Slayer's Legacy-Disclaimer: All situations of this story are fictional. I do not claim to know any of the members of *NSYNC or any other celebrities that may be mentioned. Nor do I know their sexual orientations. Any similarities to actual living people and actual situations are purely coincidental. All fictional characters and fictional situations portrayed in this work remains the property of Drew Thomas, unless otherwise noted. Republishing of this work of fiction is strictly forbidden unless the author has given permission.
Permission granted to Nifty Archives for the sole purpose of posting on the Boy Bands section of the Archives. Permission may be obtained by e-mailing Drew Thomas at Slayers_Legacy@yahoo.com. Constructive Comments and advice are welcome also.
Special note: A special thanks goes out to the Author of the Journal of the Undead. It through his help that this story is continuing. Please do me a favor and drop by his story in this same archives. We will be teaming up later to complete this series. And now with Story! Enjoy!
Slayer's Legacy Chapter 3
An Unexpected Turn
"So lately been wondering. Who will be there to take my place? When I'm gone you will need love. To light the shadows on your face.--" The Calling"
"Well I'm sorry to have to say it but we need to get home Josh," Karen Chasez saw the look of worry on his son's face and went to him. "I know this is a lot to take in all at once honey. Joss is here to help so let him. OK?
"Alright mom," JC said softly allowing his mom to hug him. He reveled in the closeness of his mother just a for a few seconds.
"And I know you'll do the right thing where James is concerned. never forget that no matter what, He loves you very much," Karen said with conviction. That was all JC needed to hear and he hugged his parents tightly to him. The said there goodbyes to the others and were gone. JC made his way back to the bedroom to check on Lance. Entering the room he saw that Lance was still unconscious and that his breathing had become very shallow. Sweat was pouring off of him. JC went to get Joss. He seemed to have all the answers Maybe just maybe he would know what to do?
"Joss? I need you in here. Its Lance, something is wrong." Joss quickly entered with the others following behind. He approached Lance cautiously as not to disturb him and recognized the signs instantly. Lance was going through with draws.
"He needs to feed. We need to get some blood into him and quickly," Joss said grimly as he ignored the looks of disguised disgust on the faces of Lance's best friends.
Chris being the smart ass of the group was the first to speak. "What are we supposed to do? Grab a virgin off the street?"
Joss smiled at Chris' smart ass comment. "Ummm no. We need to find a butcher shop or blood bank," Joss said shaking his head. "You've seen way to many movies Chris." Chris blushed and Joss smiled at him again. "Why don't you come with me? It will save us a lot of time that way."
"Sure!" Chris beamed. "Let's go!"
Justin snickered under his breath which earned him a jab in the stomach by Joey, and a death glare by Chris. "Ow! What? I think it's cute. Chris has a crush." Chris glared at him again as Justin passed him and in a sing song voice whispered, "Chris has a crush. Chris has a crush." Earning him another smack by Joey. "Ow! Ok Jeeze" Justin whined as he pouted a for a few minutes.
"Are we ready to go?" Joss asked softly.
"Yea Joss, let's get going. We'll be back soon guys," Chris said as they hurried out.
The whole time JC had sat by Lance's side refusing to move. JC had never really been one for praying but he knew Lance believed strongly in it. He would do anything to save the man that he loved, so that is what he did. He knelt by Lance's bedside and began to pray for strength and for Lance's health and safety. Joey and Justin witnessed this from the other room and looked into each other's eyes, having a silent conversations and doing what they had always done when a brother of theirs was in trouble they too joined JC. Joey pulled out his Rosary he always carried and Justin knelt at Lance's bedside and reached out and took JC's hand. JC tearful eyes looked lovingly at his two brothers and nodded quietly. Together as a family they sat with their brother Lance in silent vigil.
Later, across town:
Joss and Chris had been driving around now for a few hours without any luck. Neither one being from around here they were just driving around blindly. Finally Chris spotted a sign indicating a hospital just down the road. "They have a blood bank right?" Chris asked hopefully.
"Let's hope," Joss spoke cautiously not wanting to get Chris's hopes up. When they pulled into the parking lot they discovered the hospital was very small. Actually it could be classified more of a clinic more than a hospital. As they entered they spotted a directory and scanned it for a blood bank.
