Fallen Angels 1 - Chapter 2

"I'll give her just five more minutes, then I'm out of here." Ciela surveyed the Club's denizens, thinking to herself how grateful she was that she didn't frequent this sort of place. The singles scene was definitely not her cup of pulque. When she'd gotten back from the bar, Aquarius had gone, and she couldn't see him anywhere - apparently for once in his life he'd taken no for an answer.

Jayna slid quietly into the chair opposite her, looking a bit harried and breathless. "Hi, sorry to be so late! I got an unexpected client, and really couldn't give him the bum's rush." Jayna pulled her glasses a bit lower on her nose, peeking at Az over them. Through their lenses the former Sentinel appeared bathed in an almost blinding light, a startling contrast to the jaded, tainted humans and walking corpses which appeared to her in varying stages of putrefying decay, depending on the length of their unlife.

"I was about to leave if you didn't arrive soon." Az's mouth formed a grin that never managed to reach her eyes. "Why did you choose this place to meet anyway? I can understand Aquarius being here. I can almost hear him making some wise-crack about dead girls not saying no."

Jayna burst into laughter, shaking her head. "That's mean, but probably not too far from the truth. Actually, he's not so bad once you get to know him. I think he's a lot of piss and wind in that regard.
He's the reason I asked you to meet me here, by the way. I'm helping him out on a job and figured this was as good a chance as any to mix some personal time with business."

Az chuckled, "You're working for him? Now that's something I never expected."

"I prefer 'working with'. Speaking of unexpected what happened to your wings, and if I'm not mistaken your color has improved too hasn't it?"

Az rolled her eyes and sighed. "It's a really long answer or a really short answer. Which would you prefer?"

"Oh, I've got plenty of time. Just promise me you won't be annoyed if I look around the place a bit while you talk." Jayna pushed her glasses back in place and began studying a few of the Club's patrons a bit more closely.

"No, no problem... I'll try to keep it short anyway. After the whole thing with Tez, Quetzalcoatl brought me home to stop a very angry god - Mictiantecuhtli - who was rampaging around, killing everyone in sight. Including the entire Q Foundation, from what I could tell." Az fidgeted in her seat, obviously uncomfortable.

She cleared her throat as a less than savory looking young lady came by the table and took their drink order, causing Jayna to snort once she was out of earshot, "I was beginning to wonder if a person had to die to get a drink in this place." Az winced at her choice of words. "I'm sorry. That was a bad pun at best and the timing was horrible."

"No argument there. Anyway, as for the changes...how do you explain this? Well, y'see the metal wings and the skin color were both remnants of Tez's possession. After Mictiantecuhtli was defeated Quetz changed them both and left. He actually spoke to me before he left..." she said, her voice taking on a tone of awe and reverence.

"You are one lucky lady." Said Jayna, returning her full attention to her companion. "Do you have any idea how many people I've known who never had one moment's certainty about who or what they believed in? Being able to pass as 'normal' must be nice, but to get that kind of personal attention must have been a transcendent experience."

Az nodded and continued, "I should have been a bit more ah...reverent at the time. I don't believe I afforded him the respect he was due."

"Well one has to suppose, given that you are still here, that Quetz wasn't offended." she flashed a conspiratorial smile at her friend. "You really ought to work on that annoying tendency you have of beating yourself up. There are usually plenty of people willing to do that for you, especially in your line of work." Jayna cocked her head, looking in Aqua's direction. Once she was sure she had caught his eye, she made a few small gestures with her hands. He nodded, finished his drink, and got up to leave. "Well, that's it. My 'job' is done. Now we can get down to some serious catching up."

"Catching up would be good!" said Az brightening at the change of subject. "There's so much I'd like to know. What happened with Aqua? We all thought he was dead! What happened to your shop? What's this job, and why did it bring you here?" Jayna raised her arms as if she was fending off an attack. She shook her head and smiled.

"Slow down a bit! I can only answer one at a time." Az chuckled and nodded in agreement. "I guess the easiest way to do this would be in chronological order. After I managed to get Bishop and Rydgen to the hospital I went back 'home' to see how bad the damage was. Once I realized that most of the problems with the shop were cosmetic, I started poking around what was left of the bar. Since I had no 'official business' in the place the police threw me out fairly quickly, but I managed to sneak in past the barricade in the wee hours of the morning. Thanks to these," she said, tapping her glasses, "I managed to spot bits of Aquarius buried in the rubble literally all over the place. It took some doing and a couple of hours, but I thought I had managed to scrape most of him together."

"How did you ever do it?" asked Az. "He must have been blown into thousands of pieces!"

"It certainly felt that way by the time I was ready to call it quits." She took a deep breath and winked. "Let's just say that he's become at least as well aquainted with a turkey baster as David Crosby." Az looked at her blankly and Jayna decided not to bother to explain the joke. "I ran everything I had gathered through a filter and then put him in a big fish tank and waited. He finally pulled himself together about a week ago."

