It Begins

My heartrate skyrocketed. Already? What did the driver do, speed? We were parked in front of a multi-story old brick building with a clock tower. Was this it?

"Just a pit stop." Said the guard with the bloody nose. "He wants to see her."

"He? He who?" I asked.

"Ah, ok. Guess he heard about the nightmare then." Rory commented dryly.

"Driver radioed in the disturbance before the explanation was given they're here. Ms. Rivers.." The guard opened the door. I looked at Rory for an explanation, refusing to budge.

"Well go on, don't run off, we're wasting time." Rory shooed me.

"Gee thanks, very helpful." I stepped out of the car nervously.

"Carys!" I heard a familiar voice call and turned to see Alexandre standing with Cornelius and Mina in a carseat.

"Alexandre! What?!" I didn't care and just raced to him, having to remind myself to slow down to a normal human speed.

"Carys! You should wait for your guards!" Alexandre scolded as he caught me. I heard shouting behind me and Rory's laughter.

"What are you doing here? I thought-"

"You didn't think you were the only one who got a summons, did you?" Alexandre chided, smoothing my hair back from face. My eyes filled with tears and Alexandre looked at Cornelius with worry.

"No, it's ok, I'm not having an attack, I just fell asleep and had a nightmare, that's all. I AM really glad to see Mina though-it'll be her feeding time soon and-" I felt the prick of a needle in the side of my thigh anyway.

"Asshole! That's twice in one day! What's that gonna do to Mina!" I yelled.

"This sedative hasn't been shown to be carried into breast milk. Mina should be fine." Cornelius responded withdrawing the needle.

"Should be?!" I exclaimed.

"Ok, look at it this way-your body, and hers, burn through it so fast, it probably won't matter anyway.

"PROBABLY?!" I growled.

"Hmm... I may have to use another dose." Cornelius observed, unzipping the bag he was carrying.

"Umm no. HELL to the no. Nein. Nyett. Non. I can't even think of any other languages to say it in right now, but NO!" I replied, hiding behind Alexandre.

"Then calm down." Cornelius looked at me sternly.

"Yeah, yeah." I sassed, still hiding out of reach. Alexandre grabbed me around the waist as the guards and Rory came over.

"Well I'd say the attitude is proof enough that you're fine, however.." Alexandre looked at Rory. "I'll be trading places with you for the rest of the trip. Mina and I will accompany Carys. Rory, you go with Cornelius in the car behind." Rory nodded, running a hand through his hair.

"Yeah, figured that was coming. Sorry I flubbed this one." Rory sighed.

"You didn't do anything wrong!" I protested. "I just had a nightmare! I.." Alexandre placed a finger on my lips.

"Carys is right Rory, you did nothing wrong. I just think it would be safer for everyone involved if I accompany Carys the rest of the way. In case she decides to nap again." He said looking at the guard's bloodied and swelling nose. I blushed.

"I.." I tried to apologize but Rory's laugh drowned out anything I'd planned to say.

"It was an epic kick to the face Alexandre. You should have seen it. I hope this guy's getting overtime." Rory laughed again. I crossed my arms and started walking back towards the car. Two stone-faced guards flanked me.

"We're gonna be late." I said loudly to no one in particular.

One of the guards got in the front, leaving us with the more cheerful, less bloody one in the back. Alexandre set Mina's carseat beside the guard, who actually smiled at her, and then he sat next to me, tugging me into his embrace.

"I'm really glad you came." I told him softly as the car started moving.

"You didn't think we'd make you face this alone did you?" Alexandre teased lightly.

"Well, it's not that. I just wasn't trying to be a burden on anyone. You all have done so much for me. You saved me, Cornelius saved you for me and then helped out with Mina, Rory uprooted his whole life for me, I just.. feel like there's an unequal power balance here." I shrugged.

"And whose idea was it to invite Rory to say? Which enabled him to find a home again, love, and a better job because we could help with his identification problems. And who agreed to help Cornelius by offering her blood so that he, in turn, could find love?" Alexandre kissed my temple. I silently digested his words, and a little spark of hope bloomed in my chest.

"That still leaves the balance of power between you and me way out of proportion." I replied sadly.

"My dear, sweet, silly Carys. You gave me the best gift of all. You offered me yourself." Alexandre turned my face so that he could kiss me, but Mina interrupted the kiss by letting out a piercing wail.

"It's about that time." I sighed and Alexandre chuckled.

Nursing Mina with the guard sitting across from me was uncomfortable, though he did his best to appear to be staring beyond me.

"Relax Carys." Alexandre laughed, noticing my discomfort. "Antony has seen much worse in his days as bodyguard."

"That is certainly true." The man called Antony replied with a light grin.

"Antony is actually one of the few who know we're not quite normal." Alexandre said softly, kissing my temple and pulling my back against his side. "Why don't you put your feet up and relax. Mina looks like she's going to be a while." As if to prove his point, Mina issued several soft, satisfied grunts.

"I don't know everything-but I've been there a few time Mr. Rivers has.. uh.. let his supernatural side show." Antony shivered slightly. "Frankly, I don't wanna know. I'm paid well and he's stepped in to help me a few times, so let's leave it at that." Antony raised his hands.

"Besides that, I know for a fact he's been the guard of at least one active porn star, plus a couple of rather dangerous men who like blood almost as much as we do." Alexandre cradled me in his arms gently as my eyes widened.

"Hey, I don't judge. You pay me, I do what I do, which is protect you from harm." Antony said simply. I guess I really couldn't expect much more-who else would be willing to guard a bunch of vampires?

"The porn star bit doesn't bother me so much.. Just.. the other thing.." I muttered and Antony laughed.

"You're a weird one, that's for sure." Antony's eyes sparkled. "The porn star doesn't bother you, but you're embarrassed to feed your baby in front of me? Ma'am, if you'll excuse my crudeness, I've seen much worse things get sucked for much less wholesome reasons." Antony shook his head with a laugh. "Never be ashamed to feed your baby. That's what your breasts are there for. I was properly taught this by my own wife." Antony grinned and I couldn't help but smile back, relaxing a little in Alexandre's arms.

The rest of the trip was uneventful. Antony was captivated by Mina and kept her entertained while she was awake. He babbled at her and complimented her pretty eyes and bounced toys in front of her while she stared and gave little half grins and babbled back until she fell asleep, which I found adorable. Alexandre kept a gentle hold on me the rest of the journey, and I was comforted by his floral, parchment scent. So when I did nod off again, all I dreamed about was him.

"Carys, love, we're here. You have to get up." Alexandre stroked my cheek gently with the back of his hand. I groaned.

"Damn sedatives. Damn Cornelius." I griped and Alexandre chuckled. But I really couldn't complain too much, it had kept me calm through most of the journey, and only now that I was facing actually getting out of the car was my heart beating wildly. There were a crazy amount of people swarming the pale stone building we were in front of. I flinched slightly as I saw them. I was going to have to get through that? Alexandre placed a gentle arm around my waist.

"You'll be just fine. We're all here for you." Alexandre said softly. As if on cue, Rory and Cornelius appeared outside the car window and the second guard tapped the door.

"Are we ready?" Antony asked with a slight grin.

"Uh, no." I responded and Antony's grin grew wider as he threw open the passenger door. There was a series of bright flashes while media personnel fought to take photos of the inside of the car. I held up a hand to protect my eyes.