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Romantic Executions: Continued	By : PrettySin Category: Anita Blake > Het Views: 3499 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Anita Blake series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Alright… this site is fucking up the spelling and grammar of this story every time I post. Rest assured that when I put the document in the ‘type box’ that it’s as perfect as I can get it. *Sigh* Hope you can understand what was meant.

Oh yeah… Property of Laurell K. Hamilton… not us. Bluh.
********************

Dear Jean-Claude,

All is well in NY, and my new... lover... seems more powerful by the day. I'm still amazed how much she loves me... also with her ability to break the tie to Anita. Anita... every time I think of her I shudder. In some ways she reminds me of my maker, and that... It is not fun.

I apologize. After a thousand years I am still better with a sword than with a pen. Odd, isn't it? 'Chele is laughing at me...tends to think it funny.

I do hope all is well between you and your new human servant. I've spoken with her a few times over the phone and she seems enchanting. She actually mentioned baking 'Chele some of her favorite things. I think you have become as lucky as I, my friend.

I shall write again next Month, as always,

~Damian

Jean-Claude snorted derisively, fighting the urge to crumple the letter, instead setting it down on the desk. Lucky? His luck had left him. It meant little now, but... He sighed, dropping his head into his hands. It was a mistake to come into the study when his mind was filled with thoughts of Aahz. The room had been her favorite, and she had made several personal touches to it.

Romance novels were tucked between Dumas and Twain. He remembered objecting that the colors did not match, and she had given him one of her glares and determinedly placed three more books between Grimm's Fairy Tales and The Three Musketeers.

Jean-Claude rubbed his temples. It would do him no good to think of her now, though it was impossible not to. He had done well when not faced with blatant reminders, but Damian's letter... It was a cruel blow, one that set him to imagining the Fates laughing at his pain. Resigning himself to attempting to sound cheerful, he pulled a fresh sheet of paper to him, and began to pen a reply back to the other vampire.

***********

Aahz swallowed as she pulled into the club parking lot. It was full, nearly over flowing with the cars of women. The scent was its usual, nearly overpowering with alcohol and perfume. Biting her lip, She climbed from her car, grabbing a box from the back seat before heading inside.

Alex looked up from where he was watching Jess' post as Aahz came in. "Aahz!" He moved away from the stand and over to her.

She jerked, dropping her box. "I... Alex. Hey."

Alex's brow furrowed, and he bent, picking up the box. "Hey. What's up? You're late."

Aahz shoved her keys into her pocket, licking her lips. "Oh. I'm... I'm not late-"

Jason bounced over to them, looking smug, "Darling! Aahz! Loved one! Cheesecake! What's up?" His eyes were sparkling with amusement, and he'd clearly done something he thought was hilarious.

She swallowed. "I... Jason..." She felt her breathing speed up and she shook her head. Hadn't Jean-Claude told them?

Jess smiled from behind her desk. "Hey. What's shakin'?"

Jason blinked, "Hey... you got any clue where Fang-y is? Haven't seen him all night... He hasn't called or anything either."

Alex watched Aahz with concern. Something was wrong. "Why didn't you ask Asher, Wolfie?"

Jason's face lit up, "I hadn't thought of that!"

"Umm... Actually." Aahz swallowed. "I'm... not working here any more."

Jason's face fell, and Alex was reminded strongly of a little kid. "Why not?"

Aahz pressed a hand to her forehead. "Jean-Claude... and I... aren't going to be seeing each other any longer."

Jess gaped, open mouthed. "But... but..."

Alex's brow furrowed, concern and anger sparking up in his hazel eyes, "What'd he do?"

Jason looked over at Aahz, biting his lip before stepping up in front of her and pulling her into a hug. "What happened?"

She stilled, feeling her eyes sting. "G...guys..."

Jess scowled. "I'll... I'll... Something!"

Nathaniel frowned, moving over to the group of four, "You'll what? What's wrong?" He looked between Aahz and Jason, then to Jess, then Alex.

