WALKING THROUGH FIRE
By Kimberlea Klein and Cathy Turner, 1995
Dreamstess@aol.com  and  AprilMist@aol.com

Authors' Notes:

 How long does it take for one to truly learn to love yourself;  to accept
your life; your limitations; your talents?   Can we ever learn to leave the
past behind and greet the future with open arms? 

 What if you had accepted the key to the door of immortality? What if after
you had unlocked that portal of everlasting life and endless tomorrows, could
you shut that same portal and lock out your past? Would you try to leave it
open, just a little, so some of yesterday's sunshine just might trickle into
your dark life?  You can't live in two worlds at the same time.

Come follow Jesse,she and those dearest to her, as they begin "Walking
Through Fire".

This spec is dedicated, with love, to Susan K. Thanks for all the
encouragement. Look towards the future and feel the sun on your face. I hope
this effort is worthy of you!

I'd like to thank co author, Kim for all the inspiration. You never cease to
amaze me, Dream!
Thanks also to Suntide, Vanessa, and my newest friend, Lisa Hall.

June, 1995,
April Mist

 Now for me, Kim, to say a few words. I'll try not to echo my co-author, but
it's a bit hard since we keep much of the same company (and what a fine
company it is!) 

 First, I'd like to thank and dedicate this spec, avec amoure, to Susan K, as
well. Where would we be without you? You've helped me improve and grow so
much, you're a great teacher. I hope you enjoy this!

 For all the encouragement through the past few weeks, thanks to Lisa Hall.
You're a worthy opponent Lisa!  And to Sally, thanks for being so patient
with me when I had about 3 specs going at once. And finally Steph and Laura
Ann, who could ask for better parents?
 
 And to Vanessa, who is continually always there for me, keep your head up
mon amie, light break through soon! And a big thank you *hug* for you for
helping us through our computer problems and decoding Cathy's parts, Merci!

 And that's about is....oh, I almost forgot! <g> to my co author. What can I
say, ma chere? You've been there for me, forced me writing and never settle
for second best. And when I needed some one to talk to, you listened. Thanks
for everything!

 Ok, now that all those sappy thank-you's are out of the way, we begin our
little journey. It is started by letters and then moves on to scenes later.
We've worked hard and we hope you all enjoy this story. Until then, ta-ta for
now!

Kim Klein, 1995
Dreamstess@aol.com


Warning! Spoilers to Vampire Chronicles, Taltos, and Specs by April Mist:
"Letting Go" and "Letters From Jesse"
*Set after TotBT*

"This material is a work of non-profit amateur fiction. It is 
not meant in any way to infringe on the rights of Anne Rice, Random House, or
any other copyright holders. It should not be distributed,either
electronically or otherwise, for anything but personal enjoyment."


		*		*		*

Pt. 1 - "Cher Louis" (author:April Mist)
 
 One of the things that continually delighted her about the dark life was
her ability to open her locked apartment door by simply thinking about it. 
 A smug little smile crossed Jesse's lips as she pushed the door open with
her elbow. 
  "Neat trick, Lestat", she muttered.  She remembered the evening he had
taught her how to use her mind like a third hand.  She could hear his
throaty chuckle as he told her she'd have one up on Louis if she could
master that. 
  "Geeze... Louis!" Jesse sighed as she dropped her briefcase and two
shopping bags on the tapestry covered chair. "If I don't answer that
letter, you'll think I've gone off somewhere..." 
 The red haired vampire pushed the door to her kitchen open and flipped on
the light. Jesse wasn't the only member of her coven that drank coffee,
but the only one to readily admit to it. Rich, black and sweet - but only
in small quantities. Otherwise, it would sicken her. Jesse knew this all
too well, and prepared a minimum amount in her coffee maker. She took her
favorite mug from the cupboard - cobalt blue pottery with a silver moon
and stars catching the light from the fluorescent fixture - and set it on
the counter top.  Jesse removed her red pumps and carried them into her
bedroom. By the time the coffee was ready, she'd be comfortable in her
bathrobe and slippers. 
 It was still rather early, only 11. She'd gone out and had a good hunt as
soon as she had awakened. Then, to pick up some papers from a colleague.
If he had known she'd pitched that junkie's carcass into a dumpster a
quarter hour before, he'd have breathed his last. Then onto a spring sale
at a department store downtown. 
 Jesse bent over at the waist, gathered her curly hair into a ponytail,
secured it and stood up.  Comfortable at last.  Now to her coffee, the
usual TV talk show and answer that letter. 
 The guests on the talk show were idiotic tonight. Jesse pondered whether
or not a second cup of coffee was advisable, and decided against it. It
wouldn't be worth it... no matter how human it made her feel. "Louis...",
she reminded herself, and went off to her closet-sized office. 
 Jesse wound a fresh sheet of paper into her typewriter, sat down and
sighed. 
 Louis smiled to her from his photo on the book shelf. "Hi, Sweetie," she
said, touching the silver frame affectionately. "Has the dust settled? Is
you *life* settled?  Or is Lestat still being a major pain?  Why aren't
things easy for you? You're such a mild creature..." Jesse turned her
attention to the typewriter. 
 
Cher Louis,
 I received your letter several days ago and I thought I'd better reply
now before I lose it! I'm afraid my evil little mind isn't working very
well. It's been rather muddled lately. 
 Oh, my dear. You shouldn't be shielding your thoughts every waking hour.
To start with it's very hard to do, and you'll be walking around, totally
worn out all the time.  Second, you are just isolating yourself from
David. He won't be there forever! You know that.  This "THING" between
himself and Lestat will eventually wind down into a nice, comfy
friendship. 
 Didn't you tell me it's like sitting in a British gentlemen's club?  Of
course, David is quite a hunter. God, I had to sit through his "I remember
when's" for years at the Talamasca!!  But one of these days, Lestat's
going to start bouncing off the wall again and want to torment YOU! 
Remember, if he's been dragging you around it's his way of paying
attention. Please. Try and humor him. Get your nose out of the book and go
with him! The book will be there when he's at one of those awful noisy
clubs he frequents. I know you still haven't adjusted 100% to living
there. It was such a shock for you. From your quiet life and living on
your own to living in the glaring light that is Lestat... I know he's not
the easiest being to live with, and you cope admirably. 
 
 Speaking of those who frequent noisy clubs... you are never going to
believe who I had a run in with!!  Guess!!! Animal, Vegetable or Mineral??
Bird, Fish or Beast?? I think he's sort of a cross between vegetable and
beast! He hangs with (or as you would say... associates with) a short guy
with long curly hair.  He's about 5'11", ash brown hair, and violet,
frantic eyes. 
  Yes, it's your friend and mine, The Vampire Daniel.  I had to drop off
some papers concerning work at an apartment of a friend. (Yes, I have
them) I didn't mean to stay late, but you know how I am when I start to
talk. I didn't get out of this person's apartment until close to 2am. Not
late for us, but it could be a problem for mere mortals. The elevator
doors opened and who should be standing there, but our Daniel. To say the
least, he did not look at all happy to see me. I just smiled very nicely,
stepped in and pushed the button for the lobby. I was just about to ask
him what brought him to New York , when the damn elevator slowed and
stopped. Yes, Louis. I was stuck with Daniel. 
 Daniel swore and pushed a few buttons. Nothing happened. He looked at me
and told me not to say one word or he'd rip my tongue out.  Daniel
squatted down, and popped open his brief case. The little business-vampire
pulls out a cellular flip phone and tries to dial out. Guess what? It's
Armand's and he can't use it because he doesn't know the code to unlock
it!!!  He had a genuine hissy fit, smashing the phone against the wall. I
calmly suggested we just simply try the intercom. That doesn't work,
because the security guard in the lobby is asleep.  Daniel won't hit the
alarm button. Armand has told him to always keep a low profile. I told him
we'll look real cute on the front page of the National Enquirer: "Vampires
found sleeping in broken elevator"!!  He says he hates New York City.  He
hates skyscrapers. He glares at me.  I give him a lovely smile and tell
him the feeling's mutual. I sit down and close my eyes, trying to use my
senses on just where we are in the elevator shaft. Daniel's starting to
rave. I can see that we are not between floors, but stuck about a foot up
from the 27th floor.  Daniel is turning into a basket case. I stand up and
tell him to relax.  We could sing and get attention! I know full well all
that I'd have to do is open the damn door and have him open the landing
door and them we could just hop out. But he's being such a pain, I decide
to serenade him a little. "Come on, Danny. Do you know "10,000 bottles of
Beer on the Wall?" I start to sing... Daniel stares at me open mouthed.
"Aren't you going to do anything?" He's pleading. "Nope. I'm singing." You
know how I sing. Remember how Lestat called it "an adventure in pitch
variation"? 
 Daniel is sitting on the floor holding his ears by the time I get to
9,899 bottles of beer, and I decide that perhaps I should have mercy. I
pull him to his feet and tell him my plan. At this point he'll do anything
to shut me up and get the hell out of this elevator.  We pull off our
escape quite easily. Poor Daniel's shaking like a leaf. 
 Gentle Jesse tells him he can crash at her place, because he really looks
terrible!  He just grunted and followed me down 27 flights of stairs to
the street. We took a cab back home, and Daniel curled up on the daybed in
the office and went to sleep. All he needed was a teddy bear and security
blanket and he would have looked perfect! The next evening, when I went
looking for him, he was gone! Louis, I was honestly hurt.I thought I could
at least catch up on the latest gossip, or tell him what's new with the
rest of our coven. But no! He just woke up and left. No note, no thanks,
no nothing. Even Armand is pleasant before he wipes out your mind. Thatboy
needs a few lessons in politeness. He wouldn't even tell me what he'd been
doing in Marc's apartment building. 
 Did I tell you about Marc Di Palo?  This is something I will find
pleasant to talk about. I met Marc about two weeks ago at a Coffee Bar
called "Amadeus". (Black? Latte? Plasma?) I'm sorry.  I always think of it
as "Amadeo" and I have my own private little jokes. Where was I? Oh, yes.
I was sitting at a table reading the Sunday Times Magazine, and this tall,
gorgeous mortal asks if he can join me? I smile and say "Gosh. I didn't
know I was coming apart!" (Lestat will explain it, I know you won't get
it) Tall, blonde gorgeous mortal laughs and sits down. He asks if I work
in the Archeology department at Columbia University.  He's seen me there a
few evenings. He introduces himself. Marc Di Palo. Geologist. He's from
California (who would have guessed? Such a tan) and doesn't know a soul! I
smile (being very careful to hide the fangs -I know they're odd in LA, but
I doubt if fangs are average) and introduce myself. 
 Goodness! Just think, a geologist and an archeologist (vampire
archeologist, at that) just sitting there having coffee! Louis, that
mortal gave me such a rush. (Lestat will explain) We sat and talked for
three hours, until they closed the place and asked us to leave! I haven't
talked like that to anyone in years! I've seen him twice since then. He
has big blue eyes. You know, he reminds me of Lestat, only he looks older
(physically- you know what I mean.)

Just no fangs. Hmm. We could fix that, couldn't we?  He's taking me to see
a Broadway Show next Friday night. I think I shall enjoy that! It's been a
while since I've had a date! 
 What have you been doing, cher ami, to fill your nights? Please note the
use of French.  See? I told you my French extends beyond "Ouvre la chatte"
and "Ferme le chien"!  Not that there's much use for open the cat and
close the dog. I should really try to learn to do something new. I have
been warned to keep learning to prevent boredom.  I'm still so new to this
that I can't see how one could get bored. 
 I guess I could go out and fall in love to prevent boredom. Get a crush
on someone new for a change. Or see a movie at the very least.  Perhaps I
am bored. Or just a little lonely.  (Hint - Louis, come stay with me for a
while)
 I want you to go bother Lestat.  Perhaps pest him a little. Give him a
dose of his own medicine, so to speak.  Drag HIM some place, for a
change... not a book store!  Take him shopping. You know what a clothes
horse he is. I know. 
 Tell him he needs a new car! Something RED!  How many cars does he have
anyway?  If you think that's a bit much, try for something else. Why not a
perfectly useless computer program?  I know he has to have everything ever
created for a computer. 
 Sweetie, I'm all out of talk tonight. I don't know what it is, I just
can't get into anything lately.  Even with work. Maybe I'll go visit
Maharet. God only knows, she won't visit me. She's so rooted with what
she'd doing. Perhaps it would be good for me.  I'm just a little restless,
so there's no need to worry. 
 Give my love to everybody, even that wretched Mojo.  And Lestat says I
act human. The vampire and his dog... what a charming, heart warming
sight.  NOT! 
 Love,
 Jesse


Pt. 2- "Chere Jesse" (author:Kim)


 "Ah, blessed darkness has come again." 
 The voice rang out in Louis' mind strong and clear this night, even
though it's source was no doubt far off. 
 Night had come once more for them, shrouding them in it's dark cloak. And
this night, Louis smiled as he thought of his life. Here he sat in front
of this contraption, this computer, that Lestat so insisted upon him
using: 
 "Just try to use it for your writings Louis, it's not that difficult." 
 How he had inwardly chuckled over that remark of Lestat's. He now looked
back at that flickering screen and the words upon it. It was a letter to
his dearest friend, his Jesse. He could see her now in her small N.Y.
apartment, so dreadfully alone, sipping coffee and reading his letter. 
 Louis sat back in his chair, shaking his inky black mane in back of him,
his emerald eyes piercing the screen with an unrelenting glare,
 "Now just how did Lestat say to make this *thing* print my letter?" 
 After a moment of thought and a few keystrokes, he remembered. The sound
of the printer, smooth and slow, hummed throughout the room. 
 Louis stood up and walked out onto the balcony, savoring this cool New
Orleans night. Nothing seemed much of a reality anymore to him. How could
have he known that he'd be living with Lestat again.....and David. 
 David had chosen to return, for a short visit, or a long term stay, Louis
just didn't know. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy David's company, he just
didn't like David with Lestat. 
 :Oh, what a jealous and petty thing for me to say!: Louis thought. 
 The printer stopped it's methodical process and discarded the letter. 
 :I'll never get used to these contraptions, pens and paper are still the
best way to write.: he thought to himself. 
 Carefully, he folded the paper up and slipped it into an envelope. Then
in his old-fashioned scrawl he addressed it to Jesse. 
 Down the stairs he walked, and just as he placed the envelope into the
mailbox he heard joyful laughing and voices,
 "LOUIS! Mon cher, come now, and bring your coat. We're going out."
Lestat's voice called to him gleefully. 
 Just for a second, the dark haired vampire permitted himself a long
glance at his blond haired devil. His mouth upturned in a smile. 
 : What was that you said, Jesse?: Louis pondered, : Try and humor him? 
What an impossible task!: 
 Louis sighed and walked towards the dimly lit street. 

Chere Jesse,

       Bonsoir, ma cherie. Ca va? Moi, je suis tres bien.  J'ai beaucoup
manque toi! Je veux voir toi, beintot. 
 Is that enough French for you tonight, ma cherie? I decided to go easy on
you, for I know you have trouble deciphering what I say. I was afraid
after not hearing from you for so long, that you had forgotten me here in
la Nouvelle-Orleans. 
 You can see that I have taken to writing with Lestat's computer. Lestat
insists upon it and says that I must, "Keep up with the times." I have to
admit that the contraption frightens me a bit. I just cannot fathom how it
works! I somehow think that Lestat approves of my effort to learn how to
use such an instrument. I guess that's a small token in return. 
 I am not shielding my thoughts tout le temps (all of the time, see by
writing me, you are not just talking to a friend but learning French!)
Only sometimes. I am not used to having another vampire within the house
that can read my thoughts. And as you know, I'm a private person by
nature. 
 I know that Lestat bringing me everywhere is his way of paying me
attention, but it would accomplish the same goal if he would just sit and
talk with me. But we know how Lestat is, the hyperactive child. It's just
all such a shock, that I haven't accepted it myself. One moment I'm in my
little home and the next I'm living with Monsieur le Rock Star. Quite a
change. But on your advice, I will try and "humor him". 
 Now, now Jesse, that was quite cruel giving Daniel such a scare! (Quite
possibly you gave him the scare he needed, he's been living under the
protective wing of Armand for too long.) But I must admit, I did laugh
quite heartily when I read that. Lestat even asked me what was wrong, I
told him the little story. Jesse....I thought nothing would stop him from
laughing, you know how much he *loves* Daniel! 
  I'm so sorry, ma chere, that you are feeling so lonely. It was rude of
Daniel to leave so abruptly. I'll have to teach him a few manners next
time I see him! 
 About this mortal you are infatuated with; Jesse, please be careful, if
it is only for me. So, he looks like Lestat, does he? I can only hope for
your sake that he doesn't act like Lestat as well! Jesse, you know how
dangerous associating with mortals can be, don't become too entranced?
Plus, you wouldn't want us to get jealous, would you? 
 I'd love to come and visit, Jesse, but things have become quite tense
here. I'm not going to be moved an inch by David when it comes to Lestat.
I don't like the idea of them trying to order me about. You would be proud
of me the way I stand my ground against David. Actually, I wanted to tell
you of a little incident I had with David the other day. 
 It began when Lestat was in one of his "black moods". His depression has
been acting up again and sometimes makes him literally impossible to live
with. Of course, David, knowing Lestat as he does, can gauge his mood just
as well as I can.  Unfortunately, he is not accustomed to dealing with
these moods. It was early one evening when Lestat stalked into the room
and slumped himself down onto the couch. I, knowing to leave him alone,
opted to sit silently and read the newspaper. David, on the other hand,
opted to chastise Lestat for his behavior by saying, "Would you quit
sulking like a child and get on with your life Lestat? This whole routine
is getting all too tiring." Lestat glared at him and angrily replied, "You
have no right to talk since you're a big part of it!" Then, without
another word, Lestat got up and just left, slamming the door behind him of
course for dramatics. 
 David stood up, obviously agitated by Lestat and glared at me, "Oh, and
you're just going to sit there while he acts like this?" I simply shrugged
and told him that Lestat always acts like this when he's depressed. I get
thrown an exasperated sigh and something that sounded more of a demand
than a request, "We have to call him on this and confront him. Otherwise,
it will never go away." David obviously thinks he knows Lestat best, when
you and I know that this could be the worst thing to do. I told him, "But
that would just make him angry. He just needs us to be there, he doesn't
need us prodding him over it. He has to fight it himself and we have to
support him." Thinking I'd get a logical response from David I was shocked
at what he said next. He said, "How the hell would you know, Louis? You
weren't there for him when this all started, I was! You have no idea!" 
 Jesse, I may not be one to openly argue with a person but you know as
well as I when I get incited enough, I can get excited and such. But not
this time, David was so wrong in this matter that I coolly and calmly
replied, "Ahh...I can see what this is. A "who really knows Lestat best"
argument. You, David, have no idea what Lestat is really like yet. I'd say
it takes about 100 years at least to figure that out." A noise of disgust
escaped David and he said, "Yes, but I've known him for past recent years
while you weren't around. I guided him, helped him and loved him when no
one else would." I could tell that David was trying to get a rise out of
me so I answered, "But I have known him for over two-hundred years, David.
I think I know what's best." 
 I'm not sure if the realization of how long Lestat and I have known each
other shocked him. (I'm sure you know the shock a fledgling experiences
when faced with the fact that they will live forever) David quickly
quieted after that and I left the house to hunt. The horrible fact is that
I'm quite proud of myself for winning a bit of that little argument. I
think Lestat would be quite proud too. 
 You ask what I do to fill my time lately. I, as usual, read a lot and am
always being brought places by Lestat who finds it humorous when I
complain over never having the time to rest. He just laughs and tells me I
have the rest of my life to rest! Sometimes I could just strangle him! 
 And you, ma chere, try and keep busy! I know a vampire's life can be
quite tiresome but it can sometimes be interesting if you find something
you're interested in. And if not, I give you two choices: 1. I can send
Lestat up there to drag you out of bed on some worldwide shopping spree in
which there's no escape from. Or 2. I'll send Daniel and his ange de noir
(black angel) for you and I'm sure you're in no hurry to see either again! 
 
 I look at my little replacement terrarium you sent me which has a place
of honor on my desk, next to your picture, and think of you constantly. I
miss you too much, mon amie! Save me a place on your canape-lit (daybed, I
thought you may like to know the word for that since you're so fond of
that particular word!) so I can come and visit you when the storm I'm
living in calms down. 
 And remember to be careful and NOT get caught in anymore elevators with
Daniel. That would be a particularly annoying habit for all involved. Try
to keep out of trouble, we wouldn't want to send Marius over to scold you! 

Avec amour,
Louis



Part 3 - "Mortal Thoughts" (author:April Mist)



 "Jesse!" 
 The voice at the other end of the telephone line sounded exasperated. 
 "Marc!" She mimicked him, laughing and rolling over in her bed. 
 "Do you know I've been calling all day? Where the Hell have you been?"
The exasperation seemed to be fading from his voice. "Your answering
machine was not turned on!" 
 "Are you?"  She purred into the receiver. 
 "What a question!" Now he was laughing. "Jesse, you are the most
impossible woman I have ever met! First I have to run around half the
night just trying to find you. Then you want to dance for the remainder of
it! When it's 4:30 in the morning, I'm dead on my feet and you're ready to
go back to your place for some fun! Jesse, are you always like this?
You're gonna kill me!" 
 "Get used to it, Buddy. I'm a night person." She swung her legs out of
bed, and found her slippers. "If you want to boogie with me, ya gotta do
it in the dark!" 
 "Jesse... when are we going to?" He asked.  The jesting tone was replaced
by the mellow warmth of his tenor voice. 
 Jesse laughed nervously. It was hard enough not to include a little nip
when she kissed him good morning earlier that day. "Going to what? Boogie?
You want to go dancing again?" 
 "You know what I mean, Jesse..." 
 "Soon." She sighed and closed her eyes. "Soon." 
 "I love you, Jesse." 
 "Don't say that, Marc. You don't know me." Jesse suddenly felt tears
stinging her eyes. 
 "I know you well enough to want to be with you... I want to spend the
night in your arms." 
 "Not, yet. Please, Marc." She was fighting the tears. Jesse wanted to
believe Marc loved her... 
 "I won't pressure you, my darling.  In fact, I'll change the subject. 
Why don't I meet you for dinner in an hour, or have you eaten?" 
 "Oh. I was just out the door to get someone...I mean, something" 
 She could hear Marc laughing on the other end of the line. 
 "Marc, I'll meet you at the Amadeus Coffee Bar in two hours. I have to
reply to a letter and get my dinner." 
 "A letter is more important then I am?" He teased her. "Now who could be
more important than I am to you?" 
 "Watch it, Buddy. We're talking about my best friend, here. He's going
through a really tough time, and if it weren't for you, I'd be with him
right now!" Jesse tried to sound slightly stern, but failed miserably. 
 "Who is this guy and why is he so special?" Marc pretended to sound
jealous. It wasn't hard. He was. 
 "It's my cousin, Louis. You've seen his photo on my desk, the cute guy in
the Columbia sweatshirt? Long black hair..." 
 "Oh, *him*. I was wondering who he was.  So he's your cousin... from
France,
 I guess, the way you pronounced his name." 
 "Quite French. You'd think he'd have lost his accent by now, he's been
over here a long time." 
 "How long?" Marc asked casually. He wanted to know as much as he could
about her. She never mentioned her family. This was a clue... 
 "Oh, a *long* time," Jesse replied, suddenly giggling at the thought... 
 Louis had been here over two centuries... that certainly was long enough
to loose an accent. 
 "What's so funny?" Marc laughed. She had a wonderful voice, so seductive. 
 "Nothing... Marc, I'll meet you in two hours at Amadeus. See you!" 
  She hung up quickly, and fell backward on the bed. 
 "Louis! Help!" She exclaimed, plaintively. 
 She got out of bed, slipped into her robe and padded into the small room
she used as an office. She had started a letter to Louis last night after
she had gotten in from seeing Marc. She hastily reread her words, decided
she didn't like what she'd written, and ripped it from the typewriter. She
started again. 
 "Oh, Louis, Darling, I wish you were here with me right now!!! That's a
hell of a salutation, but it's how I feel!!!! 
 Now, please don't get all upset with me." 

 Jesse didn't like that either. She pulled the paper out of the
roller,crumpled it into a ball. 
 "Again." She sighed, and took a fresh piece of paper from her drawer. She
was about to thread it through the typewriter, when Jesse stopped.
"No...I'll write it by hand...I always feel closer to you when I use pen
and paper." 
 After a few minutes of rummaging in the top drawer for a ball-point with
some moisture remaining , Jesse set about writing the letter. 

 My dearest Louis,
 I'm not going to start off with French to you, even though I should say I
am va-ing just fine! Sometimes I swear to God, or whomever, that you write
to me in French just to get at me! Is that true? Are you out to scramble
my mind as is the rest of the world?  Not that I'm angry with you for
that, I just find it frustrating. I used to speak French reasonably well,
and now it is such a chore!  But then, before my Dark Birth, I played the
piano poorly, and now I can actually play to please myself. Perhaps I
should only play French music! 
 I am so proud of you! Why, Louis! I can't even use a computer!  I've
never learned! I just use my typewriter and the fax machine! Has Lestat
said anything to you? He certainly must have noticed, he's technology mad!
And as for "keeping up with the times", my dear, you are very much in this
century, and well on your way into the next!  Perhaps I, too, should learn
to use a computer. You will teach me. But in English! 
 Louis, you handled yourself perfectly with David. He can be so
aggravating at times. I should know. He has this perfectionist thing about
him. How only he knows what should be done, and only his way. I don't
think I've ever won a disagreement with him. I always over react. But I
always have! You are the only one who can maintain control over your
emotions while disagreeing with him. I don't know how you are always so in
control. I'm the first one to fall apart. I feel I can rely on you always
for your strength. You certainly know how to help Lestat with those "black
dog moods" of his.  He can be quite unbearable. I remember how he'd just
shut himself away as soon as he felt the first twinge of depression.  You
should be very confident that you do know best. You always have. He's
another one who relies on your strength to carry him through. Even though
he'd be the last to say so, but the rest of usknow. And that's what
matters. 
 The shock of coming to grips with forever!  I know. I'm feeling a bit of
that myself.  When I get traumatized by the thought of "forever", I just
remember that you and Lestat will be there as well. I don't think I could
do "forever" without you being there for me! 
 My mortal. Oh, don't worry about him. If I don't get bored with him and
sink my lovely fangs into his delicious neck, I'll kill him by dancing
with him all night! Mortals do get tired so easily! Why, just last night,
Marc was completely worn out by four-thirty! I asked him to come back to
my place, and he almost fainted! Ah, they are such tender creatures! I'm
going to see just how tired I can make him tonight! I'm meeting him for
coffee and ??? in about an hour and a half. I think I'll wear that
cashmere sweater you gave me, the ivory one. It's so nice and soft. Just
like a mortal's brain!!! Ha! Thinks he can wear me down! I'll teach him a
trick or two. 
 Louis, this mortal is a very special one.  I know I joked about bringing
him over and all in my last letter. I won't. I enjoy his company. I'll
spend some time with him and then let him down gently. I'm being very
careful, but I think I'm just a teensy bit involved. I haven't done
ANYTHING I wouldn't tell you about. Not yet anyway! I know you are very
protective of me. I know Lestat would actually kill any mortal who put his
hands on me.  But don't worry. I'm quite grown up. I've done these things
before, but not in this preternatural flesh! I'll be very careful to hide
my true identity. He just thinks I'm a night person. I am! 
 Marc is just helping to close up the empty spaces in my life. I feel
there are so many of them. Is it that I'm just still so new at this? Is it
all because I'm still a fledgling? Is the night really so long, or is it
simply that I haven't adjusted? Louis, when will I be used to this life?
When will I not turn around and wonder: "That person I knew... his hair is
gray... he has lines on his face...but I will never change!" What will
happen to my mind when people I know and love start to die?  When I think
of all the changes YOU'VE seen. It must truly be wonderful!  But what if I
can't or won't change? I'm not changing now. There are nights when I'll
just sit here, alone and in the dark and I'll wonder, "Is it all worth
it?" And then there are the nights, usually around 3:30, when it's so
still, and I'm so alone. Sometimes I feel as if I shall fall into one of
there great empty depths and drown.  Louis, can I ask you something? When
you were six years into this, did you ever feel as if you were losing your
mind? 
   So I cling to my mortal. I know I can't really have him for any length
of time. The reason is that not only is he mortal, but he's also married
and has three little daughters. I sure can pick 'em. Can't I, Louis?  I
promise you it won't last very long. If I let it spin out this summer,
that will be a long time. 
 Please don't say a word of this to Lestat.  Not only would he jump on me
like a ton of bricks, but I'm afraid of what he'd do to Marc. You're
really the only one I can tell. I think I told you about the lecture I
received from Maharet about my associations with mortals. She keeps
telling me to pack in my apartment and come home to Burma. I know I
should, but I can't. 
 I can't leave my wonderful, noisy, teeming New York City. It's the only
real home I ever knew. 
 Don't lecture me, my dearest friend.  I lecture myself quite enough! 
    Please don't worry about me. I will be alright. After all, look what I
am. And I am a survivor, too! 
 Love you always,
 Jesse


Part 4 "Worrying over Miss Jesse" (author: Kim)


 Night, New Orleans, and three vampires are settled in for what is
suspected to be a quiet evening. The flat on Rue Royal was illuminated in
Lestat-like fashion, light streaming out like sunshine through every
window. The tropical, humid air was traced with the scent of freshly cut
Queen's Wreath from the courtyard. Strains of Bach could be heard
drifting, slowly and peacefully, throughout the room. 
 Louis de Pointe du Lac sat in his place of honor, his beloved mahogany
desk, mindlessly tapping his foot in time with the music. His finely
chiseled face enrapt and lost in thought, a faraway look in his emerald
eyes. 
 :Peace and quiet at last. For once, I may be able to spend an evening
lost in thought.: mused Louis. 
 The sound of familiar steps drawing perilously closer to the door,
interrupted Louis' thoughts. Disturbing the lovely quiet of the room, the
door opened and admitted one David Talbot, holding a stack of unopened
mail in his hand. He smiled as he entered the room, the grin giving light
to his deep, brown eyes and reflecting off his golden complexion. He
nervously raked a hand through his mop of wavy, dark hair. Immediately, he
crossed the room and handed Louis a letter. In his polite British accent
he remarked,
 "We seem to get more and more mail all the time. It sometimes makes me
wonder what Lestat actually does to get such a quantity of mail." 
 A small laugh escaped Louis' lips, "David, I believe we're better off not
knowing." 
 The other vampire smiled and sighed as he sunk into a leather armchair,
crossing one leg over the other, and began to read through his mail. 
 Louis looked down at the envelope he held in his hand and smiled. The
handwritten address was so familiar to him, so dear and close to his
heart. He put the letter down for a second, just to make sure Lestat
wasn't going to be reading over his shoulder. Good. No trace of the imp in
the room. 
 With a human gesture he opened the letter by hand. The handwritten letter
with scrawl, so elegant but modern, just as Jesse was. He held the paper
between his fingers, liking the feel of it, and then slowly and
meticiously read through every word. A sorrow filled sigh escaped from his
lips, surprising himself. His voice tinged with sadness and concern
whispered,
 "Oh Jesse....." 
 David looked up from his mail, eyes full of curiosity and his eyebrow
arched slightly, and kindly asked,
 "Louis? Is everything alright with Jesse?" 
 Louis shook his head as he put the letter down onto the desk,
 "No. David, I'm quite worried about her. She seems so lonely and
desolate. She's having much trouble adapting to her new life. I'm at a
loss at what to do for her." 
 David raised his hand and cusped his chin with it, looking off into the
distance, obviously pondering what exactly to do. He wasn't sure of how to
go about the situation. He knew that Louis was a bit apprehensive towards
him, and wasn't sure if Louis would like his help in this matter. 
 The shock was genuine to David when Louis walked over to where he sat and
handed him, very slowly and politely, the letter from Jesse which he had
been reading. 
 Louis was afraid for Jesse, somewhat at a loss over what to do for her.
His love and affection could only go so far. But David knew Jesse as well,
he could possibly help. Could he trust David with this matter? It was no
secret that Louis felt a bit uncomfortable living in the same house with
Lestat and David. This was a major step of trust on his, Louis', part in
asking David for help in this. Louis knew that, so did David. 
 David opened the letter and began to read through what Jesse was saying
and what he could do. Louis had picked up the local New Orleans newspaper
and David could hear the sound of rustling paper. Smiling to himself,
David took a moment to watch Louis. 
 Louis scanned the newspaper, his green eyes like a laser, penetrating
every word and storing it in the preternatural brain with amazing speed.
He shook his ebony hair back, out of his face and slowly folded the paper
and put it down. 
 Out of the corner of David's eye, he saw Louis stop, a look of confusion
upon his face, and then pick up the paper again. Scanning the front page
once more, as if he missed something. David shrugged and turned back to
Jesse's letter. Then he heard it. 
 
 The drop of the newspaper, the pages scattering every which way, blown
apart by the humid, wilting air. The sound of rustling papers filled the
room as each pages scraped one another on their decent to the crimson rug.
The papers scattered about was the first thing David noticed, the second
was the look of shock and sadness upon Louis' face. 
 Immediately, David stood up and was beside Louis. 
 "Louis....what's wrong." 
 "Rien. Sorry, Nothing. I have to find Lestat. Where is he?" 
 "Louis, maybe I can help, what did you read...." 
 "Non." Louis interrupted softly, "I must speak with Lestat....now." 
 David was more than surprised by the reaction and could only answer in
one word,
 "Courtyard." 

 A figure sat on a bench, alone, only a shadow in the night. A shadow
which reflected only light in his stormy gray eyes and in his blond hair.
His clothes, simple jeans and silk shirt, betrayed a slender, muscular
form. And the face....one would never have any trouble recognizing Lestat
wherever he was. 
 He sat in the shadows, liking the smell of the Queen's Wreath and the
methodical gurgle of the fountain. An eyebrow arched as he saw movement in
the night. A figure vaulting over the railing of the landing in a rush,
landing with the fluid grace of a cat. What was it they said about cats?
They always land on their feet? And Louis always landed on his feet, did
he not? He always will. 
  "Louis." Lestat began and as he looked at his fair friend, he noticed
fear and shock hidden in his eyes. "What's happened?" 
 Louis then gripped both Lestat's shoulders, not so much as to soften the
shock of the words, more for Louis' own support. A tender gesture of
needing support, Lestat acknowledged this. 
 "Aaron....Aaron Lightner, ami de David et Jesse, il est mort, Lestat!
J'ai lu-t-il dans un journal. Est-ce que tu as?" 
 The heavy French tone was accentuated in the lovely baritone voice,
meaning simply that Louis was upset by something. For Louis always reverts
to the French language when something deeply upsets him. The words tumble
out of his mouth without another thought. It is his nature. 
 "Aaron Lightner, dead? David's friend? You read this in the newspaper?
I'm not sure what to do, Louis." 
 Lestat was at a loss for words, a rare occasion. He knew David and Jesse
would be devastated, how to tell them.....what to do? 
 "Lestat?" Louis said softly. 
 Lestat put a comforting hand on Louis's shoulder, "I guess we must tell
David, should we not? Should I do this or you." 
 Louis said, "I think you. David will take it better from you, you will be
there to....comfort him." 
 Louis managed an uncomfortable smile as Lestat draped an arm about him
and led him up the stairs and into the flat. 

