Love Endures...for now PG
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:00 am
Pairing: Mick and Coraline, with hints of past Josef and Coraline
No copyright infringement intended. This is just for fun and hopefully the enjoyment of readers.
Sounds of the party reminded Josef he was neglecting his guests but he didn’t care. He needed to retreat and sometimes that’s what an office is for. Pouring scotch into a brandy sniffer he swirled it, enjoying the flash of light reflecting off the golden liquid. He needed more than solitude, he needed... a bit of peace to consider the evenings revelations.
Unfortunately, he got neither.
Coraline Duval swept into his office, designer gown and practiced elegance carefully in place.
“So,” she glowed, “what do you think of him?”
“Attractive, if you like that sort--which you clearly do but A positive? Rather pedantic if you ask me-- which you didn’t. Another thing, a decorated war hero isn’t your usual choice, but hey, variety is supposed to be the spice of life--not that it should have anything to do with us. There is also the obvious fact that your new object d’amour has a pulse.”
“You had him checked out.” She seemed surprised.
“Sweetheart, I have everyone checked out, not that I needed it to verify the pulse part. Someone has to look out for you.”
“He’s human. Of course he has a pulse!” she snapped, then softened. “He is lovely though, isn’t he? He treats me like a goddess.”
“He’s decorative and of course he treats you well. He’s charmed. How did you get away from him, anyway? He seems the possessive sort. That will wear after a while.” Josef set the brandy sniffer down on his desk and pushed it away with two fingers. “I got the distinct impression he doesn’t like me.”
“I don’t think he does: he called you a pompass ass. Is that a problem?”
Josef barked a laugh and reclaimed his glass. “Not at all--it's the most interesting thing about him so far.” He grinned. “He’s going to notice you’ve left the party.”
“No, he knows members of the band and is sitting in with them for a set. They dedicated it to me and wanted me to stay and listen, but I told him ‘when you know the source of the spring is good, you don’t have to sip from every pool to know the water is sweet’. I also said I needed to talk to you."
'“How very ‘French’ of you. Why?”
She shrugged. “It just seemed to fit the occasion and I wanted to ask-“
“Not what I mean. A romantic association with a human isn’t wise--you know that and don’t tell me this is just a casual fling. I’ve been reading you for too long not to spot the signs.”
“What signs?”
“The shining eyes, the hint of blush—not than anyone else would notice, but it’s there. When you’re together you attach yourself to him like an undead appendage and that’s not a healthy thing for either of you. You've fallen for this one and the lifespans don’t match. There is no way around that fact.”
“Oh, that,” Coraline waved her carefully manicured hand dismissively. “Of course there is. I plan to Turn him—maybe just after the wedding. I haven’t decided. Besides, we don’t all subscribe to the ‘till death do us part’ thing.”
“Hold it! Are you saying that you are thinking about marrying this guy? Haven’t given this a lot of thought, have you? I can tell you haven’t been feeding from him and even though your mark is there, it’s barely discernible. When did you meet him?”
“About ten years ago when I was home during the war. I told you that I worked with the resistance on occasion and was captured a couple of times. This time, after they tired of interrogating me, three of the SS troops took me into the woods and have a little fun before following orders and executing me. Before I had the chance to have a little fun with them, Mick shows up. He had gotten separated from the soldiers he was with and when he saw a lady in danger-“ her eyes flashed with irritation at Josef’s snort of amusement.
“-he took them on all by himself?” Josef hooted. “Had you not been in control of the situation, the only one to end up dead would have been your latest boy toy and maybe the Nazi troops.”
“Mick didn’t know that--he wanted to protect me and I don’t see that very often. I killed the Nazis in a way that didn’t reveal what I was and over the next several hours he walked me out of the area to where we met up with my brother Pierre. Pierre wiped the entire experience from Mick’s mind, almost killing him in the process—you know his control of that ability isn’t very reliable on a human. Once Mick was stable and just sleeping, I marked him carefully and we took him back to where his people could find him. They would take the tiny wounds on his wrist as from a small animal. I watched out for him in combat for a while and returned the favor of saving him once or twice. Once Mick is Turned, he’ll eventually remember our original meeting but my marking ensured that when we met again, he’d be drawn to me. I knew I wanted to find him again after he’d aged a bit, like a fine wine. He has, hasn’t he.”
“I’m sure. So you planned all this, even then.” Josef said, his expression unreadable.
“He has depths he doesn’t realize. I’ll help him discover them. We can take care of each other.”
“You say he has talents other than fighting and making music?”
“He plays many things well,” she said softly, smiling at her own joke as she poured herself a drink.
“Help yourself,” Josef said thinking of the times the woman before him had promised that they would see civilizations rise and fall together. C’est la vie...or maybe not.
