ERIC NORTHMAN

This human was … fucking crazy. There’s no other way to look at it. I listened carefully to his proposition. One can’t be too cautious with humans. They always have a stake, if not in hand then in their mind. I paced then turned a glare.

“You are asking me to escort you through the time Portal.”

“I am. Think about it, Eric. I can witness historic events first hand, put a personal spin on them and write one hell of a kick ass best seller.”

“Yes. And what’s in this for me, McAffrey?”

“Um … well …”

Obviously he hadn’t thought this thing out that far. “Have you considered the risks?” I sat on the wall length bench across the room from him. The full moon cast a brilliant block of white light across the floor, separating us as what we are … two very different races … from two very different worlds … and two beings who probably don’t belong anywhere near each other. Of course, I’m always up for an adventure, but I also have Biebe to deal with. I promised him I wouldn’t mess with the Portals, and here, one of his own is begging me to do just that. I promised him I wouldn’t drink from one of his people, and face it; months trapped in a Portal can get kind of … dry. At my age, I don’t need much. I can easily go days without feeding, but eventually I have to eat.

There is another side to my intrigue. How did McCaffrey contact me? What energy does he have that completes my ability to move through the Portals … AND to reach a destination with pinpoint accuracy? Food for thought.

McAffrey was chewing over my last question. I have no patience for human thought processes. “Fine, I’ll tell you about the risks,” I grunted and crossed my legs. I had no intention of letting him know my interest … and most especially that he brought some power to the travel. McAffrey needs to believe I hold all the power. I started ticking off the dangers and watched his disappointment grow with each point.

“The Portals are not so controllable. You’ll need to work as hard at getting us where we’re going as I will. We may fail, be lost or stuck for years. You must be prepared for every era we pass through. We will steal clothing to fit in, but mores and attitudes must be recognized and appreciated to avoid drawing suspicion. We’ll often be on the run and in hiding. Languages. How many languages do you speak?”

“Uh … one.”

“Yes,” I hissed. “English, and unfortunately not so well.” He stood to protest and I raised a hand, holding him to his side of the moonlight. “Yes, I understand, you are a prolific writer. Writing and speaking are two very different things, McCaffrey. You’ll just have to find yourself playing the mute in some cases. You’ll be forced to trust me at all times. Can you do that?”

“Yeah, okay. Mute is good, I just want to observe anyway.”

“Ah, but that’s not how it works. In every adventure, you end up interacting. You … me … this moment? Have I made my point?” I recalled the first visit to the Inn when Bill Compton and I were forced to kill a man attacking the pretty bartender. What can I say? We both have a soft spot for pretty, blonde barmaids. “Daisy around?”

“Huh? Who? Cory’s babe? Probably closing up downstairs. What’s she got to do with this?”

“Nothing.” I shook myself out of those thoughts. It’s the only drawback of being a vampire. Sex and blood are very, very distracting. “Blood,” I said sharply and McCaffrey perked up.

“No. Can’t have any of mine, buddy.”

“And so, we’re back to my first question. What’s in it for me?”

The human returned to his seat on the bench and so did I. The block of light became deformed as the moon slid behind the mountain. A break in the wall. What did that mean?

“You’re right Eric. There’s nothing in this for you. Guess I wasted your time.”

“Stop.” He’d stood to leave. “How did you call to me?”

“I just kinda … thought to you.”

“Are you a telepath?”

“Hell no. I don’t even speak English well, for Christ’s sake.”

“And how did you bring me here … to this room?”

“No fucking clue. What’s your point?”

A cloud passed between the moon and the Inn, completely dissolving the wall of light that had defined our differences. I do love an adventure and this could be very promising. “When do you want to leave?”

CAL

“What?” I said. Well damn, I was sure he wasn’t going to take me. “We’re going to do this?”

“When?”

Eric glowed in the darkness. I could see his fangs were out a little and pointed.

“Don’t worry, I’m not hungry. Just looking forward to our journeys.”

I thought a moment. “Well, the way I see it, I can’t just disappear for weeks or months or anything. Maybe we can take shorter trips?”