Alex shook his head, "This is going to be hard to explain. I can't believe Jean-Claude didn't tell us..."

Jason pulled back, looking at Aahz. "You gonna be okay, PA?" The question was deliberately rhymed, trying to subtly make Aahz at least smile.

She sniffed, then nodded. "I... I think so."

Jess leaned over, whispering the happenings into her lover's ear as Aahz sighed. "We... just... broke up. All right? Call it... a... less than fun decision. I... I need to get my things."

Nathaniel scowled, "Where is he? I'll-"

"Shut up right now before you do more damage then's already been done." Alex interrupted, ignoring the glare from his fellow stripper.

Jason sighed, letting Aahz go. "Damn... I've got a set in ten minutes... How long are you going to be here, Aahz?" He was going to kill Jean-Claude. The vampire could be such an ass sometimes, and judging by the way Aahz looked, he'd pushed it too far.

"I... I should be here after." She sniffed, and Jess handed her a tissue.

Jason bit his lip, "I'll be back soon..." He shot another worried look at Aahz, then moved away, down the hall.

Aahz blew her nose loudly, blinking at them. "Guys... it's okay..."

"No, it's not." Jess frowned.

Alex sighed, "The Club won't be the same without you here..."

Nathaniel shook his head, "It'll be back to the way it was." Which wasn't that great.

Aahz hugged herself. "It'll be... fine. I'll get you guys your cookies... and I'll see you sometimes..."

"Sometimes isn't what we're used to though." Alex pointed out, trying to hide the fact that his eyes were over bright. Stupid emotional syndrome...

Aahz swallowed again, hugging him. "Sorry. I wish... it was different but... I can't Alex."

Alex hugged her back, taking a deep, slightly shaky breath. "I know..." He bit his lip, "Will you visit us? Occasionally? It doesn't have to be an every other day thing, or every week, but..."

"I... Alright."

Jess hugged her from behind. "Just take it slow. It'll get better with time..."

Aahz laughed, the sound bitter. "I've got forever, right?"

Nathaniel watched from a distance for a moment, before joining the group hug. "That just means you can find someone better than a French pom-pom."

Alex managed to hide his face as a tear slipped down his cheek. Dammit! Aahz was like his sister... and now she was leaving, and... He swallowed hard over the lump in his throat.

She sniffed. "Doesn't feel like it..." She looked at Alex. "Hun... please... I'll... I'll be fine..."

Jess swallowed. God, this... this sucked.

Alex pulled one of his arms from the hug, swiping at his eyes, "Yeah... doesn't... feel like that now, though..."

Nathaniel frowned at the young man. Hell... they were all family right? He shrugged inwardly, pulling back from the group to give Alex a brief, manly hug.

Aahz sighed. "I should go pack. I'd... no offense... rather not linger... though I'll wait for Jason. Alright?"

Alex pulled back from Nathaniel, nodding. "I've... I've got to go... to the bathroom. My set's after Jason's..." He gestured to his eyes, which were red. "I'll..." The words wouldn't come, but he forced them out anyway, "See you later, Aahz." He fled down the hall.

Nathaniel rubbed his forehead, offering a small smile at the short woman in front of him, "Yeah... you've got all of our numbers if you ever need to talk..."

Aahz nodded. "Nathaniel? Please... make sure he's okay. I... he seems so upset."

Jess sighed, noting a group of women wanting into the club. "I'm sorry, Aahz. I'll see you later. Take care of yourself, alright?"

Nathaniel glanced at the group of women, then at Aahz. "We'll stop by your office before you leave." He followed Alex down the hall, playing with the end of his braid.

Jess hugged Aahz one last time. "Yeah. What Kitty said." Jess offered a weak smile, and headed back as Aahz picked up the box that was once again on the floor. Great. Packing...

Aahz tossed various books into the box, along with her CDs.

Asher tilted his head. "Cheri?"

She jumped. "Asher!"

"Oui. I merely wished to see that you were alright..."