"Here!" Chris spoke in a loud whisper. "It is in the basement." Joss spotted a gurney and it was parked next to a linen closet. He grabbed Chris's hand and yanked him towards it. "Where are we going?" Chris yelped as Joss drug poor Chris along.
"I have an idea!" Joss said. When the finally stopped in front of the closet Chris couldn't help but smile and make a comment.
"As flattered as I am Joss I really don't think this is time and place for that." Joss smiled at him and promptly smacked on the back of the head.
"Come on Smart ass," Joss said as he yanked Chris into the dark room shutting the door behind them. A few minutes they emerged. Joss in scrubs and Chris looking very uncomfortable in a hospital gown. He was trying his best to keep his backside covered but without much success.
"Tell me again why I have to be the one in this get up?" Chris asked glaring at Joss.
"Because of the two of us you are the most recognizable so you have to be the one under the sheet," Joss explained as Chris continued to fidget.
"That still doesn't explain this outfit Joss," Chris grumbled as he climbed onto the gurney making sure no one spotted them. He laid down and Joss covered him from head to toe with a sheet making him appear to be a corpse headed for the morgue.
"Oh, well that's just a bonus for me," Joss giggled causing Chris to bolt upright. "Let's just call it payback for the earlier comment. Now lay down," Joss said forcing Chris back down. "Corpses are not supposed to be able to sit up."
"I'll get you for this later," Chris mumbled through the sheet.
"No talking either," Joss smiled as they made their way to the elevators and down to the basement.
At the hotel:
There was no change in Lance and JC was beginning to panic. "Where the hell are Joss and Chris," JC muttered. JC, Joey and Justin were in the living room and JC was frantically pacing back and forth. Joey and Justin watched for as long as they could.
"Hey JC, do you want--?" Joey started.
"No!" JC said flatly.
"Maybe we could--," Justin interjected.
"No!" JC muttered again. They continued to watch him pace until Joey finally had enough."
"JC! Sit down!" Joey yelled. JC jumped to a stop and looked shocked at Joey. Joey pointed to a chair and JC stomped over to it and sat down in a huff. He knew not to argue with Joey when he used that tone of voice. Joey slowly rose from his seat and kneeled in front of his brother. "I know you are worried about Lance. We all are. We have to believe things will be ok. Chris and Joss will be back soon. You'll see."
As if on cue Chris and Joey walked into the hotel suite carrying a small cooler that contained Lance's much needed nourishment. "What took you so long?" Justin demanded.
"Long story Just. We'll tell you later. I'll give this to Lance." Joss spoke.
"Why can't I give it to him?" Josh asked.
"He is very volatile right now JC. There is no telling how he'll react when I go in there. I have experience of dealing with such things where as you don't," Joss said softly
"Will he be all right?" Josh asked continuing to worry.
"We should know in a little while. I need to get this in him first," Joss insisted.
"All right go," JC sighed and sat back down to wait with the others.
A few minutes later Joss returned with a broad smile on his face. "He's asking for you JC. We got back just in time."
They all let out a huge sigh of relief as JC stood and embraced Joss in a crushing hug. "Can't breathe JC," Joss gasped causing the others to laugh and JC to blush slightly as a small smile playing on his lips. It felt good to smile again. He patted Joss's shoulder and made his way back to the bedroom. He was not prepared for what he found there. The sheets on the bed had been thrown back and Lance was no where to be found. Maybe he's in the bathroom? JC went to the door and lightly rapped on it. "Lance," he called out. "James? It's me Josh sweetie." Josh opened the door and peeked in. Lance was no where to be seen. "Guys!" JC called out to the others. Joey was the first on to enter.
"What's up? Where's Lance?" Joey demanded.
"I don't know, he's gone." JC said as a cool breeze drifted across his face. Turning he now saw the open window. He moved quickly towards it. Trying to catch a glimpse of Lance but alas Lance was nowhere in sight.
