Mortal Engagement 2/4

[pairatime]

Part one***

“Well?”

“It was magic. Someone turned the whole room to stone. Everyone but three. They were flesh when they were killed. Someone very skilled with a knife,” Chow explained to Pam.

“Any traces who did it?” Pam asked back as she paced the empty club.

“Do I look like a detective? And I didn’t have long to look. The police showed up.”

“Damn. This is not a good night. And it’s almost dawn. Get to ground and we’ll find a new lead come night fall,” Pam ordered with a frown.

***

*BEEB* the alarm clock rang breaking Hoyt out of his dream and back into the real world.

He hit the alarm silencing it as he looked out the window to the darkness outside, “Five is way to early too be getting up this time of year,” Hoyt said more to himself then anything as he pushed aside his covers and started his morning routine.

It was normal enough until he walked into the main room and saw a teen on the couch. The kid was tall, enough that he didn’t fit on the couch very well and he was wearing one of his old shirts but a pair of Jason’s boxers, both far to large on his skinny frame, hugging a ratty old sports bag like a teddy, “What the heck?” Hoyt just said as he looked around the room for Jason or some clue what the kid was doing on their couch.

He spotted it when he found a note written on a napkin simply saying he’d explained later and not to let Joshua outside until sun up. And that wasn’t that helpful but at least Jason had remembered to leave a note which was better than nothing. But still where had the kid come from?

Hoyt just continued his morning routine by making his lunch while keeping an eye on the teen while trying to figure out what Jason had been thinking when half way through making his sandwich the kid woke up. It was slow at first, the kid just blinking and starting to turn, not thrown by what had to be unfamiliar surrounding. He didn’t react at all until he caught site of Hoyt.

Hoyt watched his eye’s widen and slip his hand into his sports bag as he started shouting. “Who the fuck are you?”

“You know, since I live here and you don’t I think I should be asking you that first,” Hoyt stated matter of factly as he finished making his lunch and started wrapping it up in plastic wrap. “But my mama raised me to be polite so I will go first. I’m Hoyt nice to meet you. Now who are you?”

“Joshua, I’m Joshua. The guy that lives here Ja…the Cop,” Joshua said unable to recall the name.

“Jason. The Cop is Jason,” Hoyt said as he velcroed his lunch bag shut with a smile.

“He told me I could shower here. Sleep here, he said it’d be okay,” Joshua added as he watched Hoyt carefully.

“I gathered that much Joshua. I was really wondering why?” Hoyt asked as he started getting eggs and bread out.

“Last night this vampire bitch attacked me-“ Joshua started before Hoyt cut him off.

“Watch your mouth that may be my friend you’re talking about. Was it Jessica? No she wouldn’t do that. Was she a red head?” Hoyt asked focused solely on Joshua now.

“No-no she was blond but they knew each other. Your friends with vampires?” Joshua asked back.

“Bon Temps has two vampires living here, they’re both okay once you get to know them,” Hoyt answered as he went back to making breakfast. “Blond? I don’t remember any female blond vampires…wait the club in Shreveport had one I think. I’ll have to ask Jason. How do you want your eggs?” Hoyt mused then asked Joshua.

“What?”

“Your eggs how do you want them? I can do scrambled, fried or sunny side, anything else and I can’t make any promises that they’ll be edible,” Hoyt answered as he set everything out to cook their morning meal.

“Why…you don’t even know me why would you make me breakfast? I’m not going to let you fuck me,” Joshua told Hoyt as he glared at Hoyt.

“Like I said my mama raised me right one of the few things she did proper. And why would you think I’d want to fuck you?” Hoyt asked in surprise as he gave Joshua a more serious look over.

“It’s what guys do, they want sex. You going to tell me I don’t turn you on,” Joshua said back while he tried to focus on Hoyt to pick up the images he knew he would see. Only it wasn’t what he thought, he didn’t see images of Hoyt fucking him but of Hoyt putting food in front of him, of Hoyt talking to someone standing next to a nameplate that read social worker and he didn’t feel lust he felt, “I don’t need your pity. I decide who I fuck and I make damn good money,” he yelled back.

“Watch your mouth. I’ve told you not to talk like that in this house. And money isn’t the point you’re too young to be, it’s just not right. You’re not even 16. You’re what 14? So yeah I feel sorry for you I don’t know what pushed you into thinking that doing…that was something you should do but it’s not right.” Hoyt ranted before he took a deep breath and asked his original question again. “Anyways you need to eat so eggs, how do you want them.”

“Scrambled, scrambled is fine,” Joshua said softly thinking about the odd man in front of him.

***

“So anything new happening?” Jason asked as he walked into the station after his last patrol of the night so see one of his fellow deputies sitting next to Karl and Cindy the day time receptionist.

“Nothing much here, anything out there?” Kenya asked as she looks over the actively logs of the night before handing it to Jason. “Other than old Ms. Demort?”

“Nay, just the same boring shit,” Jason answered as he started filling out the log noting his last patrol and the lack of any activity.

“Good night then, I hope it stays the same today,” Kenya said while pouring herself a cup of coffee.

“Did you hear about happened down in Jackson, they still haven’t figured that out,” Cindy asked while she went over Karl’s notes from the night.

“Yeah, Karl told me about it, I’m glad it’s not happening here this time,” Jason said as he shook his head.

“”We’ve had our share of strange crap we don’t need any more,” Kenya added as she took the log back from Jason. “Now you get going. I know I wouldn’t hang around here with Hoyt at home.” She added with a smile.

“I don’t know a sane man or woman that would,” he shot back with a grin,” night y’all.” He finished with a wave as he headed out of the station and for his truck.

***

“Hey Joshua, you’re awake. I wasn’t sure you would be,” Jason said grinning as he came in the door just after five thirty to see both Hoyt and Joshua sitting at the table, on opposite sides, eating.

