Flashback Interlude -1-

[Brehnic Kohnar]

The Great Depression ... That was what America had called it. Irony? Grown men throwing themselves from building windows mostly due to their mass fortunes had been lost by the crash of the stock market, generations of savings ... Gone. For one Immortal, he was rather bemused by it all, considering his own background. A generation that did not know how to survive, placing their fate on finacial means, and it showed.

But there were subtle signs that would lead the troubled country back to a more stable recovery, and man once again would fall back into those same destructive habits. Jere would arrive in New York during the cover of night, finding shelter usually at a local mission or church, offering services of manual labor to assist where needed. He had not ventured this far from his home land before, and was finding the latest surroundings ...
Interesting to say the least.

Like wolves, some learned to run in packs, often preying on those that were considered weaker then themselves. Strength in numbers they say. Many youths had been orphaned in one fashion or another, some even forming their own groups, turning to a life a crime to meet their own needs. Several months had passed where Jere would seek to offer counseling to the young ones, in an attempt to show them a better path through perseverance. Some heeded his advice, while many did not. Though there was one in particular ....

Shamair had missed the agony of Black Sunday, still hard at work with her studies in Europe. When she'd heard of the economic crash, she returned stateside to check on her financial holdings and Immortal Shamair: found them reasonably sound. She'd taken a hit, but for the most part, had been one of the lucky ones. She'd immediately transferred her portfolios out of the country into secure Swiss accounts, and while in New York City, revisited some old haunts.

The Women's Hospital she'd trained in now stood abandoned, closed in 1910. It had been an exhausting twenty years since then, totally immersing herself into research with some of the most eminent doctors in Europe, and she needed a break. Just for a while, though. Her interest was now an obsession. The poor always needed medical care, and she'd easily found work as a physician, living in the office where she practiced.

It wasn't grand, but she wasn't the type of woman to be bothered by that. Almost every dinner hour was spent at the corner delicatessen, the woman didn't care much for cooking. It was the only time she really spent in public. This night, sitting alone under the fluorescent lights as usual, she felt the presence of another immortal growing stronger... coming closer. She twisted in her chair to glance out the big picture windows to try and find the source..

His skin color and slight accent had him pegged as an immigrant, which he used as his background story. Having little use for sleep, Jere often wandered the streets, observing, learning. The very air itself felt alive, like an unchecked hunger filled the very streets themselves. Echoing shots of gun fire caused him to stiffen several times, becoming even more alert just in case. It was during this time he felt it.

It had been some time since this particular sensation had passed through him, his eyes narrowing, while moving closer to the shadows of the surrounding buildings. He had long since given up the ways of violence, but retained enough knowledge to defend himself if need be. The nearest church was several blocks North, so that limited his options, depending on if this unknown was friend or foe.

Shamair spun around slowly on the stool, coffee mug in one hand, eyes trained on the street. Whoever it was would surely pass by any moment. Outwardly the woman showed no distress at all, it would seem she was just a lonely woman taking in the city scenery while she ate. She wasn't spoiling for a fight, but she wouldn't run from one either, if that's how things went down. Her coat (and sword) lay right beside her. And who knows? The presence she felt might just fade,

He slowed down, his gaze scanning the area, spotting several within his line of sight. Now he had a slight curiosity, but not enough to venture any closer at the moment. His concentration was broken by a group of young boys that went walked by him, muttering towards one another, before splitting off in several directions through various alleys.

Shaking his head, his attention would return to the building ... No one made any move towards him, or away from him for that matter. Nodding to himself, Jere would continue on his way, but would remember the building, as well the surrounding area, and would check on it again very soon.

With the presence fading, Shamair returned to her dinner, asking for a refill on her coffee and the waitress was quick to comply. Good service was one reason she liked to come here. Not to mention the food was passable. Times had changed since 1880, and Shamair had changed with them.

The long mane she used to pin up was now fashionably bobbed, and there was no corset under the trim, calf-length cotton dress... corsets had gone out of style years before, much to her delight. She wore no jewelry, thinking it frivolous, and besides, it only impaired her ability as a doctor. No makeup marred her natural beauty, although she didn't think of herself as what society would call "pretty." To her it was all superficial nonsense. In her research it was the uniqueness of people that gave them value, not the sameness.

