Baby, when you're all mine,
Anywhere, any place I go
You feel like home to me
...You feel like home to me
-Lyrics to 'Home To Me' performed by Sarah Darling
Crimson Bonds Part 14
"Here you go. Third time in the last two weeks," Trowa snickered as he finished setting the new, king-sized frame into his cousins' master bedroom.
Brushing his hands together as he turned to the owners of his craftsmanship, he smirked, "We had left over Gundanium from the stock that Catherine had offered so I used to make that. Now you shouldn't ever need another bed replacement."
Anna giggled, "Oh, we'll be sure to put that to the test." Turning to meet her husband's onyx-and-gold eyes, she smiled, "As long as the last frame lasted us, I'm surprised that it only took that last trick when you grabbed my leg and-"
Barton waved his arms frantically, yelling, "Whoa! Hey! I don't need to hear the details! Having to fix the bed was bad enough!" He laughed, shaking his head, "Even though I know how insatiable we are towards our Others, I try to avoid the specifics when it comes to family and friends to spare their decency in my naive mind."
Raising an eyebrow as her husband snickered uncontrollably, the Siren grinned, "Aw. But don't you potentially want to pick up something that might rock yours and Midi's worlds?"
The Original returned the sadistic expression as he asked, "Well, if you like, I would be more than happy to go into what a little vixen my wife is behind closed bedroom doors-"
"Nonono!" the redhead exclaimed, covering her ears as she shook her head vehemently with wide eyes. In a rush, she screeched in horror, "That's our 'little mother' you're talking about! Don't go ruining her sweet, demure self by talking like that!"
As Wufei all but fell over laughing, Anna blinked in realization while her hands fell back at her sides. "Okay, I get your point," she grumbled in submission to her chuckling cousin.
With a firm nod, Trowa smiled, "Thought that might do it." Reaching up to lightly run a hand over her head in a fond gesture, he inquired, "Anything to report as far as baby news goes?" As soon as the words came out, he regretted them at the sight of his beloved cousin's profoundly sad disappointment.
Sighing, the Irish Infected frowned deeply, "Actually, Wufei confirmed it this morning that the first try didn't take."
His own smile falling away, Barton looked to Chang as the scaly Vampire pulled his lover against his side and explained, "I would have detected a sharp sweetness in Anna's blood if she had conceived. But there was no change when I tasted it this morning." Gesturing to the bed frame, he shrugged, "Hence the need for my dear one, here, to take out some frustration on me after we informed Heero and Duo."
"I see," the Latin Infected replied. Gently lifting the Siren's head with a finger beneath her chin, he smiled reassuringly, "It'll happen, cousin. Remember that Sally mentioned she would have been surprised if it came on so easily at the first go. As easily as you have fallen pregnant in the past, it's only a matter of time."
Anna shrugged, "That was why I made the mistake of getting my hopes up that it would be the same in this." Shaking her head, she brightened, "But you're right, it will happen when the time's right."
Leaning in, Trowa pressed a kiss against her brow and rested their foreheads together. "There's the little fighter I know and love," he praised softly.
He received a warm smile in response, this one actually reaching the redhead's gold-and-blue eyes. Squeezing the shoulders that he had gripped, the taller Infected offered, "I'll have Midi brew some tea whenever you stop over by our house so that the two of you can relax and talk in peace. You know she's always good for support at times like this."
Physically cheering all the more, the Irish Immortal nodded, "That'd be great. Thank you, cousin." Wufei was grinning in his own appreciation as the Original straightened with a wink before he stepped from the room.
"Have fun breaking the bed in," Barton called over his shoulder, "although, try to not take that literally."
Once the door closed behind the tall Vampire, Anna helped her husband place the mattress back into the silver metal. Her fangs growing in, she snickered purred under her breath, "We'll be sure to give it one hell of a go."
Before Chang had a moment to react, she bolted across the bed to descend upon him. Gasping at the bite piercing through his scaly skin, he was more than happy to allow his creator to have her way with him as she pulled him up and into the tangle of blankets.
* * * * * *
"I could have McAdams assassinated without a trace back to the family," Catherine smiled as she turned off the television that was airing yet another interview with the Senator. Turning to face Treize and Lady Une, she said, "I have more than enough weapons that would make her death look like a natural cause."
Khushrenada snorted, "My dear, your many offers become more and more tempting but we both know that we could never follow through with such a thing."
Patting the top of his adopted daughter's head, he smirked, "But we have already won a part of the battle after this last vote that overwhelmingly went in our favor to allow the Harvests to continue until they are no longer needed when every Vampire has found their Companion."
