Blueblood

Story: Blueblood: Dracula

Chapter 11 Romanian Intelligence

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

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Colin and the crew try to help those that survived the attack help to return to a life. They strive to get some control. Then the RIS show up!!

Romanian Intelligence

The fact that Amasis and Wayne were in bed together didn't bother me...well, it did because of who they both were. They were our friends! My friends! I had been honest with Wayne in keeping things about the truth. They were both grown men. I just didn't want either of them hurt. With everything happening right now, this shouldn't be a concern for us, but I was concerned. Colin needed to get the message out to all the other vampires to ask for help...legally. He had to go outside the cave to do that until the scattering field was dropped.

In the area we set up to dine in. The people being...held...here were getting a little impatient. I understood, but what else could we do? If we let them go, they weren't ready to be outside and fend alone. Then again, no one had prepared Colin or Gabriella, but things were...less complicated then. Wasn't it? Coming in where everyone was getting their first meal for this new night. Tables had been set up, but were low...almost Asian with pillows, or nothing at all. I greeted Mom and Willie, Gabriella, and Alex as I sat between the two couples. When Wayne and Amasis came in...together...I just smiled and waved a distant greeting.

It was Amasis that frowned and came over. "Can we talk?" He asked me quietly.

I wasn't getting up but nodded. "Sure."

Amasis gave a rather impatient look and looked at the others at the table. "Sorry, but...I mean, privately." He almost growled at me.

I shrugged. "Okay." Getting up we walked over to the side where we could talk more privately. I pretty much knew what he was going to talk about, but I was letting him do that.

"About what happened last night..." Amasis began.

I nodded holding my hand up to stop him. "Okay, before you start," I smiled, "I told Wayne; I'm not a parent and I sure am not either of your parent...you're both grown men capable of making your own decisions. You mean...both of you...mean a hell of a lot to me...to all of us, but mostly to me." I smiled. "Now, that I've said that, why are you explaining it to me? I'm not your Father Confessor!"

Amasis' head went back a little. "My what?"

I chuckled. "Oh, right...that was after you'd...well...it's a religion thing and after you'd become a god, so..." I waved that off. "Why is everyone so quick to get things straight with me?"

Amasis smiled. "You're kidding." He said in disbelief. "You really don't know?" He chuckled. "You say you're not a parent, but you are."

My eyes got wider. "I've only been in this world thirty-some years...you've been-"

Amasis smiled putting his hand over my mouth. "Leave it." He growled with a smile. "Everyone here has their talents." He explained. "George is Science. Colin's is business. Gabriella and Alex are trackers. Dragon is..." he thought and smiled at a title he thought of, "...the Persuader, but you..." he smiled more directly at me, softly. "You are..." he waved as he made sure he got it right, "and I'm getting to understand about humans and anatomy and what is what...you are...this groups' heart." He shook his head. "You have the capacity to love everyone! I mean everyone! Even Iilya!"

"I didn't exactly love Iilya." I corrected.

"No, but you were willing to try," Amasis said. "You understand feelings and the human heart like no one else. We come to you for advice and because we know you'll give good advice. You understand. Now, with Wayne...do you think we should continue or not?"

I threw my hands out. "How can I answer that? You are the ones that are doing it. Why do I need a voice in this?"

"Because you know both of us," Amasis said firmly.

I nodded. "I like to think I do."

"Well?" Amasis asked. "What do you think?"

I nodded. "Well, thanks for those kind words, but...what I see..." I looked at him and took a deep breath. "I see two men that I care for more than others. I was there with Wayne when he was first brought in...a wild vampire and I watched him and helped him come back to the man he once was. I meet you. You were a man that believed...even though you had doubts about it...about your place in what you thought was your afterlife. Wayne mentioned the sixties. At that time, was he gay or was he bisexual? I don't know. It was harder back in those times for a homosexual to find a place and often they simply went the easiest path rather than challenge anything. He mentioned a guy when he was sixteen he'd had...something with...so, he was open to the idea. I don't know. I knew you when you found out what you were and where you were in this world. You've blossomed since. If you want to pursue a relationship with Wayne, fine! If he wants one with you, fine. I think it would be great. However, Wayne is new to this sort of relationship, you are not."

Amasis nodded. "I would never hurt him."

"I know you wouldn't," I assured, "But, I don't want you hurt, either," I said seriously. "Are you willing to give yourself...to Wayne if he does?"

Amasis' eyes got confused. "I was willing to give myself to him."

I nodded. "You were willing to give yourself to him, but are you willing to take what he gives to you?"

"I don't understand," Amasis said baffled.

"Do you think Colin and I are good together?" I asked.

Amasis nodded and chuckled. "I can't imagine one without the other."

I smiled. "You know why? Because he and I know, the most precious thing or person is the other, more valued than even our next breath. I see him as the most valued thing or person in existence, and I have no doubt he feels the same for me. I would give my life for him. He would do the same for me. No doubts. If this is going to work with you and Wayne, he needs to know it's not just about you, it's about him. He should become the focus of all that you are. Give yourself to him completely, heart, mind, and soul, but accept what he gives, his heart, his mind, and his soul." I watched as his eyes grew. "You were a god, sharing yourself with others, but let him share with you. When its love, let him love you, don't just love him. Value him!" I looked in Amasis' eyes. "Understand now?"

Amasis' eyes grew even more. I suppose the gravity of what I'd said was getting through. "Yes." He said quietly. He looked over to where Wayne was. "Yes. I do." He turned and grabbed me in a hug. "You see? In only thirty-some years, you understand so much." He held me squeezing me affectionately. "I can't imagine what you'll understand in a few more thousand years. You'll probably just look and know everything." He left me and hurried over to Wayne, pulling him up and kissed him right there in front of everyone and not caring if they saw.

I grinned as Wayne only resisted a second before he melted and kissed back.

"So, let me understand this." The American with the friend named Marty that was now a vampire came by me watching Amasis and Wayne kiss. "All vampires are gay?"

I shook my head. "No," I said almost absently. "They're human." I turned and patted him on the back. "Aren't you and Marty?"

He looked startled. "What!? No!"

I shook my head. "Too bad," I said and walked back to my family.

It was later in that meal; I was looking around at the new faces. "We'll begin the serum tonight for those that want it."

"What if they don't?" My mother asked.

