Monday May 26th, 2008
SP bus...
6 AM

His head felt as if it was stuffed with cotton wool. That was the first coherent thought that came to Pierre’s mind, as he regained consciousness. The second was that he felt something soft lying over his naked body. Groaning, and closing a fist around the material, he gathered it was a blanket. Prying his eyes open, he blinked up at the small row of lights that heralded the fact that he was back on the band’s bus. He frowned, wondering vaguely how he had gotten there.

Shifting on what he realised was one of the long lounges, he allowed his bleary eyes to roam around the confined space. His gaze fell upon Pat who was slumped in exhaustion between the other lounge and the floor. Seeing his friend asleep, looking so drained sent a stab of remorse spearing into his heart. He gritted his teeth and muttered a silent curse.

Fuck...I’m so sorry for this shit, Pat... Pierre squeezed his eyes shut, pressing a fist into his eyes, rubbing hard. He felt heaviness in his chest; his heart had been wounded. He could remember everything he had done, and he knew how much pain and frustration he had caused. It was all now welling inside him, tearing him apart, causing his head to pound like a hoard of angry elephants were stampeding through his mind.

He groaned at the sensation, leaning a forearm over his eyes, before lowering it and closing them tight.I’m so fucking...sorry...

There was a heartbeat of quiet and then a groggy voice answered him. “Apology accepted...”

Pierre’s eyes snapped open, and he jerked around, his head feeling it would fall away from his neck. Pat had woken, and was looking at the vampire with a grave expression adorning his features.

Pierre groaned, shaking his head. “No. Pat...” He couldn’t allow Pat to say that. He didn’t feel up to being forgiven, didn’t deserve it for that matter. “No,” he repeated roughly.

The Were held up a hand. “Yes, Pierre. Apology accepted. It’s going to be okay.” He sat up and leaned forward, pegging the vampire with a serious look. “You don’t have to worry.”

Pierre grimaced rubbing at his forehead. He couldn’t get his head around the notion that he was forgiven, just like that. Not after his actions. Not after what he did to-

“Lachelle?” He chanced a look at his friend. “Is she okay?”

Pat’s brow furrowed as he met the anxious look on Pierre’s face. The vampire could see thoughts churning in the Were’s mind as if he felt the sincerity behind the vampire’s words and seemed to have figured, after a moment’s deliberation, that it would be safe to tell him. “She will be. She’s here on the bus so I can keep an eye on her progress.”

Pierre blanched. “Here?”

Pat nodded slowly. “Yeah. You can go see, if you want?”

The vampire looked away, sinking a fang into his bottom lip. He trembled, shaking his head as he hunched his shoulders. There was no way he was ready to even look at his ex, not since he had attacked her. He had no right to even think of her. That was what he believed. He had hurt her; no self-respecting male would do such a thing to someone they loved. His breath hitched. Someone he loved...

“Fuck...Pat...I could’ve killed her.” Pierre’s voice was drawn tight, so much so that it sounded as if his vocal cords would break from the tension. He lifted his head to look at Pat. “I’ve completely screwed everything...”

Pat tilted his head, but said nothing.

Pierre closed his eyes then tucked his chin down against his chest, murmuring, “I’m no better than Shads when he tricked her into fucking him...” When Shads had confronted him a bond had formed between them, so strong that his memories had flowed and mingled with Pierre’s. Therefore, Pierre discovered the truth of everything that had passed in the last week or so. And then some.

Pat folded his arms, grimacing more. Pierre opened his eyes and looked toward him. The Were felt a jolt go through his body as he stared into the dark knowing stare of the vampire. His gaze was ancient as if he had seen too many things in a short span of time. It was unnerving, yet, at the same time it was a little reassuring to know that Pierre was no longer in the dark about his whole situation.

Pierre cleared his throat, gruffly, before starting up again. “She probably won’t ever be able to look at me again...but...that’s fine...” He paused, smearing the back of a hand over his face then laying his head back against the cushion Pat had pushed under his head. “I don’t deserve anything from any woman ever again...not after what I’ve done.” The he added, in a harsh whisper, “Not just to her, either...”

Pierre closed his eyes for a long moment, silence falling between them. Pat shifted uncomfortably on the floor; Pierre cracked an eyelid, sensing his friend’s uneasiness.

“Pat?”

The Were coughed, before responding, hesitantly, “What happened last night? Between you and Shads?”

