Behind the Mirror

David

It wasn't particularly strange to me, to have spent almost three weeks with these five men - six, now, with Buckner - who all looked like older versions of myself. I should say - it was strange, but not outside the range of believability, not with everything I'd seen in my time.

No, the real shock to me was riding past a cathedral on a trip through the city and seeing a strangely familiar blue and silver doublet disappear inside. The fact that it was a doublet in a twenty-first century modern urban sprawl was strange enough, but this one....

I swung a U turn at an intersection, deftly avoiding the cars that couldn't see me with a vampire's reflexes, and drove my bike up onto the cathedral lawn, shutting it off and following the figure inside. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust, but I spotted the figure easily, kneeling at the main alter. From the scent of him, I already knew he was one of us, and started toward him. He was praying, but not in English, and I slipped into the familiar language as I approached.

"Nice costume."

He jumped and was on his feet in a second, sword drawn with the tip to my chest. "You see me."

I smirked. "Yeah, and I see how big your sword is, so stop posturing and put it back in your pants."

The vulgarity didn't seem to phase him, and he regarded me carefully before slowly sheathing the sword. "And you speak French."

I rolled my eyes. "No, I speak fucking Yiddish. How long have you been here?"

"Three days. What is this strange and horrible place?"

I shrugged. "If I knew, I wouldn't be here. There's more of us trying to figure it out, though. I can take you back to meet them and give you a place to stay, but they're all Americans. You speak English at all?"

"My English is acceptable," he said, switching tongues to prove it. "My name is Athos. I am a member of the king's guard."

I grinned. "A musketeer. Nice. I'm David. Can you ride a bike?"

He stared at me blankly, and I couldn't help but chuckle, patting him on the shoulder. "I'll help you get acclimatized to the 21st century, don't worry. Come on."

He followed me, looking even more stunned. "... four hundred years?"

I gave a little nod, walking out of the church and trusting him to follow. "Everything's probably faster and noisier than what you're used to, and kings have been replaced by corrupt assholes put into power through ridiculous voting systems. But you'll get the hang of it. It's actually a hell of a lot of fun." I swung my leg over the bike, then indicated the back with a jerk of my head. "Get on and hold on tight."

He did, putting arms tentatively around my waist, and I pinned his arms securely under mine just in case. Then I kicked off, purposefully letting the bike leap forward with a roar. I grinned to myself as I heard him let loose some very colourful language in French, thinking it was about time we had some new blood around to keep things interesting.

~~~~~


Ben Carson

I was in the security room with Daniel when David's bike pulled up in the back with a figure I didn't recognize behind him. He helped the man off, then saluted to the camera, waiting for me to deactivate the security door that Jack and I had installed the previous day. Daniel looked over my shoulder curiously at the monitor. "Very unfamiliar clothes...."

"That's an understatement." I chuckled and stood, picking up the radio. "Hey Jack. David's got a new guy, this one looks interesting. Better come down and check it out."

"Sure thing," came the reply, and I set it down again, looking over to Daniel.

"Care to come give your opinion, oh expert of the human psyche?"

He chuckled softly, shaking his head a little at my words. "Certainly."

I leaned in impulsively, cupping the back of Daniel's hair with a hand and stealing a soft kiss from him, which made him smile shyly, the tips of his ears turning pink. The fondness I'd always felt for him had only grown stronger with our intimacy, and I found myself very much liking the affection I could show him in private, even if we kept it hidden from the others. "Lets go then."

We met David and the newcomer by the elevators, just as Jack arrived. The man was even more fantastical in person, sporting a full beard and wearing some kind of embroidered robe that made me think of some kind of Ren Faire. I raised an eyebrow. "Well... this is different."

David grinned. "Gentlemen. This is Athos - "

"Seigner d'Athos et d'Auteville," the man volunteered, dropping into a fancy deep bow, and I felt my eyebrow raise higher of its own accord.

" - he's French," David finished, as if that explained everything.

Jack regarded him with a tilted head. "Anyone speak French?"

"Only German and a little -- Italian, I am afraid," Daniel remarked, and David glanced over at him with a grin.

"Sind Sie fließend Deutsch? Sind Sie aus Deutschland?"

Daniel chuckled softly as I stared at them blankly. "I attended university there -- for a time. Mein Vater ist Deutsch. Meine Eltern haben bestimmte -- konnte ich die Sprache zu sprechen, ebenso wie ein Einheimischer. Und du?"

The kid grinned and shrugged. "Maybe I was a Nazi in a past life. They were snappy dressers."

Jack ignored the two of them, approaching the newcomer. "Do you speak English? What's your story?"

"Well enough," he replied, looking a little guarded. "I am a member of the guard of King Louis the thirteenth. And you are...?"

Jack gave a little nod, and offered his hand. "Jack Bauer. I do about the same thing, but we're about four hundred years past your king."

Athos took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Good. Who leads here?"

Jack paused. "I run security. There's only seven of us here at the moment, I'm afraid. Four combatants, two... doctors. And this guy." He thumbed at David, who gave a toothy grin. "We have one identified threat who we are trying to track down."

"And do you know the source of the witchery that has caused things to be this way?"

"Don't think we'd still be here if we had," David replied casually, from where he'd leaned up against the wall and lit a cigarette, regardless of still being inside.

Athos gave a sharp nod. "If you will allow me and provide lodging, I will give my aid to your campaign."

I glanced to Daniel, who gave a slow nod, and I echoed it. "Sure, glad to have you. I'm Ben, this is Daniel. The others are upstairs. We'll show you around."

Jack still barred the way to the elevator, arms folded across his chest. "What kind of weapons do you have?"

The man handed over an antique pistol without question, then unsheathed the sword at his belt, offering the hilt to Jack. He shook his head, turning the pistol over in his hands, then handed it back. "We'll have to get you a proper gun if you're going to be any use in a shoot out."

Athos looked slightly taken aback. He sheathed the sword, then took the pistol, glancing down the far end of the hallway. Lifting it, he calmly took out the exit sign, then raised an eyebrow at Jack. "Is there something wrong with my pistol?"

I shrugged. "He seems well trained. Let him keep the pistol."

Jack shook his head. "It doesn't matter how good a shot he is. The weapon's too primitive. He needs a modern gun."

The bearded was watching the both of them, and gave a little smile. "How about we see who is the better shot, then? I challenge you, as a gentleman. My weapon to yours."

David grinned. "Do it, JB. My money's on Frenchie."

Jack looked slightly insulted, but hid it well. "Name your stakes."

The teen regarded him for a moment. "If he wins, you have to give Nelson what you promised him. No more of this tie him up and leave him somewhere game."

I watched Jack return the contemplative look for a long moment, blue eyes narrowed. "And if I win, you have to do it in my place."

A flash of a grin. "You're on."

I watched them talk and plan with a soft chuckle, shaking my head. At least it was something to do, to keep our minds off the threat of the man who called himself The Caller. I glanced at David. "You really think he can out shoot Jack?"

He folded his arms across his chest with a little smile. "Perhaps. The Musketeers of that time were incredibly devoted to their trade and their duty. They don't make men quite like that anymore."

"You speak like you know this firsthand," I replied, watching him, and he grinned.

"Just wishful thinking, Ben. You should tell the others about the show.


After much pomp and circumstance, Jack won, although the battle was close, and each seemed impressed with the other by the end of it, something that rather relieved me. The two of them made arrangements to find him a semi-automatic and teach him the workings of it the next day, which truthfully he didn't seem to mind. David showed him the ropes of the place, talking quickly and switching between French and English far too unreliably for me to follow, and I wondered where on earth a punk on a bike had picked up both fluent French and German.

Athos caught my arm sometime before bed, with more than a little concern. "I have inquired with a few of the others, but to no avail... I saw a young boy, like us. He was one one of those... bikes? With a... statue...."

I glanced over sharply. "You saw him too? Where?"

He shrugged. "Out in the city. He was gone before I could speak with him. He seemed... very frightened."

I gave a slow nod. "It was the same when I saw him. I'll get the others to keep an eye out for him."