"You mean to say that he pretty much healed himself?" Az asked. Jayna nodded, and shrugged.

"I had no idea what else to do and no one I know had any better suggestions. As for the shop, I had no idea whether or not the lot of you was intending to rebuild. I decided that it would be better for business if I relocated to a quieter neighborhood. I got lucky and found a building in a trendy 'boutique' area that suits my needs."

Az blushed and fiddled with her glass. "I'm sorry that we caused you so much trouble..."

"Not to worry. It looks as though it's all going to come out all right on my end. What about you, I haven't heard anything about the Sentinels lately? Not that I follow the news all that closely."

"I don't really know. I quit a couple months back..."

"Ooops! Don't look now, but I think something is coming down. Three pretty nasty looking goons just came in the door and are talking with the fellow I pointed out to Aquarius. He doesn't look any too happy about it either."

"So just was this job all about anyway?" asked Az, turning to look at the growing confrontation.

"It was all very hush-hush and need-to-know, something about a fellow with a very unvampiric artifact. All I had to do was point him out if I noticed anything out of the ordinary."

Az could feel the tension level in the room rising ominously. "Maybe we should..."

"Leave before the fur starts flying?" Jayna finished the sentence for her companion. "Not a bad idea at all." They both rose and started toward the door of the Club. "Unless you have a curfew, you could come over to my place. I still have a few things you might be interested in..."

"Anything sounds good at this point. And no curfew, but does your offer extend to the puppy dog at the end of the room? He's kinda with me." She nodded her head towards David, still hanging back, out of the view of most of the club's patrons. "He's housebroken and he doesn't eat much. He doesn't bark or bay at the moon..." She laughed.

Jayna peered over her glasses at David, then stared at him long and hard through the glasses.
What the hell?

Fallen Angels 1 - Chapter 3

Outside:

"Jayna, let me go grab my things." Az vanished around the side of the club and quickly returned with a duffel bag that was just barely full. Jayna eyed the former Sentinel oddly.

"Where did you say you'd been staying since you quit the JSS?"

"I didn't. David and I have been staying in an old building down the way." She pointed non-commitally down the street. "David's been standing guard while I slept to make sure we don't get arrested."

"You're squatting? Where the hell are the others? Why didn't they..." Jayna fumed.

"It's not that big of a deal. I could have gone to Rydgen, but I didn't feel right about it. He's getting on with his life. A former Sentinel hanging out all the time would be sure to attract attention. As far as I know Artemis is back in Eversolt. Sil's probably still in space. I don't know where Pat is, either. The others...well, I don't know them well enough to ask anything of them."

"And another thing you should do - work on that misplaced pride of yours." Jayna shook her head as Az shrugged her shoulders. "You worry about the wrong things, kiddo. You need to worry about yourself more often, and about everyone else a lot less."

"You're probably right. What can I say - it's how I was raised?" Jayna shook her head again and sighed. "Anyway, I could have stayed with the JSS, and stayed at the Sanctum, but the place gives me the creeps. I didn't like it...it just seemed evil." Jayna cocked her head to one side, looking at Azangel quizzically.

"What's this 'Sanctum'?"

"Oh, I forgot, you didn't know. We took control of Zen's fortress after Superion joined." She unconsciously shuddered a little bit, thinking about Zen. "It's been completely refitted from when Zen was there - and it's still the weirdest place I've ever been. I want to say it has bad vibes, but that sounds so stupid." Az looked up and down the street, mimicking Jayna's movements of the last few minutes. "What are you looking for, anyway?"

"The cab I called." She spat out. "I called one just before we left - and there's nothing here." The three of them had walked a few blocks while they'd been speaking, and they were now out of sight of the three-story club.

They continued walking for a few more minutes before the cab finally arrived with a screech of brakes and a cloud of dust. One door flew open and the driver shouted out at them in a heavily accented voice for them to get in 'qvickly'. "About time." Jayna muttered under her breath.

They piled in and before the door was even closed the driver took off like a rocket. "Vhere to?" The driver shouted over the sound of the engine, which sounded like it was ready to break down, explode, or worse. "You're wery lucky. There are many many wampires in this area. I came as qvickly as possible." Their driver - Pavel Andreovitch 'Smith' according to his license - took a bump in the road at their current breakneck velocity and the cab became airborne. As the vehicle hit the ground, the dozens of religious medals and icons hanging around the inside of the cab bumped each other, making it sound like they were in the middle of a field of windchimes. Cloves of garlic rolled out from under the seats. "Sorry." He slowed down an iota and looked back to his passengers. "Ve're avay from them but I don't like to take chances..."

