A dark figure lurked in the shadows of the restaurant. He spied on Jakub's table and watched as the boy stormed out. He found it interesting that he chose to listen to Cameron in the first place. He wondered what Cameron said to cause such a reaction. Everything started nicely but then Jakub dissolved into anger, just like his father. That apple certainly didn't fall far from the tree. The thing that worried him most was that Jakub was still free, despite being obviously guilty of murder. All the evidence was there and it all pointed to the scrawny brat. Alexandr had taken meticulous care to ensure even a dumb ass could figure out who was guilty. The boy should be in shackles and behind bars waiting for a humiliating trial. Instead, he was just running around New York having the time of his life. And that angered Alexandr to a level he was used to by now. Anger and Alexandr knew each other intimately. Anger reminded him of why he was doing this in the first place. Anger was his friend and would help him get the revenge he desperately wanted.

Apparently trying to 'legitimately' get rid of the little monster was proving to be difficult. Why the little bastard hadn't been arrested and charged yet was puzzling. He'd taken all the necessary steps to ensure the boy would end up humiliated and locked up for the rest of his natural life. Since trying to set him up to be charged with murder wasn't working, a more direct approach was called for.

Kibbeth had been the bane of Alexandr's existence. Since he was stupid enough to go and get himself killed and was no longer available to be killed, his offspring would just have to pay the price. Kibbeth had been egotistical and singular minded in everything he did. It was his way or the highway. Simply put, Kibbeth was no better than a schoolyard bully. He treated those below him like vermin. Kibbeth was likely to squash you like a bug, then sluff you off his shoe, then have someone pick you up and put you in the trash. Personally experiencing the brutality of Kibbeth's rath had been horrific. It had taken months just to physically recover and that was after a weeks long stay in the hospital. Mental recovery would eventually come with the elimination of Kibbeth, but the bully had gone and got himself killed. Maybe he could find someone to resurrect him so he could be killed again, slowly. Since that wasn't about to happen, the son would have to do. And right now, that effort wasn't going too well.

Alexandr remembered with perfect clarity the last encounter he'd had with Kibbeth. He'd just come to the leader's office and reported the loss of an elite force to the Shifters and their strange new weapon. Kibbeth was in a rage about some kid named Cameron. He rated and raved about killing the kid slowly, painfully and without remorse. Then, without warning, Kibbeth had turned sharply and struck Alexandr with the butt of a rifle, sending him crashing to the floor. Kibbeth screamed at Alexandr about failure not being an option and would not be tolerated. Alexandr wondered why such rage was being directed at him. He was only the messenger. Sure, the message had been bad news but that was no reason to take it out on the messenger. Kibbeth continued to savagely attack, totally out of control, until Alexandr was beaten unconscious, bleeding, broken and barely clinging to life. It had only been through the actions of his second officer that saved him. Kibbeth had demanded that 'the trash be taken out' and his second officer had done just that. He took Alexandr to the hospital at great personal risk.

He remained in a coma for weeks. A fractured skull, broken jaw, broken nose, a concussion, several broken ribs and a broken orbital socket just scratched the surface of the numerous injuries. He regained consciousness only to remain in severe pain for the next few weeks. That's when the plan of revenge first started to form in Alexandr's mind. Kibbeth would pay for his cruelty and pay dearly.

Alexandr was finally released from the hospital. His pain and his pain meds were constant companions for months. Recovery was an exercise in agony, day in and day out. With a lot of rehabilitation, he was finally able to walk unassisted. The shame he felt at having to be assisted with basic bodily functions bolstered his anger. To actually have someone wipe his ass created a monster inside Alexandr. That monster grew steadily until it demanded he do something.

Revenge took over Alexandr's mind. It moved in and set up permanent residence. It was all Alexandr could think of. Hate moved in with revenge. Together, they allowed for no other thoughts. Alexandr became obsessed. He would see to Kibbeth's death. He would see that Kibbeth suffered just like Alexandr. Yes, a long slow painful death for Kibbeth consumed every thought. He planned and plotted. He knew Kibbeth's routines. He knew where he lived. He knew everything he needed to formulate his revenge.

