HDA - Living in Darkness Trilogy - Pt 2 - The Search

The air was cool, the bed soft. Oh...yes, it made perfect sense--it had all been a dream. Part nightmare, part fantasy, so intoxicating. She'd always had vivid dreams. A smile curved her lips before she opened her eyes. She had to remember this dream. She moved to stretch and winced. Her shoulder hurt, must have slept with her arm under the pillow again. With a sigh, she opened her eyes and her smile faded. She was in a hospital room. Tears came to her eyes unbidden. Oh damn, it had been real.

"Casi?"

She turned her head and felt like crying. "Ethan."

He touched her hand carefully, as if she might shatter like glass. "Are you okay?"

She nodded carefully, not ready to tell him--or anyone the truth. "Joe?"

"He's unconscious." He took a deep breath. "Marc's here."

Casi closed her eyes. She was not up to any kind of argument with her brother. Obviously, Donovan had sent him to bring her home. "I won't go," she said hoarsely. "Not without Joe."

Ethan cleared his throat. "He came to make sure you were okay. You scared them."

Casi opened her eyes to look at him, remembered that one second she had been so scared. They'd felt it. She took a deep breath. "Oh."

Ethan nodded toward the door. "He's wearing a path in the linoleum."

"Let him in."

Ethan walked to the door and pulled it open. Marcus burst into the room, then stopped. "My God, Casi..." He hurried to her side. "Are you okay?"

Casi cleared her throat, reached out her right hand and her brother took it carefully. She squeezed his hand with all the strength she had. "I'll be fine."

Marc's free hand hovered over the white gauze on her throat, her shoulder. "My God, Casi, what happened?"

"She was stabbed--"

"I'll kill the son of a bitch. Where is he?"

"He's dead."

Marcus frowned. "Why the hell wasn't Joe protecting her?"

"Marc, don't," whispered Casi.

"He was suffering from toxic psychosis. He's in another hospital room, unconscious."

Marc looked at Casi. "How? How did all this happen?"

Ethan had wondered the same but hadn't wanted to upset Casi. Casi cleared her throat again. "Chad was going to ask me to marry him."

Marc frowned, not expecting that answer. "What?"

"So when I saw the ring box, I decided I needed to walk, to clear my head, to find out how to tell him no. I ran into Joe. He was undercover---" She took a deep breath. "Someone had already started in on him. He had a vampire bite on his neck."

"As in bat?" asked Marc, puzzled. He glanced at Ethan. "Vampire bats live here, don't they?"

"Not a bat, Marc. Human."

Marc shook his head. "Casi, vampires don't exist."

"I'm not going to argue the point right now. Someone was injecting Joe with drugs...." Casi sighed. "I don't know how much longer he could have lasted."

Using his foot, Marc snagged the leg of a metal chair and pulled it toward him, then he sat down. "Well, now, I can't say I'm surprised you'd get involved, little sister. Though I would have thought you'd have better sense to tangle with Dracula."

"Marc, this isn't funny."

"The hell it isn't. God, Casi, you scared us all to death. Donovan nearly had a heartattack while buying you your birthday present. Hell of a way to go."

"Marcus..." began Casi, shaking her head slowly. "Don't."

Marc patted her hand with his free one. "I'll hush. Let you get back to sleep. Jade's here. She flew me. Wants to know how you are."

Casi frowned. "What time is it?"

"A little after two, in the morning," answered Ethan, glancing at his watch.

"Why are you two still here? I seriously doubt visiting hours have started."

"I'm staying with you," said Ethan. He nodded to Marc. "Unless you want to."

Marc thought a moment. "I'm wired right now. I'd keep her awake."

"Then I'll stay."

"You both can go. Where's Joe?"

"You need to rest, Casi," said Ethan. "You're not much better off right now."

"He's right. Sleep is the best medicine."

Casi pulled her hand free of her brother's grasp, glared at both of them, then looked at Ethan. "Where is he?"

Ethan sighed. "I'll get a wheelchair."

"I can walk, Ethan.''

He sighed again, shared a look with Marc who just shrugged. Together, they helped her out of bed. Ethan led them out of her room and down the hall to another room. "He's in here."

Casi took a deep breath and walked in. Kendra was dozing in a chair, looking haggard. "Kendra," Casi whispered.

Kendra's eyes flew open. "Solitaire?"

"I'm okay."

Kendra glanced at the man asleep on the bed, then stood up. "Solitaire, you need to get back to bed."

"Don't you dare shut me out." Casi found she couldn't look at him, laying as still as death on those white sheets. He wasn't going to die--not after all this.