~~~~

Nelson Wright

The second floor of the hotel had a terrace, attached to what I assumed was supposed to one day be an expensive restaurant. I didn't particularly care, just enjoyed the fact that I could go out and smoke without having to pick the damn ground floor lock to get back in. I hadn't realized how habitual it had become, however, until I spotted David through the glass hotel doors. I gave him a nod as he approached, wondering why he was seeking me out. Not that I minded his company, David was probably the best looking out of all of us here. "Hey."

"Hey," he replied, stopping in front of me, regarding me with a discerning eye. I wordlessly offered him a cigarette, but he shook his head. "I'm just going to get straight to the point, Nelson. I have a proposition for you. "

I took a drag of my cigarette, curious. "I'm listening."

"Good." he paused, and I tried to read him. There was a hesitancy in his eyes still, mixed with... something? that I couldn't quite place. What he said next, however, surprised me. "That whole narcissistic masturbation fantasy thing? I'm in."

I regarded him warily, remembering with a flush of embarrassment the last time someone had agreed to indulge my curiosity. "No thanks. I decided it's not all that important."

"No?" He stepped closer, deliberately bringing a hand up to trace his fingertips down my chest. "That's a shame... now that I've finally started thinking about how very nice it might be."

I shivered a little at his touch, despite myself. "I'm not interested, David."

"I promise I won't handcuff you to the bed, or otherwise try to humiliate you." He stepped a little closer, smiling. "Come on. Those old guys, they forget what it's like to have a sex drive. You and I know different. Jerking off is getting old."

I pondered his words silently for a long moment, taking another drag of my cigarette. "Then what's the catch?"

He shook his head. "No catch. Just, you know. Need you to donate some blood."

"Donate blood?" I stared at him blankly, wondering if I'd heard him right.

"Yeah, a couple pints. Nothing you won't miss."

Blood? What the hell did he want that for? I reached out to touch his forehead automatically, the doctor in me taking over. "Are you feeling okay, David? I don't think you need a transfusion."

He gave a slightly exasperated sigh despite, his voice lowering further. "To drink. I'm hungry."

"What?!"

"I'm a Vampire," he said finally, through clenched teeth, "And if you say anything to anybody I WILL kill you."

I stared at him blankly, not quite sure I believed him. But after everything that had happened in the past few weeks, I figured I might as well take the leap. "... sex for blood?"

"It won't hurt you," he assured. "It's actually pretty erotic."

"I'm not exactly a damsel in distress, David. Isn't that what you're supposed to go after? Nullible virgin girls?"