"Jayce?" Justin voice broke through the shocked haze that threatened to overwhelm JC. JC turned to his friend and saw that he was holding out an envelope to him. He took it and immediately recognized Lance's hand writing on the outside. He carefully opened it and removed the folded not inside. Slowly he began to read:
Dear Josh,
I wish we could've spoken to each other one more time but I knew if I did see you my resolve to leave would have faltered. I never in my life want to be one to cause you pain and I am truly sorry. I can feel JB in my head. He can read my thoughts and feelings and can sense when you and the others are around. I can't risk him coming after you all. So I have to leave. I am going to find JB and try to find a way for him to change me back so we can have a normal life again. Our lives are on different paths now but I hope someday they will lead back to each other. Until then always know that I love you.
James
JC handed the note back to Justin and sat down on the edge of the bed dejected. Justin finished reading and handed it back to Joey. He saw the pain expression on his brother's face and went to him and wrapped his arms around Josh's slim shoulders. He placed a chaste kiss on JC's forehead. "We'll find him Josh," Justin promised him.
"But how?" JC pleaded as tears flowed down his angelic face. Justin fingers gently wiped the tears free. "We have no idea where he went! He could be anywhere by now." JC had a hopeless look on his face and Justin wanted anything in the world to trade places with Lance. JC had fought so hard to overcome his sexuality and come to grips with it. He deserved to be happy with Lance.
"I have an idea," Joss spoke. "It's a long shot, but we could try JB's ancestral home just outside of Paris."
"It will take hours for us to get there though," Joey complained.
"But it's the best lead we have. I'm with Joss on this one." Chris said. "What do you say JC?"
"What choice do we have? It's better than sitting here around here waiting. Let's go," JC said added conviction.
"Al right, you guys go pack and I'll call the airlines. We'll meet back here in 20, Okay?" Joss asked. The others quickly left to pack leaving Joss and JC alone. JC still sat with a worried expression on his face. "Come on JC, stop worrying. Listen Justin is right. We will find him."
"I hope you're right," JC sighed heavily.
"Hey in all the time we've known each other have I ever lead you astray?" Joss asked. JC couldn't help but smile because they both knew that they had only met not even 24 hours ago.
"Thanks Joss," JC said softly.
"No problem," Joss smiled. "Now get packed. We have a plane to catch."
In another city on the west coast of the United States:
Lance stood on a hill top overlooking the city. He closed his eyes and concentrated. JB had definitely been here at some point, along with others like him. It seemed that had attempted to turn another but the man escaped before he could complete the transformation process. How he knew all of this he wasn't sure but there it was in his mind clear as day. Somehow Lance and JB had been psychically linked to one another. Suddenly Lance became very dizzy. He sat down to rest and contemplate his next move. He needed to feed again soon. The blood he had gotten earlier had given him enough strength to get here but if he was going to be out searching for much longer he would need to more. Using his new abilities was also very draining on him. Lance sensed a presence near him. Slowly he turned around to see a deer enter the clearing. Lance was a avid animal lover and could never dream of harming a beautiful creature such as this. But this was desperate times. If he didn't feed soon he would most like not survive. He slowly stood and psychally reached out to the animal coaxing it closer. When it was finally within his grasp he reached for it. "Forgive me," he sobbed just before he pounced on it. The young deer put up a struggle but Lance's enhanced physical strength was no match for the young animal. Lance finally sank his teeth into the animal's flesh.
A little while later Lance had finally made his way down into the city. He followed JB's trail into the downtown area and was surprised to find that he had entered a very trendy area of town where he was surrounded by coffee shops and book stores and a very small and attractive art gallery. Maybe JB was inside? As he entered he was soon entranced by the quality of the art work that graced the walls. Lance soon forgot his troubles and soon found himself enjoying one of his passions, art. Lance blushed shamefully at this one piece. It was a picture of two naked young men in the act of making love. "Can I show you something?" a soft voice sounded to his left. He looked down and saw a very attractive young man.
"No," Lance said still blushing. "Just looking."
"Well let me know if I can help you," the young man said as he turned and glided over to a young women. Lance looked at the signature on the charcoal drawing and filed it away in his memory. He turned to continue his own private tour when he was struck with a feeling of familiarity. He jerked his head towards the woman that the young man was talking too. Lance tried to remember where he had seen her but failed to place her. Shrugging his shoulders he continued to look at the artwork. He mentally logged in his memory of his favorite pieces. He and Josh would be coming here again when this was all over. Finally he walked from the gallery satisfied that JB wasn't there. As he walked down the street he was struck with a vision. He jerked his head back and saw flames shooting up in the air. After a few seconds the vision was gone. Shaking his head in confusion he continued on his mission.