Kendra's blue eyes flicked to a point over Casi's right shoulder. Casi felt a surge of anger. "Damn it..." she began, then her voice broke on a sob.

She felt Ethan touch her uninjured shoulder, could sense Marc standing right behind him. Ethan leaned forward. "Casi--"

"No." She shook her head. "I'll sit with him."

Kendra frowned. "Solitaire..."

"No. I'll sit with him." Casi moved slowly to the bed, sat down on the edge of the mattress and forced herself to look at him. The dark hair made him seem paler. Whiter Shade of Pale, she thought, remembering the old heavy metal song. She reached with her right hand, touched his hand. She could sense them all hovering just behind her. "Go away."

After a long moment, she heard the door shut and felt the tears come again. Oh God, he couldn't die. She loved him--Oh God, how she loved him.

***

It was the sound of soft sobs that roused him. He'd been having the most bizarre dream complete with vampires and witches and---he didn't know what else. He felt hungry and thirsty and as it hit him full force, he instantly craved a cheeseburger, fries and a huge soda. What had wakened him? Right, someone crying. He opened his eyes to see her seated at the foot of the bed, a white bandage at her neck and shoulder. With sudden brutal clarity, he realized it hadn't been a dream. "Casi," he said hoarsely.

She raised her head, revealing red-rimmed eyes, tear-streaked cheeks. She managed a smile. "Joe."

"You should have stayed with Chad."

Her smile faded and she searched his face. "Why?"

"You're not safe around me."

Casi's left hand shot out and grabbed his hand. The movement jarred her shoulder but she ignored it. "Don't you dare. I went into this with my eyes wide open. You walk away this time and it's all over."

"Casi--"

"Damn it, Joe. I almost lost you. Can't you understand that I couldn't handle that?"

His eyes rested on her neck, half-hidden by the bandage and he shuddered. "I almost lost you."

Casi moved forward, until her face was inches from his. "Don't walk away, Joe. I need you, I want you." She looked into his eyes. "I love you," she added and kissed him.

He could taste the salt of her tears, her frustration, her love. He remembered finding her in Egypt, the reunion. Faster the memories came, the proposal, the harsh words...the blood. He jerked back, stared up at her. "God, Casi, I almost---"

She shook her head. "You didn't."

He lifted a hand, touched her jaw. "It scared you. I saw the fear." He shuddered again. "I remember the fear--"

"Joe, I'm all right." She rested her head on his shoulder. "Didn't even lose that much blood. We're all right, we're together."

Cautiously, she felt him touch her head, smooth the tousled hair from her temple. "Why do you love me so much?"

She sat up halfway to look down at him. "You complete me. You are the other half of my soul."

Tears filled his eyes as he lifted a hand to touch her cheek. "You complete me." Gently, he pulled her head down and he kissed her. He loved her, he wanted her all to himself. "Marry me," he whispered against her lips.

"I'll marry you a thousand times, a million times. I will always love you.'

Joe went still. "Isn't that a song?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Never mind. You took the words right out of my mouth."

Casi finally smiled. "Paradise by the dashboard light," she said, somewhat breathlessly.

Joe grunted "Two out of three ain't bad."

Casi felt a giggle bubble up. "For cryin' out loud."

Joe kissed her. "I would do anything for love...."

Casi relaxed against him and gave a contented sigh. "Ditto." She rested her head back on his chest. "You know it'll be a sunrise wedding."

Joe chuckled. "As long as Erick doesn't do the Wedding March on guitar, I'm okay with anything."

Casi closed her eyes and thought of one last song. She shifted until her lips were inches from his. She searched his face for a long moment, still unsettled by the dark hair, dark beard. She would be glad when he was blond again. "You bring me to life."

He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. "You bring me to life," he said and just held her. As she rested her head again on his chest, he felt tears fill his eyes. Dear God, let this not be a dream---let it be real....

***

30 October 2003

Orlando, FL

10:23 pm

Watching the local news was a habit he'd acquired nearly two decades ago. His father had started him on it and now Donovan found even when he had planned to do something else, or even go to bed early, like some internal alarm clock, he would know exactly when it was time for the news and weather. Most of the time, he halfway ignored the stories and only half-listened to the weather for the next week.

He was going over the inventory lists for the software programs and games when he felt the strangest hum course through him. It was like feeling silk over his skin or smelling Brittani's perfume. In fact he found himself tuning everything else out and glancing up at the ceiling and the second floor where he knew she was. It was strong and---

The telephone cut him off in midthought and he angled his head to glare at the intruding instrument. Who the hell called at after ten at night. He grabbed the receiver. "Hello?" he snapped. "You're a little early. You weren't technically born until tomorrow night.....You did? I thought---" He wasn't going down that road with his sister. "You think she's okay?.....You're sure it's not just wishful thinking on your part?.....Well, you know Marc did go over there, although I'm sure he'll wait until a decent hour to call--" Donovan broke off as he heard the telltale beep of another caller. "Oh shit. Hold on."

