END OF PART 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Jessie laid in the bed listening to Jonny's deep and steady breathing.  She
slowly rubbed her hand down her bare arms, trying to keep a chill away that
seemed to come from inside of her instead of from the room.  She sighed and
rolled over so she was cuddled into her husband's back.  She wished he was
awake, but she knew he had to be up early for work in the morning.  There
seemed to be something lurking in the dark shadows of the room.  She wasn't
afraid because she was confident that she could take care of herself if she
needed to, but there was something definitely wrong.
      "Jessica."  She heard her name and thought Jonny was awake.
      "Jonny, I thought you were asleep."
      "Jessica."  A chill ran down to her toes as she realized the voice came
from behind her in the corner.
      "Binx?"  She quickly sat up and turned toward the dark, but there wasn't
anything to be seen.
      "Jess?"  Jonny sat up alarmed and put an arm around her.  "Is someone in
here?"
      She shook her head.  "No.  I thought I heard Binx."  Jonny let out a sigh
of relief and dropped his hand onto the bed.
      "I'm sorry honey."
      "No, it's okay."  She laid her head on his shoulder.  "I guess it's just
time that I tell Emily everything."
      Jonny brushed her hair from her face and looked her deep in the eyes.  "Do
you want me to be there?"
      "No.  I know talking about Binx makes you feel uncomfortable."  He kissed
her and pushed her back slowly until he laid above her.  He pulled away and
watched her in the dim glow of the night before he continued.
      "I love you too much to be threatened by a dead man."  She smiled and
wrapped her arms around his neck.
      "Dead or alive, you wouldn't have anything to worry about."
      "Then let me be there."  She studied his face for a moment, then nodded.
      "We'll talk to her first thing in the morning before you go to work."

      Emily turned toward the sound of her name and she was pulled into a kiss
that left her heart soaring.  Just as she pulled away to see the stranger's
face she heard the painful sting of the phone ringing next to her head.  She
quickly woke from the dream to pick up the phone.
      "Hello?"
      "Emily, it's Nancy.  Get your ass out of bed and come over to my house."
      Emily rubbed her eyes and looked at her window.  "Damn it Nancy, the sun
isn't even up yet."
      "I know, but we're both off today and I want to make sure we have plenty of
time to get there."
      "Where."  She asked with a yawn.
      "Sandy Mountain."
      "Sandy Mountain?  Isn't that the small lake with the huge cliffs circling
halfway around it?"  Nancy giggled.
      "Sure is."  With a groan Emily stood up next to her bed and stretched.
      "I'll be there in a little while."
      "See ya soon."  About a half hour later Emily walked out her front door and
headed for her car.  The sun was just starting to rise in the East.  The air
was fresh and crisp as she drove out for Nancy's place.
      "Where's Emily?"  Jessie asked as she walked into the kitchen.  Jonny held
up a note and handed it to her.
      "She went to spend her day off with Nancy."
      "Damn."  Jessie sighed and grabbed a cup of coffee.  "I guess it can wait a
little longer."