I shrugged. "Well, they don't have to," I said. "If they try to return to any life they had this way...it just won't work without it," I said simply.

"What if they decide to kill themselves?" Mother asked.

I shrugged again. "That's also, their decision." I looked around. "Where is Amir?"

Gabriella smiled. "Well, you've been busy, so...he and Shelly have become...close." Her eyebrows danced when she said that.

They were the same age, but that wasn't important. Neither were vampires... "Okay." I merely said. "Now, we have to help find someone for Chuck!"

Colin came in clapping his hands in anticipating a good meal but saw our table was full and frowned.

I waved at him and moved slightly and patted beside me. "Over here, big guy. You know I'll share with you."

Colin grinned as he lowered himself next to me, kissing me as he did. "Yeah, I do." He looked at everyone. "How is everyone here?"

Gabriella smiled. "Do you mean us personally or them?" She waved at the others around us.

"Both," Colin said.

"We're fine," Alex chuckled. "They are not as fine."

"Does anyone have a tally?" I asked.

"There were sixteen victims," Willie said. "Two have shown no signs of changing." He looked at me. "One was that man you gave the serum to so quickly after being bitten."

I nodded. "Good. I wonder if the body will purge the venom itself if it can't be used. I think we need to keep giving the serum to him for a while. We don't have fresh blood to replace his." I looked at Colin. "Those five that were attacked at the castle. They were vampires."

Colin nodded. "Yep."

"You were attacked, like them and woke to bury yourself."

He nodded. "I was lucky. I woke up with an hour or so to spare before sunrise. They apparently...having been attacked much later didn't wake up in time." He looked around. "I need to get something to eat."

I grinned. "No one will serve you." I kissed him. "I will." I rose to go to one of the coolers. "It's roast beef sandwiches." I grinned. "I'll get you two."

When I was returning, Sorin came in.

"Hi, Sorin!" I greeted handing Colin his two sandwiches.

"Hi." Sorin greeted giving me one of those quick man hugs.

Mom and Willie rose. "Here, take our seats, we've got...others to deal with." Mom smiled as she patted Sorin on the arm and left.

"Anything new?" Colin asked.

Sorin sighed and nodded. "Well, that's what I wanted to talk to all of you about."

Sitting beside Colin again. "Talk about?" I asked.

"You told me that you won support in the United States by bringing in someone that understood about vampires with the FBI. You also said you did the same in Great Britain by bringing in MI5." Sorin said and shrugged. "Maybe you should with a more International organization."

"Interpol?" I asked. "Or the United Nations?"

He nodded. "Absolutely. The United Nations, I wouldn't count on too much, they have a tendency to not involve themselves that much in foreign matters of conflict. Their influence might help, but...the real power will be Interpol. International police matters: they cover almost two hundred nations. Now, as you've found out...vampires are everywhere. There has to be someone in the Interpol that knows or has a family member that's a vampire."

Colin nodded, chuckling. "Oh, George would not like this."

Sorin looked puzzled. "Why not?"

"Because vampires are all about secrecy and this would be way too public for his comfort," I smiled. "I think that's a great idea!"

"Their Headquarters are in..." Colin began, "...where? France?"

Sorin nodded. "Lyon."

Colin sighed. "I guess I'm going out to send another message out." He bit into his sandwich. "After I eat."

I needed to check on Lucian. I hadn't forgotten him or the others that came with Iilya, but they were sort of a low priority. Going to the cell, I saw Lucian sitting again, staring at nothing. The others with him, however, were pacing.

"It's about time you showed up," One of them said angrily.

I smiled at him. "Aw, you're bored." I even put my lower lip out in mock sympathy. "We've been kind of busy." I shrugged. "We're dealing with what Iilya did. We forgot to entertain you." I said. "I can let you out. You can tell all sixteen and those with the sixteen others with them, why they are here and how you've been neglected as a result." I said simply. "Or I can bring them to you and you tell them about why they are here," I said as I waved from out in the great area back here. "There are at least fourteen new vampires...made by your people who would love to show you how grateful they are. Do you think they will have any sympathy toward you when they find out?" I smiled more. "Should I?"

None of them was too interested in me doing that and backed off.

"The thing with prisons is the boredom. There is nothing to do, but think." I said sadly. "I'll bring you a book or something. Our problem is...what do we do with you?"

"What choice is there?" Lucian asked. "We die."

I nodded. "That would be easy, wouldn't it?" I said. "Of course, there is the whole question about what happens after that." I smiled, but this time sincerely sad. "If there is something after death...which I don't know the answer to that...will there be an accounting for what you did?" I nodded again. "If you don't believe and that's true, then you get off scot-free...you're just gone." I looked at them. "If you're wrong...what is the price? Are you willing to take the chance?" I shrugged. "Of course, there is the how and why. How did he convince you to do this, what you did? That will be considered, I'm sure. Are you ready for that?"

"What do you think should happen?" Lucian asked.

"You go on the serum," I said. "You become...not the predator you were. Defanged. Then we see what happens, but you won't go free for a while." I sighed. "You've forced our hands with this," I said. "We could all die as a result. The broadcast of the attack was sent out. The world now knows there was an attack, but not what attacked, but they will figure it out. We will become known. We're trying to ease the sudden awareness of us to the world. Until we do...you will be held until a suitable location is found."

"If I choose to die?" Lucian asked.

"I know you feel the loss of Iilya," I said, again, very sincerely. "You're suffering. I can see it. A sadistic person would like to see that continue, but...that's not me." I frowned. "If you want to die, that's your choice, but...I won't make it easy for you. I can give you a gun with one bullet. If you want, you can do it yourself." I saw him nod, but he wouldn't look at me. "I'll give you to the end of the week. Then, you tell me." I began to walk back out but stopped a moment. "I'll see about them bringing you a book or two."

Then I saw Dragon as he was looking over these new vampires and others in the great area from his raised portion of the area. He was thinking, you could see it on his face.

"How are you?" I smiled as I got near him.

Dragon smiled at me and nodded. "I've been worse." He chuckled. He waved at the others. "So many lives at once changed...overnight."

I nodded. "Yes, but they don't have to end." Then I turned at a distant scream from a female...somewhere. The others turned, but they also had been told the serum hurt.

"The serum has begun," Dragon explained having not reacted to the scream but rubbing his chest sympathetically. "We both know the pain."