He punched the flash button and sighed. "Hello?....Where in left field did that come from?.....You miss--" Donovan shook his head, then thought of his own initial reaction. "Never mind. Casi's okay?.....What is it?.....Dracula? Marcus, Dracula is so much hoopla. He never existed. And any historian will tell you that Bram Stoker may have modeled Dracula on Vlad Tepesh, Tepesh was in no way a vampire.....Yes, I'm done with the lecturing. What the hell happened?"

Goosebumps ran down his arms as he listened to what Marcus was saying. "My God, I can't believe someone would be so sick....God, I wish the man wasn't dead so I could kill him---slowly. Torture sounds about good right now." Donovan grunted rather rudely. He glanced at the clock and frowned. "What time is it over there?....So she is okay then?....Huh.....I wasn't going to do anything. Wait, what do you mean both, he's injured too?....God, that man deserves the lowest rung of hell.....All right. Tell Ethan his better half is missing him......She's on the other line....Bye."

Donovan switched back to the first line. "Cat, Casi's all right." He went on to tell her everything Marc had told him. "Dracula. I told you she'd find some idiot who believed he was Dracula.....Don't you dare quote Hamlet to me.....Whatever. It's late---" He sighed as she laughed. "All right....Yeah, good night, little sister." He sighed again and hung up, then switched off the television and set his work aside. It wasn't something that had to be done anytime soon.

He turned off the downstairs lights and headed to the master bedroom. Brittani was getting out of the shower as he entered the room. She snugged the towel around her and frowned at him. "You okay? Did I hear the phone?"

"It was Cat and Marc. Casi's okay."

"Great." She searched his face and her smile faded. "Not great?"

Donovan sprawled across the bed and told her the same story again. Brittani sat down on the edge of the bed, her dark hair still wet from the shower. "My God."

"But Marc said they're okay, they're together."

"Good." She touched his cheek. "You still don't think he's good enough for her?"

"I think he's her choice. I think it's a recipe for disaster but it's her choice."

"I'm glad you realize that, Donovan. It'll make your relationship with your sister less strained."

Donovan grunted. "A lot you know," he muttered and pulled her down so that she was sprawled across him. He grinned and kissed her. "Let's go to bed."

Brittani grinned. "Best news I've heard all night," she said, giving him a suggestive wink. "Kill the light."

Donovan groaned. "I wish Casi hadn't lent us that movie." Suddenly he went pale. "God, that will be them."

Brittani got an attack of the giggles, remembering the movie Undercover Blues. "With baby in tow."

"Make that plural, I'm sure there will be twins somewhere in the offing."

Brittani laughed even harder. "Can't you see Joe doing that fighting trick with two strollers?"

Donovan groaned. "Oh God," he muttered. He sighed and shook his head. "You know, I can." Before he could say anything more, the telephone rang again. "Oh shit." He reached out and grabbed the cordless phone. "Hello?.....No, you didn't. Is something wrong?......Well, you want me to ease your conscience or tell you the truth?"

Brittani frowned. "Donovan, who is that?"

"You probably should. I've already told the story twice....It's worse but on the good side, everything's okay now. I can't believe she did that." Donovan frowned and mouthed the word, Dad, to Brittani as he listened. "I didn't know that. So when she has the nightmares---?.....But why doesn't she tell someone?.....Oh." Donovan told the story again, then added, "Marc went over there this evening. It's much later there, nearly two-thirty in the morning, so technically it's October thirty-first in Romania....Yeah, well, that's what I said.....Yeah, Marc had just left her and Joe, so he wasn't out of the loop....I don't know. If Casi didn't blow up at Marc showing up over there, she might not blow up if you and Mom do."

Brittani shook her head and went back to the bathroom to blow dry her hair. Donovan watched her leave and sighed. "Yeah, well, gingerly might be a good approach right now....All right. Bye." He hung up the phone and went into the bathroom. "Now where were we?" he whispered, stopping Brittani from plugging the hair dryer in the socket.

She set the dryer down and turned around. "Ready for bed," she said with a grin.

"No more talk of movies." He lowered his head and kissed her and for the briefest moments felt an odd kind of fear--how would he cope if he lost Brittani? He shoved the thought out of his mind and pulled her close. That wasn't going to happen. He wouldn't let it.....

