Blueblood

Story: Blueblood: V5H Exposed

Chapter 2 Bombshell

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

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story ends and all the others! That would be a crime!

George gathers the greatest minds to tell about the V5H. Colin and Devon step out as vampires. There are the expected and unexpected consequences. Those consequences are dealt with.

Bombshell

We spent time with Vlad and Gaius, but they also spent time with Nicolae, Helga, and their children. They were also family, but their family. We did show Vlad and Gaius more of Manhattan. Time Square was...well that was a busy part of Manhattan! All of Manhattan was busy, but here!? It was a bit much for them. I understood bustle more after seeing it the first time. We'd taken them before shopping and even to Central Park. Vlad and Gaius watched as the many cars that went by and the seemingly endless scores of people!

"All these people!" Gaius said. "I'd been to what I thought were big cities before, but this is just so much!"

"It takes some getting used to," Colin nodded. "You should see it from below." His eyebrows danced when he said that. "There's a whole other world down below."

"Below?" Vlad asked looking down at the sidewalk. "There's more city below ground!?"

"He lived down there for...what was it...the early 1900s till the later part of 1980s? Sixty to seventy years." I asked Colin.

"Thereabouts," Colin admitted. "That's why I came here. There are numbers of tunnels with trains and other things...it was the perfect place for a vampire during the day. I met George and Willie down there. Most all of the vampires in New York are down there now."

"You try to help them, too?" Gaius asked.

"We try to," Colin sadly admitted. "If they cooperate." He looked at Vlad. "All the vampires I saw in Transylvania were like us. Were there vampires that didn't or couldn't speak?"

Vlad nodded. "There were. We had to kill them."

Colin nodded. "We do that here as well. We call those wild vampires. A lot of times, it comes down to a judgment call...from me." He sighed. "Some retain their ability to speak, but...we had one attack Mark. He could still speak but preyed on people. Those we kill as well. We don't have a choice."

Vlad nodded putting an understanding hand on Colin's shoulder. "I know it is, believe me." He looked at the ground. "I see I'm not the only ones that live in caves."

The days then became...well, boring. We were used to a more frantic schedule. A couple of days doing nothing...you could see it in Colin. It took a while for him to not get restless. It was just a few days until Thanksgiving and we were having Thanksgiving here. Mom insisted on cooking and then Gabriella was volunteering to help and then Shelly and then...wait for it...Mark! He made killer pies! Okay, no one died from eating them, but they were sinfully delicious. Who knew? Our little apartment that I thought was a little too big...it did become crowded. We weren't allowed to help but told we could clean up later. Yeah? So, Alex, Willie, Amir, Stan, Amasis, Wayne, Vlad, and Gaius were now in our apartment. It was crowded. When the doorbell rang, I was greeting Nicolae, Helga and their three children arrived. It was crowded. We had chairs, but...Amir, Amasis, Wayne...there were some who didn't really get the whole holiday, yet. It wasn't their holiday. Helga insisted on helping. Now there was a lot of chaos. The thing was...I couldn't help smiling!

"What?" Colin asked grinning at me from his place beside me on the couch.

"This is great!" I waved at everyone. "They are all in one way or another...family!"

Colin grinned a little more. "You're right, but we should have gone to Wentworth Manor."

"It will be fine. We can do that for Christmas." I smiled at him bringing him in for a quick kiss. "Relax."

"Christmas! Yes! Rudolph!" Stan said happily having heard me mention Christmas.

"Who?" Gaius asked as he pulled Jan who cackled into his grandfather's lap.

"Every year, he watches the same shows," Colin explained mockingly sour. At least I think it was mocking.

"It's a tradition!" I defended. "Does that bother you?" I asked challenging him to say it did bother him.

Colin smiled kissing me again. "Of course not, it just adds to your charm."

That's when the doorbell rang again!!! I got up insisting everyone remain where they were and got the door.

"George!!" I greeted hugging the man. "John!!" I hugged Burke as well.

John looked at the crowd. "Colin invited us, but where do we sit?"

I pulled them both in. "You can be part of the holiday chaos! You've both family and have to be here! We'll make room!"

I was really happy! This was new for me! There had just been Mom and me for a while after Dad died. Then Colin entered my life and then Gabriella joined us and from there grew to twenty plus!! Brothers were squabbling with their sister, conversations were going around and adding a hum of voices as at last the turkey came out and ham to be served at the table...or counter as we ran out of room at the table! Mark was finishing touches on his pies! He made ten! Various chocolate pies, apple, and pumpkin! Stan was trying not to bother him, but Mark just grinned at him and kept going egging Stan on bringing him into a conversation with him.

I couldn't stop smiling at them all.

Colin did the tap of his spoon on his glass, stood and all conversations stopped. "My dear, dear friends." He said standing, leaning over, and kissed me, then turned to everyone. "My husband is about to burst! He sees what I do here. We came together as victims. We, thanks to an absolutely brilliant man fighting this." He smiled at George. "We all owe you any life we have at all to you, George." He grinned as George was shaking his head, but smiling as Burke was shaking George telling him yes. "George...my friend for decades...I love like...almost no other man..." he looked at me. "Except, of course, for you, Devon." He shook his head. "Then again, I owe that to George, too. I never would have found you if not for what George did. None of you would have found the other if not for George." Colin chuckled but got very serious. "George, I can't tell you how much you mean to us...how much you mean to me." Colin was now doing what no vampire could do if not on the serum, emotion in his voice and tears formed in his eyes. "We owe you...I owe you everything. Other than Willie, you were one of the first real friends I had. We've gone through a lot together. You and I are more than friends, even more than family if I can think of what that could be. I really do...love you...George."