I nodded. "I remember." I looked at him. "Your talent can be used soon. Have you ever planted a suggestion to someone? Like, not to do or to do something they had to?"

"Yes," Dragon nodded.

"Before we can release these people, they will have to be...suggested not to talk about this," I said. "Not the vampires necessarily, but the others; like that American man that came with Marty whomever...I don't really sense I can trust him."

"He won't be a problem." Dragon chuckled.

I looked around at the faces. "Where's Gaius?"

Dragon smiled at the mention of his name. "He's contacting his son and daughter-in-law." He grinned. "He had to go out to do that."

"He can't call them from in here...right." I nodded.

Dragon's eyes held amusement. I guess his ability to read people so well, he knew. "You know Gaius and I..." he began hesitantly but grinning.

"Oh, come on, Dragon." I grinned at him. "It's me. You know I'm married to Colin. Just say it. You and Gaius love each other! You two are a couple!"

He laughed shaking his head. "The world you live in now...so free!" He grinned, "...even down here we didn't really talk about it."

"Of course, you didn't." I groaned. "God forbid you might love someone." I poked him in the ribs. "Say it."

Dragon yelped a little as he chuckled. "Say what?"

"Say it," I said in a humored growl.

"Okay! We're a couple!" Dragon smiled. "I do love the man!"

I nodded. "See? That wasn't so hard." I bounced a little. "The American today said that all vampires are gay." I shrugged. "I say, why not? I think because we do lose so many we care about, having someone that we know we won't lose...not even that...we see something in someone we want a part of and we no longer are concerned whether anyone approves or not. How can it be wrong? We're social creatures. Love is great! Being alone is too hard on a person. If we can receive love from another person...male or female...who cares!?"

Dragon smiled. "We have to have heterosexuals. There would be no one born if we were all homosexuals."

"And?" I asked. "I don't think the human race is in danger of dying out. We number now in the BILLIONS!!" I waved that thought off. "There are other ways to get a woman pregnant. We'll survive." I looked about the cavern. "You have a lot of rooms down here."

Dragon nodded and then he shrugged. "We had a lot of people down here once."

"All vampires?"

"No, not all," He shook his head. "We just sort started to die out. My people did not hunt and make others...mostly. When they did...I was not happy with them and even punish them if they did, but that almost never happened."

"I've not known this world long, but since I joined it, it's changed a lot," I muttered. "I just hope we can deal with it."

"If we can't?"

"We'll just have to." I shrugged. "Or die."

The sun was rising again when Colin came back underground. Undressing, he stretched out beside me in the bed we were sharing again.

"How was it? Did anyone come to the house?" I asked as I played with his hair on that chest I loved.

"Not yet, but the investigation has just started," Colin said. "I sent the message out for the lawyer and to ask anyone who was in Interpol or knew someone sympathetic with Interpol and let me know." He looked at the walls around us. "Soon, we'll have to have the scattering field dropped to communicate easier, but if necessary, we'll have it dropped briefly to do it."

"The problem with that is...they will again get messages and calls," I said knowing he knew that.

"Or we have Stan rig something so we can do it," Colin said. "Did you talk to Lucian?"

"I did," I said. "I told him he has choices. I've given him until the end of the week to choose."

"If he chooses to die?"

"That's between him and whatever God he believes in." I grinned. "I also talked with Amasis."

"About?" Colin asked, but knew.

"I just...told him to be...careful." I grinned at him. "And!" I said holding a finger up and the reached over the side of the bed and pulled up a bottle of lube. "Last night was good, but we didn't get what we needed from our room." I grinned. "Tonight, I did!"

"What if Amasis and Wayne need it?" Colin asked.

"They can get their own!!" I growled hogging the bottle and rolled so I was on top of him. "Tonight...you're mine." I said kissing him deeply.

"Tonight, and every night for the next few thousand years." Colin chuckled. "I can live with that. I love you, Devon."

"I know," I said. "I love you."

"I know."

The progression of the serum was on-going. There were Lucian and the others with him. I did ask they be given books or something to do, but we didn't dare let them out. We were in no hurry to begin the serum with them. It saved on the demand for food if all they needed was blood. It was only with Dragon's continued "requests" to the victims that they stayed relatively calm. The problem was some had families. The young mother was concerned with her child and needed to go home. Their lives were changed. They could be returned to the outside world, but there would be questions about where they'd been and why contact was lost we didn't have answers for.

I came to our room, not having seen much of Colin that day as I worked with the victims. He went back to the house we rented to deal with Stan and check for messages received to our plea for help and bring needed food. I saw that he hadn't returned to the caverns yet and I missed him. Yes, there were a few things happening more important, but I still missed Colin. I got things ready for him and I take a shower...yep, we did it together. I was also tired. I lay down on the bed, just for a moment. There was no maid service down here if you wondered. We got the sheets and we made the bed. And really, guys weren't that obsessed with clean sheets that much normally. Colin and I weren't that messy when we had sex. Sex is messy! I bring this up because I could smell Colin here. Especially on the pillow he used. I even wondered if I could bottle it for times when he was away like this. I was enjoying it when the door opened and Colin walked in.

Colin smiled but saw me holding his pillow to my face inhaling deeply. "What are you doing?"

I grinned stretching out as I still hugged his pillow. "Inhaling the scent of my favorite person."

"Are you?" He came closer to me and leaned over me. "I can see you think that's a good thing."

I nodded pulling him down to me, kissing him slowly. "It is very good, but having the real thing with me again is the best." My right hand and arm wrapped around his head and neck; my left went around across his back pulling him even tighter to me.

Colin chuckled. "I missed you." He said softly tracing a trail across my jaw to my ear then down.

"I missed you, too," I said enjoying what he was doing and the warm solid feeling I got having him in my arms. "You can never go away again."

Colin chuckled. "I'm fine with that." He stretched out even more. "Today you thought you were needed here and I had to go check for messages. It couldn't be helped."

I nodded bringing him back to give the slow kiss again, but let it linger. "Fine, then we find some way to bottle your scent."

Colin took his pillow from me and sniffed it himself. "I don't smell anything."

"Of course, not. It's your scent." I grinned bringing my nose to his chest. "I can smell it."

"Why aren't you a tracker?" Colin asked. "If you can smell me, couldn't you track vampires?"