***

31 October 2003

Bucaresti, Romania

2:41 am

Casi opened her eyes slowly, not remembering when she'd fallen asleep. His beating heart was loud in her ear, slow and rhythmic. She felt his arms snug around her and the rightness of it made tears fill her eyes. She was so tired--from what happened, from fighting to convince him they were better off together than apart--all she wanted to do was fall back asleep. Then it registered why she'd awakened to begin with--someone was in the room.

Carefully, she angled her head to see who it was. When she got a good look, she sat up so fast it jarred her shoulder. The sudden movement roused Joe. "Casi?"

She stared at the tall dark-haired man, then her gaze went to the auburn-haired woman and a chill swept over her.

"Casi." Joe sat up to look at her, then noticed their visitors. "What the--?"

"Joe, this is Dorian Thayer. The real Dorian Thayer and she is--"

"Fiala Quirin." Joe said, looking equally unsettled.

Casi glanced at him puzzled, but it was the woman who spoke first. "We did not intend to startle you."

Casi could hear the faintest of English accents. "But....you look just like---"

Fiala smiled gently. "Sometimes one does not have the luxury of keeping one's true name through the centuries."

Joe frowned. "Excuse me?"

"We merely wanted to see you safe," said Dorian. He gave a courtly nod. "And together."

Casi found herself at a loss for words. Joe took her hand in his, then looked at the man. "I guess we should thank you." It almost sounded like a question.

Fiala smiled. "We were in the right place at the right time. I am curious. What is your true name?"

Joe cleared his throat. "Joseph MacKensey."

Fiala's smile turned sad. "My true name is Aubrey Collins."

Dorian touched her shoulder gently, lovingly. He nodded to Casi and Joe. "My true love." He smiled. "You brought us together. We only wanted to do the same for you."

"Thank you," said Casi softly.

Dorian nodded. "Live well, love well."

An impish look crossed Fiala's face. "In other words, 'live long and prosper'."

Joe's eyes widened, then he grinned. "We will."

Casi blushed. "Um, it's family tradition to have a....sunrise wedding."

Fiala shook her head. "Do not worry. We are content to see you together, safe and well."

Joe relaxed against his pillows. "Again, thank you."

"You are most welcome," said Fiala. "And I believe I know the answer now."

"Answer?" asked Joe, puzzled.

"I asked you who do you trust when you can't trust yourself." Fiala nodded to Casi. "You trust her."

Joe took a deep breath. "Yes."

"We will go now and let you rest," said Dorian.

Casi took a deep breath. "Thank you." She watched them leave, then turned to Joe. "Okay...."

"That was weird."

Casi relaxed against him and yawned. "We can deal with it when we're awake."

"You're saying we're not?"

"It was weird enough to be a dream."

Joe pulled her close and kissed her. "Then let's dream we're going back to sleep."

"Hmm, you read my mind."

They settled back down on the small bed. In a few minutes, Casi was asleep, but Joe stared up at the ceiling, wondering....

***

31 October 2003

Bucaresti, Romania

8:02 am

"I don't think this is such a good idea," whispered Natalya Corwen.

"Look, no one knows we even went there and the ones who do won't talk." Gilbert Henerik shrugged. "Slate's clean, the bastard's dead."

"And Ailsa Haines?"

"We solved the murder, Nat. Her killer committed suicide, whatever. Problem solved itself."

Natalya grunted and moved away from her partner's desk as a tall, blond haired man walked into the room. His hair was curly and long and his clothes were faded, strategically ripped and cut. He looked like he'd walked out of some MTV video. Natalya turned to walk to him and he met her halfway. "Hey," he said. "I'm looking for the two inspectors that helped my sister, Casi." He held out a hand. "I'm Marc MacFairlaigne."

"Inspector Natalya Corwen and that would be me and my partner."

"I wanted to say thank you."

Gilbert nodded, then looked past Marc and frowned. "Oh, it's you."

"Sorry to intrude. I merely wondered if there was anything else that could be of assistance. Such as any accomplices, compatriots..."

Marc turned to see a man with dark brown hair, dressed impeccably in a three-piece suit. A long umbrella dangled from one arm and he waved it around like a walking stick. He looked at Marc. "Ah, you must the brother--the musician, am I right?"

Marc frowned. "Do I know you?"

"Emerson Whitfield. I'm sure you know my brother, Chandler."

"Oh. What are you doing here?"

Emerson shook his head. "Ah, ah, personal business. And you?"

"Checking on Casi."

"Ah, understandable. Where's the other gentleman then?"

Marc arched an eyebrow. "Who?"