"Just take us to Alexander the Great's" Jayna shouted over the continuing din from the engine. She looked over to Az, who was holding onto the seat with both hands, even whiter-knuckled than usual. "I see you've never been in a cab before?" Jayna laughed as the former Sentinel shook her head. "This is nothing, we'll have to take you to New York sometime." She looked around the cab and counted at least ten individual Saint Christopher medals, a small Christmas ornament shaped like the USS Enterprise, and several more relics of unknown origin. "Well, we're in good hands at least." Azangel managed a weak laugh and relaxed a bit as the driver, surely moonlighting from his real job as a racecar driver, eased off the accelerator.

*****

After peeling what was left of Az's fingernails from the seat, and paying the driver for the trip, Jayna hopped out of the cab in front of a large two story, Victorian style building. Jayna took the steps leading to the front door two at a time, unlocked it and stepped inside, indicating for Ciela and David to follow her.

Once they were safely ensconced inside, she shut the door and fastened the multiple deadbolts and chains, and reached for a small lamp, brightening the room slightly. Jayna crossed the room without tipping over any of the precariously balanced stacks of books, and switched on another light. The room flared to life, with vases, crystal globes, and amulets gleaming brightly.

David, who had said nothing since leaving the club, still said nothing, but judging from the look on his face he was sufficiently awed at the collection. Az looked around the shop, piled high with art, artifacts and items of unknown origin and quickly folded her arms around her upper torso. "How do you ever find anything in here? It looks like a tornado hit it."

"I just know where to look. It's a talent."

"It's gotta be." Az glanced around, focusing on a case with Pre-Columbian artifacts in it. "Why does that stuff look so familiar?"

"Because you broke into my old shop while you were possessed and stole some of it?" Jayna ventured. "Your friend looks dead on his feet. Should we get him a room right away?"

"Hm? Oh, he doesn't sleep. I'm not sure what he does..." Azangel's voice trailed off as she caught sight of Jayna and the scowl on her face. "Uh, David, why don't we let Jayna find you a room?"

"He doesn't bark at the moon or anything like that does he? If he does I'll have to stuff him in the attic!" She waited at the foot of the stairs, and gestured for him to follow. "C'mon, boy..." And whistled.
David shot both Az and Jayna a hostile look but allowed the shopkeeper to lead him upstairs.
When Jayna came back downstairs a few minutes later, she found Az holding one of the artifacts.
"Don't tell me..."

"Oh, I just wanted to hold it." She said, placing the small, circular stone calendar back in the case, next to the obsidian blade where it had been originally. "I don't remember a lot of what happened..."

"You're probably better off. You've got a serious enough martyr complex as it is." Az scowled in response. "No offense." At Jayna's insistence, they moved from the shop to the upstairs kitchen area, which was surprisingly modern in contrast to the archaic items on the ground floor. Jayna switched on a coffeepot and pulled out a pair of china cups and saucers. "I'm guessing, since you've been squatting, you haven't had a good meal either. Hungry?"

"You have no idea...I've been looking at it as a prolonged fast. Fried rice from Jimmy Lee's and fortune cookies only go so far." She shook her head and sat down. "Martyr complex, huh?"

"Well, you do. Instead of us worrying about the past why don't you tell me about your little friend?" She pulled something from the refrigerator, placed it on a metal tray, put it in the oven, set the timer, and sat down at the small table across from Az.

"Oh...David. He joined up at the same time Superion did. He was just standing around, talking to Rydgen when everyone showed up. The strangest thing, too, was that we were all gone different lengths of time but showed up at the same time, on the same day. Time works strangely on J Street, doesn't it?"

Jayna nodded, got back up, and retrieved the coffee, and after pouring it, sat back down.

"Turns out he'd read something in the paper about the murders, and was apparently looking for me. I never found out why, cause Supes decided we'd go check out Zen's base, we got into a fight with evil versions of ourselves - how cliched is that - and David ended up saving my ass, killing my doppelganger. He broke her neck, and she faded out, her helmet going back to its own dimension."

"That's interesting. What did the others think?"

"Well, we...ah...sorta told them she was already dead..." She paused. "She wasn't..."

"You lied???" Jayna laughed. "Hell, girl, I'm proud of you!"

"I don't know why I did it...but yeah. So he's been kind of following me around ever since. His mind's a total blank slate, he can't seem to remember anything of his past, except his first name. He's pretty calm around me but not the others, he almost decked Ry just for touching his arm."

"Do you think he'd let a friend of mine take a look at him? I think there's more to him than meets the eye. I'm sure of it in fact. He seems familiar but I can't place it, and I think maybe one of my acquaintances, Michael, might be able to tell me a little more."

"Sure, as long as he doesn't touch him, he should be ok." She paused for a second. "What is that smell?"

Jayna grinned. "Scones. It's almost breakfast time. After we eat, I'll find a room for you. I think you'll like the one I have in mind."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. It has some nice big windows and a little balcony..."

