Haunted Roads

When: Afternoon
Where: Daren’s Condo
Who: Daren and Maggie

Poor Maggie was all in a fluster. That’s what happened to good girls when they attempted to juggle both a husband and a lover. Of course, Maggie would have none of that. No. She was far too moral to keep it up no matter how tempting, and no matter how Daren might get hurt because of it.

Of course he’d bat his eyes, but otherwise he’d keep a stiff upper lip. Strong man of bearing after all. His pain would be a private thing and Daren would be far too well mannered to let Maggie see how she hurt him. No, it was her happiness that concerned him, her well being and she should of course, do what was best for her, and for her family.

Of course he’d understand. Daren was a sensitive, modern man after all.

Hadn’t he been there when she needed him? Even helped in the search. Of course he understood. Maybe one day he’d even find it in his heart to be happy for her.

Oh, this was all too easy.

Never mind that she was fucking him over and he, by all rights, should challenge Bastian to a duel and put Maggie over his knee. This was an amusing thought, and it was this that he had in his mind when the bell sounded and he answered the door. Of course, he’d cleared his face of the evidence of any amusement. Nope, it was all about concern for his darling, flustered Maggie.

“Darling. Come inside.” He kissed her cheek and put a hand out for her to take if she would, and follow him in to the livingroom. “Is everything okay with Sophie? She’s not gotten into any trouble, has she? What’s wrong?” Was it his fault the rebellious brat of a daughter was so easy a target? But all spoken with the deepest concern and love, of course.

When: Night
Where: Her apartment
Who: Silva and Daren

The job offer hadn’t been expected. Silva knew her diligence to the job was noticed but she never expected it to matter much. Most of the time she was reprimanded for constantly being on the clock and never able to really let any of it go. But that sort of attitude got the job done. It kept the squad alive when all possible scenarios were planned for and mapped out. She took her time, constantly seeking out information to ensure that the ensuing raid would go as smoothly as possible. As smoothly as any damned raid could at least. Work was life for her, it had been for a good number of years now and Silva didn’t see that changing any time soon. It was what kept her going; it pushed her to do better. Half the time it kept her fucking sane.

But no matter all of that, the offer had still surprised her. Called into her superior’s office he went over all her recent raids, all the work, Silva sat silently, giving only nods of her head in confirmation. She respected the older man even if she thought that he, at times, took a bit too much time to get the job done. She wasn’t sure what he was getting at but she didn’t try to rush him along. She sat patient, arms folded and back straight appearing to listen intently.

She was silent even when he finally got to the point. There was an opening in California, a higher rank and far more responsibilities. He thought she could handle it…Silva knew she could but she knew there were a damn lot of risks for her in getting higher position anywhere at all. Daren, the asshole, was the sort that would love to exploit it. The more prestige she earned, the less she wanted him anywhere fucking involved in it. The more she had to lose.

Every officer that knew believed it was a job offer she could not turn down. They all knew she didn’t have any family or anything holding her here. She had just the job and the job would be a hell of a lot better for her down in California. It appeared she should just be eagerly saying yes with no hesitation. But there was hesitation for her. There were reasons to shake her head, say thank you for the offer, and turn it down.

Reasons to stay where she was, never taking that risk of gaining more place or rising up in the ranks. Knowing Daren would just make it hell on her. Higher the job...the more people watching. The more that would notice if things weren't right.

Fuck all the reasons though. Fuck Daren and his desire to hold crap over her head for the rest of her life. He could play his bullshit games even with distance. And the rest? There wasn't really much rest. There were a few she knew but didn’t really give a shit about. There was the kid and her mom but what the fuck was Silva supposed to do about it? It wasn’t her mess to clean up. Woman should have been more careful about what dick she let play games with her. Lesson learned. Bitchy sure, but Silva had no reason to care. The kid of hers could stand on her own two feet, so Silva didn’t worry about her none.

The only one she really cared about was Mike and he was better off with her no where near him. He and his whole damned family were. Silva knew he kept trying but it wasn’t ever going to be like it used to be. The sooner he accepted that the better off he’d be.

The better off they'd all be.

“So?” her superior had urged after a few minutes without answer, he seemed agitated slightly that she hadn’t been so quick to answer. Probably thinking he’d made the wrong pick. “I’m honored and couldn’t think to say no, Sir.” Silva finally responded. That made the older man grin ear to ear. Why he was so happy she had no idea, maybe just happy to be getting rid of her. She wasn’t always a joy to work with. “Great, your transfer papers will be completed by the end of the week. It’s been great working with you Silva.” A shake of the hands to seal the deal.

Afterwards Silva didn’t go out to celebrate, she accepted the congrats from a few in the office and then headed home. A drink for her own celebration. And a pill. Then she started packing. She had a lot to do and not much time to do it.