"He means me," came Ethan's voice as he walked into the squad room.

Marc snorted. "You are no gentleman."

"At least I made an honest woman out of your sister."

Marc grunted. "You mean Cat made an honest man out of you."

Ethan shrugged. "Whatever. I need to get home."

"What's the rush?" asked Marc.

Ethan gave him a look usually reserved for idiots. "If I don't your sister will not be happy to see me. Especially empty handed--especially today."

"Today?" asked Emerson. "Today, I believe is All Hallow's Eve. Halloween." He got a puzzled look on his face. "You buy presents on Halloween? I thought only the Addams family celebrated Halloween like that."

"When it's my wife's birthday, I do," stated Ethan, nudging Marc hard.

Marc's eyes widened. "Oh shit," he said suddenly, loudly, making everyone jump. "Casi. It's Casi's birthday--and Cat's. How the hell could I forget?"

Natalya frowned. "Your sisters were born on Halloween?"

"Yes."

Emerson raised both eyebrows. "Interesting." He cocked his head to one side. "Well, I don't think it fair if your sister is deprived of her birthday celebration." He looked at Natalya. "Perhaps you can recommend a bakery that will make a birthday cake on such short notice."

"I know just the place," said Gil. "I eat breakfast there every day. I'll even take you."

"Presents. I have to buy presents. One for you to take to Cat," added Marc, pointing to Ethan.

"Fine. Just hurry. I want to get home."

"Well, since you don't want to go home empty-handed, you'll have to come with me."

Ethan sighed. "Fine." He glanced at Natalya. "Are there any places I can shop for birthday presents? Some place reasonable?"

Natalya nodded. "Yes. Come with me."

"I'll call Miranda, have her get the necessary celebration acoutrements," said Emerson. "I just love planning parties. Oh, I need to get back to the Hanul Manuc for a moment, then we'll go."

Gil nodded and grabbed his keys. "Let's go."

The two men headed for the underground garage and soon Gil was on his way to the inn, with a chatty Emerson by his side. By the time he reached the inn and Emerson got out, Gil was tempted to leave the man there. Emerson walked into the lobby and glanced into the restaurant but didn't see his brother. A moment's thought led him to the small dim bar. "Ahh, Chandler, isn't it a wee bit early for the liquor?"

Chad reared back and nearly fell off the stool. "Emerson! How's th' reunion?"

"Chandler, are you drunk?"

"O'course not. Wot makes you think that?" Chandler blinked rapidly and finally focused both eyes on his younger brother. "Ye're lookin' dapper, little brother."

Emerson walked up the bar and signaled the bartender for coffee. The bartender nodded. He took the half-full glass of Scotch whiskey away from Chandler and set the large cup of dark coffee in front of him. Chad stared at it like it was a snake. "Whazz is?"

"Black coffee. You need it."

Chandler glanced at his brother again. "You know I bloody well hate coffee." Chad shook his head and felt dizzy. "Don't like coffee. Don't drink it. D'ye have--?" The dizziness intensified and his stomach lurched.. He waved to the bartender. "Excuse me, good sir...which way--" His stomach tried to turn itself inside out. "Which way to the loo?"

The bartender pointed and Chad patted the bar in lieu of nodding. Too much motion..."Whiskey on an empty stomach---not a good idea." He managed a wave to his brother and bolted for the restroom.

Emerson sighed and just shook his head. Perhaps it was best if Chad didn't make an appearance. Things were strained enough already. He sighed and left the inn and got back into the vehicle with Henerik. "Now show me where that bakery is."

"Will do."

***

Natalya spent the better part of the next hour watching the two men argue over what to buy each woman. The brother had the knowledge of long association with his sisters while the other man knew things about his wife that no family member would know. Finally, she stepped up to them. "Keep it up and someone will call the local constabulary. And I'll be quite embarrassed."

Ethan sighed and glanced at Marc. "Look, I know what Cathy likes and I know you do too but we have to do what's best."

"Meaning?"

"She's my wife now, I think I know what she's going for right now."

"Right," said Marc, sounding unconvinced. He gestured to the antiques scattered over the myriad tables. "Have at it."

"Thank you." In a matter of five minutes, Ethan had found a small apothecary chest, full of tiny drawers. "Cathy will have a ball restoring this."

Marc grunted and picked out some glittering jewelry. "Here. This is from me."

"Great. Now what about the sister who's here?" asked Natalya, trying to stay cheerful.

The two men started arguing again and Natalya sighed. She leaned against the fender of her car and shook her head. She'd probably have been better off going with the Englishman. It probably would have been quieter.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.