Azangel laughed. "Sounds a lot nicer than the last two mountains I've been stuck inside." She picked up her cup and fiddled with it. "So are you going to tell me what you and Aquarius were doing in the club...?"

Fallen Angels 1 - Chapter 4

"I've already told you as much as I know." Jayna crossed the kitchen to a large cupboard that became a refrigerator once opened, and produced a small tray of condiments. "He was very hush-hush about the whole operation. All I knew was that I was supposed to watch for a vampire carrying an object of 'immense power'. He made it abundantly clear that the less I knew of the rest of the job the better." She placed the tray in front of Azangel.

"So," Az raised her cup for a refill, "are you two becoming a set?" Jayna chuckled as she went for more coffee.

"I seriously doubt it. In case you haven't noticed, we don't have a thing in common." She said, opening the oven to remove their breakfast and filling the kitchen with a glorious aroma.

"Are you so sure about that? The two of you seem to work together pretty well." Az helped herself to one of the proffered pastries. She scanned the tray of condiments and looked a Jayna quizzically.

"I suggest a little of this, a little of that." Jayna said, breaking her scone. "You'll never know what suits you until you try."

Az shrugged and dipped a spoon into a sour cream-like mixture. "Besides, it looks to me like the two of you are finding excuses to work together."

"Now that's just silly! I just happened to have the skills necessary for the job." She said, tapping her glasses.

"Oh, so you're the only person on all of J Street that Aquarius knows who can do that?"

"Probably not, but I think you're stretching a bit."

"And I think you are protesting too much!"

"Touché. Look I'll admit I think he's handsome, but I'm earth and he's water if you get my meaning. Put them together and all you get is mud."

Az snorted and began choking on her last bite prompting Jayna to leap to her friend's side. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed patting Az on the back.

"I'll live." Gasped Az between gags and sips of coffee. "I'll just have to remember not to bring up the subject again while we're eating."

"I think we've had enough conversation for now as it is." Jayna began to clear the table. "I don't have any appointments for today so I can sleep in. I suggest you do the same."

*****

The sky to the East was brightening as Ciela threw open one of the windows in the room Jayna had given her. The balcony was small, she noted, but still sufficient for her morning ritual. She dipped into her duffel and removed the items necessary, arranging them on the bed then decided to store the bag in the closet for now and repack her few remaining belongings later.

Inside the closet hung a large, thick terrycloth robe with matching slippers beneath it on the floor. Az beamed. After the deprivations of squatting in an abandoned building her host's thoughtfulness was most welcome. She shed her used garments, vowing to indulge in a long, hot, luxurious bath as soon as she had some sleep.

She had just finished tying the belt of the robe when she heard a shuffling sound behind her in the room. Az whirled around, ready for a confrontation. "What in Quetz's name are you doing in here?"

"Oh... Az, baby..." Aquarius looked haggard and rubbed his eyes. "I'm too tired for THAT right now." He unbuttoned his cuffs and pulled his shirt from where it was tucked into his pants. "Hold that thought... Get back to me in a couple of hours." He dropped his shirt on the floor while shuffling toward the bed. "The well is dry."

"You're on your own this time." Az pulled the robe tighter around her body. "I'm not pissing in any more boots!"

Aquarius mumbled something about a spigot as he kicked off his boots and climbed beneath the covers. Before Az could think of a reply he was snoring softly, sound asleep.

*****

Jayna eased the door to her bedroom shut not knowing how lightly her new guest slept. She didn't want to risk waking her, as she doubted that Az would thrive on as little sleep as she was used to. As she slipped down the hall toward the kitchen she noticed what at first appeared to be a pile of towels on the settee at the top of the stairs. When the pile shifted Jayna realized that is was in fact Az, in a robe, sleeping there.

Although she had no idea why her guest would spurn a perfectly comfortable bed in favor of a hard piece of antique furniture, she decided that learning the reason wasn't worth robbing Az of her obviously much-needed rest.

She entered the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee, placed half a scone on a napkin, and then headed downstairs into her shop to continue the reorganization of her business. It wasn't long before she felt a presence and looked up to see David standing at the bottom of the stairs. "It's all right," she said, "Feel free to look around. If you get bored, I can always put you to work. That pile of books needs to go on the shelves along the back wall."

After an hour or so she decided that even if David wasn't a sparkling conversationalist he did make an able, if dull, employee. They were beginning to make some real progress and the shop was beginning to look more like a business than a disaster area. Soon after, the sounds of Az rousing drifted down the stairs. "We're down here," Jayna called. Az sat up and turned to lean over the railing.

"Good morning!" she called. "Who's we?"

"David and I," Jay replied. "And it's afternoon. We've been putting things in order down here. By the way, are you hungry?"

"I'm starving actually. Is there any chance I could get a real bath before lunch?" As soon as the words left her mouth she felt ashamed for being such a greedy guest.