Pierre sat up a little, but didn’t answer right away. Instead he stared hard at Pat as if he were attempting to see into his soul. Then he laughed sadly, the sound loud in the confined space. Pat shuffled around a bit more, glancing up at the vampire. The very tips of Pierre’s fangs were showing as his lips were parted slightly.

“Pierre?”

Pierre shook his head, eyes narrowing slightly as they shifted from Pat’s face to his neck. He saw Pat stiffen, but then the Were relaxed and he levered his body from the floor.

“Damn, you need to feed, don’t you?”

Pierre nodded tightly, murmuring, “I’ll feed...then I’ll tell you what happened.”

Pat moved to kneel in front of his friend. He was about to go for the pocket knife in his pocket, when Pierre stopped him, laying a hand on his arm, a strange light in his eyes. Pat blinked as their eyes met; the vampire’s expression was grave, and he said not a word as he slowly lowered his mouth to the Were’s wrist.

Carefully, he traced the tip of one fang along the thick blood vessel that lay just beneath the skin. Blood pumped steadily along its meandering way, a life force, and the one thing vampires could not live without. Then before Pat could say anything, Pierre scored a line deep along the wrist. Pat jerked slightly, Pierre held him still, a low purring sound issuing from his throat. The Were relaxed at the soft noise, it was almost soothing.

Blood beaded then pooled out of the wound, but Pierre did not let it go to waste. He licked at it slowly, savouring the taste; it was thick, rich; before sealing his mouth over the cut and beginning to drink in deep, hungry pulls. He could feel Pat staring at him, incredulous, but he couldn’t focus on that, because as he took of the Were’s blood thoughts and memories that were not his own flooded into the vampire’s mind.

One stood out in stark relief. Pat was in a Cathedral, praying to a statuette of the Mother Mary...and he could hear The Rev’s voice clear as a bell, I know who you really love... and then Pat’s later responseI’ve lost him...

Pierre shuddered at the memory, but kept feeding until he couldn’t take anymore. He pulled back, licking at the wound before wiping a hand over the back of his mouth. He glanced at Pat to gauge his reaction. The Were had his face downturned, as if he knew that Pierre had accessed his mind. The vampire leaned back more, putting some distance between them.

“Pat.” Pierre’s voice was a low rumble, like thunder rolling within a settling storm. Pat didn’t look at him, standing and shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“I gotta go check on Chelle. You need to rest more.”

Pierre sighed, sensing that the Were wasn’t going to explain what he had seen from his mind, and probably wouldn’t ever. After all, Pat was happily taken by a female of his own species. The memory couldn’t have actually meant anything. He had probably just been so desperately anxious about Pierre’s predicament that the feelings were strong because of that. He wouldn’t push to figure it out, though.

Nodding, he rubbed at his jaw. “I will. But...I gotta go pay Shads a visit first.”

Pat grimaced, but didn’t try to dissuade him; however, he looked at Pierre hard. “Before you do, tell me what happened between you guys?”

“He looked into my soul and I saw everything...just...” Pierre shook his head, still confused as to what had happened, even he couldn’t really explain. “Then it was like a lightning storm, but just between the two of us...inside...I don’t know...it was freaky as shit...and then next I knew I woke up here.” Pierre smirked faintly, “Seeing you sleeping there...that was the best thing I’ve seen in a long time...really warmed my soul.”

Pat allowed himself a small smile in response. “Yeah? Well, I’m just glad you’ve got yours back in one piece.” He looked toward the stairs.

Pierre swallowed hard. “Go to her, Pat. Look after her.” He closed his eyes and murmured as he began to disappear, “I’ll be back later...maybe I’ll go see her, then.” The last thing he saw before he blinked out of the bus, was the Were’s sad smile as he nodded then headed for the stairs.

A7X Bus
6:45 AM

The master vampire was exhausted in a way he had never been in his two thousand years of life. His body ached, even though he hadn’t even been the one to depose of the evil. Zachary had done a good job there. He felt no small amount of pride for the younger vampire. Still, his mind wasn’t on that right now. No, his thoughts were directed elsewhere.

Seated on a small bench that was bolted onto the floor of the bus, Shadows stared wearily upon the sleeping forms of his sister and his mate. They had crashed onto the lounge as soon as everything had blown over. Everyone else had gone to the bunks on the upper level; he had stayed below unable to sleep and deciding to watch over them, like some guardian angel. Even though, he had a feeling the two of them were quite safe without him...probably safer if he wasn’t anywhere near them. God knew he hadn’t done much good by either of them. Especially for Serena.