Who: Daren and little Nicky
When: Late Night, End of her shift
What: Daren has some information
Rating: Of course she'll want to show her appreciation

So many women, so little time. Oh wait... Daren had all the time in the world. Problem was, all these human women just kept getting older and older in the blink of an eye. Little Nicky was already in her thirties. So was Maggie. Hell, Maggie was pushing forty. Not like he could so easily replace her without raising questions. Not that he really wanted to replace her. She looked fabulous in Versace and even better on his arm. Every man envied him and every woman murmured about how perfect they were together. The philanthropist with money to burn so selflessly dating a commoner, a single mother, a nurse, a healer and nurturer.

And now that pissant little vampire thought he could waltz into town and take all that away from Daren? Not without a fight. Though, likely not too much of a fight. That would look too good for Daren after all. With any luck Bas wouldn't be around much longer for any of it to be an issue.

Not that Daren really expected Nicky to believe him. She was so adamant about these things. Things like evidence and, playing by the rules. Did it matter which rules he played by? Most of the time the leads he gave her were real and true… regardless of where the information had come from. So if he gave her a false lead every once in a while, should that be held against him? How was he supposed to know when the information some times turned out to be bogus?

He’d come by foot, underground most of the way then, keeping to the shadows as soon as he left the concealment of the tunnels. Not Nicky’s apartment no, but a place just as familiar to them both. An abandoned warehouse in which they were used to holding so many of their clandestine meetings. “Someday you’ll agree to a meeting right out in public. Really though, people are beginning to talk. Might want to take our affair public, if only to set straight your reputation as a dyke.”

The words were spoken against her ear. As usual, Daren had snuck up all quiet like. No, he didn’t mind the sharp elbow in his gut, she heel in his shin, or even the gun in his face. He really dug it when she played dirty.

Who: Maggie and Daren
When: Monday Evening
Where:t The Towers then Salish Lodge



She hadn't meant to cancel their plans on his birthday of all days. Maggie was well known for making certain that the birthday of most anyone she knew was celebrated in some fashion. A plate of cookies, a cake, dinner... something. Especially for the man she was dating. Seemed somehow a bit more unforgivable, well it would be if it hadn't been for the fact that it had been that she was called in to cover a fellow nurses shift. All the talk she'd made over the course of the week for the meal she'd been planning... they knew not to call unless it was actually an emergency. Daren had understood, there was little that could be done.

But that didn't mean that Maggie could do her best to make it up to him. She'd spent the better part of an hour rummaging through her closet trying to find a dress for the evening. He was always trying to outfit her in some designer outfit even through her protests. Maggie had just never been able to keep the lovely garmets. Felt like such a waste in her life, worn once and never again? Instead Maggie kept just a bare few and gave the rest to charity. It wasn't just the extravagence that made the gifts hard to accept... It had a great deal to do with the fact that she felt as though she already took enough from him by the very fact that she didn't return his feelings in full (or perhaps his perceived feelings would be the more accurate description) only exacerbated the situation. Resisting the urge to find Sophie and ask her opinion on the black dress she had finally unearthed, Maggie smoothed her hair back and found a pair of heels that would suit the evenings purposes.

A nice dinner to celebrate a belated valentines day and birthday.

A note was hastily scribbled down for Sophie and stuck to the magnet bearing Sophie's name, to the refrigerator. Food was in the freezer and she would be back later. It was always hard for Maggie to walk out the door like this... she knew Sophie held little regard for Daren despite all the things he had done for them. Maggie wasn't certain where they would be right now if he hadn't been around to help out on those rare occasions where Maggie actually admitted to needing help. But he had been and she would always be thankful for it. He was a friend and she did care for him and couldn't help but accept that she did have feelings for him. She just... couldn't love him. At least not as he deserved to be loved. She couldn't. Not when her heart would always belong to one man. Even in all the years he'd been gone... It could never be replaced.

She glanced down at the simple silver watch that adorned her wrist and quickened her pace, hurrying for the small clutch bag she had set out earlier in preparation for this evening. Purse tucked under her arm and a simple black coat slung over her arm Maggie hurried out the door. She had made the reservation but she hae known Daren long enough to simply let his driver know what time they needed to be picked up and where they were going. She wanted to keep something a surprise for Daren.

It always paid to have people in your pocket. This was Daren’s bread and butter, as it were. Favors, back scratching, whatever one called it. When he helped others, they were always sure to help him in return. The barter system… it was a wonderful thing.

The fool of a vampire he’d helped in getting a good childe all her own, had failed finally, and let the kid slip through her fingers. Bad news for her. Bad news for everybody. In the past few weeks Daren had had more than a few contacts spread out across the city to keep an eye out for the man, Bastian.

The one watching their family bar had somehow managed to miss the vampire approaching, and leaving, but redeemed himself slightly by snagging the gift of flowers the vampire had set there. Good enough. Not a sighting exactly, but it was the first piece of hard evidence he was even in the city. And look, he’d even left an address. Though that, upon further inspection, proved to be fake.

Never mind all of that, Daren always found means to twist any opportunity to his own advantage.

( Left early Thursday morning outside Maggie’s apartment. )