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Chapter Seven

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Seconds later her vision returned and she could see a foggy face looking down at her. “Get away from me!” She slurred and tried to push away the face that she thought was Raphael.

William held her closer in his lap and fought against her dizzy struggle. “It’s only me, William.” He said calmly and Jack’s body stopped pushing away from him.

“Oh.” She said, her vision clearing. Her head still hurt like hell but she felt comfortable. His touch was relaxing and he held her tightly and securely but still gentle. “What happened?”

Before he could answer Ashburn, Seneca and Seth came running out of the busy restaurant, shutting the hum of the music out of the porch.

“Did he get away?” Seth asked anxiously, his eyes darting around and his hands shaking. He was ready for a fight.

“Yes.” William confessed but didn’t really care for his complete attention was on Jack.

“Why’d you let him get away?” Ashburn demanded upset, his furry grey eyebrows narrowing.

“She was unconscious, I had to stay.” William defended, still holding Jack in his lap and moving her a bit closer to him as Ashburn accusations flew. Her head fell farther against his shoulder and she felt secure sitting inside the pool of his legs.

“What happened?” Seneca questioned Jack, ignoring the men.

“I don’t really remember.” Jack admitted holding her head.

“He was bleeding.” William said softly looking at Jack, trying to spark a memory.

“Because I stabbed him, if you hadn’t taken my stake I would have killed him.” Jack snapped at William, suddenly getting her gusto back.

“Your stake?” Ashburn quizzed, his eyes rounding in shock.

“You stabbed him?” Seth asked with a large smile and reached to give Jack a high five.

Jack returned the gesture weakly and William helped her to her feet. She wobbled slightly and grabbed onto his shoulder to steady herself.

“Yeah I made a stake the other day but William took it away from me. Luckily there was a loose piece of fence that I used.” Jack said glaring at William halfheartedly.

“Look at your hands.” Seth marveled.

Jack held her hand into the dim light and saw a messy gash and a large splinter from the stake. “Holy shit! Get it out!” She screeched.

“Get what out?” William looked down at her hand, curious.

“The splinter it’s humongous!”

He reached to get the splinter and she quickly retracted her hand. “What are you doing?” He asked frustrated.

“I take it back, don’t take it out. Don’t it’s going to hurt! Leave it in! Leave it in!” She rushed hysterically. She hated splinters and would never walk barefoot on porches because of them.

“It’s just a splinter, you should be more worried about the large cut.” Seth scolded and patted Jack’s head. Ashburn shook his head disapprovingly and mumbled something about paying for the check, Seneca followed and they walked back inside. “Wait for me! I need to get a doggy bag!” Seth yelled running after them.

Jack laughed at the irony, a doggy bag for the dog. William used her distraction to his advantage and reached again for the splinter. “No! No! No! It’s okay, it doesn’t bother me!” Jack lied.

“Come on Jack, it’ll only hurt for a second.” He said backing her against the diner, his dark green eyes staring directly into her gray ones.

“A second too long for me.” She insisted and watched him curiously. Her back hit the diner’s wall and the position felt terrifyingly familiar to one she was just in with Raphael. But he smelt like chocolate milkshakes versus the copper of blood. His skin showed life and his eyes weren’t bright red. She felt safer versus being in danger. She felt excited instead of being frightened.

William’s warm hand cupped Jack’s cheek and he leaned close enough so she could hear each of his breaths. Reluctantly her mind was screaming kiss me! Kiss me!

She felt a sharp sting on her hand and quickly turned her head to see that William had taken out her splinter. “Hey!” She protested.

“That wasn’t so bad now was it?” He asked slyly, his face still close to her. His back was dipped down so their noses were at an equal height and she felt her breath caught in her throat.

But She grinned friendly, defying their romantic moment. “Only because I didn’t expect it.”

William pulled back from her, Jack suddenly missed the warmth of his hand against her cheek but she shrugged it off.

He coughed awkwardly. “I’m sorry that I left you out here alone.”

“Hey,” Jack protested and punched him playfully on the shoulder. “I’m tough shit! That vampire ain’t gonna come around here anymore.” She joked.

William gave her a halfhearted disapproving glance. “Don’t be so nonchalant.” He scolded. “Your life is at stake.”

Jack looked at him seriously. “I think I got that already.”

Catching her completely off guard, William reached down and embraced her in a quick, uncharacteristic hug when he saw her big sad grey eyes. His arms came around her upper torso.