 "Louis, is everything alright? You looked positively sick when you ran
out of here." David asked as they entered the room. 
 "Of course David. I'm quite alright." 
 David's gaze turned from Louis to Lestat and he cocked his head to one
side, giving Lestat a curious look. 
 "Lestat....." 
 "No David." Lestat began, now Louis was afraid that Lestat may blunder
this with his usual carelessness, "David, we need to talk." 
 David's face twisted into something of a scowl and then regained it's
usual composure as Lestat began walked over to where Louis had dropped the
paper. David watch intently as Lestat carefully picked up papers and put
them back into order. Lestat knelt beside David and handed him the front
page to look at. 
 David didn't exactly follow until his eyes met with the headline on the
front page: 
 "MAYFAIR FAMILY MEMBER, AARON LIGHTNER, KILLED IN HIT AND RUN" 
 David's face became absolutely stricken, his eyes downcast as to not show
anyone his emotion. 
 "David, I'm sorry. I knew he was your friend." Louis said consolingly. 
 Lestat reached over and took David's hand and squeezed and for just a
second their eyes met and a considerate glance was exchanged. 
 David thought about crying over the loss of Aaron, but it didn't seem
right. Aaron would want him to be strong, true to his upbringing, there
were others to worry about. There was Jesse. 
 Louis felt uncomfortable and turned to leave but Lestat's words and
movement stopped him. 
 "I have to call Jesse." Lestat said quickly. 
 In unison, Louis and David both moved to stop him and yelled, "No!" 
 "And why not? Doesn't she deserve to know?" Lestat asked angrily. 
 "Lestat." David said, his voice sounding parental, "Aaron was like a
father to Jesse....." His voice trailed off as he remembered when Aaron
brought Jesse into the Talamasca, "This one has extreme talent, she is
meant to be here with us David!" David smiled to himself, :Here I am
living forever, but he was the good one, and now he is gone.: 
 And then a multitude of memories came tumbling down, cascading down from
a past that had been so successfully kept behind walls all this time. The
time when David and Aaron had first seen Lestat. Aaron's shocked
expression and his childlike amazement, "THAT is 'The Vampire Lestat'? To
behold him with my own eyes." 
 Then, Aaron's tearful good-bye from the Motherhouse when he left for New
Orleans, to attempt contact with the Mayfairs. How David wished Aaron had
never left him, Aaron was his dearest friend, his confident. :God, How I
wish I had never let him get involved with that insane family!: David
thought. 
 A sad smile touched David's lips as he thought of Aaron's wedding
reception. David had only meant to lurk in the shadows, for Aaron to not
even realize he was there, but Aaron knew. He spotted David and gave him a
little smile and wink as if to say, "I know what you are, what has
happened and none of it matters, we're still friends." That's why David
cherished their friendship so, complete understanding. 
 And now his friend, his Aaron, was gone. 
 Louis, sensing it was difficult for David to go on, continued, "Aaron was
very special to Jesse. We cannot just simply call her and tell her this!" 
 "And why not?" 
 "Because Lestat, who will be there for her? Whose, as they say, 'shoulder
will she have to cry on?' None of her mortal friends can understand the
pain she will feel over the loss or what she's been through. Besides,
she's terribly lonely, Lestat. I'm not sure what this will do to her." 
 "Fine. Then I shall go and tell her myself." Lestat answered,
 "No." Louis told him, already going to get his coat, "I shall go. She
needs me right now, Lestat. I'm perfectly capable of telling her. She can
talk to me." 
 "And she can't talk to ME?" Lestat's eyes flared with anger. 
 Louis simply sighed and told him, "Of course she'll want to talk to you,
and she will Lestat. But I believe that it would be better pour moi to
tell her this. You have always had a special friendship, Lestat. And as
soon as she arrives here, you both will have all the time in the world to
talk." 
 Lestat smiled and Louis approached him. Louis placed a soft, gentle kiss
upon Lestat's lips, only for a moment, letting cool silk brush cool silk.
And Lestat whispered very gently to Louis, "I'll charter a jet for you."
The corners of Louis's mouth turned up in a grateful smile and he replied,
"Thank you." 
 With that, Louis approached David slowly. First, reaching out to squeeze
his hand to reassure him and then embraced him for a lingering second and
softly said, "I'm sorry for your loss David, I truly am." 
 Louis's kind words made the blood tears well in David's eyes. Maybe he
could not weep over Aaron's death but this simple act of kindness touched
his heart to it's core. 
 Then, Louis left Lestat and David and walked out into the cool New
Orleans night. He climbed into his silver INFINITY, smiling as he thought
of the irony of the name of his car, and started the ignition and drove
away thinking,
 :Ma cherie, what will THIS do to you now. I only hope we can help you.: 


Part 5- "Shattered" (author:April Mist)


 If he hadn't been so focused on Jesse frame of mind, Louis would have
found the trip to New York unsettling. The idea of traveling by jet left
him unnerved and anxious. To him, the idea of streaking across the night
sky, as Lestat so kindly put it, in a cross between a toothpaste tube and
a bomb was far from pleasant. If the news to be broken hadn't been so very
urgent, and Jesse's need for him so very great, he never would have
undertaken such a journey.  He hated travel.  Even as a mortal, over two
hundred years ago, he couldn't abide it.  The very thought of that
transatlantic voyage as a young child... Louis closed his eyes against the
memory and concentrated on how he'd break the news of her friend Aaron's
death. 
 The private jet landed in something close to a monsoon at La Guardia
Airport.  Louis was grateful Lestat had arranged for a limo to drive him
into Manhattan.  There were times, such as now, when Lestat could show
great thoughtfulness and consideration towards him. Louis settled back
into the soft leather seat and sighed.  These times were few and far
between nowadays.  Deep inside he wished they could simply go back in
time. He knew that was impossible. He shook off these longings and set his
mind on the task ahead. 
 Jesse would need him more than ever.  He couldn't help but wonder if
Aaron Lightner's death would send her deeper into herself.  He'd take care
of her as long as she needed him, no matter how long that would be or what
it would involve.  He hoped he wouldn't have to take her back to Burma, to
Maharet. Perhaps she would come to Jesse, her child.  Louis knew the two
of them had not seen eye-to-eye on Jesse's chosen lifestyle. 
 The limousine slowed and pulled over to the curb. The driver's voice came
over the intercom. "One Hundred Fifteenth Street, Sir. Would you like me
to wait?" 
 Louis glanced at his watch. Two - twenty. "No, thank you. I'll order
another car for my return." 
 "Very good, Sir." 
 Louis took the keys from his pocket and looked at them. Perhaps he should
call and let her know he was on his way to see her... There was a
telephone next to him in the car. Louis hit the intercom button. 
 "May I use the phone?" He asked, politely. 
 "Certainly, Sir. It's included." 
 Louis picked up the receiver and dialed her phone number. Busy. He hoped
Lestat hadn't called her.  He tried again. Busy. Hmm. Louis closed his
eyes and put all his effort into scanning her apartment. He got a feeling
that she was up there.  The phone was off the hook! That had to be it.  He
thanked the driver and left the car.  Louis unlocked the lobby door,
walked to the elevator and pressed the tab with the up arrow.  These boxes
were almost as bad as flying, he thought, as he rode to her floor. 
 He stood before her door and listened. He hated doing that, but he felt
perhaps he should. He could hear her voice, soft and laughing, towards the
back of the apartment. He tapped on the door, loudly enough for her to
hear, but far to softly for the neighbors.  Nothing. Perhaps she didn't
hear. He tapped again. Nothing.  Louis closed his eyes to concentrate on
the sounds inside... Yes, he could hear her voice... and another voice! A
voice that belonged to a mortal! 
 Louis sighed. :Jesse! What are you doing in there...: He tapped again. 
 Still no response. He leaned close to the door and called softly. 
 "Jesse!  Jesse... It's me, Louis!" Either she didn't want to hear him or
she was too involved... 
 Louis' eyes opened wide as he suddenly covered his mouth with his hand;
"MON DIEU!" He gasped. "Jesse! You aren't..." He shook his head sadly.
"Oh, ma cherie. Why tonight, when I must see you!"  He listened again. If
she was *with* this mortal, he'd return later. No. They were talking.
Louis scanned the rooms... they were in the rear of the apartment, either
her office or bedroom. He'd enter, go into her kitchen and call her again. 
 Silently, he unlocked her door and shut it behind himself. The acrid odor
of snuffed out candles touched him as soon as he opened her door. He
noticed that source on the coffee table. Two small candles, wicks
blackened. Next to the candles were two wine glasses, one with a smudge of
beige pink lipstick. Jesse's color when on the rare occasion she'd wear
make-up. There was an empty green bottle upside down in an ice bucket. The
atmosphere suddenly felt stifling. Louis quickly blotted the slight
glistening of reddish moisture from his upper lip. He hated himself for
invading her privacy, but he hadn't a choice. 
   From down the short hallway he could hear their voices. Louis glanced
to the open bedroom door. He could see a mop of blond hair spilling over a
pillow and across the tanned, bare shoulders. Louis blinked. If he hadn't
known Lestat was in New Orleans, at home, consoling David, Louis would
have sworn Jesse's pale graceful hand was pressed to the small of a very
familiar back! 

 Jesse was speaking in a soft, tender voice to "her" mortal.  Louis
ignored the intimate conversation, as he slipped into the little kitchen
and closed the door to a crack. 
 "Jesse!" He called again. Far to softly for the mortal to hear, yet he
was sure it would reach her ears.  "Jesse!" 
 She sat bolt upright in bed, the sheet falling away from her.  "Oh, my
God!" Jesse gasped. 
 "What is it, Darling?" Marc asked her, reaching up to touch her cheek. 
 "Didn't you hear it?" She asked him, listening in the darkness for the
familiar voice. 
 "Jesse" 
 She stiffened. :Louis?: She sent her tangled thoughts out.  Yes.  It
*was* Louis! What was he doing in the kitchen? 
 "I don't hear anything. Come here, my love..." Marc pulled her down on
top of him. 
 "I left the gas on! I'll be back! Wait here!" She quickly kissed him,
hopped out of the bed, and wrapping the quilt around her body, ran through
the apartment to the kitchen. 
 When she opened the door, she found Louis leaning against the
refrigerator, waiting. 
 Jesse shut the door tightly. "Jesus Christ, Louis! What are you doing
here?" She hissed. 
 Louis raised his head and looked into her eyes. "Tell him to leave,
Jesse. I need to talk to you." His voice was strangely flat. 
 "Like Hell!" She took a step toward him. "What do you think you are
doing, bursting into my apartment like this, scaring the shit out of me!" 
 "Do as I ask.." Louis eyes remained locked on hers. He could have been
made from stone. 
 "NO! No way! You've got some nerve!" Jesse furiously whispered. 
 "You can be so goddamn self-righteous! I should kick your vampiric butt
outta here so fast your head spins!" 
 Louis snapped his face away from her's, his eyes bright with anger. 
 "Cover yourself, Madame! You are *indecent*!" Louis' voice had become an
intense whisper, tinged with ice. 
 Jesse moved backwards, pulling the quilt tightly around herself, bringing
it up to her chin.  Louis had never spoken to her in *that* tone of voice. 
She could see he regretted it as soon as the last syllable was uttered. 
 He turned his back to her for a moment,a white hand raised to his
forehead, covering his eyes. Slowly, his hand dropped back down to his
side and he faced her once again. 
 The expression of grief in those beautiful green eyes hit her so
squarely, she nearly fell over. 
 "Louis... what's happened...,"  she breathed. 
 "Jesse? Are you okay in there?" Marc called to her from the bedroom. 
 "Please, Jesse," Louis whispered with extreme urgency.  "Tell him to go." 
 Jesse backed out of the kitchen and ran to her bedroom. "Marc... I did
leave the gas on... and I have the worst headache... Would you mind
leaving, so I could just throw up and sleep this off ?" She thought that
would get rid of any man. 
 "Are you certain you're alright?  What took you so long?" He sat up and
looked at her.  What a picture she made! She was so oblivious of her own
beauty!  He's never seen her so lovely as she was tonight, right now,
standing in the doorway, hair totally disheveled from their lovemaking,
the bedspread wrapped around her slight form...  She turned slightly and
looked back over her shoulder.  "Jesse? Hello?" 
 "Oh, yes. I'm fine.." She looked into his eyes. :God, I hate to do this
to you, but I've no choice!: she thought. Jesse slipped into his mind,
softly, lovingly. :Get dressed, Marc. You've got an early appointment.
You're leaving. Say Good night.: 
 "I've got an early appointment, Jesse. I'm leaving... Good night!" 
 He muttered to her, as he got up and started to quickly dress. 
 She sat on the bed staring into space, as he finished pulling on his
clothes, deposited a kiss on her nose, and left. Jesse pulled on her
bathrobe, and met Louis in the kitchen. He was in the exact position she
had left him standing in. When he saw her, he rallied himself from his
thoughts and held out his arms to her. 
 "Let's go sit down, Cherie." 
 His quiet voice frightened her. She couldn't move. Jesse swallowed hard.
"It's Lestat, isn't it... He's dead..." Her mind went to the worst
possible thought imaginable. 
 "No... Lestat's quite alright." 
 Jesse breathed a sigh of relief. 
 "He'd be flattered your first concern was him." Louis put his arm around
her shoulder and guided her into the living room. 
 Jesse sat down next to Louis and turned toward him.  "There's something
terribly wrong..." 
 "Oui, ma cherie," He began. Louis put a hand on her shoulder.  "Jesse...
cherie... I have very sad news for you. I thought it only right that I
come and tell you myself." 
 Jesse searched his eyes. "Please. What is it?" She asked, her voice
unusually quiet. She grasped his other hand in both hers. 
 "You friend Aaron Lightner was killed in an accident." 
 Jesse gasped with the shock.. Louis gathered her into his arms and held
her trembling frame tightly. 
 "What happened?" She whispered. 
 "He was hit by car.  His death was instant. He didn't suffer." 
 "Aaron..." she whispered. "I can't believe it." She drew in another
breath but it caught in her throat. With a choking sob, she buckled over . 
 Louis caught her, fearing she'd fall. "Cherie, I wish I could bear this
for you!" 
 She raised her head, and weeping bitterly, buried her face in his chest. 
 Louis tenderly stroked her hair. There wasn't anything he could say. Just
be with her, comforting her as best he could. 
 Jesse's mind was awash with memories of Aaron. Scenes raced in her mind's
eye. Aaron, when she first met him, moving the silver sugar dredge across
the restaurant table using only the power of his active mind. Aaron taking
tea with her in the gardens of The Motherhouse. Aaron caring for her as a
loving father would after her breakdown, speaking reassuringly to her,
telling her to forget everything that happened in that empty flat in New
Orleans... and it was empty, wasn't it? 
 "Oh, Louis... it's starting, isn't it?" She stammered between breaths.
She lifted her face to his, her face stained with blood tears. 
 Louis wiped her tears with his handkerchief. "What is starting, Cherie?" 
 "Everyone of them are all going to die off ... all my mortal friends. I
don't want to be alone! I'm afraid!" She covered her face with her hands. 
 Louis pulled her close. "Don't be afraid. I promise you, you won't be
alone. Either Lestat or I will always be there for you. You know we will." 
He pressed a kiss onto her forehead. " and Maharet... don't forget her..." 
 He stayed, holding her tightly until the tears subsided. 
 Jesse took a few deep breaths to clear her mind. "Oh, God...  Poor David! 
Is he alright?" 
 Louis nodded.  "Lestat has stayed with him and I came here to fetch you
home. Do you feel able to travel tonight? " 
 "Louis... I don't know if I can." She was still whispering. 
 "Would you prefer to go back with me tomorrow night?  I will stay with
you tonight, if you wish," He smoothed her hair back from her face and
kissed the stained cheek. 
 "Please?  I have to pack... I have to arrange for things... and I hate
being alone..." 
 "Don't worry. I will call Lestat and tell him we will arrive tomorrow
night. I will help you with your arrangements here. Is that what you
wish?"  He lifted her chin so their eyes could meet. 
 "I have to pack..." her mind was swimming. "I'll be in my room..." 
 She squeezed his hand and walked slowly away. She wanted to be alone with
her thoughts of Aaron. 


Part 6 "Coming to terms with the past" (author:Kim)


 Raining, it poured as Jesse and Louis embarked on their journey home. The
rain came down hard and fast, soaking those who chanced to walk in it,
filling the air with the fragrance of new beginnings and old endings. 
 :Raining, how appropriate.: Jesse sighed as Louis ushered her into a
limousine. 
 Black. How it contrasted against her pale skin. She thought it only
appropriate to dress in black tonight, to honor Aaron's passing. She
wondered how it had happened and why. 
 :Yes, WHY! Why do those I love have to leave?: 
 She could only cry now. It was the only thing that consoled her. Every
single moment she had ever spent with Aaron had come rushing back,
confusing her, amusing her and killing her. 
 How Louis had comforted her. Knocked so softly upon her door and asked if
she needed anything. Oh what had she answered? 
 : 'Yes, Louis. I need you!': Jesse remembered. 
 He had let her cry herself to sleep in his arms, so reassuring to have
someone with her. What would she do without Louis? And now, nestled in the
soft leather seats behind the blackened windows, separating her from the
outside world, she just wanted to forget. 
 Louis sat beside her, his arm around her shoulders, to give her support.
His green eyes clouded with worry for Jesse and his pale forehead wrinkled
in concern for her well-being. 
 He was wondering, as they sat silently in the limo, how she would handle
this all, if this wasn't the flood that would break the dam. He wasn't
sure how to deal with this. She loved Aaron so much, and David....would
she be able to forget her hatred of the newly vampiric David Talbot. 
 :Of course she will. They have their grief in common.: Louis assured
himself. Now, Jesse needed him to be strong. Tears were streaking her face
again, staining her porcelain face crimson. Louis held her tighter, giving
her support, and she responded in cries, muffled by Louis's dark, trench
coat. 
 At this time, they arrived at the private jet. Louis allowed himself a
moment to smile inwardly. One couldn't miss the flowing red script
lettering on the ebony fuselage, "TVL". Slowly, he and Jesse emerged from
the limo, Louis being the perfect gentleman and shielding Jesse from the
rain with his coat. 
 Once inside the jet, Jesse gratefully unwound herself from Louis's grip
and sat in one of the plush velvet seats, red of course. Lestat had a
fetish for red velvet. Her green eyes showed only misery, tender and
naked, as they glanced in a daze out the window beside her. Sighing, she
curled herself up into a ball, letting the tears flow again as another
memory of Aaron played like a sad song in her mind. 
 Night in the Motherhouse, illuminated by a small desk lamp in Aaron's
room, Jesse sat opposite in a large velvet chair, fingering it's softness.
Funny, how Jesse could almost feel that luxurious chair under her
exploring touch once more. 
  It had been her first night in the Motherhouse, and there was much she
wanted to know and Aaron was only so happy to oblige. How he had picked up
his silver walking stick, offered an arm to Jesse and they walked
throughout the Motherhouse, exploring every corner, leaving no stone
unturned. 
 To the vaults they went, deep in the underground of the Talamasca,
looking through artifact after artifact. In those dark, shadowy caverns of
the Talamasca she had found her home, her life, and her love for life.
Life within the Talamasca was one mystery after another, each unfolding
like a rose to her. And Aaron, he was always there for her, wasn't he?
Answering questions or just staying with her late into the night and
talking. The father she never had. 
 He was always there for her; after the end of an ill-fated love affair,
when simple frustrations with paperwork overwhelmed her and during the
long convalescence from her breakdown. 
 
 :How I wish I had his shoulder to cry on now.: Jesse thought wistfully. 
 :You have *my* shoulder to cry on now, ma cherie.: Louis's concerned
voice echoed within the depths of her mind. 
 All Jesse could do was nod and let Louis's arms enfold her and give in to
the ultimate comfort and support the embrace offered to her. 
    *******

 They arrived in New Orleans at one in the morning and made their way to
Louis's car. The climate was such a sudden change to Jesse, coming from
New York City. The smell of the flower blossoms was sweet and seemed to be
transported from another day and time all together. 
 Louis ushered Jesse quickly into the car and he took the driver's seat.
Jesse was a little shocked,
 "Nice car. You still drive like Lestat?" 
 A small chuckle escaped Louis's lips and he answered,
 "Is that a compliment or an insult?" 
 Only Jesse's silence answered him as they drove through the twisted
streets of New Orleans, slowly approaching the French District. 
 Louis chanced to look at her while he drove down Rue Royal. She looked
absently out the window, as if something out in the night could answer her
neverending stream of questions. Questions that beat down upon her night
and day, never letting her rest. 
 Was she ever alone in these questionings? Not really. Louis had the same
himself, and only centuries could really answer them, maybe not even
centuries, maybe a millennia would pass with no answer. Immortal life was
never easy. 
 The car suddenly stopped and the engine stopped roaring. For a second,
they just sat there, looking at the illuminated flat above. Jesse had been
crying once again, Louis could see. Her green eyes were reddened and
streaks of crimson stained her pale face. 
 He handed her his handkerchief. "Can't go in to Lestat looking like
that... he'll be in tears as well, and you know what he's like once he
gets started on *anything*!" 
 Louis sighed as he opened the door and went around to help Jesse out.
Louis sighed as he opened the door and got out and then went to help Jesse
out. 
 
 Jesse waved him off, she didn't want to appear totally helpless. 
 : And Lestat tells everyone how strong I am....pfft!: Jesse thought
sarcastically. 
 Louis opened the trunk and took Jesse's suitcase, he took her hand and
they walked slowly up the steps and to the door. Louis took out his key
and opened the door for her and waited for Jesse to walk in. 
 Jesse hesitated, remembering the awful events that took place at this
flat during her last visit. Things had been calm since then, but the
memories of her horrid fights with David still were quite clear and
painful in her mind. 
 Jesse took a step into the flat and was at once met by the demon they
call Lestat. All light and energy he was as he approached for his usual
greeting. Blue eyes twinkling, yet concerned, blond hair out of place and
falling into his face and his arms out, ready to embrace his darling
Jesse. 
 "Jesse, ma chere. I am truly sorry for your lost." Lestat's voice sounded
unnaturally serious and sober. 
 Jesse was at a loss for words so she just let Lestat embrace her. He
wrapped his arms about her and held her close, trying to make her feel as
loved as possibly. What was this that Jesse was feeling? Jesse suddenly
felt uncomfortable, she stiffened and drew away from his embrace, not
knowing what made her do such a thing. 
 Lestat cocked his head to one side and gave her an inquisitive glance, a
little at a loss for words. Instead of questioning her, he took Jesse's
bags from Louis and pressed a light kiss to his cheek,
 "Thank you for doing *this*." Lestat whispered. 
 "It's Jesse, how could I not?" Louis replied softly. 
 Lestat only nodded and led them both into the living room where David
stood out on the balcony, staring mindlessly into the night. Song was
drifting from the stereo, a symphony, one of Aaron's favorites. The
instruments blending and intertwining with one another, volume rising and
falling to make one complete, beautiful sound. A tear slipped from Jesse's
eye. 
 David felt Jesse's anguish and apprehension before she stepped into the
room. He had caused her so much pain and lost her trust? Is there anyway
to rebuild a bridge that has been shattered? 
 Jesse watched as David turned to face her, brown eyes met green and no
words were exchanged, nor no feeling. Just a cold, quiet measure of one
another being taken. David let his barriers slip away and made one thing
very clear to Jesse,
 :I am sorry Jesse. I know, I feel it too. : 
 Nothing more was needed, no harsh words or final showdowns, only a simple
apology. Jesse took a few steps forward, towards David and held out her
hand in peace,
 "I'm sorry too David....I really am." 
 David took her hand and drew her closer to him, enfolding her in his
arms, allowing her to rest her head against his chest. Stroking her hair
as she let the tears run once more. She felt weak, she felt silly over all
this crying. Her sorrow was all she had. She said through her sobs,
 "Oh, David...why must they die and we live forever?" 
 "I don't know, Jesse. I just don't know. Let me help you Jesse, let your
wall down." 
 And she did, she removed the mental barrier and let David see what she
was feeling. Like a dam breaking loose her thoughts came until David could
control them and then they played in sequence for him, slowly and
meticiously. 
 He lowered Jesse to her knees as he did the same, and he pressed her
forehead to his and relived the memory of their dear friend with her. 
 Early evening in the Motherhouse in London. The sun is just setting,
letting it's lavender streaks of light fill the sky while the large,
golden sun set below the horizon. The evening mist had rolled in and
perfected the beautiful scene. It was the rose garden they were in and
Jesse had just walked out of the Motherhouse to the garden, her favorite
spot in the entire world. 
 Aaron and David stood there, admiring the roses they had just cared for.
Every rose perfect in color, from red to pink to white, each unfolding in
their own natural way. Smiling and laughing they talked, David's hand upon
Aaron's shoulder. And how they had welcomed her into the garden and how
they stood there for hours together, the three of them, just talking of
the roses and nothing else. No greater show of love then that, the love
that was always there between the three of them. A small family within a
greater one. 
 The small, happy remembrances like that which came rushing back to both
Jesse and David. The trips they took, the holidays they shared and the
late night discussions they had, all remembered in both minds, immortal. 

 Lestat and Louis stood in the doorway to living room, catching remnants
of
 vistas or conversations, memories shared between the two preternatural
minds.  It was too private for them to watch, it wasn't meant for their
viewing. Louis took a protesting Lestat by the arm and dragged him out and
into the hall. 
 "What did you do that for?" Lestat hissed. 
 "They must be alone, Lestat." Louis answered wearily. 
 "I have to so something for Jesse. She's hurting Louis, I can't *stand*
to see her hurt. You know that!" 
 "I understand, I know you're feeling left out but you're not the one she
needs right now. When she needs you, she'll come to you Lestat. Right now,
David and her have to be left in peace with their grief. You and I did not
know Aaron, they did, they share that as common ground." 
 Lestat turned away and raked a hand through his hair, obviously
frustrated. 
 "I can't not do ANYTHING, Louis! I'll be in my room if anyone *needs*
me." 
 Lestat walked down the hall and shut the door behind him. 
 : He can be so impossible.: Louis sighed as he walked to the living room
and stood in the doorway once more. 
 Jesse and David continued to hold each other, and Jesse was still weeping
softly. David softly comforted her,
 "Jesse, it's alright dear. Let it go, Jesse, let him go." 
 Jesse looked up to him with wide eyes, while the wine colored droplets
slowly ceased to trickle down her face. 
 "I can't, David. I just can't! Can't you see that it's just beginning?" 
 David looked a bit perplexed, but Louis knew what she meant, and it broke
his heart to hear the pain in her voice. 
 "What do you mean, Jesse? What is just beginning?" 
 "The death! Everyone I loved and hold close to me dying! And I can't stop
it. I can only stand there watching, knowing that I will survive, no
matter what, I live! How do I stand that, David? How?" 
 Louis slipped into the room to where they stood,
 "Oh Louis...." Jesse moaned.
 Louis cradled her in his arms,
 "You have to sleep, Jesse. I'm taking you to my room." 
 Down the hall they walked until they reached Louis's room and he set her
down gently upon the bed, pushing an out of place hair away from her face. 
 "I feel so stupid, Louis. All these tears!" 
 "Don't worry about it, happens to the best of us. I put up with Lestat,
and we know all about him and his *weeping*!" 
 That got a small half smile from Jesse and Louis was glad to see she
hadn't lost her sense of humor. She took his arms and wrapped them around
her and rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. 
 "Oh Jesse..." Louis whispered, "Sleep well, gather your strength for
tomorrow." 

Part 7 "Lamentation and Revelation" (author AprilMist)


 The French clock in the hall struck nine. 
 Lestat looked up from his newspaper and frowned.  There hadn't been any
sounds from Louis' room since before dawn.  He had lain in his casket in
the 'attic crypt', as Louis called it, wishing his vampiric hearing didn't
pick up her muffled sobs in the room below. Sighing, he glanced over to
David. 
 David hadn't moved in the past quarter hour. Well, perhaps he had moved
his fingers... his hands were clasped behind his back as he stood on the
balcony. 
 "Are you alright?" Lestat asked quietly. 
 "Yes, thank you," came the soft reply. 
 Lestat rose to his feet and walked down the hall to Louis' room. He stood
outside the door and ran his fingers over the moldings. :Louis,: he
thought. :Your strength sustains us.:  After a few moments of fond
contemplation, Lestat leaned closer to the door and called him. 
 "Louis... are you awake?" 
 "Come in, Lestat," he answered in a whisper. 
 Lestat opened the door. 
 Jesse was still asleep, pressed along Louis' slim form. Her arm reached
across him, grasping his shoulder, her head resting on his chest. He
clasped her in a comforting embrace. 
 "She fell asleep this way and hasn't moved." His voice barely audible. "I
don't want to disturb her." 
 Lestat nodded and soundlessly closed the door. As he walked down the
hall, a peculiar sensation seemed to itch in his mind. He stopped, turned
and looked at the door he had just left.  Was he jealous? He shook his
head to dislodge the thought. 
 "Completely absurd," he mumbled, and continued toward the back parlor. He
sat down at Louis' desk and rested a boot heel on the blotter. He leaned
back in the chair, and balanced his other heel on the toe of the boot.
Lestat tipped the chair back and sighed. :Who the hell am I jealous of...?
Jesse sleeping in Louis' arms, or am I jealous of *him* holding her all
night?: "Preposterous!" He said aloud, and jumped to his feet as Louis
walked into the room. 
 "She woke up as soon as you closed the door.  I think she's a little
embarrassed that you saw us together." Louis re-arranged the blotter on
the desk and glanced up at Lestat. 
 Lestat made a small dismissive gesture, and walked toward the door. "I'll
stay here with Jesse if you want to go out." He changed the subject. 
 "Thank you. I don't want her to be left alone." Louis replied. 
 "David's been out and back. He's waiting for her in the front parlor."
Lestat was about to leave, when Louis touched his arm. 
 "Lestat... I think you should know something. I don't really know if it's
my place to tell you this or not..." Louis' voice was hesitant. 
 Lestat turned and faced him. Louis was staring at the floor. His body
language suggested that he was troubled. 
 "What is it, Mon Cher?" Lestat lightly stroked Louis' cheekbone with the
back of his fingers. 
 Louis tried to raise his eyes to Lestat's, but only succeeded in getting
as far as his nose.  Louis's breath caught in his throat, and he returned
his gaze to the floorboards. 

 "How shall I put this...  a la methode... I mean, in a polite manner..." 
 "Louis! Tell me! You're making me crazy!" Lestat took a quick step
backwards and tossed his arms wide open. "I *hate* it when you act this
way!  I feel I can tell you *anything*!" 
 Louis sighed and sank into a chair.  "When I went to find Jesse..." He
began. 
 "Yes...?" Lestat bent over and placed his hands on the arms of the chair
so that he was hovering in front of Louis. 
 "Lestat, this is very difficult for me! Have patience, please!" Louis
raised his long thin fingers to his forehead. 
 Lestat stood up. "Louis, tell me!" He repeated. 
 Louis drew in a breath. "When I found her, she was in the arms of a
mortal." He averted his eyes. 
 "That mortal she was infatuated with?" Lestat lifted his head. 
 "Oui." 
 "Louis... she was in his arms...?"  Lestat asked quietly.  He silently
began to set the scene in his mind's eye.  "Vertical or horizontal?" 
 Louis sighed and tried to avoid Lestat's eyes. 
 Lestat grabbed him by the shoulders almost tipping the chair over
backwards. "What are you trying to tell me?  They weren't...  that
mortal... that *thing*... wasn't making making love to her, was he?" 
 Louis' great green eyes slowly lifted and met Lestat's. 
 "MY GOD!" Lestat stood up straight, pushing the chair in which Louis was
sitting against the wall. 
 "I didn't interrupt them. True, they were in bed... but they were simply
talking... very intimately." 
 Lestat threw his arms in the air. "How else does one speak in bed?"
Lestat began to pace.  " Has she told you about this mortal?  How long has
she been having this affair? 
 Why didn't you tell me!" 
 "I don't know if she'd actually... I don't know... She's in love with
him, but there are more complications than his mortality. Add to this the
death of Aaron... Lestat, now you see why I've been so worried for her!"
He rose from the chair, holding his arms toward Lestat. 
 "That mortal *DARED* to lay a hand on *my* Jesse... I'm going to kill
him... He's as good as dead!" Lestat paced the room, not hearing a single
word Louis had spoken. 
 David opened the door and stuck his head in. "Lestat! What's happening? 
I can hear you in the livingroom!" 
 "That insolent mortal assaulted *my* Jesse!" Lestat growled. "I'm going
to New York and kill him right now!" 
 Louis and David both leaped on Lestat and restrained him. 
 "Keep your voice down or she'll hear you!" David spoke in Lestat's ear as
he grappled with him. 
 "Don't be hasty. You'll do more harm than good...." Louis held onto
Lestat with all his strength. 
 Lestat shook them both off as Jesse walked into the room. 
 "Lestat? Is there a problem? You were yelling..." She looked at him with
a questioning gaze. 
 Instantly, Lestat had her in a warm embrace. "Nothing for you to worry
about, Ma Petite. This is very normal here. I let off steam. They jump on
me. Happens every day." He planted a kiss on her cheek.  "Now, shall I
take you to hunt? You must be very hungry." 
 "No, I can't ... not yet." She loosened herself from his arms. "I want to
go to the cemetery.  David, do you want to come with me?" Jesse looked up
into his dark eyes. 
 "Yes, of course I'll go with you. It's only fitting we pay our respects
together." David moved to her side and took her hand in his. 
 "What about his family in England?" She asked softly as they walked down
he hall. 
 "None living... the only family is his wife..." 
 "His *wife*?" She stopped and looked into his eyes, surprised. 
 "Yes, Louis didn't tell you? He was married...  to Beatrice Mayfair." 
 Jesse's knees buckled. David caught her before she fell. 
 "Mayfair! Oh, no! The Mayfair women !" She covered her face. "Oh, Aaron! 
And you warned me against becoming too involved!" 
 "I thought you knew. I'm so sorry to tell you like this." David tried to
help her to a chair, but she waved him off. 
 "It doesn't matter." Jesse sighed. "Could you get my coat please?" 
 Lestat was suddenly beside her. "Shall I drive you?" He asked in a soft
voice. 
 "No, it's just for David and me, Lestat." Jesse took his hand and
squeezed it. "Please understand.  You never knew him." 
 Lestat nodded, and handed the car keys to David.  A wave of helplessness
threatened him, but was dispelled by the comforting presence at his side. 
 Louis slipped an arm around his waist.  "That was a most considerate
gesture." His voice quiet, warming. 
 "Me? Considerate?" Lestat shook his head and leaned against his
companion. "Then remember it well, Louis.  The next act of consideration
may occur in the next decade." 


****************************

 The gates of Lafayette Cemetery were locked, but that did not present a
problem to David Talbot.  Lestat had taught him well on how to deal with
locks.  As Jesse watched, he took the large padlock in his hand and stared
at it. The loop sprang open. 
 "Lestat?" She asked. 
 "Lestat." David returned. 
 She held onto his arm as they soundlessly walked down the center path,
passing one time-polished tomb after another.  Jesse seemed to be dwelling
in the silence of the place. David sensed it, and covered her hand with
his. 
 "There...", Jesse pointed to a large above ground tomb. "On the right. 
With the little wrought iron fence around it... Mayfair." 
 They stopped for a moment, looking through the darkness at the white
marble edifice with funeral flowers still piled against it. 
 Jesse heard David sigh. She slipped her arm around him and gave him a
slight squeeze.  She couldn't remain at David's side. She had to touch the
white marble. She had to be sure it was real.  Slowly, she opened the
little gate and moved toward the structure until she stood inches away
from it.  Jesse placed the palms of her hands and touched her forehead to
the cold stone.  She whispered a single word. "Aaron". 
 She felt David's cool hands on her shoulders.  She could feel his pain
transmitted, it seemed, through his fingertips. 
 Jesse was about to turn and say something to David, when she felt a wave
of knowledge begin to sweep over her. She reached out to David and grasped
his arm tightly.  Bewilderment registered on her face.  Images, at first
blurred then clear. 
 A sedan jumping the curb knocking the white-haired Aaron to the street
and running over him... three times. 
 "Oh my God!" She cried, falling between David and the white marble wall. 
 "What is it?" He asked urgently, hauling Jesse to her feet. 
 Jesse's eyes opened wide, in an expression of amazement and horror. 
 "I just got an impression... you remember? The same way it always hit me
before... only this time it felt like a Mac truck."  She looked up into
his face with outright astonishment. "I... I didn't know I could still
*do* this!" 
 Images swept over her, depleting her vitality... three men on a windswept
hill.  She saw the three men clearly; one tall and aged, his gray hair
whipped by the wind. Jesse cried out as she recognized the features of
Stuart Gordon, senior member of the Talamasca. Who were the ones with him?
What were they saying? The vision became stronger the voices clear... 
 Gordon spoke. "You killed Aaron! Both of you! ...What have I done that
set this scheme into motion! The blame is mine! 
 "Jesus Christ!" She gasped, falling against David. She hadn't control
over the sights and sounds that threatened to overcome her. 
 The voice of Gordon echoed in her mind. "Tommy, how could you!...
Mark...the very author of it all!" 
 "Tell me!"  David shook her. "What did you see?" 
 "He was murdered... DAVID! It was an inside job!  How could this happen? 
What's been going on in the Talamasca since I left?" Her voice was
raising. "David...we've got to *do* something!" 
 "Jessica... if it was , as you put it, an inside job, then I'm sure The
Elders are on to it." 
 "But how can you be sure?" She was looking at him with such intensity.
"David... I've got to know... wait... it's happening again!"  This time,
she closed her eyes and exhaled very slowly. 
 David had seen this before.  When she needed to tap her psychic
resources, Jesse would go into a meditative state.  He watched as her
features relaxed and she continued to fine tune her focus. 
 "Intercepted faxed..." she murmured, "false communications to the
Elders..." 
 Suddenly, her eyes snapped wide open, her expression changed from placid
to violent. Her grasp on David's arm grew stronger, her nails piercing his
coat and digging into the preternatural flesh underneath. "They had him
excommunicated!" she screamed. Jesse looked up into the night shy. "How
could they *do* that to Aaron? How could they have *killed* him?" 
 David seized her by the shoulders. "For the love of God, Jesse, what are
you talking about?" 
 "I know who did it..." she took several gulps of the humid night air. "
I've got the names... Stuart Gordon, Marklin George and Tommy Monohan! 
Damn their black souls to Hell! They were the ones..." 
 "Jessica... *not* Stuart!" He breathed
 "Oh, yes. Stuart." Jesse pulled away from him. Fully recovered, she
jumped the little fence and started off down the path. 
  David had to race to keep up with her. Damn! She was worse than Lestat! 
"Hold up, Please!"  David grasped her by the shoulder, but she pulled
away. 


Part 8- "Spies like Us" (author Kim)

  Jesse tore out of the cemetery with all her vampiric speed down to where
the car stand parked. For no matter how keen a mortal's eye, they could
still never see Jesse as she flew past them. Jesse had only one thing upon
her mind, revenge. 
  "Damn those Talamascan novices, stupid, impudent, greedy sonuva...."
Jesse muttered to herself as she slowed as she reached Lestat's black
Porsche. 
  David had finally caught up with Jesse which proved to be quite the
difficult task indeed. 
  Jesse bared her fangs in a feral grin and said, quite seriously, "David,
I've never been so bent on revenge in my unnatural life! I don't know
about you, but I'm out of here! I'm going to be in England tomorrow even
if it kills me!". Her green eyes glowed with determination. 
  "Maybe I can get Lestat to take me tonight." 
  "Oh, no! *NOT LESTAT*." David saw Jesse standing next to the car,
pointing t o the door. 
 "David, if you don't unlock this damned thing, I'll rip the door off!
DAMN! 
 I'm so rattled I can't open a simple lock!" 
  "Calm down child." He hunted for the keys in his pocket. She had him in
such a state, he reverted to mortal means of keys. 
  "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" She snapped. 
  "To begin with, you are *not* bringing Lestat into this!" David unlocked
the car. 
   "Now, give *me* the keys." His amber eyes glowed with an inner fire,
one of anger and sadness, he rose them to meet Jesse's glare. 
  "Jessica, *you* are not going to drive this car in your condition,
Lestat would kill me if I he even found a scratch upon *his* car." 
  Jesse rolled her eyes, "Condition? I'm quite fine, you're making it
sound as if I'm pregnant or something! Now, give me the keys!" 
  David sighed as he tossed the keys over to Jesse. 
  "Now, that more like it." Jesse answered, "Now get in the car and put
your seatbelt on like a good little vampire!" 
  David got in the car as Jesse did the same. 
  "Do you have *ANY* idea the damage Lestat could do?" David asked. 
  "Precisely!" she turned to him, a smile on her face, the tips of her
fangs visible. "If you want something done, you always ask Lestat. He
never gives less than one thousand percent!" 
  "We don't want even a fraction of that! The Talamasca couldn't stand the
shock. Lord knows, *I* don't think I could stand the shock. If there's
anything to be done, it had better be done between the two of us." 
   She turned the key in the ignition and gunned the engine. Then, she
pulled away from the cemetery and sped down the back streets of New
Orleans with breakneck speed. David was petrified,
  "You know, Jesse, you could slow down. I'd have a heart attack right
now, were I mortal." 
  Jesse, with one hand on the wheel and her eyes on David, increased her
speed even more and smiled,
  "But you're not mortal, David. Plus, the quicker I go, the quicker I can
kill those who murdered Aaron." 
  "You don't know it was them for certain. You can't just go running off
and doing something you may regret. Plus, the members of the Talamasca
aren't stupid, you of all people must know that! They KNOW what we are
Jessica, we cannot fool ourselves ourselves, they know!" 
  "I don't care if they know who we are or not. They killed the man that
was like my father, who gave me comfort in my turmoil, how can I let them
get away with it?" Jesse looked desperate, as if trying to find someone to
blame. Her hand tightly gripped the wheel of the car as her other hand
made nervous gestures along with her words. 
  David sighed, "We won't, Jesse, the Talamasca won't. We cannot go
rushing in and robbing them of *their* revenge as well, they loved Aaron
just as we did." David hoped a little reverse physcology would work on
Jesse, it did. Jesse looked blankly through the windshield and pondered
what David had just said. An idea suddenly overtook her brain and a plan
began to form. 
  Her eyes brightened and she gave David a small smile as they pulled up
along side the flat and Jesse turned the car off. 
  "You have a plan, too, oh wise and masterful one, don't you? What do
*you* propose?" 
  David smiled at her sarcasm, "I propose a little trip, my dear, an
investigation, and action...but only if need be! We don't need you tearing
into the place like a bat out of Hell! Because, dear Jessica...I could see
you doing just that!" 
  Jesse smiled back sweetly, tilting her head to one side. 
  "Would you like to hear my plan?" 
  "Does it include killing anyone?" 
  "Not in the beginning anyway, that's plan B." She lifted he lip slightly
to reveal her fangs. 
  "Charming." 
  "Don't worry David," said Jesse as she reached over and patted his
cheek., "I've got it *all* figured out." 
  David paused and looked at her, "Ahh, *that* is what I was worried
about!" 