He laughed. "No, you're definitely not a damsel. And that's what I prefer."

It was hard to say no, not with him so close to me. And at least I didn't have to worry about calling someone else's name.... "Okay. You're on. Just tell me what to do."

He grinned, and leaned in to kiss me hotly, flicking his tongue lightly against my bottom lip, something that was almost electric in the sensation it sent through me. His voice was warm and throaty, and I found myself wondering if it was somehow a little lower, a little sexier than the rest of ours. "Come back to my room, and we'll have some fun. I'll lead, you follow. That's all."

"Sure," I replied, feeling somehow a little dazed still from his kiss. But then again, it had been some time since I'd kissed anyone at all....

I followed him through the restaurant where he grabbed a bottle of cognac from the bar that was lightly stocked, just for show, twisting the top off and taking a swallow straight from the bottle. "You want something different to drink?"

I shook my head and took it from him, choking a little as the liquid burned down my throat. "Shit, that's strong."

He chuckled. "Good, isn't it? You know you can still buy three hundred year old cognac? Costs an arm and a leg, of course. But the taste is perfection." He took the bottle from me as we went into the elevator, taking another swig. "Funny thing is, they first started making it to use up leftover white wine that was too shit to sell as wine. So you could say that cognac was the hot dog of the alcohol world. Drink more."

I took the bottle as it was passed to me, taking a longer swig. I wasn't quite sure what to make of all this, and it was easier to drink than to understand what he was saying. "You're really a vampire? Where's the... you know, teeth. And the sleeping during the day thing."

"It's always night for me here, conveniently enough." He walked out of the elevator as the doors opened, trusting me to follow. "Come to my room and I'll show you, if you want proof." He pulled a small switchblade from his pocket as he walked, flipping it open, and I stared at it, a little concerned.

"Proof involving a knife?"

He grinned, opening the door. "I'm not going to hurt you, Nelson. Would be pretty damn stupid to kill the doctor, now, wouldn't it? Look."

I looked despite himself as he held out a hand palm up, drawing the blade along it to leave a thin line of red in its wake, blood staining his palm. I gave a cry of alarm and caught hold of it, but the cut was already closing itself up, healing before my eyes. "What the hell...?"

"Is that enough proof?" He licked the residue of blood from his palm, then took the bottle from me and took another swig, leaving the knife on the bedside table. "I'm not going to show you my fangs, 'cause I get real ugly, and you're not drunk enough for that yet." There was a stereo by the window, and he moved over to it, turning on something rhythmic and dreamy with a low, thrumming base that I could feel vibrate the floor just a little. He left the room dim apart from the desk lamp. "You can smoke if you want."

A cigarette sounded like a really good idea. I lit one, offering him my pack, but he waved it away, producing a silver filigree cigarette case and taking out something that looked hand rolled. As he lit it, I caught a whiff of something pungent. "... is that weed?"

He smirked, exhaling. "Want some?"

"... do you know what that stuff does to you?"

His smile widened, and he stepped back to me, movements slow and languid. "Yeah... makes you feel really, really good. Come on."

"David...."

"Just inhale," he said, taking another drag, then leaned in and sealed his mouth over mine.

I took it, inhaling the smoke in his breath without even thinking about it, holding it in for a few seconds before exhaling. It was too erotic to refuse. "... shit."

"Good, hm? Want more?" His mouth was on mine again before I could answer, and I closed my eyes and breathed it in, feeling his hand cup my hip to pull me closer, turning it into a kiss as the smoke ended. His lips were warm and firm, and not all that different from the few men I'd kissed in the past. Not all that different than I'd imagined the one I wanted to kiss, apart from the facial hair. And Labraccio would never try to get me high. I gave a soft moan against his mouth before I could stop myself, returning the kisses, pressing my tongue past the lips that parted invitingly to taste him.

He drew back with a little appreciative noise, offering the joint. "Want a hoot this time?"

I took a drag of my own cigarette, considering, feeling like my nerves were singing a little from his kisses, from the hand that still rested on my hip. Then I took the joint from him, which made him grin, inhaling deeply and trying to hold it in but failing, coughing, lungs complaining and trying to repel the unfamiliar substance. "Shit... stronger than cigarettes..."

He chuckled, taking the joint from me and rubbing my back. "It's okay, it's the resin, it hits everyone the first time." He pulled me close as I caught my breath, nuzzling my cheek. "Want to go back to doing it the other way?"

I nodded, and after a moment his lips were on mine again, shotgunning the drug to me, drawing me in to his kisses as he finished, warm and yearning and hungry. I stubbed out the remains of my cigarette in the hotel ash tray as he pulled away, stroking hands over his hips. "How do we do this?"

He shrugged. "We make out, I suck you off. Unless you want something different."

I felt a soft rush of arousal at his words, and wet my lips. "No, I mean - the blood...."

He grinned, kissing me lightly. "Don't go worrying your pretty little head about that. I'll take care of everything. You'll like it."