I shrugged. "I can probably track you if I had to, but you're the only person I think I can do that with. I'll couldn't be Alex and never like Gabriella." I said as I pulled on his sweater to get it off. "I love you, Colin."

His smile was warm and the love shone in his eyes. "I know you do. I love you."

"I know you do," I said tossing his sweater away and began working on his shirt and belt. "You, I want naked, with me and we make love."

He laughed. "I would never have guessed that was what you wanted." He began kissing me deeper.

And we did make love. Then we got up, took a shower, continued our lovemaking, and went to bed.

Our positions were habit. We both knew how we were comfortable with each other now.

"Am I to gather since you didn't tell me anything, we have no responses?" I asked as his arm went around my middle as he would spoon up behind me.

"Oh!" Colin said quickly. "I was distracted." He said kissing me on the back of my head. "Sorin's getting pressure to find these people. They want to bring in some heavy hitters to investigate, probably the RIS."

I rolled over and faced him quickly. "Romanian Intelligence?" I looked for someone to come up with a solution, be it God or whoever's up there in charge. "This is serious."

Colin nodded. "It is. I think Sorin's suggestion we do contact Interpol is correct, but if these agents are Romanian, they may already know about us." He shrugged. "We weren't shy about sending those messages out. They may be monitoring us now if they are as good as our agents with the United States." He looked at me uncertainly. "We may just have to...come out."

"If you mean come out as gay," I said. "We are out, but vampires..."

He shook his head. "This is becoming global. If we can get help from another couple of countries, we might be able to do this peacefully."

"Might. That's not that good a word, might." I said. "We could get us all killed."

Colin nodded. "So, we may have to decide to go back to hiding and disappear or go on."

"How can we disappear, Colin?" I asked. "The world knows about Wentworth Manor. They are even noticing Holms Laboratories. We can't just disappear. What about Thornwood?"

Colin nodded. "That's why we need to talk to everyone here, including the new ones on what to do. Edwin's here and so are we. Dragon and Gaius are here. We can contact George and get them on a conference call with Stan, Ruben, Senator Cooke, Congresswoman Chance, and Director Mattingly. Everyone will have a say. I can't make a decision like this. It will affect a lot of people. You said I was the President of...us. Well, a president is not a king. It should be a group decision, not mine alone."

"You're giving a voice to those just made?" I asked nodding.

"Absolutely. What we decide will affect them. They have lives." He sighed. "Now Mattingly of MI5 can help with those from Great Britain. The others...I don't know. They are vampires. I'm not saying we need to come all the way out, but there are people in places of government that may need to be told."

"Okay," I said lying back down and resuming our positions with my back pressing against him. "We'll do what we have to."

The next day, we had more of the ones that just wanted to leave. Especially that one with Marty. Robert. He was getting on my nerves! "He was attacked! I wasn't. I still have a life." Robert said. "I promise never to tell anyone!"

I sighed as I turned to him. "You know why you can't! You have no explanation as to what happened!"

That's when a hand reached out and grabbed Robert's shirt from the back. "I think you and I need a private little chat." Dragon growled as he drug him away.

I knew what sort of little "chat" he meant. "I wish we'd come here first." I grinned.

The man that emerged from this "chat" was a lot less annoying.

Dragon walked up next to me.

"What did you do?"

He shrugged. "I just..." he did the air finger quotes, "suggested...he stay quiet and calm."

Again, Colin had to go out to check and send the messages. I was now worried because it was getting late, so I kept working to keep myself busy. Getting food to our many guests was another thing he handled, but he had been gone most of the day! It was after dark when he came back, but not alone. Stan and Mark came in with him. When they came in, I didn't even bother to hide that fact I had been worried about Colin. I let out a breath of relief I knew I'd been holding and came to him quickly hugging him tightly.

"I know..." Colin said to my ear holding me. "I'm late and I couldn't call you. I know you were worried. I would have been. I'm sorry."

"With all that's going on, I'm just glad your back and safe," I said quietly to him. "I was worried." I kissed him gently. "Is everything okay?"

Colin shook his head. "No." He admitted. "They, the investigators, were at the house with Eva. I didn't dare go there. I had to get Stan and Mark from the hangar. We got the CPU and brought it with us."

We looked as Sorin came in a little out of breath. "Thank God, you got here." He said with relief. "Those guys at the house were RIS."

I nodded. "We talked about them last night...yesterday...whatever!" I smiled at Stan and Mark. "Good to see you guys." I looked at Sorin. "Do they know about the hangar?"

"I'm sure they do." Sorin nodded. "The thing is...do they know about here? I couldn't get any answers."

Mark nodded. "If they are Romanian's version of us; we wouldn't give away what we know either."

"I think we shook any tails," Stan said and looked around. "It might take some work, but maybe I can work a bypass to get and send signals."

"Maybe later." Colin looked at the many there. "I still need to check the messages." He looked at Stan. "Is there a place outside I can get a satellite connection?"

Stan nodded. "Yes, but I'll go." He patted Colin on the arm. "You scared Devon enough today. Stay here."

"It's dangerous out there now," Colin said.

Stan grinned and tried not to look offended. "I am an FBI agent, Colin...you know...trained and all that. I'll be fine." He grabbed Mark around the waist grinning bigger than needed, bumping his head against Mark's gently. "And I won't be alone. My fiancé will be with me."

Okay, I was worried about Colin, we were in a tough situation, but this made things a lot better. "Really!?" I looked at Mark. "Who asked who?"

Mark grinned and shook his head. "He asked me!" Then pulled Stan in for a loving...longer kiss.

"Can you do that!?" Colin asked.

Mark and Stan broke apart a little and Mark frowned. "Men can marry now! You're married! You know that."

"I mean, can a couple of married agents work together?" Colin asked.

"Well..." Stan began. "That's what we wanted to talk to you about." He smiled. "Would you hire me?"

"Wait. You want to leave the FBI?" I asked.

"I'm not used that much out there." Stan justified. "Which I'm good with not being out there. I love working with Buddy. I'm not that much good doing..." he waved at the outside of the cavern, "things out there. Yes, there would be a conflict when we married for the FBI and would be reassigned." He looked up carefully. "Do you have a problem with us continuing to work together and with you? Married? I'm the best choice to..."

I grabbed Stan and hugged him tightly. "Shut up, Stan! I love having you two with us. I want you to stay forever. Why would we have a problem with you two working married?"