Somewhere over the ocean:
JC was getting antsy. When were they going to land the damn plane? Joey and Chris had been sitting on either side of him throughout the entire flight and he was driving them crazy. he was full of nervous energy and had been constantly up and down and pacing the aisles the whole flight. He finally had to be told by the flight attendant to sit down and remain seated. Finally the announcement they had all been waiting for. They were making their final descent into Paris. Just a few hours outside the city they would arrive at JB's Chateau hoping they would find Lance, not knowing that he was now thousands of miles away from them
Early the next morning:
It had been a long night. The guys in their hurry to get to JB's, decided to drive all night. Each taking a turn behind the wheel. As the sun rose up over the horizon they finally arrived at the village of JB's birth, L'Isle sur la Sorgue. "We're just about there guys," Justin spoke loud enough to wake everyone.
Joss, who had been riding shotgun for the last couple of hours opened his door and got out, stretching his stiff body. "I'll take over from here now Justin. It's pretty easy to get lost around here. Lots of little back roads."
"How did you find out about his place Joss?" Justin asked.
"Oh I've kept track of Jean-Baptiste over the years since JC's biological mother died. I promised her I'd watch out for him so that meant making sure JB never found him. There hadn't been any sign of him in years so I began to let my guard down. Tried to get on with my life, began writing and then I got the idea for "Buffy." Joss fell silent for a few moments. If only I'd paid better attention to him, we wouldn't be here now."
"I don't blame you for any of this Joss. If you'd known about that prophesy then you could've done something maybe but how could you? You said yourself it was just uncovered recently," JC said softly.
"I appreciate you saying that JC but I still feel responsible. Like I let your mother down." The rest of the ride was spent in silence as they made their way through the French Countryside. They traveled for another twenty minutes before Joss pulled over next to a lake.
"Why are we stopping?" Justin asked looking confused.
"That's why," Joss said pointing across the water. "JB's ancestral home."
Looking in the direction Joss indicated, they sat and stared in awe. On the other side a grand estate was laid out. Its center piece, a three story stone castle. It was enormous, but what was even more impressive was that it looked as if it had been just been erected. The gardens were still as beautiful as ever too. It was if it were suspended in time.
"Well there must be someone there to keep it looking that way. A care taker at least. Right?" Justin finally asked.
"We'll see in a bit," Joss spoke as he pulled back onto the road and headed toward their uncertain fate.
Chapter 4
Dreams do Come True
(I think about you baby. But you're still with me in my dreams) 3 Doors Down
JC woke in a cold sweat. It had been a week now since they had arrived in France and gone to JB's ancestral home in hopes of finding Lance or a clue to his whereabouts. Lance had run off to find JB in an attempt to get him to return him to normal. They had arrived at JB's chateau and discovered it completely deserted. Not knowing what their next move should be Joss had suggested that they set up base there in hopes that JB, Lance or both of them would show up. JC had protested at first, but after the other guys had told him it seemed like the best idea since there was no way of telling where Lance was he reluctantly agreed. So here they sat and waited. It was driving JC nuts. He had been having strange dreams the past week and he felt as if Lance was trying to reach out to him. It was another one of those dreams that had him sitting up in bed now. Lance was in trouble, he knew that much. But he still didn't know where he could be. The problem was he could never remember the dreams when eh woke up. Only the feeling he got that Lance was in danger. He had not told the others about the dreams because he had dismissed them as nothing but his imagination working over time. But he decided that maybe if he told them they might be able to help. They certainly couldn't hurt.
In another room of the chateau Justin also lay awake reading. While exploring the chateau he had come upon JB's extensive library on vampire folklore. Justin had always been intrigued by the subject but in the last few years it had become n obsession. Of course the rest of the guys had no idea, not even his best friend JC. Now that JC was a vampire hunter he certainly wasn't going to tell them how he in some way envied Lance. How amazing it would be to have all that power. Also unbeknownst to the other guys was that this was not Justin's first contact with vampires. after his break up with Britney he had turned to his friends for comfort. It was one of those friends who turned out to be a vampire and the man who helped Justin discovered his bisexuality. he became one of the great loves of Justin's life and he never forgot him, to this day. Justin had hoped to with him forever but he had made the mistake of leaving when he discovered his love's secret. he just couldn't deal with it and so he left. By the time he realized his mistake it was too late, the man had moved on. Now Justin longed to be with him again and for his love to make him one of his kind, a vampire. Thoughts of his love were running through his mind as he drifted off to sleep. Someday he swore his love would come back to him and they would be together again for all eternity.
