The Vampire's Soul - (23.2/?)
Title: The Vampire's Soul
Author: me
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): Keith/Shepard, Jon/Stephen, Anderson/David
Characters: Main cast of TDS & TCR, MSNBC, FOX News, and CNN.
Genre: AU
Summary: The Vampires are plotting for expansion. The Werewolves are fighting to keep their land. Shepard, a Fox vamp, finds himself oddly drawn to the family of liberal werewolves.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of these news media/political figures that are present in this fic. This is strictly fiction!
Author's Notes: First and foremost, I'd like to give a shot out to my lovely and kick-ass beta, lady_sci_fi , and her fics: Rage at the Moon and Howl at the Moon. :-)
Alright! Chris' secret-relationship with Jon is finally revealed! DUN-DUN-DUN!!! ^_^
For you Harry Potter fans out there perhaps you can understand what I did here: I made Chris' journal a type of "Pensieve" - something that can reveal his memories in a movie-like fashion. I hope that makes sense. :-P
This part is really long...but I felt I couldn't make it any shorter because everything there has a purpose. :-)
Also, there are two things that Chris talks about that I actually got from real-life - 1) Chris' dislike for Dick Morris, 2) Chris' belief in the value of having different opinions.
I hope you enjoy it! ^_^
CHAPTER 23.2:
Shep felt like he was actually inside his sire’s journal - feeling and experiencing everything he felt - except he was still himself, however, unable to interact with the environment. He stood back and watched the various scenes thread together, as if it were a home movie:
Chris walked out onto the moonlit path, leading to the pond at the bottom of the hill. The pond was encircled with dead-rose bushes and an iron bench positioned in front of them. Chris sat down and reached into his vest pocket, pulling out a cigarette. He brought it to his lips and lit a match, which he seemed to keep in his pants pocket. He blew out a couple puffs of smoke, watching the moon’s reflection ripple in the water.
Suddenly, there was a sound of heavy breathing and rustling in the bush behind him. Chris froze, though ever-so-slightly lifting his nose to smell the air. It smelled like wet dog.
“If you value your life, animal, show yourself!” Chris roared.
There was more rustling and then a voice. “Whoa! Whoa! Chill out, man. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”
Chris whirled his head around to see a large gray wolf jump out of the bushes.
“A werewolf!” He gasped and stood up quickly. “What are you doing outside the forest?”He leered at the wolf.
“I was out near the border…uh, hunting…” The wolf said, sheepishly. “It’s my first time and I guess I got turned around…”
Chris snorted. “Yeah right. Are you sure you weren’t spying on me?”
The wolf shook his head. “No, I swear. I was out for a walk and I got a little hungry, so I started looking for a small snack.”
Chris raised an eyebrow in suspicion, seemingly unsure if the werewolf was being honest. “And you got lost? I thought you wolves should know these woods like the back of your…paws.” He said with a smirk.
The wolf shrugged a little, smiling. “Most of it I know quite well, but not the area closest to the border. We’ve usually stayed away from that part of the forest.” He looked up expectantly at the vampire.
“So, I suggest you continue to do that from now on.” Chris retorted. “My master would not like to see werewolves on his grounds like this.”
“Fine, then.” The wolf said plainly. “Could you perhaps, then, tell me where I might find a decent bite to eat?”
Chris scoffed and turned his head to take another drag from his cigarette. “How should I know or even care?”
“I’ll get out of your way quicker if you help me.” The wolf replied with a smirk.
Chris looked back at the wolf and sneered. “Can’t you hunt for food yourself? I thought that was an instinct of your kind?”
The wolf shrugged again. “The need to hunt is naturally embedded, but not the skills of good hunting.”He moved carefully around the bench, standing a bit closer to the vampire.
In the moonlight, Chris was able to see the wolf much clearer. His fur was mostly a dark gray color, with patches of a lighter shade of gray around his neck and ears. His eyes glowed like mysterious blue orbs in the light.
“Hmm.” Chris acted disinterested and flicked his cigarette butt on the ground.
The wolf’s gaze followed it. “Does your master like to see litter on his grounds?”He asked sarcastically.