Colin was hugging Mark then grinned at Stan. "We told you; you are family. You're welcome with us anywhere, anytime."

"When did you ask Mark?" I smiled.

"Just before the Transylvanian Halloween event." Mark smiled. "He said it was to give me a reason to get through this...we're marrying when we get home; when this is over."

Stan nodded. "And you guys have to come. This part will be over."

"We'd be offended if we weren't invited!" Colin grinned hugging me.

"And be our best men?" Mark asked.

I bumped heads with Stan gently. "We will be! We love you two!"

That's when we heard a commotion coming from the entrance of the cavern.

"opreşte-te!" A voice ordered someone to stop as he had said it before, loudly in Romanian. I recognized the voice as one of Dragon's men that was a guard.

"La o parte din calea mea!" Another male gruff Romanian voice said irritated for the guard to get out of my way.

We all turned to see a man come in alone. He was in his middle fifties with greying hair, but kept in shape, because he looked like what I knew he was, a Romanian Intelligence Service Agent. He didn't look surprised at what he saw in the cavern. He took out what they always carry, his identification and badge. "Vasil Cojoc with RIS." He said in accented English.

"How did you get in here?" Dragon asked coming over.

"Did you follow us?" Mark asked worrying Stan and he had brought this man here.

"Well, you sent for me," Vasil said simply. He looked at Colin, "Or, at least you did." He pointed.

"I did?" Colin asked.

"And no, I didn't follow you." Vasil looked back toward the entrance cave. "Come on, Alin!"

Then a grinning Alin, the first vampire we put on the serum in Romania, meeting him that first night club Biscrica din Cornseti, came up with a shy wave but smiling.

"Alin!?" Colin smiled surprised. "We didn't know what happened to you!"

"I came in for my serum, but you were all were gone," Alin said shrugging. "That lady doctor, Dr. Petran put mine in then." He chuckled. "I traveled in the daylight all around Romania a while and have been...everywhere...and I didn't check email, but when I did! I hurried back when I got the message." He waved at Vasil. "Well, I went to him first and I was on foot so..."

"How do you know Agent Cojoc?" Sorin asked.

"In the mid-1990's he was working this case. He was a little younger than me and just starting his career in Romanian Intelligence. It was a murder he was investigating. He happened upon me while I was feeding. Knew what I was and almost killed me that night..."

Agent Cojoc interrupted, "but he was feeding on the blood of a cow. Which didn't make sense as the victim I was investigating was drained of blood. So, why was he feeding on a cow when there were isolated people nearby he could attack and probably get away?"

Alin nodded. "Anyway, I helped him with that first case and we became friends and I helped with a couple of other cases. Then I read your email and so...here I am! With my friend Vasil!"

As old friends do, they knew the other and had no problem filling gaps or continuing what the other friend was saying. "I nearly fainted when Alin came to me...in the middle of the afternoon! Broad daylight and he looked...normal!" Agent Cojoc said putting an arm around Alin's shoulder like he must have done for thirty years to his friend kissing his friend on the side of the head.

Colin walked up to Alin and there...planted a big kiss right on his lips making Alin's eyes widen, but he didn't stop it. I know, there are a lot of hugs and kisses we gave around. Who wouldn't want one? "Alin! You are an angel!"

Alin chuckled. "That kiss was not expected, but...it was pretty good for a guy." He grinned wider. "You know, I'd do anything for you guys."

"Fine," Colin said and shook his finger in Alin's face. "No more distrust. We get here and find Christian is one man we're looking for, but noooo he's not, he's another we find out is, but not and is Gaius and then another we find out is Dragon...don't do that again. All cards on the table."

Alin nodded again. "Right...that was all that...stuff with the whole...vampires are just that way."

I came up and hugged him. "I won't kiss you unless you ask for one, but it's good to see you, Alin."

Sorin walked up to Vasil and stuck his hand out. "Inspector Sorin Dulca."

Vasil shook his hand nodding. "I've heard the name." He smiled. "You're very good. Crimes you investigate are solved. Correctly."

Sorin gave a shrug and nod. "It's my job. I'm sorry, I can't say the same thing about hearing your name."

Vasil chuckled. "Don't worry about that. It's best for doing my job if you don't know my name."

Colin looked at Vasil. "You knew about the vampires?"

"I knew of vampires as a whole," Vasil said. "I was born and raised here, so naturally I knew, like most here in this country know about vampires, but don't talk about it. I took the knowledge to be like...Mos Nicolae." He leaned forward in mock conspiracy. "That's Saint Nick or Santa, if you don't know." He smiled at the Americans here. "I was shocked like anyone when I first happened on Alin. It took a minute to see he was no threat to me. He is the only one I knew personally." He walked up to Dragon. "You, I know by face. I saw the...broadcasts sent out with your face. I recognized you from the video taken when these people were attacked and you addressed them to stop from the stage." He pointed at the many around us. "They were bitten, weren't they?"

Dragon nodded. "We tried to stop the attack."

Vasil smiled. "I heard and saw." He looked at Colin. "You're doing more than working on a translation program."

Colin nodded. "Yes, but we are doing that as well."

"We're dealing with something no one's done before," I said and took Alin's arm. "As you can see, there is a treatment that gives vampires a life again." I patted Alin as evidence.

Vasil smiled. "I saw that."

"Are there others with the RIS that know about vampires?" Colin asked.

Vasil shrugged. "Again, we don't talk about it."

"I don't get it," I said. "If no one talks about it, then how does everyone seem to know about it? Eva knew by personal experience; Dr. Petran knew from a previous patient...you knew about them before meeting Alin."

"We tell stories," Vasil explained. "Usually from a parent, grandmother or grandfather who tells stories to us when we're children. For the most part, they are just stories...until you see one in the distance." He admitted as he recalled his own. "Walking home one evening just after dark and my mother was rushing...I was about...five or six...my mother was walking with me urging me to hurry. We saw a vampire that was feeding on a dog. It looked and hiss at us, then ran away. Mom just hurried us home and locked the door. Nothing about it was said much except she cautioned me to be careful." He motioned to the others. "What are your plans for these people?"

"We are trying to get everyone on the serum," I explained.

"They can't return to their regular lives," Colin said. "They have the venom. It needs treatment."