George was getting red in his eyes and I saw the moisture there, but he was shaking his head. "Thank you, but...I think we owe you, Colin."

"Me? Why?" Colin asked genuinely surprised.

George got up and walked to Colin. "Even as a vampire, you faced every issue head-on. You didn't cower as we did..." George bowed his head a little and added, "as I did. You traveled a thousand miles to come here...as a vampire! I don't know very many that could do that. Alone! I was too afraid to step out at all. I would still be in that subway tunnel afraid to come out at all...until I had a cure. You never gave up! I'm good with science...you brought in the FBI, you took this to England and Romania!"

"I was shaking in my boots!" Colin confessed.

"But never let that stop you!" George said. "And in business!? We're worth billions because of you!"

I rose from beside Colin taking his hand. "Suffice it to say...we all..." I waved at the others at the table, "owe everything...to both of you."

Colin smiled as George and Colin hugged each other. There was applause! Right there at the table.

Colin turned to everyone again. "My point originally was this...we throw the word family around a lot. Yet, here, it's true. Everyone here is here because you are our family." He smiled more, but at what he was thinking. "Thanksgiving was started back in 1789, a day of thanksgiving and prayer was set aside by George Washington and in 1863 by Benjamin Franklin. Some of our newest members predate that." He said looking at Burke, Vlad, Gaius and then Amasis. "I watched my husband and he was going to rupture something if we don't just say it. This is the day we give thanks. I give thanks to each and every one of you. We are a family. I thank each of you. I love..." he looked at me and squeezed my hand. "We love each one of you."

Mark stood up. "I propose a toast, using what we all have...a toast to everyone here. We are a family. To us. Thanking for the past that brought us together, for love that kept us together and for our future. Here's to many more years."

The merriment continued for hours! A lot of laughter and a lot of love.

It was only fair. One group cooked and the other cleaned up. It was as we were cleaning, Colin looked at me.

"How about we take off Monday?" Colin began as he helped put more dishes in the washer. It was our second load. We had a lot to eat! There were a lot of pots, pans and other things used to make what we ate. "I checked with the gentleman we rented from last time, but he's booked up for the next few months. I was thinking we could go somewhere else." He smiled at me. "Just you and me...alone?"

I smiled as I put something else in the washer. "You know I'd go anywhere with you, Colin."

Colin chuckled. "Yes, I do, but you suggest what you want. We'll do it."

"I don't care," I said bringing him in for a kiss, gentle, but hopefully felt with as much love as I had for Colin. "As long as you're there."

"I will be." He assured me giving me an embrace, close letting me know how important I was to him, which I had no doubt.

It was advised that everyone take this time to...reconnect with each other as Colin and I were going to do. Vlad and Gaius were staying in New York, for now, to continue bonding Nicolae's wife and family with Vlad. This time, Colin included me with the picking and choosing as went through possibilities in our room on the computer. Winter was here, so we had to go to the tropics.

Colin grinned as he chose an isolated area with a beach. What we loved. No one around and just us. "And no talk about vampires." Colin cautioned.

I slid my arms around him from behind as he sat at the computer. My hands went over his chest as I kissed his neck. "A warm tropical island and a naked you."

Colin groaned as what I was doing was sending sensations through him. "What you do to me." He said in a near whisper. "We can't have the warm tropics yet, but..." he suddenly got up pulling me to him. "Naked. We can do!" He grinned as he quickly pulled my sweater off and tackled me, right there on the floor.

In the next hour, we somehow made it to the bed for one of those wham whir, thank you, sir...sex moments. I chuckled as we were breathing hard as we both finished, enjoying that wonderful moment in an afterglow. Rolling so he was on top again, my hands came to those familiar places on Colin running fingers through his chest hair and I felt his hands on my places. "My GOD! I do so love you!!"

He laughed. "Yes! I know you do! You know I love you!"

I kissed him as my fingers went through his hair. "Not one doubt about that," I said confidently kissing him again.

Yes, everyone did take time for themselves...to see other families. Wayne and Amasis went to Scotland to see Wayne's daughter and his son-in-law and grandchildren. Shelly took Amir to where her sister lived to visit with her. Chuck went to visit his parents. He was one of the last one in our group without anyone. Was it by choice? Those people were rare, but...he was attractive and still young.

Colin and I did fly to the Caribbean and did stay for two weeks. Shedding clothes when we got there. Putting them on when supply runs were done, made love many, many times and then returned to Manhattan. Spent a few days there and then flew everyone to Charleston. Vlad had Jan's hand as we walked into the house. Jan was taking a real liking to what was going to be his new grandpa. He walked into our home at Wentworth Manor and did what everyone did, the slow circle at the cross-point downstairs.

Helga had Nicolae's hand and almost whispered. "Ce bunic!"

We didn't use the translators much now, so Vlad smiled at my puzzled face. "Such grandeur." He translated. "She's right. I would still be in Romania if I had this there."

"You had a castle!!" I shot at him. "I saw it!"

Vlad nodded, "An often cold and drafty castle. Yes, I did."

Now our home was being decorated for Christmas. Once again, the house was full of noise! I loved it! Once again, we had to explain the meanings of things to those that didn't know, which I did a lot by showing them my holiday traditions. We had a Christmas party and invited Mitch, David, Sasha, and Alik. Mitch could meet Vlad, Gaius and the rest and see what his wonderful outcome he had helped us do. Sasha and David knew what they were as Mitch said he never lied to them or kept things from them, but was just stared for a few minutes to see if they could see what our new friends were.