Then word came that Kibbeth had been killed in an assassination attempt on Councilman Radlouf. What a dumb ass! Now all his plans for revenge were useless. Despite that, Alexandr's anger continued to grow. It grew and grew until another plan was hatched. If Kibbeth himself couldn't be punished for his cruelty, then a stand-in would have to suffice. What better substitute than his own son? It would probably be best to end that bloodline and not let it propagate any further. But Alexandr kept running into roadblock after roadblock. The little shit must be part weasel. That didn't matter anymore. Alexandr had watched from afar. He studied every move. He noted every acquaintance. He analyzed everything there was to know about the boy. It wouldn't be long now before he closed in for the torture, the suffering, the pain and the screams. The kid would suffer, just like he had, but his life would end. Revenge would be complete and Alexandr's life could go on in peace. The rage within him was hungry. It needed to be fed.

*    *    *    *    *

As I sat at the table contemplating my next move, across the dining room Jevic was so nervous he was about to blow a gasket. He watched Jakub's table, always at the ready to swoop in and save me. He'd explained to Brandon and Scott what was going on. Brandon smiled as he stood up and moved over to the bar and grabbed a stool. I glanced at him and gave him and small smile and a nod from where I sat at Jakub's table.

Then Jakub and Timmy calmly walked back into the restaurant and over to their table to join me.

Scott got up and walked over to the desert display, pretending to decide what he wanted to eat. He also kept a surreptitious eye on me. Now, the table was surrounded on three sides.

"Sorry about that," said Timmy as he held Jakub's chair. "Just needed a little fresh air." They both took a seat.

"If you can call the air in this foul-smelling city fresh," Jakub said sourly. Timmy gave Jakub a 'look.' It wasn't threatening, but it wasn't friendly either. Suddenly Jakub sighed, gave a small smile and took a quiet sip of his wine. He looked up and noticed Brandon sitting at the bar. Then glanced around the room and saw Jevic and Scott. He recognized them from the hotel lobby.

"I see your friends are here with you," Jakub said with a grin.

"Of course they're here. We decided to enjoy some turf and surf tonight. Little did we know that we'd run into you guys. Oh, and by the way, your dinner is on me tonight," I said with a smile. Jakub looked shocked. Someone buying him dinner? It was supposed to be the other way around. That's what his father always taught him. 'Don't be weak. Always be in charge. Always let your wealth be on full display' his father would say.

"I can't allow that," Jakub said reaching for the stolen wallet. Timmy gave him the 'look' again. Then he interceded on Jakub's behalf.

"That's incredibly generous of you Cameron," Timmy started. "Thank you very much."

"Glad to do it and thank you both for coming back." I watched as first Timmy nodded then finally Jakub nodded slightly only after getting another 'look' from Timmy. I was beginning to really like Timmy. He seemed to have Jakub under his thumb.

Okay, now where to pick this conversation back up? I'd been pretty brutal last time and I needed to slow things down and be sensitive to Jakub's feelings. I certainly didn't want to say something that would cause him to bolt again.

"I think I was talking about strategies," I said.

"I know my father had a temper," Jakub started. First, he was looking at his plate. Then he raised his head and looked me in the eye. "I was on the receiving end of that temper many times," Jakub said while rubbing his neck. "But he was a good dad. I didn't want for anything. I have the best of everything credits can buy. Dad had a penchant for the finer things in life. We live, ah," Jakub started, but paused, then continued. "I live in a three level mansion and the entire third level is mine. I go to the best schools. I wear the best clothes." Jakub paused a moment then smiled. "Yeah, I guess you could say I am spoiled."

"But look at you today," said Timmy interrupted. "You're kind, thoughtful and considerate plus you're very handsome and awesome in bed." Jakub blushed under the praise.

"You guys are too much," I said with a grin. "But, back to the matter at hand. I want to assure you, Jakub, I had nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the death of your father even though I was there when he died." Jakub stared at his plate for what I thought was too long. Timmy gave me his 'look' and I kept my mouth shut. Finally, Jakub sighed, took another sip of his wine then turned to look at me.

"I know you had nothing to do with it. I hope you will forgive me for that bit of ill-mannered behavior in the restroom." He took a moment and finally sighed. "I was so wrapped up in wanting to blame someone for my father's death that I followed in his footsteps with my own anger."

"Consider it forgotten." Jakub nodded with a small smile. Timmy glanced at the waiter and nodded his head. I don't know how he did it silently, but another wine glass appeared on the table. Timmy smiled at the waiter as he filled the glass and put it in front of me.