"Of course there is! The room just to the left of yours is the guest bath. I think you'll find everything you need." Jayna walked over closer to the stairwell. "Was there something wrong with the room? I noticed you didn't sleep there."

"Oh, there was nothing wrong with the room. There was just a little too much Aquarius there for my taste."

"What? He shouldn't have been able to get inside the house without me knowing..."

"I think that was my fault. I opened the window and then went to change. He came in while I was busy. He didn't look too good either..."

"Marvelous! I wonder what he's gotten himself into this time." Jayna began to climb the stairs. "Maybe you should get that bath. I'll check on him and get lunch started."

*****

Azangel lounged in the tub until the bubbles began to die and the rumblings in her stomach became too insistent to ignore. She dried and then wrapped herself in a towel before making her way to the kitchen following the heavenly scent of fresh-cooked food. "Ah, Jay... I have a bit of a problem. I can't get to my clothes and what I have isn't exactly clean. Not that I want to be a pain. You've been such a good hostess and all..."

"Not a problem. I'm sure there is something around here that will fit you, and I'll show you how to work the washing machine after lunch." Jayna put a strange emphasis on the words 'washing machine', but Az was too hungry to worry about it. "Do you want to change now or after we eat?"

"Maybe we had better find me something just in case Aquarius wakes up."

"You're probably right there. He doesn't need any encouragement." Jayna escorted Az to the master suite where she was encouraged to choose a few outfits that suited her taste, then they returned to the kitchen and their lunch. They had almost finished when the doorbell rang. "No rest for the wicked!" said Jayna rising. "The Gods willing this won't take too long."

She met David coming up halfway down the stairs. "There is something at the door." He said as she passed.

"Something? This could be interesting." She threaded her way across the shop, unlocked, and then opened the front door. She was used to unusual clients at odd hours. She was greeted by what was easily the ugliest man she had ever seen, and was certain that she had never seen him before. "I'm sorry, but we aren't open for business yet. That won't be for a few more weeks." She stepped back and attempted to close the door, but the man blocked it with his hand. He pushed the door open easily displaying an unexpected burst of speed and strength, given his frail appearance.

"It is not your business I'm interested in," he said stepping further inside, "but mine. The man who calls himself Aquarius is inside this building. I would speak with him." The man turned his rat-like eyes on Jayna. "Now."

She wasn't accustomed to being spoken to in such a manner. It made her angry, but even without her glasses she could see that this strange man radiated power and she wanted no trouble. "Wait here. I'll see if he's awake." She turned to leave.

"Wake him." He said to her back.

Jayna blew through the kitchen like a thunderstorm, her countenance all dark and blustery. She snatched a bottle of water from the refrigerator and slammed the door. "From the look of you it's safe to say that wasn't the Girl Scouts selling cookies." Said Az trying to lighten the moment.

"Right." Jayna barely paused. "It's for Aqua. If I have to move this shop again because of this he'll wish I hadn't put his sorry ass back together." She seethed inside as she strode down the length of the hallway and entered the guestroom. She crossed to where he lay sleeping and kicked the bed frame. "Time to wake up, you sorry puddle of dog-whiz." When she didn't receive a response she raised the covers and placed the icy bottle against his chest.

"Mmmmnnnnn..." He shifted a bit in the bed but didn't rouse.

"You have until the count of five then this is going inside your pants."

"Jay, I just woke up. Give me a minute!" He opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"I'm not sure you have that long." She glared down at him. "There's a reject from Nosferatu downstairs demanding to see you."

"Old as dirt, big nose?" He gestured to make the nose point.

"That pretty much describes him except for the fashions from Le Sewer Boutique."

"It's for me." He said, rising to a sitting position and opening the water. Why don't you just..."
He patted the bed beside himself.

"Why don't you just can the come-ons and get this creep out of my house!"

*****

Aquarius stood in the doorway of Jayna's kitchen and at that moment remembered what it had felt like to return to class after being sent to the principal's office. All eyes were on him. "Ladies!" he said, entering the room. "Dude!" he said when he saw David.

"You've got a lot of nerve bringing your troubles into my house and throwing my guest out of her bed."

"That wasn't trouble. That was my employer, more or less, sort of."

"Anybody who forces their way into my home is trouble, and he didn't seem any too happy with you."

"He's never too happy with anybody. It's just the way he is. Don't take it personally." He sniffed the air and searched the counter tops for any remnants of the meal he could smell in the air. "Who did I throw out of bed?" Az raised her hand and smiled nervously. She wasn't sure if she should be relieved or offended that didn't remember the morning's conversation. "That was you? I thought I was dreaming." He looked at Jayna in surprise. "You gave her that room? I thought you had left the window open for me."

"I assumed that you went home. We made no arrangements for you to sleep here." Jayna glowered at him, obviously very upset.