"Oh." She swallowed. "I'm... alive."

"That is not what I asked."

"I... I don't know."

"Ah. I'm sorry... what you heard-"

Aahz held up a hand. "No. No... it's okay. I understand."

"Ah." Asher sighed, hugging her. "I wish I could help, non?"

"Me too." She rested her head on his chest for a moment. "Sorry."

"Non. Now... I need to go. Jean-Claude wants me to watch Danse Macabre tonight." He kissed her temple, and just that quickly he was gone.

Forrest slipped into the office several minutes after Asher left. "Hey, Miss PA." He stood half in the room, not sure if she wanted company. Alex had just gotten backstage... and had immediately told the other strippers what was wrong under very little pressure.

She glanced up, offering him a small smile. "Hey."

He smiled slightly back, moving the rest of the way into the room, "So... you're leaving?" His voice clearly asked her to tell him it wasn't true.

She sighed. "I... yeah." She glanced at the picture in her hand of all the strippers, each laughing and smiling. "I know when to give up... and when I'm not wanted."

"You're wanted." He frowned, moving around behind her to look at the picture. "I remember that... Jason kept shooting spit wads at my head."

She smiled softly, then shook her head. "By you guys, yes... Jean-Claude... no."

He sighed, stepping back to the side, "You don't have to tell me, but why the sudden break up? The leaving... that's an obvious link to the separation, but..." He shrugged, leaning against the desk.

"Oh." She bit her lip. "I... got home last night from a friends... He and Asher were talking."

"I take it that wasn't a pleasant talk." Forrest watched her, his expression unreadable.

'Not... not really. Asher was... I suppose you could say, defending me. Jean-Claude seemed to think everything about our relationship was a mistake. He commented on wishing he'd never hired me and on the fact that I wasn't meeting his needs." She shrugged, shaking slightly.

Forrest's jaw clenched, and he swallowed, "He's got an assish streak... we all do." His brow furrowed slightly, and he moved, giving her a brotherly hug.

She hugged him back. "I guess."

Jason's voice was dead as he spoke from the door, "I'll kill him."

Aahz jumped, whirling to face him. "What?"

"Jean-Claude. I'll kill him." Jason's face was expressionless, though his eyes were shining with anger.

Forrest let go of Aahz, slightly unnerved by Jason's glare.

"Jason... no..." She swallowed. "Besides... that kills me..."

"Damn." Jason sighed, "Can I hurt him? He's got an assish streak bigger than the highway."

Aahz stepped forward, hugging him. "It's fine."

Jason hugged her back, "It's not. He's got no fucking right to be like that."

Forrest shook his head, "Puppy's right... He shouldn't have bound you to him if he didn't-" He cut himself off, unwilling to bring Aahz any further pain with the reminder.

She made a noise in her throat. "I..."

Jason shot a glare at Forrest over Aahz's shoulder, and Forrest shrugged helplessly.

She sniffed. "This sucks."

"Yeah." Jason gave her a brief squeeze. Stupid vampires.

She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. "Is he coming here tonight?"

"Supposedly... Asher said he might." Jason bit his lip, sighing. Maybe he'd get some scissors... cut off the Master Vampire's stupid hair... or something else...

"It'll be fine though.... I just... I forgot Jesse. Can you believe that?" She shook her head.

"Need any help getting Beastie anywhere?" Jason asked, "Have you got someplace to stay?"

"I'm staying with Anndy right now..." She looked over at Forrest. "Are you alright?"

The dark vampire nodded, "Just shutting up so I don't say anything stupid." He offered her a small, crooked smile.

"Forrest... no." She sighed. "Don't do that on my account..."

He shook his head, "It's not that difficult, Aahz... besides, I don't think I've got anything left to say."

Jason let Aahz go slowly, "I'm going to disappear backstage now... I'll send Alex your way once he's got himself under control."

"Under control? Oh... is he that upset?"

The wolf shrugged, "Nah... he's just emotional. He'd make a good girl, if he didn't have balls."

