RPG SPEC: Dagger of the Mind
Sequel to "Hollywood Vampires"
Parts 42-44, Posts 411-440
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Post 411: Brad

     Brad's error in judgment was apparent at once. Before he could
pull away from the soft kiss, Tony had seized him, and they were again
drowning, sinking beneath wave after wave of passionate desire. "You
dance with the devil, amigo," Tony growled, and Brad swore there was
flicker of fire in the depths of his eyes. "And if you are my acid
test, you had better prepare for the day I fail."
     Brad quaked at those words, afraid and filled with longing at the
same time. Antonio took his lips one last time and was gone. Brad
stood bereft until her heard the sound of running feet. It took his
befuddled brain a few seconds to recognize the figure standing in
front of him.
     Tom.
     He'd come back. Some instinct had brought him back when Brad
needed him most. Brad felt the strong arms close around him and hold
him tight. "Yes," he whispered into the golden hair. "Yes, that's
right." He had no idea what he was saying, or why. "Okay. Okay. Okay.
Everything's fine, I'm fine." He was babbling. He couldn't stop
babbling. Tom took his face in both hands and looked at him. Brad felt
tears slide down his cheeks and wash over Tom's fingers.
     Tom began to swear viciously, violently. He grabbed Brad by the
arm and dragged him down off the porch. Brad stumbled along in his
wake as the went around the side of the house towards the back yard.
There was a screened in gazebo under some old cypress and Tom headed
for that at full steam. Brad was beginning to collect himself. His
giddy relief at seeing Tom standing there was quickly being replaced
by a deep depression that things had escalated between him and Tony so
very quickly.
     Tom hustled him up the few steps and slammed the door after them.
Brad watched him with growing trepidation. "Tom?" Tom stood by the
door. The frame blocking the slanting moonlight and striping his frame
with shadow. 
     "Sit down, Brad." His hand gestured toward the rattan couch
strewn with soft overstuffed pillows. Brad opened his mouth to speak,
but then just shrugged and went to sit down. Tom moved toward him,
flickering like a strobe in and out of the moonlight, till suddenly he
was beside Brad on the sofa, pressing him back into the cushions.
     "Tom?" Brad whispered, "say something."
     "All right, I will." The tight control in Tom's voice was
alarming. "I will say this. He can't have you. I'll kill him - I swear
I will, before I let him have you!" Brad went still as Tom reached out
and touched him, sliding across the fabric of the thin T-shirt.
"You're mine," Tom murmured snaking his arms around Brad and pulling
him close. Brad felt Tom grasp a handful of his hair and tugged his
head back, exposing his throat.
     "Mine!" Tom exclaimed, and bent to fasten his mouth to Brad's
throat. Brad groaned and writhed as he felt the hot, grasping mouth
pressed against his throat. His whole body leaped in response and
before he could stop himself he'd pulled Tom away from his throat and
claimed the demanding mouth in a deep, searing kiss.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 412: David

	"We'll fry together!" These words rang out in David's mind like
like clashing chords. She might as well had called him a bloody fool, for
that was how he was acting. They both knew that he would not lie there and
let them both fry. Poor girl, offering to martyr herself for a pity
indulged old man!  But he couldn't get mad at her, she was right to treat
him as a child, he deserved every bit of it. 
	But when he turned to look in her eyes, there was not the glare of
condescendence or disappointment, there was only concern and sadness. Once
again he had caused her grief over him. He didn't like this pattern, Jesse
should never have to feel pain, even if it was *his* pain she has feeling. 
	"That won't be necessary."  He said softy, "I'll join you down
stairs soon."  He went to sit up, but was met by a sudden wave of
dizzyness that threw him back down.
	"David are you--"
	"I'm fine Jessica. I'm just tired, old age does that to you."
	"For the last time, you are *not* old!" 
	"I wish I were, then some of this would make sense! I could blame
all these feelings on bitterness and senility, and no one would be the
wiser, least of all me!"
	"Something new has happened?"  She stated more then asked.
	"You read me well, Jesse. Either your telepathy is phenomenally
greater then mine, or I have trained you well in deduction skills. But
yes, something new has happened. Santino left me for good I fear."
	"But why?  I knew you had a fight with him, but nothing that
couldn't be fixed."
	"We seem to disagree on how to handle Lestat. It's silly really. 
Maybe I'm just being stuborn and foolish, but I can't go back there to
live. Don't get me wrong, I love Lestat, but he's bloody hard to live with
for any length of time. After a while, it's hard to distinguish were
Lestat starts and you finish. And Santino," David paused and let out a
sigh, "all he could think of is what to do next for Lestat. When we're
alone everything is wonderful, then Lestat walks in the room and I feel
like I'm part of the furniture.  It's Marius all over again and I can't
handle another relationship like that" 
	"What do you mean?  Were things *that* bad with Marius?" she asked.
	"Marius and I had many problems. The needs of the coven always went
before us...two thousand years no one knew if he was alive or dead, and
*now* no one could live without the mediator of infinate wisdom! Or maybe
I just wasn't the one that was meant to keep him occupied. Armand, bless
his twisted black heart, seems to be what he needed, but even now he
interfers with Lestat. And now, so does Santino.
	"Am I being ridiculas Jesse?  Have you ever wanted to be first in
someones life? Not to the point where they abandon all else, but placed
first on priorites? I don't want to own him, or monopolizes his time, or
even keep him from other lovers, but I *won't* abide by this obsession
into other peoples lives, especially Lestat's! 
	"You should hear him, you would think that Lestat should own Louis
by the way Santino talks?  Is that what he thinks of me, that he should
own me?  What he doesn't see is that's the whole problem with Lestat and
Louis. Louis isn't Mojo, he's an actual sentient being that has feelings
and emotions, much like other sentient beings. I'm frightented that
Santino sees me as his secondary object rather then a lover on equal
standing. 
	"I feel like some toy for the immortals to play with! First Lestat
takes me without any regard for what I want, for appearently, no more
reasonthen to make Louis jealous. Then I get passed to Marius, who views
me as nothing more then a diversion between crisses. Finally, I'm with
Santino, who feels that I should offer over my life in homage to Lestat."
	"Oh David!"  Jesse cried, "I had no idea you felt like this! Stay
here with us, we love you and want you! Forget Santino, forget about them
all!  You don't need then, you have us!"  David forced a weak smile for
her.
	"No, I don't need him, but we seldom need what we want. I love all
of you, and I intend to stay here for as long as Pandora will have me
here, but I still love him...Santino. I can't explain it, I never really
*loved* somebody like *this* before. Today, for a moment, nothing else
mattered, there was only the two of us again. It was perfect, but now... 
	"What is it with me Jesse, am I condemned to live a half existence
for all eternity?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 413: Marius

	Marius shook his head slowly. "I don't know," he responded, 
drawing a shuddering breath. "I can't be your enemy, Lestat. And I can't 
abandon Amadeo, not again." His lips twitched with the shadow of 
something that might have been a smile. "It puts me in a rather awkward 
position."
	Lestat looked at him sharply, then nodded. "Yes, it does."
	Marius rose, wiping at the tears that streaked his face. The 
desperationof a moment before was slowly fading, into a quiet sort of 
numbness that he could actually think through. He had done what he had 
came to do. He had told Lestat what he felt, apologized as best he could. 
And now... now it only remained to find the next step. To forge yet 
another new beginning from the wreckage left behind.
	He was not sure he could do it again. Or that he even wanted to.
	"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I wish... I wish I could be there 
for you. You deserve that much. But I can't." He stepped forward, closing 
the distance between them, and reached out to brush his fingertips 
against Lestat's cheek. When the younger vampire flinched he halted the 
motion, drawing his hand back. "I'm sorry," he whispered again, brokenly. 
"Child of my blood and child of my heart- I cannot choose." He looked into 
the face opposite his own and then away, turning towards the door of 
	"Wait!" Lestat's hand shot out, siezing his arm. "Where are you
going?" 
	Marius bowed his head. He couldn't look back- to do so would
shatter what calm he had managed so far. "I don't know," he answered. 
"Somewhere. Away. Don't worry... I will leave a message for Amadeo. I
don't want him to blame this on you. But I... I cannot stay here." He made
a little gesture to indicate the whole of the city, not just the room. "I
cannot be the peace maker any more. Notlike this. I can't make that
choice." His hand closed over Lestat's for a moment, then gently pushed
the other man's hand away. "Forgive me," he whispered. "I do love you. 
But I love you both, and I just can't do this any more." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 414: Lestat

	"What if I were to make peace with Armand?"  The words were out of 
his mouth before he even realized he was about to speak.
	Marius looked as though he bore the weight of the world.  "I'm not 
sure that's possible.  You... hurt him, Lestat.  I've never seen him like 
this, and I pray I never do again."  Once again Marius turned to go.
	"If you leave, he *will* try to kill me." Lestat had no idea what 
was urging him on... he refused to think about it.  "I will be forced to 
defend myself.  Marius, you may lose us both."
	The moan which wrenched from Marius wasn't human, but more of an 
animal keening - fully the most miserable sound Lestat had ever heard.  
He watched in horror as Marius slowly sank to his knees.  He stood frozen 
in shock for a few precious moments, then moved to Marius' side.  
"Please...  please don't do this.Marius, please... I can't take this any 
more than you can."  Lestat slowly reached out, the gesture far more 
frightening than it should have been.  "I'll do it somehow.  I will go to 
Armand..."
	"No!"  Marius gasped, trembling violently.  "Go to him, now, 
after this... and he will try to kill you.  You're right."
	"What else can I do?"  Lestat's tone was impatient but he gentled 
his words by tightening his embrace. "Marius... it's the only way."
	Marius shook his head, his arms wrapped across his chest, his
hands clenching upon his shoulders as though he could draw into himself. 
"Lestat... he doesn't know why you do these things, or what you feel. I
don't either, but I'm willing to put my trust in you... he can't do that."
He looked up, into Lestat's eyes. "You told him... you told him that you
only hurt the ones you love. I don't belive that. You don't cause us pain
on purpose. But then you alsotold him that you loved *him*." He took a
breath, his gaze beseeching. "Is that the truth, Lestat?" 
	Lestat bit the inside of his cheek until he drew blood.  "And if 
it is?" He finally asked, looking anywhere but into Marius' startled 
eyes.  "If I admit it?"  He finally risked a look down, seeing hope in 
Marius' gaze for the first time that evening. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 415: Jesse