The New Year began and now...Colin, George and I made plans at our home, Colin with his Death Wish Coffee and George and me with our Lattes.

"So, you have a list of names," Colin said to George. "You think they'll come?"

George gave a shrugging nod. "Unless they have conflicts schedule-wise." He did shrug then. "We're basically offering a free vacation...a working vacation, but yes. They will come."

"We need to plan how this is going to go." Colin sighed. "I don't want any unnecessary risks."

George nodded. "Me, either."

The invitation went to many countries. The fact was, we knew some would not attend...just because of their schedules. The ones coming were prominent names in medicine. There were replies from Houston, the Texas Medical Center; Singapore, Parkway Medical Center; Bangkok, Bumrungrad Medical Center; Paris, American Hospital...in France!? (It was started by Americans, I was told): Rochester, the Mayo Clinic; London, the London Clinic; Mexico City, Centro Medico ABC; Zurich, Klinik Hirlanden; Hong Kong, Matilda Medical Centre; Sydney, Prince of Wales Hospital. But they were coming!

Standing off in another room waiting for this to start, George seemed to be fighting the venom in him...then again, he might just have stage fright. He'd presented before, but these were doctors...scientists really were top names in various things, but the most were those that dealt with diseases of the blood. They were geniuses. The ones from Sydney, Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong were traveling the farthest, but they hadn't paid for the trip, so what the hell? Why wouldn't they come? As the day finally came, George was frantically going over what he had. He had a huge monitor...school blackboard sized set up to show his findings. We arranged one of the rooms we used to observe vampires in when they first arrived, but this room had these theatre type of seating so the guests could see what George was presenting. The reason was also...to show them Repetate and Iustina in their room with the glass we could see through, but Repetate and Iustina couldn't.

George is a very handsome man. The red hair wasn't orange, remember? But red, and he had a redder complexion that was just handsome! He was dressed in a nice dark blue suit that fit well and his hair was combed and well groomed. He was going through...were those index cards!? Who used those anymore? We had those pads or tablets he could put notes on. I looked at him as John watched him pace. The blond man was leaner but as tall. His blond hair was thick and I would prefer it cut in a week or so more, but it wasn't Colin's or my head of hair. It was also well groomed. He wore a light blue suit and just as handsome. I'd had seen the two at the pool without shirts, and once more of George as he showed he was red in his pubes too, remember? The communal baths in Amasis' City? I saw it all! George was...broader and he was in good shape standing over six feet. John was...he had the musculature; it was just more toned to George's broadness. George looked like he would be at home in the Scottish Highlands or Ireland, while John looked more...German? Who knew what their backgrounds were? I'd studied body types in school to be a medic. George was a Mesomorph, broader. John was Ectomorph, more slender with longer leaner muscles Their last names suggested that should be reversed, but what do I know? John knew George pretty well and let him fret.

"George." I finally said as I watched him sort through his cards. "You know this stuff. Index cards!?"

George looked up puzzled a moment, looked at the cards and shrugged. "In case I lose my place or train of thought," He explained, but I saw John roll his eyes at that notion.

"Really?" I asked. "This is very important. Is that the problem?"

George waved at the list. "These people make anyone belonging the Mensa look like babbling idiots!" He said with uncertainty in his voice.

I knew about those people, Mensa members had IQs over 150 and all classified as geniuses. I had no doubt their IQs were much higher. "To which you could teach a class to any of them. You are brilliant!" I waved at his list. "And I mean teach these people. You're the smartest man I know...or even heard of. Einstein would be a simpleton next to you." I said proudly. "At least you remember to comb your hair!" I added with a chuckle.

George looked surprised at me as he wasn't processing what I said. "What? I never heard..." then he grinned as he understood, "he didn't do that!"

I grinned. "From what I've seen in pictures, he did." I said. "He usually looked like he got his finger in a wall outlet or touched a live wire...and those eyebrows! Oy!!" I did my fingers at my eyebrows spread wide. His eyes widened, maybe because I kvetched. "You, on the other hand, are well adjusted and..." I nodded, "...a very good looking man! You could be a centerfold in one of those science journals..."

George seemed to be relaxing as he chuckled. "Thank you." He nodded coming and hugging me. "I needed that."

I smiled at him running my hand up pretending to straighten his lapel. "I wasn't kidding. I wasn't just trying to make you feel better, I mean it." I said looking in his eyes. "You've got this," I assured. "Don't worry." I started to walk out to find my husband but turned back as I kept walking out, backward, but going. "I wasn't kidding about the centerfold either. Naked, of course!" I shrugged. "I'd buy a copy." I grinned at John who was laughing. "You see all of it up close!"

John nodded and stood next to George. "Yes, I do." He said getting close to George. "You'll be fine. Relax." He kissed him gently making George relax more and nod.

Now there were guests in Holms' Laboratories. Some of the two dozen visitors were not alone so we had a good turnout. They came with their wives or husbands.... colleagues...whatever. There were Asian people, two men were speaking French. Three men that were darker in complexion and clearly Latino and the rest were mixtures of men and women. There had been a reception area set up to greet the guests with a punch, and the punch was more than Kool-Aid, ice cream and ginger ale or something. One punch contained Champagne. We did have some punch that wasn't alcoholic. Just in case. There were nice little things to nibble on...including caviar, sour cream, and crackers. Some did have what I thought of as the Einstein look. Some were so caught up in their thoughts that proper grooming or even dress was not considered important. They ranged from their mid-thirties to mid-sixties. A few, I wondered about, as in they forgot to eat as Stan did sometimes, but Mark was there to remind him to do that. Most would not have attracted me at all. Not because they were what I considered geeks or what some called nerds...I've seen some attractive geeks and nerds. There were others that looked fine...even attractive, but no one could outshine Colin for me. Here I go again, just bear with it, but there was no human being that was more beautiful to me. I knew every inch of that man. He was just breathtaking to me. I'd seen everything on him up close and bare, but...they say clothes make the man. The black suit, white shirt, and red tie...I was having to school my thoughts. Physically he was my favorite Mesomorph and my favorite human being. I knew he also had a just as beautiful a soul. I left George for John to take care of him. Walking over to Colin he was looking at the gathering geniuses but saw me come over, smiling warmly at me.