  "You're going to do *WHAT* to your hair?" Lestat practically screamed at
Jesse. He could not believe his eyes as she sat on the counter top of the
bathroom vanity, reading the label of a carton. 
    Jesse lifted her eyes to his and gave him the sweet smile he couldn't
resist. 
     "That's right, darlin'. Jet black." She proceeded to take a bottle
from the box and began to shake it. "I can't see where your problem is."
She hopped down from the counter and stood directly in front of Lestat,
smiling defiantly up at him. 
    From the relatively safe distance of the doorway, Louis watched their
reflections in the mirror. He had wedged himself in the doorframe, leaning
against one side of it, feet at the base of the other, so he could have a
good vantage point for the proceedings. A wave of laughter threatened to
crest and break through his serious expression. He watched as Jesse threw
Lestat one last glare, pulled the plastic gloves over her tiny hands,
cracked open the seal on the bottle and tipped her coppery mane into the
basin. A chuckle escaped his lips as Lestat seized her wrist just as she
was about to pour the aromatic black fluid on her hair. Lestat turned his
glare on him, and Louis quickly covered his mouth with one hand and choked
back the laughter. The scene was entirely too funny. It was like watching
Lestat in duplicate. 
     "Oh no you're not, Mademoiselle Reeves. You will not *touch* your
beautiful hair with that... that..." A look of revulsion crossed his face
as Lestat wrestled the offending bottle from her hand, "*stuff*." 
     Jesse grabbed the bottle. "Do you want to spill it?" She placed the
bottle on the counter and sighed. "First of all, that *stuff* is called
hair color, and if I do this right, my hair should become a beautiful
shade of blue black. You'll like it. It should be the same color as Louis'
hair". 
    A soft chuckle came from the figure in the doorway. 
    "Second, as of tonight, the name's not Reeves anymore. For as long as
David and I are in England, My name will be 'Lake, Louise Lake."
   With one last defiant glare, Jesse tipped her hair into the sink and
began to pour the dye on her hair and comb it through. 
   Lestat lectured on. 
   "You had to pick the feminine equivalent to *his* name, didn't you?"
Lestat pointed to Louis' reflection in the mirror, watching as his
companion responded with a shrug. 
   "Do you seriously want me to walk into the Talamasca Motherhouse with a
name like... like... Louis, help me out. *Is* there a feminine equivalent
to his name?" She asked as she bent over the sink, the black substance
dripping from her hair.. 
   "Hmm... Lestatette? Non. Lestatine? Lestatess?" Louis was convinced
that if he looked very closely, Lestat would actually be steaming. 
   "Thank you," she continued."What if I walked into the Talamasca
Motherhouse with a name like Lestatice de Lioncourt? Don't you think it
may possibly raise a few eyebrows?" She could hear Louis' laughter echoing
through the house as he stepped into the hall practically convulsing. 
   Lestat threw his hands in the air in mock surrender and stomped out of
the bathroom. "It's not *THAT* funny," he growled at Louis, as he passed
him in the hall. 
  With Lestat gone, Louis returned to the doorway to watch Jesse as she
rinsed out the colorant and wrapped her hair in a towel. 
  "Do you know what you are getting yourself into?" he asked in a
concerned whisper. 
   "Of course, don't I always?" Jesse replied, smiling to his reflection
over her shoulder as she began to apply charcoal colored eye shadow. 
   "Don't take any foolish chances..." Louis tried not to sound too
worried. 
   Jesse dropped her eyeliner brush, turned and put her arms around him.
"Promise." 
   Louis nodded, and she went back to the mirror and finished applying the
black eyeliner. "Now just some mascara and *that's* done..." she squinted
as she brushed her eyelashes."You know, Louis, I've always found it so
unfair that men always have such long eyelashes..." 
   "Are you almost ready to go?" David's voice interrupted them as he
called from the hall. 
   "Just let me blow dry my hair, and we'll be out of here," she called
back to him. 
   She took the hairdryer from it's holder on the wall, tossed her hair
forward and quickly dried her hair. She stood up, replaced the dryer, and
brushed over the now blue black mass of hair. Jesse turned to Louis and
struck a pose. 

 "Alright, David. You ready to go? I want to get all this done with, I
want to know who's responsible for Aaron's death, and *now*" Jesse said as
she walked into the front hall, grabbing her leather jacket. 
 "Yes, Jesse, I mean *Louise*. Let's go." David answered as he opened the
door and led Jesse down into the courtyard. 
 The night was beautiful, not a cloud to cover one single night star. The
moon was full and bright and the air was tropical. Jesse could smell the
lingering scent of the Queen's Wreath in the courtyard. The fountain gave
it's endless comfort with the continuation of it's soft, bubbling sound.
Jesse sighed,
 :What am I getting myself into?: she thought. 
 David wrapped an arm around her waist and Jesse stiffened in protest.
David bent down and whispered into her ear,
 "We have to go this way, it's much quicker Jesse, you know that." 
 Jesse relaxed in his grip and had to admit that being this close to such
a handsome vampire wasn't all that bad, even if it was David inside that
body. She smiled at her own thoughts and wrapped her arms about David's
neck for support. 
 In a second she was elevated above the ground, letting out a gasp as she
did so. The wind stung her face and she felt the bitter cold keenly. She
melted into David for his warmth and support. She could and would not ever
get used to this sort of flying with ANY vampire. And as they made their
ascent towards the clouds she looked over David's shoulder and saw Louis
and Lestat waving good-bye from the balcony, looks of concern gracing
their beautiful faces. 
 She looked away and buried her face into David's chest to protect herself
from the wind's attack. 


 A while later, a windblown Jesse and David landed at the front gates of
the Motherhouse in London. Each carefully shielding their minds as to not
be detected by the powerful mind readers within the house. 
 Jesse looked up at the tall, rusted gates and the nameplate on the cold,
stone wall surrounding the mother house, it read "Talamasca
Motherhouse-London" in gold letters over the crimson plaque. How many
times had she entered through this gate, to go into the Motherhouse, to go
into her home. She shivered, half from the cold of the flight, half from a
past long gone. 
 Without thinking, she intertwined her fingers with David for support,
more mental than physical. 
 "How shall we go about this, David. Jump over the fence and give them a
scare or do the 'Lestat' and open the gates with your mind?" 
 David smiled down upon her, "No, my dear Jessica, we shall do the
'mortal' thing and simply break in through the back door." 
 David then proceeded to drag her around to the back entrance which was
protect by no high wall nor gate. David smiled, how easy it was. 
 They reached one of the lesser known back door and David immediately took
his old keys from out of his coat pocket. 
 :Knew these would come in handy one day.: he thought to himself. 
 Jesse put a hand on his arm,
 "Wait, don't you think they would have changed the locks by now? Do a
Lestat!" 
 He continued to work his key into the lock and with a swift turn, it
opened to them. He chuckled to Jesse,
 "They're British, Jesse. Do you honestly expect them to change anything?" 
 Slowly, they crept into the Motherhouse, being as silent as possible as
to not arise any suspicion. Jesse knew exactly where they were. 
 An old storage room of the Talamasca, nothing very important stored here,
just junk one might say. The air had a musty scent to it and it filled
Jesse's lungs as she took a slow breath. Almost everything had a thick
layer of dust upon it and cobwebs frequented every corner. 
 This is a room where Jesse would go for the safe, warm quiet of the night
at times. When things got to tough she would come here and sit in the
tattered armchair by the door and light the candle beside it and just sit
for hours, thinking. Then, usually around three in the morning, Aaron
would come in and kneel in front of her and bid her to speak. And she
would. She would tell him of her troubles and how it got so hard
sometimes, and he always listened to her. He gave her the advice she
needed, the shoulder to cry on. Aaron. 
 A whisper in her mind, tickling her senses like a feather, :I know,
Jesse. It's very hard for me as well.: David. 
 "Let's leave this room, David. Please." Jesse whispered, suddenly feeling
very vulnerable in this old room with it's long forgotten memories. 
 "Very well then." David responded, "I will attempt to get at one of the
master computers than run between the Motherhouses and their counterparts
while you can walk along the halls, trying to gather the information from
minds. Be very careful about it. We don't want to arouse any unnecessary
suspicion about us. If I need you, I'll call you and you do the same." 
 And with a quick squeeze of Jesse's hand, David was on his way. 



 :These familiar halls, rooms and people, do they know what I am?: David
wondered as he walked along the back halls of the Motherhouse. It was hard
to forget the dark, oak walls that surrounded him or the plush crimson
carpet below his feet. How many times had he walked the same route when he
ran this place? The Superior General of the Talamasca, David Talbot. 
 No more time for old remembrance now, he had Aaron's death to think
about. His beloved Aaron, who should have never gotten in so deep. 
 :But then, I should have known better myself.: David thought. 
 Finally, after walked a stretch of halls he came upon one of the smaller
offices in the Left Wing of the Motherhouse. All the greatest networking
and secrets lie behind the doors of the small offices, who would ever
disturb them there? 
 Except for a vampiric Sherlock Holmes. 
 Using his agile mind, David quickly and quiet undid the lock and entered
the small room. He immediately sat down at the desk and booted up the
computer that sit upon it. The screen flashed red and the words,
 "Talamasca Network: please input the password immediately." 
 Again, knowing the Talamasca would hesitate to change a thing he picked
the correct password from his mind, typed it in and was in. He didn't want
to be bothered with any passwords or security installed upon the computer,
so he set about disabling the security system. 
 "Thank you, my friend..." he mumbled. Yes, his maker had taught him well. 
 Without much effort he was able to access personal logs and
communications throughout the Talamasca. He froze as he saw the list of
many frequent communications between Stuart Gordon, Marklin George and
Tommy Monohan. 
 :Oh no, Stuart. How could you? To Aaron, for God's sake, how COULD you?!:
David thought, deeply disturbed that a friend would do this to Aaron. 
 And then David began, shocked and numbed, message by message, to try
unravel the story of Aaron's murder.  The messages didn't make
sense...Aaron's coded faxes to the Elders simply were not his words... 

*******
  Jesse walked the halls of the North Wing. Never in all her days there
had she picked up such turmoil and anxiety... the place stank of murder,
and she couldn't understand why. 
 : Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn!: Jesse thought, quite violently. 
 She hadn't the tact nor stamina to read the minds of even a normal
mortal, much less ones trained in guarding their thoughts so completely.
Sure, Lestat's blood made her read minds, but that could only do so much.
She thought of David, sitting comfortably somewhere typing away at a
computer. 
 : 'Read their minds' he says....what in hell is he thinking!: 
 Suddenly as if by accident a thought floated into her consciousness,
 : He *had* to be done away with... killing Aaron Lightner, what would it
matter....success will be ours!: 
 Tommy Monohan's voice. 
 Extreme sorrow and anger gripped Jesse in it's violent hold. She wanted
to run into the room, drain him dead, scream, cry, SOMETHING! How could
she just stand by and let this man get away for killing Aaron, her Aaron! 
 :I wish I could just curl up into a corner and die I feel so horrible.: 
 She began to feel her mind shut down and everything freeze, no she
couldn't let her barriers down, not here! She tried to focus but she felt
so terribly weak. A thought exploded into her mind bringing her back to
reality. 
 :JESSE! Come to the back office immediately in the Left Wing, room 302.
I'm here and I've uncovered a LOT. Oh no, someone's
coming.....Wait....It's Joan Cook. You remember her. Be ready to act, my
dearest "Louise", you're going to need it!: 
 Room 302...302, how to get there? She suddenly remembered and the checked
the halls to see if there was anyone around to see her. hen with vampire
speed she rushed down a back staircase and found herself in the complex
maze of back halls and rooms of the Motherhouse. 
 She walked down the hall and came to an intersection of sorts and took a
right. She felt trapped, unsure of what to do next. She knew 302 was up
ahead but could she face what was behind those doors? She was at the door,
her hand on the doorknob, ready to turn. 

 David had heard the mind of Joan Cook before she ever came within
distance of the door. 
 :Just what I need...an interruption: David mentally sighed. 
 With a few keystrokes he was in the files of the old David Talbot, David
Talbot the Superior General. It would make a good enough excuse for the
moment. 
 Joan was humming an old British tune as she opened the door to the
office. Her shock was apparent by the look upon her face. A strange man,
sitting at the computer which contained millions of files not meant to be
seen by everyone's eyes. 
 "Pardon me" Joan began in her tight, clipped, British accent, "This area
is off limits. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you your name and your
business here!" 
 Joan was a petite women, with hair gone silver with age. Her legs not of
much use anymore she sat in a wheelchair which could almost be designated
as a throne. She was obviously upset, with a right to be. How could
offices left to her security be so carelessly broken in to? 
 David stood and walked around the desk and shook her hand,
 "I am sorry we have never met, but you must be Ms. Cook. My uncle spoke
well of you in his time." 
 Joan looked confusedly at the handsome, young man before her. 
 "I am sorry, but I'm afraid I do not know who you are speaking of." 
 David smiled, "I'm talking in riddles I'm afraid. My uncle, and namesake,
was the old Superior General, David Talbot." 
 David enjoyed the small pleasant shock sensation that radiated from Joan.
He and she had been good friends back in those days, if she only knew. 
 "And as for what I'm doing here. Well, I just came to retrieve some of my
uncle's files. I didn't want to intrude upon anyone so I thought it best
that I just come in and quickly get his files and go." 
 Suspicion came from Joan, David could feel it. Joan sat there silently
thinking about the rumors that still surrounded David's death to this day.
Everyone knew he was friends with that vampire, 'The Vampire Lestat' and
one couldn't help but wonder what had actually happened. 
 David heard her thoughts of doubt and decided to pull a "Lestat" 
 :It is nothing, he is just taking David's files, he is David's nephew,
you will treat him that way. No doubt.: David projected into her mind. 
 Joan instantly was put at ease....and then Jesse walked in. 

 Jesse burst into the room, looking quite a bit like Louis with the dark
hair and green eyes. She was all smiles as she looked down upon the woman
in the wheelchair. 
 : Joan.: 
 :Exactly.: David answered, :Now play along.: 
 "I'm sorry Joan, you must think me very rude. This is my secretary,
*Louise Lake*." 
 Jesse extended a polite hand to the woman and smiled,
 "Sorry about just bursting in like that. I was trying to find a washroom
and I got a little lost and was a bit happy to find my way back." Jesse
announced. 
 Joan took a long look at the woman in front of her. There was something
about her eyes that reminded her of the late Jessica Reeves! 
 :Come now, Joan: Joan thought to herself, :There may be a connection
here, look at the pale skin, the resonance in the voices, that look. I
can't read them...could I have a pair of vampires from the coven de
Lioncourt?: Her mind was spinning. : I know I can test this. : 
 "May I offer you some tea, Mr. Talbot?  Miss Lake?" 
 David's voice warned in her mind, :Jesse, be careful... Politely refuse,
think of an excuse.: 
 Jesse replied, :I KNOW what I'm doing David.: 
 Jesse smiled charmingly at Joan and cooed in an American southern accent,
 "Why, thank you Ms. Cook. I'd love a cup of tea." 
 Joan cocked her head to the side and proceeded to roll herself to the
small table where the tea tray had been laid for here earlier. The teapot
sat covered on the warmer. She turned towards the mysterious woman and
asked,
 "Miss Lake... I trust strong tea is acceptable? One lump or two?" 
 Jesse smiled, "Three please, I like it sweet. And no milk, thank you." 
  She added the sugar for Jesse and handed it to her. She watched very
carefully as Jesse took the cup and held it daintily in her hands before
tasting the tea. 
 : A sip will be all she will manage at most if she is vampire.: 
 Jesse picked up the thought and drained the tea in no time flat, this
skill was quite useful sometimes. She smiled into Joan's surprised face
and whispered into her mind. 
 :Perfectly normal.: 
  Then Jesse and Joan began to talk a bit while David raided her mind for
information concerning Aaron's death. It was worthwhile. A funeral feast
was set for late the next night along with the Talamasca trial for Tommy
and Marklin, which could only mean, "the pit". David smiled inwardly, he
knew what was to happen. He whispered into Joan's mind,
  : David was best friend's with Aaron, invite his nephew and his
secretary to the funeral. : 
  Joan began, " You remember your uncle telling you about his best friend
Aaron?" 
 "Yes." David replied. 
  "I know how much your uncle loved him and he *died* only a short time
ago. We are having the traditional Funeral Feast tomorrow night. Would you
and your secretary like to attend?  There will be some business afterward,
confidential business, but at least you will be able to meet some members
who were close to your uncle before you will be asked to leave." 
  David saw Jesse shudder as she pictured the ritual in her mind. 
  David answered Joan, "We'd love to come and pay our respects. We will be
there tomorrow night, but for now, we must go. It is getting dreadfully
late." 
  David took Jesse by the arm, gently, and they walked out the door. 
  Joan sat back in her wheelchair and sipped her tea,
  "I suppose they're quite normal." 


Part 9- "Final Goodbyes" (author: Kim)


 David and Jesse spent their daylight hours deep within the halls of
Talbot Manor, the servants of the house only too glad not to disturb the
rest of those in mourning. The house stood dead quiet as the grandfather
clock in the hall struck eight in the evening. Jesse awoke to the calm,
cool, quiet and the chiming of the clock. 
 Out of her dreamstate, Jesse awoke and stretched in a feline manner and
sat at the vanity across the room. Her hair was still jet black from the
previous evening and she ran a brush through it's tangled masses. 
 She walked to closet as if she was in a dream, preforming the movements
but not spiritually there. She would have to face Aaron's killers tonight,
she knew. Would her true vampiric nature take hold of her or would she be
able to refrain from striking them dead where they stood. 
 Out of an unopened package, fax-ordered from Harrod's the night before,
she pulled a long, silk black dress and slipped it over her petite form.
She wrapped the carefully embroidered shawl that lay folded in the
wrapping about her pale shoulders. 
 "The Fair Lady of Death....I'm going to wake up, this is all going to
have been a horrible nightmare. Aaron won't be dead, there was never a
conspiracy and I'm home....in my little apartment...and I'm not dead
either." Jesse mumbled to herself. 
 A polite knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, she softly called,
 "Come in." 
 In the doorway stood a young man, with face not so familiar, but a past
life so known to her. Dressed strikingly in black, a somber expression
graced his golden face. Did she really know this David Talbot all that
well? 
 "Jesse" he whispered softly, so softly in fact, the sound of this
familiar voice almost brought her to tears. She covered her face with her
hands and felt a light touch upon her arm, soft silk grazing her skin. 
 "I don't know if I can face them, David. How do I know I won't strike
out, do something I'll regret? How do you expect me to say good-bye,
David?" her voice so lost. Only a night ago, she was fueled by anger, now
replaced with only sorrow. So lost, in fact, that she allowed the embrace
he pulled her into and rested her head upon the strong shoulder that was
offered. 
 "It is alright, Jessica. Everything will be alright." That soft British
accent she knew so well, Aaron had it too, did he not? 
 David pulled away and took out his handkerchief to wipe away the small,
ruby tears that shimmered on her eyelids. The ones that were threatening
to overflow in those green eyes. He took her pale slender hand in his own
and pulled Jesse to her feet. 
 "We have to go Jesse, we cannot be late." 
 Jesse only nodded and allowed herself to be led from the room. She
grasped her shawl tightly and pulled it close to her in a defensive
manner. 
 A car, a silver Rolls-Royce, pulled around front and awaited them. The
chauffeur open the door and ushered the two vampires into the back. When
all settled, the driver asked,
 "Where to, sir?" 
 "Talamasca Motherhouse, please." David answered before he looked back to
the petite form of Jesse, all huddled into the far corner of the car. She
stared vacantly out the window at the stars above, as if hoping to find
answers there. 
 A light rain began to fall. David could hear the soft patter against the
roof of the car as they drove through the night. Strangely comforting to
him, this sound, as if it was somehow appropriate. David became lost in
his thoughts until the car slowed to a stop and the driver announced they
were here. 
 A door was opened for them, and David gathered Jesse to him and shielded
her with the black umbrella he held in his right hand. They rushed through
the soft rain together and into the front doors of the Talamasca. 
 Jesse immediately shivered as they walked in the front hall, it was
predictably cold. David put a comforting arm around her shoulder but she
shrugged it off and gathered her shawl even tighter around her. She
quickened her pace until she was a few steps ahead of David. David was at
a loss for what to do. 
 In a short minute they stood outside the doorway to where the funeral was
being held. Jesse froze, unable to move of her own accord. David caught up
and she looked up at him, horror stricken. 
 "Oh God, David. I can't go in there!" 
 David glanced at the doorway and back at Jesse, "Jessica, we must. You
can do this, I have faith in you." 
 "But all those people...I can't be around all those people." 
 "Those *people*, loved Aaron just as much as we did." 
 Jesse looked down at the floor and looked up at the doorway, took a deep
breath and threaded her arm through David's. 
 "I'm ready." 
 They took a step to enter into the room and were immediately stopped by a
man with a list. Old he was, with silver hair and a scowl stamped upon his
face. 
 "Your names." he growled. 
 "David Talbot and Louise Lake." 
 "Alright, you may enter." the man answered. 
 A wave of nausea swept over Jesse as she entered the room. No
electricity- only candles for illumination. The rush of warm, stuffy air
that greeted her carried the strong scent of candle wax and old wood. The
candles set off an eerie glow to all those who frequented the room.
Everything was black, the windows even draped with black crepe, people in
black, everything. The fires at both ends of the room stood blazing,
emitting their heat upon all those near. In the candlelight, the people
cast lonely shadows upon the dark,oak paneled walls. 
 Each man or woman was a ghost from the past, most with silver hair and a
paleness not unlike her own. There in the corner was Joan Cross talking
with the formidable Timothy Hollingshed. Many others, like phantoms,
appeared one by one to Jesse's eyes. She felt trapped, suffocated, dizzy.
She felt a supporting hand on her back and cast a grateful look up at
David. A voice suddenly called. 
 "David, Louise, please come over here." called Joan. 
 David led them over to where Joan and Timothy were talking. David and
Jesse exchanged pleasantries with Timothy. 
 "Your uncle was a great man, David. He is sorely missed by all here in
the Talamasca." 
 David replied naturally, "His death was a great shock to myself as well,
it has been hard to deal with. And now to know that Aaron has died
also...quite shocking. My uncle used to tell me stories of him and Aaron,
he sounded like a great man." 
 Timothy nodded in agreement, "That he was, he was a great man." 
 Jesse remained silent throughout the conversation, turning her attention
towards the lavish feast which had been set out upon the long dining
table. The sound of plates and silverware clinking could be heard and
thousands of "Do you remembers" filled the room. Jesse couldn't help but
wonder if they had held something similar when she or David had died. She
shivered, it was not something she enjoyed thinking about. 
 Suddenly her attention snapped to the doorway where two young men had
walked through. It seemed as though all eyes in the room had focused upon
them. It took Jesse mere seconds to figure out exactly who they were. It
was Marklin George and Tommy Monohan. Or more known to Jesse as Aaron's
murderers. 
 After the moment they walked in, things became a little blurry to Jesse.
Things began to move in slow motion and nothing seemed real anymore. It
was like a scene taken out of a horror novel, not real, no substance, just
imagination. 
 Unconsciously, she gripped David's arm tightly and her eyes told only a
story of anger. They were staring at her, for some unknown reason. It made
her extremely uncomfortable, she wanted to lash out, scream, kill,
something! She heard David's voice in her mind,
 :Be still, Jessica. Do not give us away. Be strong.: 
 Simple for him to say, he wasn't seeing this through her eyes. The terror
that was being played out before her eyes. The candles flickering their
light upon the haggard old faces, making them look like spirits of the
dead. 
 Something wrong, people looking, people staring. Oh God, what was this!
People filing towards the doors at the other end of the hall, Jesse was
being pushed along, she lost sight of David,
 "David" she called, suddenly very scared. 
 David reappeared at her side, his arm at her back. They were thrown out
into an open room as the crowd dispersed. The table, the long oak table. 
 :Oh God, not Aaron, tell me it's not Aaron!: Jesse thought frantically.
She could only see the shoes, the shoes still with mud on them. This
couldn't be Aaron, they would lay Aaron out properly, this wasn't right.
David's arm pressed harder against her back as they moved towards the
table. She heard David gasp and she looked at the face of the decease
which lay upon the table. 
 The fathomless blue eyes were unclosed, a look of terror graced the face
of the corpse. Stuart Gordon. Stuart Gordon, the name rang in her head. A
sense of relief washed over her, but she could feel David's horror through
his touch. He had known Stuart and trusted him, Stuart had been part of
Aaron's murder. 
 All movement stopped, Tommy and Marklin had been shoved to the side of
the table. No one dared move, breathe or talk. Terror struck Tommy and
Marklin's faces. 
 "What's happened to him!" demanded Tommy
 :What you did to Aaron of course.: Jesse thought. 
 All eyes fell of Tommy and Marklin, there way no way out. From every
direction eye burned into the two accused. Then Tommy's eyes found another
distraction. There....there was Yuri Stefano, clothed in proper mourning
clothes. 
 David gasped,
 :Yuri, Yuri who loved Aaron, would follow Aaron anywhere.: David thought
in his mind. 
 Jesse and David could hear Marklin's thoughts clearly,
 :Why hadn't Yuri been killed, we shot him for Lord's sake!: 
 Another member had heard his thoughts and spoke, "No, the bullet found
it's mark. But it wasn't fatal, he's come home." 
 "You were Gordon's accomplices," said Hollingshed, "Both of you. And you
and only you are left." 
 "His accomplices." Yuri spoke up. "His bright ones, his geniuses." 
 Marklin and Tommy began to protest, asking for proof and the long list of
proof was rattled off for them. Marklin nailed his own coffin as he
basically announced his guilt. Tommy saying that they had no right, he was
a British citizen, he had rights. The horror of it all playing before
their eyes. Jesse and David could not move, they were frozen in place. 
 Members moved towards Tommy and Marklin and grabbed hold. The were
screaming, kicking and no face of any of their captors betrayed any
emotion whatsoever. Jesse closed her eyes and put her hands to her head,
she was losing control. Tommy was looking at her, she sent one thought. 
 :Die, Die for killing he whom I loved!: 
 She heard the sound of metallic doors creaking open, she opened her eyes
slightly to see the most powerful members dragging Tommy and Marklin into
the elevator. Her mind had become locked with Marklin's somehow, she could
hear the conversation....Aaron had died believing their lies. Jesse was
loosing it, she was on the edge. 
 No one moved, it was like statues populating the room. Then she heard the
screams. 
 All the way from the cellar she could hear Marklin scream, it rang
through her head, unrelenting. Aaron's death, avenged. Jesse snapped. She
walked back into the room they were previously in and then ran out the
doors. 
 Running through the oak paneled halls. 
 "I have to find fresh air....I need to get out!" Jesse muttered. 
 She ran through the old halls and twisting turns, she could hear a
pattern of footsteps echoing behind her. It could only be David. She
didn't slow her movement until she reached a door that would lead her out
into the gardens. She fiddled with the door, frustrated that it wouldn't
open,
 "Damn thing!" she muttered as she settled for breaking the doorknob off,
a little surprised at her strength. 
 She burst through the doorway and out into the night. The soft, rain
misted against her face, cooling it, mixing with her crimson tears. Her
hair became tangled and wet, becoming glued to her face. Jesse couldn't
stop running until she reached the rose garden. How different the grounds
seemed with her 'Vampire Eyes'. She gazed at her surroundings. The roses
were drenched and drooping, heavy with silver rain. Each petal, each leaf
had new definition. The fragrance of the roses exaggerated, everything
magnified. Nothing was the same. She fell, sobbing, on her hands and
knees. Her whole body shook with her violent sobs. She reached out and
touched the petals of one of the pale pink roses. The raindrops upon it
glistened in the moonlight and a ruby drop from her eye fell upon a petal
and stained it. 
 She knew that David now stood behind her, she could feel his presence. He
slowly gathered her trembling form into his arms, smoothing her wet hair
back away from her face. Between her sobs she moaned,
 "Dear God, David. It's like it isn't real, that none of it is real. That
Aaron will walk out those doors any minute and ask why we're here in the
rain. It's a nightmare I can't wake up from. You don't know how awful it
was in there, David. The smell, the feel, the screams. Oh Lord...." Jesse
held David even closer to herself. 
 "I cannot make it go away Jesse. How I wish I could, but I cannot." David
whispered against her ear. 
 Exhausted from their sorrow, they clung to each other in the soft mist of
the London night. 

Part 10
"Dragons of the Mind" (by Kim and Cathy)

  The sound of the rain drumming on the car roof had lulled her into
dreams. David watched Jesseis face as she slept, curled in a corner
covered with his coat. Every so often her brow would knit, her lips move.
Without peering into her mind, he knew it was a troubled sleep. 
  The hunger was burn like a fire deep inside David. He craved blood, not
only wanting it, but badly needing it. Jesse would have to feed as well. 
  She looked to pale, even for a vampire to him. Along with sustenance,
the blood would bring comfort, no matter how fleeting. If he didnit feed
soon, he wouldn't have a chauffeur in the morning! 
  David spoke into the intercom. "Take us to Victoria Station, please." 
  Jesse's eyes fluttered open and darted quickly about the car. She sat up
quickly and acquired a grip on the soft, velvet seat below her. She
inhaled sharply and closed her eyes for a moment as if to gather her
thoughts. 
  "I'm sorry. I didnit mean to startle you." David reached across the car
and patted her hand. "Go back to sleep. I'll waken you when we reach the
city." 
  "Where are we going?" She asked softly
     "To Victoria Station. I thought that would be a good place to find a
suitable kill," David replied. 
  "How can you be so casual about it?" Jesse slowly changed position,
stretching her legs and rubbing a knot out of her shoulder. 
  "It's our life, Jessica." 
  She made a soft sound in her throat.  Now of all times, she didn't need
this. Her mind still swarmed with the sounds of the trial, the shouts, the
screams. Oh God, it was happening all over again. Whatever you do, don't
look at David, don't let him see your weakness! 
  "David, couldnit we just go back?" 
  "I must feed." His voice was dark. 
  Jesse blinked. "Very well. Wouldn't hurt. Stations are a good place." 
   She settled back into the seat. The events of the evening crashed
through her mind as she shut her eyes and went back to sleep. Nothing
could erase them from memory, the people or the events. She relived each
scene since she heard of Aaron's death, from Louis' troubled expresion
when he came to her in the apartment to falling on her hands and knees in
the Motherhouse rosegarden. The images of Louis and Lestat flashed within
her mind. Jesse sighed and thought to herself, :My knights in shining
armor....where are you now? If only you were here with me, perhaps I could
escape these dragons that attack my mind.: 
      

*****************

  David watched her prowl the perimeters of the station. Lestat was so
very correct when he had compared Jessica to a lioness. She had been
walking alone looking rather dejected, when suddenly she froze in mid step
and lifted her head. He could see the glint of the predator in her green
eyes as she inhaled the scent of her quarry. His "vampire eyes" detected a
woman a few yards from Jesse. He saw a small blade in the prey's fingers
as she removed it from a large belt buckle. The dim light of the station
reflected off the blade and flashed a small, metallic gleam. The woman was
taller than Jesse, with matted bleached hair and a nasty scar across her
right cheek that extended over her lip. Jesse took on the bodylanguage of
a weak mortal and walked across the woman's path. The aggressor soon
became the victim as Jesse turned and pulled her into a darkened corridor
faster than human eye could trace. A smile crept across his face as David
saw Jesse emerge a few minutes later. He could have laughed out loud as
she tossed the mass of hair back out of her face and cast him a black
look. 
  "Brava," he whispered to her as they walked from the station together. 
"That was quite a little show you put on." 
  "I don't need your comments, David," She retorted. How could he think
this so amusing? Hadnit Louis once responed to Lestat, "I never laugh at
death, no matter how often I am the cause of it." Jesse cast a serious
expression back at David, who was thoughourly puzzled, "I'm feeling less
and less human every day, and I don't like it. Could we go home now?" She
glanced up into his face. Her eyes were misted with blood, weary and
heavy.  "I just want to sleep." 

                          ***********
 
  Jesse escaped into the comfort of sleep. David left her alone, thinking
she would heal best if left alone. Her waking hours were short. She would
disappear to hunt and return shortly to the solitude she desired. Her
first few nights were spent sleeping. 
  She was never happy, always troubled. There were nights when she'd run
in from the hunt, crying. Her unnatural ebony hair tangled, her alabaster
face awash with bloody tears. David would always ask if she needed help.
Her response was the product of one mood swing after another. At times she
would cry bitterly, and at others she'd turn on him in a rage, screaming
and shouting.  Throught her mind ran images of her mortal and
preternatural life. The pictures blended into one long stream of
conciousness that she could not wake up from. It was like living a
nightmare, night in and night out. Except there was no dawn to wake to,
only the blackness of night. 
  David chanced upon her early in the evening soon after returning from
his hunt. She was sitting in his library, chair drawn up to a fire blazing
on the hearth. Her head lay against the armrest, spilling her still jet
black hair across it. Jesse heard him close the door and raised her face
to his, her eyes half closed. 
  "Oh, David." She forced a smile, it was getting more and more difficult
to keep up an act of false happiness. "This is such a nice room. It's
strange, but I keep getting impressions of Lestat here... in this chair
and then there's something about that rug..." She indicated the tigerskin
on the floor. 
  "Was he ever in this room?" 
  David smiled, letting a cascade of pictures of Lestat flow through his
mind. 
 "Many times, Jesse." He drew the other leather chair, his favorite, up to
the hearth. "I'm surprised he hasn't told you." 
  David noticed a carafe of coffee on the table next to her. It was half
filled with the fragrant brew. In her hands she cradled a delicate cup.
David smiled. His mother's china. The delicate Wedgwood porcelain she had
treasured. It had been only a few years since he had taken his afternoon
tea from the same set. Hadn't he and Aaron sat by the fire like this,
drinking their tea, while talking of their life and experiences?
Everything was different now. He would live forever, while those he loved
and cherished faded away as if they never had existed. 
  "I'm glad to see that's getting a little use again." He indicated the
cup. 
  "Oh. Yes. I hope you don't mind. I asked your housekeeper for some
coffee."
  "Not at all." He nodded, "I still can't fathom how you manage coffee." 
  Jesse shrugged. "It's just a quirk. You remember how much coffee I used
to put away. The only time I drank tea was after the breakdown." She
sighed. 
 "Tell me about Lestat being here." She thought if she listened to David
speak on one of her favorite subjects, it might make her feel a little
better. Thinking about Lestat always gave her a lift. 
  Always, in the back of her mind glimmered the golden image of Lestat. He
held a special place in her heart like no other. But why? She couldnit
understand her own thoughts any longer. 
 He was always there for her, responding to her every beck and call. To
have the most powerful at your mercy was quite an advantage. 
  "Ah. Lestat used to visit me quite often whilst I was mortal. I know it
broke every rule that I had written, but I was drawn to him, and he seemed
only too happy for the company." 
  David sat back in the chair and crossed his legs, lost in old
remembrences of Lestat. "I'm Surprised you still have your psychic
capabilities, Jessica. Could I document it?" 
  Jesse choked on a mouthful of coffee. "What? Still documenting vampires?
Does Lestat know?" 
  "No, no.  It's for my own files. You're quite amazing for such a young
fledgling." 
  Jesse shook her head. "It's the blood. Maharet's... Lestat's..." 
  "Lestat?" David raised his eyebrows. 
  "Um....." Slightly flustered, Jesse fumbled for the correct words, she
did not want David to get the wrong impression. 
  "About two years into this life, I was mugged by another vampire. 
Eleni, if you must know for your files... Lucky for me, Lestat was there
at the time, and I drank from him... only very little... so that I could
mend quickly.  I had broken my arm and collarbone. Talk about
embarrassing." Jesse shook her head and curled herself into a ball in the
chair. "He's always been very kind to me. Louis, of course, is like a
brother. But tell me, What does the rug have to do with Lestat? And this
time don't change the subject." She lifted her eyes over the edge if the
cup to meet David's. 
 David looked into the flames, not sure if he should tell her or not. It
had frightened him so very much, what could it do to her? "Lestat came
here, to me, after his suicide attempt. When I found him, he was badly
burned, lying face down on the rug. He was in very bad condition. His skin
was charred in places. I honestly thought I was going to have a dead
vampire on my hands." He sighed and glanced over into her large tear
filled eyes. 
  "As I pulled the drapes against the morning light, I saw others of his
kind standing a few yards beyond, covered with snow." 
  "Who were they?" 
  "I've never asked." David looked over at the fangs of the tiger. 
"Lestat has amazing recuperative powers. He was on his feet in three
nights." David smiled. 
  Jesse shivered. Lestat had never told her he nearly died. He always
seemed so strong. With his strength, why did he try to end his life? She
couldnit understand. She was still weak. Was this the way out for her? To
simply wait until dawn and go into the sun? To feel the fire of the
sunbeams danced against the skin and to feel the blackness overcoming her?
Jesse closed her eyes against the welling tears. 
  David reached over and touched her hand. "I'm sorry. The last thing I
wanted to do was upset you." 
  Jesse shook her head. "It's just me, you must forgive me, David. There
are times I wonder if I should have accepted the Dark Gift." 
  "Nonsense. You are preordained to it. Lestat says there is a greatness
about you.  You have depth to your soul that few have. I don't have to
tell you how devoted he and Louis are to you." 
  Jesse shook her head. "I'm so sorry, David." Blood tears stained her
cheeks as she rose from the chair. "Forgive me." She left the room.  David
didn't follow her. He went to his desk and penned a short letter to
Lestat, telling him of the events, and of her sorrow with her life. Lestat
knew her better than he did, now. There was a kinship between them. He
could see the bond if no one else could. 