“Jason,” Hoyt said with a smile as he looked up from his plate and newspaper and got a quick kiss before Jason went over to the kitchen to dish out his own plate. “So want to tell me about your night?”

“Nothing much happened really, rather dull night,” Jason answered as he came back to the table with his food and sat between the two others.

“Dull?” Joshua said in surprise as he looked at Jason. “You get that many vampire attacks?”

“You stop a vampire and bring a kid home and nothing much happened?” Hoyt said just as surprise. “What else haven’t you said about work?”

“What? Nothing, but you already knew about Joshua and Pam so nothing else to tell,” Jason just shrugged as he shoved eggs into his mouth.

“So why don’t you tell me more about the Joshua and Pam bit,” Hoyt said as he glared at Jason.

“Yeah. Right…about that. So we got this call from old Ms. Demort she saw some lights out by the Harland place so-“

“The Harland place, that was you last afternoon,” Hoyt cut in as he looked at Joshua who had been just watching, studying the two men as he ate.

“Huh?”

“You saw him?”

“You were watching the road crew, about two or so,” Hoyt told Joshua.

“Yeah I was scouting the place out to stay the night. I didn’t know anyone had seen me,” Joshua said frowning at himself.

“I think I was the only one to see you kid, but anyways Jason what happened,” Hoyt said getting Jason talking again.

“What, right Bubba, so I got out there and I saw a light around back so I went to check it out and found Joshua but before I could do anything Pam showed up, tried to kill him, I think over V,” Jason said giving Joshua a look. “Well she didn’t want to piss off Eric who still has a thing for Sookie so as long as the kid’s with me she won’t hurt him, I think,” Jason finished at about the same time as he finished his plate.

“What do you mean you think, and have you talked to Sookie about this yet?” Hoyt demanded to know.

“Well I didn’t really follow all of it but she left and I’m pretty sure she won’t kill anyone if it would upset Sookie,” Jason told Hoyt. “And you know Sookie isn’t up this late when she’s not dating Bill or Eric and last I heard she wasn’t.”

“How could you not follow it, she could have killed you, she still might, she’s the one from that bar in Shreveport right? She’s not like Bill or Jessica, she doesn’t mind killing,” Hoyt scolded Jason.

“I got away didn’t I,” Jason just responded with a grin.

“My god she was right, how are you still alive?” Joshua just asked stunned as he stared at Jason.

“What?”

“The chick she didn’t want to kill you because her boss likes your sister. You even used that against her and you’re not sure why she backed off?” Joshua said still staring at Jason.

“I did? Yeah I did didn’t I,” Jason smiled as he started grabbing the empty plates. “You need to get going man; crew starts in less than 20 minutes.”

“Yeah, you don’t have class tonight right?” Hoyt asked as he started getting his shoes on and grabbed his coat.

“Yeah, and I need to finish that paper before class,” Jason said wrinkling up his nose at the thought as he followed Hoyt to the door.

“Then I’ll see you later tonight,” Hoyt said as he started out the door before he stopped and dropped to a whisper. “So what’s the plan with the kid?”

“Plan?”

***

“Well, get your ass over here and help with the dishes,” Jason told Joshua as he started filling the sink with water and soap, watching the suds filling the basin. “The drying towel is hanging from the oven.”

“What, I don’t do dish-“ Joshua started to respond as he pushed his plate away from him.

“I didn’t ask what you do boy. Towel, drying. It’s not hard,” Jason said bluntly as he pulled out the first newly cleaned dish from the water and let it slide into the empty side of the sink, waiting to be dried.

Joshua just scowled at Jason as he focused on the older guy’s thoughts to make sure he wasn’t planning anything but all he got was the image of…doing dishes and this other feeling. A feeling he didn’t understand but was so strong, he’d felt it before but only fleetingly. It was warm and safe and kind and it felt good. He’d never felt it so steadily before. “Fine,” he answered at last as he walked around the table and grabbed the towel and pulled the plate from the sink while keeping the length of the sink between them.

“Now after we get this cleaned up I need to hit the sack. I am beat,” Jason informed Joshua as he finished another dish. “You should stay in the house, so you can sleep on the couch or find something else to do but I wouldn’t leave the house, I don’t trust that Vamp not to have the place watched, you know they have humans that work for them right?”

“I can’t stay in here forever. I’m not some kind of houseboy you keep to fuck,” Joshua sneered back as he glared at Jason while drying the next dish.

“Houseboy. Well damn did Hoyt do something to make you think he wanted sex from you? Because I know I damn well didn’t,” Jason said as he stopped and stared at Joshua.

Joshua hesitated for a moment before he slowly answered, “No, he didn’t,” as he looked away and at the floor.

“Right I didn’t think he would,” Jason said nodding his head. “Hoyt and I don’t want or need a house boy we get all the sex we need from each other. I haven’t slept with someone else in over a year and a half even,” he grinned.

“Right,” Joshua added as he watched Jason.

“So when I say you’re not leaving the house alone it’s not because I want to fuck you it’s because I don’t what a vampire to fuck’n kill you, got it,” Jason told Joshua as he sunk the frying pan into the water.

“Maybe, but I can’t stay here all the time either. I have my own life,” Jason responded as he dried the last item in the sink.

“No you can’t stay indoors all the time; a kid got to be outside. Have some fun. We’ll have to talk to Pam, but I’ll call Sookie first she’s better at dealing with the vamps than I am,” Jason went on as he scrubbed the pan.

“That would be the sister that chick vampire’s boss wants’ to bone right? Because if it’s not, you should call her too,” Joshua told Jason.

“Well damn aren’t you the bossy one,” Jason smiled, “Sookie’s my sister so don’t talk about her like that. She does have this weird thing with Vampires…and just about everything that’s strange and weird since she also dated a werewolf for a few months last year, or was it the year before. I don’t know her dating life is so complex. It’s like a Soap Opera really,” Jason just continued.

“Wait, what? Werewolves are real too?” Joshua asked surprised.