I'd certainly liked what he'd done so far. The joint was dwindling quickly, and he took another hoot, pulling me close to pass it to me again. I whimpered softly against his mouth as he kissed me afterward, pressing closer, hips rocking ever so slightly against his. He took a moment to carefully put out the roach, leaving it on the ashtray, then caught my mouth again, hands stroking over my hips and sides, rocking slowly against me in time with the low beats of the music. There was a kind of fuzzy warmth slowly making its way into my fingers, a little like being drunk without the clumsiness, and it somehow made every kiss, every touch more vibrant and meaningful. He was unbuttoning my shirt before I quite knew what was happening, kissing hotly down my neck, fingers stroking teasingly over the bare skin revealed, making me whimper. I pushed his coat off his shoulders and started to tug his t-shirt up, suddenly craving more contact, craving the feel of his skin.

He pulled back just long enough to let me pull it over his head, pulling my own shirt off as well, and then he was on me again, kisses hot and demanding, pulling my hips tight against his. He was grinding his erection against me in time with the thrums of bass that vibrated through me, thigh pressed against me, the friction of the movement through my jeans and his kisses and touch making me achingly hard. "Mmm, David...."

"Come on," he murmured, and tugged me into the bed, laying half over me, our legs still tangled together, still grinding. I was too relaxed to complain, languid and turned on all at the same time, letting my hands drink their fill of his bare skin as my hips rocked helplessly up against his, craving more sensation.

A knock on the door, and I froze. Someone's voice. "David?"

He frowned a little, pushing himself up and glancing toward the door. "Jack, I'm busy." His hand slipped to cup my erection through my jeans, and I whimpered despite myself, flushing darkly.

A momentary pause, then a reply. "Sorry. Come see me later."

David chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss me again. "Sorry, where were we?"

"Sex." I nipped lightly at his bottom lip. "How do you know it was Jack?"

"You all smell different," he said, before taking my bottom lip between his, sucking and nibbling on it. His fingers were at my belt before I knew it, tugging my jeans undone and slipping a hand in my shorts to cup my cock, the feel of his skin against my arousal achingly good. I was whimpering against his mouth, shivering a little under him, and he kissed me slowly, warm and gentle as he tugged my jeans and shorts down. His voice was warm. "How long has it been, baby...?"

The term of endearment was strange to me, but I was too warm, too aroused to question it. "Far too long."

My pants were off, and his fingers curled around my cock, stroking almost teasingly slow. "For someone with your good looks?" A soft chuckle, which I echoed breathlessly. "I find that hard to believe."

I arched up into his hand, trying to encourage more. "Mmm... made the mistake of falling in love.... never told him, though. Didn't want anyone else."

"Mmmm..." his breath was warm on my face as he kissed slowly along my jaw, sucking gently at the skin just under my ear, making me shiver. "Love's a bitch, isn't it? I made that mistake too." He moved to kiss my throat, kneeling over me as he began to explore my chest with his mouth, sucking gently on a nipple, fingers still teasing my erection. "This is nice...."

I tried to tug his pants undone, but he'd pulled from my touch before I could stop him, kissing and licking a wet trail down my stomach to nuzzle the base of my erection. His breath trailed, teasingly light, over my aching flesh, and I arched under him helplessly, gasping as his tongue flicked out to tease my head, to cover my cock with long, slow laps. Then he urged my thighs farther apart, moving to kiss a spot on my thigh, sucking and licking and nipping lightly at the sensitive skin, over and over until I whimpered softly in frustration. "Fuck, David...."

He sat up just enough to reach for the switchblade that still sat open on the bedside table, watching me carefully, his voice husky. "Just relax. This will hurt for just a moment, and then I promise it will feel amazing, and there won't be a mark on you afterward. Do you believe me?"

I hesitated, eyeing the blade, but forced myself to nod slowly, leaning back and closing my eyes again.

There was a sharp, stabbing pain on my thigh as the blade cut into my flesh, but then his mouth was on my skin again, and that was fucking euphoric. I thought I'd been aroused before, but it was nothing compared to this, to the shuddering hit of sensation and need that rushed through my veins, and I ached for him so badly that I had to clench my hands in the sheets to keep from grabbing his head and forcing him to suck me. His lips were still sealed on my thigh, sucking - drinking, I realized with a little shiver, fingers clenched tight on my hips to keep me still, and as I relaxed a little, his free hand went back to my cock, stroking slowly, teasingly as he fed.

"David - !" I was gasping helplessly, crying his name despite myself, maddeningly, unbearably aroused. "Oh god, David please...!" Finally, when I thought I couldn't possibly take another moment, he moved, kissing my thigh gently, then taking my cock in his mouth.

I arched up into the sensation helplessly, trembling, barely able to keep the rush of sensation at bay, to keep from climaxing right then and there. "Turn around," I gasped, tugging his head back. "Want to suck you...."

He gave a breathless, delighted chuckle, slipping out of his jeans and doing as I'd asked, kneeling over my face. I arched up to take him in my mouth, to concentrate on what I wanted to do to him instead of what he wanted to do to me, which helped me to control myself a little, swirling my tongue around him, sucking at the pearls of precum at the head of his cock. God, it had been far too long....

He was groaning around me as much as I was, hips rocking into my mouth ever so slightly as he continued to work on me, taking my cock deep into his throat. I cupped his sack with one hand, deep throating him as well, faintly shuddering under him as the pleasure built, hard and tense in my core, craving release. I could feel him shudder as well, and redoubled my efforts, loving the taste of him, the sensation of him hot and hard in my mouth. Still, it was all too much, too intense, and I bucked up into his mouth as my pleasure surged and crested, shuddering, climaxing, sucking hard at his cock as I did. I continued to work on him as much as I could, taking the thrusts of his hips through the bright oblivion of pleasure, groaning as he bucked deep and came, hot and thick in my mouth.