“Yes, that’s true. I too have responsibilities. It will be our plan, hopefully it will happen. Go on.”

“Yeah, and Biebe won’t be happy if he figures out what I’m doing.”

“Ditto that. When?” The vampire obviously wanted to get on with things.

“Okay, how about tomorrow night? Can we leave from here?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

Not sure what he meant by that but I shrugged it off. “And Eric, do your dining before we hit the Portal, okay?”

Eric Northman stood just as the moon brightened again. The pale light accentuated the angles of his features. Shit, just what I needed. Another good looking buddy to hang out with. He’ll get all the girls, but hey, when I do get one, I won’t leave her punctured.

“I will be well fed. Meet me here, right after sunset. Have a plan as to where you want to go and we will begin our adventures.”

And poof, he was gone. Not even a “see ya later”.

Man I was so excited I could hardly get to sleep that night. I made all my preparations. First thing first. Staying at the Inn somehow made me Biebe’s ward. I can’t forget how pissed off he was when I just left for my trip to Washington without a word. He said he’d searched my room, and if I hadn’t packed a bag he’d have been pretty sure the Portals had sucked me in again. After that episode, the inside of my fucking mouth was actually bleeding because I bit down so hard on it. Who the fuck did he think I was? His kid or something? He stomped out and Riley took over. Damn, but she has another way of dispensing guilt. Typical mother.

“He’s just scared for you,” she said, fighting tears. She’s good, I’ll give her that much. “John’s been there, trapped in his film, no escape and it was horrible. We got super lucky that time and were able to use the expertise of a psychic to get him back. It wasn’t easy. He just worries.”

Okay, fine. So for Riley’s sake more than John’s, I jotted a note, telling them I’d be out of town for a few days. That I needed to get to a city for a while, county life was driving me bonkers. Not exactly a lie.

Then I dug out my old duffle. I’d bought it at a Goodwill store and it was a piece of crap anyway. I had no need to pack anything so I tucked it into a trash bag with a few other things and tossed it into the dumpster outside the kitchen. Before the night was over, it would be buried under all the garbage Daisy and the chefs would be throwing in there.

I stood in the middle of my room trying to think of anything else that might give me away. No way I suspected the Biebe’s would count my socks and jockeys so I discounted that possibility. I had breakfast. Went into Stowe to buy a new notebook and pen. Ate lunch and had a few beers at Kennedy’s pub then headed back to the Inn. All I had to do now was avoid everyone. In this place, it’s hard to imagine not getting sucked into some family gathering; preseason football party, birthday celebrations, dinner invitations, requests for a hand with a new horse delivery at Aubrey’s stables. I had to lay low. I ordered a pizza for delivery and watched television while focusing on where and when I wanted Eric to take me.

Around five, I popped down to the front desk and dropped off my note for the Biebes. “Marla, just give it to them tomorrow. I’ll be heading out real early so you have a good weekend.”

She’s a cute little thing. She smiled and tucked the envelope in John’s in box. Hopefully he won’t get it before I leave and come down on me with a mess of questions.

At seven I went up to the left tower, skulking like a spy and hearing the music from The Pink Panther inside my head. See, already I was having fun!

The sun slowly set behind the mountain and the eerie room seemed to become even more silent.

“Ready?”

I jumped out of my skin. Eric spoke before he even appeared. Cool.

“Let’s do it.”

COLIN

I won’t say that Jessie was angry with me for inviting a guest without her permission, but she’s making up for the lecture on my thoughtless behavior by putting me to work around the house. Seems with Lachlan being tied up with an important client in town, that some home projects have been set aside for later.

I don’t mind the extra work, not really. I can’t remember the last time I picked up a paint brush and it’s been even longer since I’ve worked on anything that didn’t have an engine and wheels. A couple of rooms need painting and one of the upstairs doors is sticking; how difficult can that be? And Jessie’s not really all that mad; she gave me a piece of her mind after she played the gracious host and showed Vicky to her room to freshen up. Her eyes were sparkling and I was primed and ready for the attack, but she only whacked me with her dish towel. She looks pretty good when she’s out of sorts and it’s easy to see why she and Lachlan are expecting nipper number two.