“Yeah, you didn’t know that?” Jason asked looking over at Joshua then went on when Joshua shook his head. “I forget not everyone is unlucky as this town I guess. Bon Temps has seen more than its share of fucked up shit of the unnatural kind. And done,” he added as he pulled the pan out of the water and rinsed away the suds to show a clean pan he then dropped into the other sink.

“Are werewolves, do they need an invitation to get in?” Joshua asked as he picked up the pan glancing at the door.

“No, they can bust right in but don’t worry we only have one in town and he doesn’t like Vampires none, most of them don’t from what he tells,” Jason said with a smile while he finished wiping down the counter.

Once Joshua was done with the pan he set it down with the others and stepped out of the kitchen area and just watched as Jason switched from the counters to starting to put away the dried dishes. Once more Joshua tried to reach out and focus on Jason’s thoughts.

It was harder than everyone else just like before. He had to focus then he saw them, images of Jason sleeping in a bedroom, then Hoyt was next to him both sleeping. Then the image shifted and the two were going at it, kissing, groping, and sucking. But it was different, the feeling with it was the same feeling as before and not the normal overpowering lust he got with most guys, the lust was there under it but it wasn’t as strong as the good feeling. Like one was being overridden by the other.

Then it shifted again and it was focused on him, Jason was thinking about him
And was feeling, confused, worry, “Damn,” he yelled and jumped when he realized that Jason was right there next to him and not across the room.

“You okay kid? You looked like you zoned out there,” Jason asked his voice filled with worry.

“Back off I’m fine,” Joshua yelled as he backed away from Jason almost falling into the couch, “I just need some more sleep that’s all,” he lied.

“Okay, sure, like I said before make yourself at home, sleep, watch TV, eat if you get hungry, whatever. Just stay inside until we’ve cleared everything up,” Jason said as he started heading back toward his and Hoyt’s room before he stopped and glanced back at Joshua, “oh if you use the TV it’s the one on top, the bottom one’s busted.”

“Sure no problem,” Joshua replied as he looked from Jason to the two TV, one stacked on top of the other then back at Jason who vanished behind a closed door. “Weird,” he added as he looked back at the TVs.

***

“So this is Bon Temps is it?” Vadim said aloud as he drew out a chair for Danielle before he pushed it in for her.

“It would seem, I felt him faintly for a moment but this other scent covers it. It’s everywhere and it is powerful but I cannot sense its source from here. Fall is such a fine time for a walk isn’t it my love,” Danielle said in return as she smoothed out her pale blue dress while Vadim took his own seat.

“Yes it is one of the best times of year with Vartai mirties at its heart. A day that grows close far too fast,” Vadim added as he rearranged the flatware at the table into a more proper arrangement as he watched a blond women approach the table from the corner of his eye.

“Hello, my name is Sookie and I’ll be your waitress today,” Sookie introduced herself before she went over the specials of the day for them.

“The fish sounds lovely, I would have that with a green salad,” Danielle told Sookie once she was done.

“And to drink?” Sookie asked as she wrote down her order, pausing at the odd language she was ‘overhearing from the two’

“White wine,” Danielle answered with a large and fake smile.

“I will have a steak if you please, as rare as your chef and laws will allow it along with a bowl of the soup and a pint of whatever ale you have,” Vadim requested as he finished rearranging the flatware.

“I’ll have them as quickly as I can,” Sookie said as she started to turn away and back toward the kitchen when she stopped and turned back to the couple. “Can I just ask where you’re from; you don’t seem to be from around here?”

The two shared a look before Danielle answered, “Of late we have lived many years in Atlanta. Before that we lived many years in Ireland. We do seem a bit out of place here do we not,” he finished with a smile as she looked at the other costumers that filled Merlotte’s lunch rush, none were as well dressed as Danielle and Vadim.

“That’s okay, we love new people and your dress is so beautiful. I’ll be back with your order as quick as I can,” Sookie said with a smile as she walked over to the kitchen window where both Arlene and Lafayette were standing on their respective sides.

“So what’s the deal with them, don’t they know their a little over dressed for this place,” Lafayette asked as he watched them, “they give me a bad vibe.”

“Oh what do you know, her dress is gorgeous and did you see the way he pushed in her chair. So romantic,” Arlene added in as she looked over at the two who were now talking again.

“They seem nice. They’re from Atlanta and Ireland before that,” Sookie told the other.

“Then what the hell are they doing in this mud hole,” Lafayette asked as he started cooking the couple’s order.

“I hope you’re talking about the town and not my place with that remark Lafayette,” Sam said as he came around the corner from his office. “And don’t you two have tables, especially given the group that just came in?”

“What?” Arlene said as she turned to see that Hoyt and most of the road crew had just come in and were spreading out among the open tables. “There went our nice quiet lunch.”

“We’ll be fine,” Sookie said as she headed for Hoyt who had taken a seat at the bar.

“I’ll get some more hamburgers on the grill since it’s all most of their palates ever know, what a waste,” Lafayette said as he made his way to the back to get them out.

“Hey Hoyt, what are you doing here, shouldn’t you be working?” Sookie asked with a smile as she reached him.

“Well we have to wait a couple hours for something to dry so I’m giving the guys a long lunch, think you can handle the crew just showing up?” he told Sookie returning her smile as he glanced at the dozen and a half men of the road crew who were filling up the place

“I think we’ll manage,” Sookie answered back as she pulled out her notepad, “by the way, what’s this about you and Jason taking in a kid?”

“He called you? Good I wasn’t sure if he’d remember before he went to bed. Jason was tired this morning he tried not to act it but I don’t think he slept all that well yesterday,” Hoyt told Sookie.

“The kid Hoyt, we can talk about what’s keeping my brother up some other time because right now, I want to know about this kid you’ve taken in,” Sookie asked again.

“Oh well, Pam attacked him last night, I forget why at the moment but she wouldn’t kill him with Jason around because of you. So, well he brought him home,” Hoyt told her.