Aquarius looked shocked and perhaps a tiny bit hurt. "Do you want me to leave?"

"What I want are some answers. What have you gotten yourself into? Why did you show up here at dawn, an incoherent wreck? Who was that thing, and why was he so upset with you?"

"That thing was our employer. I got here at dawn because I was up all night, this was closer than my place, and I didn't think anybody would look for me here."

"So everything is just fine. You're not in any trouble, and the last few hours were just figments of our imagination." She turned toward the sink and began doing some make-work to try to calm herself.

"I didn't say that... Look, I'm obviously making you uncomfortable." He moved to stand beside her and counted six one hundred-dollar bills out onto the counter, then he turned to leave. Jayna touched his arm and he stopped.

"This isn't over, is it?" she asked.

"Yes and no. We did our part. It didn't end the way they expected. He got away and before they could catch him he ditched the artifact." Jayna sighed and faced him.

"Now they want you to find it?"

"They are of two minds about that. One thinks it never existed and that we pulled a fast one on them. The other wants to know where it is and wants us, make that me, to get it back for them." He put his hand on Jayna's. "Are you sure you aren't just worried about me?"

"Let's not go there, shall we?" She didn't want to have that discussion with him, especially with Az and David in the room. "I'm better equipped to find it than you are." She said, changing the subject.

"So you want in on the action? It will be the same pay." He counted another five hundred onto the counter.

"Why not? Maybe we can find some way for Az to help. She's between jobs at the moment."

"That's between the two of you. Her pay comes out of your cut."

Fallen Angels 1 - Chapter 5

"Cheapskate!" Jayna laughed at Aqua and moved away from him after picking up the money. "That's fine with me, I don't need the money." She picked up the bills from the countertop anyway, as Aqua reached to pick them back up. He shot her a sideways glance and winked.

"I thought you just said you didn't need the money..."

"I don't." Jayna replied, stepping away from him and towards the kitchen table.

"If you two are done flirting..." Az smirked, having caught both the handholding and Aqua's sly wink.

Jayna dropped the small stack of currency in front of Az, who shut up instantly and boggled at the folded bills. Jayna deliberately pushed the pile towards her. "I can't take that."

"Like hell you can't. You're working with me right? This is payment up front." Jayna smirked as the former Sentinel shook her head.

"Working with you? Jay...I can't take your money."

"What do you mean? Look, this way, if you want to leave after the job, fine, no one's holding you here. There's no sense of misguided duty for you to stay if you're not comfortable here."

Az blinked at the last statement and paused before speaking again, David staring at her with intense curiosity, marking one of the few times Jayna had seen his face change expressions. "I think I need more information about this before I go getting myself into anything. Just what the hell is this 'artifact' that everyone's so worked up about? And while you're at it what was that thing that came to the door? It smelled worse than the Kobolds that Ry paid to pull down the Hair & Hippo."

"Like I said - that thing was my employer." Aquarius didn't elaborate, much to Az and apparently even David's chagrin. Both stared at him. For once David spoke before Az.

"But who...what... is it?"

"Kelegar. His name is Kelegar. He's Nosferatu. One of the vampire tribes."

"So that's who you're working for. But that doesn't answer the question about the artifact." Az repeated, her foot tapping impatiently on the tiled kitchen floor. "And why is it, Aqua, every time I meet up with you you're working for some shadowy, bloodthirsty figure..." She paused and shook her head again.

"Hey, he used to work for me!"

"You know who I meant, Jayna. But I'm being unfair. That was in the past." Az became quiet, staring at Aquarius. Aqua used the silence as an excuse to take several long gulps from his bottle of water.

David spoke again, breaking the tension that had suddenly filled the room. "If he's a vampire how was he out in daylight?"

"You shouldn't believe everything that you read, especially about vampires."

"I know this from experience, I think."

"I think he should answer the question about the artifact before tackling the one about the daywalking vampire." Azangel cut off both Jayna and Aquarius before they could question David's last statement.
"Spill it Aqua."

"The answer's not going to mean much to you, Az. Jayna will understand more than you will. The artifact is believed to be a shard of the True Cross."

Jayna's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding."

"Is that bad?" Azangel muttered.

"It's supposedly a shard of the crossbeam that Christ was crucified on. Legend has it that the Muslim ruler Saladin destroyed it in 1187..."

"Oh joy, a history lesson." David hushed as Az shot him a dirty look.

"Anyway, the wood is supposed to be able to raise the dead. Other things have been attributed to it, but I'm really not up on my miracles of Christianity." Aqua finished up, leaving Az slightly stunned.

"Why would Vampires want something that could seemingly destroy them? I don't understand."

"Maybe they think of it as being able to return their mortality, as freedom from their curse. There is some kind of charismatic movement going on amongst some of the leeches. It's some kind of move toward the vampire version of Nirvana. The powers that be don't like it much."