Indignant as she knew she looked, the weapons expert crossed her arms with a bitter glare.
"That's only because there has been proof that they work with a dwindling attendance every year," she huffed. "Everyone knows that it would have been seen as an act of inhumane cruelty to banish those untied Infected to death by bringing an end to their best source of survival. Not one of those Representatives wants that kind of blood on their hands."
Blinking widely, she flashed a sheepish grin as she giggled, "No pun intended there, of course." Quickly regaining her ire, she threw her hands in the air, nearly shouting in exasperation, "It's no secret that those traitors want to go after the registration laws! It's the part of the Human-Vampire Treaty that's on the table for them to be interested in!"
Lady Une rested a hand on the redhead's shoulders, urging, "Easy, sweetheart. I know that these are trying times for all of our kind, but we cannot allow this to change us. Yes, the registration is clearly the focal point, but we simply have to hope for the best and accept whatever will be."
Deflating, Catherine's arms fell like lead as she sighed, "I know. But no one said anything about having to like it."
Her Vampire stepped up to wrap her into an embrace as he kissed her forehead.
"There will not be a soul here to disagree with you there, love," Zayeed smiled sadly. "But our mother is right. No good will ever come from feeling being overwhelmed emotionally over the situation. How we continue on in the world will rely heavily on how we respond to the changes that will likely come."
Average in height and rugged in his immortal state, the Arabic creature's skin kept a bit of its sun-kissed tone, though severely paled from its natural hue of his human days.
Ironically, he had not been one of the hundreds who had been linked to Solo's stolen Companions, but was mystically bonded with Catherine all long. A chance meeting one day in the Capital had sealed their bind permanently.
Whimpering, the Companion turned in his embrace so that their eyes could meet as she brushed away a tear that began to roll down her cheek. "I just hate feeling so... damned helpless in this," she managed brokenly.
She forced out a long, calming puff of air and relented, "But you're right. I'll try to keep my head." The corner of her lips curling up, she added, "But I'm not making promises to never blow up when I have to."
His deep brown-and-gold eyes reflecting his grin, Zayeed nodded firmly, "I can exist with that." Meeting in the middle for a quick kiss to seal their pact, they took what comfort they could in at least still having each other to get through the chaos unfolding around them.
"Good news," Zechs announced as he stepped into the room. To the eyes falling on him, he informed, "We received an update from Crystal. She's more than confidant that she made a major breakthrough into the central database for our kind's registration records. Once she and Wufei are able to link up, they should have no trouble adjusting the back logs without any trouble if it's needed for our friends."
A long puff of air escaping them in relief, his family looked about ready to collapse after a long wait for that update. "Thank God," Treize muttered under his breath. Running a hand over his hair, he asked, "Have you been able to get a hold of Trowa or the others?"
Nodding, Merquise responded, "Noin is in the middle of a call with Heero and Duo as we speak." He chewed on the inside of his cheek before mentioning, "And she is getting the thought out there that perhaps the family should be preparing for another move..."
* * * * * *
"Moving?" Maxwell repeated to the image of the Councilwoman on his vidphone. Peering over to his equally confused husband, he frowned, "I thought that we were better off staying as low as possible for the time being?"
Lucrezia bowed her head graciously as she replied, "I do not mean to alarm any of you by making this suggestion, but for Crystal to do what she must we need to go as far back as we can in your registration history to not raise any suspicions. If she and Wufei are able to do that, it would place your family as being back in your cluster of homes in Virginia."
Already ahead of what their friend was onto, Heero realized aloud, "Reappearing and in a new location would raise eyebrows as to why we had hopped around. It would make it look to anyone outside that we were hiding something."
The lovely Infected on the screen nodded, "Exactly. The children would be able to remain hidden in your homes without anyone coming to knock on the doors for so much as a surprise visit let alone an unwanted inspection if there is nothing out of the ordinary. Zechs and I thought it best to reach you and give as much notice as we can should the change in your location actually be needed."
Grinning, Duo chuckled, "Well, we appreciate that. It'd be one thing to have to pick up the Clan if it was only us, Wufei, Anna, Trowa and Midi. It's going to take a little more doing with a whole hoard of kids along for the ride." His Vampire sniggered with a small nod of agreement. His smile fading, the Companion inquired, "About the rug rats... you're all sure that they'll be safe in the mix of all of this?"