Somewhere in the States:
Lance's head was killing him. He had not been able to feed in almost two days and it was making him extremely sick. Where was Josh? He had been trying for days now to reach out to him psychically without any success. It was only two days after he had left the others that he had finally caught up to JB, actually JB had found Lance. Now he was being held prisoner in a cage made of pure silver. He was being used as bait for the hunter. You see Silver is lethal to a pure innocent vampire and any contact with it can make their very skin burn, so Lance was trapped.
Of course Lance was unaware that it was JB who had trapped him there so of course he had thought of nothing of reaching out to Josh for help. He had no way of knowing if it was working or not. But he prayed it was. he heard a loud click of the dead bolt on the outside door and saw his kidnapper. He looked like something straight out of a movie, dressed all in black and wearing a ski mask. When he spoke his voice was distorted. "Feeding time freak! Bon Appetite," the man taunted him as he tossed a dead rat into his cage.
"Why are you doing this? Please let me go," Lance pleaded.
"Let you go? Hell! I'm just getting started freak! You're not going any where!" the man shouted at him.
"What do you want?" Lance pleaded.
"Oh you'll find out soon enough. See ya later Freak," the man laughed at him as the door slammed shut. Lance tried to stand but he was in too much of a weakened state and he collapsed, crying softly. Where was Josh? Maybe he had given up on Lance? He was after all supposed to be hunting vampires. Not falling in love with one. No, he knew Josh loved him and would not intentionally desert him. He just had find a way to contact him. To do that he had to keep up his strength. He sank his fangs into the freshly killed rat and began to feed. It wasn't much but it would have to sustain him for now. he wasn't sure when he next meal would be.
Then he began to formulate a plan. Somehow he had to find out where he was being held and psychically relay that to JC. If only he hadn't been knocked unconscious by whoever was doing this to him. That was another question he had. Who was this psycho who had been taunting him these last few days? As far as he knew JB and guys were the only ones who know of his recent change. This guy was definitely not JB, that much was certain.
JC laid it all out for his friends. Everything he could remember about the dreams he'd been having. Joss told him that his feelings were probably correct and that Lance was in some kind of trouble. His mother had similar dreams of Joss when he had run into trouble in the past.
"So what do we do now? We can't just sit around here waiting anymore. We have to find him," Josh said urgently.
"I agree with JC. Enough of this shit. I'm tired of sitting around here," Joey spoke up now. During their time at the chateau Joey and Chris had been training along with JC for the inevitable fight ahead. Joey was itching to try out his new found talents on some unsuspecting Vamps. Especially JB.
"I'm tired of this too guys, but how are we supposed to save Lance when we have no clue where he is?" Joss defended himself.
"Easy Joss, we do a locator spell. I've been reading up on Wicca while we've been here and I think I can manage a simple enough spell. If you'll let me try." Chris surprised them with this bit of information. In fact he had done some study of Wicca before, but with JB's books he had been able to delve deeper into the subject.
Joss shook his head no. "I don't think that's a good idea Chris. You're not used to the kind of power it takes to cast a spell like that."
"What other choice do we have Joss? If you have a better idea I'd like to hear it," JC asked glaring at Joss. He was starting to get tired of the runaround game that Joss was seeming to play.
"I'm with JC," Justin spoke up.
"Me too. let's do this thing!" Joey agreed.
"Well it looks as if I'm out-voted. Ok let's get what we need together," Joss reluctantly agreed.
As they ran around gathering up what they needed to cast the spell Joss pulled Chris aside. "Please be careful Chris. I just found you. I don't want to loose you." Joss gently placed his hand on Chris's face as they stared into each other's eyes. Not a word was spoken but their eyes spoke volumes. Joss released Chris and went to find the others as Chris mentally prepared himself for the task ahead. In truth he wasn't sure he could pull this off. But he had to do something. he hoped this would work.