By the time he reached the end of the street, Jere noted less than subtle movements near a particular structure, as several shadowed figures were making their way to the back. It was none of his affair, but it had all the signs of a possible theft attempt. Several of those boys had been watching the building for the past few days, noting who came in and out. Even if there wasn't money to be found, there had to be other stuff there worth stealing, right? Outside of the one man they passed, the streets were clear, and the police wouldn't be back down this way for at least another hour. Two youths were posted as look outs, while the remaining three were working on getting inside, via the rear entrance.

Finishing her last bite of chicken fried steak and gravy, Shamair dabbed at her lips with the napkin and contemplated a piece of that apple pie she'd seen in the dessert case. It was only a block back to the office, and she ordered the pie wrapped to go, it would keep just fine. She planned to eat it later while poring over the endless reams of research that was piled on her desk.

Unsnapping a tiny handbag, Shamair paid her bill and gave the waitress a generous tip. She shrugged into her coat, picked up her pie and strolled out with a casual goodbye. Once on the sidewalk, she had to shake off an unsettling qualm. The street seemed far too empty. Her intuition was screaming that something was wrong, yet there was no sign of anyone around, save for two boys sharing a smoke a few buildings down. A shrug, and she brushed aside her misgivings and started toward them on her way
home.

With a little effort, the lock was disabled, and the trio was quickly inside. The other two had seen the woman leave, watching her approach ... Was it greed? The brashness of youth? Either way, both saw it as a bonus to get something extra. It was dark, so she couldn't make them out. The plan was to just scare her. "Hey lady, spare a couple o' dollars?"

When she was close enough, the plan was to knock her down, snatch the purse and run into the alleys. Of course the three inside the building had no clue about this, as Jere had indeed doubled back, and was making his way down the alley ...

At 5'10", Shamair was eye to eye with the not yet fully grown teens when they spoke to her. She chuckled and shook her head; "I'm afraid not." Living in the city, she'd heard every come-on there was. " You boys shouldn't be hanging around out here. It's not safe. Go home." She suggested gently, and proceeded on her way. Her office steps were mere feet away.

The teens would grin, looking at each other, before one charged the woman, with the other going for her purse. Meanwhile, the trio inside the building had hit pay dirt. Meds, meds, and more meds. They had to be worth something, right? They started grabbing everything that appeared important. If the other two had not decided to go after the woman, they would have spotted the man they passed before who now followed them inside ....

Even though she expected something like this and had steeled herself for it, they moved faster than she anticipated. The blow from behind sent her sprawling onto the steps of her office, splitting the skin of right kneecap. It wasn't so much the shock of the attack that sent Shamair into a rage, it was the smarting pain of her knee. She was on her feet in a flash, but not before one of them had snatched her little purse.

Outraged, Shamair lunged forward to give chase, her fingers almost catching one of the boy's jackets, and her knee gave out on her causing her to lose her grip and crumple again on the sidewalk. Limping, she got to her feet as the thieves scampered away and ducked into an alley. They wouldn't find much in the small bag, maybe a dollar and a few coins.

Shaking her head in disgust, she hobbled back to her office, taking the steps gingerly, and realized they had her key. Damn it all! But she froze when she heard noises from inside. She was frustrated beyond belief that someone was in there possibly destroying her research and she couldn't stop them. She banged on the door in a rage.

Gun fire. Where did they... It didn't matter at the moment. Jere had surprised them, and they reacted in kind. " Y-you killed him!! We gotta get outta here!! " Three shots had been fired, two had missed, while the third tore right through his left lung ... They were back out into the alley like a shot, offering a shrill whistle to alert the two that were *supposed* to be on look out. The escape routes had been planned along with where they would meet up.

By the time the police would arrive, they would be long gone. With a loud gasp, Jere's eyes snapped open, as he winced in pain. (m) "My teacher would NOT be please with me." Pulling himself up, that's when he felt it once again .... First things first. He had to get out of there, because it would look like he was the would be thief, and if the presence he sensed was a foe, he wasn't 100% to face them.

With a low grunt, Jere made his way out of the rear of the building, his strength slowly returning ... Shamair literally jumped at the loud report of gunfire and heard muffled male voices within. Using the pommel of her sword, she broke through the leaden glass panel in the door and reached in to unlock it. Yanking it open, she limped inside to find her office space trashed.

