Morningstar Manor

Emma and Emily had worked hard to make sure the apartment was ready, food laid out and some suitably upbeat music playing a lot quieter than earlier was on the stereo courtesy of Emma's playlisting and her iPod. Before anyone else was due to arrive, Emma had dithered on how to get Ang and Alec here, finally deciding just to do what worked best normally. So she rang them up and invited them to tea, for about 4.30 would be nice, and no, they didn't need to bring anything. Emma got the feeling Alec was suspicious, these invites were not that common after all, and usually involved Emma wanting something..... She chuckled, he was in for a suprise!

Anyway, at four o'clock Emma opened her door, and removed the "Shhhhh" sign, before leaving it wedged open and heading back into the apartment. Emily had gone back upstairs to change, and Emma had already put a clean top and jeans on. She fiddled with the sheeting covering the painting, she wasn't sure again, but told herself firmly that it was finished, she wasn't playing with it any more.... No, she was not. Luckily just then she heard voices and went to say hello to the guests!

Ang had been up early this morning, filled with energy, enthusiastic, and determined to clean everything in the apartment. She'd started in the nursery, and cleaned the whole room extremely thoroughly. Dusting with a damp cloth, vacuuming, she'd taken down the new curtains to wash them, and had all the cot linen in a laundry basket too. Then she'd moved on to the kitchen, and after making a cup of tea had set out to clean everything in the kitchen too. She'e emptied cupboards, washed up everything in them, cleaned the cupboards inside and out and then dried everything up and put it all away again. She'd even convinced Alec to help her with it, although from his bemused expression the fact that she was cheerfully humming her way through some very intense spring cleaning, even if it wasn't spring just yet, had him rather confused.

She was just putting the finishing touches to the almost sterile kitchen when the baby shifted, kicking hard, and she dropped the saucepan she was holding back onto the side, "Oh, little one, could you please leave my internal organs intact? I kind of need them." One hand stroked over her stomach, and she leaned on the counter. "Yes, that's my spine, it's important to me too, ow! I think I should sit down before you kick me again and make me fall over huh?"

Ang had been napping on and off in the car, not quite sulking, but pretty close. Emma had wisely kept out of it, and Alec? Well, he'd endured his wife's sudden attack of the grumps with a large dose of patience and simply driven them all home. Now though, Ang was seriously out of sorts.

"I could have easily carried at least one bag up in the elevator, there was no need for you to shanghai Emma into it." She was grumbling from the sofa where Alec had insisted she sit, having not been allowed to even carry a single bag upstairs. "It's not like I'm fragile or anything."

Emma winced at the tone, and wisely made her excuses about checking on Mr Cat and if that was everything.... she disappeared fairly quickly at any rate.

"See, you've scared her off!" Ang almost whined at Alec. She was very tired, and her ankles were a little puffy, her head ached, and for her it had been a very, very long couple of days away from home.

They'd survived Thanksgiving, though in Alec's opinion just barely. Even on his strict orders to take it easy, Ang had overdone it, overworking and overstressing until she'd very nearly passed out.

With this fresh in his mind Alec was not looking forward to Christmas. How was he supposed to keep that woman out of the kitchen?

Why he'd need an army to keep her under....No, not an army, a family.

"Hey," he began conversationally as he wandered into the living room where Ang was knitting. "How would you feel about some company for Christmas?"

The weather had been off and on just lately, snow one day rain the next, and the pavements were dodgy at best. The building steps were well gritted, and salted, and the security guys were on hand, one coming over to offer Ang an arm as she came out after finishing work. Surprisingly she was one of the last people out of the office tonight, and she smiled tiredly at him, "Evening Greg, you working late tonight? I bet your good lady is peeved at that."

"Oh she's an understanding sort Mrs Reyes, mind these steps, and the pavement is really icy tonight, you should take a cab home." He helped her down the steps, unwilling to take any chance of her falling over.

"Greg, I though I told you, my name is Anghara, and you are more than welcome to use it. But the walk will do me good, I get so little exercise these days. Are you seeing the family for the holiday?" Ang was waddling carefully as they stepped onto the sidewalk, her grip tightening slightly as she realised just how slippery the icy sidewalk was. "Oh, I think I might want a cab after all Greg," she grinned up at him, patting his arm with her free hand, "be a dear and holler me one down?"

Greg looked up, to see if there were any cabs around, and frowned slightly. He wasn't letting go of her arm until she was safely into a cab, just in case. He was kind of worried by the man heading towards them with a stern and determined expression, but then again, so many City types had that face these days. "I don't see any Mrs, er, Anghara, but I'll get you one, just you hold on to me until I spot one."

Today was the day that Ang had her 28 week scan of the baby done, and given the wierd nightmares about hooves and tails, and horns in some cases, she was extremely nervous. Having the day off work helped, she'd been able to wake up and try to relax next to Alec. At least, until he woke up anyway.

But she was still extremely nervous walking into the unit, rather pale faced and ever so slightly shaky. "Alec, I don't think I can look at the screen, just in case? Would you look for me?"