"Are you still doing this with me?" He asked.

"Are we still one?" I asked simply.

He leaned in kissing me. "Yes, we are."

"Then, I don't need to answer that question," I said shrugging.

Vlad and Gaius walked up. "There are a lot of people here for this," Vlad said. "To listen to George?"

"He's one of these geniuses." I looked back as John was still talking with George who was nodding at whatever John was saying...sort of. "George is just a little nervous."

Vlad looked at George. "Really?" He grinned taking Gaius' hand, kissed the hand and squeezed it quickly. "Be right back." He walked over to George, leaned in and said something to him in his ear. Slapping George lightly on the back Vlad walked back to us. I noticed George's anxious look...vanish. He handed John the index cards and walked out to tell everyone to come to the viewing room.

"What did you do?" I whispered to Vlad.

"I just said, be confident." Vlad shrugged taking Gaius' hand again.

"Said? Or suggested?" I grinned.

"Is there a difference?" Vlad smiled back.

"You start teaching us how to do that Monday," Colin said nodding seeing our friend go out and begin the announcements.

"Welcome to Holm's Laboratories. My name is Dr. George Holm." George said. "I sent the invitations to you to come here to see some cutting developments in dealing with disorders of the blood. I have communicated with many of you over the years by email and even by phone."

And so, it began. I wasn't a doctor or a scientist, so things he began talking about things way out of my territory. Treatments for Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassemia. He started talking about blood disorders and genetics...phenotypic traits, centromeres, and improved treatments, which George had developed. Thalassemia, also known as Mediterranean Anemia and the need for blood transfusions...I couldn't follow it after a few minutes, but these people seemed to be following just fine! They were even impressed with the treatments he had begun. However, I did notice the display on the giant monitor change. What was up there now, I knew.

"...I have been working to find a way to deal with this. It is the reason you were brought here. This is something...I have come across..." George said looking at the screen. "This is what's being called by the few that know of it as V5H. Five parts V to one part hemoglobin. Thus, the name V5H." Now there were reactions from his visitors who recognized the blood cell...sort of, but the hemoglobin was just...wrong. George told us it was, otherwise, I wouldn't know what it was. This V5H conformed in a way they had never seen. There were questions to George, each other and just looking at the blackish sludge to figure out what they were seeing. "This is a sample of blood that is V5H. What is in the blood makes the blood become the V5H." He touched the remote in his hand and the image of that white-greenish-yellow venom was seen. I knew it was either Repetate's or Iustina's venom. "This is what makes the blood V5H." Now George was getting questions or the origin and others, George held his hands up to stop them. "I'm going to show you all I know." He started walking as he spoke. "I've known about this V5H for..." he was about to say how long, but he looked up and saw Colin shake his head. "I've known a while. What I learned is this is not a naturally occurring phenomenon. It is...a type of venom like that of a snake. That is the V." Again, there were questions being asked and again George waved for them to stop again. "This is not new. It's been around for thousands of years. This..." he pointed to the screen again and the black sludge reappeared, "Was in the system of a man I treated. The venom made him...the venom reorganizes the DNA. Making the man become the producer of his own V5H." He looked at Colin who now nodded, "simply put, he is a vampire." Now they were all speaking, some demanding a more plausible explanation, but a few were looking with their interests piqued. "I will show you my findings. As I said, this has been around for thousands of years." He used the remote control again and the image changed to that of Repetate and Iustina, sitting on the floor watching cartoons.

One of the French doctors said. "Impossible. C'est du fantasme!"

A woman there told her male friend beside her. "Det är svårt att tro." Swedish?

"Does the Delkenzie program work on languages from Asia?" I whispered to Colin.

"Did you bring a translator?" Colin asked me.

"No."

"Then you'll wait to find out." He said simply.

I looked at the monitor. Repetate and Iustina were right next door. We rigged it so our guests didn't see them at first. "We have a problem," I said to Colin cautiously and pointed to the screen where Iustina and Repetate were no longer watching cartoons, but sniffing the air. "Those damned powerful vampire senses. There are so many here with desired blood, it's getting through the filters." I patted Colin's arm. "They made need me." I waved at Repetate and Iustina, not the guests.

"Wait," Colin said carefully. "They are contained. They can't get out."

"They're getting agitated, Colin!" I waved to the room they were in. "They can be incredibly strong, but someone needs to be in there to help stop them if necessary."

Colin nodded. "We have the Old Ones here to make an impact. I'd say they are about to."

Even these geniuses were having trouble accepting what was in front of their eyes...on a screen. I heard some say these were actors in makeup, another said these were altered men for some reason. One said it was just a trick!

