Feminine Woes

Edward woke the next night before Jean-Claude. He smiled at his sleeping form and rolled out of bed. He froze something was off. He looked at himself. "Fuck!" He ran to the bathroom. He stared in the mirror. He was a man again. He looked towards the bedroom. He couldn't stay with Jean-Claude now. He'd just put him in danger.

Whistling to himself, Jason entered the Master of the City's rooms, a smile on his face. Hmm... maybe he'd be interrupting something. A lecherous grin spread on his face, until he heard the loud curse. What the...? It sounded like... "Edward?"

He grabbed Jean-Claude's robe and put it on before he stepped back in the room. "Yeah, it's me."

Jason stared. "You... uh, lost the breasts..."

"I'm back to normal." He ran a hand through his now short hair.

"Yeah..." The wolf, blinked. Well, this was a change. No more ogling Death... "Well, Jean-Claude'll be happy, at least..."

"Happy? Jason I can't be with him like this! I am Death. People want to kill me. I can't stay here now."

"Uh... Edward? Did you not notice the attack on the club the other night? Jean-Claude was the target. He gets at least five a week..."

"I already got one person I love killed. I'm not ready to make it two." He growled at the wolf.

"So did Jean-Claude." Jason glanced pointedly at Julianna's face. "Or did you not hear that story?"

"I don't care, Jason. I...I need to go."

"I didn't think Death was such a coward." Jason sighed. Jean-Claude was going to be heart broken.

Edward looked at him. "They tortured her trying to get to me. I'll only get him hurt."

"They tortured Julianna because she loved two vampires, and because they knew a public execution of her would draw out Jean-Claude. They poured holy water over his lover, who vowed to kill him, while Jean-Claude sold himself to the highest bidder to help him heal." Jason shook his head, angering quickly over Edward's stupidity. "You obviously think him weak."

He lowered his gaze. "Just go away Jason." He sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I don't think so. I'm not leaving Jean-Claude, especially if you're gonna play the village idiot in this love story." Jason crossed his arms over his chest, sitting next to his friend and Master.

Edward growled at him. "He's my lover, now get the fuck out! I'm not going anywhere, ok?"

"Tell him to call when he gets hungry." Jason stood, heading for the door.

After a while, he felt Jean-Claude stir.

Jean-Claude gasped as life was forced into his body, the tingling burn of it filling him as normal before he could recall the night before. Smiling, he opened his eyes, rolling towards Edward. "Sacre Dieu!"

Edward had his back to him, but he knew Jean-Claude could tell he was back to normal. "Evening, Jean-Claude."

"You're..." The vampire smiled, hugging him. "You are male again, Mon Morte..."

He was tense as he hugged him. "Yeah, it's great."

Jean-Claude stilled, pulling back as he reached for his robe. Realizing Edward wore said garment, he stood, going to his wardrobe and grabbing another. It had been years since he had been uncomfortable with his nudity, but... now he felt naked. "You do not sound happy."

"It complicates things." Edward said. "No one knew me as Terry. I could have started over, but now...people will come after you and it will be my fault."

"People come after me daily. Surely you realize as Terry I'd have had to protect you..."

He shook his head. "I can't lose another person I love."

"You want to leave." Jean-Claude shook his head. "After all of this, you're letting this come between us? You don't want to lose me, so you're throwing me away."

"I am not throwing you away." Edward sounded desperate. "I...am afraid for the first time in years."

"You are throwing me away. You think you are saving me, making some noble sacrifice..." Jean-Claude shook his head, stepping towards the door. "You're killing me, Edward. Each step forward, nine steps back. You cut deeper every time, and you don't notice. You're afraid. You think that I am unafraid? I have lost most lovers in my lifetime than any other that I can name, and to more horrible causes that you could fathom, even with you being what you are. Until you can make up your mind as to what exactly it is you want, however, you can get out. I am tired of your games." Jean-Claude turned, fleeing his own rooms, slamming the door behind him.

Edward buried his face in his hands. He quickly headed back to his rooms and got dressed. He left behind the woman's clothing and left the Circus, packing up his Hummer. He look once last time at the place that he'd called home for almost two months before he pulled out onto the road.



Note: Alas, this is the final chapter. However, look for the sequel Masculine Delight. :D