Ang woke slowly, easily. Before even moving she opened one eye, yes, she was indeed still wrapped in Alec's arms, which was unusual. She could hear nothing unusual, but things felt different, as if she'd been asleep for a very long time, and yet, she wasn't feeling truly rested. The baby kicked hard, and she had a fleeting impression of hooves, which made her jerk slightly. alec stirred against her, his arms tightening, and she settled back against him, trying to forget the nightmare image that seemed to have burned it's way into her brain. The baby kicked again, and with a small sigh Ang shifted her arm to stroke soothingly across the bump, just where she'd been kicked. She knew this would most likely wake Alec up, he never seemed to sleep that deeply, and the minute she moved he usually woke up.

Jazz had always been a wee bit claustrophobic. It wasn't something she broadcast, or overly noticeable. She had room to breathe and move around, come and go as she pleased and that was enough to keep her happy.

But now...even though the whole of the Manor-or at least most of it-was still open to her the knowledge that she couldn't leave, that she was stuck by the will of someone or something else ate away at her. The steady pressure left her feeling jittery and tense, and fast becoming neurotic.

She paced around the lobby in ever tightening circles, staring at the floor, mumbling to herself-respire, idiota, respire-and desperately fighting the urge to clamp her hands over her ears in an attempt to block out the voices she heard whispering in the back of her mind.

~.~

Alec hadn't been so sure about Amos at first, wasn't comfortable with the idea of him staying with Emma, but given their current circumstances he was glad now that the boy had been here. There was someone now to stay with the ladies while he went down to the Mocha for a refill on coffee-the Reyes resident was now officially cleaned out-and an update on the latest news.

~.~

Surprisingly, Adam wasn't fairing too bad under house arrest. Sure the demons were a right pain in the ass, but between him and Icene they managed to keep things under control. In fact, he had yet to even see any today. Maybe the little bastards were finally getting bored.

Emboldened by the lack of nefarious events today he felt safe in checking around the Manor for Eris. He hadn't seen her since the lockdown started and he was concerned. Hopefully, she'd gone away for the holiday and was happily sunning herself on a beach somewhere, blissfully unaware of the events taking place...but if she wasn't, he wanted to make sure she was alright.

Ang sat bolt upright in the bed, the scream echoing through the apartment, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were wide and her breathing fast and shallow. The nightmare visions faded from her mind, but not fast enough for her liking. With a sob she lay back down, burrowing into Alec's side for comfort, knowing she'd woken first was no comfort at all this morning.

An hour before her shift started, Jazz disappeared into the woman's bathroom. With fifteen minutes to spare "Esteban" exited. Shooting a cheeky grin at the female customer who blinked and sputtered, "he" marched for the jewelery department.

Without even a single swish of "his" hips.

~.~

There were rules against costumes-maintaining integrity or some shit like that-but they found ways around it.

One of the guys at the north gate had made himself a rather fetching devil's tail that was only visible from the back...Another had found a set of bug-eye goggles that were easily removed in the event of an approaching officer.

Adam himself had sprung for a set of fangs. Meant he had to be careful who he smiled at, but it was worth the looks he got.

~.~

With no Manor ball to worry about, The Reyes opted for a quiet night in. Alec prepped bowls of various Halloween goodies while Ang poured glasses of cider. Emma turned up with popcorn (and the boy).

Together they set up camp in the living room, the tv turned to any scary movie on offer.

~.~

Alone in his office, Joe fussed over the pullout. He could have slept upstairs in the provided bunks, but that was all but encouraging Halloween pranksters.

He had enough to worry about without adding fears of shaving cream and warm water. Idly, he touched the cell phone in his pocket, almost like were some sort of comforting talisman. Thus for it had remained silent.

He could only hope that it would stay that way.

~.~

The garden was still and quiet. The mysterious singer, for the first time in some while, absent at her post.

Somehow, that seemed more ominous than comforting....

He'd called Emma that morning, telling her to check the news before she left for class, but other than that Alec had kept quiet on his feelings about the end of the case.

Not that he wasn't happy it was over, he was. But the rest of his emotions didn't seem to fit with what he thought he was supposed to feel. And he didn't like it.

Where was the sense of accomplishment? The fulfillment? Why did he feel hollowed out inside? Like someone had taken an ice cream scoop to his chest.

It couldn't be that...he missed it, could it? That didn't make sense, he didn't miss the job. He didn't want the job. He wasn't that guy anymore. He was just a regular, thirty-year-old guy, sitting in a garden, with his dog.

Nothing more, nothing less.

They hadn't talked about it, but Alec wasn't about to fall into that old trick. No, siree-bob. He made plans, he did, and he made sure everything was ready for the moment she walked in door.

Roses-check. Sparkling grape juice and chilled glasses-check. Candles-check. A tub full of steaming, scented water-check. Massage oil to match the scent in the water-check.

In fact, the only thing he was missing was the wife.

He checked his watch, sprinkling a last few petals on the floor.

Should be any minute now.

The brothers McClaren had set themselves up in the Mocha and were talking in low voices about the upcoming holiday.