                       ********
 
  Jesse sat huddled on the floor by the fireside. She'd been with David at
Talbot Manor for over a week and still she felt totally exhausted. Sadness
was her constant companion, playing with her mind. It seemed her life had
turned into this grey haze, like the fog of London, unrelentless and
unforgiving. The ghosts of her past dwelt in her mind, pushing reason
aside. 
  Before the death sleep would claim her once more that night, she had
written to Marc. She told him to forget about her, to go back to
California to his wife and daughters. She told him she was returning to
field work on the Middle East. She told him good bye. Jesse placed the
letter on the tray with the empty coffee carafe and cup for the day
servants to find and mail.  That part of her life was finished, she
thought. There wasn't much left for her now. 
  Her vacant gaze fell on the tigerskin. She could feel the emptiness
crest inside of her, threatening to oversome her like a wave. 
  "Oh, Lestat." She whispered. "Will you forgive my weakness if I go into
the sun? Will you know if I go underground? Would you care?" 
 She reached over and ran her hand over the fur. Immediately, she received
an impression of great physical pain and crying out, drew her hand away as
if it had been burned. She looked up to see David staring at her, his
amber eyes awash with concern.  She closed her eyes, shutting out the
world and putting up her defenses. If she didn't look at him, he'd go
away. 
  David walked out of the room and leaned against the wall, shaking his
head. His mind was still playing the image of Jesse and the tigerskin. 
    Inside the library, Jesse drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped
her slender arms around them slowly rocked herself. She said softly, more
to herself than anyone else, "What is left for me...." 

     ********

  The following night she tried to wash the dye from her hair. She
violently scrubbed her hair with shampoo and an old bar of laundry soap,
but none would come out. She tried once more, hoping for sucess and when
she failed she threw the shampoo and soap to the tiled floor and covered
her face in her hands. When she looked up into the mirror, the reflected
face was that of a stranger staring back. She was dreadfully pale and her
skin was drawn tight over her bones. Her eyes were sunken, her cheeks
hollow. Veins traced their visable path under her translucent skin.  The
raven hair did not help the picture much either. She looked more ghost
than vampire. The nights without feeding had taken their toll. She no
longer cared about the hunger burning in her veins, the other pain was
greater. 
  The pain of losing Aaron, her father and friend, over losing her
humanity, over being alone. She traced the ornate pattern of the
countertop with her finger, trying to contrate and forget. The pain burned
deep within her, like a blazing flame that could not be extinguished.
Every time she looked in the mirror the flame would burn brighter within
her. 
  "That's IT!" she screamed. "I have to get this off now!" 
  She fled to her room, and sat in front of the shining, brass vanity
David had bought for her. She glanced around the room, looking for what
she needed. Furiously, she opened every drawer in the vanity and slammed
each one shut. She finally found a small pair of silver shears in the
bottom drawer. 
 She took a deep breath and looked into the mirror. 
  Slowly she lifted a a portion of the offending hair and snipped, right
at the root. She let the hair fall to the ground, watching it float to the
floor. Over and over she repeated the process, watching ever strand fall,
as every piece of her life had fallen. The stillness of the room was
broken with each slice of the shears, as she meticiously cut off every
strand of her hair. 
  When finally finished, an ebony pool of hair lay on the floor. She
closed her eyes, not wanting to see the result of her action in the
mirror. She slowly opened them, letting the image into her mind. 
  She wanted to scream or shatter something, she saw herself as such an
ugly creature. The effect was too overpowering. She jumped from her seat,
knocking the mirror to the vanity, and the vanity to the floor in one
motion. 
  She turned towards the falling mirror, her lips mouthing the word, "No".
It hit the floor with a crash. The glass flying and shattering, stinging
Jesse like a hard driving rain as she stepped away. Her dark blood mixing
with the midnight hair that lay on the ground. Jesse cradeled her head in
her hands. 
  "I'm going insane...." she whispered. She lay on the bed and curled
herself around a pillow as tightly as she could. 
  She only heard the door come flying open as David rushed in. 
  "What happened? I heard the crash and...." David asked frantically. 
  Jesse couldnit respond. The darkness had claimed her. She closed her
eyes to remove herself from David and the world. 
  She heard him speaking to her. There were sounds around her, as he swept
up the shattered glass and tangled black hair. There was the cooling
sensation of water as he gently washed her face and hands to soothe the
cuts. Then, before she slept, was his cautious touch in her mind... not
icy as Armandis touch, nor the tickling of Lestat's, but warm and light as
a mortal breath. 
  :Jessica... how can I help you? Shall I call Louis to come to you? Do
you want him?: 
  In her mindis eye, she saw Louis' face. No. David mustn't call him. She
could never see him again. There was nothing left but the black void of sleep.


Part 11 "A Deepening Chasm" (by Cathy)

“Why don’t you come in?  You’ve been on the balcony for a good hour.”  
Lestat leaned against the door frame.  He’d been watching Louis for the past ten 
minutes as he stood motionless. The humid night wind lifted and toyed with 
Louis’ inky black hair as he stood gripping the ornamental iron railing, looking 
vacantly into the sky.  Lestat stepped outside joined him. “Excellent night, 
isn’t it?”
	Louis turned and glanced into Lestat’s face. “Did you speak  to me a 
moment ago?”
	“Doesn’t matter... just making small talk.” He put his hand on Louis’ 
shoulder. “Do you want to go out anywhere in particular tonight?”
	“No, I’m in for the rest of the evening.” Louis turned his eyes to the 
street below.
	“Do you want me to call?”  Lestat glanced at his Movado watch. “ Look, 
it’s four- fifteen over there, David will still be awake.”
	“I don’t wish to intrude.  They will call us when they need us and not 
before.” Louis sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Is Jesse still shielding?”
	“Yes.  She seems to have shut down.”
	“Do you think she’s still so upset?  What did David say in his letter? 
All the coffee she’s been drinking, Mon Dieu, it’s not *good* for her. I wish 
she’d stop that destructive habit...” He heard a chuckle escape from Lestat. 
“What do you find so amusing? Her misery?”
	“No, no...” Lestat draped an arm around Louis shoulder. “It’s you... 
I’ve never seen you so protective of anyone, not even...” He caught an angry 
glint in the green eyes, and  pulled Louis close to him, their foreheads 
touching, his hands on either side of the melancholy face.  “Who’s companion are 
you anyway?” Lestat asked with gentle humor. “Sometimes I start to wonder.”
	Louis’ mouth started to draw up at one corner.  He brought his hand up 
and clasp Lestat’s arm.
“Je regrette,”  he replied in a soft voice.
	“There is nothing to be sorry for, Louis.  Now, come into the house.  
It’s getting chilly. You wouldn’t want to catch your death of cold, would you?” 
Lestat watched as the smile crept over Louis face. He hadn’t see that smile for 
so very long.  He wanted to pull that familiar form into his arms, but stopped. 
 It may no longer be welcome.  There was still distance between them.  
Hopefully, by the time Jesse returned, the distance would be closed. The old 
hurts would be healed.  
	They went back into the brightly lit apartment. “Do you want to listen 
to music?  I bought the new release of the etudes you like.  Chopin.” 
	“No thank you.  I think I’ll just go to bed and read. If you feel 
*anything*, call me.” Louis turned to Lestat and smiled. “Good night, Mon Cher.” 
	“Wait a moment... did you say you wanted to read?” Lestat walked over to 
the marble topped table. “This has been sitting here gathering dust... my latest 
book.” Lestat picked up the first edition that had placed there by Lestat as 
soon as it had come form the publishers. He now held in an outstretched hand. “ 
‘Tale of the Body Thief’, this was the first copy. Do you want it?” Their eyes 
met.
	Louis regarded the book. “I... I don’t know if I should read it, 
Lestat.”
	“Why not? You’re in it... Remember? I told you that I made you look 
wonderful! All the vampire groupies that hang around Jackson Square are looking 
for you just because of that description!  It's a wonder they aren't breaking 
our doors down!”
	A doubtful expression creased Louis’ brow. “I know what took place. 
You’ve told it all to me. And I remember it vividly. It’s not really something I 
enjoy thinking back on...”
	“Oh, come on. Be a sport.  I want your critique.  Think fast!” He tossed 
the book to Louis, who seized it out of the air with his left hand. “Very good!” 
Lestat gave him a satisfied grin. “Have a nice read, Louis!” 
	With that, he turned and went over to the sound system.  Lestat took the 
cordless headphones from the cabinet and pulled it on over his thatch of golden 
blond hair. He stretched out in the middle of the floor and pointed a finger at 
the CD player. 
	Louis could hear the music pounding from the across the room.   “You’re 
going to go deaf!” He called. 	Lestat was so focused on the thundering music 
that he didn’t notice Louis had spoken. 
	He glanced at the book in his left hand.  Why did Lestat always insist 
on things. It always turned out badly in the end, no matter how good his 
intentions. And why now? Louis took a last look at Lestat contentedly lying on 
the floor and walked down the hall to his bedroom. Why now, when at last there 
was some degree of communication between them. Louis looked at the cover and 
frowned.  
	::It will start all over again.:: He thought. ::And of course, if I 
don’t read the book,  it will be an insult .  If I do, there will be all the old 
hurts.:: Louis lay on his bed and opened the book.  ::Lestat, I once told you 
I’d follow you into Hell. Let the descent begin.:: 
	Close to dawn, a light tap on his door brought him to the surface. He 
closed the book and looked up. “Come in, Lestat.”
	Lestat opened the door and took a step inside Louis’ room. “I saw that 
the light was still on, so I thought I’d just see if you were still awake.”
	“May I correct you? You saw the light was on and you wanted to see if I 
were reading? To quote you ... ‘Hmm?’” Louis smiled to him. 
	Lestat shook his head. “You know me too well.” He took a few steps 
toward Louis, reached down and slowly traced a pattern on the back of Louis'  
hand. “I managed to get to her after you went off to read. It took some doing,” 
he chuckled slightly.
	Louis slung his legs over the side of his bed and sat looking up into 
the stormy blue eyes in amazement. “Jesse told you something?”
	Lestat nodded, sitting down beside him.
	“What did she say?” Louis asked.
	“Her exact words?” Lestat looked into waiting eyes. “She told me to 
‘Bugger off’.”
	Louis opened his eyes wide and smiled. “She’s feeling better, then?”
	“It would appear so.  Either that or she didn’t want to be disturbed. I 
guess it was close to sunrise and she was starting to drift off.  But at least 
she’s talking to us. That’s an improvement.” Lestat sighed.
	He picked up the book, “Gotten very far?”
	Louis gave a slightly bitter laugh. “Far enough to disturb me.”
	“Does it?” Lestat raised his eyebrows.  “You shouldn’t bother with it if 
it disturbs you.”
	“You are mad, aren’t you? Totally demented. First you give me this book 
and tell me ‘please read it, Louis.’ Now when you see it upsets me, and you 
*knew* it would, you tell me I needn’t read it after all.” Louis responded in an 
agitated voice.
	Lestat lowered his head slightly. “Now you’re angry with me.”
	“Does it matter? I’ve started the book, I may as well finish it.” He 
sighed.
	Lestat placed a gentle hand under Louis’ chin and lifted his face until 
their eyes met.  
	“Don’t do this... “ Louis whispered. “You know it makes me forget that 
I’m angry...”
	“That, Cher Louis, is precisely why I’m doing it.” Lestat pressed his 
smiling mouth to Louis’ slightly parted lips.
	A slender hand reached up and tangled in Lestat’s blond mane. “I liked 
the way you described our life together.”  Louis spoke softly against the cool 
cheek.
	“All those memories from our first years together again;  reunited after 
being apart for so long.” Lestat drew back and smiled tenderly. “You, looking 
like a pale phantom, reading by moonlight or a single candle...what else did I 
write? I forget.” He allowed his thumb to trail across Louis' well-defined cheek 
bone.
	“Warm fires, caresses, arguments...” 
	“I wrote that? I must be slipping.” Lestat kissed him quickly and rose 
to his feet. “You’re going to fall asleep in my face in a moment, so I’ll go 
upstairs now.” He was about to leave the room when he turned and asked in a 
small voice, “Unless you want me to stay.”
	Louis gazed up into his face. “There will be another argument, won’t 
there? Always is when I decline the offer of the blood.” His voice had a sharp 
edge.
	“I’ll leave you then.” Lestat took a few steps backward in the direction 
of the door. “I’ll see you this evening.”
	Louis sighed and looked after the closing door. “It always has to end 
like this, doesn’t it.” He lay back on his bed and closed his eyes, wishing the 
death sleep would come quickly and pull him under. 
                                                                      
***************
	The nights moved slowly for the inhabitants of the quiet apartment. 
Lestat would leave at sunset to prowl the streets, hunting ruthlessly. The inner 
anger couldn’t be quelled by his victim’s blood. He found himself killing twice 
or three times a night. Was it anger ... or pain at still another rejection. 
Didn’t matter. It will pass. Everything will pass. Except Louis’ resistance to 
him. Lestat walked miserably through the empty
streets of the Garden District. He shouldn’t let it get to him like this. He 
should be grateful just to have him so close by. He should be grateful just to 
share a moment of warmth, a touch of that white hand, a glance from the 
fathomless green eyes.
	Louis had returned to an empty apartment. How unusual for all the lights 
to be out. He raised his eyes to the darkened windows and knew at once Lestat 
was not home. He’d go in and finish the book.  
	Louis sighed. The book had not only opened the old wounds but had also 
deepened them. With each turn of a page, the pain increased.  The pain of not 
knowing what had become of Lestat... the pain of what Lestat had gone through as 
a mortal being so close to death, so far from him... not being able to be with 
him when he needed him the most... and not being able to grant his mortal cries 
for the Dark Gift.  Ah, that cut so deeply into his soul. He could hardly read 
the words. 
	Louis glanced in the mirror as he walked into the hall. Lestat had 
likened him to a pale phantom... There reflected back at himself was the same 
face that had denied the one whom he loved most in all the world... denied him 
the Blood.  He could never make another.  Not even Lestat.  The sound of the 
closing door startled him.
	“Louis? What are you doing, standing in the dark?”
	“I... I just came in,” he breathed, feeling the ache begin to clutch at 
his soul at the sound of Lestat’s voice.  ‘I’ll be in my room...”
	Lestat suddenly clasped his hand. “Louis...”
	Louis slowly withdrew it from Lestat’s warm grasp. “Please... don’t,” he 
whispered, and continued down the hall. :Just five more chapters, and I’ll put 
it all behind me.: He thought, as he closed the door after himself.
	Lestat stood for a moment, listening to the nearly mortal sounds of 
Louis’ footfall.  He wished the veil of silence could be lifted for only one 
moment. “Oh, Louis... if you only knew what I was feeling...,” he sighed. 
	Lestat switched on the lights and placed the mail he had collected on 
the table. He hadn’t really looked at it. “I’ll throw  it on the desk,” he 
muttered, and gathered the envelopes into his hand. A pale blue airmail envelope 
slipped out of the pile and fell back onto the table.
	Lestat saw the familiar scrawl. “David...!”
	“LOUIS! A Letter from David...” He called as he tore it open and pulled 
out the letter.
	Louis was at his side almost immediately,  gazing down at the thin blue 
paper. “What does he say?”
	“I haven’t read it... Oh, God, Louis... you take it, my hand is shaking 
too much...” Lestat thrust the pages at him and leaned against the wall.
	Louis glanced at Lestat. “I shall read it aloud, non?” His voice 
suddenly had the sharp French edge that betrayed his anxiety.
	“Go ahead...”
	Louis took a deep breath and began.
	“My Dear Brothers in Darkness,
	“I write this with greatest concern for the fledgling under my care.
	“Jessica had become more and more withdrawn from us. She is 
non-communicative and there are times when she barely acknowledges my presence 
in the same room, let alone the same dwelling.  I’ve tried to delve into her 
mind, but she bars my entrance with all the skill of senior member of the 
Talamasca and all the cunning of a woman. 
	 “She has withdrawn completely from us over the past two nights. I first 
thought it was how she expressed her grief for Aaron, but now I believe it goes 
much deeper than simple mourning. Before, I would see her walking the grounds or 
halls of the house. She frequented my study, as I have written before, sitting 
at the fireside in one of the leather chairs, consuming the vast amounts of 
coffee the servants left for her. I had also found her sitting on the floor, 
knees drawn up and her arms clutching them.  I thought for a moment she was 
staring into space, but it seems she was pulling images from the tigerskin rug. 
She locked out my mind as soon as she sensed my presence in the room. 
	“Since she has withdrawn, she has not left her bedroom, nor has she left 
the house to feed.  The first night I went into her room, I must admit, I had 
quite a shock. She had cut off all of her hair, as the dye had failed to wash 
out. On the floor next to her bed was a great tangle of black curly hair, HER 
hair. She was lying in her bed, her back towards the door. I could see all that 
was left on her head were small tufts of curls, some the faded black colour of 
the dye, some her usual ginger colour.  From years of dealing with members of 
the fair sex as Superior General, I knew she wouldn’t wish to be seen by myself 
at anything less than her usual tidy appearance. I told her if she needed 
anything at all she should not hesitate to call me. She did not respond. I sent 
her a simple thought of cheer, but found her mind to be a sad tangle of memories 
and morbid ideas.  I told her again not to hesitate to call, but I didn’t 
believe she heard me.  I left her alone, as I thought the best thing to do for 
her  was to let her benefit from some healing sleep.
	“The following night, tonight, I went in again. I could not tell if she 
had moved at all during her day’s sleep, as she was in the same position. I was 
indeed grateful that her hair had grown back with it’s usual ginger marmalade 
colour, but she is still unresponsive. 
	“Therefore I believe it is in her best interest that you both come at 
once.  If she will not respond to one of you, perhaps she will to the other. 
	“You must forgive me for communicating in this archaic method, but I 
wanted to maintain her privacy among our kind. The telephone service has not 
been restored since last week’s storm. As we are so far from the main lines, it 
may take a few days for the local branch of the GPO to reach us.  If  there is 
any change I shall contact...”
	The ringing telephone interrupted Louis
	“Go on Louis, the machine will pick it up,” Lestat instructed.
	“I can’t talk when that *thing* is on and you know it.” Louis replied, 
his voice rising slightly.	
	“Very well, we’ll wait... I can’t deal with calls right now.”
	The machine kicked in on the fourth ring. Lestat’s recorded voice 
snapped:
	“You know who we are or you wouldn’t have called.  I don’t need to tell 
you what to do... after the tone.” 
	The machine let out as series of high pitched beeps.
	“DAMMIT, Lestat! Pick up this ruddy telephone this moment...” David’s 
voice bellowed.
	Lestat jumped on the phone “David... we just got the letter..”
	“Where have you been?  I’ve been trying to reach you for two hours.” The 
Superior General boomed.
	“We’ve only just gotten in...”
	“And you didn’t check your messages? Lestat, listen to me, this is very 
important.”
	“What’s wrong with her?” Lestat yelled back.
	“She’s bolted.”
	“What do you mean, ‘bolted’?” 
	“Jesse’s gone... she’s left!  I didn’t see her last night, but I noticed 
her coat was missing from the cupboard by the stairs where she keeps it.  I 
thought the girl had finally come to her senses and gone to hunt. But when I 
came down at sunset, it was still missing. I checked her room, and it was 
empty.”
	“On, no...” Lestat breathed.
	“What’s happened?” Louis grabbed Lestat by the shoulders.
	“Jesse’s left Talbot Manor and hasn’t returned,” Lestat replied to Louis 
astonishment.
	“Are you there?” David asked on his end of the line.
	“Yes, I’m still here... did she leave a note? Do you have any idea where 
she’s gone?” Lestat’s voice was becoming louder by the second.
	“Nothing.”
	Lestat shook his head. “ I’ll find her, David. I’ll call you when I do.”
	Lestat hung up the receiver and met Louis gaze. He appeared so 
despairing, Lestat threw his arms around him and pulled him close. 
	“I’ll find her for you, mon cher.” He whispered. “ She’ll be alright. 
Don’t worry. She’s a tough little vampire.  She just wants to be off on her own. 
You know how independent she is.”
	Louis stepped back from the embrace, disentangling Lestat’s arms from 
around his body. 
	“Where do you think she could be?" Louis asked, his voice full of 
anxiety. "She could have gone anywhere. Do you think she went to Maharet?”
	Lestat shook his head. “No. She wouldn’t do that. She’d come here 
first.” He thought for a moment, and his expression brightened. “I know just 
where she is... I’m surprised David couldn’t feel it... She’s back in Manhattan, 
in her own little nest.”
	“Should we arrange for the jet?” Louis asked, relieved.
	“No... No time for that. I’ll go pay her a little visit. Don’t worry, 
Louis. I’ll bring her back kicking and screaming if I have to! David is such an 
old bachelor. He hasn’t a clue on how to care for someone.” Lestat  dashed to 
the back door and opened it.
	“And you do, I suppose.” Louis went out on the porch with him. 
	“Of, course I do, Louis. I’ve been watching you take care of me for 
years!” 
	In the blink of an eye, Lestat had ascended out of Louis’ sight.

Part 12 "Misplaced Life" (by Cathy)

There was no doubt in Lestat's mind to Jesse's whereabouts. He could 
feel her sorrow by simply thinking about her. He landed in an alley close to her 
apartment and ran the few yards to the lobby door. He pondered if he should make 
an entrance through a window to amuse her, but after scanning her tangled 
thoughts he decided to use to door. Conventional, true, but less disturbing for 
her. He listened to her fluttering heartbeat as he stood in the hall outside of 
the apartment. 
	:Not good: He thought to himself. Her thoughts weren't much better, a 
cluttered melange of sadness and memories, of grief and desperation. There 
wasn't a pattern or point of focus. If there was one thing he could sympathize 
with was her overwhelming dispair. One doesn't easily forget *that* emotion.
	He tried to get her attention with something basic and human. He called 
her name.
	"Jess?  Are you alright?"
	With his heightened senses, he heard her take a quick, sharp breath.
	"Jess... I can hear you inside... I'm opening the door now, don't be 
afraid. It's only Lestat." He mentally unbolted the four locks on her door, 
turned the knob, and let himself in.
	The room was pitch dark. He could hear her rapid breathing. As his eyes 
became accustomed to the dark, he saw her huddled form cowering against the 
wall.
	"Oh, Jess." He sighed. "What are you doing sitting on the floor? Could I 
turn on a light? You shouldn’t be in the dark like this." 
	With a quick thought, he switched on a lamp. A fraction of a second 
later, the bulb exploded. Lestat chuckled softly. "You vixen! I didn’t know you 
could do that!" He walked over to her. "We'll sit in the dark, if that's what 
you want... do you mind if I join you?"
	The answer came as a low growl.
	"Sorry, Jess. I'm not taking no for an answer." He crossed his feet at 
the ankles and sank to the floor, sitting cross legged. Lestat pulled off his 
boots and tossed them across the room. He could feel her  jump at each dull thud 
as a boot landed on the carpet.
	The scent of the kill lingered on his clothing and tangled with the 
light fragrance of the soap he favored. It rose from him like incense and 
surrounded her.
	He watched as she pulled the quilt tighter around herself, and moved 
away from him. Through the darkness he could see two sad green eyes peering at 
him from behind the quilt she clutched in front of her. Her hair spilled over 
the cover in an unruly cascade. 
	Lestat reached over to stoke the trembling figure and she growled again.
	"Don't you know me?" He asked softly, waiting to hear a reply. He moved 
closer, trying to touch her mind, but found it tightly secured against him. 
"Jess... it's Lestat... your Lestat..."
	A muffled sob broke from her as she pressed herself into the corner. "Go 
away," she wept into the quilt.
	"Jess... please," he entreated. "Let me help."
	"You can't," came the reply. Her voice broke, "No one can... just go... 
*GO*!"
	Lestat reached across to embrace her, taking the trembling form in his 
arms. He never expected her to pull away from him. She attempted to wrench 
herself from his arms, vainly pushing against his chest. He held onto her with a 
firm but gentle grip as she twisted away from him, growling and sobbing. She 
seemed to be weakening rapidly when she suddenly grasped his arm and bit him.
	The small amount of blood she drew hit her like a lightning bolt. She 
cried out as the taste of pure power hit her tongue.
	"Great Caesar's Ghost, Jessica! You hit bone! That hurt!" Lestat yelped 
and jumped to his feet.
	Jesse recoiled at the sound of his voice. She pressed herself further 
into the corner sobbing with fear. From her angle sitting on the floor, Lestat 
seemed much taller than she remembered.  Her thoughts slowly began to mesh as 
she stared up at him, the taste of his blood tripping memories and images of him 
in her mind.
	Lestat froze. A fear gripped him that if he move, she'd shut herself off 
completely. A wave of helplessness crested over him, he couldn't lose her like 
this.  As he watched, the quilt slipped from her shoulders and her fingers 
knotted around the fabric in her lap. The sobs decreased into an occational 
hiccup, her green eyes held him in her gaze. He was afraid to believe the 
recoginition  he saw flickering across her gaunt face.
	"Oh..." she whispered, "...Lestat."
	Before she could take a breath, Lestat was sitting beside her. He 
scooped her into his embrace, and felt the bony arms encircle his neck. 
	"Mon Dieu, what have you done to yourself?" He whispered as he took her 
emaciated hands in his and kissed them.
	"Don't look at me," she choked as tears began to spill down the hollow 
cheeks. Jesse tried to pull away from him, but Lestat held on to her. In 
despiration she burried her face in his jacket.
	"It's alright, Jess. Come on. Let's sit on the sofa. If Louis could see 
us sitting on the floor in a heap, he'd laugh himself silly." Lestat rose to his 
feet and held out a hand for her to grasp.
	Jesse stared up at him. "I can't stand." She whispered. Sighing, she 
closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall exausted. "I just want to 
sleep."
	His heart ached just listening to the weak voice. "I'll help you up." He 
shielded his feelings as he gathered her into his arms and carried her into her 
bedroom. Lestat gently lowered her on the bed, trying not to look at her wasted 
form.  "You'll be more comfortable here," he said, fluffing a pillow and placing 
it behind her back.
	"I bit you, didn't I?" She glanced up into his eyes. As she watched, 
they changed from stormy blue to violet and then back again.
	Lestat forced a wicked smile and sat down at the foot of the bed, facing 
her. "Yes... you did. Was I supposed to enjoy it?"
	She leaned back into the pillow and sighed. "I didn't know who you 
were," she replied softly.
	He reached for her hand and covered it with his own. "You know me now, 
and that's all that matters. Why don't you rest while I call Louis?  I'm sure 
he's paced a path through the carpets by now. Does your fax work? I'll contact 
David, too."
	"Oooh." She brought her hands up and covered her face. "David... I just 
walked out of there..."
	Lestat patted a bony knee under the wrinkled jeans. "He's so observant. 
You were gone more than twentyfour hours before he knew you were missing. It's a 
wonder the Talamasca didn't disintegrate around him..."
	With the mention of the Talamasca, Jesse turned her face into the pillow 
and began to cry. The recent memories over took her mind with the screams and 
chaos. She didn't realize she was instantly in Lestat's strong arms, his hands 
stroking her tangled hair. 
	The scene went crashing into his mind as she violently trembled against 
him. "I should have never permitted you to go without me," he whispered into her 
hair. "You were far too vulnerable. The pair of you should have left me deal 
with that lot..."
	"No... you just don't understand," she wept. Jesse raised her face to 
his.
	"Oh, I do, Ma Petite." He wiped the blood tears from her cheek with 
gentle fingertips. "Please. Do not concern yourself with those morose old 
scholars. Lay back and close your eyes. I must call Louis. You *know* what he 
can be like when he's worried. And, Ma Chere, I'm sure he's worried." He bent 
over, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and walked into the hall. 
	There was a phone on the kitchen wall. "Stupid place for a vampire's 
telephone," he mumbled to himself as he shut the door and lifted the receiver.
	The phone on the other end of the connection in New Orleans rang once.
	"Oui?" Louis' voice filled with concern.
	"Mon Cher, I've found her." He spoke in a hushed tone.
	"Merci, Lestat." Louis took a deep breath of relief. "Is she well?"
	"She'll be alright after she gets some blood into her." Lestat chuckled 
slightly. "She wasn't too thrilled to see me. She even bit me!"
	"Jesse *BIT* *YOU*?" The voiced sounded amazed.
	"Oui. She was frightened and wasn't sure who I was. She's still a dazed, 
and very weak. I haven't the slightest idea when she last fed. And the 
experience at the Talamasca was a nightmare for her. It's upset her horribly. 
Louis, I must get back to her. Can you call David? Tell him she's alright and 
I'll be bringing her back home as soon as she’s able to travel."
	"Of course I will." There was a distance in Louis' voice Lestat couldn't 
understand. "Please, tell her I love her. Tell her she must rest and regain her 
strength."
	"I will, Louis."
	The connection was severed before Lestat could say another word. He gave 
the receiver a puzzled glance, and placed it back on the hook.
	When he opened her door a fraction and peeked in, Jesse was laying on 
her side with her knees drawn up. He tapped lightly on the frame. "May I come 
in, Ma Petite?"
	She nodded slightly and waited for him to sit next to her before she 
spoke. Jesse raised her eyes to meet his. 
	"Are you alright?" He asked softly.
	"No..." came the whispered reply. "My veins are burning... feels like 
fire."
	Lestat jumped to his feet and quickly shed his jacket. "Why didn't you 
tell me?" He said, as he pulled his shirt off over his head, not concerning 
himself with the buttons.
	Her eyes opened wide. "Lestat... what...?"
	He sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. "Jess... what do you 
need? An engraved invitation?"
	The feel of his muscled chest beneath her hands sent an overpowering 
wave through her body. "Lestat... I couldn't possibly!" She gasped, gazing into 
his face wide-eyed.
	As she looked up, she saw his expression soften.  There was tenderness 
in the icy blue eyes.
	He lifted his hand and touched her face. Lestat spoke gently. "Don't 
worry," he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I promise I won't *do* 
anything. This your life were talking about, not some illicit quicky." His eyes 
twinkled. "I'll be good. You can trust me... thousands wouldn't."
	He gently slipped his hand under her hair to the back of her neck and 
pressed her to him. Jesse's arms involuntariy found their way around his body as 
she settled agaist him. 
	The touch of his skin to her cheek nearly overwhelmed her. She could 
smell his blood pulsing under the layer of bronzed preternatural skin. With a 
sob, she gave into the irrepressible hunger and sunk her fangs into his jugular.
	The blood rushed into her with all the impact and force of lightening. 
With the first taste, she felt comsumed by the blazing power, the effulgence 
that was Lestat. Jesse shut her eyes tightly against the glaring brilliance that 
seemed to surround her. This gush was the universe compared to the small measure 
that had fused the breaks in her bones. This came with the force of Maharet's 
blood, the night she accepted the gift. But Lestat was the personification of 
light in the eternal dark.
	His warmth enveloped her in an embrace she felt to her soul. With the 
warmth and physical comfort that blanketed her, came the images. Time tumbled 
backwards... Lestat with Louis on the balcony of their home; Lestat breaking the 
news of Aaron's death to David; Argumets with Louis turning away in dispair; 
David on deck of the QE2; Ragland James in David's present body; Louis turning 
to face him; Louis walking towards him; Louis on the airstrip at Night Island, 
his hair blown by the wind; Akasha's face; his concert. The visions spun faster 
and faster, from farther in his past. Armand in an overgrown, garden taunting 
him; physical pain as he hit the ground from being thrown from the tower; 
Claudia's yellow dress, Claudia's golden ringlets and bell-like laugh; Louis in 
eighteenth century garb, mortal; Marius; Nicholas; Gabrielle; and finally 
Lestat's own making by Magnus, the word "Wolfkiller" echoing though her mind.
	She drew back and lay in the circle of his arms,closing her eyes. Jesse 
felt the downward spiral of the death sleep tugging at her, and Lestat's voice 
soft and comforting as she drifted into peaceful slumber.
	Lestat continued to hold her, his mind cluttered with thoughts. The 
foremost thought was of Louis. How many times had he turned down the offer of 
stronger blood? He longed to feel Louis in his arms, accepting his blood... and 
his love. There were undercurrents, warm feelings for Jesse that he refused to 
think about. Questions that lingered in the recesses of his mind... what if's... 
what if he *had* kissed her after their first hunt together in Miami? What if he 
had kissed her again after Armand had so frightened her? What if he had offered 
her the blood that night? What if she had accepted? What if he had given in to 
his desire for her on Night Island? Would he have chosen her instead of Louis? 
Would she have gone with him? 
	Jesse nestled closer to him in her sleep. She'd be strong enough to 
travel tomorrow night. He'd take her home and care for her. She would stay with 
Louis and himself until her body and mind were healed. Lestat closed his eyes. 
He was responsible for her, now, as much as if she were his new fledgling.
	
Part 13 "No More 'I Love You's'" (by Kim)

Jesse awoke the following evening, greeted by an empty bed. She ran her 
hand along the sheet where Lestat once lay, her mind reliving the occurances of 
the previous night.
	"Oh God, was it all a dream?" Jesse mumbled to herself. 
	 Frightened by the prospect of being alone she called out his name,
 	"LESTAT?!"
	He was at her side instantaneously. With his  arms around the tender 
form, he  stared down at her with concern registerd in his eyes. She still was 
so fragile, as if she would break at any moment.  
	:Like one of those porcelaine dolls I bought Claudia so many years ago:, 
he thought. He banished from his mind any other thought to concentrate soley on 
the one he held in his arms.
	"Oh Lestat..." she whispered, resting her head against the solid chest 
and running her hands over him to make sure he was real and not a figment of her 
imagination, "Real... I wasn't sure...  I was so afraid that you had left and I 
didn't know what to..."
 	"Shhh, ma cherie." Lestat interrupted softly, "I'm here and I'm not 
going anywhere. I'm going to bring you back to New Orleans with me tonight."
	Jesse wrapped her arms around his neck,  finding comfort in  his 
physical presence. 
       In her world of neverending nightmares, he was substance, he was her hold 
on reality.
	Lestat held her closer to him trying to ignore her still wasted 
appearence; the bones that were visable in her face and the viens that ran 
across her slender arms. He sighed,burying his face in her soft tresses.
	"Jesse, you are still so very weak, ma cherie. Are you strong enough to 
feed?" He asked softly.
	Jesse pulled back and placed her palm over his heart, feeling the strong 
muscle beat within. Crimson tears welled in her eyes, she fought to restrain 
them.  It was useless to try to hide her weakness. She looked up at Lestat and 
shook her head. "No.  I don't think  I could even stand."
	::I cannot lose her.:: Lestat thought. He untangled himself from her 
embrace and out of the corner of his eye saw her gaze up at him, wide-eyed. He 
lifted his wrist to his mouth and made the smallest wound to let the blood begin 
to flow.  He lowered his wrist and let her drink.  He held her close and 
smoothed her hair back as she hungrily drank.
	The life-giving  fire poured into her. Jesse again plunged deep into the 
depths of the soul of the Vampire Lestat. Insignifigant events now played before 
her eyes.  The snowball fight they had that snowy winter solstice night in a New 
York City park, the concert they attended.  Somewhere in the back of her mind a 
wandering thought surfaced, "Think happy thoughts and you can fly." Jesse smiled 
inwardly as she released Lestat's wrist, and as soon as she did so the small 
gash he had made healed.
 	"Now." Lestat said, resolutely, "We are ready to go. Here,
wrap this around you, I wouldn't want you catching cold on the journey back,"
He smiled and wrapped  the pastel quilt around her shoulders, pulling it tightly 
around her body.
	Scooping  her up from the bed, he instructed her to hang on tight.  
Lestat did not want to think of the closeness of her, the gentle clasp of her 
arms around his neck and body, her head resting on his chest, or of the feelings 
which welled deep within him.  Her welfare came first, Lestat told himself, he 
couldn't begin to think of anything else that might be lurking in his black 
soul.
	They took to the sky from the back window.  Jesse shivered violently 
within Lestat's grasp and pulled closer to him for warmth. 
	Once they were a good distance above and away from the city she 
remember. 
	" I didn't bring any clothes with me. What can I wear? You took me out 
of there so fast I didn't have time to even think about packing."
	Lestat chuckled, "I hardly find that a problem,Jesse. I'm sure we can 
buy you some clothes once we get to New Orleans. I know we're not the fashion 
city that New York is, but we have our share. We're vampires, ma chere. You 
could live in those clothes until they fall off your back in shredds. We can get 
whatever clothes you desire."
 	'We're vampires'. The phrase echoed over and over in Jesse's mind. She 
wanted to scream that she wasn't a vampire, merely a scholar who studied them. 
She knew the truth, but chose not to acknowlegde it. Why acknowledge the pain 
when you can live safely guarded by lies?
	"No shops are open at this time of night Lestat. What do you propose I 
sleep in?" she asked.
	"Once we get you back home and settled in, you may wear one of my tee 
shirts
to sleep in.  While you snooze, I'll shop," He grinned.
	"Oh, I *may* sleep in one of your tee shirts? And you're going to shop 
for me? Wonderful, I'll be living in leather and spandex." she quipped. She 
could feel the chuckle rumble in his chest.  Lestat had managed to lift  her 
spirits a bit.
 	The wind bit at her face.  She hid herself within the folds of Lestat's 
jacket and they remained silent throughout the duration of the trip.
	Jesse realized when they had reached New Orleans.  The warm climate  
brought her back to life. She titled her head up to watch as they landed, very 
conveniently, on the balcony of the flat.
	Lestat ran a hand through her windblown hair and smiled down at her.
	"You want to look presentable for Monsieur de Pointe du Lac, non?"
	With Jesse still in his arms, Lestat opened the sparkling french doors 
by looking at them and walked into the parlour.
	As they entered the room, Louis jumped to his feet, and immediately 
approached them. Concern was evdient in his emerald eyes. He nervously raked his 
hair back away from his face and took Jesse's hand and looked up at Lestat, 
imploringly.
	"Is she alright?"
	"Why don't you ask me, Louis. I'm not dead yet." Jessed said 
sarcastically, trying to add some humor to the conversation.
	Louis did not look amused.
 	"D'accord, ma cherie. Elle doit se repose...Pardon me, she must rest. 
You
look very tired, Jesse."
	Jesse  smiled at her two "protecters".
	"I suppose I could use a little bit of sleep."
	Lestat regarded Louis . There was a distant look in his eye as he 
returned the glance, an expression he didn't understand. 
	"I'll put her in my room right away," Lestat said.
 	Louis watched as Lestat carried Jesse down the hall and disappeared into 
the bedroom. He looked up at the ceiling, his eyes fixed upon a small spot, and 
thought to himself, 
	:How can I tell you what I feel, Lestat. It is so very difficult.:

     ********

	Lestat deposited Jesse on his oversized bed. He walked over to his 
bureau, took a tee shirt from one of the drawers and tossed it to her with wink 
and a grin.  He left her to her rest and silently closed the door. 	
	Although  Jesse had taken only a little blood, he was thirsting to 
replace what he had lost. He would have to hunt, but he did not want to leave 
Jesse. Louis would be there for her, but he felt responsible for what had 
happened in London.
	He walked into the parlour where Louis was sitting, his hands sat in his 
lap, his fingers drawn up in a steeple posistion, his head bowed in thought. 
Lestat silently stared at him for a moment, wondering what could be going 
through his mind. Lestat stepped into the room and Louis looked up.
	"Is she asleep?" he asked quietly.
	"Not yet... Oh, Louis, she has horrible nightmares and becomes easily 
disorientated.  Whatever happened in London has severly affected her."
 	Louis looked off in the distance, not wanting to be held by Lestat's 
eyes.
	"It started long before London, Lestat. She is lonely and has still  not 
accepted her nature. She is torn between the mortal and immortal worlds, not 
knowing which to choose. She is surviving in a limbo."
	They regarded each other in silence for a long moment, both looking 
away. Louis could not bear to look him in the eye for the fear that he may say 
things he may regret. Then the pain would surface more and the pages of that 
horrendous book would become reality. Lestat broke the silence suddenly. He 
gathered up his coat and walked to the door. He stopped and turned towards 
Louis.
	"I have much to do before daylight. I need to hunt first and  then 
obtain clothes for Jesse. Watch over her for me, please, Louis?.  She loves you, 
you know."
	He hoped to get Louis to look up at him, if only for a moment. But Louis 
kept his eyes on the floor.
	"Oui." The soft reply was barely audible.
	Lestat slung his coat over his shoulder and sighed as he left for the 
hunt.