"I want to add my apologies as well," Timmy said. "I walked in and saw someone attacking my boy, ah, my friend and I just lost control." I caught the almost use of 'boyfriend' in his apology. I smiled.

"You must have played football in high school. That was quite some tackle." He blushed, then raised his glass.

"To new friends," Timmy offered as a toast. We all clinked our glasses and took a sip. The wine was very, very good. Given the amount of the tab, it was probably very expensive too. I savored my little sip. Things at the table suddenly turned quiet and just a bit awkward.

Brandon watched from the bar and Scott watched from the desert display. I love my friends! They were concerned and I admit, rightfully so. I was chatting with, as far as we knew, a killer who intended to kill me too. And there we were drinking wine and having a civilized conversation. My friends couldn't hear what was being discussed and that explained their caution and curiosity. My conversation with Jakub revealed to me a side of him I'd not known. Yeah, there was still that other side and sooner rather than later, we'd have to address that.

"Cameron, what keeps you busy these days?" Timmy asked. Jakub silently thanked him for keeping the conversation alive and that was not missed by me.

"Oh, just trying to graduate from school. What about you?"

"I work at The Lowell Hotel, the one you got thrown out of. By the way, you wouldn't happen to know what happened to Roger?" Jakub grinned at my sudden nervousness.

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Well, he was in his uniform and then he was in a pink thong," Timmy explained while giving me the eye.

"I've no idea. He threw us out. We exchanged pleasantries. Then we left and checked into this hotel."

"Pleasantries? Yeah, right. I'm not buying it."

"So, what do you do at Roger's hotel?" I said attempting to change the direction of the conversation.

"Oh, well, I bounce back and forth from bellboy to room service. It keeps me busy and I earn a nice wage, plus the tips are always good. It's enough for me to have my own place, well, I do have a roommate to split the bills with. He's a big hulk of a fellow and he works at the hardware store just around the corner. He's nice enough, but our schedules are so different we hardly see each other. That's fine with me as long as he pays his half of the rent and utilities." Timmy was turning out to be quite chatty. I glanced at Jakub. He was looking at Timmy with wonder on his face.

"What happened to that shy boy I met?"

"That's just an act to get better tips. Some people tell me I talk entirely too much. I don't think I do. I just say what's on my mind. And that can be a good thing. I keep the conversation going without awkward pauses. So, Cameron, do you live here in New York?" Jakub just about panicked.

"Jakub and I are from … out of town, Timmy. I'm just visiting for a few days. Actually, I was looking for someone to show me the sights," I said hopefully saving us from anymore personal questions.

"Have you been in the Empire State Building?" I shook my head. "911? The Brooklyn Bridge? Central Park? Wall Street? Flat Iron Building? The Statue of Liberty?" I shook my head. "What in the hell have you been doing? Better yet, tell me how long you've got."

"Uh, er, I was just planning for a day or two, three at the most."

"That's not nearly enough time to see the sights and you've only visited one gay bar. Please. You've got to make more time. There are so many things to see and do in this city and you haven't even scratched the surface. I've lived here all my life and I'm still finding new and exciting things to do. I was just in Central Park the other day and they installed a new Frisby Golf Course. That's a lot of fun, but it does require some skill. And the view from the Empire State Building, especially at night, is breathtaking. It's a big city but it has its own distinct neighborhoods. You've got to make more time."

"I was kind of busy looking for this guy," I said hooking my thumb at Jakub. That brought Timmy's 'tour guide' mode to a screeching halt. I decided to take a chance. "See that guy over at the bar?" I asked Timmy as I pointed out Brandon. He nodded his head. "See the guy at the deserts?" I pointed out Scott. Timmy once again nodded. "They're my friends." I turned in my seat. "See that handsome young man over there all by himself?" Timmy nodded. "That's my boyfriend." Jakub turned to look.

"He looks all alone," Jakub commented and then gave me a 'look.' What is it with these two and their 'looks?' I glanced back at Jevic and waved him over. As Jevic started over, I turned to Timmy.

"It'd be nice if Jevic, Jakub and I could have a little private chat." It was my turn to give a 'look.' Timmy smiled, got up and headed over to the bar to chat up Brandon. "I hope that's okay with you?" I asked Jakub. He nodded as Jevic took the vacant seat at the table, right beside me.