Apparently Coraline could read him as well. “Mon cher, don’t be like that. You’ve never tried to restrain me before. Forever is a long time. There will be time for many things.”
“Coraline, I’m not objecting to you falling in love. When you live as long as we do, it happens. I’ve been there myself a time or two. You think my objections are rooted in jealousy but I’m concerned about you. I don't want to stifle your fun, but I don’t think this will end well for either of you. You're too different. Thank about it! If you were so sure of his love, wouldn’t you have told him what you were and you haven’t-” She opened her mouth to protest as he continued. “Don’t bother telling me that you have because I’ve had that checked out, too. You sense depths in him? I think you sense more than depths. You haven’t told him because you already suspect how he’ll react. Not every human wants to be what we are. Some new Turns take their own lives—several of yours, as I recall. You claim to care about him? Maybe the kindest thing you can do for him is let him live his life as a mortal.”
“You don’t know anything.” She said flatly.
“I could be wrong, yes. He could be cut out to be a vampire, but I don’t think so and more importantly, neither do you.”
For a time, Coraline said nothing.
“One last question. Will you interfere with me in any way?”
”No, and I’m certainly not telling Montez. I don’t want you running afoul of his form of justice. It’s harsh, even by our standards.”
She turned to go, then stopped. “Love endures many things, you know” This time, she didn't meet his eyes.
He nodded. “I know. The question you have to ask yourself is, ‘will it endure this?’”
*****
When she returned to the party, Mick was looking for her.
“What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Nothing important. Just...a difference of opinion. Let’s go make our own party.”
His mouth curved up into the smile she loved.
“Whatever you want. I’ll get your coat.”’
“Leave it. I can get another,” she said and they walked out into the moonlight. Outside in the warm Summer night, she stopped suddenly and faced him. “Mick, are you happy?” Her lighthearted mood had been replaced by a sudden lack of confidence that wasn't like her at all.
“Coraline, where is this coming from? A beautiful night, a great party I didn’t have to work, and I leave with the most beautiful woman there. Of course I’m happy! Look at me,” he tilted her chin up to gaze into her chocolate eyes. “Are you happy?”
Her smile returned with a bit of wistfulness. “As long as you’re with me.”
“Then I intend to make sure we're both happy for a very long time.”
Taking off his dinner jacket, he draped it around her and they walked together to her car.
No copyright infringement intended. This is just for fun and hopefully the enjoyment of readers.
Sounds of the party reminded Josef he was neglecting his guests but he didn’t care. He needed to retreat and sometimes that’s what an office is for. Pouring scotch into a brandy sniffer he swirled it, enjoying the flash of light reflecting off the golden liquid. He needed more than solitude, he needed... a bit of peace to consider the evenings revelations.
Unfortunately, he got neither.
Coraline Duval swept into his office, designer gown and practiced elegance carefully in place.
“So,” she glowed, “what do you think of him?”
“Attractive, if you like that sort--which you clearly do but A positive? Rather pedantic if you ask me-- which you didn’t. Another thing, a decorated war hero isn’t your usual choice, but hey, variety is supposed to be the spice of life--not that it should have anything to do with us. There is also the obvious fact that your new object d’amour has a pulse.”
“You had him checked out.” She seemed surprised.
“Sweetheart, I have everyone checked out, not that I needed it to verify the pulse part. Someone has to look out for you.”
“He’s human. Of course he has a pulse!” she snapped, then softened. “He is lovely though, isn’t he? He treats me like a goddess.”
“He’s decorative and of course he treats you well. He’s charmed. How did you get away from him, anyway? He seems the possessive sort. That will wear after a while.” Josef set the brandy sniffer down on his desk and pushed it away with two fingers. “I got the distinct impression he doesn’t like me.”
“I don’t think he does: he called you a pompass ass. Is that a problem?”
Josef barked a laugh and reclaimed his glass. “Not at all--it's the most interesting thing about him so far.” He grinned. “He’s going to notice you’ve left the party.”
“No, he knows members of the band and is sitting in with them for a set. They dedicated it to me and wanted me to stay and listen, but I told him ‘when you know the source of the spring is good, you don’t have to sip from every pool to know the water is sweet’. I also said I needed to talk to you."
'“How very ‘French’ of you. Why?”
She shrugged. “It just seemed to fit the occasion and I wanted to ask-“
“Not what I mean. A romantic association with a human isn’t wise--you know that and don’t tell me this is just a casual fling. I’ve been reading you for too long not to spot the signs.”
“What signs?”