“You might have given me some warning, Colin O’Brien! The kitchen’s a mess and Amanda’s toys are all over the place!”

I felt like the little boy who’d tracked mud all over his mum’s new carpet and I could only think to do one thing; I gave her my best sad puppy dog eyes in answer.

“That won’t work on me, Mister! Lachlan tries that all the time when he’s in the shit and it never ever works.”

I glanced at her belly and grinned. “Seems like it’s worked at least a coupla times, love.”

She stopped in her tracks and for a moment and I thought she really was going to let me have it; there was a big iron skillet on the kitchen counter just inches away, and I could have sworn I saw her eyes flicker in its direction. But instead, she just threw me a fish wife look and then started to laugh in spite of herself.

“You know you’ve just earned two afternoons of hard household labor.”

I hitched my thumbs into my back pockets and grinned. “Guilty as charged, your honor.”

JESSIE

It’s hard to stay mad at Colin. He happily took on the punishment of home repairs without batting an eye. After pulling the paint cans from out of the basement I soon heard him whistling as he started to work laying out the drop cloths and taping off the windows. When Vicky came out to the kitchen after unpacking, we got to talking over a cup of decaf. She told me about working with Colin and how he had suggested that she try her luck in Vermont. It was easy to recognize a woman at the crossroads and I found myself drawn to her.  

And Amanda seemed to take to her as strongly as she’d taken to her Uncle Colin. I held her in my lap after wiping her sticky cheeks and she kept reaching out for Vicky.

“She seems to really like you.”

Vicky smiled and held out her arms. “May I?”

As I handed her over, I noticed how Vicky’s eyes lit up, but I also thought I saw something else; sadness perhaps?

A moment later, with Amanda happily bouncing on her knee, she explained how she had lost her own daughter in a horrible automobile accident. My heart broke at the thought of suffering such a devastating loss, but I also saw Vicky’s grace and perseverance at having managed to keep going. Then I had an idea.

“You in the mood to get out of here and leave Colin to his own devices?”

She grinned and Amanda squealed in delight.

“Let’s both go get our nails done. I have a friend in town who owns a salon and we can spend all morning just over girl talk.”

Her eyes lit up and she gave Amanda a hug. “Sounds like fun. I’m game.”

With Colin fully occupied for the day, we left him with his chores. He’d already completed painting one wall and was well on his way when we waved goodbye and headed out to the car.

When we pulled up to the Sparkle and Shine Salon, I noticed a “Stylist Wanted” sign in the front window. Damn, looks like Tracy’s always trying to find decent help. Her last stylist ran off with her own daughter’s boyfriend and the one before that had a habit of calling out ill right before every weekend.

“I hope she finds someone soon; Tracy’s an excellent stylist, but her girls keep running out on her.”

Vicky‘s face took on a thoughtful expression, but she kept her comments to herself as we walked inside the salon.

Tracy greeted us from behind the appointment counter and I introduced her to Vicky. I explained that we were looking for manicures, but something wasn’t right with Tracy; she seemed highly agitated and I asked if we’d come at a bad time.

Tracy waved her hand. “No, no, Lorna and Molly are here, and they’ll take care of you.”

She turned away muttering under her breath, something about that poor little puppy, and that man had better know what he’s doing.

Uh oh. Sounds like Ben’s back in the doghouse again.

EDDIE

Boy, I never thought I say this but I’m glad the folks are back. School’s starting soon and that’s enough for a dude to worry about without having at least one parent around to wave you off when the big yellow bus comes by. Natalie (I think she wants me to call her mom) is already talking about packing lunches with stuff I like and getting me a laptop for my schoolwork. Mmmm, internet porn. Don’t think she’s thought about that yet and I ain’t gonna be the one to tell her.

