Chapter Eleven
There is danger in the air

Shawn in the restaurant looking at his impromptu traveling companion as the big man practically inhaled his dinner. "How far are we from my family?" Shawn asked and the other man looked at him without speaking then shrugged. "Day, maybe day and a half… just depends." Shawn frowns. "On what?" Tyson looked around then smiled coldly at Shawn. "On if I can figure out how to loose your friends." Tyson looked over at a car and turning Shawn shivered recognizing it as Mike's… Kevin's new friend. "What… how…" Tyson sighed and shrugged. "I don't know… I need to speak with the child." Tyson closed his eyes and Shawn bit his lip worried.

Jeffrey opened his eyes finding Jason's head in his lap and Gabriel watching him. Nodding he gently placed Jason's head on the ground then picking up the baby went to find Marcus. "They need help." Marcus looked up to see Jeffrey standing in the doorway holding the babe. "Who kid?" Jeffrey came in and watched the circle of older vampires. "Shawn and the bald guy." Dave frowned. "Tyson," Sean said softly and Jeffrey nodded. "Sorry. Umm Gabe says they need help right away." Dave and Sean stood and Marcus sighed as Glen, Tommy and Raven came in. "You up for another excursion guys?"

Glen growled his agreement as the others nodded but when Jeffrey opened his mouth to say he was going Marcus shook his head. "Sorry kiddo no can do. You got other priorities now. I can't have you goin' off and leaving Gabriel. 'Sides it's my kid brother and if I know him there's bigger and badder than I wanna put you up against." Dave put an arm around Jeff's shoulders knowing how upset and disappointed he was.

"Look baby. I know you feel like you always get left behind to look after people, but they're right this time. You really do have bigger responsibilities. Not to mention that it seems no one has thought about the fact that Tyson isn't a vampire. We can't poof him back. He's gotta get here the hard way. Matty wouldn't like being without you that long. I promise you kiddo next time we don't have an overnight run… I will take you myself." Jeffrey nodded and sighed looking at the baby who seemed to be studying him solemnly. Turning he carried the baby unhappily out of the room on his way to find someplace to mope. Dave watched Jeffrey leave then turned to Marcus. "So boss how are we doing this?"

Raven watched the boy go as well and felt a pull. He loved his master terribly, but there was something about the youth that drew him. "Why don't you stay with him?" Thomas offered in Raven's head and the man jumped and looked at his master guiltily. "What you and I share goes beyond the physical my love," Thomas said softly smiling down at his lover, "and the boy needs you. Stay with him. Comfort him. You have my permission as long as young Jason does not mind." Raven bowed his head and hurried after Jeffrey somehow feeling lighter in spirit.

"Who's gonna drive back with the Immortal and who is taking the quick route back?" Marcus had only known one immortal in his life as part of the undead, but Dennis had also been a protector. From what Dennis had told him most Immortals were either protectors or hired assassins. He knew that Dennis would never have allowed himself to be separated from his charge even if it seemed that it would be a safer option than keeping him with him. This was because once the charge was out of his sight his safety was in someone else's hands. Immortals were notoriously distrustful if for no other reason than they knew someone was always looking out to remove them from their head.

It was this distrust that finally made up Marcus' mind for him. His first impulse had been for him and Glen to stay with Shawn, but that would leave the immortal with three strangers. He then reasoned that he or Glen could stay with either Dave or Sean, but again… the immortal would have more unknowns than Marcus was comfortable with. If something happened and there was a fight he wanted the immortal's attention to be solely on his brother not worrying about an unknown vampire who was supposed to be watching his back.

Glancing at his brother, Marcus saw the battle raging within Glen. When his fierce brother finally nodded Marcus walker to him and placed a hand of comfort on his shoulder. It was not easy to trust others with Shawn's care and well being even those they knew and trusted with their own care. However if he had to pick someone other than the two of them, the man they sometimes called Leviathan was the creature. He was ruthless, in battle he was highly focused on his goal, and it seemed that when paired with his brother he was a force that could not be beaten… at least not without considerable numbered force. "It will be you, Leviathan, and your brother whom will be accompanying the immortal and my brother here."

Sean looked at his brother with a frown on his face at the strange name, but by the yellow eyes and the look on Dave's face it was apparent he was familiar with this nickname. "It will be our honor to protect your brother," Dave said, the extension of his fangs to their full length thickening his speech. "My brother and I shall protect him as if he was of our own blood." Sean nodded growling softly as his mind already anticipated the upcoming battle.

Marcus turned his head to Thomas to ask him to stay with the younger ones afraid his presence even if just in the beginning would unsettle the immortal, but the elder vampire just help up his hands smiling. "How about I just volunteer to stay with the babes for a change?" Marcus smiled and nodded his agreement. "I accept your most humble offer my friend. "We shall call you if we are in need of your assistance, but Glen and myself should not be gone long. We simply need to assure ourselves that Shawn is indeed safe and they set out safely on their journey here." Thomas nodded and turned to leave, but paused inside of the doorway and turning back around slowly looked at Sean before he spoke. "Do not kill the child when you have the chance. I know the urge will be strong, but you must resist. This is neither the time nor the place for his death. Let them keep him for now even though later we may regret it." Sean nodded slowly then as Thomas left the small group poofed out.

TBC...

On to Chapter Twelve A child in man's clothing