“What’s this for?” Jack questioned but returned the hug by placing her arms over his shoulders. The top of her head came barely above his shoulder even when he leaned over.

“You look to much like a kicked puppy.” He mumbled next to her ear. The slight wisp of his warm breath tangled in her ear and sent excited butterflies down her neck.

She snorted and pulled away. “Says the werewolf. Hey, can I have my stake back?”

He narrowed his eyes at her, partly upset that she had left their short embrace and the other part of him upset that she wanted to put her life in risk again. “No.”

She wrinkled her nose in frustration. “But I know how to use it and what if I’m attacked again?”

He sighed while he subconsciously tucked back a strand of her golden hair behind her ear. “Fine but only until I get around to teaching you basic vampire self defense.”

She laughed, self consciously smoothing the same hair he had touched. “Did you take a course at the community center for that one?”

-&-

Seth had volunteered to be Jack’s escort, to be her Seeing Eye dog as he put it. He was tapping along to the song playing on the scratchy radio, Jack recognized this as a habit of his, and she hummed along, a habit of hers.

Her humming quickly turned into full out singing of her favorite ‘David Bowie’ song.

“You would know the lyrics.” Seth teased as he propped his shoes up on the dashboard.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m an Bowie nut, what more can I say.”

“I’m too gansta for oldies.” Seth said in his ‘ghetto’ accent.

“It’s not that old!” Jack defended.

Seth grinned and pushed her playfully on the shoulder. “You sound like William.”

“He’s also a fan of good music?” Jack leered but still focused on the road.

“More like an ‘anything-but-rap’ fan.” Seth revealed.

“Amen.” Jack said smiling.

“Not this again.” Seth said with sudden seriousness, he relocated his legs to a normal sitting position and leaned forward.

“Fine, I can change it to a rap station if you want.” Jack said reaching for the dial.

“No, that’s not what I mean.” Seth stopped her hand and pointed at the road.

Jack saw the vampire lady who pretended to be Raphael’s mother standing in the middle of the road. “Is this another attack?” Jack asked worried.

“I sure hope not, we’re outnumbered.” Seth commented. The others had decided to run home in their werewolf form and were probably already back.

Jack stopped the car abruptly causing slush to splatter under the tires and she watched as the female vampire walked up to the car. She walked over the layer of snow in her bright violet high heels with her hands held up in a peace offering. Jack rolled down the window and waited patiently.

“I’m Guinevere.” She spoke with caution. She was the definition of beautiful with her high, elegant cheekbones, perfectly curled blonde hair and white dusty skin. She looked like royalty. When Gwen was sure that she wasn’t going to get a response, she continued. “I’m alone so you don’t have to worry about being attacked.

“I’d just like to say how sorry it is that you have been dragged into this.” She continued saying directly to Jack. Her beautiful features showed the utmost sincerity in her French accent. “Raphael wants revenge for his brother and has been taking it out on the wrong person, you. I realize you won’t be able to trust my mate or me but we’ve decided to help you. We’re trying to convince Raphael to back off and we won’t try to hurt you anymore.

“I can’t say the same for Raphael. He’s unstable, we won’t be able to stop any of his actions, and he’s much stronger than the both of us. I’d just like to warn you to get away, chances are he won’t pursue you if you leave but if you’re here, he’ll be after you consistently. He hasn’t much more to do.” Her pale but full lips turned upward in a sympathetic smile.

“I’m sorry.” She repeated earnestly.

Jack nodded solemnly and tried to forgive the vampire. “Thank you for trying to help me.” Her speaking was much less eloquent than the French vampire.

“Good luck.” Gwen said. Her purple scarf billowed after her as she darted back into the night.

Jack looked over at Seth who was dumbfounded. “That was unexpected.” He said.

“Let’s just go home.” Jack whispered, still shocked to have had a non-violent confrontation with a vampire. Maybe her prejudice was wrong.

-&-

When the truck pulled up to Jack’s house, William immediately ran down the porch steps in his white wife beater and jeans; werewolves didn’t get cold easily.

“What happened?” He asked Seth. They had arrived later than they should have. He had expected them to reach the house only minutes after his truck did and when fifteen minutes passed with no sign of the two, he was already regretting running home to burn off some of his unresolved sexual tension.

Seth grimaced, knowing William’s reaction would be bad. “We met Gwen, the vampire woman.”

William growled. “What did she want?” He accused automatically, almost rushing to Jack’s side to check for injuries.