    ********

	 ::Must he make this even harder pour moi?::  Louis thought as he 
watched Lestat leave.
	 Louis got to his feet and walked down the hall to Lestat's room.  He 
paused for a moment in front of the door, wondering if he should knock or not. 
There was no need.  He heard Jesse's tiny, frightened voice inside his head.
	 :Come in, Louis. I'm awake.:
 	 He slowly opened the door and inhaled deeply, preparing himself for the 
sight he knew would meet his eyes.
	 Jesse sat up among a multiude of pillows,  cushioned by the downy 
softness. Her cheeks, while better than before,  were still dangerously hollow. 
 The veins wrapped around her arms like ropes underneath the parchment skin. She 
looked so helpless and lost.
	 Jesse read his thoughts. She wrapped her spinderly arms around herself 
and whispered,
	 "Don't look at me, Louis. I'm a ghastly sight."
	 Louis looked into the once bright eyes tinged with fear and sadness.
He circled the bed, viewing her from all different angles before sitting on the 
edge facing her.   He took the bony hand  and encased it in his.
	 "No, ma chere, tu es belle. You are beautiful."
 	 A single tear slipped from her eye before she furiously rubbed it away,
streaking her pale face in the process. She attempted to smile.
 	 "Look what you do to me, Louis. You make me cry," she choked. 
        He  took her into his arms so she could rest her head on his chest. She 
looked up into his face  and managed a half smile. She moved her hands to 
indicate the shirt she was wearing.
	 "You like it?" she laughed softly, "Lestat thought I might. He says I 
share the same opinion as the shirt."
	 Louis glaced at the black tee shirt which ended at Jesse's knees.  On 
it, bright red block letters professed, "Lestat Rules".
	 "A perfect shirt, considering Lestat." Louis said softly, averting 
Jesse's gaze.
 	She noticed what he was doing and obtained a firm grasp on his chin and 
pulled his face to meet hers.
	 "What is going on, Louis?" she asked.
 	"Rien." Louis quickly said, "Nothing you should be worried about. Now, 
we
are talking if you are well."
 	 Jesse sighed and closed her eyes and she leaned back into Louis for 
support,  "I don't really know Louis. It's a vicious circle. When I'm awake, I 
feel so totally alone. If I sleep during the night, I see Aaron's face... and 
the dreams I have during the day..." She started to cry.
	 "That horrid funeral. I can still hear the screams, Louis. The smell of 
the wax of the candles, every moment keeps repeating and repeating in my mind." 
 Jesse shuddered as the mental picture formed with amazing clarity. The images 
were so powerful, she inadvertently projected them into Louis mind.
	 With a gasp, he held her tightly to himself, unconciously trying to 
protect her.
	 "Why won't it go away Louis?" she sobbed into his solid chest. "I can't 
stand it anymore!"
	 Louis ran his hands through her hair and pressed his lips to her 
forehead, gently, to try and block out the pain she was feeling. She convulsed 
with each sob within in his arms, waves of  helpless swept over him. He let her 
cry herself to sleep in his embrace.  He slowly lowering her to the bed and 
covered the frail body with a blanket. Off somewhere else in the flat, he heard 
a door close and he knew Lestat was home.   He took a last, lingering, look at 
Jesse and mentally sighed before quietly slipping from the room.

     *******

	 Louis was not sure how he could follow through with it.  This would be 
the most difficult task of his life. 
	 The pain was increasing along with the sorrow since he had laid 
Lestat's book to rest on his nightstand. How could Lestat have ask him to read 
that? Reopen the old wounds which had not healed .
	 :Did he ever love me at all?: Louis wondered.
	 He walked from Jesse's room to the living room, where he found Lestat. 
Almost painful now to look at the blond-haired demon as he sat so peacefully on 
the couch, lost in a faraway thought. Lestat heard Louis' footsteps and turned 
towards the source.  His azure eyes casually regarded the approaching
figure. 
	 An expression of pain shadowed Louis' face, darkening his eyes and 
knitting his brow. Without a moment's hesitation, Louis spoke,
	 "Lestat, we must talk."
	 "About Jesse?" Lestat inquired.
	 "Non, about us." Lestat was about to speak but Louis raised a hand to 
silent him. "Not here. In the back parlour so we do not disturb Jesse."
	 Silently, Lestat followed him and sat in the large leaher armchair in 
the corner of the room. Louis stood in front of him now, pondering how to start 
this conversation.
	 "Lestat...it's so very hard for me to say this. The book..."
	 A look of confusion crossed Lestat's features.
	 "What? You don’t like the book, is that what you want to tell me?" 
Lestat raised an eyebrow. "All this... drama, over you bad review?"
	 Louis lifted his head and took a breath as he decided to bring his 
feelings out into the open.
	 "Lestat. I cannot live like this."
	 "Like what Louis? You're speaking in riddles, like what? With David 
around? With Jesse here or with me?" Lestat asked, a hint of perplexity in the 
tone of his voice.
	 The sight of him was almost too much . The thought of life without 
Lestat was almost unbearable. But after the book, an expression of Lestat's 
feelings about him, life with him would impossible.
	 "With you." Louis said softly, looking away from Lestat in order not to 
see the reaction.
	 Shock registered within Lestat at the sound of these two, small words. 
	 Then suddenly, he laughed. Lestat grasped the arms of the chair, threw 
his head back and roared with laughter.
	 "Only you, mon cher...." he gasped, shaking his head. "Only you could 
turn that book into something so disruptive. Louis... you knew what happened... 
I told it to you. Just because the tale is printed on a page doesn't change a 
thing!"
	 Louis snapped away from him, digusted.
	 Lestat rose to his feet, controlling himself. He stepped to Louis side 
and placed a hand on his shoulder.
	 "Alright, Louis," he sighed. "Tell me what I can do to make it better."
	 "You simply cannot do anything Lestat. You've said enough in the book, 
have you not?" 
	 Lestat was incredulous.  "What do you mean? I simply told what I felt!"
	 Louis turned on him, his eyes ablaze, "Oh, yes, what you felt, Lestat. 
That you wanted to kill me, that I had betrayed you. That you had to stop 
*yourself* from hurting me. Yes, you portrayed me so excellently! As usual, 
without will or substance. That is how you see me. That is how you paint me to 
the world."
	 "You have got to be joking..." Lestat said, beginning to pace.
	 Louis pierced Lestat with a glare, "I can assure you I am not joking. I 
sometimes believe the only reason you keep me around is that I am the only one 
who can pronounce your name correctly! Yes, come see Lestat's prized trophy, his 
Louis. Speaks two languages, is pleasant to look at, but his main purpose is to 
be the trophy, the yes-man, the doormat."
	 Louis was visibly shaking, so much anger and sorrow coarsed through his 
veins. His french accent broke through, quickening and sharpening his words.
	 Lestat, at a loss. He attempted brush the hair away from Louis' eyes 
with  a familiar, comforting gesture,  but Louis pushed him away. 
	 "Come here, Mon Cher..." he whisper softly, persistantly trying to pull 
Louis into a warm embrace. Louis stepped back from him angrily.
	 "I do not want your affections, Lestat, no more than you do not 
appreciate mine. Remember, 'I allowed this cold and passionless kiss.'  I'm glad 
you think so highly of my feelings towards you."
	 Lestat was lost in memory, replaying the scene in the church for 
himself. The words Louis had spoken, the cool lips brushing against his skin...
	 Lestat threw his hands up.
	 "You have no idea what you're saying,Louis. You are acting on 
impulse...."
	 "Acting on *impulse*?!" Louis interrupted loudly, "No, I think you are 
confusing me with you. And all this time I believed that you understood what I 
felt. And now I know I was wrong."
	 A million thoughts a minute raced through Lestat's preternatural brain.
	 Louis was slowly withering inside. He could hardly look at those eyes 
with the hint of a staggering dependance mirrowed within them.
	 Lestat firmly gripped his arms and looked at him, locking him in place.
	 "Louis...please."
	 Tearing his arm from Lestat's grip he turned his back.
 "C'est fini, Lestat," Louis whispered, his voice breaking,  "C'est fini."
	 Lestat didn’t see him leave the room. He vaguely heard the latch on 
Louis' bedroom door close with a soft click. Louis was serious. How could he 
have read anything more into the book that they had not discussed.  Was it 
simply seeing it written down that had broken him?
	 Lestat grasped the windowsil for support and stared out into the first 
traces of day. The blackness of night was diminishing as the first birds 
welcomed the coming day.  Dawn broke through the night with it's lavender and 
rose tendrils curling around the last reminants of the stars.  Louis was leaving 
him. His very life was fading with  Lestat silently left the room to retire, not 
caring whether the day's harsh
rays reached him or not.

    *********

 	 "Bonsoir, Louis," Lestat murmured, mostly out of habit, as he entered 
the living room.
	 Louis' eyes didn't move from the newspaper he was reading. "Bonsoir." 
His voice was flat and lacking his familiar warmth. 
	 Lestat glanced at him as he sorted through the stack of mail. ::This is 
my recogniton for the evening: He thought. He felt as if he should lope over to 
the figure in the wing chair and confront him, but for the sake of peace in the 
house, he let it slide.
 	"Is she awake?"
 	"Non. Still asleep. I looked in on her a little while ago." Louis' voice 
showed the sharp, clear edge of his accent.
	 Lestat glanced at the closed door that led to his bedroom - Jesse's 
room.
	 "Perhaps I should check on her."
	 "Lestat, let her sleep. She will wake on her own accord. Go out and do 
what you must. I shall be here when she wakes up. You aren't really needed."
	 "Well, merci beaucoup, Monsieur de Pointe du Lac."  Lestat turned and 
faced him. "I just bring her back, dump her in my room and say au revoir, adieu, 
fare thee well and..." 
	 Lestat caught the firey glare from the green eyes before he could 
finish. If he completed the sentence with the derogatory expletive it wouldn't 
accomplish anything, in all likelyhood the situation would only worsen.
	 "There *is* a lady in the house, Lestat. I would thank you to mind your 
language." Louis turned the newspaper page with an emphatic rustle.
	 "Mind my language?" Lestat dropped into the chair closest to Louis. "I 
should worry about swearing around Jesse? Do I have to remind you that *she* has 
the vocabulary of a truckdriver when the situation warrents it?"
	 Louis proffered a long-suffering glance and sighed.
	 "As Long as she remains in this house, I expect you to treat her with 
the respect she deserves." He calmly went back to the newspaper.
	 "May I remind you just *who's* house this is?" Lestat was on his feet. 
"I shall use what ever language I please in *which* ever language I please"
	 The newspaper remained in position as Louis spoke from behind the 
pages. "If you're going to act that way, I'll have to remove her to a hotel to 
recuperate."
	 "Charming! I worry myself into a frenzy over the poor girl. David 
hasn't a clue on what's ailing her and lets her starve herself half to death. I 
go sprinting off and only because of my own abilities do I find her, save her 
life for perhaps the third time..."
 	 "What are you going on about? Keep your voice down or you'll wake 
her..."
	 Lestat snapped around and glared in Louis' direction. Suddenly, the 
newspaper in which Louis had his nose buried, ignited. With a gasped "MON DIEU!" 
Louis jumped to his feet, dropped the paper and stomped out the flames.
	 After the fire was extinguished, he took a step towards Lestat, his 
eyes wide and seething, his face flushed with anger "And what was that little 
display ment to accomplish?" 
	 Shifting his weight to his other foot, Lestat folded his arms. He his 
lips curled into a satisfied smile and he gave Louis a slow blink. 
 	 "Got your attention, didn't I?" He said in a smooth, low pitched voice.
	 "Lestat," Louis whispered through clenched teeth, "you are the limit!" 
He glared up at him for a moment. He stared at the craggy, handsome face framed 
by the tumble of pale wheat-colored hair; at the lifted eyebrows, poised 
sardonically over the stormy blue eyes; the slightly pursed lips curved into a 
smile,...
	 Lestat suddenly siezed him, one arm firmly around his back, the other 
hand tangled in the silky black hair. 
	 "Shut up, Louis." He replied and captured Louis' mouth with his.  
	 Bringing his arms up in front of himself, Louis broke the embrace and 
took two steps back from Lestat. "Jamais plus..." He whispered, shaking his head 
and looking at the floor. "Never again, Lestat... never again." He turned to 
leave, but Lestat caught him by the shoulder.
	 "Louis... wait, please," came the anguished voice.
	 "No..." Louis could no longer look at him. "We went through this last 
night."
	 "What's happened?" A small voice wept from the hall.
 	 They looked up from their misery to see Jesse clinging to the 
doorframe, eyes filled with tears.

Part 14 "One step forward, two steps back"
(by Cathy)

"I told you, I'm not hungry and I don't want to hunt." Jesse scowled at 
Lestat.
	"Now, Jess... I told Louis I was going to take you to hunt."
 Lestat tried to be light hearted. He walked backwards along the street directly 
in her  path. "Tell me what your fancy  is, and I'll find you a tasty morsel. 
What's it to be? Cheap, tawdry low life, or something so totally evil I can 
hardly contain myself.."
	She glanced up into his face and then set her eyes back on the sidewalk 
to where they had been previously glued.
	He let her catch up with his stride and fell into step with her, still 
walking backwards. 
	"Do you have a craving for Cajun? We could hang out by the levee and see 
what we can pick up."
	There! He saw it... the smallest twitch at the corner of her mouth. He 
watched as Jesse lowered her head and turned away from him.
	"You're smiling! Ah ha! Still think I'm funny. Still can't resist 
Lestat!"
	She stopped dead in her tracks and faced him. "You're making me crazy!"
	"No,  that's Louis' job. *I* make you laugh. Always have... always 
shall.  What’s it going to be? Hmm? If I take you back to the flat and your 
cheeks aren't rosy, Louis will throw an all time fit. Now, do you want him to 
drag you around for half the night, or are you going to be a cooperative little 
vampire and hunt with old Lestat? It's your choice."
	"The levee," she muttered.
	"Perfect! Come on... we'll fly... arms around my neck and up we go!" 
	Before she could complain, Lestat wrapped his arms around her and they 
ascended at a breathtaking speed. Jesse held onto him tightly, eyes squeezed 
tightly shut. They seemed to descend at an even more alarming rate.
	"Oh, God.... that was too fast. Lestat, next time warn me, and I'll take 
Dramamine before we leave home."
	"Did the lady actually say something humorous?" Lestat smiled wickedly 
into her upturned face.
	"Oh... shut up! You wait here... I can do this alone." Jesse walked off 
 into the shadows.
	 Lestat  took off his leather jacket, spread it on the ground, and sat 
on it.  She'd been with them for nearly three weeks.  Jesse once again looked 
like herself. The emaciated form had filled out, her face regained it's beauty. 
He skin once again looked like alabaster and not parchment .  There was, 
however, something missing. Louis had put his finger on it the other night. He'd 
come in from the courtyard where he'd been reading to her. He replaced the book 
on the shelf and actually spoken to Lestat.  "Her spirit
is gone.” Louis had said. "It's as if there's an empty shell, moving and 
breathing... the spirit's simply gone." 
	Lestat closed his eyes. Those few words from Louis formed the most 
civilized sentence he’d spoken to Lestat in twenty three nights. 
	"Dammit," Lestat muttered, as he dug his boot heel into the mud. "I've 
got to stop doing this... thinking about it, counting days... Why can't I just 
go back and laugh in his face?" He lay back on the moist earth, his hands behind 
his head and stared up in to the night sky. "It's worse this time, isn't it, 
Louis?" He whispered. "Why did you have to take it verbatim?"
	A blood curdling scream interrupted his thoughts.
	"JESSE!"
 	He raced in the direction of her voice. 
	Her victim lay face down, the blood surging from the gash on his neck, 
staining his mass of  white hair and the ground on which he fell.  Jesse stood 
at his side, sobbing hysterically. Lestat knelt down by her prey and looked up 
into her face.
	"He's still breathing! Jess, finish him!"
	"Noooo," she moaned and turned away.
	With a movement too swift for human eye, Lestat snapped the man's neck, 
dispatching him.
	He threw a glance to Jesse. "Stay, here... don't move, I've got to 
dispose of this."
	Lestat carried the corpse to a ramshackle shed. Jesse watched as he 
disappeared inside and then emerged. Before she knew what was happening, Lestat 
ignited it and walked away. 
	"Come on, Jess. Arms around my neck. We've got to get out of here." 
Lestat didn’t wait for an answer. He yanked her into his arms and abruptly took 
off.
	"I'm sorry..." She cried against the wind.
	"It’s alright now, Jess. I'll take you home." He replied, pressing a 
comforting kiss onto the top of her head. 
	They landed in the courtyard.  Louis looked up from the book he was 
reading by light of the streetlamp.  He was on his feet immediately and crossed 
to where they stood. 
	"Jesse?  What’s wrong?" Louis' voice was velvet to her ears.
	She stepped away from Lestat  and fell sobbing into Louis' arms. 
	He threw a glare to Lestat as he enfolded the sobbing vampire to him. 
"What’s happened?"
	"I can’t talk.." She wept. "It was awful..."
	Louis glanced over at Lestat as he sank onto the bench. It was clear he 
was upset over what had happened as well.
	"I want to go in... please." Her voice caught in her throat.
	"I'll take you in... come along, Cherie..."  Louis led her up the steps 
and into the house. "You do not have to talk if you don’t wish to."
	"I want to lay down..."
	"I'll stay with you until you sleep." He smoothed her hair back from her 
face.
	"No really..." she glanced up, rubbing away the tears, streaking crimson 
on her face.
	"I insist. I would be most uncaring to leave you alone in such a 
condition..." He led her into the front parlor and to the sofa. "Lay down and 
try to rest a little. When you wake up, I'm sure it will have resolved it's 
self, what ever the trouble was."
	Jesse obeyed. She lay down on the silver damask sofa and rested her head 
on one of the velvet cushions.  "You're very kind to me, Louis," she whispered.
	"Try to rest." Came the soft reply.
	Louis glanced up to see Lestat motioning to him in he hall.
	"I will return in a moment... keep your eyes closed..." he whispered to 
her and walked into the hall towards Lestat.
	Lestat drew him further down the hall and into the back parlor. 
	"What did you do NOW?" Louis addressed him as he shut the door as not to 
disturb Jesse.
	"I didn't do anything..." Lestat sighed. "As far as I can make out, she 
was feeding and there was something about the prey that frightened or upset her 
violently."
	"What was it?" Louis asked softly. 
	"A vagrant... an older man, white hair......OH! GOD!...Now I know... he 
had a full head of white hair... didn't her friend Aaron have thick white hair?"
	Louis turned on him angrily. "How could you let something like this 
happen?"
	"How was I suppose to know who she took? I don't make it a habit..."
	"You were suppose to be caring for her! You mean you simply let her go 
off on her own? She's not ready to do THAT on her own."
	"What was I suppose to do, go up to someone and say "Excuse me, but 
Mademoiselle Jesse needs her dinner, would you please oblige us with your life?"
	Louis opened the door to leave.  "That’s NOT what I meant. You know 
perfectly well how I've been managing for her..."
	"No, how can I? You haven't said three words to me in weeks!" Lestat 
held out his arms.
	Louis faced him. "I have been finding something for her, and let her 
finish it."
	"Brilliant, Louis! Just brilliant! Trust you to do that. Next thing I 
know, you'll be bringing her samples from a blood bank, because it's 
nonviolent."
	Louis face burned in anger. "I knew you wouldn't be able to help her. 
You're all bravado, all action and nothing else.  I don't want to leave her 
alone. If she runs off, at least we know who's fault it is!"
	Louis stalked off down the hall, leaving Lestat feeling more helpless 
than angry.
 	Lestat left the parlor and went out onto the back porch.  The cool night 
air filled his lungs, as he breathed deeply, trying to gain control over his 
galloping emotions.
	"Why is he acting this way?  And I'm the one who goes overboard..." 
Lestat talked to himself as he went into the garden. He sat down on the bench 
and closed his eyes.
	::MARIUS!:: 
	Lestat took a deep breath and focused on the image of his mentor. 
::Marius, I need your counsel::
	There was a warming in his soul, followed by a feeling of comfort.
	::Lestat.  I am here.  I feel great anxiety surrounding you... ::
	::Oh, Marius.  I can't begin to tell you what it means to hear you 
voice...:: Lestat sighed. ::It's not for me that I need counsel... Jesse's here 
with us. She's slipping farther and farther away.::
	::I know. Maharet has told me. She knows that you are caring for her 
fledgling::
	Lestat took a breath. ::I no longer know what to do for her. Now she 
sees the faces of mortals she loves on her quarry.  And with all his compassion, 
Louis' making her worse! He's hovering over every move she makes, he takes her 
to feed and selects her prey. He guards her every waking moment. If he could, 
he'd sleep in front of her door, lest someone break in and steal he away::
	The calm voice returned. ::Do you want me there with her?::
	::I don't know... she doesn't seem to want my help, and Louis' making 
her more and more dependent.  Marius, it's as if  *she’s* his fledgling!:: 
	::Perhaps if I arrived unexpectedly...::
	::She'd know. Louis wouldn't believe it either.:: Lestat shook his head.
	::What if  I arrived to paint her portrait?  Louis would believe that, 
wouldn't he? ::
	A smile spread over Lestat's face.  ::I'd believe that.  Will you paint 
her portrait? I'll commission you...::
	There was a feeling of a warm embrace. ::You have just done so, Lestat. 
::

Part 15 "Flights of Fancy"
(by Kim and Cathy, but mostly Kim!)


	In the flat on Rue Royale, the passage of time was marked by the chime 
of the hall clock.   Every tick announced another moment along the road of the 
immortals had gone by.  Jesse glared at the clock each time she passed it. How  
many more ticks, how many more chimes, before they were all insane?
     	She walked into the front parlor and settled down on the damask sofa.  
Alone, at last... for now anyway. She was sure Louis would be upon her at any 
second.  She pondered which was the worse; his constant hovering and 
overprotection, or her dismal hopelessness.
	  And then there was Lestat.  Louis was convinced Lestat didn't have the 
vaguest idea of what she needed or wanted. Lestat was selfish and self absorbed. 
 Jesse sighed. Lestat was kind and thoughtful towards her.  She rarely saw him 
these past nights. Louis made sure he was always in the room when the blond 
vampire set his attentions on her. It seemed to her, the greater Louis' 
animosity toward Lestat, the more overprotective and sheltering her became 
towards her. She wondered if this was how it was in this very flat one hundred 
and eighty years or more before.  Had she replaced Lestat in Louis' affection 
just as Claudia had then?
  	 :No matter,: she thought, and turned her attention to the Monet 
painting that hung on the opposite wall.  
    	"Ma cherie."
               Louis' voice startled her.   
               Louis had walked into the room, determined to make his most 
cherished friend  feel and love life once more. 
              "Ma cherie." he smiled, "You need to rest in order to become well. 
Here..."
              Louis came to where she sat and slid down beside her. He picked up 
her slender feet and put them on the table. He rearranged the pillows behind her 
head to provide more support. Out of the corner of her eye, Jesse glared at him.
             Nevertheless, Louis continued.
             "Would you like a book or a magazine, Jesse? I shall procure one if 
you would like it."
             Jesse sensed another presence heading in the direction of the 
parlour, she raised her head to find Lestat entering the room, a newly purchased 
CD in his hands. She ignored Louis' inquisition as she watched Lestat.
            Every move he made entranced her, to her immediate surprise. The 
fluid motions as he walked to the stereo, the soft press of his fingers on the 
controls as he set the player to "play". The small shake of the unruly blond 
mane up to the sparkling blue eyes. He was magnetizing and to be honest, Jesse 
found him the most interesting thing in the room to watch.
           He turned the volume up with a thought, he turned to Jesse. He was 
aware of how carefully she was watching him and his movements. Jesse looked on 
in childlike wonder as the corners of his mouth slowly turned up,  and his 
eyebrows raised. He gave her a quick wink and sent a thought,
          :: Want Louis off your back?::
          He pressed play on the stereo and sat back roughly in his chair as the 
newest rock music flooded the room. Jesse looked up to Louis, a shocked 
expression gracing the fine features. He turned and glared at Lestat, then 
proceeded to stalk over to the stereo.
      Lestat looked as if he was going to burst out laughing and Jesse wished 
she had it in her to laugh. With a sharp click, Louis turned the offending sound 
off.
         "Do you want to give her a headache? She does not need your 
disturbances," he said angrily to Lestat.
         "Wait a minute..." Jesse interrupted. Louis' gaze turned to Jesse and 
softened. "I was enjoying the music Louis, no need to worry about me."
         Louis stared at Jesse, a bit taken aback.  "Very well..." he said 
slowly.
         He felt a small draft coming from the door and went to the hall closet 
and pulled out a soft, down
quilt. He reentered the parlour and covered Jesse with it.
        "It is a bit cold in here Jesse, would you like some coffee? I will make 
it for you."
        Louis was already heading into the kitchen without her answer. Jesse 
threw an exasperated sigh to Lestat who could not contain a smile over the whole 
occurrence. She sent a thought to Lestat,
       :: Will he ever let up?::
       Jesse could hear the silent laughter echo through her mind as Lestat 
answered.
      :: He needs someone to take care of, Jess. ::
      She slouched down beneath the blanket Louis had thrown over her,  :: Why 
not take care of you then, Lestat?!: : 
      Silence.
      No answer from the blond haired devil in the corner. Jesse peeked over the 
fringes of the quilt at him.                   Sadness had flooded the usually 
twinkling eyes. Lestat now looked away, off in some unknown direction, lost to 
her in his own thoughts.

       The nights dragged on. Louis rarely permitted  Jesse a moment alone. He 
stayed within arms length in case she needed or wanted anything. All she had to 
do was simply turn around, and her tenacious nurse was always next to her.  
Louis was constantly bringing  books or a sweater, anything he deemed necessary 
for her comfort. 
       To Jesse, it seemed as if Louis' world had closed in upon her that Lestat 
was no longer a part of the household. Jesse could  sense the distress that 
seemed to overwhelm Louis. His thoughts were carefully shielded from her, so 
that Jesse could not tell if she was the source of his anxiety  or Lestat.
       Louis felt as he had years ago when he was first made. The brooding 
dissatisfaction that living with Lestat brought. He did not wish to speak or 
ever look upon his maker. He went to all costs to avoid him and his presence. It 
was as if he was reliving the time once more, this time Jesse and not Claudia. 
       Lestat was scarcely found at his home on Rue Royal. He spent much time 
walking the dark streets of New Orleans, trying  in his mind to piece together 
the shattered remains of his relationship with Louis. He would follow Louis, 
watching him from afar as he used to in the olden days, watching but never 
acting. Sorrow was his constant companion. Nothing could fill the vacuum in his 
existence. Seeing Louis only increased the pain and emptiness.
       As Louis did, Lestat turned to Jesse. He did his best to amuse her and 
bring light to the dreary nights which passed by too slowly. Making her laugh 
was no small  triumph. Louis could care for her but Lestat would make her smile.
        One evening, Jesse awoke to find the owner of a kind pair of emerald 
eyes hovering over her. She shook off the last remnants of her dreams and 
blinked a few times before sitting up and facing Louis.
       "Bon soir, Cherie." Louis whispered, a small smile threatening to 
overcome him.
       Jesse wanted to laugh with him, smile with him, talk with him. She wanted 
to silently snuggle into his arms and feel his quiet strength surround her. But 
that was impossible. There were no laughter or smiles inside of her.  The 
comforting silent communication that had been the cornerstone of their 
relationship had disappeared.  It had been replaced by hollow words and 
suffocating attention.
      Jesse no longer felt like herself. She had become an empty shell which 
needed sustenance every now and again. Her caretakers showed her every ounce of 
love imaginable, the best nurses and friends one could ever have. She could not 
return their good will. All she could give them was more problems and sorrow and
blacken their hearts as that of her own.
      She sighed, turned over and buried her face in the pillows.
     "Louis, you realize that you don't need to be here every waking OR 
*un*waking moment of my immortal life."
      A gentle smile lit up his eyes.     "Ah, ma petite....but I enjoy doing 
these small favors for you." Louis replied, the melodious sound of his voice 
irritating her.   He pulled back the bedspread, urging Jesse to sit up.
     She snatched the silky covertlet away from him and pulled it over her head.
     "Go away, I want to go back to sleep." she mumbled from beneath the covers.
      Louis exhaled slowly. There would be another fight tonight, another trial 
to get Jesse to feed, to get well. Yet another attempt to try and feed the 
starved soul inside of his beloved. He gently tugged the sheets away from Jesse 
and grasped her arms, wincing from their bony feeling. He looked her straight in 
the eye.
     "I'm taking you to hunt, Jesse. You have no other choice but to get up ." 
he said calmly.
     "Fine!" she spat back, "Can you at least get out so I can get dressed." 
     A glint of frustration and anger burned in her eyes, Louis knew it was best 
to leave her alone now.
     "I'm be in the parlour when you're ready, Jesse." He silently walked from 
the room and left Jesse to her thoughts.
      Jesse almost cried as she sat back down upon the bed. She stared at the 
door from where Louis  had just exited.   :: Why  I have to be such a bitch when 
he's just trying to take care of me? He's always been so kind to me, and this is 
how I repay him. :: she thought to herself.
     She rose slowly from the bed and walked over to the bureau. She placed her 
hands atop it as she looked into the mirror hanging above it.  She ran a hair 
through the coppery mane and sighed.
     "Why should you bother, Jesse. It isn't as if you have anyone to impress!" 
she muttered to herself as she rifled through the drawers of clothes Lestat had 
"acquired" for her. She picked out a comfy pair of men's jeans and slipped them 
on over her slender hips and belted them in place. She then selected a tight 
white t-shirt and wriggled into it. The final touch was a large plaid flannel 
shirt.  She giggled sarcastically as she caught a glimpse of herself in the 
mirror,
    "My, my. You could pass for a bag lady, my dear! You're going insane Jesse, 
now you're beginning to talk to yourself." She flipped back her  hair and 
slipped her feet into a pair of Birkenstock sandals.
 She swung open the door with a thought and walked to the parlour to find Louis. 
     Louis sat reading the newspaper, anxiously awaiting Jesse's arrival. His 
eyes moved up from the paper to meet her own when she entered the room. He 
smiled to put her at ease and rose from his chair. He took a hold of her hand.
     "Are you ready to go?" He asked.
     Jesse nodded in consent and Louis led her out into the night.
    Clouds gathered overhead and a light mist fell upon those who chanced to 
walk outdoors this night. The air swam with moisture, making every movement feel 
sluggish and slow. Jesse walked slowly beside Louis, her eyes fixed in one 
direction, never moving.  She suddenly made a turn onto a street that led to the 
Garden District,figuring she could find quarry there. In less than a second, 
Louis was in front of her, barring the way. 
    "I thought that we could hunt near the river tonight." He said quietly. 
     Jesse raised an eyebrow, "Why not this way?"
     Louis stared down at his hands for a moment, pondering an answer,  "I do 
not believe..." he began, soft enough so only Jesse could hear him, "That you 
should hunt near...so close to..."
     He didn't have to finish for Jesse to realize what he meant. She felt 
defeated, she felt helpless. For she, with the blood of most possibly the two 
strongest vampires upon this earth, was being protected by the vampire with the 
least power. She felt like crying, or throwing a temper tantrum as Lestat would. 
However, she kept silent, listening to the sounds of the night that surrounded 
and suffocated her.  She allowed Louis to lead her toward the Mississippi. She 
followed him in a dreamlike state. Not really hearing or seeing much of 
anything. It was like this when she hunted, she didn't want to see her victim or 
remember what they looked like, too afraid that they would remind her of someone 
she had loved whilst still a mortal.
      She turned to face Louis. 
      "I can do this on my own." she said bluntly.
      Concern washed over his eyes and he looked suspiciously at her.
      "Jesse, let me help you. It just makes things easier."
      She clenched her teeth and fixed him with a cold stare,
      "I said that I can do this by myself, I don't need your help."
      Louis was at a loss.  He didn't want to hurt Jesse but he wanted to help 
her so badly. Jesse needed space, he reminded himself, but he didn’t think she 
was ready to hunt on her own.
      Jesse stood impatiently, she couldn't stand what Louis was doing. If she 
was ever to get better, she needed her freedom, she needed to live her life on 
her own again. She noticed Louis drawing closer and she stepped back.
      "Jesse, I think it would be best ...," he began.
      "NO!" she screamed without meaning it. She felt like a trapped animal 
clawing at it's cage. She turned and fled in an attempt to get away. She began 
running blindly,  she wasn't sure where she was going, only that she wanted to 
get away.  She tuned down an alley, hoping that it would connect her to another 
street.
Her hopes were dashed as she saw it only led to a dead end. She heard Louis' 
footfall clattering on the pavement not far off. She squinted up at the roof on 
the building above.
      "If I could only go up..." she muttered.  And without another thought she 
was safely on the top of  building, looking over the edge at the alley below.  
She saw Louis frantically run into the alley and look everywhere for some trace 
of her.
      "JESSE!"  Louis spun around at the end of the blind alley, frightened as 
to what could happen to her in the state she was in.  He frantically called her 
name again and again.
      She hid behind the wall on the roof, carefully shielding herself  so that 
she wouldn't be found. Louis stood  helplessly, before giving up and exiting to 
the street.
    Jesse slid down against the wall, sighing in relief that her pursuer had 
gone.

    Louis searched the streets as he meandered back to the flat silently 
wondering of what he would tell
Lestat. He was frightened for Jesse, he wanted her to be safe. He never meant to 
push her so far. Louis glanced up at the illuminated flat above him, drawing a 
deep breath before entering. He attempted to gather his thoughts on the way up 
the stairs to the door. He failed in his responsibities miserably.  Slowly, he 
opened the door and softly called Lestat’s name.
   "Hold on, Louis," came the answer from the study they had shared. Louis 
entered the parlor and rested his head against the mantle of the fireplace for 
support. He heard Lestat come up behind him,
   "Louis, what's wrong... and where's Jesse?"
   He couldn't look into Lestat’s face, for fear that he may go into a rage when 
he
told him.
   "She ran off.  I couldn't stop her. I tried to track her but she alluded me."
   Louis felt Lestat's strong hands grip his shoulders and spin him around so 
that they were face to face.  Lestat's eyes burned with anger and his mouth was 
drawn in fine, tight, line.
 "You let her run off, Louis?! How could you do such a thing? You know how 
fragile she is!"
   Louis used his hands and tore Lestat's grip off him.
  "Lestat, I couldn't help it! She ran off, I don't know why, I couldn't stop 
her. I ran after her but she just *disappeared*."
   Lestat eyes glared, flaring with an inner fire of anger. Louis could only 
stand there, helpless against Lestat and his rage.
   " She just *disappeared*? We vampires have many powers, but just vanshing is 
not one! You're supposed to be the responsible one, Louis. I cannot believe you 
would let this happen."  Lestat turned away from Louis dramatically.  "I'm going 
to find her, maybe *I* can bring her home."
   Lestat stalked out the door and into the street, slamming the door 
emphatically behind him.
   Louis sank down into the leather arm chair at his side and buried his head in 
his hands, defeated.
  "If I were Jesse, where would I go?" Lestat asked himself as he walked along 
Rue Bourbon. He raked his hair back away from his face and chastised himself for 
not knowing better.
  "Ah! That's it!" Lestat stopped in the middle of th sidewalk and  snapped his 
fingers. He was off with preternatural speed towards the Garden District.