There was a puddle of blood in the middle of the floor, staining the oriental rug. The
pharmacy had been ransacked. But her important papers were untouched. That
was really all that mattered. A quick glance around assured her that the thieves had gone...and...in the excitement, had that been an immortal signature she'd felt? They weren't here now. She shook her head at the devastation, and with a sigh, began to clean it up. She wasn't used to this sort of excitement ....

[Brehnic Kohnar]

Not amused. That was the best term used to describe Jere's current mind set. He had been shot while trying to break up a potential robbery, as well hoping to stop those involved from traveling down a even darker path. But imagine the Immortal's surprise when he discovered the mastermind behind it all ...

His current charge, Alexander Conner.

Jere had recovered enough to track down those that had done the deed, utilizing native tracking skills that still served him well to this very day. In their eyes, the robbery had went horribly wrong ... They had killed a man!! They get caught, it was not only the slammer for sure, but the judge would give them all the chair without a moment's hesitation.

His strength retuning with each passing step, Jere would soon find himself in the more seedier part of town, where the neighborhood contained more rundown buildings than naught. Silently creeping towards one of the boarded windows that had faint light coming through it, he began picking up bits and pieces of a conversation ...

" .......... Donnie, went all crazy and shot the guy, man!! We're gonna fry!! Shut it, will you? No prints, right? And you got rid of the gun? Yeah, it's at the bottom of the river by now. Okay, just lay low for a couple of days, until we know things a clear. Alex, what about those two jerk offs?? They go rough up the dame that owns da place!! Did she see you? Naw, we were quick. You were stupid!! Hey, we got rid of the purse!! The police will find it, and it'll be jus' anudder random light night robbery!!"

" Look, I told you that this was my last job. I owed your brother a favor, so now we're done. I can't believe yer goin' legit Alex. Well, me neither, but I don' see no future in this here, unless we break it in big with one o' the families, an' I don't see that happening any time soon. They jus' be throwin' us scraps..."

Jere's eyes would narrow until they were almost slits. He immediately recognized the voice of their ring leader ....

It was Alexander!!

He would be sitting in a chair, placed right in front of the door, so that would be the first thing Alexander would see the moment he set foot inside the small apartment. Ever have a one sided argument? Alexander was experiencing that first hand, as Jere would just stare at him with that expressionless gaze of his, while he tried his best to explain the whole situation .... "Are you going to even say anything??? I hate it when you do this!!!"

" I am disappointed when you continually give your word, and break it to me. So on that front, we are even."

"So ... You're taking me to the police? I'm not rattin' out my boys."

" I assumed as much. No. However, you will accompany tomorrow, as we pay a visit to the woman who your boys attacked. Your fate, and theirs will be for her to decide." Jere would say nothing us on the matter, and for Alexander, he was quite relieved.

Strange thing, though there was a shooting, a body was never found ...

Morning came, and the pair made their way down towards the lower end district. "Stay. Here." simply stated by the elder Immortal, before walking up to the door. A presence was felt, just like the eve before, when Jere found himself staring face to face with another of his kind.

Dr. Marisha Ahrimas.

The two of them would talk at length, both now knowing it was the other they sensed, as well the one responsible for her attack. When Jere informed the doctor that it would be she that would decide if they would all go to jail, she offered another idea instead. Alexander would return later and perform various duties, including repairing the damage done. The brashness of youth she called it, for those were far too young to be delivered into such even more hostile surroundings.

Jere found himself actually agreeing with the Doctor, commending Marisha on her compassion. He did not give it a second thought when she appeared to watch the young man standing on the sidewalk from her office window, with more than a casual interest ...

Jere would return to where his young charge had been standing idle, and after a brief exchange, where it was quite evident that Alexander did not agree with what was being told to him, but finally nodding his head, occasionally glancing up at the office building. The pair would continue on their way, with Alexander glancing back at the woman in question ...

[Brehnic Kohnar]

When Shamair heard the knock at the door, she put down her reading and rose from her desk to answer it. A short walk through the waiting area and a veer around the staircase, and she paused to peer through the still broken windowpane at the young man outside. Yes, it was the same one Jere had introduced her the day before. Turning the deadbolt with a loud click, she swung the heavy door inward and stood there facing him.