Chris snorted and opened his mouth to reply, but was distracted by a faint noise coming from just outside the castle entrance. “Look, you better get out of here, wolf.”
“You’re probably right.” The wolf agreed, peeking around the bushes before running off back toward the forest.
Chris turned away for a moment, debating a thought. Then, as if on impulse, he yelled back. “Hey, wolf!”
The wolf skidded to a stop and turned his head.
“There are rabbit burrows in the bushes across the pond.” Chris told him.
The wolf smiled appreciatively. “Thanks.”
____________________
The scene dissolved and the images changed: the moon’s shape had seemingly changed since last time, giving off less light than before. Nevertheless, Chris walked out to the pond, cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
Down by the pond, the frogs and insects sang their noises together harmoniously. Chris sat down on the bench and leaned his head back, gazing up at the stars. Then a familiar scent filled his nostrils. He jerked his head upward and turned to the dead-rose bush next to him.
Chris’ lips curled up into a smirk. “Did you already eat all the rabbits across the pond?”
The bush rustled and out popped the same gray wolf. “That’s some nose you got there.”
“You’re not very subtle.”
Jon shrugged and smiled. “What can I say…”
Chris turned his head, smirking still. He took a long drag from his cigarette and blew out the smoke. He then felt the wolf’s eyes on him.
“What?” Chris shot him an annoyed look.
The wolf took a shy step forward, and cleared his throat. “You know smoking is very bad for your health.”
Chris raised a defiant eyebrow.
The wolf shrugged. “I should know. I used to smoke a lot when I was younger.”
Chris’s smirk widened. “Seeing as I am already dead, I don’t see the point in caring.”
“Well, I think it’s not about whether you can defy death, but that you have the modesty and intelligence not to associate with something as stupid as smoking.”
Chris let out a small chuckle. “Some idealist, you are.”
“I’ve always placed a high value on life.” The wolf took another couple of steps forward, eventually sitting on the ground in front of the bench.
Chris cocked his head to the side, looking over the wolf. He then smirked, asking, “You used to smoke? Did you quit after you became a werewolf? Finding it too difficult to hold a cigarette with those paws?” He chuckled.
“No.”The wolf then transformed, moving automatically to sit on the bench.
The vampire jerked upwards and took a step back. “Oh my…”He gasped. “You could’ve warned me.” He sneered when the wolf-now-human smiled up at him.
“Sorry…”The dark-haired man apologized and then slowly reached to take the cigarette from the vampire. He held the butt between his fingers casually. “You see? No problem at all.”
Chris snorted, nodding. He cautiously took the cigarette back and chose to remain standing.
“I’m Jon, by the way.”The dark-haired man extended a hand. When the vampire didn’t react, he said. “Don’t worry…I don’t bite, I promise.”
Chris huffed. “Very funny.”He slowly reached out to shake Jon’s hand. “Chris.”
“Nice to meet you.”Jon smiled.
Chris just smirked in response and reluctantly took a seat next to him. “We’ll see…”
________________________
The following scene transitioned into another: the evening air was brisk and dead leaves from the forest trees had blown onto the castle ground. With the autumn months came earlier sunsets, which proved to be beneficial for the area’s nocturnal life. Chris and Jon met more and more early every week and could stay even later into the morning hours.
That night Jon arrived at the pond oddly before Chris. He sat on the bench, patiently waiting. After several minutes of no Chris, Jon glanced over the bushes to see the vampire slowly coming out of the castle entrance. As Chris got closer, Jon noticed the reason for the vampire’s pace - he was limping.
“Ughhh.” Chris groaned as he approached the bench. When he saw the werewolf’s worried expression, he said, “Don’t ask.”
“Seriously! What the hell happened to you?”Jon asked, giving the vampire a look-over.
Chris clutched tightly to his right arm as he sat down. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
“You look like you’re in pain.”
“No shit.” Chris mumbled.
“Well, if you won’t tell me what happened, can I at least help you?” Jon insisted.
“I don’t see what you could do-.” Chris then hissed loudly at the pain. “I should be healed pretty soon. We vampires heal faster than normal humans…”
“Okay then, if you are sure. ‘Cause I might have something that could help you heal even faster and perhaps relieve the pain.” Jon told him.