"Why? Why would I do this just to trick you? Don't insult my intelligence...or your own!" George loudly stated. "In every single culture, there are stories...legends and myths about some...blood sucking creatures. There are the Striges in Greece, Vetalas in India, Moroi in Romania, many in Africa to Jiang Shi in Asia!" He defended loud now. "All have one thing in common." He waved at Repetate and Iustina on the screen. "These things suck blood!" He hit his remote again. "These are creatures with very unique physiology! Containing almost no intestines..." the image of a scan done I had never seen and there was a little bit of intestine descending from a little stomach. There were highlighted parts as George went on the talk. "They have no anus. No bowels or large intestine at all. The sexual organs are simply not there. No scrotum or testicles." The close-up image of Repetate's penis was shown.

"How do they reproduce?" A woman asked.

"They bite," George explained. "They reproduce by venom. They once numbered in the hundreds...maybe a thousand or more...few thousand years ago."

"You have some right there!" A man said with an Australian, New Zealand or whatever accent. "They had to come from somewhere!"

George nodded. "These two were created thousands of years ago. They don't die."

"That is impossible!" A woman stated. "Everything dies."

"They can be killed, yes, but they will not die of natural causes," George explained. "We know of two in England, one was gotten from Egypt and these two were found in East Europe." He went on to explain the "generations" of vampires, the two having bitten people, who bit people and so on. "That's how they reproduce." He turned as Repetate and Iustina were now hissing and showing their open mouths with the four fangs: the long ones toward the center, one on each side shorter and two below. The fangs were large and white, looking for this sensation...this smell...blood. The cartoons on the screen with them were forgotten.

"Colin!" I shook my husband quickly. "They are in trouble!"

"Those doctors are fine," Colin said.

"Not them," I said waving at the collection of medical minds. "Repetate and Iustina!" I looked at my husband. "These men will see we're vampires...because those two won't attack me."

Vlad who was watching with us. "I should go, too."

I shook my head. "No. If they see you with them, they'll know you're a vampire, too. Repetate and Iustina trust me."

George hit another button as the lights in this room he had been showing these doctors Repetate and Iustina went dim. The large monitor screen was slid aside as the monitor had stood before, blocking a large dark glass. George went to a wall panel, touched another button and the glass became clear...from our side. Now, they could see Repetate and Iustina. There were good 3D screens, but this was showing the real Repetate and Iustina, seeking blood. Now, these brilliant minds were all physically backing away from this window with gasps.

I rushed past everyone and went in the hall where I could now hear the hissing from behind the door as two of our guards had joined the other two posted there, but looking like they weren't sure what to do. I saw the four bags of blood one guard had. "Let me have those, please. Open the door, let me in and then shut and lock it."

"They are like I've never heard them before." One of the guards said to me.

"I know," I said nodding. "They trust me. They wouldn't attack me." Then I thought, I hope. "Okay, let me in." They quickly unlocked the door and I moved quickly in as Repetate and Iustina were ready to charge the door. I held up my hands to them. "No!" They stopped and their desire for the blood was lessened a little as their friendship with me caused them to look at me puzzled. "It's okay," I said smiling at them. "I have something you want." I held the bags up.

"...they aren't attacking him!" I now heard as someone in the room with the doctors had turned on the microphone and speakers so I could hear them.

"There's a reason for that," George said.

"That's my husband, Devon Wentworth." I heard Colin's voice. "They won't attack him...because he is a vampire already. Just like I am."

"I don't believe it," A male voice said with a distinct Asian sound.

"What more proof do you need?" George shouted. "If I let you in there to see for yourself, they will attack you! That incident in Transylvania was part of this. There are others out there...like Colin and Devon that are being treated because they are vampires! Use your minds! Don't fall back on old superstitions and legends. There are thousands of vampires out in the world. Victims that need help! Your help! I have a serum that treats these victims, but I can't reach them all."

"I refuse to be a part of this." A man said.

"Really, Alan." A woman said a little disgusted. "Just listen to Dr. Holms. He knows more than we do."

"Thank you," George said.

"Colin," I said to the air as Repetate and Iustina got closer to me, but were calmer.

"Yes, Babe?"

"Could you take our guests...to another floor?" I asked as Repetate and Iustina did their greeting to me, rubbing against my chest and shoulder. They weren't their usual selves in greeting me, but taking the blood I offered them. "I think we've made our point."

"We're on it," George told me.

It didn't take too long before Repetate and Iustina calmed down. I could no longer hear the others, so I took that to mean that the doctors were taken somewhere else. A few minutes later the door opened again and Vlad and Gaius walked in.

"Don't worry," Vlad said greeting Repetate and Iustina. "That magic window is off and they are downstairs now." He smiled at me. "I think they want to see you. We'll stay with them."

Now Repetate and Iustina knew the kiss on the cheek and even expected it now. I looked at them and I swore again. "I'll be back."

The doctors and scientists were taken down to Vamps. The restaurant was open, but there was an area set aside for them. I noticed there was a crowd now surrounding George and Colin as they were being questioned. I smiled more as Colin looked up and saw me. The look of gratitude in his eyes and a plead that was unvoiced as he held his hand out for me. Not quite a help me supplication, but I got it.

"Excuse me," I said to an Asian woman who turned as her eyes grew. I was a vampire...so we claimed. She let me in this circle of people as I joined Colin.

For support and because he loved me, Colin brought me in a hug, kissing me in a kiss that said more than love. I was needed. "This is my husband, Devon Wentworth." There were no strange looks from these people when he said that we were married. Knowledge leads to understanding. They had the knowledge and were understanding.

Now there were questions to me! The questions about the science of this, George answered. Questions more personal, Colin and I answered.