     It had started to rain as Jesse walked aimlessly through the streets of New 
Orleans. She didn't want to go back to the flat, but then she had nowheres else 
to go. The rain drove hard to the ground below, stinging even her tough skin. 
Her clothes clung to her petite body and her hair was plastered to her face.  
Her mind was a chaos of thoughts and ideas, none making any sense. Little 
remembrances would shoot through every once in  while, mostly of Aaron and her 
early mortal life. She unconciously began walking in a certain direction but she 
hadn't the vaguest idea idea where she was traveling. It wasn't until she stood 
in front of the wrought iron gates to the cemetery did she know her purpose.
   Jesse ran through the rain, down the path between the mausoleums. She could 
find her way to this tomb blind if she had to. Tears began to streak down her 
face before she arrived at her destination. They mixed with the rain which 
battered the face.  Convulsing with sobs and physically tired she found the 
Mayfair Tomb. With her mind, she unlocked the door to the tomb and stepped 
inside. The feeling
and images of the dead were almost too much to bear, but she moved on until she 
found Aaron's crypt. She ran her finger over the fancy scrawl of his name, over 
the dates of his birthand death, feeling the letters shape beneath her exploring 
touch.
     "Aaron," she whispered, “Aaron..”.
     She couldn't bear it any longer, she ran out of the tomb closing to door 
with a mental click behind her. She slid down beside the tomb, bringing her 
knees up to herself and rested her head there. Over and over, all she could say 
was his name, along with the tears which flowed so freely. Jesse realized she 
hadn’t cried this hard for years... since the time she had let go of her mortal 
nature on Night Island. Lestat had been there for her that night. He had brought 
her through that first trail in her existence as a vampire. 
    She heard the slight sounds of another preternatural being. With a start she 
raised her head and her eyes
met that of  her blue-eyed demon. His soft, purring voice called to her.
    "Jesse....my Jesse."
    She rose to her feet, still leaning hard against the tomb for support. 
Lestat stood, drenched, still looking as regal as he would if dressed as an 
aristocrat. He held out his arms to her and tried to pull her into his
embrace. Jesse resisted and stiffened, slapping away his hands. 
      Shocked but delighted, Lestat smiled.
     "Come now, Jesse, let me hold you."
     Jesse responded through clenched teeth,
     "No!"
     He tried again, grasping her harder, thinking she wouldn't be able to break 
the embrace. To his amazement, she did. He had never realized the extent of her 
strength, the strength that he had given her.  He tried a last time and pulled 
her close to him in a hold that Jesse could not break. He wrapped his arms 
around her and held her to him, softly stroking back her saturated hair, 
whispering to her.
      Jesse used her fists and beat against his chest before giving in to 
herself and melting into his embrace. She sobbed softly against him, throwing 
her arms around his body and holding on tight.
     Lestat was lost for words. The cherished emotions for her, dormant for so 
long, were beginning to quicken inside of him. Feelings that had been born on 
Night Island , suddenly flared. His passion for Jesse took control.  He tilted 
her chin up to him, and she met his gaze through tear misted eyes. Slowly, he 
bent down and covered her mouth with his own. He tangled his hand in her wet, 
coppery hair and with his other hand he found the small of her back and pulled 
her up to him. 
    Jesse felt the electricity in the kiss, the spark went through her as his 
lips touched her own. She, to Lestat's delight, deepened the kiss, running her 
slender fingers through his hair and melting into his ardent embrace. She tasted 
the fire of his blood as Lestat bit into his tongue and slipped it between her 
lips. She clung to him for a blissful moment before drawing back, piercing her 
own tongue and renewing the kiss. She felt his arm tighten around her body, his 
hand move over her rainsoaked clothing in a gentle caress as he reacted to the 
sensation of their mingling blood. Warmth surrounded them as their desire for 
each other buildt,  the first gimpse of sunlight for what seemed to each an 
eternity of dismal nights. Emotions flowed between them with their blood; 
connecting them, heart, mind, and soul. What had  begun as an innocent kiss was 
now so much more.  They stood in the warm, tropical rain drenched to the skin 
and lost in each other completely.
        Murmuring softly to her, Lestat caressed her cheek with his lips and 
lightly brushed them over her throat until his mouth rested over her rapidly 
fluttering pulse. 
        "No..." she moaned against him, “Please...don’t.”
        Lestat lifted his head and ran his fingers down her soft neck.  "Why, 
Jesse?....why should we deny ourselves?"
        Jesse could hardly answer, she was overcome by the burning desire she 
felt for him. "I...I can't hurt Louis like this, I can’t betray him." she 
stammered.
       Lestat's eyes became wide and his gaze softened and he smiled down upon 
her,
        "Jesse, Louis and I are finished...it's over."
        "I can't believe that." she replied. “You’ve loved each other for so 
long....”
        "Shhh..." Lestat said, he rested her head on his chest, "Let me show 
you."  For Jesse, he relived the painful scenes, he once again heard Louis voice 
saying it was over. He couldn't hide his pain from Jesse,  it still coursed 
through his veins like acid.
       When the scenes had faded to black, Jesse lifted her head and cupped his 
tearful face with her
hands and pressed her lips to his own.
       ::I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. But I can't... not here... not yet, this is 
not the time nor place for intimacy::  Jesse looked into his eyes.
      "You’re right," he answered softly. "You’re cold and tired... and we’re 
both soaking wet." He smiled and lightly brushed his lips across hers. 
      Jesse broke reluctantly away from Lestat, taking his hand and leading him 
from the cemetery.
     "I'm sorry I ran off, I felt suffocated by all Louis did. I knew he was 
doing these things out of love but it was driving me mad!"
     Lestat chuckled.
     "How did you get away from him so fast? He said you just disappeared. What 
did you do?"
     "I don’t know... I just went UP." She replied.
     "What do you mean 'up'?" He lifted her chin and forced her to look him in 
the eye. " Jess... you didn't fly, did you?" Lestat asked, astonished at the 
thougth his blood had inadvertantly emancipated her from being earthbound.
     "Sort of...  I *had* to get away from him! He was acting like my mother, 
for Christ's sake!  I was thinking, if I could only get up on that roof... all I 
did was this..."  She suddenly ascended vertically, pulling Lestat along by the 
hand. She gazed at him, wide-eyed and amazed. "This is flying, isn’t it?" She 
gasped.
     "It certainly is Jesse!" Lestat responded, a wide grin spreading over his 
features.  He wrapped his arm around Jesse's waist and spun her around creating 
a small eddy of rain and cloud.
    "As long as we’re up here, we may as well FLY home!" Lestat smiled and 
deposited a kiss on her cheek.
    With a cry of delight, Jesse threw back her head, spread her arms wide and 
shot up threw the storm, with Lestat in joyous persuit.

Part 16 "The Return"
(by Cathy)

	"Make your descent fast and accurate... just as your ascent. You can 
move faster than mortal eye. Take advantage of  it." Lestat grinned at her. 
"Let's go right to the balcony and into the house through there."  He took her 
hand. "Louis' going to be so happy to see you, he'll forget all about how wet 
the carpet will be. Come on."
	They landed on the balcony, Lestat pulling her into his arms at the last 
moment to be sure she cleared the railing. 
	  "Oh... that's amazing! That's totally amazing!" Jesse giggled, as 
Lestat spun her around. Raindrops flew from her hair like glistening diamonds.  
"I feel so free..." She laughed up at him.	
	"Do you feel better than when I found you?" He asked.
	"Yes," she laughed. "Oh, yes... *so* much better!"
	"That's what I wanted to hear." Lestat smiled, kissed her lightly.  
	The door from the parlor snapped open, and Louis stepped out onto the 
balcony. 
	"You're back! I was so worried..."
	Jesse flung herself into Louis' arms. "I'm sorry I frightened  you! 
Please forgive me!"
	He enfolded her inspite of her wet clothing. "As long as you are safe... 
I forgive you, this time." He smiled, shaking his head at her.  He glanced over 
to Lestat, who stood leaning on the railing, his clothing completely saturated, 
water dripping from his hair. "Once again I must thank you for finding my Jesse 
and bringing her back safely to me."
	Lestat nodded slightly. "My privilege."
	"Let's not just stand here..." Jesse linked her arms through both 
theirs. "I want to get some dry clothes..."
	She looked into the parlour and drew in a started breath.
	"Marius!" 
	"Jessica." Marius smiled and rose from sofa. "I'd ask how you are, but 
it appears the answer is 'drenched'! This is not a night for sight seeing, my 
dear fledgling."
	"Louis took me to feed and we became separated," she replied sheepishly, 
as she walked towards him.
	"So he has told me... why don't you and Lestat get into some dry 
clothing.... then we'll talk."
 	"Very good idea." Lestat slapped Marius on the shoulder as he walked 
past him.
	Marius put his hands on Louis' shoulders as Jesse disappeared into the 
bedroom and Lestat went up  to his room on the third floor.
	"You see?  She's perfectly alright,  and none the worse for the weather. 
 And as for being at 'death's door',  as you so colorfully put it, I hardly 
think so. Jessica looks a little tired..."
	"You haven't really *seen* her." Louis interruped Marius, as they 
returned to the sofa. 
	"Perhaps you're too close to see her progress." Marius gave him a 
paternal smile.
	"No... something happened to her tonight... she's changed." He let his 
voice drift away, as Marius indicated they should return to their game of chess.
	In a matter of moments, Jesse came back into the room. She had quicky 
changed into dry clothing. Her towel-dried hair fell in ringlets around her 
faceand spilled over her shoulders in a damp tangle. She sat on the floor at 
Louis' feet to observe the chess game being  played on the low table. Jesse 
slumped down and allowed her head to rest against Louis' leg. 
	"Louis...?"
	"Just a moment...." he moved a chess piece. " What is it Jesse?"
	"About tonight." She looked up into his eyes.
	"Yes...you ran away from me." Louis leaned back and watched as Marius 
took his turn.
	"Pay attention, Louis. I just took your knight." Marius nodded in 
Louis'direction.
	"We can talk later, you finish your game." Jesse sighed. 
	Lestat entered the room and arranged himself in his favorite seat, 
swinging his leg over the damask covered chair arm.  He caught Jesse's eye. 
	::Watch Louis.::  He sent a thought to her. ::Marius is doomed!::
	Jesse lifted her head and observed Louis as he moved his chess piece and 
smiled broadly at Marius.
	"Checkmate!" Louis folded his arms.
	 Marius chuckled
	Lestat tossed back his head and laughed out loud. "Never challenge him 
to a game of chess, he wins every time..."
	"Now, Jesse." Louis began again, " Please go on. You were about to tell 
us why you ran away." He let his hand slip from his lap and come to 
affectionately rest on her damp hair.
	"Um... Would you like to know how I got away so fast?" She hesitantly 
smiled up at him.
	"Not really... I'd like to know *why* you felt you had to run away."
	Jesse sat up and turned towards him. She lifted her face and met his 
eyes. "Louis, I think *that* is between you and me, and not anybody else."
	Louis'  face momentarily registered slight shock at her response. "Very 
well..." His accent betrayed his surprise. "Why don't you tell us *how* you got 
away... we will discuss *why* later."
	Lestat glanced at Marius and quickly scanned him. Marius was trying to 
figure out how Louis had beaten him at chess while trying  to keep an ear on the 
conversation. 
	Again, Lestat sent a thought to Jesse ::We could tell them something 
else, too.::
	Jesse glanced into the bright blue eyes. ::That doesn't deserve an 
answer.:: She shot back.
	She looked from Louis to Marius. "Marius... you know what happened to 
me, don't you?"
	"Yes... Louis told me. You've suffered a great loss."
	"Did he tell you I didn't feed for the longest time?  Did he tell you 
what condition I was in when Lestat found me?" She drew in a deep breath and 
looked into the calm countenence.
	Marius nodded. "I'm aware of your difficulties. You've recovered 
remarkably well, considering your frame of mind warranted you to go to ground."
	"To ground?" She gasped.	
	Lestat was suddenly by her side, pulling her to her feet, slipping an 
arm around her protectively.
	"There wasn't *any way* I would permit her to go to ground. I never 
considered it for a second."
	Louis was on his feet as well, holding her hand and looking her straight 
in the eye. "Neither of us would... we knew you could recover."
	Jesse looked from one to the other, her eyes misting red. "You're too 
good to me... even with your own difficulites. Marius, they've taken such good 
care of me.  Oh, now I'm going to cry..."
	"No you're not." Lestat pulled her close and motioned Louis away. He sat 
on the couch drawing her down beside him and gave her his handkerchief. "If  you 
don't tell Louis and Marius about your latest talent, I will." 
	"I was trying to tell them..." she sniffed, dabbing at her eyes. She 
took a calming breath and looked at Marius. "When Lestat found me in my 
apartment, I was very depleted. I was too weak to hunt... so he told me to drink 
from him... and I did."
	Marius raised a pale eyebrow. "Lestat, did you consider there might be 
changes..."
	Lestat waved his hand and shook his head. "There wasn't time for that. 
Not only was she starving, she was frightened, confused and in pain.  It was my 
only choice. And there's only been one real change..."
	"Apart from her skin?" Marius asked.
	"I can fly." Jesse blurted out the words. She siezed Louis hands. 
"That's how I got away from you... I went straight up."
	"Did you know...?" Louis asked quietly amazed.
	"No... I didn't have the faintest idea. It just ... happened."
	Marius listened seriously. "How do you feel about flight? Did you find 
it frightening... or *dehumanizing*?" He tilted his head to one side while he 
waited for an answer.
	"Dehumanizing?  I didn't think of it in that way... I felt emancipated, 
liberated from myself." Jesse replied candidly.
	"Interesting..." Marius mused. "Fledglings don't usually take that well 
to flight."
	Lestat gave her a squeeze. "She's an uncommon vampire."
	Jesse suddenly picked up part of an exchange between Marius and Lestat. 
"Marius... what was that about you not needing to be here... wait a minute..." 
She looked at Lestat. 
	"Did you call Marius because of me?" Jesse gave him a slightly irritated 
glance.
	"Partly." Lestat smiled. "I knew once you felt better, you wouldn't be 
here very long...so I asked the coven's resident artist to paint your portrait. 
Isn't that right, Marius?"
	Marius nodded.
 	Jesse regarded them suspiciously. "A portrait. Of me? Oh, Lestat... you 
know I can't sit still ..."
	"Oh, but you'll do this one small favor... this one small thing, for 
Louis and me. Please? 
	"I don't know..." She wrinkled her forehead."Why don't you just take my 
picture?  I'm always taking pictures, I've got them all over my apartment..."
	Lestat took her hands in his. For a moment, she thought he was going to 
kiss her. His eyes registered an uncharacteristic tenderness. "I want a proper 
portrait.  Something spectacular..." The laughter returned to his face. "Come 
on, Jesse...  humor me!  I've never really asked you for anything!" 
	She felt as if she had just been swept into his arms again. He wasn't 
asking her to sit for a portrait. He was begging her to come to him and allow 
him to love her. Jesse felt color rising in her face and stared at their clasped 
hands.
	"I hardly know what to say." She whispered. Jesse could feel Marius' 
eyes on them. She smiled and turned to her dark brother. "Louis... You're a 
party to this?"
	Louis nodded.  "I think ir's a wonderful idea."
	"Ha! That's settled!" Lestat playfully took a handful of her hair. "How 
shall we have her arranged, Marius? Shall we have her look like a girl for a 
change?"	
	"I *always* look like a girl, excuse me." Jesse pulled the damp mass of 
ginger curls from his fingers. "I'd like to wear one of your black velvet 
jackets, Louis... and a pair of jeans... so it looks as if I've just come back 
from hunting with you!"
	"No... let me think..." Lestat jumped up and backed away from them, 
framing Jesse in his extended hands."Something 'Empire'... no... Edwardian! 
That's it. Edwardian... a white dress... lace, I should think, don't you agree, 
Marius? And she should wear her hair up... with just a *few* strands loose 
around her face.  Yeeessss..." Lestat pictured her in his mind and sent the 
image to Marius. "And we can arrange her by the fountain..." Lestat drew Marius 
to his feet and down the hall. 
	Jesse slid closer to Louis and leaned back against him. Louis let his 
arms encircle her. He looked down on her as she sighed and closed her eyes. They 
enjoyed the comforting silent communion that was the cornerstone of their 
relationship.
	At length, Jesse opened her eyes, and leaned backward until she could 
see his face. "You know, we were starting to make each other crazy... we almost 
lost it, Louis... we very nearly screwed up our friendship."
	Louis couldn't help but chuckle. 
	"Ma Petite Fleur... I can't help but admire your choice of words... Do 
you know, I've been so protective of you, I haven't been permitting Lestat to 
swear in the house?"
	Jesse smiled and turned to face him. 
	"My darling... I hate to tell you... but you've been making me paranoid 
with all your hovering."
	Louis pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair. "I made you run away, 
didn't I?"
	She lifted her face to his and nodded.
	Louis sighed. "I was just trying to protect you.  I couldn't bear to see 
you suffering."
	Jesse drew her legs under her and sat back on her heels, so that she was 
close to Louis' eye level. She slipped one hand under his hair, letting it rest 
lightly on his neck and gazed into his eyes.
	::Oh, God...:: she thought, ::how can I betray you?::
	"What is going on inside that head of your?" Louis smiled. "You only 
stare like that when you're busy thinking."
	"You and Lestat... is it true? Is it really finished?"
	Louis glanced away from her eyes. "Oui... he's told you then?" He 
lowered his head to avoid the affectionate gaze. The glossy blue-black curtain 
of hair fell forward and obscured his eyes.
	"Yes. He told me. Louis... you can't be serious about ending it...you 
love each other." Jesse smoothed his hair out of his face.
	Louis shook his head slightly. "No... it's over."
	"You can't tell me that you don't love him..."
	"I no longer do. What feelings we shared are no longer with us.  He 
doesn't love me, Jesse. He never really did.  I've had some very fine years with 
him. And I thank the stars that shine for that..." He smiled and touched her 
cheek. "It is time I moved on with my life." He chuckled slightly "Such as it 
is."
	"You're leaving him, aren't you." Jesse could hardly say the words.
	Louis nodded. "Oui.  After you've recovered... when I am sure I am no 
longer needed here, and you have  gone on to where ever you are going.  Then I 
will leave." He smiled slightly to reassure her. "Do you understand this? Oui?"
	Jesse kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around him. :: Oh, I 
understand, My Darling, Louis.:: She thought,  :: but I don't believe a word of 
it.::
	
Part 17 "Images "
(by Kim)

	Jesse sat upon the wrought iron bench in front of the fountain in the 
Rue Royal courtyard. She could hear the water splash from the angel's horn and 
into the basin, and closed her eyes, concentrating on the soothing sound. She 
was concinved she was surrounded by madness.
	When her eyes opened, the scene remain unchanged. Lestat was still 
fussing about some aspect of the setting.  Jesse scowled at him.
	:: I cannot *believe* I agreed to this!:: she thought impatiently as she 
picked at the lacework on  the long white dress Lestat had picked for her. She 
glared at him again.
 	"You know  I *hate* this dress!"
  	Marius peeked around the canvas and gently smiled at Jesse's outburst.
  	"Come now, Jesse. Please sit still and stop fidgeting or this will never 
turn out right."
	 A stray lock of hair had found it's way into her eyes and she blew it 
back in place. Lestat had insisted she wear her hair up in a twist of some kind 
but that she must have strands loose as well. She wanted to laugh out loud when 
she remembered the fuss he created over what she was to wear.
 	Lestat had taken her, forcefully, from one fashionable boutique to the 
next.  Finally, after nights of searching, they  had stumbled on to a small 
anitique shop.  In the window, on a dress form, was an Edwardian gown of spidery 
white lace. From the expression in his eyes, she knew she was doomed.           
 	From there, it had all gone downhill. While he fast-talked the 
proprietor into letting her use his office as a changing room, Jesse realized 
Lestat would never permit her to pose wearing Louis' favourite velvet jacket.
	"Lestat... this is so ridiculous." She called to him from behind the 
closed door,  "If  I sneeze this old material will fall apart..."
	 :::Vampires don't sneeze.::: Came the retort in her mind.
 	Jesse opened the door and stepped out, holding the gown up above her 
sneakers.
	Lestat gave her a dreamy-eyed gaze.
 	"Is this to be Madam's wedding gown?" The owner asked.
  	Before Lestat could reply, Jesse snapped. "NO!"
 	"She's sitting for a portrait." Lestat smiled.
 	Jesse held out her hands and let the fabric drape at her feet. "Oh, 
Please... why can't I just wear  jeans and Louis' jacket? I'd be far more 
comfortable..."
 	"No, no Jesse. You are to look like a *lady* in this picture. Not to 
mention, who wears jeans in a portrait?"
	"Lestat, Marius can paint me from the waist up then! I'm not wearing 
this dress. I look too...too...frilly or something."
 	Lestat moved behind her and with hands on her shoulders, turned her to 
the mirror. Bending down, he whispered softly to her.
  	"Cherie, you're lovely!" Lestat gazed at their reflection. "Please, wear 
this for me."
              Jesse looked into his eyes. "You honestly want me to be painted in 
this?"
              "Yes." He murmured against her cheek, and following the words, 
stepped in front of Jesse and kissed her.
              Jesse stepped back, lowering her head. "If you insist."
             Lestat touched her hand to his lips. "I do ... insist."  And 
without another word to her, he told the proprietor, "We'll take it!" 
	They walked silently to the car. Lestat held the door open for her. 
After he had settled himself behind the wheel, Lestat draped an arm around her 
shoulders and drew her close. She turned her face away  from his.
	"Why?  We're alone, aren't we?" He lifted her chin with a slender 
finger.
              "Can't." Jesse whispered.
	"Louis." He sighed.
              "Yes. Louis. You should be making up to him, not ferrying me 
around shopping..."
              He shook his head. "How can I convince you that it's over and in 
the past?"
	Jesse looked in his stormy blue eyes. 
	"When he moves out. Louis won't leave because he still loves you.."
  	Lestat turned the ignition key.
 	"Very well. I won't bother you again until he moves out." He glanced at 
her as she settled in the black leather seat. "The dress is lovely. Cherie, it's 
only for one time,  and you do look beautiful in it."
 	"Whatever." Jesse answered quietly.

	Now, in the courtyard, she was becoming extremely bored. Jesse wasn't 
one who liked to sit still for hours on end and she was becoming agitated She 
blew the same singular strand of hair out of her face once more and glared at 
Marius,
	"I know we have eternity, Marius, but *this* is ridiculous!"
	"Jesse." Marius warned as he kept painting, "The more you move, the 
longer this takes."
	"You'd think that vampires could paint faster."
 	Jesse sighed and looked over at Lestat.  He was leaning against the 
wall, twirling a branch of
Queen's Wreath between his fingers. He was trying to contain his laughter.
	"Glad you think this is so amusing."
	He only grinned, knowing no one could resist his smile and watched as 
Jesse's eyes narrowed.
	"I know what you're trying to do."
 	He moved slowly, circling around her as she stretched her neck to 
follow. Lestat settled next to her on the bench and nonchalantly handed her the 
branch. Then, he quietly folded his hands in his lap and stared down at them.
 	"So, chere, what am I trying to do?"
 	Jesse titled her head to one side and turned the branch over and over in 
her hands. 
	"You're trying to seduce me." she said with a intonation of gentle 
humor.
 	Lestat raised his head slighly, his stormy gray eyes peering at her 
through the unruly blond mane. He raised one tanned hand and touched her cheek 
with the back of his fingers. He smiled at the silky softness of the 
preternatural skin, bent forward and whispered,
	"You may be right."

	 Marius watched as Lestat's fingers linger perhaps a bit too long on 
Jesse's face. Lestat said something too low for his hearing and he notcied 
Jesse's eyes widened momentarily before he caught a few words of her response,
	"No.....I can't.....not here, you promised... "

	Lestat let his hand drop back to his side and smiled tenderly at her 
before standing up and resuming his posistion behind Marius' shoulder to 
"oversee" the painting.
	Jesse was physically trembling a bit, she bit her lip and stared at 
Marius.   "Marius, please. I'm begging you, just one break. I'm going to lose my 
mind very shortly."
 	Marius looked into the troubled green eyes and he lay down his brush, 
stood up and stretched,
	"Yes, you are right, Jessica. We all need a short rest."
	Relieved, Jesse sprung from the bench and threw her arms around Marius 
and laughed as she kissed his cheek,
	"Thank you, Daddy."
	 Marius smiled, but he could tell that Jesse was still shaken, he let 
the thought go, he would not intervene. Jesse's gaze traveled to the porch 
above. Jesse smiled as she found a kind, gentle pair of emerald eyes meeting her 
own. He looked very concerned and she told him that she would be right up.
 	Gathering up the long skirt and flipping the train over her arm, she 
bounded up the steps, taking them two at a time, to meet Louis on the back 
porch. 
	Louis studied her closely, looking for any sign of pain Lestat may have 
inflicted upon her. He softly laid his hand on her shoulder.
	"You are upset. What did *he* do?"
	Jesse looked up at Louis, a bit taken aback. To Louis, Lestat was no 
only a "he". Louis no longer spoke his name, unless he could avoid it. She could 
feel the deep anger and sadness that Louis so carefully hid behind his eyes. It 
didn't matter if both Lestat and Louis told her it was over, she knew better.
 	"*He* didn't do anything." she sighed, "Why are you being so paranoid 
about
Lestat. He would never hurt any of us."
 	Louis turned his back to her and glanced quickly down and the figures of 
Marius and Lestat below. An unexplainable sadness gripped his heart in a 
wrenching hold. 
	"You do not know that, Jesse." he said softly.
 	Jesse was at a loss for words and she was becoming terribly weary of the 
situation she was in. It was being to suffocate her, this horrible cycle that 
was forming. This cycle of heartbreak that was
 threatening to take over. She slowed exhaled and put a comforting hand on 
Louis' arm,
 	"Take me for a walk after I change?"
 	He nodded slowly and Jesse disappeared into the flat to change out of 
the white dress. Louis went back inside to wait.

 	With Jesse and Louis gone, Marius took the oppertunity to talk with 
Lestat. He noticed Lestat's eyes trailing after Jesse as she left. Lestat now 
stood with his back to Marius, staring at the ground. Marius approached him and 
turned Lestat to face him. He forced their eyes to meet.
	"You realize that Maharet would be very angry if she was hurt." Marius 
calmly stated.
	Lestat snapped to attention and his lips set in a fine line.
	"Excuse me?"
	"You understand what I'm saying. You think that I don't pick up on the 
little things you've been doing with Jesse. What are your intentions, Lestat?"
	Lestat took a step back from Marius, his hands clenched in anger, his 
voice rising with every word. How could Marius ask him such questions, it was 
not his buisness.
	"How *dare* you tell me who I spend my attention on. I love Jesse. I 
would
never hurt her. God knows, I'd *kill* anyone who did."

	Louis stood silently on the balcony, leaning on the railing with his 
elbow. Things were perfectly still until he overhead Lestat's rising voice from 
the courtyard. He was arguing with Marius. He listened for a moment more and 
decided they were talking about Jesse. Lestat must think him blind that he did 
not notice the increased tension between Jesse and Lestat. Although it was 
terribly rude, Louis listened to the voices that were being carried through the 
air.

	"I'm not saying that you would hurt her." Marius said, lowering his 
voice and hoping Lestat would do the same, "But she is fragile and very 
vulnerable."
	Lestat stared at Marius, his mouth agape, disbelieving that Marius would 
insinuate such a thing.
	"Marius." he began, his voice still booming through the night, "Are you 
saying that I would actually hurt her? That I would take advantage of her?"
	Marius nodded, looking away from Lestat. Lestat threw his hands up in 
exasperation.
 	"So glad you look upon me with such respect, Marius. I'm trying my 
hardest to take the pain *out* of her life. If I didn't know that she would 
never forgive me for it, I'd kill that damned mortal who broke her heart. If  
David and Louis hadn't stopped me, he would not be alive now!" 
 	Louis heard Lestat's proclaimation just as Jesse stepped out onto the 
balcony, clad in jeans,tee-shirt and blazer. She smiled.
	"Much better, don't you think?"
	Louis did not hear her comment, the wheels of his mind were turning 
rapidly, forming a plan of action. He felt Jesse hook her arm into his . 
	"Louis?"
	Louis shook himself to life and smiled down upon Jesse, fragile Jesse. 
Jesse who has hurt too much and should not have to deal with such pressing 
problems.
 	"Pardon.  I was lost in thought. Shall we have a stroll?" 
	Louis covered her hand with his as they went back into the parlor and 
left the flat via the front door.
	"Where do you wish to go?" He asked softly, as they walked along the 
pavement.
	"Why don't we people watch? Jackson Square's good for that..." She 
leaned against him.
	They settled on a bench under a streetlamp. 
	"I do like that dress. It suits you." Louis smiled. "I suppose he will 
hang it above the fireplace..."
	"Mmm. " Jesse was looking up, trying to spot a star or two in the sky. 
"I don't care what he does with it..."
	"You don't mean that..." Louis glanced down at her. "You and he have 
always been... close."
	Jesse slipped her hand into his. "Not as close as we are."
	"No." He smiled. "I've always held that honour."
	Jesse leaned back into the circle of his arms and closed her eyes.  
::Back to this, at last,:: she thought. "Best friends?"
	"Oui. Best friends."	
	As Louis mind wanderd back to his earlier thoughts, Jesse relaxed 
against him. At last, the plan was formed, he spoke.
	"Jesse...?"
	"Mmm?" She roused herself from her musings.
	"I think I should tell you... I'm going away for a while."
	"Away... Louis. You can't be seroius! How long?"
	"I don't know... perhaps a few weeks" He sighed.
	"Louis, I won't be here very much longer." She had drawn her face close 
to his. "As soon as the portrait is finished, I'm leaving.  I won't know where 
you are..." Tears started to well in her eyes.
	"I'll let you know where I am... I'll find you. I'll simply call to 
you..." Louis stroked her cheek.
	"Then you really are leaving Lestat?" She was on her feet.
	"Oui. You've known that all along. That was my intention, as soon as you 
were ready to be on your own, I would leave." Louis took hold of her small pale 
hand. "Don't upset yourself, ma cher. Surely you could see this coming?"
	"No." Jesse shook her head. Tears were beginning to spill down her 
cheeks. "You *love* Lestat..."
	Louis rose to his feet and pulled her into his arms. "No... That's past. 
We never truly belonged to each other. The differences are too vast. I was wrong 
to maintain hope..." His voice stopped abruptly. "No, Jesse. He is free and so 
am I.  The only bond between us is that of master and fledgling." 
	Louis offered her his handkerchief, but she waved her hand, dismissing 
it. 
	"I want to go back..." She sniffed, wiping her tears on the back of her 
hand. She didn't wait for Louis. She began walking back toward Royal Street with 
increasing speed until she was running. Louis hurried to keep up with her. She 
ran around the side to the courtyard and flung the gate open.
	Marius looked up, startled. 
	"Jesse? What's happened."
	"Oh, Marius!" She flung herself into his arms.
	Lestat appeared at the top of the steps as Louis entered the garden.
	"Marius..." She wept. "Louis' leaving us!"
	Louis held out his hand. "Only for a little while... but then..."
	Lestat walked down the stairs and over to Louis.
	"Is this true? When are you leaving?"
	"Tomorrow night... Lestat, I'm sorry, I should have told you first..." 
Louis allowed his eyes to meet Lestat's.
	Lestat covered his surprise. "Will this be a long holiday?"
	Louis shook his head. "Two weeks at the most, but as soon as Jesse has 
recovered and is on her own... I shall make other more permanent arrangements."
	Lestat offered his hand to Louis. "I understand. There is nothing to 
keep you here. I wish you well."
	Louis took the offered hand firmly in his own. "Thank you. I wish you 
the same."
	Jesse's eyes met Marius'.
	:::This can't be happening...::: She whispered in the elder's mind.
	:::Jesse,:: Marius replied, :: I believe already has..::

Part 18 "Fulmination"
(by Cathy) 

	The Manhattan twilight colored the university buildings a violet gray.  
 Louis sat on a bench in the granite canyon amidst students.  He seemed to fit 
right in appearing for all the world as a master's or doctoral candidate pale 
from long hours of study, and slightly unkempt enough to suggest rebellion.  He 
had made his research the night before. The geologist was still on campus, 
continuing with his work. Louis had ascertained this one, Marc Di Palo, would 
only be there for another day before returning to his home on the had west 
coast.  He raised his green eyes to the illuminated window on the fifth floor. 
His vampire senses confirmed the information gleaned from last night's 
investigation. Di Palo was up there. Alone. 
	As he stood and gracefully crossed the passage to the geologist's 
building, Louis felt the hunger burning inside his veins. He ignored it. There 
was something stronger than his blood lust at this moment in time. It was his 
anger and hatred for this mortal.  It had been smoldering in the back of his 
subconscious since he had seen this mortal with Jesse. The thought of the blond 
hair against his tanned back, his hands on Jesse's pale body, made his 
preternatural blood boil.  Louis mounted the steps and entered the building. The 
inside door was locked. He listened for mortal sounds in the area, and hearing 
none, shattered the glass and wood frame door with a single kick of his boot. 
His steps echoed in the stairwell as he took each step in turn, until he reach 
the fifth floor.
	The door to room 512 swung open with little force from the white 
fingertips.  Marc Di Palo raised his head from the microscope and glanced toward 
the door.
 	A pale young man had entered the lab. Marc blinked for a moment, to 
refocus from the eyepiece, and regarded him. The figure was not as tall as Marc; 
black hair falling around his face and shoulders in soft waves. His skin was a 
ghastly white... but what was so striking about him were his eyes.  Marc had 
never seen eyes the color of emeralds... green flames...
	"May I help you?" Marc asked, raising himself from the stool and began 
crossing the room toward the young man. As he got closer, his steps faltered. 
There was something unearthly about him. Unearthly and familiar. Where had he 
seen that face before? Had he seen it in a newspaper? A magazine? An 
advertisement on the side of a bus? A face of that beauty, such fine features, 
wouldn't easily be forgotten.
	The figure closed the door and walked towards Marc with fluid grace. He 
stopped directly in front of him and looked into Marc's eyes with a gaze that 
turned Marc's blood to ice. The eyes held them in a paralyzing embrace.
	 After what seemed to be an eternity, Marc opened his mouth and 
stammered, "Do you what to see me about something?"
	The figure lifted his head and breathed in slowly. "I've come quite a 
distance to speak with you on an important matter, Monsieur." The soft baritone 
voice had the brittle edge of a distinct French accent.
	Marc swallowed hard.  Who ever this was, he was certainly scaring the 
hell out of him.  "Do I know you? I.. I mean, do you have an appointment?"
	The figure folded his arms. "*I* need no appointment, Monsieur. Let me 
assure you." The voice was calm, each word measured.  His gaze was penetrating 
to the very fiber of Marc’s soul.
	There was a cold atmosphere of menace permeating the room. Marc stepped 
back. "I don't understand..."
	"You're actions invited me." The figure shook back the ebony tendrils 
from his face. "And it is your actions I come to discuss."
	"Where have I seen you before..." Marc was frantically searching his 
memory bank for the file that matched that face.
               The figure unfolded his arms and advanced a step towards him, 
closing the gap Marc had created. "We have never met.  Believe me, Monsieur...," 
the lips curled into a menacing smile, "We have never met."
	"What is your name? Your business here?... What do you mean, 'my 
actions'?" Marc felt cold perspiration running down is neck, leaving a track 
from his left ear.
	"My name has no meaning for you, Monsieur.  But it is the business.... 
ah, the business I've come to discuss... your actions..."
	Marc saw something flare in the threatening green eyes. He stepped back, 
but found himself  against the wall. He had been walking backward and not known 
it. 
	The stranger raised a thin, white hand and with one beautifully taper 
finger, traced a line down Marc’s neck.  The touch was that of a dead man. Marc 
opened his mouth to cry out in fear, but nothing erupted but a whimper.
	"I have come to warn you." The voice was hynotic, velvety soft.  The 
green eyes narrowed as he began to speak again.  "I want you to sever all 
communications with one Jessica Reeves."
	"Jesse?" Marc whispered. "Jesse? Where is she...?"
	"That, Monsieur, I will never reveal.  You have committed unpardonable 
acts against her."
	"Now wait just a minute..." Marc suddenly found his voice. No one, not 
even this green-eyed ghost made accusations like that to him. After all, Jesse 
was far from a child. A consenting adult, that was the legal term. "She's the 
one who dumped me to go on a dig in some God-forsaken place..."
	The stranger suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled Marc to 
him, eye to eye. 
	"Your relationship with her was built upon deceit," Louis snarled. "Your 
so-called love for her was far from pure and totally calculated to cause pain.  
Jesse's a vulnerable creature. How could you prey upon her?"
	"I was attracted to her...  I thought I loved her!" Marc shouted into 
Louis' face.
	Louis lifted his chin and looked at Marc with through disgust. His face 
so close, Marc could feel the cold breath on his face.
	"You, Monsieur, and your dispicable kind, will never know what love is." 
The voice had dropped to an icy whisper.  "Nor do you deserve it." 
	Recognition flooded through Marc, followed by the taste of terror. 
"You...your picture.. it's on Jesse’s desk!"
	"Oui."
	"Two pictures... one of you in a Columbia sweatshirt and one with 
another man..."
	"Oui. That is Lestat." He spat out the name.  "You should be on your 
knees thanking God that it is I and not Lestat who is here."  Louis hauled him 
around one hundred and eighty degrees and threw him into a chair.  "If it was 
Lestat, let me assure you, you would be a dead man by now!"
	Marc's hand clutched at his throat in terror. "You ... you're going to 
kill me!"
	"No,"  Louis answered softly. "I won't kill you. Although, I have 
thought about it. Yes... on my way here, as I passed Jesse's apartment building, 
I do believe I was planning to kill you."  Louis sat down next to him.
	"May I ask what changed your mind?" Marc whispered.
	"If I would have killed you simply to satisfy my own nature, Jesse would 
never have forgiven me."  He smiled. "You see... in all the world, there is none 
like our Jesse.  I would never do anything to jeopardize our respect or love for 
each other."
	"She's your wife?" Marc croaked.
	"No, Monsieur. Jesse is not my wife." The green-eyed spectre chuckled. 
"She will never be any man's wife, mortal or otherwise. Though she would prove 
to be an interesting companion, I must say."
	Marc scrambled to his feet, falling over the chair.
	"Mortal... or what? Explain yourself..." he moved away from this... this 
man.
	"Jesse and I... Lestat, too, we are all...  how do you say it?... of the 
same mettle?"
	Marc fell backwards against the lab table.  "My God, what are you 
talking about?" He was disintegrating into panic. 
	Louis  was suddenly standing, pulling Marc to his feet to face him 
again. "I am saying, Monsieur, that you should never, never make contact with 
her again. If you do so, I can not and will not stop my actions against you!"
	As Marc watched in horror, Louis drew back his lip to reveal small, 
perfect fangs.
	"Jesus Christ!" Marc cried out.
	"Now you see, Monsieur...," the velvety voice washed over him, "now you 
see... I am not like you.  And neither is our Jesse.  She has been in this 
embodiment for almost seven years."
	"What in God's name are you?" Marc whispered.
	Louis gazed calmly into Marc's blue eyes.
	"Vampyre." Louis replied softly, pronouncing the word so that the tips 
of his fangs showed.
	Marc uttered a cry, but it lodged in his throat. 
	"Oui." Louis gave him a charming smile and patted him on the cheek.
	"You, sir, have had the singular fortune to have been loved by a 
vampire!” Louis smiled. "Does this amuse you?" He released Marc and watched as 
the man sank weakly to the floor.
	Louis gazed down at him with the utmost disdain. Marc looked up at him, 
shaking his head in denial.
	"You don't believe me?" Louis asked quietly, leaning against the table, 
casually hooking one ankle over the other. "Let me assure you, at this moment, 
if I so wished it, I could drain every drop of blood out of your body.  Come to 
think of it... if Jesse hadn't been so damned fond of you,  she would have done 
so. You know, you wouldn't have lasted five minutes if she had decided to take 
you."
	Marc fell backwards onto the floor. Louis reached down and lifted him by 
his shoulder with one hand.
	"I see you do believe me. Bien.  Perhaps I should give you a parting 
blessing before I go?" 
	"B-blessing?" Marc whispered as Louis came closer.
	"Oui.  A blessing.  Accept it from me for the small kindnesses you 
bestowed upon  my Jesse.  She loved you, you know.  You made her happy for a 
brief moment in her eternal life. You should be grateful you are of a gentle 
nature, as I am, Monsieur.  You see, I am not fond of  fatherless children. I 
find them most pathetic... Do you understand?"
	Marc nodded. His children. His three little girls.
	Louis drew closer to Marc. He could feel the cold breath on his neck. 
Louis slowly pressed his lips against Marc's throat, over the pulse that raced 
below the skin.  He could smell the blood flowing beneath the surface and taste 
the warm salt of Marc's perspiration.  "I should give you a vampire's kiss..." 
He pressed the fangs directly over the throbbing vein.
	Closing his eyes, Marc utterd a choked sob. He could feel the pressure 
of the fangs agaist his skin.
	 Louis summoned every ounce of strength in his body, and whispered 
against Marc’s neck.  
	"I should...  but I won't!"
	 Louis drew back and set Marc on his feet. 
	 "Beware." His voice was like distant thunder, echoing in Marc's being. 
"Beware. If you contact her again, I will make sure you receive a visit from 
Lestat.  He is, Monsieur, the Devil Incarnate. He will show you no mercy. Your 
death will be slow and torturous. His hatred is barbarous. He could tear at your 
throat and take your blood, or he could slowly burn you to death with a single 
thought." Louis chuckled. "He may even try both!"
	Louis stepped away from Marc, taking his hands from his shoulders.  He 
pushed his silky black hair out of his eyes with a sweep of his hand. "Lestat is 
older and stronger than I, but he lacks patience.  It was all we could do to 
stop him from killing you."
	"We?" Marc whimpered as he hung onto the table. "You mean there's more 
of you?"
	"Oh, yes...there are... but I won't say how many in our coven.  I 
wouldn't like to anger them. I've annoyed them before. I've learned my lesson. 
I'm now the discreet one."  Louis gave him a smile.  "But I must be going."  
Louis bowed to Marc. "It has been my pleasure, Monsieur."
	"What... I... Who..."  Marc was babbling.
	"Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I didn’t introduce myself, did I? Most thoughtless! 
Most impolite!" Louis turned and gave Marc an engaging smile. "I am The Vampire 
Louis... Bon Soir!"
	Louis left the room as fast as he could, and rushed down the stairs.  
Once outside, he ducked into an alley and sat on the curb. He could hardly 
control the laughter that threatened to bubble up and overcome him, but he 
fought it down.  He amazed  himself! He really had. Louis wondered if he would  
be able to prevent himself from killing Marc the moment he laid eyes on him. But 
he hadn't! He had done a Lestat!  He had toyed with Marc and frightened the 
living daylights out of him. Louis felt his toes curl inside his boots. He could 
hold it in no longer. He threw his head back and laughed. ::The Vampire Louis, 
indeed!:: Louis wiped a crimson tear of laughter on the back of his hand.  Marc 
would not bother Jesse again! He was sure of it. Now, Louis could be assured 
that Jesse would fully recover. 
	Louis stood up and brushed off his clothes. He's have a nice little 
holiday in this city, and then go home to New Orleans.
	In the Geology Lab, Marc Di Palo sat at his desk, head in his hands.  
Was he going crazy? Or had that really been a vampire?  Jesse! A vampire!  Her 
skin was so white, and always so cold to touch! "Oh, Jesus!" he moaned. And with 
that pronouncement, fainted dead away.