“So Jason put himself in the middle of Eric’s business, because you know if Pam’s involved so is he. Hoyt why’d you let him do that you’re the smart one you have to protect Jason from himself, we’ve talked about this,” Sookie said as she put her hands on her hips and glared at her brother’s boyfriend.

“Shucks Sook I know that but it happened last night. I got up and the kid was on the couch sleeping. And when you see him, he’s bone thin and the way he acts…I’m not so sure Jason’s wrong on this one,” Hoyt confessed to Sookie as he looked down at the counter.

“Well we’ll see about that when I stop by. Now what’s your order?” Sookie asked as she held up her notepad to take his order.

***

He was alone in his mind, without V, he was in a warm house, clean, had most of a night’s sleep and no one had even tried to fuck him in over a day, the vamp had tried to kill him but not fuck him.

Joshua just stared at the TV in front of him, watching as some guy tried to get him to call and order some weird shoe cleaner. He hadn’t been able to just sit and watch TV in over a year. Not since the brother and sister had been his foster parents for a few months. And watching TV had been the only good part about that place.

This place was completely different and Joshua wasn’t sure what to do about it. He still didn’t understand what was going on, why the cop was helping him; it didn’t make sense at all. He was a guy, he should want to fuck him, they all did but he didn’t, he just wanted the other guy.

And the other guy was even weirder he didn’t even seem to want sex he just wanted the cop near him. It was fucking weird.

The TV shut off with a flash as Joshua hit the remote and pushed himself upright before standing. He wasn’t used to being inside so much anymore. But the cop sounded like he knew what he was talking about and he really didn’t want to end up on any vampire’s plate.

So Joshua started exploring, maybe he could learn something about these guys.

***

“His scent was stronger for a moment,” Danielle said as she took a sip of her wine.

“Did the other scent fade or had he come closer?” Vadim asked as he lowered his fork and scanned the windows.

“Neither my love. Someone here has been near him,” Danielle responded as she let her gaze drift around the bar.

“One of the men, they seem the kind to buy his services,” Vadim sneered as he glanced over the men that were leaving the bar slowly.

“Yes I believe that may be it. Which means he is still in this town, he did not keep going,” Danielle smiled.

“We shall question them tonight,” Vadim said also smiling.

“No, not if he is still in town, best not let him know we’re here for so little gain. You will learn where one goes for his services in other ways. You can do so tonight as I check in on our other plan,” Danielle ordered before she cut another bit of her fish.

“May the dark ones aid us both my love,” Vadim answered quickly as he saw that Sookie was coming over to the table.

“Y’all need anything else? Dessert maybe?” Sookie asked as she walked over to the table.

“No thank you my dear, and thank you for your lovely service,” Danielle told Sookie as she set her utensils down and smiled, “but I believe we will be leaving shortly. We have business to attend.”

“Okay then I’ll be right back with the check,” Sookie told them as she turned to the register and gave Hoyt a last wave as she spotted him through the window.

***

“Where the fuck is this?” Jason yelled as he looked around the graveyard.

Only it wasn’t the graveyard. It looked like Bon Temps’ graveyard at first glace, even had Gram’s grave but the graveyard didn’t have a pond in the middle of it.

Jason walked around the pond a few times before he called out again, shouting into the gray-blue mist that surrounded the graveyard. “Where the fuck am I and how did I get here?”

Jason turned slowly looking for some kind of response but none came, “Okay, I can deal with this. I’m Jason Fucking Stackhouse and I don’t scare easy.”

Jason lowered his eyes from the horizon to the pond, the one thing that really stood out, “How about I go for a dip,” Jason said aloud as he started to step into the water.

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“Why not, and who the fuck are you,” Jason demanded as his head snapped up to look at the man standing across the pond from him.

The man looked a lot like him, a bit taller maybe, younger too. Still in his early twenties, his prime with all the solid muscles and energy that meant. Jason could feel it even from here. “My name isn’t important, but let’s say I’m a friend, we’re connected you and I.”

“I can tell, since you stole my looks and all, damn I miss being young sometimes,” Jason said back meeting the strangers gaze.

“I had them first, I am older. But would you really trade what you know now for being young again? Is youth that important to you?”

“It’s not like I’ve learned that much, hell the only real change is I don’t sleep around as much and that’s because…Hoyt. I didn’t realize then,” Jason stopped letting his words trail off.

“With ages comes wisdom. It may seem like an old worn out cliché, and it is, but with a good reason. As a younger man you couldn’t see what he offered. So I ask again, if given the chance to trade your wisdom, what you have of it at least, to be young again…would you?” The man asked once more as he watched Jason.

“No, no deal. Some things are more important. Now I’ve answered your question so answer mine,” Jason said pointing at the pond between them.

“The pond, well it isn’t a simple pond and if you’re not careful you could end up just about anywhere. And I don’t think you want that Jason Stackhouse.”

“Then how do I get home,” Jason asked bluntly.

“You never left. And you will return once we’re done. The boy what do you plan to do with him?”

“Boy? You mean Joshua? Well I don’t really, I haven’t really thought too much about it. Make sure no one’s going to hurt him, not much beyond that,” Jason answered honestly.

“So you would protect him from those that wish him harm?”

“Yeah, I’m not going to let a vamp make a snack out of him, what’s it to you anyways?”

“I wish to see him safe; he has more than cursed vampires that wish to see him bleed. Will you protect him,” the man asked, stepping closer to the waters edge, closer to Jason.

“Yes, he’s just a kid. But who else wants to hurt him?” Jason asked.

“The dark lovers. They wish their father back and mean to use the boy. Do you swear to protect him,” the man asked again.

“Maybe you are old, something wrong with your ears? I’ve already answered you twice,” Jason said annoyed.

“Thrice I ask and thrice you will answer” the man demanded as he stepped closer again, his feet on the water, on it without sinking.