	Jesse sat down next to David and slipped her arms around him. 
	"I'm so sorry your're going through this... David, you're still so
new at all this, such a young fledgling. If Lestat wasn't such a
self-absorbed piss ant, he should be taking care of you." She leaned her
head on his shoulder. "You're not doomed to any half existance...  you've
been given a wonderful gift.  I think the difference between you and me is
how we view this. Look at it this way, David. If you were mortal, you
wouldn't have the stamina to go to all the enchanting and mysterious
places that you can explore in your new form." 
  	"I know the big difference between you and me is the fact that Lestat
took you against your will. I don't think it was just to make Louis
jealous.  Lestat *loves* you."
	David wearily closed his eyes."He has a strange way of showing his
affection."
	"Oh, really? Louis' told you about the hot wax and feathers, too,
hmm?"
	David's eyes snapped open. "I didn't mean..."
	Jesse was giggling, leaning against him. "I'm joking... I just
wanted to make sure you were still *in* there. Oh, David... you've got to
find yourself again. You aren't old. *We* aren't ever going to age... We
keep on living,learning. What did you always tell me? Carpe Diem? Sieze
the day? Well, we should make that Carpe Noctum!" 
	"Jesse you always did have a way with words..." David smiled, "I
remember the telegram you sent in reply to mine the night of Lestat's
concert."
	She looked up in his face and grinned. "Oh... three words... 'F**k
the Talamasca!'"
	"Talk about blunt Anglo-Saxon!" David shook his head and sighed.
	Jesse settled back against him. "You loved Aaron, too, didn't
you?"
	"Yes," came the quiet reply.
	She smiled silently for a while, threading her fingers through
David's. "So did I..." She said wistfully. "We'll get you through this
Santino thing.  Daniel will be good for you... do you know something,
David? This will be the second time I've had an almighty crush on someone,
only for him to fall in love with you!" 
 	Jesse started to laugh only to stop abruptly.
	"Brad!"
	"What it is it?" David asked, beginning to scan.
	"Antonio..." she sat still, listening to the scene. "Wait... he's
not going to stay..." 
	David squeezed her hand. They waited. "See he's gone..."
	"But Tom's back." Jesse was on her feet. David rose and restrained
her.
	"Tom's still a mortal..." David began.
	"And Brad deserves some privacy..." Jesse closed her mind to what
was about to take place in the gazebo. "Let's go downstairs, David. We can
find Daniel and see if he wants to cheat at Gin Rummy." Jesse linked her
arm through David's. "Or if Pandora's back, we could have a fourth for
Bridge..."
	"Pity we can't drink sherry..." David said as they walked down the
steps together. "It would be so civilized..."
	"I'll ask Danny to scrounge up some rats..."
	"It's not *quite* the same, now is it, Jessica?"
	Jesse shrugged. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 416: Daniel

	Daniel left Jesse's room. He wanted to go up to the attic and see
if David was still trying to fry himself...again. Hopefully Jesse had
convinced him to retire and protect himself when dawn arrived.
	He was going up the stairs when Pandora stepped out of nowhere,
carrying a huge "Macy's" bag. 
	"Hey, there, young one," she said smiling. "Could you explain me
what happened here? I go out shopping and when I get back, there's a
window broken in the attic, a mess in the garden, and two mortals in my
kitchen...Care to explain?" She raised her eyebrow.
	Daniel smiled sheepishly. "About the window...Well, uh...I can
explain that later if you want to!" He said. "But about the mortals, don't
blame me! I didn't do that!"
	Pandora laughed. "Okay, I believe you didn't bring Brad's friend
over...but for some reason, I'm *sure* you had something to do with the
window. Care to tell me?"
	Daniel darted his eyes from side to side nervously and then,
pointing to the top of the stairs, he yelled: "Look, there's Jesse and
David! Ask *them* what happened!" With that said, he started running down
the stairs, the opposite away from Pandora and the others.
	Pandora looked up at Jesse and David. "What's going on with him?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 417: Tom

	Mortal passion, tinged with vampire fire.  And even then Tom knew
he was doomed.  He had said the words, spoken his most secret desire in a
moment of unguarded honesty, driven to it by the desperate fear that Tony
had taken Brad against (or perhaps not) his will.
	What the hell.
	When Brad responded the last clear decision Tom made was not to
fight it.  Damage done, he would revel in this one encounter at least, a
sweet dance somewhere on the edge of immortality.  "I won't let him take
you." he whispered against those searing lips.  He suddenly met Brad's
eyes in a moment of clarity.  "I won't let *you* let him take you.  We'll
fight it."
	Brad heard his words and shivered, drawing Tom closer still.  Tom
wanted to slow down, to enjoy what would surely be a one-time event
between them, but it was all he could do not to rip the fabric from Brad's
body. As beautiful as he was on film (and yes, Tom had seen the films,
though he would die before he would admit it) the reality of all that bare
skin was so much sweeter.  He knew a moment of pleased surprise when Brad
got his first look at his own body and made his approval known with his
fingers and lips.
	After that... there was no thought at all, except for one content
word which carried over into the drowsy afterglow of spent passion. 
	*Mine*

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 418: Brad

     Brad lay in contented silence. He decided he wouldn't dwell on how
he'd reached this point. That didn't matter, really. What mattered was
what happened next. 
     "Tom?" 
     "Hummm?" 
     "Would you do something for me?" 
     "Already asking for favors?" Tom said with a touch of dry humor.. 
     Brad was mortified. "You're right, I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of
me." A large, square fingered hand came up to rest on his shoulder, the
thumb stroking the jutting ridge of his collarbone, before it slid up to
caress his neck. "That was a joke," Tom said softly. 
     "Maybe - but you're right. I shouldn't be asking you for favors right
now." Brad made to rise, but the hand stayed him. 
     "Ask me anything you want. If I can give it to you, its yours." Brad
settled back, then propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at Tom,
his fingers tracing a pattern on the heated skin of Tom's chest. 
     "It's about Tony." His hand was grabbed and made to be still. 
     "What about him?" Tom answered with studied calm. 
     Brad drew a deep breath before speaking. "Please don't do anything to
him." Before Tom could speak Brad rushed on, "He's not to blame for any of
this! He's got enough problems. He's got me pushing at him not to cut me
out of his life, plus, he's worried about Louis. I know it was a big
mistake for him to get involved with Louis, and I've said so - but Tom,
there was no one else to help him! And Louis was upset and bewildered by
Lestat's actions, so he turned to Tony, who actually needed him. 
And...things happen when a person is upset and bewildered." To underline
his point Brad's hand went traveling, and he bent to nuzzle Tom's ear. 
     "Dirty pool, Brad," Tom muttered, trying to cover a shuddery in drawn
breath. Brad laughed, his warm breath caressing Tom's ear. He noted with a
certain amount of satisfaction, the fine tremor that raced through Tom's
body.  "I mean it," Tom went on with mock sternness, "this is most
unfair!" He grabbed at Brad's wandering hand and moved it away. "Antonio's
causing a lot of problems, Brad." Tom said stubbornly. 
     "Only for Lestat," Brad countered. Tom remained silent, and Brad
could see the scowl on his face even in the darkness. "He hasn't done
anything for _you_ to be mad about." Tom was still silent. "Tom, please,
listen to me. He didn't hurt me, honest. He wouldn't - ever. I trust him." 
     "You shouldn't." Tom's voice was tight, and he burst out, "He made
you cry!" 
     "No he didn't," Brad said quietly, smoothing the stray strands of
dark golden hair back from Tom's face, "you did." 
     "Me?" Tom exclaimed, raising his head up a bit to look at Brad. 
     "When you held my face in your hands, your eyes were filled with
tears.  You were so anxious and upset - for me!" Brad tried to pull away,
but Tom wouldn't let him so he settled back in. "I never expected that."
He touched Tom's lips with his finger tips, "Not in a million years did I
ever expect to see that." He stretched out his body, pressing against the
hard, muscular form lying beside him and buried his hands in Tom's hair. 
     "It touched my heart, Monsieur Le Cruise," and he brushed his lips
against Tom's and waited... 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 419: Tom