At that, the Councilwoman smiled, "Don't worry. We're all taking every precaution to guarantee that nothing will happen to your nieces and nephews. Those kids are like my family's own and so we are handling this as such, with their security taking priority."
"Thank you, Noin," Heero grinned sincerely. "What you and your Clan have done for us is something we could never express our appreciation for enough. As soon as we get a hold of Wufei, we'll have him give Crystal a call. While he is doing that, we'll prepare everyone for possibly moving."
Noin reassured, "After all that your family has done for our kind as well as the livings over the centuries, it is all too high an honor on all our parts to be of any assistance to you that we can be."
Her eyebrows raising, she added, "You would be surprised if you had any idea how well known and admired your Clan is amongst the Vampires. You're pretty much legends. At some point you are just going to have to accept that." The final sentiment was made with an amused smirk.
Both Heero and Duo shared embarrassed expressions.
Of course they had played large roles in securing the safety for humans and Infected alike for decades upon decades... notably in the case of Solo's rampage.
However, there were those centuries before Maxwell's appearance that he was all too aware and proud of where his loved ones had selflessly gone out of their way to protect the innocent lives of complete strangers.
And yet not one of those acts had been done for notoriety, which made the acknowledgment humbling.
Waving nonchalantly, the Companion laughed, "Aw. No need for that now. But please pass on the gratitude to the rest of your family and keep in touch." He reached down to wrap the end of his braid around his finger as he stated quietly, "It'll be nice when all of this is behind us so we can have normal conversations that don't involve votes and registrations."
"I could not agree more," Lucrezia grinned sadly. "With any luck, that day will come soon." Clearing her throat against the lump that she had tried to conceal from her friends, she finished with a thick, "Take care, boys. Send everyone our love." The screen turned black just as a light shimmer began to fill her gold-ringed irises.
Yuy let out a quiet sigh as he sagged heavily in his chair. "There could be worse things, if we do have to move," he reasoned, stretching a hand out to run along his lover's back. "It is an incredibly small burden to take on compared to the extremes that I would endure to keep the children safe."
Violet-and-silver eyes staring at the dark monitor, Maxwell spoke in little more than a whisper, "Same here. Trowa and Mid wouldn't blink twice over the idea. And Virginia was a great place for us to stay, anyhow."
There was a lot of history there. Duo had attended the college where he met his Chosen. It was the first place where the Hybrid found the place he could call his home not only of a physical nature in a roof over his head, but in the creatures surrounding his existence that filled the empty places in his being.
A hand waved in front of the braided immortal's face, causing him to sit upright in a rush. Turning to face his grinning partner, he smiled sheepishly, "Sorry. Just got to thinking about the past for a moment there."
"Understandable," Heero chuckled deeply. "I was not sure if it was that or the other bit of news we had received from Anna this morning that had distracted you."
Shoulders slumping a bit at the reminder, the Hybrid sighed, "Oh, that." The smile to follow came naturally as he said sincerely, "Yea, it's disappointing that Anna wasn't able to get pregnant the first time around, but I'm not depressed over it. Sally is still convinced that it will happen eventually, so we'll just wait until it does."
Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he frowned, "Besides, if there's anyone I am concerned about, it's our sister. She's the one taking on the most stress over the whole thing."
The Original's eyes darkened with his own fretting that he allowed to show as he grunted, "Not to mention the pain that she must be hiding from us. Any time I ask how she is faring from the shots that she has to take, she laughs and tells me to not worry about it... which means she's not about to tell me the truth."
Maxwell shook his braided head, "I'll take the time to sit and talk with her whenever she reemerges." A lopsided smirk spreading across his face, he lifted his chin and boasted, "Anna can't help but be honest with me whenever I want to get to the bottom of something. And if that fails, I'll go to the one person who won't hold back when it comes to her."
Blinking in surprise, Heero grinned and chorused with his soul mate, "Wufei." At that, the Vampire snickered, "Not a bad idea. Our sister would not be able to stay angry for long if you were the one who went over her head. I have done the same in the past and so had been taught the level of her ire when it comes to involving her Chosen to know better."
Duo shrugged, "Well, that and she loves me more." His head fell back with a fitful laugh at the instant poke in the ribs that he earned for such a suggestion when they both were aware how deeply Anna's affections ran for the both of them.
A new train of thought taking over, Yuy grinned, "You know... we have not mentioned Virginia in some time. It has a lot of good memories for us." He lightly traced a finger along his Companion's exposed collarbone beyond the straps of his red tank top in a suggestive manner.