Part 19 "Sweet Surrender"
(by Cathy)


	"When can I see it?"
	Marius cleaned a brush and smiled over  to where Jesse sat by the 
fountain. 	
	"When it's finished." He replied to her question.	
	Lestat watched from a discreet distance.
	"It's lovely, Jesse. Really. Very nice work, Marius. It's just what I 
wanted." He nodded towards the elder.
	"May I have a break?" Jesse rubbed her neck. "I've got a knot back here, 
and my face hurts from that simper you insist on..."
	Lestat walked behind her. "I can get rid of the crick in your neck..." 
He crouched behind the bench and placed his fingertips on the muscle spasm and 
worked it free of tension . "How's that?"
	"Mmm," Jesse purred as his strong hand relieved the cramp. She tipped 
her head back and stretched.
	"That's wonderful."
	::You let me touch you,:: came his quiet voice in her mind. 
	::I never said you couldn't,:: she answered.
	::He's not here, Jesse. He's left us..::
	Jesse felt Lestat's hand lightly travel across her shoulder.	
	Marius put the paintbrush down and glanced over at the pair.  Lestat was 
walking away from her and Jesse looked rather glum. She regarded him with green 
eyes tinged with sadness.
	"Why don't we call it a night. You both seem to be missing Louis rather 
badly and your mood is rubbing off on me."  He covered the canvas and wiped his 
hands on a cloth. "I'm going for a walk. Jesse? Lestat? Care to accompany me?"
	Jesse waved him off. 
	"No... I fed earlier. I think I'll read a bit then go to sleep." She 
gathered the skirt and train of the dress together. "This dress is a real 
pain... Marius.. you really should paint Lestat... give him a taste of this 
torture."
	"In the dress?" Lestat smirked playfully.
	"No, you twit. Just to make you stand still."  Jesse threw him an 
annoyed glance as she climbed the steps. 
	Lestat half-chuckled at her remark, pulled off a small tendril of the 
Queen's Wreath vine and stared blankly at it.
	"You know," Marius began, "I could tell you where he is."
	"Don't bother." Lestat sighed. "It's all over and done with. Time to 
move on."
	Marius walked up to the blond vampire and put a comforting hand on his 
shoulder. "He's brooding, that's all."
	"He's been brooding for three and a half months. It's better this way. 
He'll come back and tell me he's found a smashing townhouse somewhere and I 
should come to visit when ever I wish." Lestat shook his head and then gave 
Marius a bright smile. "Besides, I have other fish to fry."
	"Jesse wouldn't be the fish in question, would she?" Marius sat on the 
arm of the bench and looked up into Lestat's face.	
	Lestat was silent for a moment. He took a quick breath and glanced 
sideways at Marius. 
	"If she'll have me."
	"And so that is what has been happening.  I thought as much.  I won't 
have her hurt..."
	"Here we go again!" Lestat threw his hands in the air. "Just for once it 
would be very nice if someone was to worry if Lestat was the one who's feelings 
got shredded." He walked over to the fountain and gazed into the splashing 
water. "Don't let me keep you from your constitutional, Marius," he mumbled. 
	Lestat heard the gate close behind Marius. ::He makes almost as much 
noise as...:: "No.." Lestat said aloud. "He's put me out of his life. I can put 
him out of mine."
	 Slowly, he crossed the courtyard and climbed the stairs to the porch. 
Through the screen door, he could see Jesse leave her room. Preoccupied and 
unaware of his presence, she walked down the hall to the front parlor. As she 
gracefully moved, she removed the pins that held her hair in the upsweep. Lestat 
watched spellbound as she removed one, two, three hairpins. She ran her fingers 
through  the tresses and gave it a humorous shake. The magnificent cascade of 
red-gold curls spilled down her back. She gave a contented sigh, took a long, 
delicious stretch, and disappeared into the parlor.
	Lestat stood motionless gazing after her. How unconsciously beautiful 
she was, moving  sylph-like through the shadowy hall. After making a physical 
effort, Lestat opened the door and followed her to the room.
	 Jesse stood in front of the armoire that contained his sound  system, 
deciding which CD to play.
	"What are you in the mood for?" He asked, walking up behind her.
	"Oh," She sighed. "I don't know. Something sweet and soft."
	"Sweet and soft..." He cupped his hand to his chin and tapped the end of 
his nose with his index finger. "...Chopin? No... that's diabetic..."
	Jesse laughed. "No... dance music, Lestat."
	"Dance? You'd like to go dancing?" He smiled.
	"No, I'd rather stay in... most of the clubs we've gone to are too noisy 
or too crowded. Besides, we look silly dancing together, you're too tall and I'm 
too short.  Why don't you find something on the radio?"
She smiled up into his eyes.
	"We do not look silly. See here... You put on *your* shoes, I'll take 
off my boots." He hopped on one foot while he drew off his gray suede cowboy 
boot. 
	Jesse sank into the chair laughing. He glanced up, still standing on one 
foot, holding his right boot by the heel.
	"What's so funny?"
	"You," she giggled. "I don't know why you wear those things... you're so 
much taller than me anyway."
	Lestat removed the left boot and dropped them both to the floor with a 
thud. "I should buy *you* a pair. Add a little height."
	"No, thank you." She smiled, leaning back into the chair. "I like the 
way I am. Thanks to you, vampire groupies are looking for a very tall Jessica 
Reeves, who's a good ten years older than I am... was... whatever!"
	Lestat perched on the arm of the chair facing her. "Had to do something 
to protect the youngest fledgling." He smiled down at her and placed his hand on 
the opposite armrest. 
	Jesse lifted her face to return the smile and met his gaze. "So, you 
gave me a new identity...  taller, older, slightly unbalanced..."
	Lestat bent forward, "...distant and unfeeling..."
	Jesse leaned in, and lifted her hand to his shoulder. She closed her 
eyes as he bent to kiss her.
	 As their lips touched, they heard the back door close and they jumped 
apart. Lestat grabbed his boots in one hand and Jesse' hand in the other. He 
pulled her out of the chair and pushed her out onto the balcony. 
	"Are you crazy? Lestat! I don't have my shoes..." Jesse hissed.
	"Doesn't matter..." he told her.  "Marius! We're just off...don't wait 
up." He grasped Jesse around her waist and took to the night sky.
	They landed in a rooftop garden, not too far from the flat they had 
left.
	Jesse looked around. "Where are we?"
	"My penthouse," Lestat smiled, as he unlocked the door with his mind. 
	"This is never a penthouse, Lestat." Jesse suppressed a giggle. Lestat 
always had to have the biggest and the grandest of everything. 'It's only four 
floors up! My place in New York is higher than this!"
	Lestat turned to her and lifted his chin, "By New Orleans standards, 
this is a penthouse."
	"Well, excuse me!" Jesse sniffed in mock offense.
	He held the door open for her as she walked past him. 
	"It's a wonder you don't have a marble crypt in the corner of the 
garden. Mojo could use it for a doghouse when you weren't sleeping."
	"That sounds quite novel!" He grinned at her. "Now, go sit on the couch 
like a good girl... mind the two steps down, the living room's sunken."
	Jesse looked around. This apartment was the opposite of the Rue Royale 
flat. This was modern, brightly illuminated with recessed lighting. The 
paintings that hung on the pastel walls were modern. There wasn't an antique in 
sight.
	Jesse sat down on the ivory leather sofa. "Now, what?"
	Lestat stood in front of her, hands behind his back. "Close your eyes."
	"Why?"
	"Just do as you're told."
	Jesse made a face and closed her eyes. "Happy?"
	"Very."
	Lestat pulled the moiré satin draperies back to reveal a huge picture 
window over looking the twinkling lights on the Mississippi River. With a 
thought, he extinguished the lights and sat next to Jesse on the sofa.
	"May I look?" Jesse asked softly.
	"Of course."
	Jesse opened her eyes and gasped. "Oh... it's so beautiful..." She rose 
to her feet and walked over to the window. "You know, I like this flat even more 
than the other."
	Lestat joined her at the window, slipping his arm around her waist.
	Jesse lifted her face to his. Lestat fondly touched her cheek. Slowly, 
he bent to touch his lips to hers. The kiss was soft and gentle. Jesse felt his 
warmth shimmer through her. 
	He drew back, kissing her eyelids and forehead, and then held her 
tightly to his chest.
	"I've been wanting to do that for the longest time," he whispered, 
stroking her hair. "Do you think we could try that again?"
	Tipping her head back, Jesse looked up into his eyes. 
	"Lestat..., " she whispered, "I want to kiss you, but I don't think I 
should."
	He smiled. "Why not? Didn't you like it?" Now he was teasing.
	"Of course I liked it... "
	"Well, then." He slipped his hand  into her hair and let it rest on the 
nape of her neck.. "There's nothing stopping us, is there?"
	Jesse regarded him seriously. "Lestat, if you go on like this, I could 
fall in love with you."
	There. She had said it. Jesse closed her eyes. She hadn't meant to tell 
him.
	"What would be so bad about that?" He replied in a soft voice. Lestat 
bent forward and touched his cheek to hers. "I could fall in love with you 
without half trying."
	"You shouldn't have to 'try to fall in love' with someone." She answered 
quietly.
	 "Let me try, Jess. " Lestat could feel her trembling in his arms as he 
pressed his mouth to hers again.
	Jesse returned his kiss, allowing herself to melt into his arms. She was 
there, with him, in his arms. This was what she had always wanted...  Her 
passion for him crashed through her body as she kissed him deeply, tasting him, 
wanting him.
	Breathless, she drew back, resting her head against his chest.
	"I can't," Jesse whispered.  She slipped out of his arms and stood in 
front of him, her arms wrapped around herself, her head down. "I can't. There'd 
always be a big Louis-shaped empty place in your soul. If  we were to love each 
other, it would have to be completely, totally. You love Louis. You always have 
and you always will." She turned away from him and sank down onto the sofa.
	Lestat followed and knelt before her. 
	"He's gone, Jess.  It was over before he left New Orleans.  He doesn't 
love me."
	Jesse looked into his eyes. "You can't even say his name, can you?"
	He moved closer and placed his fingertips under her chin.
	"Louis no longer loves me or needs me." Lestat began, "I need you, Dark 
Angel."
	As she watched, he took his hand from her face and brought his thumb to 
his own mouth.
Jesse drew in a sharp breath as he pierced the skin with his fang.
	Slowly, deliberately, Lestat brought his hand to her face, and cradling 
her cheek, pressed his crimson essence to her lips. 
	"Oh, God, Lestat..."she whispered.
	A small moan escaped from her, as she took his bleeding thumb into her 
mouth. There it was, again, the warm radiance of his blood.
	Lestat drew closer to her, and felt her hands on his shoulders, in his 
hair.
	"I treasure your soft, feminine humanity... your loyalties to those you 
love." Lestat whispered as he withdrew his thumb from her mouth.
	 Her eyes, dark with passion, were locked onto his. The taste of his 
spirit lingered on her tongue.
	 "But Jesse... you are no longer human, you are vampyre. I want you..." 
He covered her mouth in a soul stirring kiss, biting her lip, tasting her blood, 
wanting more. "Come to me," he whispered. "Sweet Jesse, come to me..."
	She felt him nuzzle against her neck, his breath on her skin. His 
silky-soft hair against her cheek enticed her. Breathlessly, she realized he was 
drinking from her. Jesse was so overwhelmed by her emotions and he had taken her 
so gently, she hadn't  noticed when he slipped his fangs into her neck.  Jesse 
clung to him, the scent of his blood rising to meet her. She cold feel his pulse 
thundering under his skin, as she pressed her lips to his skin.
	The sweet warmth of her blood poured into Lestat. Her essence tasted of 
the ages, of knowledge, of love. He caught fleeting images of Jesse's mortal 
life; the angelic child, the questioning teenager, the determined adult. There 
were flashes of her ill-fated investigation of the Rue Royal flat, of her ride 
from Sonoma to his concert , and yes, he saw himself through her mortal eyes and 
heard his own voice "Love you, Jesse... Beautiful Jesse..." Visions of her 
making spiraled past him, The Twins reunited, Akasha beheaded. He heard the 
crashing surf on the beach of Night Island... and there it was, the beginnings 
of her love for him. He felt surrounded, embraced by that love. 
	Lestat roused himself;  not too much... don't drink too much...control 
the urge to lose yourself in her being, in her soul. He withdrew from her 
carefully, gently.
	"You taste of moonlight and starshine, of sweet millennia past..." he 
whispered. "Drink from me, my lovely Angel of the Night."
	Lestat waited for the first rapturous moment when her fangs would slice 
through his flesh and she would take his blood. He felt her arms tightened 
around him and then an unexpected sob shook her body. Jesse buried her face into 
his neck, weeping.
	He held her, not knowing why she would cry.
	::Tell, me...:: he whispered into her mind.
	She lifted her face to his and shook her head. "You love him. I know 
it... I *feel* it.  Even though he's rejected you, you still love him. You can't 
deny it." She took his face in her hands and tearfully gazed deep into his eyes. 
"You are the most seductive, the most irresistible vampire on earth. But we 
can't be together..., because Louis' in your heart,  and will always be there."
	Lestat closed his eyes. He knew she was right. He couldn't deny it. 
	"I'm sorry, Jess." He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
	She stroked his face tenderly. "If we became lovers, we'd no longer be 
friends."
	Lestat took the place next to her on the couch. He raked his hair from 
his face, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. 
	They sat in the dark, the twinkling lights on the river before them. 
Finally, Lestat broke the silence.
	 "I don't usually admit when I'm wrong. I guess we were both vulnerable 
and I shouldn't have taken advantage of that.  Forgive me, Jess? Still friends?"
	She took his hand and squeezed it. "Always... and there's nothing to 
forgive."
	Another silence.
	"He'll be back, Lestat. You'll see." She said softly.
	"I've lost him, Jess. This time it's for good."
	Jesse turned to him. 
	"Maybe he'll surprise you. Maybe he'll get lonely, come back and then 
you can patch it up."
	Lestat squeezed her hand.  "I hope so, Jess. Come on. Let's go home."


  	Jesse felt the gentle nudge, and heard her name softly called. At first 
she thought it was a dream. She opened her eyes slightly and gazed into the face 
of Lestat.
	"Wake up, Jess. I've something to show you, but it won't last!"
	"Wha...?" She blinked at the brightness of her room. Lestat had opened 
the heavy draperies to let in the early evening light. " It's too early...." She 
turned away from him, pulling the covers over her head.
	"Jesse! Come on!  Get up!" 
	He was pulling the covers off her body, pulling her out of the bed.
	"Lestat! Are you out of your mind?"  She snapped, sitting up, peering at 
him.
	He gave her a very determined expression. "I said... get up!" He lifted 
her from the bed and stood her on her feet. "Now, come with me... hurry!" 
Grabbing her hand, Lestat pulled Jesse from the bedroom, down the hall, and out 
the back door to the porch. The lingering light in the sky, caused her to cover 
her face.
	"What is going on!" She turned away from the brightness, shading her 
eyes from the light, burying her face in his chest . "What are you trying to do? 
Blind me?"
	Lestat seized her by the shoulders and spun her around, her back to him. 
He crouched down slightly, pointed to the sky and peered over her shoulder.
	 "*LOOK*!"
	Squinting at first, she looked up into the sky. Then, her eyes widening 
in amazement, Jesse gasped, not believing what she beheld.
	"Lestat... it's BLUE!  The sky's still blue!"
	He put his arm around her shoulder, and joined her in admiring the sky.
	"If you rise very, very early, you can catch this... We're facing east, 
the sun's to our backs... later, you can try to watch the end of the sunset as 
the sky darkens." He watched her face, as she stared in wonder at the deepening 
blue sky. "I wanted to give this to you... to try and make up for last night."
	She turned her face up to the early evening sky.  "Thank you. I've 
missed the beautiful blue sky so much."
	"You knew I was strong enough to see this, didn't you? You knew I had 
the strength to be able to see the last glimmer of blue sky... to withstand this 
amount of light." Her voice was breathless in wonder, as she continued to gaze 
at the deepening azure, as the day faded to dusk.
	"I knew you were strong the night you discovered you could fly." Lestat 
hugged her tightly.
	Jesse didn't hear him as she watched the changing color as night 
approached. Soon, they'd again be shrouded in darkness. But for Jesse, the 
shadows that had covered her heart was gone, and replaced by the brightness of 
the last vestiges of day. She had an eternity of blazing sunsets waiting for 
her.
	
Part 20 "Homecoming"
(Kim)

	"Now, I want you to stand just there..." 
          	Lestat guided Jesse to a place directly in front of the 
fireplace. She giggled slightly. 
	 Marius sat on the sofa with an amused expression on his face.
 	"Don't you think you are going a bit too far, Lestat?" Marius asked, as 
he watched Lestat moving Jesse slightly to the left of the hearth.
	"No. I want this to be a splendid moment. And if we're the only ones 
here to enjoy it, so be it!" Lestat glanced at Marius. "Now then, Marius. I want 
you to stand next to Jesse.  I shall be the one to unveil this picture...  "
  	Marius rose and walked over to join the pair.
	"I thought I was going to do that..." Marius began.
	Jesse leaned against him, laughing. 
	"Humor him, Marius. Humor him. You know what he's like when he doesn't 
get his own way." Jesse looked up at Lestat. "Go ahead, 'Brat', get it over 
with. We may be immortal, be we don't have all night! You promised me we'd go 
out..."
	Lestat folded his arms. "I want to savor the moment, Jess. Please!"
	"Can't we wait 'til Louis gets back?" Jesse asked, half serious, half 
trying to annoy Lestat. "We should have invited David..."
	"I'll inform you, Mademoiselle, that David Talbot, lord of the manor and 
vampire, seems to be holed up in the beloved halls of him family estate, sitting 
in front of his fire, *staring* at cups of tea. The last time I spoke with him 
on the phone he was quite contented." Lestat smiled at her. "He'll come back 
when he feels like it. And as for Monsieur de Pointe du Lac, I never know what 
he's thinking..."
	Jesse rolled her eyes. "Lestat. Get this over with!"
               "The grand moment has arrived!" Lestat walked over to the 
fireplace. Above it, hung a painting draped in black velvet fabric..
	"Finally!" sighed Jesse.
	"Lady and gentleman... I give you Jessica Reeves..." Lestat pulled  the 
corner of the cloth. The velvet drape slithered off the painting and on to the 
floor. The portrait of Jesse, smiling most charmingly, holding a stem of  
'Queen's Wreath' in her hand, was revealed.
	"That's wonderful, Marius. Thank you." Lestat bowed to him. "What do you 
think, Jess?"
	"It looks like me... at least you didn't paint me cross-eyed and 
buck-toothed." She smiled to Marius.
	"I still think it needs more work..." Marius took a step closer to the 
painting.
	"It's perfect. Just what I wanted." Lestat nodded.
	"Can we *go* now, Lestat?" Jesse sighed.
	"Let me change..." Lestat placed a kiss on her cheek on his way out of 
the room.
	"Clothes Horse!" She called after him, and walked to the back porch.
               As she waited, Jesse could hear the hall clock chime out the  
hour of twelve. "The witching hour indeed." She smiled softly to herself. Jesse 
closed her eyes and let the sound of the melodious chime envelop her for one 
small moment. The clock, always present and punctual, had been her constant 
companion on her road back.  It had ticked away the nights when she was at her 
lowest ebb.  She had heard it strike the quarter hour as Louis stepped into a 
cab the night he had left. And now, it's slow, methodical pulse kept her company 
as she waited for Lestat to ready himself for the evening's adventure.
	The closeness between she and Lestat had not diminished after their try 
at a romance.  The bond they now shared was one of friendship based on reality, 
not fanciful thoughts of what might have been.  In spite of his brash attitude, 
there were times when he was far more vulnerable than she. As much as she missed 
Louis, she knew Lestat ached because of his departure, and longed for his 
return.
               Jesse yawned and stared down into the courtyard garden. All 
peaceful. She watched curiously as the gate swung open, seemingly by itself. Her 
mind snapped to attention.
	"Who's there?" She called.
        	The form of a young man, golden skin and warm brown eyes which 
reflected knowledge past his 
years stepped into the small garden below. Holding up his hands in mock defeat, 
he smiled up at Jesse.
	"Don't shoot."
                Jesse gasped.
	"LESTAT! MARIUS! David's home," she cried, vaulting the railing and 
landing directly in front of him. She threw her arms around his neck and smiled.
      	"After the problems I gave you, I wasn't sure if you'd ever want to see 
me again!."
	David laughed at her impulsive welcome. He squeezed her affectionately 
and held her at arms length.
                "Never, my dear child. Never."  He pressed a kiss to her 
forehead
                Lestat and Marius appeared in back of Jesse. She took David's 
hand and led him to the elder vampire.
               "Marius, I'd like you to meet my very good friend, David Talbot."
                Marius smiled warmly, "Jesse has told me much about you."
              Before Marius could say another word, Lestat had his arms around 
David.
         	"Welcome home, that is if you still want it to be your home." 
Lestat grinned. "I was beginning to wonder if you, too, had decided to leave the 
nest."
         	David seriously met Lestat's eyes. "What do you mean?"
         	"Louis' gone," Lestat replied quietly.
        	"I'm very sorry to hear that." David answered, somberly. Then 
changing the subject, he turned to Jesse. "By the by, I quite forgot... there's 
someone to see you, Jesse, at the gate.
        	"Who would that be?" Jesse asked. She glanced over her shoulder 
at the  courtyard gate. There, dressed in simple black jeans and a green silk 
shirt, stood Louis.
        	Louis smiled, his emerald eyes sparkling with mischief as he 
regarded his friends. 
	Jesse's eyes grew large as saucers. She rushed forward, literally 
pouncing upon Louis and wrapped her arms tightly around him, refusing to let go.
      	"Louis!" she cried "I didn't think you would *ever* come home!"
        	Louis enfolded her within his arms and laughed.
              "With a reception like that, you would think I've been gone 
forever."
        	Jesse grinned up at him, a sudden contentment washing over her 
as if the pieces of a puzzle had suddenly fallen back into place.
        	"It *was* forever," she whispered.
        	He pressed a kiss to her cheek and smiled to the others.
        	Marius smiled and offered his hand to Louis
        	"You've been thoroughly missed , Louis."
        	"It's good to be back, Marius."
        	Louis' gaze turned to Lestat, a gaze full of acceptance and 
friendship. Lestat stood, looking shocked and in disbelief. Louis smiled.
        	"Lestat."
        	Not a question, accusation, simply a statement meant to 
encourage some show of life within Lestat. 
	Lestat blinked twice, his mouth curling up into a grin.
        	"Louis." he said, mocking Louis' tone of voice. "Are you just 
going to stand there the entire night and grin like The Cheshire Cat?"
        	Lestat's sapphire eyes sparkled, his old demeanor suddenly 
kindled back to life.
        	"Why not? Does it bother you?" He chuckled.
       	Louis laughed softly, "Not particularly."
              Lestat laughed and stepped forward to embrace Louis. Lestat 
squeezed tightly and whispered,
"I missed you."
        	Louis slowly drew back from Lestat, drawing a raised eyebrow 
from the blond demon. Louis nodded.  "I missed you too."
	 He turned to Jesse, " I really wasn't gone all that long!"
       	"Long enough!" She replied.
        	Lestat took a hold of Louis's arm and directed him towards the 
house, he nodded towards the flat.
        	"Come. Let's go in. You've only just missed the grand unveiling 
of Jesse's portrait."
        	Louis picked up a leather duffel bag and looked at Jesse.   "Are 
you coming in with me?"
       	"We'll be up in a minute, I want to talk to David, first." She replied.
        	When the others had filed into the house, Jesse motioned to the 
bench by the fountain. David nodded and they settled there, resting for a moment 
to listen to the calm splash of the water into the stone basin. Jesse turned to 
David and put a hand on his arm,
         	"I wanted to thank you, David."
        	David looked down at her, one brown eyebrow lifted in question. 
"For what, Jesse?"
        	Jesse looked away from him and into the fountain. She gathered 
her thoughts as she watched the water swirl about.
        	"For taking such good care of me in England. I don't think I 
knew what I was doing.  I didn't mean to be such trouble."
             David took her hand and squeezed gently.
             "Jesse, my sweet child, you are NEVER too much trouble. I was 
worried, I wanted to take care of you."
             Jesse smiled, she didn't think she deserved such friends as David 
or Louis, or the rest of the coven. They were so understanding and accepting, so 
at ease with themselves and their dark life.
        	"You will Jesse, it takes a different amount of time for all of 
us." David said softly, placing an arm around her shoulders. 
	"I hope so." I don't want to spend eternity as a basket case." She 
grinned.
       	 Jesse stood to her feet, pulling David up with her, she hooked her arm 
in his and led him towards the house. 
             "When I return home, you shall not be a stranger. You must come and 
visit me often, promise?"
       	 David smiled as they climbed the steps to the flat.
       	"Of course."
        	When they reached the door, they heard  laughing voices coming 
from the front parlor. They entered the room and found Louis and Lestat standing 
together in front of the fireplace, admiring Jesse's portrait.  Marius was 
perched on the arm of the great leather chair near, quietly sketching.
        	"I'm glad you're here." Louis smiled at David and Jesse, "I've 
brought gifts for everyone."
        	Louis zipped open the leather bag in front of him and took out 
two gold foil wrapped objects and handed them to David and Marius.  Louis 
watched on in approval as David and Marius opened the packages. They both held 
up the books after unwrapping them.
       	"They're first editions." Louis explained, "I was going to send yours to 
England, David, but you might as well have it now."
        	"You shouldn't have." Marius admonished Louis.
        	"Nonsense!"
        	Jesse sighed and settled into an armchair, it was so nice to 
have everyone gathered once more in one room. A sense of unity had descended 
upon her since David and Louis walked through the gate, it was comforting. The 
fact that they were all together and being pleasant to one another had a calming 
effect on everyone. 
        	Louis slipped his hand into a corner of the duffel bag and 
withdrew a velvet box. He crossed the room and placed it in Jesse's hand.
        	"Pour moi?" she asked.
       	"Oui."
       	 He watched as Jesse opened it slowly, as if something would pop out at 
her.
        	"Oh Louis! It's beautiful."
        	Jesse took out the shining, gold cuff bracelet from the box. She 
turned it over in her hands, running her fingers over the smooth metal.
	Louis grinned as he took it from her and placed it on her wrist.
        	"It's from Tiffany's. I saw it in the window and knew it was for 
you."
       	 Jesse hugged him.  " I loved you," she whispered.
 	Louis stood and walked to place himself in front of Lestat. Lestat 
pretended  to be devastated.
       	"What? Nothing for me?"
       	"Come now, Lestat. Would I forget you?" Louis touched Lestat's arm. 
"Your present is being shipped."
        	Lestat raised an eyebrow, "Shipped?"
       	"I bought you a Renoir for the flat, I though you'd like it."
       	 Lestat him. Louis drew back. Lestat flashed an embarrassed grin,
        	"Sorry. I love it! Thank you." Lestat turned towards the rest of 
the room, he put a hand on Louis' shoulder and made an encompassing gesture with 
his hand.
        	"A coven, once more!"
       	 Marius looked up at them, looked back down at his paper and then 
immediately back up to them again,
      	 "Wait! Don't move! That's perfect!"
        	Louis regarded Marius questioningly, he shook his jet black hair 
away from his face unconsciously,
        	"What's perfect?"
       	 Marius stood up and smiled, he gather his blond mane into a ponytail at 
the nape of his neck,
              "Why, your pose of course. I'm going to paint you two. Now wait 
while I go get my supplies." Marius rushed out of the room.
             "Jessica, don't let them move a muscle!" Marius yelled to her.
        	Lestat glared after Marius. "If you think I'm going to stand 
here for hours on end just to satisfy your little painting whim......"
        	Louis cleared his throat and nodded towards Jesse who was 
wearing a smile saturated in sugar.
              "Ummmm....." Lestat lost all capability to speak.
              "Sound familiar Louis?" Jesse began as she circled the pair. 
"Standing there for hours on end to satisfy someone's little whim?"
              Louis laughed, green eyes twinkling in the low light of the room.
             "It sounds vaguely familiar Jesse..."
        	They both laughed together, David joining in as well.
        	"Whims? Oh, no one is *this* room ever demands us to satisfy his 
little whims, now does he?" David cast a glance at Lestat.
              Everyone burst out laughing as Marius rushed back into the room, 
easel and paint supplies in hand.
             "Very well." Lestat protested, "You've all made your point!"
              Marius began to make little changes in their poses, tilting their 
heads, changing the placement of Lestat's hand on Louis's shoulder, all while 
Lestat complained very audibly. Marius satisfied with their position, stood in 
front of the canvas and began to paint. One delicate stroke after another, two 
figures coming to life on the canvas.
        	Marius stuck his head out from behind the canvas.
       	 "Now, don't move an inch," he told them. "Louis! Stop grinning.".
        	"Sorry, Marius."
        	Louis tried to contain his amusement as Lestat began to grumble.
        	"It's been 5 minutes and I'm sick of standing still!" Lestat 
said exasperated. Louis lost composure and began to laugh.
	Lestat shot a glance back at him. "Don't you start."
              Jesse laughed as she leaned against the French doors which lead to 
the balcony,
              "You know what they say, my brave knight, 'what goes around, comes 
around!'"
              "Very funny." Lestat smirked.
              It was as though the eye in the center of a hurricane was passing 
over them. It's frantic winds ending for a moment in time, just to let it's 
victims rest and regroup. This feeling was a breath of fresh air for all the 
room's inhabitants whose lives had been in turmoil for too long.
        	So the painting went on, the sound of Marius' brush stroking the 
canvas to the insane mumbling of Lestat. Jesse regarded the scene casually, a 
drowsy happiness descending upon her like the haze in between
sleep and consciousness.
        	"One happy family." she whispered, as she walked out onto the 
balcony for a breath of air. She grasped the railing and leaned back, 
stretching, shaking her hair slightly in the soft breeze. The night... how she 
loved it, the gentle cool wind, the stars, the stillness. She missed the sun, 
but she could never give up the night.
        	Then from the street, a baritone voice, soft and warm, called to 
her.
        	"Miss Reeves? Jesse? Is that you?"
        	Jesse froze, suddenly en gard. The warm haze being quickly 
replaced by the cold, metallic feel of reality.
        	"Who's calling me?" Jesse answered. "Who are you? Show 
yourself."

Part 21 "Voices Far, Voices Near "
(Cathy)

	"What is it, Jess?"
	Lestat was at her side, an arm protectively around her waist.
	"Someone called to me from the street just now... a man." She looked up 
into Lestat's face.
	"Is something wrong?" Louis joined them, taking in the image of Jesse 
and Lestat standing  together on the balcony.
	Lestat held up a hand for silence as he scanned. 
	"Vampyre..." he whispered. "He's strong... shielding his thoughts from 
us." He glanced at Jesse. "Stay here  with Louis." Lestat vaulted the balcony's 
railing and landed soundlessly in the street below.
	"Show yourself. Before you can speak to Jesse, you've got to deal with 
The Vampire Lestat." He stood in the middle of Royal Street, arms at his sides, 
firm stance, aloof.  
	From out of a shadow, a dark, slender figure appeared. The vampire 
approached Lestat.
	"Monsieur. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alexandre du Rand. I 
am the emissary of Maharet."
 	Lestat folded his arms and regarded him disdainfully.   
	"I didn't know Maharet *needed* an emissary." Lestat shook his hair out 
of his eyes. "Why are you
bothering Jesse."
	"Maharet has sent me to her; to inquire after her, to bring her 
greetings and to escort her home."
	Lestat glared at him.  "Jesse's not going anywhere. She's staying with 
me," Lestat snarled, his fangs bared.
	"It's alright, Lestat." Jesse was at his side. She touched Lestat's arm. 
"If Maharet has sent this gentleman to see me, we should greet him as a friend." 
Jesse stepped toward the graceful figure and extended her hand to him.
	"I'm Jessica Reeves... Maharet has sent you to me?"
	The vampire took her hand, kissed it and bowed deeply. He looked into 
Jesse's eyes and smiled slightly.
	"Maharet has bid me to you.  I am ..."
	"Alexandre du Rand." Lestat interrupted him. "Yes, we know all that." 
	David appeared on the balcony and stood next to Louis. "What's going 
on?" He asked quietly
	"I have come from Rangoon to see you, my lady." The emissary placed his 
hand over his heart and bowed again.
	"He's French." Louis whispered upon hearing the stranger's accent.
	"No..." David shook his head. " North African,  his manners are 
Arabic..."	
	Jesse turned to Lestat. "Please, may I talk with him, *alone*?"
	Lestat looked down his nose at the emissary. "Call me if you need me, 
Jess."
	She smiled to the stranger. "Please, why don't we talk in the garden?"
	He bowed again and offered her his arm
	"Please, lead the way, my lady.," The stranger said and escorted her 
from the street.
	Lestat joined Louis and David on the balcony in one cat-like leap.
	David smiled to Lestat as he turned to walk back into the parlor. "It 
seems our Jesse has an admirer."
	"Maharet sent him." Lestat grumbled.
	"Then we should make him welcome." Louis replied, leaning against the 
ornate balcony railing.
	Lestat sighed and glanced at Louis, "We shan't let this ruin your 
homecoming, eh? What were you doing in New York, anyway?"
	Louis gazed through the glass doors, back into the brightly illuminated 
room.
	"I had some business to attend to, with Jesse's former lover." His voice 
had an edge to it
	"Mon Dieu..." Lestat whispered, amazed. "You went to New York and killed 
him, didn't you? You avenged Jesse..."
	"I did nothing of the sort." Louis answered. "I paid him a little visit. 
I *frightened* him, that's all. He won't
bother her again."
	Lestat gazed at Louis incredulously. "What did you *do* to him?"
	"Not so much what I did, as what I said." Louis tilted his head 
slightly. "I told him Jesse was one of us, and I told him if he persisted in his 
attentions, you'd incinerate him."
	"I'd tear him limb from limb first." Lestat growled.
	"That too." Louis turned to Lestat and smiled. "I frightened him 
considerably... he called me a 'green eyed ghost..."
	"No... phantom... phantom's the word, Louis... ghosts are common, a 
phantom is tres elegant...," Lestat smiled to Louis and draped an arm around his 
shoulder.
	Louis chuckled, nodding in agreement.