Lance was awakened by an extremely bright light shining down on him from above and a booming voice spoke. "Wake up!"
"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Lance demanded as he shielded his eyes from the bright light.
"Shut up freak! I'm the one who talks. You listen. Where is the hunter?" the disembodied voice demanded.
"Who?" Lance yelped out.
"Don't' play dumb with me Freak! Where the hell is JC?" the voice boomed out.
"I don't know!" Lance answered truthfully.
"Liar! Where is he?" the voice demanded again.
"I don't know damn it! Let me go!" Lance demanded.
"If you decide to cooperate I might consider it! For now enjoy your new home. You might be in it for quite a while!" With that Lance was once again plunged into darkness.
"No! Wait! Pleas! Let me go!" Lance's please were met with silence. What did they want with JC? Lance couldn't guess. Maybe JB was somehow behind this? It seemed to be the only thing that made sense, but why had Lance not felt his presence? Lance had felt him from thousands of miles away before he had been trapped here. Then a realization hit him. The whole thing had been a setup in order for JB to draw our Josh, and Lance was the bait. With everything he had in him he reached out again. Warning Josh not come to him. He hoped he wasn't too late.
"I found him!" Chris called out from the room where he had been casting his spell. It had taken him several hours of concentration but he had succeeded. "He's in Orlando guys. All this time he's been back home!"
"Why would he be calling out to me that he's in trouble if he's gone home? He might be in the area but he isn't home." JC wracked his brain trying to guess where he might be. Joey interrupted his thoughts.
"Well at least we know what city he's in. Let's get back there so we can regroup and figure out what to do next."
"All right, Let's get packed. I'll call and get us on the first flight back to the states." Justin proceeded to dial as the others went to get ready to return home. They would be bringing JB's library and a few weapons they had discovered there with them too.
"Hey? Hey it's Justin. We need your help. It's Lance, he's been turned. Some guy called JB. You of him? Well before you agree to help there's more I need to tell you. All right, we're headed back to Orlando now. We think Lance is being held there. Though we aren't exactly sure where. Ok Talk to you later then and thanks. I know I know. Alright, bye." Just hung up the phone. He had hoped he had not made a huge mistake by calling this man from his past. And he hoped the others would understand about him keeping this secret. He picked up the phone again and called the airline to reserve five first class tickets for the next available flight. They had several hours yet before they had to leave for the airport so he left to tell the others. Just then the room was filled with a thick fog signaling the return of Jean-Baptiste to his ancestral home.
"So my dear Justin has an ex lover who is a vampire. This information could prove to be very useful. I must discover who this vampire is. If Justin is determined to become one of our kind then perhaps I could be of some assistance to him. Yes this could prove to be very interesting indeed." his form once again dissipated as the guys returned to continue to pack up. JC stopped suddenly and looked around the room as a cold chill ran up his spine. Glancing at Joss, he nodded in confirmation. JB had been there. He could still feel him in the room. It was part of his training for him to become more aware of his surroundings and he proved to be just as talented with his new abilities as he was with his other talents with his music. If JB knew they were here, and he was aware of their plans to return to Orlando, it could put Lance in more danger.
"Are we ready to go guys?" JC asked
"Yea all set Jayce," Justin said nodding.
"Good, let's get out of here," JC said shuddering.
"The plane's not leaving for a few hours. What's the rush?" Justin asked still confused.
"JB's been here. I can feel his presence. We need to leave now. Joey call around and see if we can charter a flight. Chris, call Johnny and give him an update of the situation. Justin call my folks and let them know what's up and let them know I'll call them. Joss we need to talk." Seeing JC take charge like this was definitely not what the guys expected and their shock was quite evident as they stood not moving.
"Come on guys! Move move move!" The guys jumped to their feet and set about making calls. JC pulled Joss into another room and set him down in a chair. He then proceeded to pace back and forth. Joss watched him for a few minutes before jumping up and stopping JC.
"What's up JC? You needed to talk to me about something?" He sat JC down, waiting for him to talk.
"Yea, it's about JB. I need to know what I'm up against. I need you to tell me about how my mother died," JC demanded. Joss looked into JC's eyes and saw that there was no putting off this painful story.