Luna looked at peace, as she always did, no matter the circumstances. But then again, knowing the future did that to one. Sherry, Serena, on the other hand was tense even in slumber, her small hands clenched around the blanket he’d lain over her. He knew the why of it too. Everything he had put her through... He felt like the biggest asshole, but there really wasn’t any way he could take any of it back.

Sighing, he rubbed at his face wondering if there was any way he could at least try and make up for it. There probably wasn’t, but perhaps trying to fix things with Pierre would help at least a little. He was their son. Serena had birthed him, he had...hell, what had he given him exactly? A big headache, most likely.

Interrupting his thoughts, the voice of his lieutenant came from his left, silent footsteps crossing from the stairs. “You are so fucking pathetic.”

Shadows turned his head, lips peeling back from his fangs as he glared at the unwelcome intrusion. “I wouldn’t suggest starting with me, Brian, I am so not in the mood.”

The other vampire laughed, coldly. “No? But you’re in the mood to mope about like someone frickin’ died?”

The master vampire began snarling and got right into his lieutenant’s face. “You listen to me, from now on you keep your yap shut; otherwise I’ll shut it for you, permanently.”

Syn drawled in response, unfazed by the irritation rolling off the master vampire, “You’ve gone fucking soft; you know that, my lord?”

Shadows pulled back, going back to his seat and looked up at the ceiling of the bus. As if he could find an answer to everything that had happened in the lining. An answer to why his feelings had changed, his attitude, his...everything. The only thing he got was the sounds of the others beginning to stir, and getting out of the bunks.

He allowed his eyes to drop back to the other vampire’s level. He said nothing though, as the rest of the gang came down from the top level of the bus. The Rev was the first one down, and he made his way to where the females were resting.

Shadows watched him, brow furrowed. Synyster snorted, lifting his eyebrows. The Rev bared his fangs at him and sat by Luna, absently running long fingers through her hair. A tender expression came to the vampire’s face as he gazed upon the female.

The master vampire shook his head, surprise in his eyes, mumbling, “And here I thought I’d seen everything?”

The Rev gave a subtle laugh, meeting his leader’s incredulous look. “I’ve always had a thing for your sister...and after...after those years...she for me.”

Shadows shook his head slightly before glancing toward the others. Zacky leaned against the wall a tired smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Johnny stood beside him, his dark brown eyes clear, but filled with anxiety. Before a word could pass between them, though, a soft curse came from the entrance to the bus. They swung their heads around just as Pierre appeared in front of the securely shut door.

“Damn...that still takes some getting used to...” The darkhaired male rubbed at his head which he’d almost knocked into the railing against the wall.

Shadows folded his arms, frowning even more. “Pierre?”

“Yeah, don’t wear my name out.” Pierre turned to look at the master vampire, eyes narrowed. The bigger male lifted his hands slightly in a placating gesture.

“Just wondering what you’re doing here.”

Pierre sighed. But wasn’t forthcoming with an explanation. Instead he looked at the other men a thoughtful expression in his eyes. Then he focused on Zacky. The green-eyed male met his gaze steadily.

“Was that really the devil?” Pierre’s tone was serious. The other male nodded expression equally as serious.

“Yes, it was. But, he’s gone now. He won’t interfere in our lives, not ever again. And I don’t plan on calling him back. Ever.” Zacky cranked his hands into fists. “That was a mistake that has caused us years of grief.” He closed his eyes, breathing out roughly.

Shadows watched Pierre carefully, seeing how he would respond. Pierre rubbed at his jaw, catching the master vampire’s look.

“How long ago?”

“1947. Fifty-one years.” Shadows’ voice tightened, and he had no idea why. He felt like a total pansy actually. Then as Pierre looked away from him and over to the two sleeping females, the realisation of his feelings hit him between the eyes as surely as a bullet from close range.

“1947?” Pierre’s tone was equally as tense.

Shadows coughed his throat raw as if he’d swallowed some sandpaper. “Yeah, same year I met your mother.” He allowed his gaze to fall upon Sherry’s sleeping form. “I sometimes wonder how things would’ve turned out between us if different choices had been made back then.” He paused, looking toward Pierre again.

Pierre gave a shrug of his shoulders his focus completely on his mother. “Can’t change the past.”