Seeing us eat...or rather, seeing Colin eat made them uncertain. So, again we answered the same questions again we'd been asked dozens of times. George promised to show all of them his notes, the recorded samples of venom and blood that was V5H at various stages. George was talking to many there. However, I did notice something...odd.

George and John were not the most dynamic couple. They kissed and they hugged in front of us but weren't as open as Colin and me about our affection. Wayne and Amasis were more open and they just got started. I chalked that up to being just George and John! What I did see, was John wasn't really talking at all sitting next to George. In fact, he seemed...almost sad, if not...depressed. We were at opposite sides of the table, but I saw him lean over to George and say something, to which George just nodded and John got up and walked away. George didn't even seem to notice as he continued to talk with some others at the table. That alarmed me. John loved George. I knew George loved John, but something was wrong. I almost rose to go after John but was again asked some more questions. Something was very wrong. I needed to speak to John, but I got caught in this and couldn't leave.

Things were still going as it was nearly midnight now. We'd been doing this question and answer thing for almost nine hours! I saw George still talking, completely unaware of John's leaving.

Colin and I walked over to George. "Where's John?" I asked him quietly.

George looked quickly where he thought John was. "He's right..." he looked around the room. "He was right here."

"He left a few hours ago," I said quietly. "Didn't you notice?"

The look on George's face was real distress! "I didn't." Now, his thoughts weren't about the V5H, venom or serum, but John. Now, he was getting upset. "God, I did it again!"

I smiled at George and nodded. "You did." I agreed. "I'd almost prefer you to forget to comb your hair."

George gave me a look that was truly upset. "Please, don't joke about this. He left hours ago? He could be hurt."

I nodded hugging George. "You're right, I'm sorry. He was hurt, but what did he say before he left?"

George was even more upset now. "I don't know! He can't get sick...I was talking and..." He was now moving around to see some sign as to where John had gone.

I nodded stopping George. "I saw what happened. Where would he have gone?"

George shook his head. "I don't know!"

Colin walked over touching George's arm. "Where does he go while you're working?"

George shrugged again. "Home, I guess." He sat in a chair. "That's where he goes. He's always waiting for me there."

"He's always waiting for you," Colin repeated a little irritated. "For you?"

I touched Colin's arm. "George is very upset, Colin," I whispered to Colin. "He really cares for John, you know that."

George stood. "We'll check at our house." He jumped up.

"Wait," I said to George waving to his pocket. "Call him."

"He does have a phone." George opened his phone and dialed and had to dial again. "He's not answering." He looked again. "All these strangers...no one would take him, would they?"

I shook my head as I didn't think so. "Easy. He walked out on his own. This is a secure building. He has that PDTU in him." I rubbed George's back. "Let's look around here first. He could be doing something here. Don't go into crisis mode until we know there is a crisis, okay?" I looked at the many guests that were still there. "These people need to rest for another day tomorrow. We'll look for John." I promised to George. The others at the VUN had sort of...resumed the jobs we had when we first got here those few years ago. Looking around the city for vampires. Only, now I told Stan, we needed to find one vampire. John Burke. Instead of going out, they searched the VUN to locate John by his PDTU by computer.

George took us to his home. He'd never offered for us to come there before. Space was a premium in Manhattan, but George had a lot. Three stories French looking chateau building! It was dark inside like no one home. It rivaled many I had seen pictures of the Vanderbilts or one of those railroad tycoons. He used a key and ran in his shoes echoing on the marble floor.

"John!" George called which also echoed as he took rounded stairs from the foyer two and three steps at a time. It was beautiful here. If you liked living in a museum or monument. This wasn't a home! Colin and I followed George, a little slower, to a set of double doors which he threw open. "John!"

In this big bed, someone moved and sat up as he sat bare-chested. There was John! In bed.

"John!" George shouted and sounded a little angry. "What..." his hands open at the unbelievable and asked, "you're in bed!? Now!?"

"Yes!" John shouted back. "I have been!!"

Colin and I froze. Things between Colin and I were fine, but...here was a moment that should be between George and John.

"I have been for hours!!" John said angrily. "I bet you just found out! That's when you called!" He chuckled. "I'll even bet it wasn't you that even noticed." He looked at me. "It was one of them. Devon, probably."

"Why!?" George shouted not understanding. "I was worried sick!!"

John shook his head. "Go back to those doctors and scientists!" He said angrily and rolled over to go back to sleep. "Leave me alone."

George's face was now even redder...from anger! "You know how important this is! For us! How..."

"I know." John interrupted as he shouted. "I've heard it over and over again." He said covering his head with a pillow and pointed to the door. "Go!"

Colin's hand came on my shoulder and he started backing us up. "We'll..." he thumbed behind us to the door, "just be going..."

If George heard Colin, he didn't respond to him but instead stormed past both of us.

I looked at Colin, then pointed at George. "Go after him!" I pleaded with Colin. "Don't let him leave!"

"Yeah." Colin nodded and shoved me back and in the room farther. "You talk to John." He asked me and rushed to catch our friend.

"What!?" I said at the open door as Colin raced down the hall to catch George and just pointed to the room.

"Talk to him," Colin said disappearing.

I grimaced. "I'm no therapist or a marriage counselor!" I muttered to myself. "Why is it always me?" I walked over to the big bed and sat beside John.

"Go away," John said muffled from under the pillow, but sounded completely miserable.

I looked at the dimly lit room. It was big, just like the house and ornately and opulently furnished. "I like my house," I said simply. "I like Colin's and my room! It's our room." I grinned I saw the pillow drop a fraction. He was four hundred years old!? He wasn't acting that mature now. "I even liked that room in Romania. In those caverns? It was cozy! I even liked that room we stayed in when in the Ozarks you put us in." I said again looking at him. "I don't think I'd like living here, though."