Vasil nodded. "I heard that in the broadcasts." He began doing what others did. He folded his arms over his chest, placed fingers near his mouth as he began walking with no place specifically to go and thought and gestured slightly as he spoke. "Not everyone believes in vampires, even here. There are others in the RIS that don't and won't believe anything without hard evidence. Those men at the house you rented were RIS, but not in my division. They also saw the footage of the attack and saw the face of him," he pointed at Dragon, "it will be just a matter of time before they find the other broadcasts."

Dragon nodded as Gaius came from the entrance way. I noticed a slight change in Dragon's eyes as they got softer.

"The problem is where do we take them?" I asked. "There are others in a holding cell in another part of the cavern. They were part of the group that attacked these people. They are not on the serum yet."

"We need a place to keep them," Colin said. "They can't just be released."

Vasil nodded. "Okay."

I noticed Dragon and Gaius in a quiet conversation where Gaius laughed lightly at something Dragon said and touched him lightly on his side. Yes, there was love there. You could see it in their eyes as they looked at each other. Then my smile grew as Dragon leaned closer and kissed Gaius. The cat was out of the bag, so why hide it?

"I was right." Robert, the man with Marty said. "All vampires are gay."

Dragon sighed sadly and turned to this man, gently grabbed his collar bringing him closer to his own face only an inch apart. "Listen, you...little man. I don't know how you survived..."

"I wasn't the one bitten!" The man said like that was enough.

"I mean survived in life." Dragon growled. "Whether or not my relationship with Gaius is...as you say, gay...or not should not be a concern for you. Once you've passed a century or two...a person that's always there means a hell of a lot. I can count on Gaius to always be there. Gaius and I have several centuries of life we shared. Naturally, I love this man and then I fell in love with the man." He brought the man even closer, their eyes practically touching they were close. "I'm telling you..." then his voice got that resonance. "Leave it alone!" Dragon let him go.

The man sputtered straightening his shirt. "I'll leave it alone." He said like under a spell quietly.

Mark walked up to him. "You're American."

"I am." The man said.

"What's your name?" Mark asked.

"Robert." The man said.

Mark smiled and pulled out his badge. "Mark Goddard, FBI." He said to Robert. "This is Stan Martin...also FBI." We saw the man's eyes widen. "There are two other agents with the FBI here. We are out of our jurisdiction, but...you just don't seem to get it that this situation is bigger than you worrying about what you're missing in that life you had. This is a global emergency." He began walking closer to the man who backed away. "This is not a national crisis, but an international one. There are people from many countries...England, the US, and Romania now. Now, sit down, shut up and try to see how this will affect the world...not just you!"

"But that's not fair!" The man said in a whimper.

"So?" Mark asked. "It's life. Things happen. Whether it's fair or not doesn't count. You have to deal with what happens. Now, grow up, be quiet and sit down!" Mark commanded and the man sat down.

Stan smiled bigger. "Don't you just love him!?"

I chuckled patting Stan on the arm. "Not as much as you do."

Vasil smiled as he and the others watched Mark confront Robert. He looked at Colin and me. "I can make it possible for you all to get out of the country." He held his hands up. "Not that you're not welcome, but..."

"What about them?" Colin asked. "We can't leave until they are returned to some sort of life." He brought me close to him. "The others in the holding cell, we can take to the US, there is a facility where we already have vampires holding there that aren't nice."

"We'll just have to tell them," Colin said to me looking at the others here. He looked at the man Mark had told to sit down. "He's right. This isn't fair."

I nodded. "No. It's not."

I went down to the holding cell to check on...our guests. We would leave soon and some decisions needed to be made.

"Well?" I asked Lucian who pretty much had checked out mentally. Staring at nothing, read nothing and just...sat. "What do you want to do?"

"I don't care," Lucian said sadly, but completely dejected.

I got closer to the bars. "I see that. I wish things had been different. I think we could have been friends if things had been better." I looked at the others in the cell with him. "They will go to a holding facility in the United States." I looked at Lucian more carefully. "You can go with them...or..."

"...or die," Lucian said simply.

"We can't let you out the way you are," I said. "A vampire out with no serum? Even if you just feed on cow's blood."

"Iilya's gone," Lucian said so softly I would have missed it if we weren't that close. "Nothing left now. Not even ash."

"Yes, he is gone." I nodded. "I can't tell you it will be alright and I can't say I understand. I do know he was a huge part of your life for so long...I can't advise you, but I hate for anyone to give up and die. I don't want you to die. If you choose to die, that's your decision. I will understand it, but..."

"You'd be better off if I were."

I frowned. "Why do you say that?"

"Iilya was...unlike anyone I'd ever known." Lucian said and I saw him smile at a memory. A fond one. "He was a little crazy."

"I noticed," If I was heartless, it wouldn't matter the pain I saw in those dry eyes and I knew tears would be coming if he could produce them. "You're smiling at something. Would you share it with me? Make me understand there was good in him."

Lucian looked at me and didn't say anything at first, but then I saw his face change. It took on an almost pleading look. "He was coarse and he was..." he thought of the words, "thick in the head, sometimes. When we were alone, he could be so...gentle and kind. Tender." He laughed a little. "He was big. I mean he was tall and large...handsome...he wasn't...bad, not really. There was good in Iilya at times." He said in a pitiful voice. "He could get angry with me, he could yell and break things, but...he could also be loving, he would comfort me...he could be a very violent man." He suddenly stressed to me, "but he never hit me! Never. That's why I know he loved me."

Now, I did feel a little better about this. "You need to remember those times when he was loving and kind to you." I smiled thinking about it. "You were together a long time."

Lucian nodded. "More than fifty years."

"You probably knew when he was tired or upset or just needed you. You could probably read him easily."

Lucian gave a nod. "I did. I could read him."

"Lucian, you two were married."

Lucian's eyes grew. "What? No, we never..."

"Did he know when you were upset? If you were in trouble, did you doubt he would be there?"

Lucian shook his head. "No, he was there."

"You may not have done the aisle and vows part, but you two were definitely married," I said simply. "Was he home with you when you weren't hunting?"

Lucian nodded again. "At first, I knew he was with me just to get to Dragon." Then he laughed. "At first...but when it was plain it wasn't going to work to get Iilya what he wanted...he never asked me to leave. He wanted me around."

I smiled. "He liked your company."