Jack rolled her eyes at his haste. “She’s nice William, she told me that she wasn’t going to help Raphael kill me.” She stated bluntly.

William exhaled, relieved that there hadn’t been a second attack in the same night. “That’s good, I can take Raphael if he’s alone.”

“No.” Jack said closing her truck door and wading through the snow towards her house and William. “I want to go with you guys and leave Raphael alone.”

“But I could just end this and you wouldn’t have to leave.” William protested.

“I don’t want to hurt Raphael, I don’t blame him for what he is doing. His brother was killed and he’s trying to get over that grief in an unconventional way.” She spoke firmly, making her point seem as strong as she could.

“You give him too much credit.” William argued. “He doesn’t think that way.”

“He may be not be human William but he still has feelings!” Jack snapped while struggling to take off her heavy boots and toss them into the warm hallway.

“So you’re defending the guy who wants to kill you.” He watched her finally yank the last boot off and followed her into her house.

“Yes, but no!” Jack ran her hand through her tangled blonde waves in frustration. “I don’t like him but I don’t want to approach him.”

“You don’t have to, I will.” William explained as she hung up her winter coat. She wasn’t making any sense, in his mind Raphael deserved to die. The bastard wanted to kill Jack, wasn’t that enough incentive to stake him.

“No I’d rather no one approaches him, I don’t want him to die.” She shot back.

“I don’t see why not, he wants you to die.” He reasoned, trying to be rational.

“No he doesn’t exactly, he wants me to be his vampire mate.” She avoided William’s eyes as she admitted what Raphael had told her.

“He did what?” William’s eyes opened wide with shock and anger. He wanted a vampire mate? That certainly put a painful twist in his life, what if Jack wanted to become a vampire? No that was ridiculous, she was appalled by the idea of becoming a werewolf and being a vampire would be ten times worse. Or so he assumed.

“He didn’t do anything but he wants to turn me.” Jack said. They stood in the cramped entrance hallway nearly nose to nose. Seth had skillfully evaded the situation and was listening in the safety of the kitchen.

William’s hands were balled into fist and the vein in his neck was pulsating violently. “So this is what this is about? You want to be his vampire mate!”

Jack’s mouth opened shocked because of the accusation. “That’s ridiculous! How could you even say that? Who would want to be a vampire?”

“Well why else wouldn’t you want to kill him? You want something from him!” William accused irrationally.

“No!” She yelled and threw her hands into the air. “I just want to leave!” She narrowed her eyes at William and shoved her finger into his chest, pushing him aside. “And I don’t need you! I’m leaving on my own!”

William was silent, contemplating what she said and instantly regretting his wild claim. Not to mention the sting her words had branded him with. She didn’t need him. It was almost unbearable seeing that he was beginning to realize that he liked her around. “Shit.” He cursed as Jack slammed the door behind her. He turned to look at Seth, who was eating a corndog, for help.

Seth rolled his eyes at his hotheaded brother. “Quick, go after her before she actually leaves. I’ll go tell mom and dad that we’re leaving, although I’m sure they heard.”

He did as his brother instructed and pivoted back towards the door, nearly slipping on the melted snow. He pulled the door open and was blinded by the bright lights of Jack’s car. Completely skipping the steps, he jumped over the porch rails and ran towards the truck that was pulling out of the driveway.

Jack tried to reverse as fast as possible but she could see William running towards her faster than she expected. She was so angry and it couldn’t just be because of what William had accused her of but he was whom she decided to pinpoint all of her frustration, fear, and anger onto.

William reached for the handle but she quickly locked it before he could open the door. He wasn’t having difficulty keeping up with the truck but it would have been easier to calm her down if he was inside.

“Jack!” He shouted hoping she could hear because the window wasn’t completely rolled up. “I can run without breaks for days and you’ll run out of gas eventually! Just let me talk to you. Please!”

She didn’t spare him a glance and continued to drive.

“Please pullover!” William sighed as she ignored him still. “You’re being immature Jack!”

The car screeched to a stop and William continued to run past it without realizing. He turned around and saw Jack storming out of the truck towards him.

“I am not immature!” She yelled, wild blond curls flying in the winter breeze and became covered in flurries.

“Running away from your problems is immature.” William reasoned calmly, slowly stepping closer to her.

“I never run away from my problems!” Jack ranted. “All my life I’ve been dealing with my problems and now since I want to get away from a psychotic vampire killer I’m immature?”

