Chapter Seven
Saving Jeffrey

Poofing back he and Jay Jay landed outside the house in the middle of chaos. Matthew was screaming as he tried to get to Jeffrey who was laying on the ground not moving. Shane and Shannon were both shouting trying to calm Matthew. Raven was bending over the injured mortal sucking on his neck and Marcus could only surmise that he could not be saved by mortal ways.

Dave and Sean both were trying to contain the uninjured mortal who was trying his best to get at his friend. Thomas, standing near Glenn who was sitting on his ass shaking his head, had the baby in his arms who was also screaming, but it appeared that he was trying to get to Jeffrey. Then off to one side standing alone was Adam appearing to be stunned and Marcus had to chuckle sympathetically understanding how he felt.

Immediately crying Jay Jay ran to Jeffrey which sent Adam finally into motion as he ran to Jay Jay's side. "Ahh and the circle of chaos is complete," Marcus sighed not sure where to start. First he crossed Raven off his list hoping that Thomas was correct and that he knew what he was doing.

He glanced at Matthew, but knew from experience that the only thing that would quiet him was Jeffrey. Then looking at the child he guessed that the solution for him was going to be the same… Jeffrey. Crossing the distance between him and his fallen friend Marcus knelt at his side touching his dangerously pale face carefully. Thinking he couldn't remember the last time the child had fed and knew he hadn't even eaten the mortal food earlier.

Sitting Jeffrey up Marcus sat on the ground behind him so that Jeffrey was positioned between his legs with his back resting against Marcus' chest. Extending a claw he easily sliced open one of his wrists and placed it at Jeffrey's lips. "Drink little one," he whispered, but Jeffrey wasn't drinking. Gritting his teeth he pulled his wrist back wracking his brain for a solution, but one wasn't coming. Turning his head Marcus surveyed the people around him knowing that as leader they expected him to make it better.

Closing his eyes Marcus searched for Jeffrey on the various planes of consciousness that he could reach finally finding him deep within himself on a level that most beings mortal or immortal could not reach. Walking in carefully Marcus took only a few steps before Jeffrey stopped him. "I wouldn't step there Marcus or else you won't get back," the younger man warned and instantly Marcus froze watching Jeffrey waiting for him to show him the way. Gritting his teeth he wished that someone else could have been doing this. Tommy, Glenn, hell even Dave had more patience for things like this that Marcus did.

While he waited for Jeffrey to co-operate Marcus looked around and frowned not having expected a scene like this to be in the consciousness of one of his children. It looked like something you'd find in a mortal's vision of heaven. It was a valley scene with mountains in the distance. Jeffrey was seated under a tree watching a group of four little boys chase each other around giggling and having fun. Finally Jeffrey sighed and waved a hand making a stone path appear to Marcus' left. "I suppose you ain't gonna leave so I better let ya come sit down." Marcus just barely refrained from growling as he stepped onto the path and made his way to Jeffrey sitting down under the tree at the youngster's side.

Marcus watched Jeffrey for several long moments then let his eyes trail to the children that Jeffrey was watching. "I wish I could go back to there," Jeffrey said softly and Marcus frowned realizing that the boys were Jeffrey and his brothers. "Everything was so simple then," Jeffrey continued. "Momma and Daddy were never around so we all pretty much did as we pleased. Matty took care of us and Shane helped. Shannon and I got to play and have fun. No one expected me to know everything all the time and be responsible all the time. Nothing bad existed then. Just… us and our innocent little hopes and dreams. Do you know that I turned 76 today?"

Marcus grunted thinking he understood. "I lost count how old I am long before you were born baby." Jeffrey turned his head and looked at Marcus with eyes empty of any emotion bad or good. "But you wanted this Marcus. You and Glenn both." Jeffrey turned his head back to the boys. "Hell I don't even know how I became a vampire… I just woke up one day and I was." Marcus sighed running a hand through his long red curls.

"Actually baby I didn't want this," Marcus said and Jeffrey's head whipped back around as he focused his attention on him. "Whaddya mean?" Marcus heaned back against the tree and let his thoughts wander back to a time that he never though of, but somehow remained never far from the surface. "I didn't want to become a vampire baby. I was happily married with a wife and a child. Glenn and I shared a farm. We had animals and crops and we were both very happy. But our baby brother… he didn't like our life. He said that it was too slow. He longed for something more. He knew that there was something better out there than what he had. One day along came this couple… a man and a woman. They showed up one night as we were sitting down for dinner. The second his eyes laid on them I knew he was gone."

"They hung around for about a week sleepin all day and out all night. Glenn tried to get them to leave, but my brother… well he was the baby and I'm afraid to say I spoiled him rotten. I was just glad he was happy for a change. Then one night I heard a sound coming from the barn like something was disturbing the animals. I went out there an… there they were… the three of them in this pile of naked flesh and covered in blood fucking and feeding all at once. I didn't even make it a step. The strangers probably would have left me to die, but the woman was sweet on Shawn. He'd always had that effect on people… man or woman. I didn't even realize what had happened for several days. 'Til I got hungry and Glenn was in my sights. He'd… he'd cut his arm and the smell of the blood it just…. It's damn lucky that he lived 'cause I don't even remember turning him. Eventually we were forced to leave our wives and children and our home and everything we'd known. Shawn was long gone. He'd taken off with the strangers the night they attacked me and I hadn't seen him since… well 'til today."

"I know its hard kid. I know that you have way more responsibilities than you should. I know that your life hasn't gone the way you wanted, but none of our lives has. I think things are gonna get better for you baby. Finally you have found your mate… and fuck kid that is something you don't turn your back on. Hell as old as I am I still don't have one, but now you do. Plus you have your Shannon back and Shane. I know Matt is difficult, but well… I think that Leviathan's brother is soft on him and I don't think Matt is opposed to it. You shoulda seen them earlier Matthew was curled right up on that big monster's lap just babbling away. Plus, well frankly this kid needs you… Gabriel. I know you didn't want this responsibility, but for some reason he was given to you anyway. If you leave… I don't think he'll make it kid."

Jeffrey didn't answer but Marcus suddenly felt a sucking sensation coming from his wrist and jerking himself back to reality realized Jeffy was feeding. When hazel eyes opened to look at him Marcus smiled softly down at the child breathing a sigh of relief.

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