Chris’ forehead creased and he gave him a look of uncertainty. “Yeah?”
Jon nodded. “Just let me run back to the forest and get it, okay? I’ll be back shortly. Just sit there.” He told the vampire before transforming and taking off.
Chris couldn’t argue with him. “Fine…”
Jon returned within a matter of minutes, carrying a tin canister in his mouth. He sat down, opening it, and held it out to the vampire.
Chris eyed the substance inside suspiciously. “What is it?”
“Autumn herbs - they have a special healing quality.” Jon explained. “They grow on the oak trees that stretch above my home in the forest. During this time of the year, they are most harvestable. You can just pick them off the branches and brew them in water - which is what I did for you here.” Jon held out the canister again.
Chris turned his head away. “How do I know this isn’t poison you’re feeding me?”
Jon raised an eyebrow slightly offended. Then he raised the canister to his own lips and took a long sip. He gave the vampire an expectant look when he finished. “See?”
Chris frowned, and then nodded. He shot a glance at Jon before drinking, as if making sure the werewolf was still in perfect condition. The taste took a hold of the vampire’s senses, and he quickly felt his body begin to relax.
Chris licked his lips, though not verbally expressing his contentment.
“Good, yeah?” Jon asked with a smile.
Chris turned his head, looking down. “It’s…okay.” He lied.
Jon let out a chuckle. “Just okay?”
“Okay, it tastes really good - you happy?” Chris jabbed, failing to hide a growing smile.
“That’s better.” Jon stared intently.
Chris raised an eyebrow. “What is?”
“Your smile - it looks a lot better on you than your smirk.” Jon said with a playful grin.
Chris’ face hardened, somewhat confused by the statement, but then softened and he continued to drink in silence.
“Dick Morris.” Chris spoke when he finally finished the herbal mixture. “…one of my fellow vamps, let his dog out of his living quarters and it attacked me while I was on my way back to my room.”
“On accident or…?” Jon inquired.
“I’m sure it was an accident…” Chris said with a hint of sarcasm. “But his dog is almost as much of a pain in the ass as he is.”
“Oh?” Jon smirked, intrigued by the vampire’s contempt.
“Morris can be a senseless brute most of the time.” Chris grumbled. “Anyways, the dog took a serious bite out of my arm and hurled me backwards. I ended up twisting my ankle in the process.”
“Have you wrapped up your arm yet?” Jon gestured to the vampire’s torn jacket sleeve.
Chris nodded. “That’s partly the reason I was late.”
“Ah.”Jon acknowledged. He looked around at the seemingly empty pockets of the vampire’s vestment, noticing something was missing. “Say, are you out of cigarettes? I haven’t seen you smoking in a couple of weeks.”
“I quit.” Chris replied matter-of-factly.
Jon blinked. “Why?”
Chris looked away, stubbornly trying to hide his growing smile. “A friend of mine told me that they were bad for my health.”
_______________________
One could not be sure why - neither the vampire nor the werewolf could even say themselves - their discourse became a weekly routine. Chris would probably say that it was the werewolf’s intriguing persistence and amiability that made him continue to meet Jon by the pond. Jon perhaps would say that there was something enigmatic about the vampire - something hidden deep beneath the surface, and he was motivated to find it.
They spent nights and nights discussing various topics - history, politics, human psychology, economics, sociology and philosophy. The amount of knowledge and understanding of life that Jon exhibited was incredibly alluring to Chris. He, himself, had lived at least two generations longer than the werewolf, yet even he did not have an answer or thought for the philosophical questions Jon posed when they were together.
“Is it not important, while living in this vastly diverse world of ours, to not consider other peoples’ opinions…not to mention other ways of life, even if they are completely different from your own?” Jon posed.
Chris smirked and stared.
“I mean, if the person has a reasonable justification for their opinions, are they not important enough to be heard?” Jon elaborated.
Chris still smirked and stared at him.
Jon narrowed his gaze at the vampire. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you if you keep your face like that, it will get stuck that way?” He teased.