Aahz smacked him. "Behave." She looked at Forrest. "And... I don't know what to say here... this is like leaving my family... bad divorce. Something."

Jason smiled slightly, rubbing the spot where he'd been smacked, "But Mom... I am behaving..."

Forrest nodded, "I know what you mean." He ran a hand through his hair. This sucked. Stupid boss.

"Badly, Jason." She smiled. "Well. You two are still employed..."

Jason poked her teasingly, "My behavior is excellent."

Forrest shrugged, "Right... I'm gonna go make sure Alex is still in one piece. The audience was giving him weird looks during his set..."

Aahz frowned. "Weird looks? Maybe I should check on him..." She paused. "And Jason, you're involved. You don't get to poke other people."

The wolf pouted, "That's so not fair..."

Forrest shook his head, "His eyes were red, that's all, and the spotlight set them off. Too bad the idiots in lighting didn't realize that..."

She sighed. "I knew I should have talked to Dolly about paying attention to the dancers..." Smirking, she looked up at Jason. "Do you want to tell Asher you're poking strange women or should I?"

Jason's eyes widened in mock fear, "No! Then again, you aren't a strange woman... wait. Never mind."

Forrest smiled slightly, taking comfort in the fact that Jason could make her smile as he slipped out of the room.

Aahz sighed, hugging Jason. "Asher's a lucky guy. I almost wish..."

Jason hugged her back, "I almost wish too, Aahz. But it didn't work out the first time..."

She sniffed. "I know. I'm sorry."

He sighed softly, "It's not your fault. Either of them. The first one was my fault, completely, and don't you dare say otherwise. The second... Hell, he's an ass sometimes. Recently it's been all the time."

"Jason... it wasn't all your fault. I was being-"

"I was being stupid. So what if you were taking in Nat? It was none of my damn business and I made a big deal out of nothing."

"I did the same thing though..." She sighed. "Doesn't matter though."

"Not really." He shrugged, "Hey... if I'm ever single when you are, maybe we could try again. Maybe not. It all depends on time, doesn't it?"

"I don't think Asher is going to be stupid enough to let you go, Puppy."

"You never know. He might get sick of me, one day."

She pinched his hip. "No."

Jason faked a look of hurt, rubbing his hip, "Owwy... and he might."

"And I might beat up on him."

"Nah. That's my job." The wolf winked.

She blushed slightly. “Hush."

He laughed, "Hushing, really."

"No you're not." She pulled back, sighing.

Jason shrugged, leveling a look at her, "Now... I'm not leaving until I'm sure you're going to be okay, and all this sighing is not going to get me off your back anytime soon."

Aahz gave him a look. "I'll be fine..."

"Don't believe you."

She rolled her eyes. "What will help?"

"Dunno." He shot her a grin.

She shook her head, smiling. "Great. Puppy's going to follow me around..."

"Hey now, that's not a bad thing." Jason smirked.

"Yes... Anndy... you remember this puppy, right? He follow me home."

Alex knocked quietly on the door, and Jason turned to look at the younger stripper. "Ally-Bob! At last!"

"What... Puppy's not going to follow me home?" Aahz managed a small smile as she moved, hugging Alex.

"I'll follow you home if that's an invitation." Jason shook his head, smiling.

Alex hugged the short woman back, his eyes still slightly red.

"Nah... Asher would be mad and broody." Aahz rubbed her face against Alex's shoulder. "You okay?"

Jason nodded slowly, "You've got a point..." He moved towards the door, "I'll bug you later, Aahz... Ally-Bob needs his time..."

Alex shot a grateful look at the wolf, who just shrugged, leaving the office. "I've been better."

"I'm sorry." She bit her lip.

"It's okay." He sighed softly, "It's just hard to believe that after this you aren't coming back."

"I'll see you though. I'll make it a point to bug you and the nice girl who came by for you the once..."

"If she'll talk to me again."

Aahz blinked. "Huh?"

Alex blushed faintly, "I was an idiot and she called me on it. Then I pissed her off and... I haven't really seen her since."