I sat out on the porch thinking about all my new school clothes. Yeah, it’s kinda girly to do that but hell, I never had new school clothes. Ever. She was real good about buying me stuff that don’t look so new too. All except my cool shoes. Mom Natalie’s the best!

Suddenly a truck pulled up and all my good feelings shot right outta me. Pullo got out and I started to shake. He ignored me, went inside to talk with the Captain and when he came back out, I just knew I was in for some kinda shit.

“Eddie, you’re coming with me.”

What was I gonna do? Fight him? I got into that truck like a man heading for the gas chamber. When we got to his house, Pullo took my arm and led me right inside, right up the steps and pushed me right into Valerie’s bedroom.

“What are you doing?” she asked, looking about as scared as me.

“Sweetheart, I want you and Eddie to talk to each other. Just talk. I’ll be right outside the door.”

When he closed the door we just looked at each other.

“Talk!” came a shout from the hall.

“So … um … wha’sup?” I asked.

Valerie just shrugged then fussed with her hair.

PULLO

This was the solution. It was always the solution … unless a man wants to go to war and I see no benefit to warring with my daughter. My hopes were that she’ll tell Eddie her feelings. I sat on the floor, leaning against the door and listening hard. They were talking very low but at least they were talking. Twenty minutes later there was a tap.

“Can I go home now, Mr. Pullo?” Eddie asked. I took him home and rushed back to see Valerie glaring at me from the front porch.

“Why did you do that?” She was foot-stomping mad.

“Well.” I sat on the step and patted it for her to join me. She thumped down, angry as a hornet. “Valerie, I just felt it was time you told Eddie how you feel about him.”

“What?” Her face blanched white.

“Tell him that you like him so much.”

She leapt to her feet. Now I was sure she’d be foot-stomping angry right on my head. “How … why … what makes you think I like him!”

“Sweetheart, I read it in your book.”

“What?”

“Your book, the one under your pillow.”

If ever there was a reason for a man to run, the look on my daughter’s face was one. It was the first time I realized that Valerie isn’t a little girl anymore. She’s a woman and a woman can be dangerous to a man’s health. Didn’t matter if it was father, brother or teacher. She was so mad that for several moments she didn’t even speak. When she did, it was low and vicious … and perhaps I deserved it.

“How dare you! I never told you that you can look at my things! I never told you you could go into my room! I want my privacy! You just ruined my whole life and I hate you!”

She ran inside. I didn’t stop her. I couldn’t. Had I truly ruined what I hoped for? The relationship with a daughter I love is most definitely in jeopardy. And I owe it all to fucking Skinner. He told me I should search her room for clues about why she was acting so strange. Some things just are not my business.

EAST
 
Friday afternoon I just couldn’t bloody drive any further. Made it as far as some town in Ohio and for life, I couldn’t tell ya where the fuck I was heading. Away. Away from the family, away from Natalie and away from Jack. That’s all I knew. Granted, I was scared shitless that the Captain was gonna kill me sorry arse … and even I knew he had every right. What the fuck was I thinkin’, rootin’ his wife like that? This isn’t the old days, she chose him, she married him. And in my gut I know, she sure as hell didn’t ask for what we did.

Okay, it wasn’t rape or anything like that. It was making love. Really. We just didn’t love each other. She was sad and lonely and I just wanted her. Been in my fair share of tough spots, goin’ after married women that way. You’d think after all these years, I’d learn my lesson.

Now what did I have? Takin’ inventory of a bloke’s own life is always a rough road and I’ve avoided doing it for … well … forever. I’d taken a motel room off Route 70 and sat on the bed to think. This was gonna hurt, I just knew it.

I started at the top. My original life. Sure as fuck screwed up there, now didn’t I? By the grace of God, I woke in this world able to think and communicate. Lord knows what the hell would’ve come of me if I was a vegetable. So I got lucky, came here intact. What did I do after that? Bloody hell, I had a blast.

We were livin’ life just fine. I stayed at the Temple and got my fair share of the women. All the rules were out the window … except for a few. The women had to ask for you. Cool. They asked and I performed. Never hooked up seriously with any of them though. Guess I wasn’t “Number One” material. That’s where the bitterness started.