There was quiet after his statement as they gazed upon the elder female. Then as they continued to watch her, she began to wake, eyelids fluttering. Shadows leaned forward, propping his hands against his knees, body coiled tight. Pierre tensed, eyes widening a little. Synyster’s gaze darkened. The Rev, Zacky and Johnny remained in silence.

Sherry turned her head slightly, mumbling as her eyes flickered open. “Matthew...” Her voice sounded far away. “Matthew...? Matthew?” Her eyes popped open, wide, pleading almost. “Matthew...where are you?”

Shadows blinked hard. Hearing his name on her lips was unnerving. The others looked surprised for all intent and purposes. They all swung their heads, including Pierre, to look at the master vampire. He bit at his bottom lip, fangs protruding.

Pierre glowered at him. “You should go to her.”

Shadows knew that he was right, but in all honesty he had no idea how to do this. He’d been cold for far too long. The stares of his subordinates were getting to him though, and if he weren’t careful, he would end up affirming his lieutenant’s scathing assessment of him. He was far from pathetic. He was just confused. Yet, confusion wouldn’t get him far; he had to act.

Sherry was still murmuring his name, her eyes darting around the dimly lit cabin, unable to focus. Shadows swallowed back his uncertainty as he slid off the bench and moved into her line of sight. As soon as he made the move toward her, her eyes locked on his big body. Her own body stiffened and then she lifted her gaze to his, lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something. Nothing came out, though. She just looked at him, obviously waiting for him to make the first move.

The master vampire took several shuffling steps closer before stopping unable to bring himself to reach out to her. Instead, he took the time to just look at her with the utmost sincerity of expression.

“Serena. How...?” Shadows felt a blockage in his throat; he had to force a breath through before he could continue. “How’re you doing?”

Sherry took a few minutes to assess her situation, dark eyes scanning the small space, resting upon the other occupants. Her gaze lingered upon Pierre’s large frame, taking in the sight of her only son. Then she found her way back to Shadows. Tilting her chin she met the questioning stare of the bigger male.

“How am I doing?”

Shadows took his bottom lip between his teeth; he wouldn’t have admitted it, but the way she was looking at him made him want to throw his body on the floor at her feet. It made him want to beg for forgiveness, for the things he had done to her and to those who mattered to her. Instead, he just nodded in the affirmative.

Sherry laughed low, the sound reminding Shadows of water bubbling from a fountain, and tinged with sadness. “Confused.”

Shadows made a soft noise that sounded almost like a snort. “That’d make two of us.” He rubbed absently at his arms. She sat up more staring up at him, a strained light in her eyes.

“But, I do know something,” Sherry whispered.

Shadows tilted his head. “What’s that?”

The female looked away from him toward Pierre. “You’ve fixed...everything. Our son...” her voice trailed away on the words. He followed her gaze and sighed.

“Pierre, get over here.” Shadows motioned to the other male with a jerk of his chin.

Pierre joined him, standing several feet away, keeping a wary distance from the both of them. Sherry shook her head, pushing up from the lounge and stepping closer to him.

“Pierre, this was not how I imagined our first meeting would be...” She lifted her eyes to his.

Pierre’s face took on a deep look of regret. “This isn’t our first meeting though. I still remember what I almost did...before.”

Sherry reached out a hand to take hold of one of his, hesitantly squeezing it. “I won’t count that. You were not in your right mind...” She shook her head hard. “Matthew...”

Pierre pressed his lips together before taking hold of her other hand. She stared at their linked hands. He gave her a sad smile, his eyes fixated upon her lithe form. Shadows could see the wonder in the male’s eyes. He could understand it too; Sherry looked no older than when she had done fifty-one years ago. And she really was a beauty amongst vampires. Even more so than his sister. Not that he could compare the two really.

Shaking his head, Shadows cleared his throat. Pierre and Sherry looked over at him.

“All this was my fault,” he said in a hard tone, “and I know it’ll probably take me years to make up for the wrong I’ve done.”

Pierre grimaced, but it was Zacky who came in with a rejoinder. All eyes swivelled to the second youngest vampire on the bus as he interrupted in a gruff tone.

“Not entirely. The evil we all encountered was mostly my fault...but now it’s gone, we’ll all be able to heal.” The bright emerald stare of the younger vampire locked onto Shadows. “Don’t blame yourself for everything, Shads...you were never that bad. Anyway, we’re all to blame, really.” He cast a look toward Johnny. “Except maybe pup here...”

