Chasing Shadows - Before the Dawn [Blood Ties Fic]
Title - Chasing Shadows - Before the Dawn
Author- hf_pocus
Pairing- Mike/Henry
Disclaimer - don’t own them, don’t claim to and make no profit.
Droplets of panic rose on Mike’s brow, a sick churning began in the pit of his stomach and he could hear the primal scream of survival resonating in his core, acrid and burning, climbing up the edges of his throat. This could not be it; it couldn’t be - not like this - not like this.
The misted pavement swirled before his eyes causing his vision to tunnel and dim, his heart thundered in his chest and drawing air into his now leaden lungs was becoming more difficult. He felt woozy as if he could faint. Never had he felt faint before, never, but he had never been in this position before feeling the sting of the cold metal so near to the back of his head and - helpless, just fucking helpless.
Mike could hear his assailant breathe; hear vividly each breath pulled in bull-like through his nostrils and exhaled roughly out his mouth. The sour smell of alcohol on his breath fouling the air around them as well as the stench of sweat, cigarettes and street grime permeating off the males worn leather jacket made the nausea Mike was feeling even worse. Mike tried to think of how he could reason with this male, make some kind of concession that would bring a stop to his execution but his tongue was thick and stuck to the roof of his parched mouth still the lessons of negotiation raced through Mike’s mind.
The click of the hammer pulled back and locked silenced all thoughts and screams Mike was having. His body was now a mass of panic and fear. He willed himself not to shake, not to sway, not even let his little pinky twitch as a droplet of sweat from his brow rolled down across the bridge of his nose, inched at a snails pace to the tip and then finally dripped off onto the pavement.
“Time to die…” the male hissed.
Mike squeezed his eyes shut as tightly as he could, his jaw muscle twitching as he clenched his teeth, the moist sweat on his body chilled him and the prayer he recited silently in his head was on the verge of being drowned out by the thunderous beat of his heart. He thought of his mother, of his father, the years of his life from birth to adulthood flashing like a movie set on fast forward in his mind slowing briefly, as Vicki’s face appeared ethereal before his eyes. The tears began to well, his breath catching in the back of his throat as he focused on her smile one last time. And in his heart and mind, time was suspended.
The sound was swift, bone against bone, a grinding pop and then a weighted thud hitting the ground. Mike’s eyes flew open as a hand firmly gripped him by the arm lifting him to his feet. For a moment, Mike was stunned, not only by what had just happened but by the sparkling hazel eyes gazing, warm and protective, at him.
“H-h-h-enry?” Mike stammered.
“Hello Michael.” Henry graciously smiled dusting the dirt from Mike’s overcoat then smoothing down the wrinkles.
Mike swayed slightly “You killed him.”
“Well Michael, it was either that or let him kill you.”
Mike turned and stared at the body on the ground, lifeless; the eyes open, the mouth slack. Relief and reality were coming back slowly as well as Cellcui’s pride. “I could have handled this myself.”
Henry Fitzroy’s auburn brows knitted in bemusement. “I don’t know of many that could handle much of anything with a revolver pointed at the back of their skull.”
Mike grumbled kneeling down to the body. “What the hell are you doing here anyway Fitzroy?”
Silently Henry stood watching as Michael Celluci mechanically put his fingers on the dead mans throat in search of a pulse. He shook his head slightly amused with how routine humans could be. He thought of reassuring Mike the male was dead but he knew Celluci too well to interject and let him go about his official duties. “Seems to me if I am not here things just … fall apart.”
Mike gave him a piercing glare. “And what exactly is that suppose to mean, Fitzroy?”
“Well Michael…I think the situation you found yourself in just now speaks for itself and … then there is Vicki, of course.”
Mike stood brushing the loose gravel from his knees before he began to speak. “She needs time to herself.”
Henry sighed his hazel eyes clouding.
“You know Vicki, Henry; she does exactly what she wants.”
“Mm, yes I know.” Henry said a quick smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth.
“She is bullheaded and no amount of reasoning or arguing with her will change her mind.”
Henry nodded knowingly but the look he held in his eyes still told Mike he was unconvinced. Mike sighed looking up toward the dark night sky hoping a wind would come and carry him away, freeing him from Fitzroy’s accusing eyes. No such luck. “God Henry what did you want me to do? Tie her up.”
Henry chuckled. “As if that would have done any good but really Michael…I thought you would know better than to let her wander off on her own.”
“So…” Mike’s eyes narrowed. “This is my fault.”
“Michael please.” Henry shook his head with a sigh. “It is too late for blame and no - it is not your fault alone, it is mine as well.”
Mike gave a half-hearted chuckle. “Gee…Henry that is a relief.” Again, Mike narrowed his eyes and kicked the ground at the perp’s feet. He glanced around wondering exactly where the hell that young rookie with him tonight was.
“He is just starting to realize you are not in the pub, Michael. He should be along shortly.” Henry handed Mike a key.
“What is this?” Mike asked examining it.
“It’s a key Michael.” Henry answered dully.
Mike shot a quick irritated eye at Fitzroy. “No kidding. What is it for?”
“It is to my new condo.”
“And…what was wrong with the old one?”
Henry smiled soft and slight, a small twinkle returning to his eye. “Memories Michael. Time to make new ones. I will expect to see you before the sun rise.”
Mike raised a brow. “Oh really and is that an order Fitzroy?”
“No Michael.” Henry smirked as he turned to leave. “It is a request and by the way you were on the phone the other evening…. I am certain it is a request you won’t refuse.” Henry began to walk calling over his shoulder to Celluci with a grin. “Before the dawn Michael.”