"Cameron, what's going on?" he asked nervously.

"We're just having a friendly chat. I believe we are cousins?" Jakub asked as he extended his hand for a shake. Jevic looked at me. I nodded and smiled. The two boys tentatively shook hands.

"Yes, first cousins," Jevic said quietly. I saw him wiping his hand vigorously under the table. That wasn't a good sign. Definitely not.

The waiter showed back up with another wine glass, filled it and set it in front of Jevic.

"Cameron and I were just discussing my father. Seems I might have inherited his angry disposition. Anyway, I know that Cameron and your father, Jevic, had nothing to do with my father's death. It was his own blinding rage that took his life. I was angry and out for revenge, but once I realized it was anger that killed my father, my own anger just dried up and went away. I actually enjoy talking with Cameron. You're one very lucky boy to have him in your life."

"What about the transit officer? You killed him in cold blood. Care to explain that?" Jevic said with malice in his voice. Jakub suddenly looked very uncomfortable, as did I.

"We're not discussing that right now," I told Jevic firmly. He looked at me with disbelief.

"Why the hell not?" Jakub started to get up, but I put a hand on his arm.

"Just a minute, Jakub. Please?" Jakub nodded and sat back down.

"As I just said, Jevic. We are not discussing that right now, so just drop it," I said firmly.

"You may be comfortable sitting here making small talk with a killer, but I'm not!" Jevic stood up abruptly.

"Have it your way, but you're sleeping alone tonight. I may or may not come back to the room." Jevic left the table in a huff and headed back to our table. I turned to look at Jakub. "He can be quite stubborn at times, but I still love him." Jakub only nodded, still looking sullen. Brandon and Timmy showed up at the table.

"Everything okay?" a concerned Timmy asked.

"Everything is fine. My boyfriend is just being an ass. Please join us. There's an extra glass of wine I think you will really like, Brandon. Timmy and Brandon pulled out their chairs and sat down.

"What going on, Cameron?" Brandon asked.

"We're just having a friendly chat. That's all. Try the wine. It's delicious." At my suggestion, everybody took a sip from their glass.

"I think desert is in order," suggested Timmy. "You're in New York so you should try the New York Cheesecake. This restaurant does an excellent job." I nodded as did Jakub. Brandon grabbed a fork.

"I'm ready," Brandon said. Timmy glanced at the waiter and he came over to our table.

"Four cheesecakes, please."

"Certainly, sir." Moments later he returned with a platter and served each one of us a generous slice of cheesecake with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top. I took a quick bite and moaned in pleasure.

"That's delicious," I said. Everybody at the table nodded in agreement and continued eating until we were all scraping our plates.

I thought through the situation while eating my cheesecake. Jevic was right in that we needed to talk about the murder, but I felt like I was making great headway in getting to know Jakub, that I didn't want to do anything to stop that. My tingling was humming along happily with what it was sensing from Jakub, but it sensed there was something strange going on in his head. The thoughts my tingling identified seemed a bit off. Something was going on, but now was not the time to question him about it. I decided we'd covered everything I wanted to, so it was time to end the discussion.

"Jakub, thank you for the opportunity for the conversation. I feel like I really got to know you. And Timmy, it's been a real pleasure meeting you as well. I'll follow up with you about seeing the sights, but for now, I think it's best if we call it a night."

"Thank you, Cameron. It's been an enlightening discussion and I look forward to spending more time with you." Jakub and Timmy rose from their seats, said goodbye and left the restaurant. Jevic was back at the table in a flash. Scott sauntered up and grabbed the remaining chair.

"What in fuck was that?" Jevic said, obviously angry.

"That was a step in the right direction."

"How can you be so stupid? He's a fucking killer!" still furious.

"Might I remind you it was anger that killed Kibbeth! You need to calm the fuck down," I said sternly. Jevic visibly deflated, but I could tell there were still a hundred questions on his mind.

"We should order some cheesecake," Brandon suggested with a grin, obviously trying to provide some distraction from the tenseness radiating from my boyfriend. I looked over at our waiter and nodded. He must have read my mind or was listening to our conversation, because in just a moment he showed up at the table with another platter with four slices of cheesecake. I'd already had one, but a second slice wouldn't kill me. I savored each bite.