Johnny flushed and looked away. Shadows knew that the young Were felt terrible for many reasons. None more than the fact that he had been forced to do many things at Shadows’ behest. Including searching out Pierre in the first instance. Shadows growled, but said nothing to Zacky, turning away from them all.

Silence fell within the confined space, stifling, uneasy. Shadows clenched his jaw, closing his eyes, but then they snapped open again and he looked across at Pierre.

“There is one thing I did that is entirely my fucking fault.”

Pierre met the blazing stare of the master vampire, muscles visibly tensing. “Jay.”

Shadows heard the pain in the singer’s voice. “Yeah. But, that’s not exactly what I was referring to.” Sure, he had killed Pierre’s adoptive brother. And he would have to answer that. But, his mind was on the woman in his son’s life. “I’m talking about your girl.”

Pierre’s body stiffened even more. “Lachelle?”

Shadows took several breaths before saying, “Yeah, I-”

“Manipulated her mind and forced her into fucking you,” Pierre cut in roughly. “I know.”

The master vampire sagged, not even bothering to ask how he knew. That was a no-brainer. That connection before Pierre had been knocked out; memories had obviously passed between them.

“I was a fucking bastard,” Shadows mumbled.

Pierre smeared a hand over his eyes and murmured, “That would make two of us.”

Again Shadows made no inquiry as to what Pierre meant. He just let out a heaving breath, crossing his arms over his chest. “How is she?”

“I don’t know.” Pierre sucked at his fangs. “I’m going to go see her now...”

Shadows nodded. “Good.” He looked at Sherry who was still holding onto Pierre’s hands. “Will you go with him? Or stay?” There was an edge in his voice. He didn’t know what it meant, but he felt a clenching tight in his chest, as if he was actually anxious as to her response.

Releasing her son’s hands, and turning toward Shadows, Sherry looked him directly in the eyes, no fear in her own gaze. Then the corners of her lips curved faintly. “I’ll stay here with you, Matthew. I think we need to talk...”

Shadows blinked hard the tightness in his chest increasing. Hearing her speak those words sent a shot of heat through his body which settled in a warm ball in the vicinity of his stomach. The warmth suffused the whole of his being, chasing away the coldness; it was unsettling. He gave a curt nod the ability to respond otherwise lost to him at that moment. He tried to ignore the nasty look Synyster was giving him from where he was propped against the wall. None of this concerned him.

Shifting his weight, he gathered his thoughts. “Right.” He nodded to Pierre. “Will we see you again, before you go back to Laval?”

Pierre shrugged, “Maybe, maybe not.” He looked toward Johnny. “I’m sure Pat’ll keep in touch with Johnny.”

The Were nodded. “Or Shamus might drop over for a visit. He hasn’t been out of Toronto, ever.”

“Pat’s cousin? That kid?” Pierre cocked an eyebrow. Johnny nodded again. Pierre rolled his neck, then looked to Sherry. Shadows saw the myriad thoughts that passed across his face, as he tried to find the right words to say to her. “I’ll see you again...?”

Sherry smiled taking his hands again and squeezing them. “And your father, too...if all is well.”

Shadows felt his heart squeeze in his chest at the female’s statement. He watched Pierre’s reaction.

“Yeah... Goodbye for now, then.” Pierre allowed his lips to turn up at the corners, and then with a nod to the others vanished from the bus.

Shadows blinked hard staring at the space where Pierre had been standing. He started slightly when he felt a gentle touch on his left arm.

“Sire?” Sherry was standing by his side, looking up to him. He cast his gaze down in her direction, brow furrowing.

“Yeah?”

“We need to talk.”

Shadows, closing his eyes and taking long breaths, nodded slowly. “Yeah, yeah we do.” And he was ready to talk, now. Seeing Pierre had solidified that surety in his mind. He was prepared to move on. It was time. Turning around, he took one of her small hands in one of his, clasping it gently.

“Come. I’m ready.”

Sherry smiled shyly and allowed him to lead her passed the others. The Rev was stroking Luna’s hair where she lay, still sleeping. Zacky was flopped on the other lounge, eyes closed, resting. Johnny sat propped up against the same lounge, smiling to himself, watching as the couple headed for the stairs. Synyster had gone as soon as Pierre disappeared, but none of that registered on Shadows’ mind. His thoughts were focused on one thing, one person.

And one purpose.

To fix everything he had broken, no matter how long it took. And he was going to start with the female who was his lifelong mate.

Notes