"Mr. Connor, so good of you to arrive on time. Do come in." And she took a step back, to allow him room to enter. She was covered by a long white lab coat, and under it wore a simple gray calf-length skirt and a blouse that draped her bosom in liquid, fluid lines, with a row of tiny pearl buttons from waistband to throat. She was a tall woman, 5'10", and chose low heeled shoes as not to intimidate men. Didn't always work.

Her hair was bobbed just above her collar in the fashion of the day, not because she felt the need to be stylish, but because she wanted to blend in. The foyer was neat and tidy, wood floors bright and polished, and beyond, the waiting room was also in good order, although the furnishings were dated...a burgundy velvet love seat trimmed in ornate mahogany, several mismatched oriental rug.

Glossy white carved moldings crowned the 12-foot high walls, and bright sunlight filtered through parted drapes at the tall, narrow windows of the former Victorian home. Beyond all that, however, in her office space ?in the rear, things were a bit more chaotic. The wood and glass door of her built-in pharmacy cabinet had been ripped from its hinges and smashed to pieces, the remnants still scattered on the floor. A rear window was broken, the glass scattered explosively about like diamonds. A broken lamp sat forlornly in three pieces on a table.

"I'm Dr. Mari, in case you weren't listening the first time..." Shamair reminded him. "... And that's how I expect to be addressed. You violated my home, and you're here to do the right thing by repairing the damage you and your friends
caused. " No doubt she rankled him with her words, but it was intentional.

She was testing him. Though she was a down to earth woman with few frills, there was a deep-rooted aura of class about the woman. She was an ancient immortal and, like any monument of time, her rough edges had been worn away by the centuries. She was calm and composed as she invited the young man further inside.

Alex REALLY did not want to be there, but he knew Jere would deliver him to the police, and that was one headache he didn't need. He promised the guy he was going legit, but there was the small problem of a favor that was repaid. Needless to say, here he was, standing at the door and having seconds thoughts about going through with it when the door opened. An arch of his eyebrow as he looked at the woman standing there, even going as far as to let a low whistle escape his lips.

"Yeah, yeah, write a book, Doc. I know why I'm here, so lets do each other a favor and get this over with. " Why was it that all the upper class dames acted so snooty? He fought back a smirk while stepping inside, looking over what needed to be done. Hell, the others should be here with him, but he was taking one for the team. He couldn't wait to tell them about who owned the joint. Wait. Did she call him Mr. Conner? Classy dame too.

She let the "Doc" comment go for the time being...and Mr. Connor had not IDEA why he was here. Her outward composure gave no indication of the excitement she was really feeling...
Almost euphoric at having the thing she'd been searching for so close at hand. She had to stay calm or she'd scare him off and that was something she definitely couldn't afford to do.

She'd move slow and steady, another personality trait of the ancients. "Tsk tsk, Mr. Connor." The smile she gave him was reproachful and alluring at the same time. "What makes you so hostile? "

Alex shot the good Doctor a stare right then ... ?"Da deal was the help out. Dat don' mean we be chattin' all buddy like, cause we're not." Rolling up the sleeves to his shirt, he looked around the place before his gaze settled back upon her. "Losin' daylight, y'know." Folding his arms across his chest, while taking a lean against the wall. "What first?"

And quite a chest it was. The boy must be working out, Shamair thought to herself. Good genes. He was a fine specimen; "Start in the back..." She thumbed in that direction. "Clean it up. Then I want the cabinet door replaced." A neighbor has graciously loaned us his tools, and donated a new door. "I'm sure you can handle that. Then see to the broken window. A new pane is waiting." And with that, she preceded him into the back, settling into her favorite chair, and crossed one leg over the other., just watching him.

Great. One of those that like to give orders. Probably doing this out of the goodness of her heart, helping the less ... Fortunate. Taking it all in, he figured this shouldn't take most of the day ... With what would soon be known as his trademark smirk, Alex took a deep breath and got down to business. He knew the type, so it was all about getting it done right the first time.

Every now and then, he's stop to glance over his shoulder, to see if she had left her chair, then shaking his head and getting his mind back on the task at hand. Yeah, the others were not going to believe this!!! Being around Jere had rubbed off on Alex, for when not around the *boys,* he was quite mature for his age, though living on the streets made one grow up rather
quickly ...