	Once again Tom took Brad's face between his hands, studying the
classically beautiful profile.  His looks were the stuff of immortal
dreams... truly the only mortal alive who could play The Beautiful One.
Rather than kiss him, Tom suddenly drew Brad close, as though to shield
him from the world.
	"What's wrong?" Brad asked, his voice muffled against Tom's collar.
	"It only just hit me..."
	"What did?" Brad once again propped himself up on one elbow, his
hand resting with comforting intamacy on Tom's chest.
	"Something Armand said.  They only take the beautiful ones, as a
further insult to God."
	Brad paled, and swallowed convulsively.  But his voice betrayed
none of his sudden tension, though Tom could feel it radiating the length
of his body.  "Armand said that a long time ago."
	"But it's no less true now.  Antonio..."  Tom trailed off.  What
more needed to be said?  Tom had always held the opinion that Brad and
Antonio were #1 and #2 in the world for male beauty - perfect casting
choices for members of the coven.  It was one of the things which had
galled him most on the set last time.  He wasn't used to having
competition, much less being out and out beaten in the looks department. 
He couldn't resist adding "You *are* the Beautiful One, after all."
	Brad paled a shade further.  "You trying to scare me, Tom?"
	"No.  I'm trying to help you fight, like you asked me to." Tom
searched the blue eyes above him, searching for understanding.  He found
it quickly.  "You're right.  Damn it, you're right." 
	Tom reached up to draw Brad back to him.  He settled on Tom's
chest with a troubled sigh.  "I told you I'd give you anything if I could. 
Alright.  I'll stay away from Antonio.  But he is in *deep*, and he's in
trouble.  You know it as well as I do.  It's one thing to be the Brat
Prince's puppy."  Brad flashed him a grin which Tom returned before
continuing.  "It's another to be his competition - *especially* for the
attentions of Louis de Pointe du Lac.  Antonio may as well have written
his death sentance the moment he laid eyes on Louis."
	Brad surged up again.  "Will Lestat listen to you?"
	"He might."
	"Tell him... just tell him to leave Tony alone, will you?  I'll
keep him away from Louis somehow.  I *will*.  I'll keep him out of
Lestat's hair."
	"We will."  Tom smiled at Brad's astonished look.  "I'll help.  If
you don't mind."
	Brad shook his head slowly.  "God damn it, Tom.  Where have you
been hiding?"
	Tom's smile grew.  "I've always been here.  You just had to see
me."
	"I'm lookin'."
	"Well stop."  Tom sat up, neatly rolling Brad on his back.  "Close
your eyes.  You'll feel this even better that way."  Starting at Brad's
hair, he slowly trailed tiny kisses across his face and down his throat,
paying special attention to the nearly invisable bruises there as Brad
gasped and moaned under him.  "God, you're beautiful." Tom whispered
before he abruptly moved down, claiming a nipple in a tiny bite.  His lips
moved lower as Brad's groans increased in volume.  "And talented."  He
swirled a pattern around his navel, delighting in the shivers Brad didn't
even try to hide.  Before he moved lower still he whispered one final
affirmation. "And you _are_ mine..." 	

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 420: Jesse

   Jesse watched as Daniel took off in another direction.
   "Oh... there goes our fourth for bridge." She sighed.
   Pandora smiled seductively at David, fluttering her long eyelashes.
   "Oh, Jesse... there are much better games to be played." She slipped her
arm through David's. "My, but you look tired. Why doesn't Pandora give David a 
*nice*long* massage, hmm?" She walked her free hand up his arm and squeezed his 
biceps. "Oooo. You're all *tense*... I know *just* what to do for that."
   :::I bet you do, Pan!::: Jesse gave her a burning look.
   :::Look, Darling... just because you're an old maid::: Pandora smirked.
   :::That doesn't deserve an answer from a career girl like yourself!::: Jesse
shot back.
   Pandora led David into the parlour and promptly shut the door in Jesse's 
face.
   Jesse turned sharply and went upstairs. She was halfway to the landing when 
she realised she was stomping. :::Maybe it's just what David needs.::: She 
sighed. :::He's like my father, I'd feel ridiculous making a pass at him:::
   She walked into her bedroom and lay down. For a while, she stared at
the ceiling and tried to keep her mind off the tryst in the gazebo. She
took her pillow and pulled it over her head, letting out a long groan.
"Brad, Brad, beautiful Brad! Be careful...please be careful." She sat up
and tossed the pillow on the floor. "Sweetie, you'll have to sort your
feelings out by yourself, but at least I can make sure the paparazzi
doesn't put you two all over the National Enquirer." She meandered over to
the window, opened it and sat on the sill, scanning the area for the
press. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 421: Marius

	"If that is true," Marius whispered, barely daring to believe the 
words even as they left his lips, "if you do love him, Lestat, if you 
could tell him that as I told you of my love, if you could make him 
BELIEVE it... Then there might be a chance. To end this, to stop it 
before it ends in death." He drew a slow, shuddering breath. "That is how 
Amadeo thinks it will end. In his own death, or in yours and then he will 
follow you. But I... I can't accept that. There has to be another way."
	"We'll find one," Lestat told him grimly. 
	Marius nodded, slowly. Drawing himself up, he turned to study 
Lestat's face, his blue eyes darkned almost to black with the pale red 
film of tears. Falteringly, he reached up, gently pushing back the thick 
gold hair and cupping one cool cheek with his hand. "WE will," he 
breathed. "I'll hold you to that, young one." And then, with an almost 
painful hesitancy, he reached to draw Lestat into his arms. 
	"My son," he whispered, feeling the slight jerk and stiffening of 
the body he held. But the words were like the sudden opening of the last 
floodgate, releasing everything inside of him with a swift snap that was 
painful but left peace in its wake. After long moments he felt Lestat's 
arms tighten around him as the younger man returned the embrace, his 
whispered voice thick and choked, the words bringing a tremor to Marius' 
body and the tears to his eyes.
	"Mon pere."
	"Please..." Marius breathed brokenly. It was a prayer of hope.
	When they drew back it was to look into each other's tear 
streaked eyes. Silence reigned for several minutes as both tried to find 
words, and failed.
	"He's waiting for me," Marius said finally, almost reluctantly. 
He started to stand, but Lestat reached to catch him. 
	"You'll come back?" There was almost an edge of panic in his voice.
	Marius drew them both to their feet, embracing Lestat again. "I 
promise," he said gently. "Or you can come to me, at any time." He rested 
his cheek against the golden hair, drawing deliberate breaths and feeling 
the calm he needed so badly trickle back into every vein with each intake 
of air. Just the slightest glimmer of hope made it all so much more 
bearable. "I'll come back. And we'll find a way out of this. Together, 
all of us. I swear it." He drew away, wiping gently at the tears that 
were tracing red paths down Lestat's cheeks. "Mon fils," he breathed, 
feeling the shudder run through Lestat again. 
	It took all of his strength to twist his hands from Lestat's 
grip, to step back and away. "I don't want to fail you," Lestat whispered.
	"You won't. You never have." Marius reached to brush his cheek 
lightly. "I love you, my son."
	Lestat closed his eyes, his lips tight over the sobs that 
threatened to break past him. "Je t'aime, mon pere," he breathed.
	Marius swallowed hard, nodding. "Then let it be enough for now."
	"Yes."
	"I'll come back."
	Lestat nodded sharply. "Yes. Yes... just... Please, if you're 
going to leave..."
	"Yes." Marius started to reach out one last time, then stopped, 
knowing it would do nothing but break what resolve he had. "I'll be 
back," he whispered one last time, and then turned and left, not pausing 
until the door of the suite had shut between them.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 422: Daniel

    Jesse walked into her bedroom and lay down. For a while, she stared at
the ceiling and tried to keep her mind off the tryst in the gazebo. She
took her pillow and pulled it over her head, letting out a long groan.
"Brad, Brad, beautiful Brad! Be careful...please be careful." She sat up
and tossed the pillow on the floor. "Sweetie, you'll have to sort your
feelings out by yourself, but at least I can make sure the paparazzi
doesn't put you two all over the National Enquirer." She meandered over to
the window, opened it and sat on the sill, scanning the area for the
press. Her silence was disturbed by Daniel's merry laughter.
	"Watcha doing, Reds?" He said smiling.
	Jesse only shrugged to aknowledge his presence.
	"Are you okay, Jess?"
	"I'm fine, Daniel. I was...trying to think...be ALONE!"
	"I didn't mean to disturb you," Daniel said, a bit uneasy. "I'll
leave if you want me to--"
	"Don't!" Jesse turned to face him. "You can stay if you promise
to be quiet..."
	Daniel widened his eyes, and tried to contain his laughter. 
	"Yes, I know it's hard for *you* to be quiet, but that's the
only way I'll allow you to remain by my side!" She teased.
	Daniel nodded. :I won't talk. We can communicate this way!:
	"You're impossible!" She got up to her feet, and picking up
the pillow from the floor, tossed it over Daniel's face.
	The laughed. How long  had it been since they laughed together?
Since they talked to each other?
	"You know, Jess...I've been missing you!"
	"So have I, Daniel...I don't know *why*, but I can actually *miss*
you!" 
	Daniel pulled Jesse closer to him and kissed her forehead. "I love
you, Jesse! You're like...my little sister!"
	"I *am* like your little sister? Nah, I think I'm your big
sister! You're just a big baby!"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 423: Pandora

	As she shut the door in Jesse's face and turned to David she
noticed that he was looking a little uncomfortable.  "What is it David? 
Why do you look so.... displeased?"  she looked at him expectantly and
waited for an answer. 
	"Well, um, this is a little... sudden isn't it?" he mumbled. 
	"What is sudden about what David?  You're tense, I'm giving you a
massage, relax and enjoy it. Now lie down here and let me relax some of
the tension out of those muscles"  she patted the cushion of the gigantic
couch she was standing beside and smiled at him innocently. 
	David sighed and said "well I really could use a massage, I feel
like my shoulders are carved marble, and my neck isn't much better"
obligingly he laid down on the couch. 
	"Well David, there is only one teensy weensy problem with this... I
refuse to give people wearing shirts a massage, it's like sunbathing in a
raincoat, it just doesn't work..."  David sighed and sat up to remove his
shirt.  At this point he was so tense that he would have done almost
anything for a good massage.
	He laid back down on the couch and Pandora knelt beside him. 
Expertly she began to knead the coiled muscles in his shoulders. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 424: Gabrielle