I swallowed and let my head fall back to the pillows, gasping for breath, closing my eyes against the world that spun around me. "Oh god...."

He moved to curl next to me, kissing me gently. "You all right, babe?

I tried to take a few deep breaths, trying to control the feeling of vertigo, the tingling shudders that ran through me that weren't entirely from orgasm. "I... I'm really fucking high, David...."

He chuckled softly, and I felt the comforter tugged from under me and wrapped around me, along with his arms. "Sleep it off, first timer. You'll feel better when you wake up."

"Mmmm," I managed to reply, before giving in and sinking into the dark and warmth and comfort, falling deep asleep.

~~~~~~~~~


David

I found Jack back in his room surrounded by purloined surveillance equipment, tapping away at the laptop, smoking a cigarette. I rapped lightly on the door in announcement as I breezed in, locking the door behind me, and he looked up, pulling off the headphones he'd been wearing and setting them on the desk. "That was fast."

I shrugged. "Kid's a lightweight, gave him a bit of pot and he passed out cold as soon as we were done."

He have a non committal grunt, turning back to his keyboard, stubbing out the cigarette. I pushed his chair back a little, slipping in front of him and leaning back against the desk. "You know, you didn't have to make the bet if you were jealous, JB. Or you could have just lost to Frenchie."

"I'm not jealous."

"No?" I slipped down to straddle his lap, slipping my arms around his neck and leaning in to kiss him, warm and yearning, and he didn't resist. "If you're not jealous, show me...."

He looked up at me, but made no move to push me off his lap. "You just had sex."

"Vampire, Jack. Recovery time does not exist in my world." I gave him a toothy grin, then leaned in again to start to trail kisses along his jaw. "Besides... I want you to fuck me while you're still angry about it...."

He turned his face away from mine, but his hands came up anyway, cupping my ass, pulling me closer. "Dammit, David...."

"Love it when you talk like that." I let my hips rock slowly against his with a soft groan, licking the crook of his neck before nipping at it gently. "I didn't let him fuck me."

"Good."

"And you taste better." I licked slowly up the tendon in his neck, nibbling just below his ear, and he moaned softly, fingers kneading at my ass. "So no more jealousy, okay?"

"I'm not jealous of the fucking kid," he growled, and I grinned, then let the hunter free just long enough to sink my fangs into his neck, to hear him cry out in surprise and pain. Then I shifted back, grinding against his quickly growing erection, one hand tangled tight in his hair to hold him still as I drank.

It was almost hard to control myself around Jack. There was something so rich and fulfilling about the taste of him, and part of me wished I could turn him, just so I could drink my fill and still have sex afterward. But part of what I loved about him was how very mortal he was, so I forced myself to stop before I took too much, healing the wounds, pulling back to catch his mouth hungrily. He responded without reserve, claiming my mouth, hard and demanding. "Dammit, that hurt."

I chuckled softly. "Punishment for being jealous, my warrior." I nipped lightly at his bottom lip then stood, slipping out of my jacket and pulling my shirt up over my head, turning to look at him as I made my way over to his bed. "Coming?"

He sighed and shook his head, standing, following. "Goddamn punk."

"You know you like it," I replied with a smirk, pulling his shirt up over his head as my hands started to tug at his belt. He caught my ass and pulled me close, catching my mouth and almost crushing it to his, kissing, nipping, licking, scraping lips and teeth and tongues as he yanked my jeans undone and off. I wiggled out of them without complaint, groaning into his mouth, tugging his pants down enough to wrap my fingers around his erection, stroking him firm and slow. "That's it... show me just what you want to do with me."

"Get on the bed." He pushed me down, barely pausing to kick off his jeans before kneeling over me. I found myself glad that I'd left lube in his bedside drawer, because he hardly stopped to use that before my legs were over his shoulders and he was taking me, leaning over to kiss me hard and breathless. "Careful what you ask for."

"Ohh, fuck yes - ! God, Jack, harder!" I rocked up into him as much as I could, one hand tangling in his hair to hold him to my kisses. He complied wordlessly, bucking harder into me, pulling gasping cries of pleasure from my mouth that he muffled with his kisses, sucking on my lips and tongue. This was exactly what I'd wanted, Jack all worked up and emotional, not holding anything back, craved his cock hard and deep inside me, hitting against my sweet spot over and over as he took his pleasure from me without restraint.

He sat up just enough to look at me, lending to deeper penetration, breath in hard pants with the movement of our bodies. There was a kind of wildness in his gaze that reminded me of the hunter, blue eyes narrowed and focused, watching my body shudder in pleasure with each thrust. "Touch yourself for me."

I chuckled breathlessly, letting one hand slip to my cock, stroking slowly, lightly. "You like that, hmm? Like to - watch me jerk off - 'cause of what you do to me? Huh Jack? Make me so desperate, so - so fucking hard? Ohh, GOD!"

He rocked hard into me at that, picking up the pace, and it was all I could do to hold on. I let my head fall back and my eyes close as I stroked myself hard and fast, almost wailing under the overwhelming intensity of his onslaught. I knew I couldn't keep it up, the pleasure building fast, and tightened my fingers on myself. "Oh fuck - god, Jack! Oh yes, fuck - ! Give it to me!"

His hips snapped hard into me a few more times, driving me fast and uncontrollably to the edge, sensation and arousal peaking and finally rushing over to a shuddering sweet climax. I clenched around him as I did, still stroking myself as pleasure sparked hot through my veins, letting my free hand slip through my ejaculate where it landed as I came in spurts, slicking it over my chest and stomach. I was vaguely aware of Jack cursing a blue streak over me, thrusting hard into me, then finally blowing his load, hot and slick in my ass.

I barely managed not to whimper as he pulled away from me, gasping for breath, feeling deliciously raw and well used. It would fade soon enough as my body healed itself, but for now I relished in it, and in the strength of his arms as he pulled me into them, kissing my hair. "Fuck... you okay?"

"Of course," I chuckled, pulse gradually slowing, leaning up to kiss him warmly. "... except I think we woke up the neighbours."

"Dammit." He gave a soft chuckle, looking sheepish, and I laughed, kissing him again.

"Don't worry. From the sounds of it, they enjoyed the show. They're still fucking, you know."

"I had a feeling."

I nuzzled his neck, breathing in deep - the obvious smells of his cologne and sweat and sex, and the more subtle scents of Jack that only I could detect. My warrior, tired and sated and pleased. "Feel better?"

"Mmm," he murmured noncommittally, lips pressing softly to my forehead, and I let him hold me like that for some time, enjoying the warmth and strength of his body pressed close.

"I have to go watch over the kid," I murmured softly, not wanting to extract myself from the warmth of his embrace, but knowing I should. "Shouldn't make him wake up alone."

"Mmmm." Jack was silent for a moment, not moving to let me go. "David..."

"Yeah?"

"Don't feed from him again."

I pulled back enough to meet his gaze with a smile, but his blue eyes were serious. "I don't really have to with you around, do I?"

"David...."

"I won't," I replied, letting my smile fade, and leaned in to kiss him, slow and warm. "Don't fret my warrior. I'm your plunder."

"Good," he replied softly, and let me go.