She hadn't felt another pre immortal presence like this since Captain Clark explained the first one to her back in San Francisco fifty years prior. Since then, she'd scoured two continents for another...and here he was. "?Mr. Connor...
young men aren't born jaded. What happened to you that disillusioned you so? " Oh, no, she hadn't taken her eyes off the pre-immie.

"Somethin' you wouldn't know about, Doc. Life happened. You just patch of folk, an' off you go back to your glitzy side. Bet you wouldn't last two days here ..." Catching himself, Alex took a step back to look over his handy work, nodding to himself. Hell, it was probably better now than when originally installed. He didn't like to toot his own horn, but, toot toot.

"How's the knee by the way?" Spoken while his back was to her, with that smirk becoming a grin.

"See for yourself." Shamair tugged up the hem of her skirt to expose a perfectly flawless kneecap. All the while she watched his face for a reaction.

Look. A kneecap. How old does she think he is? 14?? He's been with women probably older than her. Wait. There wasn't even a bruise or anything. Make up? Alex would cock his head to one side before wiping his hands clean with a rag. "That good enough for you?" Better to check now, before moving on to the next job.

Shamair stood up slowly, hem falling to cover the healed knee, and walked toward Alexander. She had an odd, determined look in her eyes and it had nothing to do with his handiwork. "Mr. Connor... " She extended her arm toward him.
" ...Take my hand. Don't question me, just do it." There was a hard insistence in her tone.

The Doctor would just get a look from Alex, those dark eyes scanning her with a small hint of caution, before shaking his head. "Oh, I get it. Jere put you up to this, right? No go, Doc. I'm in enough trouble as it is. Just let me do this stuff, and I'll be out of here. " Turning to see where he would start next, he was a little annoyed that Jere would keep doing these weird tests ...

His resistance be damned. Shamair grabbed his hand, her fingers curled around his, palms pressed tightly together, and she brought their joined hands up between them. In the quiet of the room, she asked him. "Do you feel it?" Ripples of something unseen, yet definitely felt, coursed from the ancients hand into Alexander's...

Some might call it an aura of her quickening. Whatever it was, the boy most certainly must have felt it. Locking eyes with him, she whispered;
"There are so many things you don't yet know, Alexander. Trust me, and I will explain what you've wanted to understand for so long.

"Hey, what the Hell are you ...." His eyes were first narrow, only to grow slightly wider as he felt ... Something. Hearing her words, Alex just looked from her back to their joined hands, then back to her once again. "Yeah. Mind giving me hand back now? " Alex would dismiss it simply as the Doctor knowing some tricks, and where to place her fingers. Joey Fontaine was good at that too, which was why no one wanted to arm wrestle him ... Damn, what he wouldn't give for one of the boys to stop through and see them holding hands ...

"Not quite yet..." Shamair told him, refusing to relinquish his hand. She was determined to make him listen; " You're special, Alexander. One of a kind. You don't realize it, but you can have anything in the world you want. Wealth...women...power...you can be famous. I can show you how. But you have to be willing. Watch." She leaned down and picked up a shard of glass, dragging it across her knuckles. The fresh cut oozed bright red blood...and still, she wouldn't release him. " Wait...see what happens...."

"Yeah, that's what I told Jere, before he said that life wasn't meant for me. Look. I get it. I'm meant for more than just this. Hey ... Whoa, whoa WHOA!!! What are you, crazy or somethin'???" First off, the Doctor was a lot stronger than she looked because Alex couldn't shake her free. Then when she picked up that glass? He went for his gun ... Which he left behind. Another promise made to Jere. When she cut her hand? This dame was nuts!!!!

Then ... Right before his eyes ... It stopped bleeding. Then it healed. Right before his eyes. Alex was speechless.

Finally...she'd gotten the reaction she'd hoped for. "...You can be invincible, Alexander.
Powerful in so many ways. Like me. I can show you how. If you're not interested...if you're willing to throw away the opportunity of a lifetime...
that's your choice." She actually released his hand then; "But I have a feeling you're smarter than that."

"Why are people all of a sudden interested in me?" Rubbing his hand, while still staring at her own. He wasn't leaving just yet, if that meant anything.

"Not everyone..." She pointed out. "Just a select few. The ones who know what you are...and what you can become. I know it must be unsettling to hear this, but don't be afraid. You'll understand all in time. I have a confession to make. I need your help, and not just to fix broken
cabinets. In exchange, I will teach you how to use your gifts."