*    *    *    *    *

Alexandr was disgusted. He'd witnessed what only could be described as a friendly conversation between two people who should be mortal enemies. They should hate each other. How can they just sit there sipping wine and making nice? It could almost be described as a charming conversation between two old friends. It just didn't make sense. Things were not going the way he planned and steps needed to be taken to stop all this syrupy sweet niceness. It was time for violence. Now, who to direct that violence toward? Cameron and his friends were handy, but it was Jakub who he really wanted that violence directed at. Decisions. Decisions.

He finally decided to punish Cameron for making nice with the little shit who was going to die and die soon. One of Alexandr's powers was invisibility. He activated his power and moved over to Cameron's table. Now what to do?

"Perhaps I could have some fun?" he thought gleefully to himself. He pushed Cameron's head forward hard and moved quickly behind Jevic and did the same thing.

"What are you doing?" Cameron asked Jevic.

"I didn't do anything, even though I want to," Jevic said with a sneer. Alexandr had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. This was great!

"You pushed my head," I said with a frown.

"You pushed mine," Jevic said defiantly.

Alexandr moved around and shoved Brandon and Scott's heads at the same time.

"What the fuck?" Brandon exclaimed. Alexander decided he needed to stop fooling around and do something that actually caused some pain. He grabbed a heavy dinner plate from an adjacent table and slammed it down on Jevic's head. The plate shattered. Jevic saw stars and slumped over in his seat.

"That's enough!" I called out. Other dinner guests looked our way. I didn't care. Somebody was fucking with us and I needed to do something quick. My tingling was already charged up, so I surrounded all of us with a protective shield. Another plate smashed against my shield. I whirled around in the direction the plate came from and reached out with my tingling. I sensed a person even though my eyes saw nothing. He had to be invisible. Jevic had the same power. My tingling surrounded the person and held him tight. Now to see who was fucking with us. The thought no more than crossed my mind when my tingling told me he was gone. He must have teleported.

"Damn it!" I exclaimed. I looked back at the table. Brandon was helping Jevic and Scott was poised to pounce on anything that moved. "He got away. Must have teleported," I explained. Jevic was rubbing his sore head.

"Who was that?" Jevic asked

"They were invisible. I've no idea who it was, but I'm going to find out." I reached out with my tingling and tried to track where the person had teleported. Remarkably, the trace was a mere fifteen feet away. When I looked in that direction, I saw a strange man just standing there smiling back at me. Then he shot me a single digit salute and vanished. This time, he camouflaged his destination.

"Damn it! He got away again!" The waiter was suddenly at our table with a broom cleaning up broken plate pieces. He was not amused. Other guests were still looking our way.

"Perhaps it is time for you gentlemen to retire from this establishment," he strongly suggested. I nodded to him and put three hundred dollar bills on the table.

"Sorry for the inconvenience," I said. He nodded, but did not smile.

*    *    *    *    *

Thinking back over the conversation I'd had with Jakub, there was something not quite right. Obvious assumptions suddenly didn't make sense and new questions gathered like soldiers in formation. We'd made our way back to our suite and were on the balcony looking out over the awe inspiring New York skyline. There was a darkness off to the right. I assumed that to be Central Park. To our left was the East River. Beyond that I could make out the buildings of Manhattan including the Empire State Building, the art deco top of the Chrysler Building and in the distance was One World Trade Center. Jevic was at my side, but he was not talking and ignoring me completely. He was in a huff after I shut him down in front of his cousin, but damn it! I was finally getting somewhere with Jakub and Jevic just had to jump in a ruin it. I'd hit Jakub with too much and he'd bolted. Jevic came in and clubbed him over the head with his murder question. Damn it! I sighed on the loveseat. Jevic had no context of the conversation so I really couldn't blame him, but did he really have to drop that kind of bomb shell within thirty seconds of meeting his cousin? Damn it!

But back to the Jakub conversation, something was either there or missing and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It was time to check with Joel and bring him up to date. I got up, went inside and opened my wrist com.

"Hi Cameron, how's things in the Big Apple?"

"I just had a conversation with Jakub."

"What? Did you really?" asked an excited Joel.

"Yeah, I did. He's over the whole revenge thing, so tell Paulik he can relax."

"Thank God."

"Joel, there's somebody else out to either get us or just fuck with us, uh, pardon the language."

"What are you talking about, Cameron?"