Lucian nodded. "He did. I liked his...when he was being nice or at least civil." He shook his head and pounded lightly on his forehead. "They really messed him up." He shouted angrily. "There were...things he...he was okay with giving me love...but he...it was hard for him to take it from me, but he would. You know what I'm talking about?"

I nodded. "Sure, Colin and I both do that, the giving and receiving. Why are you telling me this?"

"He was a good man!" He said angrily. "They took him as a child! He was just a little boy and raped him and conditioned him and tortured him to be this...killer, this monster, but he wasn't." He tapped on his chest. "Not in here. He was smart. They made him this monster before he was bitten! To kill!!"

"Okay."

Lucian got up to grab the bars. "He had dreams...vampires aren't supposed to have dreams at all as we don't have normal sleep. What he saw were memories of things they did to him. Of regrets, the good man inside despised what he had done! He was a good man they turned into that thing!"

"You knew him," I said.

"No one else could."

I had tears. "You're making me care about him."

"I want you to know he was a good man! He couldn't help it! They made him the ways he was!!"

Walking closer, I reached out and touched Lucian's hand. Was that dangerous? It could have been, but I didn't think he'd try anything. "I believe you, Lucian. Iilya was a good man some bad people used. Just like Repetate and Iustina...those two vampires that lived in this cage...he, like them, was made to be what he was. I do believe you." I said sincerely. "I believe you and I know you love him. I get that. Yet, what he did...what you did...understand..." now I was crying, "he shot my Colin. He wanted to deny me my chance for fifty years with the man I love. I couldn't let that happen. I did not want to shoot anybody. I had no choice, he had to be stopped." I looked in his eyes. "I can't even fathom what you feel right now. I really don't want you to die, Lucian. Really, I don't. Hear me, believe me. Don't die! I hurt...for you." I said as another tear came down my face unchecked. "No, I can't know your pain, but I can see it on your whole body." I wiped my face and sniffed. "Colin says I love everyone. He's right, I do. What you did, for whatever reasons...you will be held a while until you can be trusted." I shrugged. "You know you have the time. Please, don't choose to die. I do care about you. In time, I might like you enough to call you a friend. Can you give me a few decades to find out? Tell me about Iilya. He sounds very complicated, but you knew him. Through you, I can know the man you knew, even just a little. Please?"

Lucian wasn't quick to respond and I could only guess he must be feeling numb. I would.

"If I don't hear you want to end your own life...we will plan to move you to the United States. You will be on the serum. It will hurt."

Lucian nodded.

I had to stop to collect myself and wash my face. Poor Iilya. Poor Lucian!! If I lost Colin, I'd want to die. I had no doubt about that. I would die.

I went back to join the people in our group about to do Colin's favorite thing. Eat. Okay, his it was his second favorite thing; eating. You know the first thing. It was my favorite thing, too. Colin looked up and smiled instantly as I walked up and he waved for me to sit by him telling Mark to make room. I looked across the table as Wayne and Amasis were sitting together, but seemed to be enjoying their own conversation. What I really liked was the fact that Amasis was...more at ease with Wayne than I saw him with his wife! He wasn't a god now. The pressure was off. He wasn't approaching Wayne as a god. He was just a man sharing a meal with someone he really liked. I was sitting between Colin and Mark. Stan was having an animated conversation with my mother on Stan's other side. Willie and Alex were talking. Sorin, Vasil, and Alin were at the table talking. For what had just happened with Lucian, I felt this feeling very content, happy and...here, with him and the others at the table.

"What's going through your mind?" Colin asked cautiously moving his head back a little, not certain how to take...whatever expression was on my face.

I chuckled at him, pulling Colin close, kissing him. "See what you did." I waved at them at the table.

Colin looked but shook his head not understanding what he should see. "What?"

"All these people are here, because of you," I said. "I know this has been a tough battle to get here. A few years ago, all I wanted was a job! I get you! You bring me in. Then Gabriella. You bring us together with George and Willie." I smiled at the many faces. "I feel...at home and yet we're thousands of miles away from home!" I grabbed Mark's hand causing him to look at me questioning, he smiled and then Mark squeezed back. "I love every single person at this table! I'm sure I'll be including you, Vasil soon. I like you now a lot." Vasil grinned and nodded. "I'm just...relishing in that realization. It just feels...so good." I shrugged. "Because of you."

Colin smiled as he looked around the table, but shook his head. "I disagree. They are here, because of us. Wayne's here because of you and what you did. You insisted we get Willie out of that abandoned subway. Amasis is here because of you." Which I was going to argue. "No, you were the one to talk to him to get him to understand what he really is. I didn't do this alone." He motioned between the two of us. "We did it. We are a family."

"Wait! I've got it! We simply tell them the truth!" Vasil said suddenly at the table from a conversation he was having with Sorin.

"About us and them being vampires!?" Gabriella balked.

Vasil shook his head. "One of the things Dragon said in his broadcast is...you are not cursed. What you have is a medical condition." He shrugged. "That's what we say. There was an attack. The..." he did the air quotes, "attackers used a virus or something potentially deadly and would be deadly for others if they returned home...so they were all quarantined! Held for treatment until we got it under some control."

"What will we say it is?" Stan asked. "Doctors in their home countries will want to know what it is."

Vasil frowned, but there was a light in his eyes. "Do I have to think of everything?" He chuckled. "You're the genius, look something up on that computer wonder you call Buddy!"

"We'd need to be able to back it up," I said.

Colin nodded. "Medical backing...what about Dr. Jolene Hathaway in England? She works with MI5." Colin said looking at Wayne. "You remember her?"

Wayne nodded smiling. "I don't think she was ever scared of me."

"We have three great medical minds...Dr. Petran here, Dr. Hathaway from England and George!" Colin smiled. "Somebody has to come up with something that will work!"

"With backing from some people in the government positions, it will work!" I nodded happily.

As the meal was ending, I looked over to the table with Marty and Robert. They really weren't talking at all, but they sat together eating quietly. I sighed at them. I spoke often with many victims of the attack. I explained why we were doing what we had to do and most...were naturally upset, even angry, but they understood. I felt Colin press against me more beside me and his voice softly right in my ear.

"Why don't you talk to them?"

"I have," I said as just quietly. "They know what's going on."

Colin nodded. "Okay. Then why don't you go over, talk and listen to them?"

I shrugged. "I will...after dinner." I turned to face him more. "I love you, Colin."