Chris’ smirk broke into a chuckle. Jon laughed and raised his hands in the air. “Ha-ha! I win!”
Chris could only shake his head in response.
“Come on, man.” Jon jabbed lightly. “You’re not with your fellow Fox vamps right now. What have you got to lose from showing me your how you really feel?”
Chris looked away for a moment, before finally speaking. “Okay, honestly…I believe in the value of diversity - in having various options - and since life is so full of uncertainty…it can be wise to consider everything first before making a decision.” He admitted truthfully.
Jon smiled warmly at his vampire friend.
“What?” Chris stared at him again.
Jon inched a little closer. “Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
_________________________
“Evening, my friend.” Jon greeted the vampire. Chris nodded cordially.
“Would you look at the sky…”Jon pointed up at the clouds hovering over them. “Looks like it’s going to rain.”
“Good.” Chris said. “I like when it rains.”
Jon shuddered, feeling the cold breeze blow past him. “Not when it’s this cold. I’d much prefer it to snow than rain in this temperature. I mean, it’s the holiday season!”
“Speaking of which…” Chris leaned forward, reaching underneath the bench. He brought out a plastic pouch that was tied with a red ribbon. “I have a little something I’d like you to try.” He handed it to Jon.
“Ooh?” Jon flashed a playful smile at him. He took a peek inside. “Candy?”
“One of my fellow vamps, Greta, bakes all these different kinds of sweets - cookies, chocolates, you name it - and she hands out gift bags of these things to each us during the winter months.”Chris said, smirking. “This was what she gave me this year. Personally, I’ve never really liked sweet things.”
Jon raised an eyebrow, giggling. “Really? ‘Cause I’ve always thought you were sweeeeet.” He teased, giggling louder.
Chris shook his head. “How does a man get to be so funny?” He jabbed sarcastically.
“Alright, let me try one.” Jon picked one out, bringing it to his lips, but then eyed the vampire playfully. “Wait a sec…this isn’t laced with a sleeping solution. I’m not going it the next morning stuffed like a taxidermy figure, sitting on your master’s bedroom mantle, am I?”
That’s when Jon saw the vampire do something he had never seen him do before: Laugh. Chris was genuinely laughing! It was real joy. To Jon, this exhibition of honest emotion sparked a new level of fondness he had for the vampire.
__________________________
Months and months seem to fly by before the next scene resolved. The dark clouds swirled together in the sky above them. Patches of thunder boomed in the distance and the wind began to pick up speed.
Chris sat with his elbows on his knees, avoiding all eye contact with Jon. From the state of Chris’ mental confliction, it would almost seem as if he was causing the storm himself.
Jon watched his friend closely with a worried look. “Everything alright?” He touched the vampire’s shoulder gently. “Why are you so quiet tonight?”
“I - oh, it’s nothing.” Chris sighed.
Jon had noticed his friend’s mood begin to slowly change over the past few weeks. He wished that Chris would tell him what was bothering him. “It’s not nothing, Chris. Please tell me.”
Chris’ forehead creased in frustration. “Argh…” He stood up and began to pace. He eventually sighed and turned to Jon. “Lord Murdoch has plans to take over the forest…and driving you out of it.”
Jon looked at him gravely. “What?”
“He hasn’t decided yet when he is going to strike. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s fairly soon.” Chris added with a frown.
Jon stood up and stared with an expression of both shock and horror. “H-how long have you known about this?”
Chris looked away. “For about a month…”
Jon’s eyes grew wide. “A MONTH? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“It was council business…I saw no point in discussing it with you.” Chris tried to rationalize it.
“No point? But it directly affects me!” Jon snapped.
“What is discussed between council members is private - we can’t even share it with other vamps.”Chris attested. “How could I possibly share it with you?”
Jon raised his arms, letting go of that part of their argument. “Fine, then. But you are going to vote against his plans, aren’t you?”
Chris opened his mouth, but no words came out. He closed his eyes.
“Aren’t you?” When Chris remained silent, Jon shook his head frantically. “You’re NOT?”