~~~~~~~

For a few days after Athos arrived, things appeared to be quiet, surprisingly so. I could tell it made Jack uneasy, though I tried to distract him. I hadn't particularly planned on things getting as serious with Jack as they did, and I was fairly certain he hadn't either, and we didn't speak on it much beyond my declaration of love and vow of fealty, the morning after the first time we'd had intercourse. And of course, his quiet request for monogamy when it came to who I fed from, after the night I slept with Nelson.

I hadn't seen much of Nelson since that night, since he woke up the next morning pale and hungover and strangely shy, but sated, kissing me lightly and thanking me for pleasure shared before leaving soon afterward. I didn't think much of it, I didn't particularly care to keep tabs on any of the others unless Jack asked me to. Our newest addition, my strange, French friend, settled in quietly, but spent most of his days out in the city, saying that he was searching for a young boy of our kind that even I hadn't seen, apparently riding around in a motorbike with a department store mannequin in the sidecar.

A knock came on Jack's door early one morning, interrupting my post-coital teasing. I felt him stiffen and glance toward the door.

"It's the shrink," I said softly, "Want me to make myself scarce?"

"Jack?" The knock came again, and his voice sounded strangely uneasy. "Jack, do you know -- where David is? There is... I need to speak to him."

I glanced at Jack, who shrugged. "Go ahead, answer."

I wriggled into my jeans as Jack started finding his own clothing, doing them up and opening the door. "Yo."

His eyebrows quirked slightly as he took in my appearance, but he didn't remark on it. "I need you to come with me," he said carefully, and I could sense more unease in him. "Something has... happened. Nelson has asked -- to speak with you."

Jack appeared behind me without warning, fully dressed. "What happened?"

Daniel eyed him warily. "I believe that is a matter -- between Nelson and David."

"He comes, or I don't," I said simply, raising my chin with a bit of a challenge. I wasn't particularly in the mood to deal with whatever petty human issue Nelson may have come up with in the aftermath of our sexual encounter, and it would be easier to be rid of it if Jack were there.

Daniel sighed, and stepped back. "As you wish," he said simply, and started down the hall toward the suite.

I followed with a little frown, taking my shirt from Jack as he caught up to us and handed it to me, pulling it on over my head. This, I reminded myself, was why I was supposed to be careful around humans. They always got their feelings in a knot - Jack included, though I didn't mind that so much, I couldn't deny that my own feelings for my warrior were rather more than platonic.

What awaited me in Nelson's room was, however, the last thing I'd expected. He answered the door at Daniel's knock, wearing one of the fluffy hotel robes when we arrived, over a pair of jeans, though the robe looked strangely bulky on his back, like it covered some kind of rucksack. "What the hell is he doing here?" he asked angrily, staring at Jack.

"He's with me," I shot back sharply. "If you want to talk, deal with it. Now let us in."

He stepped back from the door almost mechanically, glaring at me angrily. "I changed my mind, I don't want to talk about it."

"Nelson..." Daniel's voice was soft as he shut the door. "I really think that -- you need to."

"You wanna tell me what the hell is up?" I asked with a frown, folding my arms across my chest. Nelson's eyes glanced from me back to Daniel, who gave a little reassuring nod.

"Show him."

