Masculine Delights

Protestors lined the streets, some for the vampire cause, most against the preternatural community as they made it to where the explosion had occurred- Guilty Pleasures. The limo was unrecognizable.

Edward pushed the image from his mind as he helped restore order. His chest burned as he fought not to panic. He had lost Jean-Claude. Van Cleef would pay very dearly for this.

Jason coughed as he inhaled a lung full of smoke. The whole thing was too much. The sight of the mangled limo churned his stomach and he knew he was going to be ill. He ran over to the dumspter and vomited. It was then that he saw a shoe... not just any shoe; Ii was Jean-Claude's. Jason half ran to the other side of the dumpster and saw Jean-Claude laying there, unconscious. "Asher! I found him!

The blonde vampire froze in talking to a reporter, excusing himself before literally flying above the people to Jason's side. "Sacre Dieu... get Edward." He crouched next to the Master of the City who looked amazingly unharmed other than a large, bloody gash on his head. That would heal, however. He was simply unconscious.

Jason ran to Edward and explained. Edward had never been so relieved in his entire life. He yelled for someone to bring a car so they could get him the hell out of there.

Within short order, they got Jean-Claude into the car, though Asher had to stay behind to deal with everything else.

Jason remained with him, stubborn as ever. Alexia came over to them. "We searched all over but whoever planted the bomb is long gone."

Asher nodded. "Merci. Any idea what sort of explosive?"

"Looks like a simple, but very powerful pipe bomb, rigged to explode if either door in the back was opened."

Nodding, Asher rubbed the back of his neck, taking Jason's hand in his own. The media was finally dying down, and the police had convinced the protestors to go home.

"What exactly if Edward's relationship with Jean-Claude?" Lexia asked.

"Why does it matter?" Asher couldn't stop his eyes from narrowing.

"Because Edward happened to be a good friend of mine."

"Oui. I know. It caused an argument between them after your phone conversation." The vampire beckoned a limo.

She gave him an odd look. "Why would they fight over me?"

"Because. They are lovers." Asher rubbed Jason's back. His wolf was nearly asleep on his feet.

"So?" She said.

Jason yawned and put his arm around Asher.

"Mon Ami believed that there was something between the two of you."

"Between me and Eddy?" One of the other assassins laughed.

"And this is funny because? Until he was turned into a woman, he claimed to be straight." Petty, Asher, petty... but if Edward had not angered Jean-Claude and had simply talked to him...

The assassin who laughed now said, "Wait 'til Lizzie hears that. You and Death. She'll come down here and beat his ass."

"I was never with him." She glared at the woman before she got into the limo.

"Meaning?" Asher wasn't in the mood for games as he helped Jason into the car, holding him in his lap.

"Meaning I've been with the same woman for ten years and I assure you I am quiet gay." Lexia said. "Besides, Eddy was married to my sister. I would never touch him even if I did like guys."

"Ah. Interesting." Asher sighed, resting his head on Jason's shoulder.

"Never pegged him for liking guys. And what about him being a woman?"

"You'll have to ask him." Shaking his head, he was silent for the rest of the drive.

Alexia was lost in her own thoughts as they drove.

They pulled into the Circus, and Asher coaxed Jason to go to bed while he went to check on Edward and Jean-Claude.

Alexia left the man to make several phone calls.

Edward was laying next to Jean-Claude. He still hadn't regained consciousness and he was beginning to worry Edward.

"Edward?" Asher entered the room. "Any change?"

"No." He said, his voice full of worry.

Checking over his dear friend, Asher raised his wrist to his mouth, biting into it before offering it to Jean-Claude. For several long moments, he didn't stir. Then, ever so slowly, he began to feed.

Edward watched the two men together. He had caused this. He got out of bed with the excuse of going to talk to Alexia to see how things were going.

"Don't." Asher bit off.

He stopped and looked at the blonde vampire. "I can't just sit here."

"You won't be. He needs more blood, and I do not have it. Jason is too drained to provide it." Asher pulled back, and Jean-Claude laid still again, though slightly less pale.

Edward went to him and withdrew a knife. He slit his wrist open and let Jean-Claude drink.

Asher watched as Jean-Claude fed. As the brunette's eyes slowly opened, he smiled. "Bon... welcome back, Mon Ami... drink slowly..."

Edward ignored the slight pain as Jean-Claude drank. He couldn't even look at the other man because it was all his fault.

"Bon..." Slowly, Asher urged Jean-Claude to pull back, then wrapped Edward's wrist in a handkerchief.

Jean-Claude blinked, frowning. "I... what...?"

Edward held his wrist. "Your limo blew up."

"I... don't recall... why was I in the limo?" Jean-Claude reached for Edward. "I recall... the four of us... in bed..."

"You went to check on things at Guilty Pleasures and Van Cleef blew your limo up." The assassin buried his emotions deep inside of him.

"Non... I wouldn't leave you...?"

Asher quietly slipped from the room.

"We...had a fight."

Jean-Claude frowned, the blood from his head wound looking macabre against his skin. "But why...?"

"You thought I insulted your love making and got all huffy when Lexia called to offer her help."

"Lexia?" The Master swore, strongly disliking not knowing what was happening.

"She's the head of the Sisterhood of Assassins and an old friend." He explained.

"Old friend?" Jean-Claude sat up, feeling himself healing as they spoke.

"Were you only friends?"

"Yes, we were only friends" Edward frowned at him. "Does it really matter?"

"You were so certain of your sexuality before... the spell..." Jean-Claude rubbed a hand over his wound, wrinkling his nose at the dried blood.

"Not really. I just hid the doubt better than most." He grabbed a towel and got it wet for him from a bottle of water.

"Merci..." Jean-Claude took it, washing his face.

"You're welcome." Edward sat back down on the bed.

"Perhaps... that is why." The vampire folded the cloth, wetting it again. "I fear your changing your mind..."

"I'm not going to change my mind, Jean-Claude. I love you."

"Je t'aime aussi." Jean-Claude reached, stroking Edward's hand. "Forgive me?"

"Always." He said and kissed him. "Lexia...is Marlissa's sister."

Tiredly, Jean-Claude laid his head against Edward's shoulder. "I see... and she is helping?"

He nodded. "She brought her assassins with her. She hates Van Cleef as much as I do."

"I see..." Jean-Claude yawned.

"Rest. I am no going anywhere." Edward said.

The vampire, however, was asleep before he had finished his sentence.

Edward actually smiled and shook his head. Damn if it wasn't cute.