“What the hell? How are you doing that and what’s with this thrice crap-“ Jason started complaining before he was cut off.

In the blink of an eye the man was over the pond and had Jason pinned to the ground, his back shoved into the roots of a gnarled old tree, “Swear it, promise it again,” he hissed into Jason’s ears.

“I swear to kick your ass if you don’t get the fuck off me,” Jason grunted out as he pushed against the man with all his strength. At first the man didn’t move but then slowly he started pushing the man off, much to the apparent surprise to the other man who found himself shoved into the ground under Jason.

“What! How?” he tried to sputter out but stopped when Jason just shoved him down harder.

“I fucking said I’d look after him and I damn well meant it. I will protect the kid and you are gonna take me home right this fucking minute, am I clear,” Jason told the man.

“Awaken wild one, awake,” the man whispered, and the graveyard shifted.

***

“Fuck…hello,” Jason said as he rubbed where his hand had banged the bedside table as he dove for his phone.

“Jason? Is that anyways to answer a phone?” Sookie asked from the other end of the line.

“Well it works don’t it,” Jason replied while he threw off the covers and started hunting around for clean pants.

“My lord, Jason. You’re never going to grow up are you? Anyways the reason I’m calling is about Pam and the kid you found-“

“He has a name Sook, and you’re talking to me about manners,” Jason said as he pulled up his jeans and started looking for a shirt.

“Don’t you even start on me Jason Stackhouse. And I would use his name if you ever gave it to me but you haven’t yet,” Sookie told Jason pointedly.

“Oh, sorry about that. It’s Joshua,” Jason said sheepishly.

“Well I talked to Eric about Pam and Joshua and he’s not willing to just drop it but he is willing to talk about it in person on Friday at Fangtasia and he promised the kid won’t be killed before then as long as he stays in Bon Temps with you.”

“Friday? That’s the day after tomorrow what’s wrong with tonight or tomorrow at least?” Jason complained while he finished dressing.

“If it was just Pam we could Jason but Eric’s the King he can’t just drop everything because I want to talk with him.”

“Why the hell not, he used to,” Jason asked as he stepped into the hall, frowning at the open doors to the extra rooms.

“Jason,” Sookie snapped back.

“Okay, Okay Friday it is,” Jason said back while he closed the door to the spare room before continuing to make his way into the living room and looking around for Joshua, spotting him sitting on the couch; asleep as the TV played.

“It’s good really because I’m going to be going out of town for a couple nights anyways and I won’t be back until then,” Sookie went on to say.

“Where the hell are you going and why am I only just now hearing about it?” Jason demanded of his sister.

“I don’t report to you so don’t take that tone with me Jason. And where I’m going is my own business and not yours. I’ll let you know if anything changes about Friday,” Sookie finished just before a click as she ended the call.

“Damn women,” Jason muttered to the phone before he dropped it into his pocket. He stood and watched Joshua for a minute before checking the clock, just after 2 in the afternoon. “Too early for dinner, too late for lunch. Damn Andy when is he going to put me on a real shift,” Jason complained as he picked up the remote and clicked through the channels stopping on a Law and Order rerun before returning to the kitchen and got out the fixing to make a sandwich before glancing at Joshua and getting out enough for two.

It wasn’t long after Jason sat on the couch with his sandwich and cracked open his books as he ate that Joshua woke up, pulling himself as far against the other side of the couch, and away from Jason, as he could while still being on the couch.

“Well damn I don’t have cooties,” Jason exclaimed as he turned to Joshua, “And if you really don’t want to share a couch there’s a chair right there,” Jason added pointing to the large armchair a few feet from the couch.

“Just not used to people being so close when I’m sleeping, I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” Joshua said as he slowly relaxed himself a bit so he was sitting more normally on the couch.

“I wasn’t going to wake you. You looked like you could use the sleep, hell you still look like you could.” Jason told Joshua before he reached forward to slide a plate with the extra sandwich on it over toward Joshua. “But eat this before you do. You look half starved. And if you want more the stuffs in the kitchen and don’t worry about spoiling your dinner, Hoyt’s not even off for another couple of hours.”

“Spoil my dinner? What am I five?” Joshua snapped as he grabbed the sandwich and started eating it quickly.

“Well I don’t know. I’ve never really dealt with a teen before. I haven’t really been around them since I was one. No one lets me around their kids, Arlene doesn’t even like me around when she asks Hoyt to watch hers, not that they need much watching anymore the brats.”

“Why ever would she do that,” Joshua said straight faced as he tried not the laugh at the image pushing at his mind. An image of Jason cuffed to a kitchen chair as three kids from 3 to 13 made a mess of both him and the kitchen with eggs and…ketchup, everywhere. “And I thought you’d be great with kids.”

Jason just frowned at Joshua while talking a drink of his beer and grabbing his notepad and focusing on it. Letting the room lapse into a few minutes of silence as neither of them talk. Letting the only sound be the TV.

“You mean it, that I could make another?” Joshua questioned after fiddling with his empty plate for the last minute.

“If I said it I meant it, I may be many things but one thing I am not it’s a liar. My Gram raised me better than that. She also would whip my ass if I let someone in my house be hungry if I could help it,” Jason told Joshua as he pointed to the kitchen.

“What about your mother, what would she do?” Joshua asked once he was in the kitchen and had the refrigerator open to look for the supplies to make a sandwich.

“Well she was raised by my Gram too. She’d do what I’m doing,” Jason said with confidence,” I think,” he added a little less confident.

“You didn’t know her?” Joshua asked as he spread mayo on his bread.

“No, I was young when my parents died…Gram’s took me and Sookie in. What about you? You have any parents worrying about you?” Jason asked hesitantly as he watched Joshua.

“No, I was raised in the system, my mother died when I was born and the state has no idea who the father could be. He probably doesn’t even know he has a kid,” Joshua muttered as he ripped open a pack of deli meat sending some of the meat flying over the counter, “Damn.”