She sighed. "Have you called her?"

"No..."

"Alex... she's... shy right? And inexperienced?"

He blinked, "Yeah..."

"What do you think she's thinking? Right now?"

Alex frowned slightly, "Shit... I can't call her tonight..."

Aahz rubbed his back. "She... I think she'll listen."

He seemed to relax, "Guess you won't need me to walk Jesse anymore, then..."

"I will until I can find a place where I can have him with me. I can't while I'm at Anndy's because of the twins." Aahz swallowed. "You'll take care of my baby dog, right?"

"Yeah. Don't worry about it." He offered her a smile. God, this must be hell for her...

Aahz hugged him. "Thanks, Alex." She sighed again. Family.

Alex hugged her back, "No problem, Aahz."

A soft, hardly audible knock sounded on the office door, and Alex looked over his shoulder to see whom it was. His face paled, and he turned back to Aahz, certain she'd already seen her visitor.

She looked up, paling as well. "Jean-Claude."

"Oui." Jean-Claude met her gaze resolutely, feeling more sadness from her end of the marks than anger.

Alex let go of Aahz, turning to face his boss and wrapping an arm around Aahz's shoulders. He saw briefly Jean-Claude's eyes flicker to his arm, then at him, then back to Aahz. The stripper fought the urge to roll his eyes. If he couldn't tell it was a brotherly gesture, the vampire was blind.

Aahz leaned into Alex, closing the marks. Not now. "How's Jesse?"

"Alive and well." Jean-Claude leaned against the doorjamb, arms folded loosing across his chest.

Alex rubbed her shoulder comfortingly, staying silent for fear of what he might say.

"Good. Alex has agreed to continue to walk Jesse for me until..."

Jean-Claude nodded, smiling thinly, "How kind of him."

Alex's jaw clenched at the vampire's suggestive tone. Ass.

Aahz shrunk back a bit. "Well... kinder than most at least."

Jean-Claude sighed, "Oui. You are correct."

"At least you're admitting it..." Alex muttered, giving Aahz a half hug.

Aahz bit her lip, looking down. "Did you need something?"

The vampire shrugged smoothly, "Perhaps, though I am afraid I have forgotten."

She swallowed. "Oh. Well... I'll be out of your way in a moment." She ducked away from Alex, grabbing her box and beginning to empty her desk again.

Alex fought not to glare at the vampire, failing miserably. "Aahz... I'll see you later, okay? I have to get something..."

She nodded. "Night, Alex."

"Night." He bit the inside of his cheek, leaving the office.

Aahz tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, starting on the last drawer. Why was he still there?

Jean-Claude watched her move around the room, pondering the same question himself. Why was he still there? He had nothing left to say... Everything that needed saying had been said, so why couldn't he make himself leave?

Finally, Aahz picked up the CD player and the box. "Excuse me."

He moved silently out of her way, berating himself mentally. He had things to say, but he couldn't form the words... "Je suis désolé, Ma Aahz. Je t'aime." He turned, making to move down the hall. There. He'd said it for what he was sure was the last time.

Je t'aime. She stilled, setting the box down. "Wait... you wait just a damn minute."

He paused, turning to look at her, brow quirked questioningly, "Oui?"

"Je t'aime? Are... are you serious? After all that shit you were spewing off to Asher, you can say that?" Her breathing was fast, her pulse thundering. God... this hurt. Why... why did it have to hurt?

He shrugged smoothly again, "I cannot help that which is true, Aahz. I can merely accept it, or deny it. As there is little point in denying it, I will not. I have been known to say things I do not mean when angered. I find that there has been little exception over the years. As I said, I am sorry."

She swallowed. "Forget it, alright?" She turned, moving slowly back to her box.

He shook his head, "I am afraid that is an impossibility, however..." He nodded curtly to her, back bending slightly with the movement. "As you wish." He turned, his back facing her as he moved down the hall again.

Aahz squeezed her eyes shut. God.