When the free, swappin’ life ended, a few paired up and took the plunge, spoke the vows and wore the ring. Other couples drifted apart but the brothers, for the most part, found new bed partners. The family tightened, taking care of each other and the new arriving brothers. Me? I just kept drifting.

So, why is it that I got pissy over Aubrey askin’ for my help? Maybe I should’ve seen it as a chance to get closer. Instead, I looked at it like they were all laughin’ at me, seein’ me as the failure, the worthless brother. Maybe it was true, maybe it wasn’t. I sure as hell didn’t work too hard to make things better. I passed on every family gathering I could get out of. I kept conversations at a minimum with the sister-in-laws (‘cept Natalie). And … I pretty much steered clear of my brothers too. Never had a family to speak of before I came to this world. Now I had one and threw it away like last night’s empty pints.

Now what? I closed my eyes tryin’ hard not to listen to reason. Change doesn’t come easy to any man and I’m pretty damn good at keeping things as they are. Problem is … things as they are just aren’t workin’.

“Damn,” I groaned and went back to the truck. Took me another twelve hours to reach Stowe. I stayed at a Motel 6 for the night then got up at daybreak. I was antsy for the smell of hey and horses. I missed work. Hell … I missed Vermont. If Jack didn’t give me back my job, I’d get one at another stable in another town not far away. I think I need to make some efforts to be closer to the family.

Luckily Jack did take me back, although the look on his face when I pulled up and asked was priceless. He said yes, but his next words pretty much put a lock on my fly for good.

“I warn you, stay away from my wife, brother,” he growled low and menacing then walked back to the house.

“Yes sir,” I sighed and turned to the horses. It’s not Natalie I want. I just want to be part of something. Part of a family … my family. I want a life and I wanna work with the horses. If I do it right this time, I can have it all.

TRACY

I’m sorry, I just couldn’t take it anymore. Yes, I love my husband. I mean I’m hopelessly, helplessly in love with Ben. But damn, he can be so dense sometime! Why couldn’t he see my point abut that beautiful little dog? There are ugly, big dogs the dognappers would be just as happy to steal. Why’d he have to pick an innocent little Pomeranian?

When the shop was closed and I had finished the books, I suddenly realized I was beside myself with worry. Maybe it’s misplaced. Maybe I should have been more worried about Ben but I just knew that dog was in danger. I also knew it’s at the Barrett house with Officer Samantha. Ben has no idea how much he tells me. Maybe he just needs to talk sometimes but I clearly knew the whole plan for the poor pooch. I’d had it, that’s for sure. I just had to do something.

I quickly locked up and drove right to the Barrett house. Went right up to the door and slammed my fist several times. Sam (who doesn’t like me all that much anyway) opened it with a gun in her hand! Didn’t faze me one bit.

“Where’s the dog,” I said.

“Tracy?” her eyes scanned the street behind me but I just pushed inside the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I want that dog. You and Ben are crazy dangling it like bate for piranhas! I came for the dog. I’ll keep the poor thing safe.”

“Tracy, honey, relax. He’s out back doing his thing. Just sit down, let’s talk, okay?”

I pushed right past that cop and through the house. Outside the back door I looked all around. There it was, a poofy bit of fuzz digging in Kim’s flower garden. “Come here, baby!” I called. “Come on, come to me!”

BEN

“What the …”

Couldn’t believe what I was seein’! Was that really my wife? And was she really doin’ what I thought she was doin’? Doing it NOW? That woman has some wicked timing, that’s for sure.

No time to be pissed at Tracy, I saw the dognappers slithering around to the back of the house. Three men, one woman and every one of them armed! Hell there wasn’t even time to radio Samantha.

I slipped out of the unmarked car and crossed to the house, moving like it was a robbery I was doin’. When I reached the corner I inched my head toward the edge.

Tracy had the dog in her arms, refusing to relinquish it. Samantha was down. One of them must have caught her off guard.