She continued without waiting for his reply. “I try to pretend that the whole car accident or when I was almost raped hasn’t completely traumatized me and now that I’m doing what you guys originally suggested I’m immature!

“I mean really how fair is it that I’m being targeted for all this shit! Why me?” She shouted. With his perfect night vision, William could see the angry tears running down her face.

He wanted to approach her, hold her, but he couldn’t. He was certain she would push him away and he wasn’t about to become the next Raphael or Frances. Besides, crying girls sort of freaked him out.

William moved to her side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, not sure what he should do. Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to decide whether he should take a step farther because she instantly embraced him.

“I can’t sleep.” She whispered. “Not without dreaming about him. I thought my life would go back to normal after the first night and now I know that nothing’s going to be the same. I just want to leave.” He fully wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her close to him, and gave into her hug. “I just want to get away from him.”

“Don’t worry.” He whispered comfortingly against the top of her head. “I’m going to take you far away and he won’t ever be able to touch you again.”

She nodded weakly and let him pick her up. He placed her gently next to him in the truck and drove back to her home. Her breathing had evened and she had stopped crying. She was ashamed that she had broke down in front of him, ashamed about how juvenile she had acted.

They drove back into the parking spot and saw the three werewolves waiting for them. Jack slipped out of the car, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.

“Come on Jackie, let’s go pack your things and we’ll leave tonight.” Seneca said reaching for Jack’s hand and pulling her back inside. “Now let’s see, I’m sure jeans and your plaid shirts would do just fine but I think you should bring some nicer things also, just incase. We’ll probably be gone for a long time but you should be able to come back eventually to get your things and say goodbye to your father properly.” They reached Jack’s closet and Seneca flung it open. “Now let’s see what you’ve got.”

-&-

“Where are we going?” Seth asked on Jack’s right side. William, Jack, and Seth were crammed into the back seats again as they drove down the highway.

It had only taken several minutes for them to pack completely, Jack had agreed to whatever Seneca flung into her duffel bag. Only a couple of Jack’s things had been added, some comfortable clothes, her mom’s camera, a photo album, and her savings. She had also given Seneca and the boys some of her parent’s old clothes because when they had run across the countryside as wolves, they hadn’t really bothered in bringing any suitcases.

“The Pullmans.” Ashburn answered from behind the steering wheel.

“No, I can’t stand that Hunter kid.” William growled.

“Do you think they are willing to help?” Jack asked when all of the passengers had decided to ignore William’s statement.

“They might not.” Seneca replied turning her head so she could see the three in the backseat.

“I can use my masculine charms on Rosaline so she can influence her pack to help us.” Seth joked.

“Well I can always drop you guys off where you need to go and then go on my own way.” Jack suggested. “Gwen said that Raphael would leave me alone if I left and it would be less trouble to you.”

“We will not be leaving you until we have your safety. We have taken on this role as protectors and we don’t give up.” Ashburn spoke with authority. “Besides, the Pullman’s will help.”

“How can you be sure?” Jack asked.

“I just am.” Ashburn told her, avoiding a real answer to her question.

“Where are they?” William was sitting next to Jack and Seth in the backseat of the truck. They were sufficiently squashed, the two brothers took up most of the space and Jack was balancing a bit on both of their laps.

“Ontario, it’s going to take the entire night and some more to get there.” Ashburn was driving the car, he had elected not to listen to any music and his eyes never left the road.

“That’s why we should sleep so we can rotate drivers.” Seneca said to the three. “Ashburn can go, then me, the William, and lastly Jack.”

William nodded in agreement and pulled out a thick wool blanket from underneath the seats. He tossed one end to Seth and kept the other end, trapping Jack in between the two.

Seth’s head dropped to Jack’s lap so he could curl up against her, like a dog would, and she gently ran her fingers through his short brown hair.

“Wake me up when it’s my turn.” Jack murmured softly to William, not wanting to wake up Seth.

“Sure.” William led Jack’s head with his hand so she was leaning onto his shoulder.

“Night.” Jack said as she tucked herself farther under the blanket and snuggled closer to William.

“Sleep tight.” Seth yawned.

“Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” William finished and Jack felt him smile against her hair, both holding in sighs of contentment.

A/N: A nice long, mostly happy, chapter to make up for my break of absence. So, my readers, do you think I should find character pictures or do you have any actors that the main characters remind you of? And thank you Rosey-Blue, lemontea-addict, and DianaSweetie for your wonderful reviews. So REVIEW!!! Please? I love hearing from you guys!