"For your next trick, want to explain the visitor of earlier?"

"He was probably wearing a dry suit." When no one responded, Aquarius continued. "As opposed to a wet suit. It's something a person wears to stay dry underwater. It's used in the arctic a lot. In this case it keeps the sewer dwellers comfortable. Dead flesh can still rot, and it would offer some protection against sunlight and heat. Hot things hot, cold things cold."

"We could tell about the 'rot' by scent alone. But how does this 'dry suit' help against sunlight?"

"The suit is dense rubber, water tight and insulated. Anyway short doses of sunlight aren't that big of a problem at his 'age' and power level. He wouldn't want to be out at high noon..."

"I don't know what you are getting me into," Az laughed, and picked up the money, still sitting on the table in front of her "but it sounds like fun. I'm in." She laughed, and stood up from the table.

"So when's dinner?" Aqua had given up the search for leftovers.

"Well, considering we just ate..." Jayna pulled a couple of plastic containers out of the fridge and tossed them on the counter. "You know how to use the microwave. I'm going to go introduce Az to the washing machine."

"Jayna, I know how to do laundry." Az whispered quietly.

"I'm sure you do. Hey, David, since you're not doing anything, get out of those raggedy-ass clothes and take a shower. There's a robe inside the bathroom. We'll bring your stuff back when you're done."

"I'm not dirty."

"I'm inviting company for dinner."

"I don't eat."

"Then sit at the table and twiddle your thumbs for all I care." She waved her hands in a 'shoo'-ing movement. "Do it before I get a rolled up newspaper and smack your nose with it."

David opened his mouth to object but wisely closed it without saying anything; he knew a losing argument when he heard it. He pulled off the ripped trenchcoat and handed it to Az grudgingly.

*****

"Ok...so where's this washing machine you're so worried about me not being able to use?" Az asked, glancing around the small room they were now situated in. "I don't see anything even vaguely..."

"Right next to you." Jayna pointed to the large wooden piece of furniture that stood away from the wall beside them.

"This is a wardrobe."

"Then put your clothes in the top and shut it." Az looked at Jayna skeptically, paused with her things over the cabinet then changed her mind, instead dropping David's worn, ragged clothes inside before shutting the wardrobe door. Jayna laughed. "Sorry. You look just a little worried." She stopped to wipe tears from her eyes. "Now open the bottom drawer. Go on."

"What the hell's so funny?" She asked, pulling the drawer open.

"Taa-daa. Clean clothes, and neatly folded to boot."

"Cool."

"Cool? There's a word I never thought I'd hear you say."

"Um, well...I talked to Twinkle a lot, y'know? I guess she rubbed off on me a little bit." She said as she dumped her clothes into the 'washing machine'. "So why do you think Aqua's employer wants the cross shard? What difference does it make if one sect has it or not?"

"Good segue there." Jayna chuckled. "Well, if one group were to have it, maybe they could draw followers from the other Vampire tribes. The other sects, especially the one Aqua's apparently working for, wouldn't like that. So they want it destroyed, or at the very least removed from the equation. That's what I gathered from the original version of the story - before I knew what the artifact was. By the way... what's a 'Twinkle'?"

"Twinkle's a who, not a what. She's a teleporter Sil brought back on his last little solo adventure - very outgoing and friendly, a real bimbo. I mean that in a nice way, believe it or not. She joined the JSS, and I guess she's still with them. I don't know. I haven't kept up." Az bent down to remove the last of her now clean, folded clothes and changed subjects. "That makes sense about the artifact. Scary, but true. What are we going to do now though? Look for the artifact?"

"Probably. Listen, go put your stuff away. I'm gonna go make a phone call. There's someone I want both you and David to meet."

"Ok, I'll get David his clothes so he can get dressed, and we'll go put some more books up."

Jayna laughed. "I think David managed to get all of them put away actually. I caught him downstairs when I got up this morning. I guess he got bored. By the way, does he have anything else to wear? That look went out years ago."

"Nope. This is it." She held out the tiny stack. "Twink couldn't even get him to buy more clothes, and she really tried. He wouldn't leave the Sanctum; he just hates going anywhere he'll run into people. Maybe when he gets his memory back that'll change." Azangel shook her head as if to say she doubted it.

"Could be. Have you tried the missing person's reports in the newspapers? The library keeps all the papers on microfilm. Maybe someone reported him missing."

"They reported him dead...the bomb-blast at the old tower."

"So that's what killed him?" Azangel nodded to Jayna. "Well, how was it reported? John Doe?" Az nodded again. "So you're positive he's dead. There's no way this is just some sort of strange mutant power?"

"Oh yeah. He halfway remembers the explosion, and he's positive he was killed in it. And to back that theory up, he's got no heartbeat or respiration, and when he gets hurt - cut or something - the wounds just close. No blood at all...Ry at least bled when you cut him."