John lowered the pillow. "It's not a cave."

I nodded. "No, it's not. It could be a home here for me...if Colin is here with me. You're here alone."

John nodded. "I am a lot."

"When he realized you were gone, George was very upset," I said to him.

"How many hours later?" John asked bitterly.

I frowned. "Oh, come on now. You know George loves you. He was in panic mode once he knew you were gone." I said. "That's just that way George is. He gets caught up in things and can't let go. You know that and have dealt with it before."

"This is different," John said sitting up more.

"How?" I asked. "I saw you at dinner, you were very quiet. I could see something was wrong."

"George didn't! I feel..." John began, "stupid." He confessed quietly.

I wanted an answer but did not expect this. "Whoa!" I said immediately surprised. "You are not stupid!"

"Yes, I am!" John said getting up, but he didn't give a thought that he had nothing on. "Why are you here?" He demanded.

"A friend was in trouble," I said simply.

"Meaning George." John nodded.

"No!" I said getting up to stand next to him. "Yes, George, but I was worried about you, John! George was worried you were hurt or even taken, but I was worried about you."

John looked surprised. "Me? I am the reason you are a vampire. We shouldn't be friends at all! You should hate me!"

"This again? John!" I said. "I don't hate you. I never hated you. I love you. We're family. George is family and you are family." I pulled him back down to the bed. "George doesn't say you're stupid, does he?"

John shook his head and saying that he smiled. "No, he doesn't."

"Can you tell me what happened tonight?" I said. "Be honest."

"Because I realized, he'll do it!" John shouted. "He will now do it even faster because all those people will help him. He will find the cure and reverse all of this!" He leaned forward and started to cry silently. "I'll lose him."

"What?" George froze at the door with Colin right behind him. "Why will you lose me?" He asked, no longer angry and walked over slowly.

"Because..." John sniffed hating he was crying, but unable to stop it. He rubbed his face with his hand. "Like that lady doctor...the pretty one from Australia? She was flirting with you!"

George sat on his other side. "She was?" He thought back. "When?" George was smart, but sometimes he was just...unaware!

"After we went down to Vamps, she was...touching you and just..." he did the light touches he'd seen, "she was pretty. I heard you talking and she was very smart. You told me about that reworking of our targets for mating. You said that some are like us...because we don't see the goal is to produce children. I get that. When you do find the cure...you will become what you were before." He waved. "I will lose you. I feel stupid with all of them there. They are so smart and you keep right up with them and go even further. You are so...damned smart, George!"

"No, I'm not." George shook his head dipping his head so John would look in his eyes.

John nodded as he chuckled whipping the irritating tears that still came. "Yes, you are. I can't compete with her!"

George touched his face gently, bringing him for a tender kiss. "Oh, Baby, you're so wrong," George said softly using his thumb on one of John's tears. "There is no competition. You've already won." He said as tears were coming from him now. "I didn't even realize she was flirting with me. I didn't even notice. She didn't entice me because I have you. I'm not interested in anyone else."

"But you might be...you were engaged before you were bitten."

George kissed him gently. "No, I won't change. We're open to changes, but I found my target. You." He chuckled. "I was engaged because being what we are now..." George smiled as he thought of what to say and how to say it. "In the twenties and thirties...where I was. Guys like us had to hide what we were. I was engaged to keep what I was hidden. I was attracted to men." He chuckled. "I hate to break it to you, but I had boyfriends before."

"You did?" John asked having a little hope in his voice. He then frowned. "Is that what I am to you? A boyfriend? Just a plaything?" John said sadly. "The thing is...I don't want to just be your boyfriend."

George wasn't too shocked as he smiled now. "No? What do you want?"

"I want you, George," John said. "I want to belong to you. I want you to belong to me."

"We are together. We do belong to each other." George said softly.

"Do we?" John asked. "I've never done this before." He said. "You mean so much to me. I've had people in my life these past few hundred years. I know you have in the past, but I want everyone to know you mean that much to me." He looked at George now. "Is that too much to ask?"

George smiled. "You want to marry me."

John wasn't too sure how George would react. "It's sort of what we do, isn't it?" He shrugged. "We find someone that means a lot and we tell the world we belong together. I wait for you every night because you are important to me. I just...want everybody to know. I'm yours, but also want them to know, you're mine."

George smiled. "That requires a wedding."

John chuckled. "It does."

"Who's asking who?" George asked. "Will you marry me?"

John smiled. "Yes. Will you marry me?"

"Absolutely." George nodded kissing him more.

"It was stupid of me to leave like that," John confessed. "Centuries of life doesn't make some things easier."

"It was my fault," George said. "Life with me is a challenge. I miss things. I'm so busy with my thoughts...I don't see what's right in front of me. You keep me grounded; you know that." He shook his head. "Keep me grounded?"

"You're too busy looking into microscopes." John chuckled. "Just...once in a while...look up and see me?"

George nodded. "Colin basically told me that downstairs." He chuckled. "You might have to tap me on the shoulder, but..." he shrugged, "I'll look up and will see you."

I got up quickly, already feeling like a voyeur. "Okay, we have another wedding to plan for," I said to Colin who was now smiling. "I think we should go for now."

George turned quickly. "It's late. It's a few blocks back to the VUN. There's a spare bedroom just down the hall." He smiled. "Stay?" He asked.

Colin nodded. "Sure."

"What time are you starting again in the morning?" I asked.

"We have lunch for them," George said. "Eleven o'clock?"