The boy gave a soft sigh, closing his eyes for a moment. Then he yanked the tie of the robe undone, tossing it off his shoulders, and for a long moment, I forgot to breathe. The bulk that had been covered by the robe had been pulled tight against his back, but unfolded now, stretching out to almost twice arms length on either side of his body....

Wide, dark bat wings.

I drew a sharp breath, remembering to breathe. "... holy fuck."

"Yeah," he said coldly, glaring at me. "Holy fuck, that's a good way to put it. What the fuck did you do to me, David?"

"Me? I didn't do shit to you. Even if I had turned you - which I didn't - we don't fucking sprout wings, we just turn into bats - "

"Turn?" Daniel questioned softly, and I shot him a slightly irritated glare. "Vampire. But I didn't do anything to Nelson."

"You fed from me," Nelson interjected angrily. "And how the hell else would I have these fucking demon wings growing out of my goddamn back?"

My eyes narrowed, and I jerked my head toward Jack behind me. "You see anything wrong with him? I've fed from him at least 8 times since we got here. I didn't fucking do this."

"Can we calm down please?" Jack's voice was low and authoritative behind me, and I found myself surprisingly relieved to have him take charge. He moved toward Nelson, who frowned but let him touch the wings, shivering a little as he ran his hand down the main arm of the wing, examining where it connected to his back.

Nelson closed his eyes and gave a soft whimper. "Please stop..." Jack pulled back immediately, stepping away, and Nelson pulled the wings in against his back, shuddering a little and pulling deep breaths. "I'm sorry," he managed, voice a little raw. "They're very... they're very sensitive."

Jack gave a little mute nod, glancing to Daniel, then back to me. "Look, David... whether or not this is because of you, you're the only one here who knows anything about this kind of... this supernatural stuff. Do you have any idea at all what did this to him? We can't let it happen to anyone else. Obviously you haven't had any supernatural effect on me...."

I shrugged. "Beats me, JB. I don't usually have sex with humans, and if I do they don't tend to live long to tell about it."

He frowned a little, thinking. "What did you do to him?"

"Fed. Sucked him off. Well, we sixty-nined, if you want the kinky details."

Jack gazed at me evenly. "So if your blood turns a mortal into a vampire, do you mind telling me what ejaculate does?"

I looked away. Truth told I'd had more than a suspicion that it might have something to do with it, especially after Max telling me to be very careful with humans... "I honestly have no fucking clue. Like I said... I don't usually fuck around with humans and leave them alive afterwards."

"Thanks for the consideration," Nelson mumbled crankily.

Jack ignored him. "You're sure he isn't a vampire?"

"Positive. We don't sprout wings."

"What about some new kind of vampire?"

I resisted the urge to shoot him a withering glance, and pulled his switchblade out of the pocket of my jeans, flicking it open. I drew it across my palm, drawing blood, then stepped toward Nelson and shoved it in front of his face.

He jerked backward. "Eww, what the fuck are you doing?"

"Not a vampire," I declared, running my tongue across the cut to close it, then licking the knife clean. I tucked it away, and sighed. "Look, Nelson... I'm sorry, for what it's worth. I didn't know, and I had no intention to hurt you."

"That doesn't help much now, does it," he shot back angrily, and Daniel touched his arm gently, something that somehow seemed to calm him.

"David? Is there anything we can do -- to reverse this?"

I gave a soft laugh, shaking my head. "I have no fucking clue what "this" even is, honestly. If he was a vamp, he'd only be a halfer - a ghoul - until he'd made his first kill. Still be able to walk in the sun, that kind of thing. After the first kill, there's no going back."

"And before that?" Daniel asked calmly, and I gave a wry grin.

"If I told you the answer to that, I'd have to kill you. Sorry. I don't have any solutions for you."

"So what do we do with him?" Jack asked with a little frown. "Is he dangerous, like this?"

"I'm fine," Nelson shot back angrily, but I could tell by the tremor in his voice that he was anything but.

I glanced to Jack and Daniel. "Leave me alone to talk with him." At Jack's sceptical look, I smiled. "I can handle myself, Jack. You know that. And I won't hurt him. Leave us." Neither of them looked particularly pleased with being asked to leave, but let me usher them from the room. I pulled the door closed and latched it behind them, then turned to Nelson, who was watching me warily.

"David...."

I moved to stand in front of him, letting my hands rest on his biceps, and he shivered under my touch. He was different, I could smell it on him. Not a vampire, no, but not just human anymore. He smelled like a brother... no, like a child. Like Michael had. "I'm sorry I've been so standoffish," I said softly, watching him shiver at the words. "I honestly didn't mean to hurt you, Nelson. But Jack...." I sighed softly, trying to explain myself in a way that he could understand. "I've made him a promise of fealty. That doesn't mean much to you, I know, but it's a very serious thing for vampires. It's why I haven't been around you. He was jealous."

"Of me?" Nelson gave a little half smile, and I grinned.

"Yeah. Feels good, doesn't it?" I stroked my hands up and down his arms, trying to calm him, though strangely it only made him more anxious. "Talk to me, baby. Tell me what you're feeling. I want to help you."

"Scared as hell," he muttered, and I could see his cheeks colour in the darkness. "I've had some pretty fucked up shit happen to me in my life, but this... this kind of takes the cake. My back started itching the morning after I was with you, but I couldn't see anything until the next day, when there was these weird lumps... I was really exhausted, so I went to bed early last night... had the most horrible nightmares and woke up... like this."