Chris sighed heavily. “Even if I did, it wouldn’t make a difference! The Dark Lord would still do it - and plus, it would get me into deep trouble!” His voice was growing louder.
“Have you tried explaining to Lord Murdoch the immorality of his decision?” Jon pressed. “Taking away our home? It would destroy our way of life!”
Chris looked like the internal confliction was getting the best of him. He snapped, “So? They’re just werewolves! They can find a new home-.” Chris clamped his hand over his mouth.
Jon gaped, clearly hurt by his friend’s words. “They? What about me? Do you forget that I am one of them?”
Chris inhaled deeply, unable to find an answer.
“I know you do not care much for my kind…” Jon took a step forward, speaking softly. “…but do you not care for me?”
“I do.” Chris said with every shred of honesty he could show.
Jon frowned, feeling the sting of tears forming in the corners of his eyes. “I thought you did once…but now I’m not so sure.”
“Jon-.”Chris attempted to touch Jon’s arm, but Jon jerked away.
“Save it!” Jon turned sharply and stomped quickly back to the forest.
_______________________
A week later, Chris walked hurriedly out of the castle. His chest was pounding in anxiety and he frantically searched the area around the pond, desperately hoping that the werewolf would return. He had to see him - to talk to him, anything!
After a few minutes of waiting, Jon appeared slowly from behind the bushes.
“Look, Chris…”Jon spoke softly, with his head down. “I’m sorry I cut you off last week and didn’t give you a chance to speak. It wasn’t fair of me. Will you please forgive me?”
“Jon - I…” Chris had his back to Jon for minute, before turning around. He grabbed Jon’s wrist and all but dragged him into a run. “Come with me!”
“Wha-?” Jon rushed to keep up with the vampire’s pace. When they reached the cobble stone wall of the castle, Jon made Chris look at him. “Chris! Whoa, whoa! What’s going on?”
Chris was hyperventilating. “I can’t have your death on my conscience! I won’t allow you to die!”
Jon placed both his hands on either side of Chris’ face, trying to calm his friend. “Slow down. What are you talking about?”
Chris took a long breath. “David Shuster - the Dark Lord apparently found out that Shuster has been fraternizing with the werewolves and has completely lost it! He spent the whole week yelling and calling for Shuster’s death and the werewolves’”
Jon’s eyes went wide in fear.
“He’s planning a surprise attack for tomorrow night.”Chris added solemnly. “That’s why I’m sneaking you up here - there is a narrow tunnel underneath the castle that leads down the mountainside for a bit. When you get to the other end, you will only be a few miles from New York City. You’re a werewolf - you can pass for human decent enough to start a new life there!”
“But Chris, what about my family?”
“Forget them!”
“No.” Jon shook his head. “I won’t - I can’t leave them!”He let his hands run down to grip the vampire’s shoulders. “Chris, help me save them!”
Chris snapped. “No-!”
Jon brought his hands back up to hold Chris’ face, speaking softly. “How can you be so eager to save me, yet more than willing to allow my family to die?” Chris frowned. “Please? Help me save them. If you will not do it for the sake of your values - which I know you have deep down inside - will you do it for me?”
Chris grumbled, pressing the palm of his hand against his forehead. “Well, I can’t sneak a whole family of werewolves across the grounds - you would be spotted in a second!”
“Think!” Jon pressed. “There’s got to be another way.”
Chris looked in the direction of the forest and then back at Jon. “You all can hide.”
“Hide?”
Chris nodded. “The only way Lord Murdoch can expand into the forest is if he gets rids of you all first…whether by driving you out or killing you…either way he cannot make the forest his own until every werewolf is gone from it. But if he cannot find you-.”
“He cannot have the forest!” Jon exclaimed.
“Hide…switch locations…move around…just do something so that he doesn’t find you.” Chris explained.
Jon nodded and wrapped his arms around the vampire in a tight embrace. But before Chris could react to the hug, Jon had pulled back. “Thank you! Thank you, my friend!”
______________________________
The following scene was inside the forest. Lord Murdoch was standing in the middle of a deserted clearing - one that had seemingly belonged to the werewolves. A group of vampires stood behind him. Chris stood in the back, silently watching.