"Heh. Now you sound like Jer ...." Then that just got Alex to thinking ....

A knowing brow rose and she nodded. "You're putting two and two together now. Ask me questions, Alexander. I know you must have many.

"So ...? You're sayin' I can do ... That?" Pointing to her hand.

" Not yet..." She answered truthfully. "First you must be...prepared." Then she lied. "And you need me for that."

"Okay ... What can you do that Jere can't?" The Doctor had his full attention now.

" Well....this... " Her bloodstained hand snaked around his neck and pulled him toward her. Her lips were as soft as velvet when they met his. She lingered, savoring his taste, and finally broke the kiss, staring at him levelly. "You can imagine the rest, I'm sure. "

All Alex would do then is just smile.... "Uh huh." This was a Doctor? Okay, now he was wondering? ... About many things. And some of those topics were not meant for her to know about ...

"?We can help each other, Alexander. But like I said, you have to be willing. " Somehow, her lab coat left her shoulders and wound up in a heap at her feet. " There are some definite benefits to this arrangement." The pearl button at her throat was loosened...then the rest followed in slow succession until the blouse parted and a satin and lace slip peeked
through.

Or maybe she already knew of some of them, as Alex watched the display with a small smile.
"Powerful, huh? Invincible? And all I have to do is help you? Wait ... Prepare? Prepare me for what?" Alexander was a thinker. That's why he was a good thief. But sometimes being a male ... Well, it was easy to be distracted sometimes ... Oh yes, he was seriously weighing his options.

Nodding, she languidly removed her blouse and it joined the lab coat on the floor. Nimbly unfastening her skirt button and zipper, and it too slithered down her hips and legs. Undaunted by his questions, she replied simply; "A few medical tests. Your blood will reveal the extent of
your power." This was a bald faced lie, but she made it sound like truth.

"...And then training to harness that power. It's complicated to explain, but we'll get to that. Right now I was hoping other matters would take precedence. :::and chuckled, standing there in only her slip, panties and stockings.

Reaching up to unbutton his own shirt, that boyish grin just wouldn't leave his face. "Who am I to argue with the Doctor?"

[Brehnic Kohnar]

Jere sat quietly, getting caught up on some much needed reading until Alexander had returned from his task of repairing the damage done to Marisha's office. He hoped the boy would be civil and keep his tongue in check, to do what was asked of him. Granted that would be easier said than done, but one could always hope.

As the hour passed, Jere would glance at the time, wondering if his young charge had even went there, but would shake it off. Marisha would have already contacted him if he had not arrived, and Alexander knew of the consequences if he did not comply with Jere's wishes. Marisha had been most gracious and understanding when he had approached her the day following the robbery, especially when it was discovered that the mastermind behind it all was Alexander himself cashing in an old favor for a friend.

It would be the last time, he told Jere. There was talks about simply handing him over to the
police, but Marisha had a better idea. Both agreed it would help the brash youth learn some responsibility of his actions, Jere thinking that would also assist him in his teachings with the boy. But when night fell, and there was still no sign of Alexander, Jere decided to wait until first light to seek him out.

The first place he would check would be Marisha's office, to see when Alexander had left, and continue his search from there.

If it was a dream, he didn't want to wake up. Otherwise he'd be staring at Jere, who would be waking him up. No, instead Alex found himself in a bed not his own, wanting to enjoy the warm
comforts, but found himself looking up at ceiling, replaying what had happened to him. Thoughts of what was said, promises made, and most of all?

The Doctor that well ... Was that dammed good.? Then there was the thing with the piece of
glass ... He would be able to do that himself? To heal from any sort of wound? Did Jere know about this? Was that why he was always in his ear, about learning a different way? Why wouldn't he say anything? Probably because he would have thought Jere was more crazy than he already was ...Jere ... What was he going to tell him, if anything? Letting out another deep breath, Alex sighed.

Shamair rise early as was her usual custom, even though she got very little sleep the night prior. Rising naked from the bed she shared with a just-waking Alexander, she donned a long? robe and tied it snugly around her; " I need some tea... I'll bring you some." And padded from the bedroom into the spacious kitchen that did double duty as a lab.