"I'm staying at the station," Joseph told his brother. "The night before and the night of." There wasn't a power strong enough on this Earth-at least not anymore-that could get him to stay in the Manor over Halloween.

"But what if we're-" Adam paused and leaned in a little closer, "-needed again?"

Joseph just smiled. "You're the knight in shining armor. I have faith in you."

~.~

Across the Lobby and in the mailroom, Alec sifted through the day's mail, a large box stuck between his feet.

He'd made it clear to his mother, as delicately as possible, that Ang didn't really feel up to a large babyshower. As as a result his mother had seen it fit to sent a box nearly every week of things she was sure their baby would need.

He was certain at this rate they wouldn't have buy anything for the kid for at least a year.

~.~

In the gardens, Jazz nibbled a cookie she'd gotten from the Mocha and tried to read what she'd been told to. It was slow going though, between the cookie and her ongoing curiousity about the mysterious singer from a few nights ago-yes, that was part of the reason she was out here-she had yet to turn a single page since she'd sat down and before long she would lose the light.

If there was one thing Icene was sure of, it was that Alec would come down to the gardens with his dog, Faith, and spend at least a good twenty minutes out there, at least twice a day. She'd missed him at breakfast, and spent a while cursing herself for oversleeping while pounding the punchbag in the gym. Then she'd gone back to her apartment to shower and change, gathering her notes again and heading down to the Mocha for coffee and a light snack. Since then she'd haunted the conservatory, the ballroom, and the Mocha in fairly equal amounts, watching for him. She was just coming back from the Mocha and a coffee run when she saw him head out into the garden. She grabbed her folder of notes, and her coffee and headed out to join him. Catching him up was more a matter of walking purposefully while he strolled, and she called out before she reached him, "Mr Reyes? Wait up a moment?"

He'd known he was being followed from the moment she'd stepped out into the garden. He'd just been hoping that if he ignored her, she'd get the hint and go away.

Apparently...No such luck.

"What is it, Ms. Callan?" he asked without turning around, without stopping.

( Read more... )

Ang had been taking a long soak in a bath, but now, wrapped in her thickest fluffiest robe, she headed back to the lounge, a large towel wrapped around her hair.

"Hey hun, what you watching then? Is it good?" She settled on the sofa next to Alec, yawning a little, and snuggled into his side.

Ang was settled on the sofa, cushions supporting her back, a blanket over her lap, her feet up, relaxed. There was some sappy rom-com movie on the tv, but she wasn't watching it, she had a cross stitch in her hands and was working on placing each stitch where it should be. Suddenly she felt it, stronger than before, more definite. She stuck the needle in the cloth, and laid one hand on her growing bump. That was definitely a baby, kicking, the first time she was sure, and, where was Alec? She called out, surprise and amazement in her voice, "Alec? Alec! Come here, quick!"

Icene walked out onto the roof at exactly 1pm, not knowing what Alec wanted she was cautious, but also there was a tension that blended nerves with excitement. Had he found something? Was there a pattern they'd all missed? And, because hey, being ambitious had never hurt before, had he already worked out who it was? On the downside, he could just want more information, and being a weekend he had a wife at home that might wonder what they were talking about, so the roof might be the best place for him to ask her about anything else he needed.

She looked round, and saw him, so headed in his direction. "Alec, you wanted to talk to me?"

He'd spent the morning with Ang, then Emma had turned up during the afternoon and he'd shared the greater part of the day with the both of them. But now, he was alone in his office. He'd put the map together, and looked again through the papers Icene had given him.

There was still something missing...something he needed.

Quietly he used his cell phone to send a message to Icene Calhan.

Meet me on the roof. Tomorrow. Lunch.

Ang had suffered the sleepless nights and still gone to work, but now, Alec's birthday, she had cleverly booked the day off. So instead of being awake when the alarm went off, she was sound asleep when it didn't. What woke her, was Alec moving, and as soon as she realised he was getting up, one hand reached out to grab him and stop him. "Oh no you don't birthday boy. I have plans for this morning and they do not include getting up at the crack of dawn just because."

She grinned at him, "Unless you need the necessary, in which case, hurry back to bed? I'll try and keep it warm for you."

During one of his nightmares last night, she'd sneaked from the bed without waking him and placed his card and some small presents about the apartment. He'd find them when he went through his normal morning routine.

Icene had spent most of the morning in her lab analysing the evidence from last night's shooting. It appeared the killer had struck again, but again, he'd failed to kill. Although, Joey Styles might not survive still. He'd made it through the night, which was a good thing, but mostly by being in surgery and intensive care. The bullet had been delivered in the early hours, along with the best guesses of the night team who'd gone out to the scene. Another long range shooting, with the same gun as before, and Icene had waited only for the confirmation of the results of trajectory and rifling tests before grabbing a folder and heading out.

Now she was knocking on Alec Reyes' door, hoping he was in, and with a thick file of evidence reports, victim information they'd gathered, and scene photographs. She just hoped he'd say yes to helping out, because Icene knew they needed help, and he was probably the best bet.