“Guess I’m lucky, I got to know them a bit,” Jason answered back softly

“Guess you are,” Joshua said in return as he finished putting the sliced meat and cheese on his sandwich, “So when do we see the Vampire chick about not killing me?”

“That right, Sookie said the meeting is set for Friday which is as soon as the king has time,” Jason explained.

“Friday? I can be out of the state by tomorrow night,” Joshua said as he thought about what routes he could take out of the state.

“Wait, hold it right there. She said Eric promised not to kill anyone as long you stay here in Bon Temps so there will be no leaving of the state, got me,” Jason told him.

“That’s three days in this town, I don’t normally stick around that long Cop,” Joshua said in frustration.

“Well unless Vampires are always trying to kill you this ain’t exactly normal Joshua,” Jason answered back.

“Why the hell does she want to kill me,” Joshua complained aloud as he started putting away the supplies.

“You use V, for them that’s enough. So how’d you get hooked on V anyways? V’s not cheap; you make that kind of money?” Jason asked as he watched Joshua.

“In my line of work it’s not hard to get. Most pimps supply it. It’ll help you get through the day. And night,” Joshua told Jason before picking up his sandwich.

“Huh so V’s the new crack. Well you don’t have to stand over there. Take a seat, and if you don’t like Law and Order we can find something we both like,” Jason said with a grin as he picked up the remote dropping his notepad to the coffee table.

***

“You have a son, brother?” Claudine asked as she stepped out of the air.

“It is known by all I have no children.”

“And all are wrong. I felt what you tried to do to Jason Stackhouse. That was reckless.”

“He is far enough mortal it was not a challenge to your line sister.”

“It was not my power you risked provoking. Sookies’ blood may have turned Sidhe like ours, but his turned Wyldfae and you tired to Thrice bind him.”

“He does not know his power.”

“Rare luck for you brother. No one binds a Wyldfae, they keep their word only so long as they wish and no longer, your actions could have cost you dearly.”

“It was desperate, I knew that when I chose to do it Sister,” he sneered.

“And yet you did it…few are more desperate than a parent protecting a child.”

“True.”

“But what you did…if his Fae side awakens it will not just be you that will be held to account.”

“Those of Wyld blood often go their whole lives without ever invoking their powers once, doing so three times, so rare. We have more chance of being seen by a mortal,” he said as he gestured to the clouds and earth below them.

“True, but then they do not normally face off against the dark coven Claude.”

“…” Claude just turned away not responding to the statement.

“You mean to. By the Thrones what have you done!” she asked in shock as she stared at Claude who merely looks away and vanished in the air. “What have you done…”

***

Hoyt paused for a moment as he opened the door to his and Jason’s home. After double checking that he was in the right place he continued forward closing the door behind him as he walked inside, eyeing the kitchen as he took in the smell. The smell of something cooked right, delicious smelling in fact.

Hoyt dropped his lunch bag on the counter before turning to Joshua who was sitting on the couch and had barley looked up when Hoyt came in, “You cook,” he asked.

“Huh, what?” Joshua said as he looked away from his movie.

“You cooked?” Hoyt repeated.

“What makes you think the Cop didn’t cook? I’m no damn woman,” Joshua said rudely.

“Anyone can cook not just women,” Hoyt reprimanded before going back to the original question. “Anyone but Jason. I love him but I know him. He doesn’t cook. Not food that smells like this.” He added as he started looking around the kitchen for the food at smelled so good, finding it the oven.

“He did help…some, who cooked for him before you moved in?” Joshua questioned the movie all but forgotten.

“Merlotte’s,” Hoyt answered with a smile as he pulled a plate out of the oven, looking over the meatloaf and potato. “He ate there a lot before we moved in together. We still eat there a lot.”

“Merlotte’s? Who’s she or he I should say given you’re both gay,” Joshua asked as he watched Hoyt reheat his dinner.

“It’s not a person, well it is but it’s a bar. Sam Merlotte owns it, We go there a lot. More then we should really,” Hoyt added.

“Okay,” Joshua said half turning back toward his movie before he stopped and turned back. “Why are you doing this? I’m some random guy and since you don’t seem to want to fuck me; why not kick me out since the Cop is out wherever he went.”

“Class, he has classes on Thursday afternoon and night. It’s his long night of classes he’ll get back a little before work. And as for why,” Hoyt paused for a moment, as he took his dinner from the oven and set it at the table, and then he answered. “Jason wants to help you. I don’t know why you. Maybe because he can, he’s been on the wrong side of Eric before but he got lucky and someone helped him out. Maybe he’s repaying the debt. And I love and trust him enough to let him. I just hope you don’t prove him wrong.”

“Huh,” was Joshua’s only response before he turned back to his movie and let Hoyt eat his dinner.

***

“So looking forward to your engagement party?”

“Eh, it should be fun but I’m not sure what all Arlene has planned,” Jason answered back as he drove them back toward Bon Temps after their night classes.

“Jessica’s really looking forward to it. She’s been working with Arlene non stop,” Tommy told him.

“Really? It should be good then,” Jason said with a smile as he turned off the highway and into Bon Temps.

“Yeah we haven’t had a real party around here in too long,” Tommy added with a grin.

“Arlene and Terry had their wedding the year before last, that was a pretty big party,” Jason remembered.

“Yeah, that was a blast,” Tommy said. “Jessica and I got together that night and stayed together, she is one hot fuck.”

“I just don’t get vampires, I just don’t,” Jason said shaking his head as he pulled up in front of Merlotte’s and stopped in front of it without turning off the engine.

“What you’re not coming in tonight?” Tommy asked as he grabbed his bag and looked over at Jason.

“No not tonight Tommy, But I should be by tomorrow,” Jason told Tommy

“This about the kid you and Hoyt took in?” Tommy asked as he jumped out of Jason’s truck.

“Something like that. And how’d you hear about that?” Jason asked.