His smile was there and just grew a little. "I know." He kissed me gently. "I love you."

"I know."

It was after dinner that I did walk over to the two friends sitting on the floor, but again, not really talking. Robert looked up and his face frowned.

"I'm not doing anything." He defended quietly, but sourly.

I sat down next to them. "Yes, you are." I smiled at them. "You're not engaging in anything...no talking or even trying."

Robert looked at me surprised. "What?"

"You two are friends?" I asked.

Marty nodded. "We were." He emphasized the past tense of the word more prominently as he looked at Robert a little sadly.

"Tell me about yourselves," I said. "Tell me how you met."

"We were both students at UCLA," Robert replied and looked at Marty. "We were roommates for the last two years. We just graduated in June of this year."

"Robert and I weren't allowed like some kids do, to travel Europe after high school after graduating...you know...they spend a year traveling? So, we used some money we got after graduation to come to Europe to travel afterward." Marty said.

"Sure." I smiled nodding. "That's a good plan. You became roommates by choice?"

"We chose to be the last year." Marty nodded. "We got along and yes...we are friends."

"Look, I am not gay!" Robert defended again.

"Well, that's a shame," I grinned, "but you are friends," I said to Robert. "Who you have sex with isn't anyone's business except for you and that other person. I get the feeling you two are becoming distant from each other." I sighed. "You were right, Robert. What happened is not fair. It should never have happened...but it did." I pointed at Marty. "You're not blaming him, are you? He didn't want this."

Robert looked at his friend. "No." But his voice wasn't as sure about his answer. He did blame Marty a little.

"This has been very upsetting. You both have lives. You want to go back to that life. I understand that. Please see, we're doing everything we can to get you back that life...or any life." I pleaded. "You want to go home," I said to Robert. "At home, everything will be fine, right? Only, going home won't change what happened." I smiled at Robert. "It won't erase what happened. Robert, you're here because you were there. You saw. Now, you know about us. You know about Marty. We're coming up with a plan to get you home. I promise. There are people in higher offices that know the truth and will help you. We will help you."

Marty nodded. "You're a vampire." He said what he felt from me.

I nodded. "I am, just like you are now." I grinned at Robert. "My father..." I pointed to Willie, "is a vampire and is not gay. Alex, my son-in-law is not gay. My mother and daughter are not gay. Not everyone that becomes a vampire is gay. It's just different with us. I don't know why, but it is."

Robert nodded with a grin. "You have to admit, there are a lot that are gay."

I shrugged. "At least the people involved are of age and the same species. We're all human. Just...don't blame Marty. He didn't do this. It was done to him. Don't lose hope or your friendship. You're both alive and you will get home. Do what you have to, keep your friendship going. Don't lose that. What were you planning to do in life?"

Robert looked surprised at the question. "Become part of one of those Fortune 500 companies."

Marty chuckled. "Come on, Robert..." Marty looked at me, "he gets these erotic dreams about becoming this mega-CEO of a big company."

"Really?" I grinned. "Well, do you know who Colin Wentworth is?"

"Not really. I know he's rich." Robert said.

I nodded. "How about a company that has gone global and we're talking about revenue in the billions and growing?" I patted Robert's arm. "Instead of looking at what you lost, see what's in front of you." I waved at Colin. "We need people and we can use smart people to keep the VUN going."

"The VUN?" Marty asked. "What's that?"

I chuckled. "It's a name I gave us. The Vampire United Nations. There are opportunities if you stay with us. We will help you and we can. Just be patient." I said. "You'll be home soon."

I smiled as Robert was no longer anxious or sullen. His face held hope for some unknown possibilities.

Going back to my family, I was pleased to see Dragon and Gaius had joined us.

"How are they?" Colin asked as he looked and saw Robert and Marty were now talking. Behaving like friends again as Robert began to practically cackle and shook his head at something Marty said.

I chuckled. "They'll be fine. Robert's problem was...he was scared. This has been way outside of things Robert was able to deal with."

Colin leaned in kissing me. "I knew you could help. You do have an almost magical way with words." He pressed his forehead against mine. "I guess you've spoken with Lucian."

"Yes." I nodded sighing. "This situation with him and Iilya were more complicated than I thought. Lucian is bound and determined to let me know Iilya was a good man."

Colin's eyes widened as his head went back a little. "You're kidding."

"No," I said nodding. "Lucian told me Iilya is just like the Old Ones. He was made what he was. Lucian was in love with Iilya and saw value in that man. Lucian told me things that say just that." I gave a grudging nod. "And it's working. Iilya was capable of being a nice man. Iilya did love Lucian."

Colin nodded. "You told me there was more with Iilya before Lucian told you those things."

I nodded, but...looking in Colin's eyes...those beautiful emerald, green eyes. Words can't convey how I felt for Colin. Silently we communicated and Colin was getting the message as he began smiling softer. My message was sent and he sent his reply.

"Excuse us," Colin said quickly getting up, but pulling me up with him. "We'll...be back...sometime."

There was a chuckle from the other who knew why we were leaving.

Getting back to the room, Colin began to undress quickly as I did. I stopped him and pulled him into a deep, consuming...tried to inhale and bring all of him into me type of kiss. Hands were everywhere, touching, kissing full of desire and just raw lust. It was love! We couldn't get enough of each other. Now, Colin and I did our favorite thing. We connected again. I loved touching Colin and him touching me! Passion was again at full throttle, explosive and urgent. There was nothing in the entire universe was more perfect than two human beings touching like this. I don't know how long it was. It was almost one long...intense orgasmic blur. It was LOVE!!!

No, I can't tell you how long, but with one last grunt, I came again at last in Colin, who was gripping me close using his arms and legs. I felt him cum again with a quick gluteal "AAAHH!" between us between our stomachs. I collapsed on him as we both were glistening with sweat and breathing hard...trying to steady our breaths and heart rates.

"I..." I panted, "love you..." I quickly inhaled, "Colin."

Colin nodded but was still gasping. Just slowing down his heart. "I know." He said pulling me...as if he needed to...we were as close as we could possibly get. "I love..." he said, "you, Devon." He said bringing me in for a kiss. Not the rushed, urgent...got to get it now kind we started with, but slow...still a little consuming, but it was love. Telling the other thank you and how much we meant to each other. He squeezed me to him more.

"I know," I said.