	Silence in the empty lobby, now in the small hours of the morning.
She knew that she'd have to find shelter very soon, but there was the
other to deal with. He stood, distant and unaware, only mere inches away.
Gabrielle realized that Armand was deeply upset by something, perhaps
Marius going to talk to Lestat? SHe could not be sure. 
        Hesitantly, she approached him, her right hand extending and softly
touching his shoulder. His body did not move, but his eyes looked vaguely
in her direction.
        "Armand. Please, let me help you, talk to me?" she whispered softly.
        Armand looked away and at the marble floor, fixing his eyes on a
crack in the stone.
        "No, not now, Gabrielle. You would not be able to help."
        "Why can't you let me try?" she asked, completely complexed by his
mood, so silent as of late. Not the dry witted imp that she knew of days
past. What had this encounter done to all of them?
        His eyes met her own, while they were not cold, they were distant.
She could almost feel his sorrow and madness seeping from his petit form
into her mind. She tried to read him and met his standard steel barrier.
She sighed reluctantly.
        "Ah." she said, "So you won't let me read you, will you?"
        He shook his head and she smiled and embraced him softly and sadly.
She could feel him slowly slipping away from her, the friend she once knew
was lost to her now. She stared into his fathomless eyes,
        "I'm here for you, you can trust me."
        "No. Please Gabrielle, do not try to take on my problems on top of
your own."
        His evasive manner annoyed her to no end, she was tainted with
Lioncourt blood, she had a need to affect *everything* in some way. She
chuckled slightly as she took a step back,
        "No, no. We wouldn't want that now, do we? WE don't need *another*
Marius in this coven. One is enough, isn't that right Armand?"
        She smiled evily and coldly as she turned on her heel and headed
towards the front desk to secure a room, leaving Armand blankly staring
after her. She muttered to herself,
        "This coven is going straight to hell in a handbasket."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 425: Jesse

   Jesse lay her hand on Daniel's face. "Oh, God, Daniel... I don't want
to be alone tonight!" 
   Daniel's eyes opened wide. "Jesse... you're not asking me to...?" 
   Jesse swatted his shoulder. "No, you jerk. I need a friend! I need
company!  Please, stay with me. I *hate* being alone." 
   Daniel stood silent for a moment. "You really do, don't you?" 
   Jesse nodded. "Come on, Danny. Get into bed. I'll secure the drapes." 
   "Jesse! Admit it! You aren't the tough cookie you're suppose to be!"
Daniel slid under the comforter and moved to the far side of the bed. 
   Jesse checked the windows, turned off the light and got into bed. "If
you're gonna act like that, I'll kick your butt out of here." 
   "No, really... I want to know, are you really a tough chick or not?"
Daniel raised himself up on one elbow. 
   Jesse lay down with a sigh and closed her eyes. "Okay... so I'm not as
hard boiled as I pretend to be." 
   "Jesse...?" He whispered in the darkness, secretly pleased to find
himself next to the former Talamascan beauty. 
   "What." She replied flatly. 
   "Truth or dare." 
   "SWEET JESUS, Daniel!!" 
   "Come on, Jess. Truth or dare." 
   "Truth." 
   "Cool." 
   "DANIEL!" 
   "Okay, truth... Jesse, do you ...um... like me enough to ...um..." 
   "FER CHRISSAKE, DANIEL! Spit it out." 
   "For a horizontal rumble?" 
   Jesse started laughing so hard the bedsprings began to creak. 
   "Well... THANKS!" 
   She turned on her side and smiled at him through the darkness. "Yes,
Danny. I do like you enough for that. Now it's MY turn." She giggled
"Truth or Dare." 
    Daniel smirked. "DARE... oh... what's the dare?" 
    "Too late now," snorted Jesse, "You've gotta run downstairs, moon Pan
and David and then run back to bed with me." 
    Daniel grabbed Jesse by the shoulders and planted a long, deep kiss on
her lips. "Baby, you're the greatest!" He laughed, hopped out of bed, and
ran out of the room. 
    Jesse listened, as there was a surprised squawk from the downstairs
parlor. 
    "Moon rise over Pandora!" She giggled. 
    The door burst open and Danny bounced back into bed. "My turn!" He sat
next to her . "Truth or Dare, Jesse!" 
    Jesse's eyes twinkled merrily in the dark. 
    "Dare!" 
    "Kiss me, Jesse!" Daniel leaned over to her. 
    "What the hell... why not?" Jesse pulled Daniel down on top of her
into a liplock. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 426: Daniel

	Kissing her sweet lips sent an electrifying wave of unknown
sensations through Daniel's body. Her lips were warm, soft, very inviting.
Her tiny hands hanging about his neck and her breasts pressing against his
chest. He extended his hand to touch the rich crimson curls, the soft
ivory skin of her face...so warm, almost like a mortal's. He felt the urge
to take care, take her savagely the way he was taught by Armand; the same
way he shared his passion with David. But he couldn't do it. This time it
was different. She seemed so fragile in his arms, a crystal rose, a
porcelain. He forced himself to withdraw.
	"I'm sorry...," he said, sitting up on the bed and turning his gaze
away from Jesse. "I didn't mean to..."
	"Daniel, what's wrong?" Jesse asked, her eyebrows creasing with a
bit of concern.
	"I just can't do this. I'm sorry, Jesse. You're like my little
sister!"
	Jesse began laughing hyterically.
	"Do you find something funny about this?" Daniel frowned.
	"Don't hide your feelings, Daniel. I know what you were thinking
only a few minutes ago. Your desire, your passion, all building inside
you, burning you, tormenting you...It's all in your nature. Just let
yourself be!"
	"But what about you? How do you feel?"
	"Why don't you try and find out?" She smiled.
	Her words were clearly an open invitation, an invitation that
Daniel wouldn't let pass. Yet, other questions invaded his mind. "And what
about Brad?"
	"What about him?"
	"Well, you and him...I mean---"
	"Brad is a mortal, Daniel! How can you even bring him up? There's
no point of comparison. Vampires love, but our love can only be
consummated with another of our kind. It's a different concept, Daniel.
You should know by now."
	"I thought you would bring him over."
	Silence.
	Jesse stood up from the bed and paced the room a few times. "The
gift of immortality, Daniel, our dark knowledge.. Giving the gift to
someone else is to condemn them to live in darkness forever; never see the
sun rise again."
	"Do you regret it?"
	"I never said that. I'm only trying to explain you that I *could*
not make that choice for Brad. Bringing him over to eternal damnation,
make him face death night after night, forever and ever. I just couldn't
do that to him."
	"But what if he asked for it?"
	"Daniel, we really are getting off the subject here. I asked you to
stay with me. I don't want to be alone. Let's make it a pleasant night."
she paused. "Please?"
	Daniel drew near her one more time, wrapping his arms around her
tiny waist. They stood there for a few minutes, in silence, drinking the
sight of each other. He could feel her warm breath on his face, the
pulsating flow of the blood through her veins. So close, so soft, so
beautiful. Yes, Jesse was extremely beautiful. Had her eyes always been so
green? He'd never taken notice of it before, but there she was, standing
next to him, offering her sensuous lips.  She stood on tiptoe to reach his
mouth and Daniel lowered his face to touch her lips. He kissed her
tenderly, with a love and devotion he had no idea could reside inside him.
	He picked her slender body and placed her on the bed, crawling
next to her. They lay there for what seemed to be an eternity, kissing and
touching each other. The caresses growing progressively more passionate.
They ripped the clothing from each other's bodies and sank in the silky
sheets of the bed. 
	Jesse couldn't stop looking into the amethyst eyes, the beautiful
face of that other immortal next to her. If someone had ever told her that
she would spend a night with Daniel, she'd have laughed. But it was true.
He was there with her. Loving her, kissing her...sharing the vampire kiss
until the dawn came upon them. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 427: Pandora

	Pandora smiled while she worked.  One of the greatest pleasures of
her long abandoned career had been this very thing.  Pandora loved giving
massages, and needless to say, with over 1000 years to practice, she had
developed a pretty good technique.  She began by slowly, firmly kneading
David's neck, and then worked her way down to where his neck met his
shoulders.  She lingered there for a while and slowly began to dig her
fingers in deeper.  This had nothing to do with sex and everything to do
with relieving someone's deepest pain and tension.  The fact that that
would cause the person to be a lot more receptive was simply a pleasant
side effect.  Really. 
	David groaned as her skilled fingers sank themselves ever deeper
into the rapidly loosening muscles of his neck.  He couldn't believe that
her hands could feel this good.  This was like no massage he had ever
recieved and he felt one hundred percent better already. 
	::You know one of the advantages of vampire speech David?::
	::No what?::
	::It takes a lot less effort to talk when someone is trying to relax
you.:: she sent a mental giggle along with the thought and David simply
groaned again in response. 
	She judged that his neck was as loose as it was going to get and
slowly began working her way down his back.  She relieved his pressure
points and loosened aches that had been there so long he hardly even
noticed them anymore.  At that point she began rubbing more gently, and
then she leaned down and pressed a kiss against the nape of his neck. 
"There, all done for now.  Pass me your hand." 
	David complied but seemed a little confused.  Instead of relieving
his curiosity she picked up his hand and began massaging it as well. 
"Roll onto your back David, that way I can reach your other hand and you
don't need to lie on it."  He complied, so relaxed that he could hardly
think. 
	Pandora, instead of reaching for his other hand, began working her
way up his arm to his shoulder.  She paused there and then slowly worked
her way across his chest and down to his other hand.  After she had
massaged his other hand she worked her way back up his arm to his
shoulder. 
	At this point, she began to change the rythym of her movements a
little, instead of massaging she was now rubbing, even carressing.  She
made her way from his shoulder to his chest and began caressing him.  He
stirred a little and seemed about to speak and she said "Hush David, relax
and enjoy." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 428: David