"After Jakub left from our meeting, somebody invisible had fun pushing our heads around and finally smashing a heavy dinner plate on Jevic's head. I immediately put my tingling up and that protected us from a second attack. Whoever it was, a man I think, has invisibility as a power. How many people have that?"

"I'll have to look into it, but my gut reaction is not many, maybe one percent at most."

"Okay, here's the second part." I took a deep breath. "Can you send me the complete report on the transit officer's death? I need the complete forensic report on the cabin, any DNA and its original location, the autopsy and any camera surveillance available."

"That's asking for a lot Cameron. May I ask the reason behind the request?"

"There's just something that my tingling has been scratching around on and I wanted to clear up any questions I have."

"Why don't you ask me your questions?"

"Begging your pardon, but I want to reach my own conclusions. I'll be sure to share whatever I figure out."

"Okay, I'm happy to share, but it will be difficult to view the evidence on a wrist com."

"Not to worry, Joel. I learned how to project my com to a wall."

"Excellent. Give me a few moments to gather all the files and I send them right over. Cameron, this is an active ongoing investigation and the evidence I'm sending you will be used in court. I'll have to ask you to keep this information confidential please."

"Not a problem, Joel." I grabbed two blankets from the closet and went back onto the balcony. I tossed one blanket over to Scott and Brandon. I took the other and spread it out over Jevic and myself. I flipped the switch on the fit pit and it sprang to life with low warm flames. It provided just the right ambience. I kicked back on the love seat, put my hands behind my head and let my eyes take in the stunning skyline laid out before us.

My mind drifted back to our so-called attacker at the restaurant. Who was this strange man and more importantly, what did he want? What he did was basically harmless but he had hurt my Jevic. He was obviously Kelmarian. First, he was invisible. That was a power I knew Jevic had, but I'd not heard of anybody else having that power. Joel confirmed that very few people had that. Second, he'd teleported not once, but twice in seconds. That took an above average skill set. But. Yeah, but.

Was he trying to harass us? If he was, why? We were attacked only after Jakub and Timmy left. Why then? Why not before? Who was this guy's real target? What if he was after Jakub instead of us? What if he was after all of us? It just didn't make sense, no matter how I added it up. No one knew we were here except Joel and Paulik. Who knew Jakub was here? Everybody in the Watcher Complex knew security was looking for someone from Kelmar. Could it be a Watcher that was after Jakub? Could it be someone on the same transport ship as Jakub and had come from Kelmar? And no matter who it was, how in the hell did they zero in on New York of all the places on the planet? My mind was doing back flips trying to figure out who he was and how he knew we were at that particular restaurant. I sorted through the evidence available and came to one of two conclusions. Either he followed us there or he was tracking us. If he was tracking us, how was he doing it? The answer hit me like a brick. We all wore wrist coms. That had to be the answer. My thoughts immediately went to Jakub. He had to be warned.

*    *    *    *    *

Timmy and Jakub had walked back to their hotel and were relaxing on the balcony of Jakub's suite. Timmy was laid back against Jakub's chest on a lounge chair. A blanket covered them keeping them warm in the cool of the evening as they gazed out on the skyline. Jakub still didn't appreciate the smell of the big city, but he was learning to tolerate it. He was also becoming comfortable with Timmy. The once shy boy was bold, confident and not afraid to call Jakub out on his anger. He could think of nobody else brave enough to do that. People had tried, but he shut them down, harshly. He admired Timmy for standing up to him. Once again, nobody stood up to Kibbeth's son. It just wasn't done. Until Timmy came along and Timmy didn't take any shit.

The conversation with Cameron was as unexpected as Cameron was himself. The boy had balls to just walk up, sit down and start talking. That was a bold move on Cameron's part. It was shocking at first, but the more Cameron talked, the more Jakub admired him. He had been brutally honest and maybe that's what was needed. His innate ability to rise to anger was assuaged as he listened to carefully thought out reasoning. And it did make sense. Everything Cameron had said made perfect sense. He knew it all along, but it took a strong person to make him realize what he already knew to be true.

Jakub suddenly sensed another presence nearby. It was a strange sensation, but part of his powers. His instinct was to jump up and attack before being attacked.

"Timmy," Jakub whispered. "I need to get up."

"Ah, come on Jakub. I'm so comfortable here with you."