We did locate an empty bedroom on the same floor as George's and John's. Colin pulled me to him as we chose the room, kissing me deeply, but I had a feeling there was more to it than a simple kiss. It was a good kiss! I've never had a bad one from Colin. His arms came around me as I felt his hands come up around me as they moved over me. He had left me breathless a few times in the past, but this was just...more! I don't know how long it was...I sort of lost track of time and I let it! This was a consuming kiss which I gave back with no question. I think I groaned a little when it sort of...just lessened, but still tender.

"I'm not stopping..." Colin assured hearing my groan. "It was nothing short of miraculous that we met. Destiny or fate...I think it was almost planned by someone."

I chuckled. "Someone like God?" I smiled at his words. "I feel the same way."

"In the past few years, I began to really live," Colin said. "I said it before, I say it again. Thank you for being in my life. Since we met...I found my daughter, she found Alex and married. You brought your mother here, she married Willie. We went out and sought others, now George is getting married to John. Vlad is marrying Gaius. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, Devon. I love you." He pressed his cheek to mine and slowly moved up kissing lightly. "This isn't new. You know I love you." I pressed his lips to my forehead. "In the past several years...things had just gotten..." He stopped. He looked at me, "Well, the serum got better, we don't hurt anymore. Think about it. I come back to Charleston, I rebuild Wentworth and fall in love. We get married." He waved at the door. "Everyone's getting married!"

I nodded. "Isn't that what we do? It's Human!"

"Really?" Colin asked. "I say it's you!"

"Me!?"

"Come on, we marry, Gabriella and Alex marry, Willie and Mom marry, Vlad and Gaius, Stan and Mark and how George and Burke!" He grinned waving at me. "The only common new element...is you!"

"No, you started Wentworth's reconstruction before we even met!"

"Something I planned for decades before you, but finished for you so we could get married!" Colin pointed out shaking his finger at me as he was backing me...somewhere. "You're the key element. Face the facts. Every one of us had been around decades...centuries and now...getting married."

"Gaius and Vlad were together before any of us..." I patted Colin on the chest, "including you...were even born." I said as my leg hit the side of the bed. I looked back at the bed's edge. "I was backed here. Why?" I grinned back at him as he pulled his suit jacket off and let it fall.

"Because you and I are going to have sex," He said simply pulling on his tie and let it fall and began unbuttoning his shirt.

I nodded grinning. "You know that" I confirmed as he pulled his shirt off and began pulling his t-shirt over his head.

"Yep, you love this," He ran his hand over his hairy chest.

I chuckled as my hand ran over his chest. "No. I like that...a lot. I like every inch or centimeter of you, but I love you, Colin."

"I know you do," Colin said a little lower in octave pulling me in his arms kissing me. "You know, I love you."

I nodded. "I do," I said as he began undressing me. "Where is..." I waved about the room, "anything?"

He grinned. "We've done it without before."

"It wasn't as nice," I said patting the chest of hair again and smiled. "I'll look."

Colin pushed me back toward the bed. "No, get that ready." He pointed to the bed and lowered his pants and kicked his shoes off as we went toward the bathroom. "I'll look."

I smiled as I pulled the cover down and got things ready as Colin came back sniffing something in his hand from a bottle. His silk boxers loose around his waist which he pulled off to add to his pile.

"This will work." He smiled reading the front. "I guess...it's...well," he read, "in French."

I looked around what I could see of the room we were in. "It's pretty here," I said.

Colin chuckled. "It was an investment." He shrugged. "He bought it and I said...live in it." He leaned in kissing me. "Do you wish to discuss it more?" He asked as he did the trail from my lips over my cheek toward my neck. "So, what do we do?"

I smiled as my arms came about him. "No unnecessary talking." I fell back bringing him down with me as hands knew where to go to bring him closer now. I don't need to say now, it was as always...glorious. Having that one human on the earth that mattered, with me, touching me, loving me...connecting with me. No description needed. Who did what to whom, you know, but we did make love. It was at first fast and more urgent, then again slower, and more...methodical, more...loving. It was all love, but...we were solid again.

I woke as Colin's emerald eyes did what they did often. Just looking at me. It never bothered me...that much. My hand touched his face lovingly.

"You are so beautiful," Colin said smiling as he kissed me. "My husband."

I kissed him back. "I am your husband. You are mine. We're one soul in two bodies."

Colin nodded chuckling. "That explains all the sex."

"Sure. Why not?"

"Yesterday went well..." Colin said. "Even with Burke's problem...which did you find out what it was?"

I nodded. "I did. You heard him. He didn't think he was good enough; he was afraid of losing George. He thought he was stupid."

Colin frowned. "Stupid!?" He waved at the door. "After everything, he's done!? He was the one that created that rapid-fire serum gun! That was genius and it worked well!"

I nodded. "He was having other issues...George is attractive and well...he thought he'd lose someone he saw as George's equal."

"That's Burke!! He's George's equal!" He blew a breath. "I told George, he needed to set his watch to remind himself to tell Burke he loved Burke."

I grinned. "John knows what George is like. He just felt a little threatened last night."

"My original point was...this went well, so far. We'll give these doctors the needed information. It's the countries they're from I question."

I nodded. "We brought these doctors here to be able to explain their countries the science of this. I don't know what will happen if they can't."

"We've opened Pandora's Box," Colin said sadly. "Now we deal with what comes out." He looked at me smiling. "Together. I love you, Devon."

I smiled as my fingers ran over his sensitive lips. "I know. I love you, Colin."

"I know." He said kissing me gently.