Murdoch kicked a smoldering log in anger. “WHERE ARE THEY?”He roared.
Hannity moved to kneel in front of his master. “My lord! I don’t understand it…they were here just twenty-four hours ago!”
“Well, they’re not here now. Are they?” Murdoch sneered.
“The werewolves must have learned about our plans somehow.” Beck interjected.
“It must have been Shuster who told them.” O’Reilly added. “No one else had contact with the werewolves.”
Murdoch snarled and whirled around to stare at John Gibson. “Gibson! It seems Shuster has become a much graver threat. Since he is your childe, I leaving you responsible to dispose of him.”
Gibson stepped forward and bowed his head. “Yes, my lord.”
_____________________________
The scene transition back to the familiar place by the pond. It was a few of weeks after the night the werewolves had disappeared. Chris sat quietly on the bench alone, staring at the moon’s reflection in the water.
Then a gray wolf slowly appeared from behind the dead-rose bushes, just like it happened two years ago. “Hey there.”
Chris’ head turned to see him. “Jon?”
Jon transformed and moved to stand beside the vampire. “I came to check on you.”
“You shouldn’t be here. What if someone sees you?”Chris argued lightly, though secretly wishing for him to stay.
Jon didn’t budge. “How are you, my friend?”
Chris sighed, looking back at the water. “Well, I’m going to be a sire.”
Jon smiled. “Aww…congrats. Is it a boy?”Chris nodded.
Jon cooed. “You’re like a parent now. You should feel proud.”
“I don’t want to be a parent.” Chris grumbled. “Besides, from what I hear, my childe will only be a little over ten years younger than me. It will be like I became a father in my teenage years.”
“Well, Lord Murdoch has never been very pro-choice.” Jon joked, a wide grin spread across his lips.
Chris tried hard not to laugh, instead his lips formed what looked like a smug smile.
“Did you like that?” Jon grinned. He made a snare drum noise for further effect.
Chris shook his head, still struggling to hide his smile.
“It’ll be alright, man.” Jon smiled reassuringly. “And the childe will turn out okay.”
Chris huffed. “I don’t know about that. So, I’m supposed to train this new vampire to hunt and kill the very same werewolves I helped save? How ironic…” The last words dripped off his tongue bitterly.
Jon looked down, frowning slightly. He took another step forward, pulling the vampire into a standing position. “Who says you have to teach him to be a killer?”
Chris scoffed. “I’d think the Dark Lord wouldn’t be too happy if I taught my childe to dance…”
Jon let out a chuckle. “Why dancing? Why not chess? Personally, I can’t see you teaching anyone to dance, Chris.” Jon burst into giggles.
Chris rolled his eyes, but nevertheless flashed a small smile. “No, I suppose not.”
Jon placed a hand on Chris’ shoulder. “Isn’t it possible for you to teach him everything there is to being a vampire, without making him into a monster?” He turned his head to the side, catching the vampire’s gaze. “You once told me that you’ve always valued the importance of having options…why not give your childe the choice to be who he wants to be?”
Chris’ brow creased, looking somewhat confused, but then his face softened and he nodded.
Jon smiled and turned around, walking over to the nearest bush. “I think your childe won’t turn out like the rest of the Fox vamps…I mean, he’s off to a great start…having you as his sire.” Jon said, picking a partially-dead rose from its stem.
Chris raised an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”
Jon walked back to the vampire, standing just an inch from him. “Because even you are not completely like the rest of them.” He replied with a soft smile, slipping the rose bud inside Chris’ breast jacket pocket.
Chris blinked speechlessly.
Jon sighed, his smile still there. “I wish you the best, my friend.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a container of herbs, handing it to him. “This is for you - to keep you healthy - and in my appreciation for everything.”
Chris nodded, taking the container from him.
“I guess this is good-bye.” Jon frowned and rubbed Chris’ arm, affectionately.
“Yes, I suppose so…” Chris looked like his heart was being slowly cut out of his chest. “Good-bye, Jon.”
Chris got to see Jon’s blue eyes glow in the moonlight one last time, before watching the distance grow forever between them.