“The shining eyes, the hint of blush—not than anyone else would notice, but it’s there. When you’re together you attach yourself to him like an undead appendage and that’s not a healthy thing for either of you. You've fallen for this one and the lifespans don’t match. There is no way around that fact.”
“Oh, that,” Coraline waved her carefully manicured hand dismissively. “Of course there is. I plan to Turn him—maybe just after the wedding. I haven’t decided. Besides, we don’t all subscribe to the ‘till death do us part’ thing.”
“Hold it! Are you saying that you are thinking about marrying this guy? Haven’t given this a lot of thought, have you? I can tell you haven’t been feeding from him and even though your mark is there, it’s barely discernible. When did you meet him?”
“About ten years ago when I was home during the war. I told you that I worked with the resistance on occasion and was captured a couple of times. This time, after they tired of interrogating me, three of the SS troops took me into the woods and have a little fun before following orders and executing me. Before I had the chance to have a little fun with them, Mick shows up. He had gotten separated from the soldiers he was with and when he saw a lady in danger-“ her eyes flashed with irritation at Josef’s snort of amusement.
“-he took them on all by himself?” Josef hooted. “Had you not been in control of the situation, the only one to end up dead would have been your latest boy toy and maybe the Nazi troops.”
“Mick didn’t know that--he wanted to protect me and I don’t see that very often. I killed the Nazis in a way that didn’t reveal what I was and over the next several hours he walked me out of the area to where we met up with my brother Pierre. Pierre wiped the entire experience from Mick’s mind, almost killing him in the process—you know his control of that ability isn’t very reliable on a human. Once Mick was stable and just sleeping, I marked him carefully and we took him back to where his people could find him. They would take the tiny wounds on his wrist as from a small animal. I watched out for him in combat for a while and returned the favor of saving him once or twice. Once Mick is Turned, he’ll eventually remember our original meeting but my marking ensured that when we met again, he’d be drawn to me. I knew I wanted to find him again after he’d aged a bit, like a fine wine. He has, hasn’t he.”
“I’m sure. So you planned all this, even then.” Josef said, his expression unreadable.
“He has depths he doesn’t realize. I’ll help him discover them. We can take care of each other.”
“You say he has talents other than fighting and making music?”
“He plays many things well,” she said softly, smiling at her own joke as she poured herself a drink.
“Help yourself,” Josef said thinking of the times the woman before him had promised that they would see civilizations rise and fall together. C’est la vie...or maybe not.
Apparently Coraline could read him as well. “Mon cher, don’t be like that. You’ve never tried to restrain me before. Forever is a long time. There will be time for many things.”
“Coraline, I’m not objecting to you falling in love. When you live as long as we do, it happens. I’ve been there myself a time or two. You think my objections are rooted in jealousy but I’m concerned about you. I don't want to stifle your fun, but I don’t think this will end well for either of you. You're too different. Thank about it! If you were so sure of his love, wouldn’t you have told him what you were and you haven’t-” She opened her mouth to protest as he continued. “Don’t bother telling me that you have because I’ve had that checked out, too. You sense depths in him? I think you sense more than depths. You haven’t told him because you already suspect how he’ll react. Not every human wants to be what we are. Some new Turns take their own lives—several of yours, as I recall. You claim to care about him? Maybe the kindest thing you can do for him is let him live his life as a mortal.”
“You don’t know anything.” She said flatly.
“I could be wrong, yes. He could be cut out to be a vampire, but I don’t think so and more importantly, neither do you.”
For a time, Coraline said nothing.
“One last question. Will you interfere with me in any way?”
”No, and I’m certainly not telling Montez. I don’t want you running afoul of his form of justice. It’s harsh, even by our standards.”
She turned to go, then stopped. “Love endures many things, you know” This time, she didn't meet his eyes.
He nodded. “I know. The question you have to ask yourself is, ‘will it endure this?’”
*****
When she returned to the party, Mick was looking for her.
“What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Nothing important. Just...a difference of opinion. Let’s go make our own party.”
His mouth curved up into the smile she loved.
“Whatever you want. I’ll get your coat.”’
“Leave it. I can get another,” she said and they walked out into the moonlight. Outside in the warm Summer night, she stopped suddenly and faced him. “Mick, are you happy?” Her lighthearted mood had been replaced by a sudden lack of confidence that wasn't like her at all.
“Coraline, where is this coming from? A beautiful night, a great party I didn’t have to work, and I leave with the most beautiful woman there. Of course I’m happy! Look at me,” he tilted her chin up to gaze into her chocolate eyes. “Are you happy?”
Her smile returned with a bit of wistfulness. “As long as you’re with me.”
“Then I intend to make sure we're both happy for a very long time.”
Taking off his dinner jacket, he draped it around her and they walked together to her car.