	David sat up as Pandora edged ever closer to him, all of his newly
loosened muscles tightened like a vise wrapped around his body. As she slowly
closed in on him, he backed away matching her movements, careful to create
the illusion that niether was actually moving. She wasn't fooled.
	"Is there something wrong, David?"  She whispered in his ear, as her
tongue swirled around the curves of it.
	"Wrong? er...no, nothing is wrong...it's just that--"
	"Ooo, your all tense again!"  Pandora stood up and scowled at him.
"Did I do something wrong?  I could leave if you like." She said in a tone
of disappointment.
	"No no, I'm sorry, it's just that this is kind of...sudden." There
it was again, David's well bred English embarrassment. He could have used
it the first night he moved in and he and Daniel wrecked the master bedroom.
Pandora smiled and sat back down beside him on the bed.
	"There's a lot to be said for spontinaity, David. Jesse's mortal
friend and his lover understand that."
	"WHAT!  Brad and Tom, their...I mean they're--"
	"Having one hell of a time."
	"You're listening to them?"
	"Well their not exactly being quit about it."
	"Pandora, their human!  They can't block their thoughts like we can."
	"That is *hardly* my fault. Now would you kindly stop diverting
attention from yourself so I can work on relaxing you...again." This time,
Pandora roughly pushed him down and pinned him to the bed with her ancient
and powerful arms. She kissed his lips and separated his teeth with her
tongue, forcing it in until David recieved her without resistence.
	*This* was the frail woman that Marius lamented over? In his entire
relationship with Marius, David had aways felt second to the needs of Pandora.
But this woman was a power in her own right. She could definately take care
of herself and others if need be. What ever happened to her after the death
of the Queen, Pandora was over it, and it didn't take the coven's "great
patriarch"  to heal her wounds. Now David was given the chance to accept what
she would not offer Marius a second time, her love. And except it he did!
He wrapped his arms around her head and neck, pulling her deeper into his
mouth until he could no longer breath. He felt her razor sharp fang cut into
his tongue and he returned the favor, mingling their blood into one hot flood
of passion.

	"Hey guys!"  They both tensed as they heard the foriegn voice call
out to them. They turned to the door, their mouths dripping with blood, to
see the neather end of Daniel protruding out at them. The next moment, he
was gone, only his trademark laughter lingered on. They remained still for
another moment. Pandora then looked down at David and they both began to
laugh.
	"Well *he* certainly knows how to kill a mood!"  Pandora snickered.
	"But you must admit, it's one hell of an ice breaker." Pandora was
confused.
	"Ice breaker?  Why would you want to break ice with Daniel's a--"
	"A mere figure of speach, m'lady.  Shall we continue were we left
off?" "Not if it will make you uncomfortable."  David shook his head.
	"It doesn't, I want to make love to you. How could I say no, to the
goddess Pandora?"  

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 429: Louis

    The walls of the room seemed to close in around him. Louis waited for
a reply from Lestat, and the minutes turned to hours. Not being able to
bear waiting much longer, he left the hotel to walk away the remainder of
the night. 
   He had always taken to walking through the night streets in times of
stress, his troubled mind not guiding his footsteps. He followed the river
tonight, moving along the banks, in the shadows, unseen by mortal eye. So,
when he became aware that he was moving through the lowlands near what
Lestat called "The Dixie Gates", he was not surprised. 
   What did surprise him was the sensing of another presence of his kind.
A presence emitting great despair. Near a dumpsite, close to an abandoned
shack a small trash fire burned in a disused oil drum. Louis could smell
the acrid smoke as the residue former contents burned away. As Louis
neared the site, he could see a figure sitting on the ground, back against
the shed. The head was buried in his arms that rested on drawn up knees. A
flood of recognition passed through him. 
   Louis knelt down in the mud next to the despondent vampire. 
   "Antonio?" He whispered softly, reaching for the tangled hair. 
   The figure raised slowly raised his head, the red rimmed eyes meeting
Louis' for a moment, then closing tightly. Crimson tears spilled over the
his cheeks. 
   "Ah, Louis..." Antonio whispered. 
   "Mon Dieu," breathed Louis. "What has happened?" 
   "Everything... yet *nothing*, mi amigo." Antonio replied, lowering his
head into his arms once more. 
   Louis gently stroked his hair. "Is there anyway I may help?" 
   Antonio lifted his head once more, this time reaching over and pressing
a hand along the curve of Louis' cheek. "There is not one way anyone can
help."  Antonio searched Louis' face. "How can you keep it all in
perspective?" 
   "Tell me..." Louis asked quietly. 
   "Why is it all so close within my reach, yet it is preordained that I
should not *have* it?" 
   "What is it you want? If it is within my abilities..." 
   "Do you know how beautiful you are, my friend?" Antonio murmured.
"You'd give your life if it would benefit the one you love." 
   "Antonio, what has happened." Louis drew closer to him, worried over
Antonio's state of mind. 
   "It has happened again." Antonio breathed. He closed his eyes and
leaned back against the shed. 
   "You saw Brad?" Louis' mind was racing. 
   Antonio smiled and shook his head. "I wanted him... I wanted to take
all that he had..." He opened his eyes and looked at Louis' startled face.
"No, my friend. I didn't take him... he's alive and right now he's in
Tom's arms. He seems to have won. Lestat always wins. He'll have you,
too..." 
   "Tonio... come back to the hotel with me." Louis spoke softly,
earnestly. 
   "But why? Don't you wish to see the sun rise?" 
   "No, Antonio. And you do not wish to either." 
   Antonio smiled, a grim cast to his expression. "What if I did?" 
   "I would tell you to wait one more night, perhaps until you could see
more rationally." Louis began. 
   "What if I were past all reason?" 
   Louis seized Antonio by the shoulders, forcing him to look into his
eyes. "I would make you see reason! Tonio! Do not *do* this thing!" 
   "Such passion... Louis, you are still far too human." 
   "I care... even if you are past caring and past reason..." Louis
stopped and caught a breath. He began once more, softer, "now, come, come
back with me..."  Louis leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Antonio's
cheek. He rose to his feet and held out his hands to Antonio. "Come with
me... at least for tonight, stay with me. As you comforted me, now may I
return your kindness, your love." 
   Antonio took Louis' hands and stood. "Alright." He permitted Louis to
slip his arm around him as they walked back to the city. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 430: Lestat

	Lestat watched the door close behind Marius in stunned, motionless
silence.  What the hell had happened?  What had he done?  What had they
actually said to one another?  He had not realized he had physically backed
away from the door until his back met with the far wall.
	He replayed the conversation in his mind, trying to pinpoint where
he had lost his mind.  Armand... ah.  Always Armand.  Armand had not 
simply declaired war, but actively sought Lestat's death.  He had hurt 
his dark brother *that* badly.  Or at least Armand was that badly hurt.
	No.  It seemed a time for honesty, even if it was only within his
own mind.  He had hurt Armand *that* badly.  Yes.  The pain was better than
the cloying feel of self-deception.  And Marius, forced to choose between...
how had he phrased it?  The "child of his blood and the child of his 
heart"... found he could not choose at all.  
	And so the only logical solution was to make peace with Armand.
	Lestat groaned loud and long, before unleashing a string of
curses that should have made the wallpaper curl.
	What had become of his life?  He had, only a few short weeks ago,
been happy with Louis, waiting for the movie to begin, the coven scattered
to the four winds.  Now he and Louis were communicating via letter, 
occasionally, delivered by messenger.  Antonio Banderas was no longer a
Latin Lover but his newest brother, with Marius petitioning for Armand
to take that title as well.  The fact that both counted Lestat as a deadly
enemy was beside the point, it seemed.
	It was laughable, really.  So why did he feel like weeping?  Or
at least punching a few watermellon sized holes in the wall?
	The sun would rise soon.  He knew it without looking, as they all did.
And when he awoke... it would be the start of something new.  What?  He had
no idea.  But he felt that life had changed in some fundamental way during
his conversation with Marius.  "... mon pere..." he whispered, feeling his
heart constrict at the unfamiliar words.  His father... the father he had
dreamed of since his own dark childhood.
	It was too much.  He secured the suite against the sunlight 
mechanically, noting automatically that Tom had not yet returned.  Concerned,
he roused himself enough to brush the mortal's mind, then drew back
hastily, affording the actor a small grin.  "Way to go." he said softly.  
"You belong together.  Just as Louis and I..."
	Way to go.  Yes.  Appropriate.  They had such a long way to go.
But perhaps tonight he had finally taken a step down that road.  Still
deep in thought, Lestat sought his bed, and what rest might eventually 
come to him.  Tomorrow was time enough for a new beginning.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 431: Marius