“Sookie spent half the morning complaining about it. She thinks you’re nuts.”

“Maybe I am, but if you need help studying remember-“ Jason started before Tommy cut him off with a grin.

“Don’t ask you.”

***

“You still awake?”

“I’m always awake with the lights off,” Hoyt answered as he blinked at the light a bit.

“Sorry, I know you have to go in early again tomorrow,” Jason apologized with a smile.

“Where’s the kid. He knew I was heading to bed,” Hoyt asked.

“Bathroom,” Jason said.

“He taking another shower?” Hoyt wondered as he pushed off the covers and got out of the bed.

“I don’t think he gets to very often,” Jason answered Hoyt as he closed the door to their bedroom behind him.

“No I don’t suppose he would. We should call someone” Hoyt said with a small frown as he looked over at Jason.

“We can’t. Not until after Friday anyways,” Jason said as he pulled off his shirt.

“And then we’ll call someone? A social worker,” Hoyt questioned.

“Yeah, maybe I guess. I just don’t know if that’s the right thing to do,” Jason answered back.

“He shouldn’t be on the streets and we, we aren’t his parents. I don’t know how to raise a kid, not full time and I know you don’t either.”

“I know. I know he can’t stay here but…I just feel. Hell I don’t know what I feel,” Jason just said as he leaned back against the door.

“Are we really talking about him when we’re in our bedroom and neither of us has to leave in less than an hours?” Hoyt changed the topic as he approached Jason and grabbed him by the belt and started walking them both over to the bed.

“You do have a point, we can talk about him later,” Jason answered as he leaned forward and kissed Hoyt deeply as they fell onto the bed.

***

Two showers in as many days, Joshua thought as he turned off the water, stopping the flow of water at last. He waited a few moments for the water to stop dripping off him before he stepped onto the rug and turned to look at the mirror, wiping away the fog so he could see himself.

The blond of his hair was starting to show through again no longer covered in dirt and grease from being ill cared for. His whole body looked different, without all the dirt and grime his skin looked lighter as if the dirt had blocked the sun from tanning him. But it was more than just looks, he felt better. It was nice to feel clean and full again, he hadn’t felt like that since he ran from Atlanta.

Joshua glanced down at his wrist at the though of Atlanta, the scar was so faint you wouldn’t see it if you didn’t know. Maybe it would fade all the way away in time he thought giving it a last look before he grabbed his shirt and pants, pulling them on to cover himself again before leaving the locked bathroom.

***

“Well, Pam. Don’t keep me waiting?” Eric asked dryly before he took a drink from his goblet.

“It was magic your highness, it had to be. They were human before it happened. Now they’re stone,” Pam answered as she ran a finger over the nipples of a human that was on display before Eric’s throne.

“Pam,” Eric snapped at his progeny, waiting until she was looking at him before continuing. “And the covens of Jackson and the surrounding area?”

“Dead, or gone to ground,” Pam answered back.

“Damn it Pam which is it,” Eric demanded as he threw the goblet aside covering the displays with crimson as he slammed Pam into a pillar by the neck, both their teeth out.

Pam retracted her teeth after a growl from Eric before answering him in more detail, “Those I could find were dead, all in ways that seemed innocent enough but there were a few I couldn’t find anywhere but I could get into their homes.”

“They either died but where they were hidden because they didn’t go quietly or they too realized what’s happening and ran…” Eric thought aloud as he released Pam and started pacing. “I don’t like this Pam. Someone is using powerful magic in my realm and killing anyone I could turn to for answers or…aid. Send a message to Bill Compton. Tell him to keep an eye on both Sookie and Lafayette. We may need both their help to deal with this before it is all over and it would not do to have them killed,” Eric finished as he returned to his throne.

“Yes, I’m sure that’s why you want her safe,” Pam said back as she turned to leave.

Eric just smirked as he motioned for one of his humans to come forward, “Clean this up then return. I want to finish my drink.”

***

“What’re you watching?” Jason asked as he walked into the living room tucking in his uniform shirt.

“Graduation. It’s fucking funny that a cop has a bank heist movie,” Joshua snickered as he looked up at Jason.

“Well I wasn’t always a cop you know. And I think that movie was Hoyt’s anyways,” Jason said as he tired to remember for sure.

“Whatever it’s still funny. You heading to work or are you and what’s-his-name kinky,” Joshua asked lewdly.

“What the fuck, I swear I wasn’t as bad as you at that age. Get your filthy mind out of the gutter. I’m heading to work,” Jason said shaking his head as he wrote something on a sticky pad.

“Fuck didn’t know you were such a prude,” Joshua just complained back at Jason.

“Well yeah, I guess I am one now. Try not to wake Hoyt up and if you need anything call me,” Jason said as he pulled off the sticky note and quickly stuck it to Joshua’s forehead.

“Jesus fuck,” Joshua yelled as he pulled back and tried to bat away Jason’s hand only to find it already pulled back. “Keep your fucking hands off me.”

“It’s just a sticky note sheesh,” Jason muttered as he grabbed his jacket and gave Joshua a last look, “Just remember you have a vampire after you and don’t invite anyone in just open the door and wait. They’ll walk in or they won’t.” he added as he headed out the door.

“Asshole,” Joshua called after him as he peeled the note off his forehead and read it, a phone number with ‘The Cop’ above it and a smiley face below, “freak.” Joshua added as he watched Jason’s truck pull away through the window.

***

“Okay so everything is quiet tonight so far,” Jason told Karl as he walked into the station after his second patrol.

“No calls here either,” Karl said back as he reshuffled his cards for another game of solitaire.

“Sometimes this job is boring,” Jason added as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

“But when it’s not you wish it was,” Karl said as he started dealing his cards out.

“So anything going on out side of town?” Jason asked.

“A triple murder over in Monroe, two more are in critical condition.”

“Well damn that’s bad what was it a shootout?” Jason asked in surprise.

