick looked at him, his eyes silver and surprisingly clear. Weirdly enough Rusty had never been afraid of the dangerous hunter, maybe because the first time he had seen Riddick had been when he had saved him and Danny from Stendhal.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

They had talked this through, he and Danny and as he repeated the words he had spoken to his mate yesterday evening, he could feel their truth penetrate the room and the skulls of the stubborn vampires.

 

“You said that Patroclus is hunting us because of who I am and most likely once he finds out about Danny, he’ll only increase his efforts to get us. Stendhal hunts us because of who our Sire is and I guess because he’s bored out of his mind. Do you really think if we just go home and hide behind Seth, they’ll forget about us?”

 

Silence followed his words, but Rusty could see that he had made them think. Looking at Danny he took a deep breath and spoke the last thing, the thing that had kept Danny from sleeping last night and still made him tense only thinking about it.

 

“So far it’s been us against them. But now you’re here.”

 

He looked at Riddick and could see a light dawn in the silver eyes, saw understanding and grudging respect appear and the hunter finished what Rusty had not said. “...now that we are here, it’s a clan matter.”

 

Rusty saw how the understanding hit the other three men and silently he spoke the words that had ultimately convinced both he and Danny to go through with their plan no matter what the cost. “So far we’ve been targets because of who we are, but once Patroclus and Stendhal understand how important the clan is to us, Sylum will be a target.”

 

Riddick growled, Seth though was the one who exploded. “Why are you so god damn loyal? Sylum doesn’t even...”

 

Seeing dark clouds pass over Odysseus’ and Hector’s faces, Rusty jumped up and interrupted his adopted Sire. The last thing they needed was the two ancient vampires doubting Sylum. “Sylum does care; it was us who didn’t ask for help. It wasn’t them that refused, instead Riddick is here. I won’t this discuss any further ok?”

 

He had walked close to Seth, towering over him although he was smaller and he hadn’t realized how his voice had become deadly cold, hadn’t realized how his entire personality had suddenly changed, how power suddenly seemed to sizzle through the room. He only realized that Seth backed down, and turned around to see four people looking at him with something akin to awe and fear in their eyes. “What’s wrong?”

 

Danny laughed and drew him down. “Where have you hidden that authoritative personality? And why haven’t you shown it in the bedroom yet?”

 

The tension in the room lessened at the easy comment, but soon enough, Hector looked at them again. “So you want to go through with it?”

 

Exchanging a glance with Danny, Rusty nodded. “I’d rather have it end now, than have to look over my shoulder for the rest of eternity.”

 

Hector sighed, grabbed the phone and asked for Bourne and Kirill to join them. Seth looked at Riddick and the hunter got up with the comment of checking something out. Rusty saw him leave and knew that the other man was not leaving in order to check anything, but to call Sylum. He looked at Danny and saw reassurance and love in the dark eyes. It calmed him, because wherever their plan would take them, Danny would be at his side.

 

---

 

*Washington DC, April 2006*

 

Tony looked up when his phone rang and dragged himself off the couch. The number on the display made him frown and he picked up with a wary.

 

“Riddick?” A short chuckle came from the other end and the hunter answered with an obvious smile in his voice. “No, you’re Tony, I’m Riddick.”

 

Annoyed that his own joke was used against him, Tony leaned against the wall while he watched Jethro sand the boat. A thought suddenly passed through his head and he smiled lightly, before he could voice it though, Riddick spoke again. “I couldn’t reach Nick, so I called you.”

 

Becoming serious again, Tony recalled that Nick had told him something about retreating for a weekend, to have time for himself and Warrick.

 

“He’s off, what’s going on?”

 

Riddick’s sigh was audible and it made Tony tense. “You know about Rusty and Danny?”

 

Tony confirmed it and felt dread rise in his stomach, the last thing he had heard about the con men had been a phone call from Nick, telling him about Danny being the reincarnated soul of Odysseus’ son. What had happened now?

 

“They’ve decided to not come back with Seth.”

 

For a moment he was confused, then a suspicion rose in him and he groaned. “Please don’t tell me, that they...”

 

A harsh grunt from Riddick confirmed his hunch and then the hunter’s words voiced the fear he’d had. “They are going to play bait.”

 

---