Chapter Ten
… And it just keeps on growing

Shawn sat waiting for the sun to go down a little. He wished that he had one of those amulets, but he'd never been able to get them from Kevin. Hopefully though now his brother would have them. He wasn't exactly sure where he was going, but had some vague sense of direction in his head as if someone were leading him. He was trying not to think too much about who that person could be only hoping that it was someone that he could trust. Laying down he closed his eyes and hoped that he could get some sleep before it was time to leave.

Jeffrey lay watching the baby Gabriel play happily as Raven snored softly on one of the corners. The child seemed to be thoroughly entertained with one of Marcus' shirts and Jeffrey again wished his own life could be that simple again. He wasn't sure if Matthew understood that this baby was one of his. He wasn't sure how to approach the conversation if he didn't. "He must like you," Jeffrey heard someone say and looking up saw PJ the mortal they had rescued that afternoon standing in the doorway. Jeffrey shrugs and looked back to the baby. "He should, I was supposed to be his mother." PJ blinked at the statement and turned deciding that it was best he just left but Jeffrey stopped him. "You don't have to go. I won't hurt you."

PJ turned back around carefully and walked over sitting near the two of them. "I can't say as I blame you for being scared and confused," Jeffrey said quietly and PJ blinked freezing. Jeffrey looked up from Gabriel and smiled softly. "When people say they can smell fear it's close to the truth. While they can't smell the fear itself they can smell the physical emotions to it, and my vampire sense allow me to sense your confusion without intruding in your thoughts." PJ nodded carefully. "Umm thanks then… I… guess." Jeffrey nodded then turned his eyes back to Gabriel. "I wish I could tell you that you would be safe if you left, but I don't think you would be. The group you left would only hunt you down then torture you until you told them what they wanted to know. Then when you did or if you couldn't… either way they would kill you. Or make you one of them."

PJ shivered and pulled his legs up to his chest then rested his chin on his knees. "Sean's my best friend, but I didn't sign up for this. Vampires, Werewolves, Gargoyle thingys, evil babies… dude I'm just a hamburger and fries kinda guy ya know?" Jeffrey chuckled sadly and nodded. "Once I was too. Look, stick around for a few days at least. Don't' make a decision you might regret later. Besides your buddy will need you right now I mean just 'cause he's a vampire doesn't mean HE can't still be scared and worried and confused. If you leave him here with only strangers for company that will only make things worse. If later you want to leave still then I'll find a way to get you somewhere that you'll be safe."

PJ nodded and studied the vampire before asking the question that had worried him the most. "Are you… are you like keeping me around for lunch or like a mid-day snack?" Jeffrey looked up and giggled. "Dude no. We wouldn't do that. We don't need to feed from you. There is enough scum on the face of the earth to feed indefinitely. I promise no one here will feed on you and no one will turn you without your approval." PJ just nodded again. He didn't know why he trusted this vampire, but he did.

Later that day Shawn yawned and stretched in the hiding place he had chosen to rest in. Opening his eyes he looked up to see the backside of a very tall man standing over him. Frowning Shawn watched him looking back and forth as if he was guarding him. "Who are you and what are you doing?" The tall man didn't answer right away. Instead he kept scanning the countryside, until finally turning to study the vampire. "My name is Tyson Tomko. I am a problem solver and an immortal. I have been sent to keep you safe until you reach your family." Shawn opened his mouth to respond, but no sound came out. "The child sent me." The large bald man said in response to the unanswered question and Shawn just blinked wondering if he was still dreaming. "You're awake," the man replied and Shawn hissed and jumped to his feet. "DAMNIT STOP THAT!"

The much taller man just laughed down at him not afraid or intimidated. "Sorry little one, it's a habit." Shawn stretched himself to his tallest. "I ain't either little or young whichever you are implying! I will have you know I am 350 years old!" The tall man just grinned and ruffled his hair. "Short stuff I am at least 4 inches taller and about 400 years older." Shawn blinked up at the man again not sure what to say. Unfortunately the man also found this funny and just laughed then turned and scanned the area.

When he stilled Shawn swallowed the response he had been about to shoot back at the arrogant man looking around. When a wolf jumped out from the bushes Shawn didn't have time to move let alone change, fortunately it wasn't required. Before the wolf could even get near him, the man turned and pulled a sword off his back that Shawn had somehow missed and removed the wolf's head from his shoulders. Shawn watched astonished as the head and body fell to the ground and slowly revealed his old running mate Scott. Shocked and stunned Shawn looked up open mouthed at the man who was now cleaning his sword. "Let's go. Gabriel wants you back with your family." It didn't even occur to Shawn to argue.

Back at the farmhouse Jeff held a giggling Gabriel in his lap and smiled as the picture came into his head. "You're pretty blood thirsty for the good one." Gabriel squealed at that and clapped and Dave chuckled sitting down. "What's he giggling about?" Jeffrey smiled up at Dave. "He just had a werewolf beheaded." Glen sat smiling and handed the baby a bottle. "Anyone we know?" Jeffrey pictured the wolf then nodded carefully. "He was one of the wolves that was in that group holding Gabriel before."

Dave nodded stroking his chin. "How did he do this?" Jeffrey thought again and spoke carefully. "He sent a… an Immortal… to protect… Shawn… Glen and Marcus' brother and the immortal cut the head off of the wolf." Glen frowned worried. "Shawn is he…" Jeffrey nodded quickly. "He's fine. Annoyed, but fine." Jeffrey giggled before continuing. "It seems that the Immortal is annoying him." Sean came in and sat chuckling. "Sounds like someone we used to know, huh brother?" Dave laughed thinking. "Yeah the big bald bastard!" Jeffrey blinked. "Bald?" Dave and Sean laughed. "Tall as me and Sean, bald as an eagle, goatee that looks like he stole it from a goat." Jeffrey blinked again and looked at Gabriel who just squealed and threw his hands in the air. "Did umm did you like this Immortal?"

Dave and Sean both nodded. "Yeah, he couldn't have been closer if he was our brother why?" Jeffrey kissed Gabriel and smiled. "You're about to be reunited. He's the one that killed the wolf." Marcus smiled from the doorway. "…and it just keeps on growing."

TBC...

On to Chapter Eleven There is danger in the air