"Well, c'mon. We haven't got all day to stand up here yacking. Dinner's in a couple hours. Let's go!"

*****

A few uneventful hours later:

"I thought you said Michael'd be here, Jay? C'mon, I'm starved..."

"He's on his way, I had him drop by the market to grab some things I forgot. It'll be worth it."

As if on cue, the doorbell chimed. Jayna moved from her spot at the stove, handing Aqua the spoon she was stirring with. "Be right back. Keep stirring."

The kitchen was already filling with a wondrously spicy aroma, making at least Az and Aqua's mouths water. David was simply staring off into space. A few long seconds later and Jayna reappeared, blocking the doorway.

"Lady and uh, whatever, let me introduce you to Mr. Michael O'Shea, closet mystic and tattoo artist extrordiare!" Jayna stepped aside to make room for her guest, who stepped quietly into view. Long black hair framed well-defined cheekbones and a hawkish nose. Riveting green eyes bored holes through everything they looked at, a striking contrast to the ruddy complexion that surrounded them. A tiny braid with a single feather was tucked behind one multi-pierced ear. He stood a few inches taller than Jayna, and was dressed simply in jeans and a sleeveless shirt, which showed off his muscled arms nicely.

"Wish you wouldn't do that Jay." Michael walked into the kitchen and placed a brown paper bag on the counter. "More onions, tomatoes, and several kinds of peppers. What's the occasion?" Several intricate tattoos graced his bare arms, one a stylized thunderbird, the other a Celtic design that wound around his upper arm like a bracelet. Az realized that she was staring and turned her attention quickly to David, who'd stopped gazing into space and was now focused intently on their new visitor. Looking back to Michael, she saw that he was in turn looking at David curiously.

"Fajitas, fresh salsa, and whatever else I come up with is the occasion. You know I love cooking this stuff. "She laughed, noting both Az and David's differing reactions to their guest. "Michael, this is David, the young man I was telling you about, and the young lady is Azangel."

"Pleasure to meet you."

"Same here..."

"Hmpf."

"Uh, don't mind him, he's like that some days. Well, all days."

*****

"Dinner was fantastic, as always, Jay."

"Thanks, Michael." Jayna grinned at him. "I need two volunteers to help with dishes. How about you and David, Aqua?" Aquarius grinned at Jayna and grabbed a stack of dishes. David, happy to get away from the new guest, did the same.

"So, Az, how much do you know about your friend David?" Michael moved to sit next to her, so they wouldn't be overheard in the kitchen. "What can you tell me about him?" Az blinked and swallowed the water she'd been sipping. She choked on it, forcing Michael to pat her on the back until she stopped coughing. "This isn't the Spanish Inquisition. Relax a little, ok?" She flushed bright red at this last statement.

"Oh, David...well, we...he...found us after we all...we being the JSS...uh...oh boy." She stopped trying to talk for a moment, instead sipping the water again and waiting for her cheeks to stop burning. When she spoke again, the words came out in a slight rush.

"Uh, he just walked up to the group and we accepted him, no questions asked. He seems to have some sort of telepathic powers, but only when it involves violent thoughts. He's really good with weapons and doesn't seem to hesitate to kill if life is in danger. From what testing Sapphire Swift did -she's a scientist and was also part of the JSS- we know he doesn't eat, breathe, or sleep, and he has no heartbeat. By his reckoning, he's been dead a year, although he can't remember his name other than David, or what happened before he died, or where he was in between his 'death' and when he 'woke up'."

"How does he know how long he's been dead?"

"He sorta just woke up in a building down the way, abandoned, with a chair, a table, and a stack of newspapers, the one at the top being about an explosion at the old tower. He remembers it, although he's not sure...it's hazy, like a bad dream."

"Seen any birds hanging around?" He murmured to himself more than Az.

"Huh? What'd you say?"

"Nothing important. Can you get me that newspaper article?"

"Umm, probably. Want to pick it up tomorrow, it'll take me that long to talk it out of him."

"Sounds good to me. I'll do a little research and see what I can find out." He grinned at her and stood up.

"Going already?" She blurted, then caught herself before she said anything more.

"Yup. Jayna said you four had plans for the night and she'd tell me more about it later. I know better than to get involved in any of her 'plans'."

"Good idea." Az laughed as the kitchen door opened, and the others came through it.

"Well, I'm glad you two are getting along. Not to hurry you out or anything, Michael, but we really have to get ready for our little trip. Thanks for coming by."

"Like I said before, my pleasure. Nice meeting you, Az, David." He nodded to both and stepped towards the hallway, followed by Jayna. She followed him downstairs and was gone a few moments. When Jayna reappeared, she had already grabbed a few items from who-knew-where, including her glasses.

"Well, you ready to earn your pay, Az?"