"I know you are, but I have to pee."

"Okay, but hurry back. You're keeping me warm." Timmy leaned forward and let Jakub slip off the lounge chair. Jakub took a deep breath, engaged his 'silent' power, then entered the suite through the sliding glass door. Just ten feet away stood a man with an evil glint in his eye.

"So nice of you to join me," the man said quietly.

"What do you want?"

"I want you to die a slow painful death. That would bring me great pleasure."

"What did I do to you?"

"It's what your father did to me," the man said nastily. "Since he was stupid enough to get himself killed, you'll just have to stand in his place." Before either one of them could move, Cameron appeared in the suite.

I'd arrived expecting to just warn Jakub about the situation but found myself in the middle of one. I glanced at the man and immediately recognized him from the restaurant.

"Don't fucking move," I said coldly. The surprised man turned and grinned at me. My tingling was charged and ready. I threw out a containment field around the man. He looked surprised when he couldn't move.

"You have talents I've not heard of boy," the man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"The name is Cameron. Not boy. Who the fuck are you?" I demanded.

"That's not important …" I tightened my containment field, picked him up, moved him to the center of the sitting area and slammed him down on the floor.

"I disagree," I said with a snarl. "Now, for the last time, who are you?"

"Alexandr," the man squeaked.

"Why are you here? How did you know we were here? Have you been tracking Jakub or me and how are you doing that?"

"Jakub," he hissed.

"How are you tracking him?"

Coms," he said hoarsely. I eased the field just a bit. Jakub came over and stood beside me.

"He's gotta die," Alexandr said, looking directly at Jakub.

"What the fuck?"

"He said he wants me dead for what my father did to him," Jakub said. I looked Alexandr in the eye.

"What did his father do?"

"He beat me with a rifle butt just for delivering news. It was bad news, but I was only the messenger. I'd done nothing wrong. He almost beat me to death. I suffered. For months I suffered. All because of that imp's sorry excuse of a father. I could think of nothing else but revenge and then the dumbass went and got himself killed."

"I've heard enough," I said. "You just stay right where you are," I said grinning knowing he couldn't move.

Timmy chose that minute to come walking in from the balcony.

"What's going on?"

"Timmy, it's okay. Cameron is here and he's found a man trying to hurt us." I turned to Jakub.

"Get Timmy and go back to the Bentley Hotel. Walk or teleport. At this point it doesn't matter. I'm about to call security and have this man arrested. I don't think you should be here for that." Jakub nodded "Jevic, Scott and Brandon are in my suite, number 1002. Go there and wait for me." Jakub nodded again.

"Jakub, what's he talking about? I don't understand," asked a bewildered Timmy.

"It'll be alright. I'll explain everything as soon as we're safe." Jakub wrapped his arms around Timmy and teleported them from the room. I turned to my wrist com and contacted Joel. In less than a minute a security force of five officers and Joel showed up.

"This is the man I was telling you about that assaulted us at the restaurant," I told Joel. "I'm holding him in a confinement field. The last time I tried to hold him, he teleported away." Joel nodded to his security team. They moved over to Alexandr and cuffed him with confinement cuffs. He wasn't getting away this time. I relaxed my tingling at let my field down.

"Good job, Cameron. Where's Jevic?" Joel asked, looking around.

"Ah, er, I'll explain as soon as your guys take Alexandr, that's his name by the way."

"Take him to holding. I'll be along in a minute and we'll get the charges sorted out." His team nodded and disappeared with their prisoner. Joel turned and looked at me expectantly.

"He was here to kill Jakub." Joel gasped.

"Where's Jakub?"

"I asked him to leave before I called you."

"You did what?" asked an obviously pissed off Joel.

"I knew you would have to arrest him and I didn't want that to happen yet. Just trust me on this, Joel. That's part of the reason I wanted the reports from the killing of the transport officer."

"Cameron, you are harboring a known murderer. You are testing my limits here and I don't think you can go much further. I'll give you one day. One day. Then I want you to bring Jakub in. I am deadly serious here. If anyone were to find out I let this happen, it would mean my job and incarceration … for both of us." That got my attention, but I knew I was right. Now I just had to prove it.

"I understand. One day. No more." Joel nodded then disappeared.