Joss stood and walked over towards one of the large etched glass windows that surrounded the room on two sides. He should have seen this coming. Of course JC would want to know where he had come from. But to have to relive his mother's last moments was almost too much for Joss. He had suffered from survivor's guilt for years. If JC knew the truth he was afraid that he would blame him just as he had done to himself for so long. Joss sighed heavily. As much as he wanted to avoid this JC had the right to know. "All right, I'll tell you what you want to know. I have to back up a bit and explain how JB came into our lives. We had been tracking a vampire known as Gabriella----
Flash back 1983
Joss looked at his dejected friend. Barbara Mason had been distant over the last few days. She always was around this time of year and when Joss would ask her about it she would manage to change the subject. Finally Joss stopped asking. It was obviously too painful for her to talk about and he respected her wishes. They sat in Joss's old Chevy just outside of the hideout of a female vampire that had been terrorizing the DC area for several weeks now. Her name, they had learned was Gabriella. A nearly 300 year old vampire who was a beautiful as she was deadly. The plan was simple, get in, locate her coffin where she now laid, stake her, get out. They had done this same routine a thousand times now and Barbara had become restless. She swore as she had many times before, that this was it. No more slaying. It was time for her to settle down into a more normal life. This job had cost her far too much already she said. Joss had heard it all before so he just smiled at her as she rattled on. Soon it was time to go. Everything seemed be going according to plan but there was an unforeseen hitch. Gabriella had taken a lover. The commotion caused by staking her awakened him and he went on the attack. Joss tried to intervene but he was knocked unconscious. When he awoke he discovered Barbara, near death laying in a pool of blood. Going to her she was only able to whisper a few short words.
"Josh, find Josh. Protect him." They were the last words she spoke. It was only after her death that Joss discovered she had a son she had given up for adoption. he learned later that the vampire who killed, Jean-Baptiste, had sworn to destroy any family of descendants of the slayer who had taken the life of Gabriella. He would not rest until they were all destroyed.
End Flash Back-
"I found out why your mother had been so depressed during that time too. It was on August 8, 1983, your seventh birthday. All those years she had never forgotten you and you were the last thing she though of before she died. She loved you very much and she knew she couldn't keep you safe while she was The Slayer. She gave you up to protect you."
"Thank you for telling me all this Joss. I remember that birthday actually. I had woken up screaming from a bad dream and my parents tried for hours to get me to go back to sleep. Now I know what scared me so much, my mother had died. Even back then my abilities were showing themselves," JC said shaking himself from the disturbing memory.
A knock came from the other room and Joey stuck his head in. "We're all set JC. I got a chartered flight for us but we have to leave in a few."
"Alright, Joss and I are done here. Let's go home and rescue Lance," JC said with a new authority that he didn't have before. Tow hours later they were in the air all praying they would get to Lance in time. JC stretched out on a couch and concentrated on Lance in his mind. He hope he could reach out just as Lance had. He wanted him to know he was on his way to him.
In Orlando:
Lance sat up with a start. Could it be true? "Oh no JC," Lance whimpered aloud. "Please love, stay away!"
"So my plan has finally worked has it?" JB's soft silky voice drifted over Lance like a wet blanket.
"I won't let you hurt Josh JB. I'll kill you myself before I let you hurt him!" Lance hissed at JB allowing his Vampire form to take over.
"My Lance, what a thing to say to someone you declared your love for not so long ago," JB said sadly to him.
"I thought you were Josh you asshole! You screwed with my mind. I could never love a monster like you," Lance screamed at him. Lance allowed the vampire blood to over take his emotions. He thrilled at the feeling of power flowing through his veins. He licked his lips in anticipation of ripping into JB. JB's eyes grew red with fury at Lance's words. But his plan had to be carried out so he calmed himself.
"You may say that now but you will change your mind soon enough. You will learn to care for me as you do him," JB said in his usual silky voice.
Lance screamed a primal animal scream and lunged at JB. But as soon as he hit the side of the cage he was instantly burned and screamed out in pain. JB just chuckled to himself as he turned and left leaving Lance alone in the dark once again. "Oh Josh," Lance whimpered out. "What have I done? How can I fix this?" Than JB's words from minutes ago came back to him. He knew what he had to do.