 	In the courtyard garden, Jesse sat on one of the wrought iron chairs and 
looked up into the face of Alexandre du Rand. A handsome face to be sure, she 
mused. He was slightly taller than Louis, slim and graceful in manner. His dark 
complexion and accent betrayed an North African  background. 
   	"Monsieur, may I ask, where is your home?" Jesse motioned for him to sit 
down on the chair next to hers.
	"I am from the north of Africa originally, my lady. My father was 
French, my mother was from Algeria." He sat on the edge of the chair, smiling 
gently.
	"You are not of this century." Jesse crossed her legs . "I can tell, 
you're very much like our Louis. I'm very good at placing mortal eras. I'd say 
you were born to darkness in... 1840?"
	"1843. Very good, my lady. Our queen said you were most perceptive." He 
nodded.
	"Mekare... did she communicate with you?" Jesse began.
	"No, my lady. Maharet is Queen. And you, her daughter, should be at her 
side..." He gestured.
	Jesse sat silently considering his words. 
	"She wants me to come home."
	Alexandre nodded.
	"Must I return at once?" She asked quietly.
	"With in a reasonable time, my..."
	"Please call me Jesse.  I'm uncomfortable with formality. I know it may 
be your tradition, but please humor me. What may I call you?"
	"What ever you wish." He placed a hand over his heart and bowed.
	"May I call you Alexandre?" She smiled.
	"It would be an honor, my... I mean, Jesse." He sat back into the cast 
iron chair. 
	"You should consider it an honor." A voice broke in.
	Jesse didn't bother to turn around. "Lestat, may I have a little 
privacy?"
	"No." Lestat stood at the foot of the stairs,  arms folded. "You've had 
enough time to exchange pleasantries." He walked over to where they were sitting 
and glared down at Alexandre. 
	" Maharet knows Jesse's been having a difficult time of it." Lestat 
regarded him with a raised eyebrow.
	"Yes, she knows. She is very pleased with the affectionate care you have 
given her." Alexandre replied.
	"And yet she sends an envoy for Jesse, and doesn't care to make the trek 
herself?" Lestat walked behind Jesse and put a protective hand on her shoulder.
	Jesse stood up. 
	"That's enough, Lestat." She spun around and faced him. "You're being 
incredibly rude.  Alexandre came to see me, not to be questioned by you."
	"I'm being incredibly concerned. If Maharet was so worried, why didn't 
she come here herself and drag you home, hmm?" Lestat snapped. He was beginning 
to pace the small courtyard.
	"Lestat doesn't always act this way," Jesse said, looking back to 
Alexander. "Sometimes he's worse." She sighed and tried to calm herself. 
"Perhaps I should take you in and introduce you to the others. Marius is here, 
and so are Louis and David."
	"Give him my damn books to read..." growled Lestat, kicking the bottom 
step with the toe of his boot. "It will introduce the entire coven!"
	"I have read your books, Monsieur." Alexandre answered him politely. 
"They show great insight into our condition."
	"Did Maharet give them to you? Is she using them for a basis on a course 
of study?" Lestat faced him. "What does she call it? Vampire 101?" 
	Jesse turned to Alexandre. "This is ridiculous." She said tossing her 
hands into the air. "We'll take a walk until the vile-tempered Lestat comes down 
off his high horse and remembers how to be a gentleman." 
	Throwing an annoyed glance over her shoulder, she took the emissary's 
arm and led him from the garden.
	Lestat stood steaming, arms folded, glaring after them.
	"Why don't you come inside, Lestat?" Marius called to him from the back 
porch. "I'd like to get a little more work done on your portrait. Louis' being 
most cooperative.  He and David are having a very lively conversation..."
	"On what? The composition of book dust?" Lestat stood alone in the 
courtyard, staring after the departed couple.

	Jesse returned, softly entering the flat through the back door. The 
light from the parlor shown into the hall.  She scanned. Louis. She smiled to 
herself and walked down the hall to join him.
	Louis lifted his eyes from the book he was  reading and smiled.
	"You've returned, then?"  He moved over to make room for her to sit next 
to him.
	Jesse smiled. "What? No interrogation?"
	"Not from me, Jesse." Louis replied.
	 She sank into the chair next to him and snuggled close. "I've missed 
you."
	"I've missed you, too. Very much." Louis pressed a kiss to her cheek. 
	"Lestat's gone upstairs?"  She asked.
	"In a huff. He's quite protective of you, even more so, lately."
	Jesse sighed. "Mmm.  You know Lestat."
	"I thought I did at one time." Louis answered softly.
	Jesse turned and faced him. "He still loves you, you know. I'm sure all 
you'd have to do is say the word..."
	"What if I didn't want to 'say the word'?" Louis replied. "What if I 
wanted to be on my own for a while? You know I'm a solitary sort, Jesse. I 
always have been.  It's not that I don't love him..."
	A smile twinkled in Jesse's eyes as she grasped Louis' arm. "You *do* 
love him!"
	Louis was quiet. He closed the book he was reading and placed it on the 
table next to them. 
	"It's not that. I hardly know myself. I'm either at one emotional 
extreme or another. I want to live quietly,
Jesse.  Where ever Lestat is, a wake of turbulence follows. We're always swept 
along with him. David's adventurous. He goes right along in the center of things 
with Lestat. I'm not the intrepid sort. I want a little quiet now and then." 
Louis leaned his head against hers. "But what about you, ma chere? Your evening 
with Monsieur du Rand. Tell me. When are you leaving?"
                "You get right to the heart of it, don't you, Louis?" She 
smiled. 
	"Maharet wants you home, oui?"
	 "Alexandre gave me a letter.  She has asked me to stop running and come 
home." She sighed. "Louis, I'm still not running away from my immortality, am 
I?"
	"I can't answer that, ma chere." He stroked a few wisps of hair back 
from her forehead. "Only you can."
	Jesse rested her head on Louis' shoulder. "I don't *think* of myself as 
immortal. I don't think, oh, Jesse, if you don't get around to doing thus and so 
today, you can always come back to it a hundred years hence."
	Louis chuckled. "I don't think that's what Maharet means. You don't 
cling to your mortal routine. I didn't even smell coffee in the flat... you seem 
more confident, more ... 'Jesse'." He kissed her once more. "We all have our 
fears, ma chere."
	"What are you fears, Louis?  I know what Lestat's are... He's afraid 
you'll go off the way Gabrielle did. He's afraid he'll never see you again." 
Jesse looked directly into Louis' dark green eyes. "He's afraid..." she 
whispered,
"that you no longer love him."
	"You do." Louis smiled gently.
	"I do what?"
	"Love him. I've seen the way you look at him when his back is to you or 
when he leaves the room." Louis smoothed the wayward curls from her face again, 
and smiled. "You've loved him for a very long time." Louis took her in his arms 
and held her tightly. "If my leaving has brought you two together..." he 
whispered.
	Jesse drew back and looked into his eyes. "He loves you so much, Louis. 
He was so miserable without you.
Even when we were together, it was if he wasn't complete."
	He pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I was correct then. You and Lestat 
*have* fallen in love." Louis said. His voice was calm, filled only with his 
love  and concern for Jesse.
	She leaned against his chest. "Oh, God. I feel so terrible. I should 
have fought it, but I couldn't. It's not what you think, Louis... We were both 
so vulnerable... Things just happened..."
	 Jesse's voice was trembling. Tears began to spill down her cheeks as 
she remembered what had passed between Lestat and she the night he took her to 
the penthouse.
	" It wasn't as if we planned anything. One moment we were talking about 
how he had changed my image in his books and the next moment he was bending over 
to kiss me. We heard Marius come in the back door, and Lestat dragged me out 
onto the balcony and he took me to his penthouse." She wiped her tears on the 
back of her hand. "He kissed me... and I kissed him back. But, Louis... all I 
kept getting from him was his longing for you." She lifted her face to his. "We 
aren't lovers. I told him we couldn't be..." she whispered, " he loves you, 
Louis.  He loves you so very much. Please give him another chance."
	Visibly moved,  Louis pulled her into his arms. "And what about you, ma 
chere?"
	"Just say you don't hate me. Say you'll always be my friend and brother. 
I *love* you, Louis. I may never find a companion who suits me, but I'll 
*always* need you to be my friend!"
	Louis hugged her tightly. "I need you, too, ma petite. Where would I be 
without my Jesse as my best friend?"
	He lifted her chin with one slim finger. "Since we are being honest with 
each other, I have a small confession to make."
	Jesse was puzzled by this.
	"Louis? What do you mean 'a confession'?"
	His expression was serious as he gazed into her eyes, seemly searching 
for words.
	"Ma chere, when I was in New York, I paid a small visit to some one you 
know."
	"Who...?" She breathed.
	"Your mortal acquaintance, Marc." Louis' voice was soft.
	Her eyes grew large. "Oh... Louis! You *didn't*!" Jesse gasped.
	"No, Jesse. I didn't kill him. I was very tempted to do so, but I 
didn't."
	"But, why, Louis. Why?" She placed her hands on his shoulders. "You've 
never interfered in my life..."
	Closing his eyes, Louis leaned back into the soft upholstery. "I was 
just so concerned. I was worried that you'd go back to New York and he'd find 
you." Louis opened his eyes. "Jesse, you don't need to be torn apart by your 
emotions again. You're well and strong again. You're whole once more. I couldn't 
abide seeing  you hurt.  I *love* you."
	"What did you do to him?" She whispered. "You didn't attack him..."
	"No." Louis shook his head. "I roughed him up just a trifle to get his 
full attention, and I told him not to come bothering you again.  I will not 
permit him to hurt you, Jesse. And you were hurt and confused by his 
attentions." Louis sat up straight. "You should have told me exactly the extent 
of your involvement. If I hadn't gone to New York to fetch you to New Orleans... 
Jesse, I want you to promise me that you will not become involved with a mortal 
again."
	Jesse slipped her arms around Louis. "I promise. I guess I should thank 
you, too." She sighed. "Oh, my darling Louis. You take such good care of me."
	Louis smiled down into her eyes. "You're worth it."
	"This isn't much of a homecoming for you.  All this running around and 
dashing off with Maharet's envoy and these deep confessions."
	"It doesn't matter... you are what matters. Look at you! You're so 
lovely. You're well and strong. You're back in control of your destiny."
	"Do you really think so?" She asked, blinking back tears.
	Louis took her face in his hands. "I love you. Seeing you smile, hearing 
your laugh... that's the best homecoming I could ever have. This is the Jesse I 
know. I'm so very glad she's back with us."

	Jesse awakened the moment the sun dipped below the horizon. She quickly 
pulled on some clothes, and walked into the quiet hall. From where she stood, 
she could see the figure of Lestat on the back porch. Jesse walked toward him.
              	"Lovely evening, isn't it?" She said, opening the screen door 
and smiling up into his face.
	"I shouldn't have been rude to du Rand last night." Lestat muttered. His 
arms were folded across his chest as he stood staring into the twilight blue 
sky.
	"I think you should apologize." Jesse took the place next to him, and 
lifted her eyes to the heavens.
	"Don't push it, Jess."
	"Oh, Lestat." She linked her arm through his and leaned against him. 
"You can be nice when you want to be."
	He moved away from her. "I take it you're leaving?" His voice was flat.
	"You knew I'd have to go sometime." She replied, giving him a gentle 
smile.	
	Lestat grasped the railing and continued to gaze skyward. "I was hoping 
you would tell him where to get off ... I was hoping you'd stay."
	Jesse took a step closer to him, trying to get him to look at her. She 
ventured to touch his hand as it rested on the baluster.  "You know I can't."
	She suddenly found herself swept into his embrace. "Lestat, I..."
 	"Stay with us, Jess.  We could form a coven; you, David, Louis and I. 
Marius, too..."
	Jesse leaned her head against his chest. "It wouldn't work, you know 
that. It would be wonderful for a while,
then it would fall to pieces. We'd all end up angry, just the way we did the 
last time we tried to form a coven." She raised her head and their eyes met. 
"Besides, you know I can't stay. 
	" Louis' back. He came home to you. That *must* mean something.  There's 
always hope, Lestat. He loves you. I *know* he does.  Give him time." Jesse 
stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed him. 
	"What was that for?" Lestat asked softly.
	"That was because I love you and I'll miss you." Jesse took a deep 
breath and backed away. "I told Alexandre
I'd show him New Orleans tonight," her voice trembled slightly. "We're leaving 
tomorrow."
	"Does Louis know?" Lestat stuffed his hands in his pockets.
	"Yes."
 	Lestat smiled. "Let me harass you one more night." There was the warmth 
in his voice. "We'll get Louis, David and Marius, too. We'll all go out together 
in a pack. We'll listen to some New Orleans Jazz on your last night with us. 
We'll have a grand time, show Monsieur du Rand that there's life beyond a coffin 
in Rangoon! Would you like that, hmm?"
                Jesse smiled. "I'd like that very much."

Part 22 "Last Night Out "
(by Cathy)

	"Look, Mister... it's four o'clock... my band is tired... can we call it 
a night?" The trumpeter stood in front of Lestat and mopped his brow.
	Lestat was on his feet, pressing a hundred dollar bill into the 
musician's hand. "Here..." Lestat took out a bankroll and peeled off a C-note 
for each of the band members. "We'll be out of here soon. It's the lady's last 
night in New Orleans. I wanted to give her the right send off."
	The musician shrugged. "What ever you want, Mister."
	Lestat turned back to the group that had spread out as the club had 
emptied. They had originally sat together at a tiny table. Jesse now sat between 
Lestat and Louis; Monsieur du Rand, who had been wedged between Marius and 
David, now sat on his own, his feet up and crossed at the ankle on another 
chair. Marius dozed through the last set and David leaned across the table and 
chatted with Louis.
	Jesse jumped to her feet. "David! You haven't danced with me all 
evening!"
	"Oh, Jesse..." David laughed. "I'm not much of a dancer."
	She pulled him to his feet. "You can manage a Fox Trot, can't you?"
	"What is this 'Fox Trot'?" Asked Alexandre.
	"A very old fashioned dance step." Lestat answered, as he watched Jesse 
lead David onto the Dance floor.
	"Not quite as old as a minuet," Marius muttered.
	"Did Marius just say something funny?" Jesse glanced over her shoulder 
as she approached the bandleader.
                 "I didn't hear anything." David winked at her.
	Lestat leaned back in his chair, tipping it against the wall. He folded 
his arms and glanced at Louis.
	"When do you plan to go?" He asked softly.
	Louis turned slightly to look at Lestat.  Their eyes met and lingered 
for a moment.
	"I don't know... I thought I'd look around for a house or something." 
Louis replied, quietly.
	"In New Orleans?" Lestat watched as Jesse tripped over David's foot. 
	Louis chuckled slightly. "Not the most graceful of dancers, is she?"
	"No." Lestat watched David and Jesse laughing together as they 
endeavored to dance. 
	He looked at Louis again. "Are you staying in New Orleans?"
	"Oui...  for the present." Louis sighed.
	"Lestat... please cut in... I forget how to do this..." David called 
from the small dance floor.
	Lestat rose to his feet. "Must I do everything? Come on, Jesse... let's 
see how my toes hold up..."
	He took David's place and whirled Jesse around a few times. 
	"Can't you play anything faster?" He asked the band leader.
	"Sorry, Mister. It's about all we can manage."
	Lestat grunted. "Oh, very well... call it a night." He wandered over to 
the jukebox, shoved a few coins in the
slot and pressed a few buttons. A soft ballad drifted from the speakers. Lestat 
held his arms out to Jesse. 
	"Come on. One last dance with Lestat and we'll go home."
	"Oh, but I've danced with you all night and I haven't danced at all with 
Louis!" She looked back at Louis.
	"I can manage a waltz or a polka..." He called to her.
	"Come on, Louis..." She walked up to him.  "If it makes you feel any 
better, I'll lead."
	Louis permitted himself to be dragged from his seat. He turned to 
Alexandre. "She always does... lead."
	She slipped her arms around Louis and was surprised when he led.
	"Didn't expect that, did you?" He smiled.
	"I never knew you could dance!" She returned the smile, affectionately 
looking up into his face. 
	"You never asked," came the soft reply.
	A few minutes later, Louis felt a tap on his shoulder.
	"May I cut in?" Alexandre asked.
	The music ended.
	"Ooooh." Jesse groaned. "Lestat... shove a few quarters into the thing, 
will you?" She glanced at Lestat.
	"Your wish is my command." The blond vampire bowed to her and fed the 
machine a few more coins.
	Jesse smiled up at Alexandre. "This is a surprise."
	"Just because I've come to fetch you back to Rangoon, doesn't mean I 
haven't listened to music, or danced."
He smiled. "I've spent time in London and New York. In fact, I have seen you 
several times in your city."
	"In New York?" She asked, stunned.
	"Yes. I have visited the city and find it fascinating. I have seen you 
running through your park as if a pack of wild dogs were chasing you." He 
laughed at her expression as her jaw dropped.
	"I was jogging... you saw me jogging? Oh, that's too funny." She shook 
her head, the coppery curls bouncing around her upturned face.
	"Yes. I thought it was very funny. A vampire who acts like a mortal."
	"Watch it, Alex." Jesse drew back her upper lip. "I could turn you onto 
charcoal with a thought." She teased.
	"Maharet told me of your temper." He grinned, the tips of his fangs 
slightly showing.
	Lestat stood next to the jukebox. Louis wandered over to him.
	"Lestat... it is getting rather late. We should go... "
	"Yes... I know. Look at her. She's flirting!" Lestat grumbled.
	"No, she's not." Louis frowned slightly, "She's being pleasant."
	Lestat didn't hear him. "Let's call it a night..." He said loudly.
  
	They walked back towards the flat.  Alexandre had bade them 'Good 
Morning' and left them outside of the club. Marius and David walked on ahead, 
and the trio of Louis, Lestat and Jesse tarried along the way.
	Jesse walked backwards in front of them, joking with Lestat. Louis just 
listened, a small smile playing on his lips.
	"...I don't know how long I'll stay, Lestat. Maybe you'll come and visit 
me..." Jesse was laughing, "you can bring me an electric guitar... I wonder if 
they do rock and roll in Rangoon? I suppose so..."
	"What if Maharet doesn't have electricity?  What will you do without 
your hair dryer?" Lestat shot back at her.
	"Hair dryers are a mortal thing... don't you know we of the undead 
persuasion have the ability to *drip dry*?" Jesse sniffed.
	Louis listened to the banter. All this lightheartedness was forced. 
Lestat's head was down, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Jesse was laughing too 
loudly, talking too much. Louis could tell neither of them were very happy. He 
glanced now and then at Lestat. How he missed him. Even being so close to him 
all night wasn't enough. Lestat's golden presence was almost overwhelming.
	Lestat gave Louis a quick look from the corner of his eye. Louis was 
staring straight at him. Lestat came to a complete stop, caught Louis by the arm 
, turned and faced him.
	"What? What is it?" Lestat asked, nearly imploring him for an answer.
	"Nothing..."
	"No, Louis... it *has* to be something... the way you were looking at 
me..." Lestat placed his hands on Louis' arms, holding him fast.
	Louis stood still, his heart pounding. Gradually, he lifted his gaze 
from the pavement to meet Lestat's. 
	"Believe me, Lestat, it was nothing... nothing at all." 
	Lestat's hands dropped to his side. "I'm sorry..." he murmured.
	Louis walked away from him, not looking back. "Don't be." He replied.
                Jesse tried to take Louis' hand, but he pulled away from her.
	"Louis?" She tried to make him look at her. "Louis..."
	"Leave me alone, please." Louis whispered, pulling away.
	Jesse stood in the middle of the pavement staring after the solitary 
figure walking up the street. She glanced back to Lestat. 
	"What was that all about?" She took his arm and walked with him.
	He shrugged. "I don't know. For a moment I thought he was going to say 
something to me." Lestat shrugged. "That's Louis for you. Shuts up tight."
	"It's you as well." Jesse looked up into his face. "I could just *shake* 
both of you."
	Lestat let out an exasperated sigh. "Change the subject, Jess.  It's 
your last night here. We should be dancing up Rue Royale!" 
   	He suddenly pulled her into his arms and spun Jesse around in a few 
impromptu dance steps.
	"Buffalo gals won't cha come out to night, come out tonight, come out 
tonight..." Lestat sang as he pulled Jesse into the middle of Royal Street. 
"Buffalo gals won't cha come out to night and dance by the light of the moooon!"
 	Jesse hung on to him, laughing, trying vainly to follow the dance step.
	"You are my sunshine... my only sunshine!" Lestat changed the song.
	"Lestat! Shut up! You're going to wake the entire street!" Jesse laughed
	"Good!"  He gave her a dazzling smile and continued singing. "You make 
me hap....py when skies are gray..."
	Their revelry was cut short by the sound of squealing brakes and a dull 
thud. Lestat and Jesse turned just in time to see Louis fall in a crumpled heap 
by the curb, and the taillights of a car speeding away.
	"LOUIS! NO!" Cried Jesse as she sped after Lestat.
	Bending over Louis, Lestat brushed the hair from his face. "Louis? Louis 
are you hurt?" He asked urgently.
	David and Marius seemingly materialized from nowhere. 
	"What's happened?" David asked Jesse.
	"He was hit by a car." Jesse replied, her voice trembling.
	Louis grimaced and drew in a breath through clenched teeth. 
	"Louis... tell me, are you alright?" Lestat said softly.
	"Oui... Non..." Louis opened his eyes. "Leg's broken, I think." Holding 
onto Lestat's arm, he pulled himself into a sitting position. Louis gasped and 
squeezed his eyes shut. "Broken rib... Oh, Mon Dieu! I remember how that feels!"
	"Sit here for a moment with Jesse while I find that driver and rip his 
heart out!" Lestat snarled.
	"NO!" Louis grabbed Lestat's hand, then softer, "no - let it be... I 
walked in front of the car." Louis's eyes met Lestat's . "It was my fault."
	"But they shouldn't have left..." Lestat studied Louis' expression and 
sighed. "If that's what you want..." He touched Louis' shoulder. "We can't leave 
you in the street... Can you get up? Put your arm around me... Marius, David 
don't just stand there! David take his other arm. Come on, Louis... easy..."
	Jesse stood with Marius, her hands covering her mouth. They watched as 
David and Lestat carefully helped Louis to stand.
	"We'll fly..." Lestat began.
	"Please, don't," Louis gazed up into their concerned faces. "We're just 
a few paces..."
	Jesse walked behind them. "Be careful of his side, Lestat... he said his 
ribs are broken..."
	"Has this happened to you before?" Lestat asked, as Louis hobbled 
between himself and David.
	"Oui, a very long time ago." Louis suddenly stopped and took a short, 
fragmented breath. "When you were underground." Louis completed the sentence, 
trying to be stoic.

	They settled Louis on his bed, a concerned circle standing around him.
	Marius patted Jesse's shoulder. "The bone has a crack, it's much easier 
to heal. His ribs will take a while longer, but it's nothing he can't manage."
	"I will be alright... just let me sleep." Louis whispered, wishing the 
others would leave him. He tried to conceal the pain of the broken bones by 
closing his eyes.
	Lestat turned to the others. "You heard him. Out. He wants to sleep."
	"Lestat..." Jesse began.
	"Talk to him after sunset, Jess. See you in the evening. Marius, David, 
you too. Good morning!" Lestat closed the door and leaned against it. "I thought 
they'd never leave." 
	"Aren't you going?" Louis caught a breath and winced.
	"What? And leave you alone? No. I'll sleep here, in the chair." Lestat 
began checking the shades and pulling the drapes. "When this happened before, 
how long did it take you to heal?"
	Louis thought for  moment, watching Lestat walk towards him and sit in a 
chair by  the foot of the bed. "Two or three weeks, I think." He closed his 
eyes. The pain could not be willed away.
	Lestat folded his hands and gazed at them. "If you wish, you could drink 
from me. Your bones will knit while you sleep and then you could leave 
tomorrow... with Jesse if you want."
	Louis smiled wryly. "Ah, then you'd be rid of me quickly." He drew in 
another breath through his clenched teeth.
	 Lestat visibly flinched.
	"That's not what I meant, Louis." Lestat's voice was barely above a 
whisper. 
	Trying to reposition himself was not a good idea. The pain in his side 
seemed more debilitating, than the one centered in his leg. Louis lay back in 
the nest of pillows and sighed.
	Lestat watched him for a few minutes, knowing Louis wasn't asleep as his 
hand kept a tight grip on the bedclothes.
	"Would like me to turn off the lights? It will soon be dawn. You must 
feel it." Lestat said, rising from the chair and rechecking the windows. He 
extinguished the lamp with a thought, the room fell into velvety darkness. 
Lestat found the armchair in the corner, lowered himself into it and stretched 
out his legs. He listen to Louis' uneven breathing, and remembered the pain of  
broken bones from his own experience.
	"Louis?"
	"Mmm."
	"As soon as I wake, I'll find some morphine or something for you. I 
could drug a rodent..." Lestat said softly.
	 "Laudanum and Absinthe," Louis whispered. He was weary and his mind 
began to wander.
	"That's not funny. You're in pain, all I want to do is help." Lestat 
folded his arms and leaned back in the chair.
	"I know," came the soft reply. "Thank you."
	Silence again. The only sound was from the hall clock, beyond the closed 
door.
	Lestat listened as Louis' breath would catch in his throat and then he'd 
seemingly wait an eternity before releasing it.
	"I can't stand this..." Lestat mumbled as he rose to his feet and 
crossed the small distance to the figure on the bed.  He sat down next to Louis.
	"What... what is it?" Louis opened his eyes.
	"You're needlessly suffering, you know that.  Louis, don't let that 
damned pride of yours get in the way... I was wrong to begin with. I was wrong 
to pen that book, I was wrong to say you were cold and passionless... Dammit, I 
was wrong to set your newspaper on fire! Louis... here..." Lestat sank his fangs 
into his own wrist and then held it out to Louis. "Drink! Please... be well! 
Free yourself of the pain..."
	Trembling, Louis gazed up into Lestat's face.
	"I was wrong as well..." He whispered. "I should not have hurt you the 
way I did.  I cannot accept the blood, unless you truly forgive me..."
	Lestat cradled Louis in his arms. "I'm the one who needs to be 
forgiven... " He drew back and offered Louis his wrist again. The blood had 
ceased to flow, the wound had healed. "I want you to be strong."
	Louis was silent for a moment. The scent of the spilled blood was nearly 
over powering. "Lestat,"  he whispered. "You know our differences are great..."
	"It doesn't matter." Lestat replied quietly. He bit again into his wrist 
and held it out to Louis. "Take it... I won't hold you here if you wish to 
leave."	
            	Lestat closed his eyes and leaned back against the ornately 
carved headboard of the bed. He could feel Louis drawing on the wound, his blood 
passing into his beloved.  Louis had accepted the font. His bones would heal by 
nightfall. This was what Lestat wanted, even if Louis would be gone by moonrise 
the next night. 
	:::I love you, mon Louis.:: The words repeated over and over again in 
Lestat's mind. ::: No matter where your wanderings take you. I will always love 
you.::
	
Part 23, conclusion	
"Taking Leave"

	She walked through the quiet house and onto the back porch. Marius was 
in the courtyard, setting up his easel and looking over sketches he had made two 
nights ago. He glanced up to see Jesse leaning over the railing, smiling down at 
him.
	"Good evening! My, but you look lovely tonight!" He smiled.
	Jesse turned in a slow circle. "You don't think I've over done it, do 
you? I wanted to look special for Maharet when I arrive." She smoothed the long 
skirt of the white crepe suit and laughed slightly. "Louis bought this for me 
when he was freaking over what I wore." Jesse walked down the stairs into the 
little courtyard. "He thought it would be nice if I looked like a *girl* for a 
change. Of course, Lestat's not much better, insisting I wear that lace thing to 
be painted in." She sat down on the bench and watched Marius compare two 
sketches.
	"I think you look charming. But I dare say you might get a little 
windblown on the flight." He watched as she stepped carefully down the wrought 
iron stairs.
	"Oh, Alexandre has Maharet's jet for us. She doesn't want me to get over 
tired." Jesse tried to sound cheerful. She knew sooner or later she'd be on 
somebody's shoulder, in tears.
	 Marius handed her a sketch of Louis. "What do you think of that?" He 
smiled.
	 Jesse chuckled. "He looks so gentle, like a little boy... " she 
wistfully added. "Our Louis... hope he'll be alright."
	 "He'll be fine, Jesse. " David came through the gate nodded to Marius. 
"If this is his second injury in two hundred years, he's quite lucky." He took 
the sketch from Jesse's hand.
	"Precisely." Marius echoed David's thought, as he adjusted a lamp to 
shine on his canvas.
	Jesse watched as Marius took the drawing from David and motioned to 
several others on the table. "Marius... Are they sitting for you tonight?"
	"No, I'll work from my sketches." He glanced at her. "Oh, dear. You've 
discovered our plot!"
	Jesse shook her head. "I should have known. You were all in this 
together, weren't you?" She smiled at him affectionately. How could she feel any 
malice towards them?
	"No, Louis wasn't part of  it. It was Lestat's idea. Don't be too hard 
on him, Jesse. He's not as tough as he acts." Marius placed a few brushes on a 
low table.
	"Who's not tough?" Lestat's voice came from the porch stairs. His hair 
was combed off his face and was damp from showering.  His eyes were tired.
	"You." Jesse grinned.
	"Ah... and *you* are... tough?" He bent and placed a kiss on her 
forehead.
	"Yep."
	Lestat lowered himself onto the bench next to her. "Ah, then you are 
ready to face the formidable Maharet!" 
	"Oh, stop. She's not *that* bad." Jesse shook her head.
	Glancing towards Marius and David, Lestat cleared his throat.
	"That was an exit cue if I ever saw one." David raised an eyebrow. He 
walked over to Jesse and took her hands. "I will visit you and your Maker, if 
you will have me." He placed a kiss on each of her hands and then on her 
forehead.
	"Oh, David. She'll *love* you. There's so much at her palace for you to 
see..."
	"Then I will call to you." He smiled.
	"Yes, please." Jesse threw her arms around David's neck. "Thank you."
	"For what? I do believe I added to your problems..."
	"Never, David, never. I'm sorry I went to pieces and all. I wish I could 
have been more help." She said, sadly.
	"You helped me beyond measure. You gathered information about Aaron that 
would have taken ages to find without you. He didn't condemn you, Jesse, for 
choosing the Dark Path. He knew you had no other choice. We both did. It was 
your destiny, as it was mine. I'm just relieved that you have regained your 
strength once more. We will see each other someday soon." David smiled.
	She nodded.
	Marius was standing at David's side. Jesse turned to him and hugged him.
	"You must come to see me, too!" She whispered against his cheek.
	"I will visit in the spring, as I always do. Give my best to Maharet. 
She will be very proud of you, you know." He smiled down on her. "I do believe 
that you could accomplish anything, once you set your mind to the task. You've 
shown great spirit and courage. As I have said before, you could have taken the 
easy path and simply gone underground. Instead you chose the difficult path, to 
face the challenges. You chose to walk through fire instead of giving up and 
going into it. " Marius kissed Jesse's forehead. "You are the spirit of the age, 
my dear. We are privileged to call you friend and daughter."
	Lestat quietly watched as David and Marius walked through the gate and 
left them. Jesse held out her hands to him.
	"Where's Louis? Is he any better?" She asked softly, as Lestat took her 
hands in his and kissed them.
	"He's better. Still a bit sore, but the bones have mended."
	Jesse's eyes opened a little wider than usual. "Lestat...?"
	"What." 
	"He accepted the blood?  She tired to remain calm.
	"Only a little, just enough to heal his injuries. The same as you did 
that night in New York when you were hurt." He replied.
	"Has anything changed between you?" 
	Lestat shrugged. "I doubt it."
	"I wish he'd stay." Jesse squeezed his hands.
	"So do I." 
	He suddenly seemed to notice her clothing. "You look lovely tonight, 
Jess. Tres elegant." The smile faded from his face. "I will miss you. This house 
will be very quiet without you. I hope you'll take only the happy memories to 
Rangoon."
	"Lestat, you've been more than wonderful to me." She whispered, lowering 
her eyes. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
	"Probably crawled under a rock and slept for 100 years." Lestat gave her 
a wink. "But I'm glad you didn't go to ground. I would have missed you 
horribly." He made an attempt to smile. "Now see here, before we both start to 
cry, or somebody else interrupts us, I have something for you." He took a small 
box from his pocket and opened it. "I saw this cameo weeks ago, and  I thought 
you'd like it." Lestat pinned it on the lapel of her suit. "There. Think of us, 
Jesse."
	"I don't know what to say..." Jesse stood on tip toe and placed a kiss 
on his cold cheek.
	"Just don't say 'good bye'." Louis said as he walked towards them. He 
caught Jesse in his arms as she rushed
to him. "No tears, ma belle cherie." Louis murmured as he buried his face in her 
cloud of hair.
	"Are you alright, Louis?" she asked him.
	"Je vais bien." He replied. "None the worse for my little accident."
	Jesse glanced at Lestat and then back to Louis. "I love you both... 
Thank you." She whispered. "I wish there was more I could say to you.... I love 
you..." 
		

	At the sound of the closing door, Louis raised his head from the 
newspaper and glanced towards the hall.
	Lestat walked in slowly, casually holding his dove gray jacket over his 
shoulder.
	"Are they away, then?" Louis placed the paper on the table.
	"Uh huh. For all Maharet's howling about Jess and her fixation for 
mortal ways, she supplied a jet for them." Lestat tossed the jacket over the arm 
of a chair and sank down into the sofa with a sigh.
	Louis gently smiled to him. "You knew she'd have to go..."
	"Yes." Lestat closed his eyes. "Where's David? I can tell Marius has 
taken over *my* room..."
	"David's out." The quiet reply came. 
	Lestat understood. 'Out' meant David was hunting.
	Rising from his chair, Louis walked over to Lestat's side. "I'd like to 
talk with you about something..."
	Lestat opened one eye. "Ah! I suppose you're going to go off, is that 
it?" He closed his eye, stretched his legs out in front of him and folded his 
hands on his chest. "Make the break, Louis. Make it fast before you get second 
thoughts..."
	"Don't be that way, Lestat. Don't put up more walls around yourself." He 
sat next to Lestat and touched his arm. "I know how you feel towards me. Jesse's 
told me over and over again and I couldn't help but see last night... when I 
took the blood."
	Lestat opened his eyes and gazed into space. "Does it make a difference, 
Louis?" He replied in a hushed voice.
	"How can I stay if I don't really know who *I* am? And I don't really 
know you, do I? One moment you are burning my house down..."
	"Here we go again..." Lestat began.
	"No, Lestat, please listen to me. You go rushing through your life from 
one self-created Hell to the next, dragging me along with you. We spend a few 
years together..."
	"We lived apart. I *wanted* you with me." Lestat  replied, trying to 
sound detached, but failing.
	"I did agree to live with you... and then the next moment, David appears 
on our doorstep, and he's everything I always knew you wanted me to be, but 
never could.  But you wanted me with you, so I stayed. Then you wrote that 
book." Louis stopped and took a breath. He began again softly. "I was torn apart 
by the words you wrote about me."
	"I'm sorry." Lestat whispered, fighting the tears that threatened his 
composure.
	"We aren't compatible. You and David are wonderful together..."
	Lestat seized Louis' shoulders. "But you are my soul..."
	Louis closed his eyes. "My staying with you wouldn't be fair... "
	Lestat released his grip and his hands fell to his lap.
	"So you are leaving to discover yourself." Lestat gazed at Jesse's 
portrait that hung on the wall opposite. "Do you know where you are going?"
	"I thought I'd start by traveling," Louis answered.
	"That always broadens the mind." Lestat closed his eyes again . "Why not 
take a night course at a university? You could do both..., " he said 
sarcastically. "You could develop a taste for academic foreign blood."	
	"Don't *be* that way, Lestat. You're making things worse..." Louis 
whispered
	Lestat rose and walked over to the picture, frowning.  "Make the break, 
Louis." He repeated. " Make it fast and clean..."
	Louis raked his hair back from his face and regarded the blond vampire 
miserably. 
	Silence reigned 
	Louis slowly got up from the sofa. "How can I explain this to you, 
without hurting you?" He asked sadly.
	"What do *you* think." Lestat replied, his voice a hushed whisper.
	"Let me try..." Louis approached him. "If I wandered a little now and 
then, I would always come back to this house."
	"So you wish to make these voyages of self discovery alone..." Lestat 
muttered, trying to bury his pain.
	" I thought you might wish to travel with me..." Louis answered, 
glancing at the amused expression Marius had painted on Jesse lips. "I thought 
the three of us could go to Australia or South America..."
	"Travel together..." The corners of Lestat's generous mouth began to 
curl up at the corners in spite of himself.
"David, you and I?" He turned slowly and looked into Louis' eyes. "David?"
	"Oui. I thought it would give us a chance to become friends. I think we 
could become quite good friends..." Louis answered him candidly.
	"Friends. " Lestat said.  He took a step towards Louis and held out his 
hand. Louis grasped it firmly in both  of his. "Do you think you and I could 
possibly attempt to be friends...? To begin once more? To really know each 
other?"
	"Those were my thoughts. I had hoped..." Louis began, but was silenced.
	Lestat lightly placed the tips of his fingers over Louis' mouth. "Don't 
say another word, mon cher..." Lestat whispered, as he stepped closer to Louis. 
"Not another word..."

	All through the long journey home, the memories of her first parting 
from Louis and Lestat spun over and over in her mind. She could see the three of 
them on the tarmac at Armand's air strip on Night Island. There were promises 
exchanged never to lose touch, to always stay close. The only thing different at 
this farewell was now Lestat's preternatural skin sported a tan instead of being 
a ghostly white. 
	Louis had said his good-byes at the flat. They had walked down the 
stairs together, arms round eachother's waists. Outside, Jesse and Louis held 
each other tightly. Eyes brimming, Louis laid a cold white hand on her cheek and 
whispered "I love you."  Jesse kissed him one last time and whispered that she 
loved him too, and he should take care of himself. She wiped her tears on his 
hankerchief, and got into the car. He could not be cajoled into going to the 
airport with them. His black hair shimmered in the lamplight as he stood by the 
door of Lestat's Porsche. 
	"Please, Louis..." She had begged from the front seat.
	"Now, where am I going to sit?' He had laughed, glancing at the sight of 
Alexandre packed into what was called the back seat. "No, ma chere. I wish to 
remember you in this house, laughing and smiling." He blew a kiss to her, turned 
and quickly walked back into the flat.
	"No more tears." Lestat had admonished her as they drove away. Sniffling 
and wiping her eyes, she had agreed.
	But she had cried anyway. When Alexandre came to where she and Lestat 
stood  in the private lounge area, she had thrown herself into Lestat's arms and 
wept. It was hard to say 'au revoir' and wave to Lestat as they walked to the 
jet.  Lestat had stayed by the window and watched as the plane lifted off and 
chased the sun westward. She didn't need her vampiric senses to know he was 
there. She felt his love go with her. 
	The moon had risen full in the night sky. It shed it's tender light in 
Rangoon.  Jesse emerged from the old limousine that had transported her to 
Maharet's home. As she stepped from the car, the sights, sounds and fragrance of 
the old palace surrounded her. The memories of her first years as a fledgling 
cascaded around her. Warm golden light poured from the windows and spilled 
across the covered porch and across the path.
	Mortal servants greeted her with bouquets and garlands of flowers. Women 
and children in native dress welcomed her with song, and petals strewn in her 
way. She was overwhelmed by it all, and knew Maharet had prepared everything 
especially for her. To surround her with music, and love.
	She gazed at her surroundings illuminated by hanging lanterns. How Louis 
would enjoy this. She would welcome him the same way when he would come and 
visit her.
	Jesse glanced at Alexandre, who was directing the unloading of the car. 
"Where is she?"
	Alexandre smiled. "In your favorite garden, waiting for you."
	Jesse returned the smile, and discarding her shoes, dashed into the 
ancient building.
	The stone floor was cool beneath her feet, and the moist, tropical air 
brought back more memories as Jesse 
dashed through the long hall. After what seemed to be an eternity, she passed 
through an arch to the garden, rousing the sleeping doves in the cote. Jesse 
came to an abrupt stop as from beneath a graceful branches, Maharet turned to 
her and smiled.
	"Still running, my child?" The vampiric matriarch  opened her arms to 
her fledgling.
	Jesse caught a breath. Beautiful as eternity, timeless as the universe. 
Maharet stood bathed in moonlight.
	"Only to you," she smiled.
	The flowers fell from her arms as Jesse was swept into her creator's 
embrace.
	"Mother," she whispered. "I've come home."
The End