*    *    *    *    *

"What the fuck was that?" a surprised Timmy asked loudly. "One minute we were in your suite with Cameron and t-that man and now we're here. Where the fuck is here? What the fuck is going on Jakub?" Jevic along with Scott and Brandon ran inside from the balcony.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Jevic said harshly.

"You get the fuck in line mister. My questions come first," Timmy said to Jevic loudly, then rounded back at Jakub. Jevic raised his eyebrows to his hairline at the words from brash youth with the long black hair.

"Where are we and how did we get here? Answer me now damn it and don't lie. I want the truth!" Jakub mumbled something. "Speak up damn it!"

"I'm from Kelmar. That's a planet not too far from here, only a few light years. Anyway, I can teleport, meaning I can move from one location to another using only my mind. I teleported us here to get away from the bad man." Timmy stared at Jakub then slowly he crumpled to the floor in a dead faint.

"Way to go," said Jevic sarcastically. Jakub was instantly on the floor. He cradled Timmy's head in his lap and looked up with tears in his eyes.

"He's the best thing that's ever happened to me and I did the last thing I ever wanted to do to him." Brandon sat down on the floor next to Jakub and put his arm around his shoulder. Brandon glared back up at Jevic.

"You can be such an asshole sometimes and this is one of them. By the way, don't you think it would be a good fucking idea to see if Cameron is okay?" Jevic's eyes bugged out at the realization. Once Jevic had teleported away, Brandon turned his attention to Jakub.

"Cameron saved my life," Brandon started. "Literally. I was ready to kill myself because of what my own father had done." That got Jakub's attention and he turned his tear filled eyes to Brandon. Brandon glanced at Scott with an unspoken question. Scott frowned, then nodded as he sat down on the floor next to Brandon.

"My father killed Scott's boyfriend." Jakub was shocked and looked at Scott who nodded grimly. Brandon continued.

"He and a bunch of his friends, including the pastor of his church went out on a fag hunt one night."

"Greg and I were celebrating our one-year anniversary and were on our way to the game shack at the mall," Scott explained.

"My dear old dad and his buddies showed up and shot them both. Greg didn't survive. Cameron used his tingling, ah, his powers to bring Scott back to life. So, I kinda get what it's like to have a father that did things you're not exactly proud of." Tears were running down Brandon's face now. They were running down Scott's face too.

"We're not from Kelmar," Scott said. "We're just simple Earthlings. We've both been to Kelmar and we've both been to the Watcher Complex. We both served as bridge crew on a Galaxy Class Battle Cruiser. Brandon was on coms, stealth mode and the defense grid. I was on weapons." Then Brandon picked up the story.

"When we were on Kelmar, we flew on an attack ship with twin Gravaton Drives. That sucker would really move." Jakub was floored. He'd never heard such tales, much less from Earthlings. "Scott and I were held prisoner on a Talon escort ship. Not once, but two times. We got captured and ended up locked up. Cameron and Jevic saved us both times."

"I'm sorry you guys," Jakub sobbed. "I'm so sorry. My father was Kibbeth and he was the leader of the Talons."

"I guess that makes us brothers in the crap for dad club," Brandon said with a grin on his face. Jakub hugged him fiercely. Scott wiped the tears from his eyes.

"What's going on?" Timmy asked groggily.

"Are you okay?" asked a concerned Jakub.

"I'm fine. Have the drugs worn off yet? I don't remember taking any, but it sure feels like it. I think I was hallucinating. No, I know I was hallucinating because you were an alien from another planet or something crazy like that. People were popping in and out of the room. I tell you, it was crazy. I don't think I want to try that drug again." Timmy sat up to look at a grinning Jakub. By his side were a grinning Scott and Brandon. "What are you two doing here? Wait a minute." Timmy glanced around and realized he wasn't in Jakub's suite. "Where am I?"

"We're in Brandon and Scott's suite. They share it with Jevic and Cameron."

"So, it wasn't drugs?"

"No, it wasn't drugs."

"I thought people from other planets were short with big heads."

"Only in the movies," Brandon said. "And I'm not an alien. I'm from Earth, just like you. It takes a little getting used to, but these guys are pretty cool."


Chapter Twenty-Four Coming Soon
"Forensic Analysis"
Back to Chapter Twenty-Two
"A Pink Thong"
Chapter Index

Jevic's Story Page

I'd love to hear what you think!
Email me at jevic@tarheelwriter.com