	He took the time the short elevator ride gave him to wipe his 
face and push back his hair, straightening his appearance. When the 
elevator reached the lobby and the doors opened Marius emerged almost 
with a bounce in his step, his appearance of calm and control intact.
	Armand was waiting for him, seated in a chair, so still he might 
almost have been a statue or part of the lobby decore. He rose as Marius 
approached him, his dark eyes sweeping over his lover with a contained 
intensity that had an immediate sobering effect on Marius. 
	He halted in front of Armand, trying to judge his mood. Tense, 
but not with the anger. Silent, but not with that focused rage. Worried, 
maybe? He couldn't tell. "Shall we go?"
	Armand studied his face for a moment more, as though searching 
for some outward sign of something, and then nodded. He followed Marius 
silently from the lobby, not speaking a word until they were in a cab, 
half of the way back to their hotel.
	"You spoke with him?"
	Marius hesitated. "Yes. We... talked. There were some things that 
needed to be said."
	Armand nodded again, a sharp gesture, but his gaze never wavered 
from Marius' face.
	"Amadeo," Marius sighed, reaching out to capture Armand's hand in 
his own, "it will be all right."
	Armand jerked back, his eyes sharp. "_He_ said that?"
	"No." Marius took his hand again, holding it firmly. "No, _I_ am 
saying that. To you, ragazzo."
	Their gaze held for several long moments, and then Armand looked 
away, settling back into his seat. His hand in Marius' was relaxed but 
Marius could see the thin line that had sprung up between his brows.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 432: Armand

	Armand knew that his actions puzzled Marius, but better that than
have his lover suspect the true depths of his emotions.  When he saw
Marius walk out of the elevator he had wanted to shout in relief.  He
noted at once the bouncy step, the self assured *presence* for which
the Vampire Marius had at one time been famous for.  Caused by Lestat.
	The bounce had gone, the light had dimmed, when he looked upon
Armand.
	If he had been keeping score, Armand could tally quite a large
number against Lestat.  Not that he was keeping score.
	They reached the hotel in studied silence.  But once there Armand
was determined to mask his emotions.  Marius had made his choice.  The
choice of not choosing.  "So, I have heard what Lestat did not say." he
finally said, straining to even his voice.  "What did he say?"
	Marius hesitated a long moment, and Armand did nothing to 
prompt him.  Finally he said in a low tone "He spoke of peace between
the two of you."
	Ah, so Lestat had come to the same conclusion Armand had.
Interesting.  If he wanted Marius a part of his life, peace between them
seemed necessary.  What would Lestat gain if Marius looked on him favorably?
The list was boundless.  He could twist Marius' affections, use his position
within the coven to hide behind - to make himself legitimate in their eyes.
Lestat had many uses for Marius, so much was obvious.  But to get Marius,
he first had to deal with Armand.
	Perfect.
	"I too have been thinking of peace between us, padrone." he said,
a soft smile lingering on his lips.  "I will enjoy discussing it with him."
	The expression on Marius' face was doubtful at best, but Armand let
it go.  Rather, he decided to take Marius' mind off of worrying about his
"children".  It always startled Marius when Armand took the initiative, and
he used this to full advantage now.  There was perhaps an hour before 
sunrise.  They had time.  Armand crossed the room in sudden swift strides,
claiming Marius' lips in a lightening strike of passion.  Marius gasped
at the sudden change, but responded at once, deepening the kiss, moaning
against his lips.
	The sun rose to find the two of them in bed.  Marius dozed fitfully,
his chest pillowing Armand's head.  As the death sleep claimed them, Marius
muttered one final phrase, as though if he said it enough it would become
truth.  "It will be all right, ragazzo."
	Armand's eyes glittered, even in the blackness of their room.  "Oh
yes, padrone." he whispered softly.  "Everything will be *fine*."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 433: Gabrielle

        A room so close to her son's, only steps away from his door. She
could slightly hear the hushed words and thoughts of Marius and Lestat as
she lie awake in bed, waiting for the day's rest to crash over her. A ruby
tear slipped from her eye, she let it slide down her cheek and into the
mountain of pillows below her head.
        So much pain within one family, it was not right. Her mind flashed
a picture of a miserable, yet sly Armand, a sight in his angelic curls,
leaning against the lobby wall. She exhaled slowly and tried to remember
the happier days. How it could have been, how it should have been.
        Yet when she tried to recall back, only visions of Lestat danced
within in head. A golden son, ready to be embraced and cherished and loved.
She pounded her fist into the pillow,  frustrated with herself for acting
as she did.
        "Damn me! I failed him, I never gave him what he needed!" she
sobbed into the pillow.
        She lay there for what seemed to be an eternity, letting hundreds
of years of pent up sorrow vanish from her mind. Blood tears stained the
sheets and Gabrielle shook uncontrollably. She shivered violently, her mind
flashing images of fire and death before her. She curled into a ball and
whispered to herself as she closed her eyes to the day,
        "Lestat, he will know the truth."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 434: Jesse

	As she pulled herself from sleep, Jesse found herself pinned under
the weight of an immovable object. She opened first one eye and then the
other and tried to move. Nope. She was well and truly pinned. The object's
head rested between her breasts, his arm held her firmly around her waist,
and one of his long legs was wrapped around one of her legs. The object
had ashy blond hair and a few stands seemed to have found their way into
her mouth. 
      	"Daniel!" She gave the object a gentle shove. 
        The object, Armand's fledgling Daniel, mumbled incoherently and
tightened his arm around her waist. 
	Finding she could indeed move her arm, Jesse brough her hand up
along Daniel's arm, across his shoulder and into the silky hair. The
passion spent in the small hours of the morning came back to her, and the
corners of her mouth turned up into a small smile. 
 	"Daniel... time to wake up." She whispered as she played with his hair.
	"urmph..."
	"Daniel, if you would bring your face a little bit *north*, I could
give you a kiss." She said softly.
	Daniel lifted his head slightly, and smiled into her eyes. 
 	"No, thank you. I like it here." 
	Jesse laughed. "It's time to wake up"
	Daniel began kissing his way up her neck enjoying how she squirmed
when he hit the ticklish spot. At last he was eye to eye, but he still had
her pinned under him.
	"Shall be have breakfast in bed?"  He grinned, showing his fangs.
	Again, Jesse laughed. "You are evil!"
	"Yeah." He said."I know." He nibbled on her ear enjoying the tiny
drop of blood he managed to draw. "It's all part of the job description.
Jess...?"
	"Mmm?" She smiled.
	"Do you want me to stay or shall I leave?"
	"Oh... I kinda like you,Daniel. No, scratch that. I really like
you. Why don't you, um, stay for a while?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 435: Tom