Most of the area was taken up with beakers, test tubes and Bunsen burners, some occupied with experiments in progress. Bypassing the lab equipment, she bent down to light the stove's gas burner and put a teakettle on to boil and rummages for something...anything... that might constitute breakfast.

She normally took her meals out, and there was nothing in the cupboards except a little tea and
soda crackers. A half grin on her face, she just shrugged, and brought down two exquisite teacups and saucers she'd bought from Europe. Truth was, she was ravenously hungry. The pair would have to make a trip to the corner deli for brunch before too long.

Alex watched her, while rolling over onto his side, a small grin returning. She had a certain ... He wasn't sure what it was ... A glow? Aura? Presence? Something about her, the way she walked, talked, carried herself. She held his curiosity among other things ... He had never met a woman quite like her before ...

Still, there were some new questions he had for the good Doctor ....? "Doc, um, not to be soundin' ungrateful an' all, but ..."

Shamair had hardly been born yesterday and she knew Wulfsohng, the man who had taken on the task of teaching the pre immortal, would come looking for his charge very soon. She hoped the night spent with Alexander had swayed the boy's loyalties. She wasn't sure how persuasive Wulfsohng was, or how violent he might become, and those variables were disturbing.

Hearing Alexander's words from the bedroom, she wandered back in, leaning against the door frame, the gap in the robe's front widening, offering a partial glimpse of what he'd held in his hands the night before; " I know you have a life, Alexander...?..but it would just be rude to run off without sharing tea with me. Is that all you think of me? " She chided him.

That ... Subtle action did not escape Alexander, his smile now becoming more of a grin. " I think I have time for some ... Tea, Doc. "

Jere had already asked around, during his way to the Doctor's office, none of his friends had seen him since earlier yesterday. He wasn't too concerned about Doctor Marisha being able to handle Alexander if need be, it was like two steps back with the youth at times. But he had seen small signs of making some progress with the boy, but was it enough to lure him from the life he had learned to embrace so well?

Upon reaching the her office, Jere was preparing to knock on the door, when his eyebrow suddenly arched ...

The knock was timed exactly with the whistle of the tea kettle. Jerking her head in the direction of the front door, she realized who it was. She felt the presence. Turning back to Alexander, she pleaded; "Would you be a sweetheart and turn off the kettle while I get the door?" Her request well-planned. Her sword was in the umbrella stand by the front door.

Everything was in place. Without waiting for an answer, she disappeared to answer the door:

Damn, he loved her accent ... Climbing out of the bed and wrapping the sheet around his waist, Alexander would see to the kettle. Jere quietly stood at door, his arms placed behind his back, while he calmly waited. There would be no need to react just yet, the past had taught him that many times. A small nod of the head, followed by a smile, as Jere would greet the Doctor.

"I apologize for this early intrusion, Marisha, but I'm checking up on Alexander. He did not
return last night, and I hope he has not been any trouble for you? "

Shamair steeled herself and opened the door. This had to go just right and she wondered if she possessed the acting ability to pull it off. The next few minutes would tell. When she laid eyes on Wulfsohng, her eyes widened in mock embarrassment, and she clutched at the gap in her robe, pulling it together. She stood close to the door, never straying far from the umbrellas stand that held her obscured blade;

"I really do apologize... " She sounded tentative; "...Alexander and I got to talking yesterday and...we...well, he stayed here with me last night. It just sort of...happened." Her explanation sounded genuine, and she knew Alexander's version would match.

?Jere's head tilted to one side, pondering what she meant by that, until his eyes widened, raising his hand to his mouth, he would try to mask a cough. "Well ... I see." He had no reason not to believe Marisha, especially after viewing her current state of dress, as well her reaction. A youth in reaching his ... prime, and a Immortal woman. He could see how it could happen.

Relationships for their kind are hard to come by, let alone to keep. He would not judge one way or the other. " If he is ... Ahem ... finished, we have many things to do today..." Jere was more than content to stand outside, and not make the situation even more uneasy. His smile would
remain, as well his neutral stance.

"Once again, I commend you on what you are doing here, Marisha. Most in your position would ignore the lower class. It is ... Nice to know we can have a positive influence."

It was then Shamair pushed...just a little;
"Alexander may have other plans today." She wondered when the boy would make his appearance and back up her supposition...and she wondered how Wulfsohng would take it.

The pre-immie wasn't leaving her sight if she could help it.