“No, looks like plain old beatings. It was a known pimp and his stable so right now they’re thinking turf war over who gets to work the streets by the college but they just found the scene a little before noon and no one’s been able to talk so..” Karl let it trail off.

“Processing the scene could talk a while if it was an old fashioned beat down, just running the blood alone could take until tomorrow,” Jason shook his head. “Some of this stuff is just plain wrong.”

“With luck one of them will live and be able to tell what happened, if they’re willing to talk.”

“Yeah, big if,” Jason scoffed as he took a drink.

***

Vadim watched the group under the streetlight for almost an hour before he drove up. The Boy was not among them yet it was the only place to town to find males for sale. He had hoped the Boy was with a john but no, he wasn’t here tonight. Now it was time to find out if he had been around at all.

“Are you here often,” Vadim asked as rolled down the window to his dark Sedan as one of the older teens came forward.

“Dude you don’t need any pickup lines just cash,” the redhead joked as he came forward leaning against the window.

“I have cash,” Vadim said as he pulled a roll of money from his coat pocket, “But answer the question.” He insisted.

“Yeah, I’m here pretty much every night brah, if it’s a good week I’ll take Sunday off, why you looking for a regular thing? Because I can do that,” the teen told Vadim.

“I may. Get in,” Vadim ordered as he pressed the button to unlock the car’s doors.

“So where to? Alleys cost extra, hotels you pay for, cars are just fine, base cost are 25 hand job, 50 blowjob, 75 for me to fuck you, and a even 100 to fuck me. Any kink is extra,” He rattled off as he settled down into the seat.

“And for the night,” Vadim asked as he pulled away heading for the motel he already had a room at.

“1000, you get as much of the normal stuff as you can keep it up for, kinky shit is still more,” The teen responded as he eyed the roll of money on the dash.

“And how much for your name?” Vadim asked as he pulled up to the motel and shut the car off.

“That’s free, call me Mick,” Mick answered as he got out of the car and followed Vadim into the room.

“Very well Mick, first a question. Have you seen this boy around?” Vadim asked as he showed a photo of Joshua to Mick.

“Look if you want to do a double that’s fine but it cost-“ Mick said until Vadim’s gloved hand wrapping around his throat cut him off.

“Have you seen the boy Mick,” Vadim demanded as he pushed Mick against the wall loosening the grip enough to Mick could respond.

“Let me go man, I don’t know we got a lot of short timers let me go plea-“ Mick begged until he was cut off by the tightening of Vadim’s hand.

“Then we will have to do this the hard way…such a shame,” Vadim said as he pulled the glove from his free hand with his teeth before pressing it over Mick’s forehead both their eye’s glowed red as they both watched the last few days of Mick’s life. Vadim’s hand over the teen’s throat cutting off the cries of pain as his body spasmed.

***

“Jason come on over.”

“What’s up Karl?” Jason asked over the radio as he drove down the main road through town.

“We got a call from the ‘Starlight motel,’ that by the hour place on Cutter’s road. They found something, the caller was panicked but I think she said a body.”

“A body, as in a dead body, body? Damn that’s not good. I’m on my way now. I’ll be there in three,” Jason told Karl as he flipped the lights on and pulled a U-turn to head toward the Starlight.

“That’s what she said.”

“Okay and who is she, a guest, maid, manager, what?” Jason asked as he increased his speed.

“Marylou Talbert, the night manager. She’s in the front office waiting, she’ll show you the room.”

“Okay, if she’s still on the line tell her I’ll be there in less than five,” Jason told Karl as he just pressed down on the accelerator even more.

“Roger.”

The next couple of minutes flew by for Jason as he ignored the street lights and what little traffic the city had this late at night to reach the Starlight quickly. He killed the lights as he pulled into the parking lot, stopping in front of the management office. “Miss. Talbert,” Jason asked the dark skinned woman that came out of the office as he exited the patrol car.

“Officer, you have to come, we didn’t touch anything once we saw the body. I don’t know what happened, nothing like this has ever happened,” she started saying even before she had reached Jason. Then started pulling him toward the row of doors that led into the rooms.

“Settle down there; damn get a hold of yourself. Start from the beginning, who rented the room and who found the body,” Jason asked as he grabbed the woman and made her face him.

Marylou took a few deep breathes still frantic before she started speaking again a bit slower this time. “A man, tall, dark hair, well dressed, no name and paid in cash for a couple hours. Happens all the time so I didn’t pay it much mind. But then Mitch was sent to clean the room and he found him.”

“Him, the man that paid for the room?” Jason asked as he started slowly walking the two down the sidewalk, aiming for the door that had a couple of motel workers standing outside it.

“No, not him, it was Mick, I don’t even know if that’s his real name. He’s a worker, over on Rosewood and 5th, he…you know?” She started before hesitating.

“Yeah, I know and I’m not here about that right now, Mick?” Jason prompted.

“We get them here often since we’re so close and don’t ask questions. Mick, he’s been working there for as long as I’ve been a manager so three or four years at least. Not a bad guy really, sweet when he wanted to be but…this is just awful, so awful,” she stopped about a foot from the doorway pointing at room eight, “just awful.”

“This the room? Wait here,” Jason added at their nods before he walked in. He walked in slowly watching where he put his feet as he took in the room. The motel room looked nice enough, simple furnishing of a double bed, dresser, nightstand and lamp making the small space feel full without being crowded.

But the lamp smashed on the ground, the nightstand overturned and the bed. On the bed was the body of a young man, early twenties or late teens, dressed in plain jeans and a faded gray shirt. His red hair almost hiding the drying blood that had trickled from his ears. But nothing hid the look of pure horror on his face.

“Karl, wake up Andy. We have a murder,” Jason called over his radio before slowly backing out of the room. “Any camera’s you have rolling get them out we need them, and stay near by, we’re going to need to get statements from all of you,” he told the motel workers as he frowned.

Part three