I nodded slowly. "Does the sunlight bother you? Is your reflection at all transparent? Have you felt yourself levitate?" He shook his head no for each one, and I felt a little relief, though it might have been easier if he was just some strange kind of ghoul. "You aren't like I am, baby, or you would be experiencing those things. What about the humans?"

He looked at me sharply. "What about them?"

"How do they smell? Do they make you hungry?"

He shook his head again, and lowered it, staring down at the carpet between us. "No...."

"What is it?" I asked softly, and leaned in to press my lips to the top of his head, feeling him shiver under me. "Come on, baby. Talk to me."

He gave a soft, helpless sob, then moved suddenly, arms snaking around my waist to pull me tight against him, claiming my mouth with a trembling kiss. He was hard, I realized instantly, hips arching against me as if almost desperate for sensation, whimpering into my mouth as he tore at it hungrily, hands tight on my ass. I returned the kiss with a little reassuring moan, stroking my fingers through his hair, but pulled back gently before it could escalate further. "Nelson?"

"This is what I feel," he whispered, lowering his head with a shudder of shame, his breath catching in his throat. "This is - this is all I feel, every time I see someone. I can - I can jerk off, but I still... I ache, David. And as soon as I see someone... I'm hard again." He gave a little helpless sob, and I moved without hesitation, cupping his face in my hands and drawing it up to mine, kissing him warmly.

"I want to try something," I said softly. "I think it will help. I'm sure it won't make things any worse. Do you trust me?"

He gave a soft, shivering laugh. "I don't know, David. But what choice do I have?"

"Shhhh," I said softly, and stroked a hand gently down his midline to cup him through his jeans, a gentle touch that made him almost sob in relief, arching up against my hand. I tugged his jeans undone quickly, slipping my hand under his boxers to curl around his erection, and he clung to me almost desperately, rocking up into my touch. "May I?" I asked softly, and I couldn't tell if his reply was an incredulous laugh or a desperate sob.

"Don't stop," he gasped helplessly, fingers already tugging frantically at my jeans, kisses hard and desperate, whimpering against my mouth.

My jeans were around my ankles almost before I knew what was happening, and I pushed his off with his shorts to join them. "Let me suck you off again," I hissed, and he nodded, giving a helpless little moan against my mouth.

"Me too," he breathed, drawing back to look at me, and I wasn't surprised to see his blue irises had shifted to crimson, like mine did when the hunter was free, and the desire in his voice was almost palatable. "Like before. Please, David."

I stretched out on the bed this time and let him kneel over me, taking his cock in my mouth as he did. He gave a shuddering, helpless moan, wings outstretched and trembling, and I reached a hand up to catch the edge of one, gently stroking the edge of the membrane between my thumb and forefinger. He bucked a little helplessly into my mouth in response, crying out around my cock, fingers clenched tight on my hips.

There was a kind of thrall to it that put me very much in mind of feeding, but it was coming from him, not me, something that was surprising and a little overwhelming. I didn't fight it, letting myself be caught up in the waves of arousal and desire, taking him deep into my throat as he did the same to me, mouth hot and wet and hungry on my cock as he thrust into my mouth. The sensation built hard and fast and furious, and I knew that neither of us was likely to last long.

I felt his hands cup and massage my sack, felt his teeth whisper against my skin as he pulled back before swallowing me again, and it almost did me in. I gave a sharp smack to his ass with my free hand, something that made him cry out and buck into my mouth, then pressed my fingers to stroke his opening, pressing one gently inside him as I took him deep in my throat. I hadn't intended to penetrate him fully, but he pressed back against my finger before I could stop him, and the next thing I knew I was seeking his prostate, fingertip brushing it gently as I sucked him, pulling him over the edge as he came hard and uncontrollable, thick and hot in my mouth. I let it pull me over the edge as well, bucking up into his mouth with a throaty cry, swallowing all he had to give me as my own pleasure shuddered through my body.

When he finally started to relax, to soften, I pulled back with a soft moan, easing my finger from him and letting myself collapse back on the bed. He half curled beside me, panting, wings folded tight against his back again.

"You okay?" I asked softly, and he hesitated, then gave a slow nod.

"I think so," he said softly, and wet his lips. "It felt... it felt like when you fed from me...."

I gave a little nod. "But it was you making it feel that way this time. This, apparently, is what you are."

He looked at me warily, quirking an eyebrow. "You're saying I'm a... a... fuck, David I can't even say it."

I gave a soft chuckle, and leaned over to gave him a soft kiss. "Try Incubus, if you like. It doesn't have to be crude and corny, baby."

"Why are you being so nice to me?" he asked softly, looking more than a little insecure, and I tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"I take care of my own, Nelson. It might be a bit complicated, but I'll try to take care of you as well."

He glanced away, looking as if considering what I'd said. "I think I'll be all right."

"See how you feel now that you've gotten some," I suggested gently. "And you're welcome to come see me if you need a hand. Just... don't let anyone suck you off."

He chuckled softly. "Noted. Thanks. What the hell do I say about the wings?"

I shrugged. "Blame them on me. I don't think anyone's going to come after me with a pitchfork, unless you ask them to." I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, then sat. "You going to be okay on your own?"

He nodded. "Yeah... go on back to Jack. Thanks, David."
~~~~~~