	They walked through the pre-dawn haze in silence, each lost within
his own thoughts.  "I like..." Tom said suddenly as they neared the front
door of the house.
	Brad raised an eyebrow.  "What?"
	"When you call me "Thomas".  I like that."
	The grin Brad shot him danced with humor.  "Don't be gettin' any
ideas.  The day you start calling me "William" is the day we're gonna
have some serious words."
	"William Bradley."  Tom rolled the words around his tongue, as
though sampling their flavor as they walked down the hall toward the 
stairs.  Then he smiled and shook his head.  "I like Brad better.  If I 
want to call you something more intimate, there are other phrases."
	"Such as?"
	Tom suddenly pinned him against the wall, half way up the stairs,
fusing their lips together in a blazing kiss, cupping Brad's face with his
hands.  When they parted, several minutes later, both were breathing
hard.  "I'd call you my lover."  Tom was enormously pleased to feel the
shiver which raced through Brad's body.  Then, lacing their fingers
together again, he tugged Brad higher into the house.
	Finally he reached their destination - a feature he had noticed
when he first arrived.  The second floor sported an eastern balcony,
pink gray now in the pre-dawn light.  Tom released Brad as they stood
looking over the neighborhood, birds filling the air with their song
of morning welcome.  "This may sound hopelessly sentimental, but I've
not missed a sunrise since meeting Lestat." Tom finally admitted, not
looking at Brad.  "Deep in my heart, I'm preparing for The Gift.  And I'm
never sure if this will be the last."  He risked a glance over his shoulder,
and found Brad watching him, a slight smile on his lips.  "I thought we
could watch the sun rise together."
	Brad moved forward, sliding his arms around Tom.  "Mssr. Le
Cruise, I like the idea.  Thanks for inviting me."
	"Thanks for being here."
	They watched in silence for a time as the pink blazed across
the sky like the miracle of creation replayed for the two of them alone.
Moving back from the balcony, the two of them curled onto the lounge,
waiting for the first glimmer of gold to banish all traces of the
night. 
	Tom's mind raced in a hundred directions at once, and yet at the
same time remained curiously still.  He had Brad.  He had done it.
Somehow he had seduced this magnificent creature... and found more
within his eyes and heart than he had ever dared imagine.  The concept
of what had passed between them was every bit as shattering as the
thought of what lay ahead.
	"I wish..." Tom finally said at last, his voice hushed.  "I wish that 
there was no way we could go back.  But the truth is that it would be so 
easy to forget this ever happened."
	Brad tensed in his arms.  "What are you saying?"
	Tom took a deep breath.  "I'm saying we're at a press conference.
Or doing a talk show.  Or at the Oscars.  It would be so easy on the both
of us if we could just nod politely and move on, never thinking about what
happened here tonight.  But I'm not going to do that."  The morning light 
kissed Brad's face, lending it a special radiance which nearly had Tom
in tears once more.  "I'm not going to turn and walk away, even though
it might be socially comfortable to do it."  He took a deep breath.  "What
I'm trying to tell you is that I do not consider this a one night stand,
in any sense of that phrase.  I don't know what we are, exactly, and I'm
not asking you to marry me, but this was not a causal thing.  Not for me."
	"Not for me, either." Brad said at once.  "I couldn't have let
you do that..." he paused, then clarified, speaking the words, "I could
not have allowed you *in* me, without that trust.  I don't know where
we're going, but you pegged what we are."  He kissed away Tom's intense
look, waiting until the edge of passion lingered in his expression instead.
"We're lovers, just like you said."
	Tom shivered, as Brad had earlier, to hear the declaration spoken
aloud.  "No going back."
	"No, Thomas.  No going back."
	Tom shivered harder.  "It's like you make me your own when you
do that.  No one has ever called me that.  Not even my parents."  They
watched the remainder of the sunrise in contented, if not stunned silence.
It was only when the sun was well and truly in the sky that Tom stirred.
"I've got to go back to him." he said softly.  "Lestat does need me.  I
can't abandon him now."
	"He's asleep."
	"He'll know."  Tom searched for the words, trying to convey how
important it was to him.  "Lestat has never had a champion.  Someone
who believed in him simply for the sake of that belief.  Until now.  I
know him.  And I admire him.  And right now, that's important, even if he
never once says it.  More than ever, he needs a friend."
	"And you're that friend?"
	He looked steadily at Brad.  "I chose to be Lestat.  I could have
had any part in Interview I wanted, truth be told and to hell with
squawking authors.  I *chose* Lestat.  In a way, I gave myself to him even
then, and just like now, there is no going back."
	Brad nodded, accepting the words.  But he met Tom's eyes, his own
expression troubled.  "He's dangerous, Tom."
	"They all are.  Even Antonio.  Perhaps *especially* Antonio."
	Brad let out an exasperated breath and looked away.  "Ok, what
if I told you that I needed you too, right now.  That I don't want to
be alone, and it's been a hell of a night, and if I don't wake up
next to you I'm gonna think it's all a dream?"
	Tom's smile was devilish.  He slowly reached out, twining his 
fingers happily in Brad's glossy mane.  Then he tugged, exposing the long
column of his throat.  As Brad swallowed, Tom fastened his lips just below
his ear and sucked *hard*.  When he finally pulled away to survey his
work, he was pleased to see the skin already bruising.  "That'll convince
you I'm real."
	Brad just shook his head, grinning.  Tom got serious again.  "But
you still don't want to be alone."
	"No."
	The admission seemed to cost him, which tore at Tom.  Finally, he
offered the only solution he could think of.  "Come with me, then."
	"What?"
	"A house full of vampires, a hotel full of vampires, what's the
difference?  Come with me."
	"There is a *big* difference between sleeping in the same house
with David Talbot and sleeping in the same hotel suite with Lestat de
Lioncourt!  *HUGE*!"
	"A vampire is a vampire, Brad." Tom said softly.  "If they're hungry
enough, we're all dinner."
	"But Lestat..."
	"May actually be my friend.  And in any case, you're the mortal
Louis.  I think he'd rather face the sun again than hurt you."  The doubt
was still highly obvious in Brad's expression.  "You can leave a wake up
call for just before sunset.  You never have to face him, if you don't want
to."
	"You're determined to go back to him, aren't you?"
	"Just as determined as I am to wake up with you by my side."  Tom
reached out and brushed his lips against Brad's in more of a promise than
a kiss.
	Brad sighed once more, then gave in.  "Alright.  But I want out of
there before he wakes up."
	"I'll make sure of it."
	He grinned at the look on Tom's face.  "You don't have to be so
damn self satisfied, you know."
	"I can't help it.  I feel like I've just been handed the world
on a silver platter."  He kissed Brad once more, briefly, then went to call
a cab.
	The ride to the hotel was brief, and silent.  The cabbie was a
trifle star struck, but kept his peace.  Finally they approached the suite,
and Tom could watch Brad grow more and more pale with each step.  Outside the
door they halted, and Tom put his hand on Brad's arm.  "We're together.
Trust me."
	"I do.  That's what scares the shit outta me."
	Tom laughed softly and keyed the lock.  As he thought, the suite
was closed tight against the light of day.  He led Brad to his own room and
closed the door tightly behind them before turning on a light.  At once
he called for a wake up call for 5:00 pm.  Then he turned to Brad, not
knowing quite what to do next.
	Brad did not seem to have that problem.  Once in the Lion's Den,
he seemed to cease to worry about it.  He slowly crossed to where Tom stood,
then reached for him, drawing him into a kiss that seemed simple, but 
meant the world.  Before they knew it, they had tumbled to the bed, still
in each other's arms.  When they finally slept, it was in the same position,
curled tightly around one another, both smiling slightly, even in their
dreams.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 436: Tom

	He knew, without even opening his eyes, who he was with and where 
he was.  Unusual, because he was not a "morning person".  But even so, 
Tom knew that he was in the middle of a California King curled around his 
newest lover... Brad.  They had shifted a bit during the day.  They now 
rested in a spoon, Brad holding him tightly.  As though he were going 
anywhere. 
	Smiling in the darkness, Tom slowly worked his arm to where he 
could see the illuminated dial of his watch... which he had forgotten to 
take off as they slept.  His smile widened at the memory of what had 
distracted him so.  Ah, 4:30.  Still time.  Again moving stealthily, he 
snaked his arm out to the edge of the bed.  Brad moved once, shifting and 
muttering a protest, but otherwise did not stir.  Finally Tom had the 
phone in his hand and quickly dialed "0".  Keeping his voice very low, he 
cancelled the wake up call for 5:00.  He had better ways to wake Brad than 
with the shrill scream of a telephone.
	Satisfied, he slowly turned in Brad's arms until they faced each 
other.  Brad was climbing out of sleep now, which was fine.  Tom would 
hate the effort to be wasted.  He restricted himself to "above the 
shoulders"... otherwise he felt that they might not truly get out of bed 
until after sunset.  And he had promised after all.  So, with regret, he 
busied his hands well above the waist, drawing Brad's hair from his face, 
kissing him gently.
	He was not prepared for the powerful arm that snaked around his 
back suddenly, rolling him neatly to lay flat.  His gasp was lost, 
swallowed by Brad as he hungrily devoured Tom's lips.  The kiss swept 
them along, back to the gazebo, to the wonderful night they had shared of 
awakening and intimacy.
	Tom found himself responding without thought, his hands drifting 
over Brads back to cup his ass, drawing his hips in to rest snug against 
his own.  He delighted in the shiver he felt within Brad's body at the 
motion, the resulting rocking thrust which caused an echoing shiver to 
dance along his own spine.  It was all he could to to tear his lips away, 
drawing a deep breath.  At once Brad locked on to his now-exposed throat, 
nibbling and sucking.  Tom buried his fingers in Brad's hair, never 
wanting it to end... but somehow knowing it must.  He had *promised*. 
	"Brad..." he gasped, the whisper more a plea.  "Brad... mmmmmmm, 
God... that feels wonderful..... wait, Brad!"  He finally tugged harder, 
drawing Brad's head up and away.
	"What?"  With that one word, Tom's best intentions nearly fled.  
Above him, Brad was pure seduction.  His gaze was soft, still sleepy, 
smokey with desire, his voice still sleep-rough and sexier than anything 
Tom had ever faced before.  Tom's gaze flickered over Brad's lips, 
swollen from kisses... he shivered *hard*, determined to make one attempt 
at least.  
	"The sun will set soon, beautiful one." Tom whispered softly, his 
eyes gently pleading though he knew that Brad would bolt.  "You wanted to 
wake before then."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 437: Brad

     Brad frowned in his sleep and is eyes fluttered open in time to
focus on the shadowy motion beside him. What really woke him was the
flexing of the hard musculature he was pressed against as Tom slowly
shifted his weight. His own muscles clinched involuntarily and he
started to protest Tom's departure from the bed, but Tom's forward
motion stopped and Brad held still and waited to see what was up.
<ooc-no crude commentary, please!<g>>
     He smiled in the darkness as the low voice canceled the 5:00 wake
up call, closing his eyes quickly and letting his body relax
completely as Tom hung up the phone and turned slowly towards him. Tom
lay still for a moment, and Brad knew Tom was studying him. Brad made
a very creditable show of drifting up out of sleep...he was an actor
after all all! He smiled in the darkness as he felt Tom's hand gently
brush the hair out of his face. The hair had been helping to hide the
grin, and he tried to mask it as his hair was pushed back - but gave
the whole deal up when Tom began kissing him gently.
     Brad pounced.
     He got a good grip and rolled, tucking Tom neatly under him. Then
he swooped, swallowing Tom's startled gasp, plundering the satiny
warmth of his mouth. He groaned into Tom's mouth as Tom's hands slid
down his back and pulled him closer, pressing their hips together.
Brad shivered at the feel of Tom's hands pulling him closer and his
body answered without thought as he ground against his lover.
     Tom tore his mouth from Brad's gasping for air, so Brand switched
to his neck, sucking and biting - and not being gentle either! Tom's
hands were in his hair again as he gasped and moaned under Brad's
vigorous attention
     "Brad..." Tom gasped. "Brad... mmmmmmm, God... that feels
wonderful..... wait, Brad!" Brad dimly felt the pulling and tugging at
his hair, but finally Tom succeeded in getting away. 
     "What?" Brad raised up just at bit and looked down at Tom. He 
took slow inventory of every feature while Tom's gaze fixed on his
lips, which Brad obligingly drew his tongue across, catching the
bottom lip in his teeth and slowly releasing it.
     Tom quaked beneath him and Brad looked deep into his eyes, wonder
slowly stealing over him at the realization of the *power* he had over
someone to whom power was as natural as breathing. Tom might have
claimed him - but it appeared that Brad had done a bit of claiming as
well!
     "The sun will set soon, beautiful one." Tom whispered softly, his
eyes gently pleading as if he thought Brad would leap out of bed and
leave him. "You wanted to wake before then."
     Brad smiled slowly, then bent to kiss Tom very, very thoroughly
until they were both shaking with unspent desire. 
     "Your right, Thomas. Time to go," Brad slid away from Tom,
trailing hands and lips and hair across the shivering body as he swung
his legs off the edged of bed and stood. He sauntered toward the
bathroom, taking his time as he knew he had very attentive audience.
He knew he couldn't drag this out much longer as his own body was
shrieking at him, begging for release. He paused at the bathroom door
tossing a casual look over his shoulder.
     "What are you doing still in bed? Come on! We don't have that
much time, you know..." He back-pedaled quickly as Tom launched
himself from the bed closing the distance between them in an instant.
Brad yelped as he found himself sandwiched between a hot body and cold
tile. 
     "Shower...wash..." he managed to get out between frantic kisses.
Without warning Tom picked him up and deposited him in the shower,
stepping in after him and sliding the glass door shut behind him. As
Brad leaned back against the tile, gasping for air, Tom fiddled with
the faucets adjusting the temperature. Satisifed with the temperature,
Tom activated the shower, and Brad closed his eyes against the
stinging spray of warm water. 
     After a moment he opened his eyes and looked at Tom who stood
just outside the spray, staring at the water cascading over Brad's
body with a look of wonder and pained desire. Brad turned away from
Tom slowly, shaking the wet hair back from his face. Tilting his head
back into the spray, he let the water pull his hair back and smooth
it. Straightening, he could feel the water coursing down his spine
setting it tingling.
     He turned his head and again gave Tom a look over his shoulder.
     "Wash my back for me?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 438: Tom