**********

Jason's eyes narrowed as he spotted Jean-Claude. The hallway was empty of anyone who wouldn't cheer him on, and Jason's fists clenched. Stupid... fucking... vampire... fucker. Jason growled, "Hey, Jean-Claude!"

Jean-Claude turned, "Oui, Mon Loup?"

Jason scowled. Bastard was too tall... oh well. He'd have to make him shorter. The wolf drove his fist straight into his boss’ stomach, not caring if he would get fired. Jean-Claude doubled over, and Jason smirked. Excellent. His fist connected with Jean-Claude's nose, and it broke with a satisfying crack. "Don't you ever hurt Aahz again, get it?" Jason smiled sweetly, calmly pulling the vampire into a headlock. He was so getting fired for this... "You'll get more than a broken nose and bruised stomach if you do."

Jean-Claude was spluttering indignantly, "Mon Loup -"

"Whoa, man. Not yours."

"Let go..."

"Not happening." Jason looked up to where Forrest was trying not to laugh. "Hey Woody, get me some scissors!"

"Jason Alexander Schuylar! Let him go!" Aahz glared, placing her hands on her hips. "Forrest, get him a towel and some ice."

Jason's eyes widened innocently as Jean-Claude tried to pull out of the wolf's grip. His arm clenched, and the vampire stopped moving.

Forrest looked torn. Scissors, ice, scissors, ice... He caught a glare from Aahz, and moved towards the bar area. Ice.

"Jason, don't make me kick your ass." Aahz stalked forward. "Let him go."

"He doesn't deserve to be let go."

Jean-Claude growled softly. He'd call Jason's beast, but he had not fed... He would not have the energy to control the were once his beast was loose. He would deal with the humiliation of the were's attack, but he could not afford to fire him either. Merde...

Aahz reached up, grabbing her blond ex by the ear and twisting. "Let. Him. Go."

Jason winced, though he didn't let go of Jean-Claude until Aahz tugged, "Holy fuck! Ow! He deserved it! Completely! Holy - ow..."

Jean-Claude straightened immediately, smoothing his hair and clothes before accepting the towel and ice that Forrest nearly tossed at him. "Merci."

Forrest shrugged, turning to smirk at Jason.

Jason nodded back, wincing again.

Aahz let go, glaring at all of them. "I suggest you all grow up. Honestly. You're being ridiculous. Unless one of you wants to see me when I'm pissed, I'd behave. Are we clear?"

Jason rubbed his ear, making a sound close to that of a kicked puppy.

There were faint murmurs of 'yes' around the hall. Jean-Claude met Aahz's gaze, inspecting his nose with his fingers, "Merci, Aahz."

"Don't thank me." She swallowed before shaking her head. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to Anndy's, where I can deal with some grown ups. Her Spawn." She turned, heading out the way she came in.

Jason sighed, glaring at Jean-Claude. "You deserved it."

Jean-Claude wrapped the ice in the towel, nodding. "Oui, I did."

Forrest shook his head, "Where are the scissors?"

Jean-Claude made as dignified an escape as possible, shutting his office door behind him securely.

He sighed, sinking down into his chair and pressing the ice to his nose. Merde. His staff had gone mad, and he could not afford to fire them. Not with Belle Morte visiting so soon, or with the lack of good strippers in the city... As much as it wounded his pride, he would have to keep both Jason and Forrest.

Aahz was more confusing than he had given her credit for. She had helped him, then walked away. He shifted the ice on his nose. He had been wrong when he had told himself he knew her completely. He knew what she told him, what she presented to the world. He knew nothing of her motives, of her true feelings... He was a failure as a lover, and he had forced her into the bonds of eternity.

If he could change anything about his relationship with her, he would have waited longer to bind her to him. He would have been sure of her feelings, actually known her before doing something so rash and stupid.

He had not, however, been lying. He loved her. He loved what he knew of her. Every single damn thing. But she would not take him back, and he would not force her again.
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Romantic Executions: Continued