Shivering from the sensation as well as the recalling of some very unpleasant experiences back in those early days of their joining, Maxwell focused on the more pleasant of the two and bit his lip to contain the moan that began to creep up from the depths of his gut. With a rough swallow, he grinned seductively, "Yea, it does. I particularly liked the night we were bonded. Maybe we could relive that one ag-"
It was as far as he was able to speak before his Vampire crushed their lips together for a breathtaking kiss. Mentally reeling, Duo snickered as Heero proceeded to throw him over his shoulder to carry them up to their bedroom.
* * * * * *
'The Scaly One always returns to camp from his hunts looking weary and sad as he walks slowly towards the campfire. Instantly, the Red-Haired One is on her feet and hugging him tight as he moves straight for her so that he can hold her fast.'
'We never ask him what he had seen... or what he had to do whenever he comes back to camp with that expression on his face before he buries it into his mate's shoulder. I have heard many people say that all Vampires love killing, but my family and I know that is not true at all. We would not be alive if it was.'
Dark eyes scanned over the handwritten notes to continue reading,
'Family means everything to the Infected, too. I wish more livings could see this Clan. I don't think that anyone would ever doubt how good a creature the Vampires really are if they could just watch this bunch for even a little while. They laugh, cry and hold each other just like any husband, wife, brother, sister and cousin would if they were all of the same blood before they were turned.'
A fact that Hunters could never believe. Which was why they made the best people for Septum to work with. Even if they were to read the heartfelt account from the innocent child, they would never believe it. No, his little minion would find some negative spin on it they would latch onto.
However, the scientist never doubted that Vampires were more than capable of exuding kindness and selflessness. He just didn't care. Not when it came to getting his way.
At the bight chirp of a ring from his cell phone, Millers sat upright to be able to retrieve it from his pocket. Checking the screen, he smirked to himself at the familiar name displayed. Answering the call, he placed the headpiece to his ear with a bright, "Good afternoon, Senator. How are things in Washington?"
"Progressing just as we have hoped," the digitally distorted voice responded over the line.
It was a precaution that the Representative had insisted on, leaving their entity deniable when even their gender could not be deciphered should there ever be a breach in the security of their calls. Septum always thought them to be a bit paranoid to have taken such measures, but he was not about to make his powerful ally and financier uncomfortable in their arrangement.
His conspirator's metallic representation of a tone chuckled, "Once the vote in regards to the Harvests goes in favor to the Infected in a couple of days, we will begin deliberations over the registry. I can already tell you with the utmost confidence that there will be an overwhelming turn in the tide when the ballots are tallied."
Propping his phone on his shoulder, Septum folded his arms behind his head and kicked his feet up on the edge of his desk.
"Wonderful," he smirked. "It should not be long after the new laws are implemented before the hunt is finally brought to a close. Then you will see for yourself that your investments, both financial and legislative, were more than worth it as you will be able to reap in the rewards with me and my staff."
The Senator's scrambled voice did not lose its coldness when it warned, "For your sake, I hope so. I do not take lightly to being pulled into an agreement where I come up short. So, your certainty is what I wanted to hear."
Holding in the snort that he wanted to make, Millers rolled his eyes instead. Same old threats different call. Posturing. That's all this was. And the scientist was not at all worried about delivering when the time came.
"In that case, let's both hope that you have lived up to your end," he said with a smile and yet left no room for misunderstanding his own hand. "The drop of your name is all that it would take from me to end your career as well as your freedom, friend. What is more, there are over a hundred people working for me, all of whom would be able to identify you and your activity in this investigation with hacked money from the government should I suddenly disappear."
A long pause followed. There would be no more of these games going forward.
Completely avoiding the topic all together, the Senator's crackled voice replied cheerfully, "Good talk... friend. I look forward to our next conversation when the final vote is behind us."
Septum hummed, keeping the conceit from his listener as he stated, "As do I. Until then." Unlike nearly every other time in the past, he was the one to sever their contact by closing his cell phone. Another message of what else he had the control to end if he wished it so.
Righting himself by lowering his feet, the researcher's right heel ran over the thick chain coiled across the floor. Book back in hand, he licked his fingers to turn the pages back to where he had left off at the same time that he peered over the top of the hard cover to the creature sitting in the far off corner to take in the snarling face that he could pick out beyond the shadows.
"Don't worry, Pet," Millers snickered menacingly in a near whisper. "Soon enough, it will all be over for you as well."
Through the dimness, a pair of violet irises traced by silver glared back.
TBC...
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