	The physical beauty of the man before him literally took his 
breath away.  It was almost magical... no matter what he did, he only 
improved visually.  Tom had thought Brad stunning in costume, buried 
under pounds of makeup.  Dressed casually, in repose, finer still.  Last 
night... amazing.  But now... he seemed utterly comfortable in his skin, 
at ease with the entire situation.  There was nothing halfhearted about 
Brad's way of looking at the world.  And once committed, it seemed, that 
was it.  It was done.  And Tom knew for certain fact that he had never 
seen anything more beautiful in his entire life.
	Brad turned to face the water, then looked back over his 
shoulder.  "Wash my back for me?"
	Tom allowed a responding smile to lazily spread across his face.  
"My pleasure."  Brad turned again to face the water as Tom reached for 
the shower gel, coating his hands in a small mountain of the fragrent 
stuff.  Then he gently eased it over the rippling muscles of Brad's back, 
his sides, over the tight butt.  Filling his hands once more with gel, he 
stepped forward, his chest sliding against Brad's back, as he reached 
around, under Brad's arms, to play his slippery fingers across his 
chest.  Tom delighted in everything happening... the sound of the water 
mixing with the low moan seeming to drift up from the center of Brad... 
the way his head tilted back so that Tom could slide up to caress his
exposed throat... the heated shivers when Tom's hands then slid *down*, 
cupping him intimately, teasing him.  The game was over in seconds as 
Brad suddenly thrust against his hand, his own palms flat 
against the wall to brace himself.  Tom felt as though he were 
riding a wild, untamed stallion until Brad suddenly tensed and cried out, 
giving a last mighty thrust which seemed to last forever.  When he 
finally relaxed, slumping back, Tom gathered him in to hold him close, to 
whisper endearments which may or may not have been lost to the warm water 
around them.
	Brad suddenly turned in Tom's arms, kissing him deeply, taking 
advantage of the excess gel to slide his own hands down Tom's rock-hard 
back.  He left Tom gasping, his mind whirling when Brad finally stepped 
away.  At the gentle touch of fingers against his face Tom forced his 
eyes to open, meeting the sapphire gaze of his lover.  Brad fixed him 
with a heated look, making *sure* Tom was watching, then slowly sank to 
his knees, still looking... then drawing Tom deep into his mouth.
	Tom cried out sharply, flexing, his hands reaching out on 
instinct to tangle in Brad's hair, thrusting.... the world around them 
faded into a crimson haze of sensation.  He was so close... then he 
looked down once more, and that forbidden sight sent him over the edge at 
once, his pleasure vocal and uninhibited.  
	When he was finally able to focus, he asked the first question 
that came to his befuddled brain.  "How am I still standing?"
	The warm smile was audible in Brad's voice, murmured into Tom's 
ear.  "Because I'm holding you."  Tom looked up at that, back into Brad's 
eyes... and immediately sought out his lips, searching for a lingering 
taste of himself there.  Brad responded, but backed up a bit, until the 
warm spray washed over the two of them, rinsing away the last of the gel.
	Thoroughly relaxed, still somewhat dreamy, the two of them 
finally stepped out of the shower, playing at drying each other, dressing 
only because they must.  Tom began to worry as he looked at his watch.  
Far more time had passed in the shower than he had realized.  
	Brad caught his gesture and smiled.  "Relax.  We've time yet."
	Tom shook his head.  "He's an early riser.  Remember?"
	Brad looked at him sharply, then nodded, speeding the process.
	Finally they were dressed and ready to face the world.  Tom 
watched him with reluctance, knowing that no matter where their 
relationship went, the magic of this first 24 hours would never be 
repeated.  Brad looked over his shoulder as he headed for the bedroom 
door.  "Coming?"
	"I'll walk you to the door." Tom answered.  "But I'd like to be 
here when Lestat wakes.  He was... upset, when I last saw him."
	"The boy is *always* upset about something." Brad snorted, then 
opened the door, Tom right behind him.  So it was that he nearly collided 
straight into him when Brad stopped in his tracks.  Stepping around 
quickly, he knew even before he *saw* why he had stopped.
	A slow smile spread over Lestat's face.  He sat in a chair near 
the door, obviously waiting for them.  "Good evening, Mssr. Pitt."  He 
stood and walked toward them, his smile growing wider.  I don't know that 
we've been formally introduced.  I am the Vampire Lestat."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 439: Daniel

 	"Do you want me to stay or shall I leave?" Daniel asked.
 	"Oh... I kinda like you,Daniel. No, scratch that. I really like you. 
Why don't you, um, stay for a while?"
	"I would really like to stay...but, well, what about the others?"
	"What _about_ the others?"
	"Pandora, David...the mortals...what will they think?"
	"Since when do you care about what 'others' say, Daniel?" Jesse's
lip curved on a wide smile.
	"I don't care. I was only thinking about you...I don't want to make
you feel akward in front of David and Pandora. I don't know how they will
take it."
	Jesse yawned. "Daniel, I think you're worrying without reason."
	"They'll think it's funny, right? Jessica and the twerp..."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 440: Lestat's Letter

   [Text of a letter from Lestat and delivered by messanger to Louis]

   Louis,

   I hope you'll forgive me the lateness of this reply since at the moment
   being coherent enough to put pen to paper is an astounding act of will on
   my part.  I have made what may very well be the worst mistake of my life or
   one of the best things I have ever done.

   And I find that the pain of speaking to you this way is all the more acute
   because right now there is nothing and *no one* whom I would like to be
   with right now and to talk about this with than you.

   But I respect that my own actions have created this and I've none but
   myself to blame if I do not like it.  But I hope you will understand if I
   end up pouring my heart out to you here.

   You asked to understand me.  I would like that.  Very much.  And I say to
   you now that I hold nothing back from you.  No secrets, no lies.  Not the
   vampire who lorded his mysterious knowledge over you in the past but an
   open, honest man.  Totally scared out of his wits because of it, but honest
   nevertheless.  Ask me whatever you wish, I will answer it.

   In the spirit of that, and admittedly out of my selfish desire to talk
   about this with you, I will tell you what has happened.

   Marius came to me last night and asked for peace between me and Armand.  I
   am not sure yet what I make of the idea since I am still in shock over what
   I said to Marius, and he to me, but I think that I like the idea.  Right
   now I would do anything to stop the hurting, my own and other's.

   He called me his son, Louis.  Marius did, I mean.  And, God help me, I
   opened up my heart to him and told him a secret I'd kept so deep inside of
   me for so many years that I thought it would never find freedom at my lips
   by calling him mon pere.

   There's a pain in that.  But I think it is the good kind.

   But I have lived as a man driven by fear for so long that I cannot help but
   wonder what stupid, foolish, *hateful* things I will do once the shock
   wears off and I realize what I have said.  And God I do NOT WANT TO DO THAT
   AGAIN!!

   For over 200 years I have lived under the tyranny of a nightmare.  Fear of
   a pain that has a name and which sought me out very personally.  But the
   greater nightmare still is to look in the mirror and know that the monster
   I fear is *me*.  To hear the words that came from his lips come out of
   mine, see his actions become my own, discover his thoughts lurking about my
   head like a cold assassin.

   And then Marius comes to me last night and says No, you are *my* son.

   I may tremble so hard that I will shatter myself to pieces.

   A new life, perhaps.  Another idea that I like very much.  A life which
   starts now and which, perhaps, I can keep from ruining as I have thus far.

   It is a new beginning, at any rate.  It seems all of my relationships are
   beginnings, these days.  Marius, you.  Perhaps even Armand, one who I would
   call brother, if he would let me.

   There's a sudden smile on my face, Louis, because the idea of a new
   beginning reminds me of London, as I'm sure you know and are not surprised
   by.  We should go back there someday.  As whatever we turn out to be.  I
   would like that, I think.

   --Lestat

   P.S.--Whatever *did* you do with that ring?