      The two girls rode in Nancy's red Dodge truck with the windows down as the
radio blared.  Emily let the cool summer breeze run through her fingers as
her arm hung halfway out the passenger window.  They had spent the day
driving to a town an hour away and swam at a beautiful lake.  They jumped
from the cliffs and dove into the cool water.  Emily remembered the first
time she had gone there many years ago.  Her mother hated Emily jumping from
the cliffs, but she always felt like she was flying.
      "So,"  Nancy glanced over at Emily.  "You never told me how your night with
Zachary went."
      "It was pretty cool."  Emily answered. "He was very polite, and his place
was just beautiful."
      "Did you guys kiss?"
      "Nancy!"  Her friend started laughing.
      "Well you were alone with this cute, no gorgeous guy all afternoon and you
didn't at least kiss the guy."
      "No, he knows that I'm dating David."
      "You told him?"  Nancy slapped her forehead.  "Why?"
      "He deserves to know that we could never be anything but friends.  Hell, I
barely even know the guy."
      "But he's sooooo cute."  Emily felt a twinge in her stomach, and she
dismissed it.
      "No, David's my boyfriend, and I'm not going to cheat on him."
      "I would."  Emily shot a smile to her friend.
      "You?  I thought you had some huge crush on David?"  Nancy wasn't too
surprised by Emily's accusation.
      "Damn that sixth sense you got."  She paused.  "Yeah I think David's cute,
but this Zachary really seems to like you."
      "You think?"  Emily tried to hide the smile that was forcing itself on the
corners of her lips.
      "Oh yeah, definitely."  They were both quiet as each drifted off in
thought.
      "I don't want to fall for Zachary."  Emily broke in finally.
      "Then don't.  Always follow your gut instinct."  After a moment Emily
nodded to herself.
      "I'm not going to cheat on David.  I love him."  Though she spoke those
words, they didn't have the same affect on her as they once did.  It wasn't
long before the quiet car ride left Emily lost in thought.  Lost in the
evening that she spent with Zachary.
      "We're here."  Nancy announced as they approached the outskirts of their
hometown.  "I want to run by work for a second so I can check my schedule."
      "That's fine."  They pulled up to Max's Video, and Nancy killed the engine.
      "Do you want to come in too."  Emily shook her head.
      "No, I just want to sit here for a minute."  Nancy opened her door and
jumped out.
      "I'll be back in a second."  When she disappeared inside, Emily laid her
head on the seal of the window.  Her head was swimming with thoughts and
memories of David, but then she felt something when she thought of Zachary.
      "Maybe it's all in my head."  She whispered to her reflection on the
passenger rearview mirror.
      "Emily?"  She turned and saw Zachary walk up to her from behind.  Her heart
stopped and her stomach twisted violently.
      "Zachary, what are you doing here?"  He held up his tape.
      "I was turning in Firestarter.  Are you off today?"  She sat up straight
and brushed her bangs from her face as she tried to control her heart beat.
      "Yeah, but  I work tomorrow morning."  He nodded and turned toward the
store.
      "Well I better go turn this in."  As he approached the door, Nancy walked
out and almost ran into him.  When she excused herself she shot Emily a look
that only another girl would have been able to read.  Emily swallowed hard
and called out to Zachary.
      "Um, Zach."  He turned to her and she froze for a second.
      "Yes?"
      "Would you like to do something tonight?"  He took a few steps toward her
and shrugged.
      "Sure, like what?"  Nancy got into the truck and Emily glanced at her
friend hoping that she would jump in and help.
      "Well,"  Emily began.  "Do you like to play pool?  I go to Paul's Billiard
and play sometimes."
      "Sounds like fun.  I'll be there at eight."  Emily slowly nodded.
      "Okay, see you then."  He turned and walked into the store and Emily let
out a loud sigh.
      "Ha, I knew it!"  Nancy exclaimed.  "You like him."
      "No,"  Emily protested.  "You gave that 'if -you -don't- ask -him -out,-
I'll- kick -your- ass' look.  I had to."
      Nancy smiled.  "Yeah, you did.  Because if you hadn't asked him out, I
would have kicked your ass."
      Emily sighed again to relieve the pressure building in her chest.  "Let's
go home before you have me asking some little twelve year old to take me bar
hopping."
      "No way.  I'd have you ask some cute guys out for me next time."
 

      Late that night, Emily walked up to her room as she played the night she
had with Zachary in her mind.  After playing pool they sat in his car and
talked for two hours.  He was so smart and she found they had a lot in
common.  There was even a part of the conversation when he asked about
David.  He didn't seem bothered when she talked about how they had met and
about their relationship since.  As she opened her bedroom door she thought
about how he would hold the door open for her as they walked around the pool
hall.  In a way she wished that she had kissed him goodbye, but she let him
lead her to her car, close the door, then just walk away.  She sat on the
edge of her bed and rubbed her temples with her finger tips.
      "Oh what I'm I doing?"  Just then her phone rang.  "Hello?"
      "Emily it's Nancy.  How long have you been home?"
      "I just sat down."
      "Damn girl you've been gone for a while."
      "I know."
      "So, how did it go?"
      "Pretty good I guess."  She slipped off her shoes and laid flat on her back
on top of the covers.
      "Did you have fun at least?"
      "Yeah, I had a blast."
      "Good, you can give me details tomorrow at work.  Okay?"
      "Sure Nancy."  There was beep as another call tried to cut in.  "I've got a
beep.  I'll just talk to you tomorrow."
      "All right, bye."  Emily clicked over to the other line.
      "Hello?"
      "Emily."
      "David, how are you tonight?"  She asked.
      "Tired.  My feet are burning from walking all day."
      "Did you ride many rides today?"
      "Everyone they had there."
      "That's great."
      "I miss you baby.  I was thinking about you all day."
      Emily felt a twinge of guilt when she heard the urgency in his voice.  "I
thought about you a lot today too.  I can't wait for you to come home."  She
really did miss him and wanted him there, but on the other hand, she was
having fun with Zachary.
      "I might come back a little earlier than I thought.  I'm still not sure yet
though.  My sister and her husband like using me to watch the kids for a
while, but I'm not so good with kids."
      "I know.  You're still young and want to have fun."
      "That's it."  He exclaimed a little more firmly.  "I'm going crazy.  I want
to be there with you."
      Emily giggled.  "You've only been gone for two days."
      "I know."  He sighed.  "Just listening to you on the phone makes me feel
better, but my sister is going to have a cow when she gets this bill.  I
better let you go before she catches me cuddling up in her kitchen hugging
her phone."
      "David, you're goofy sometimes."
      "But that's why you love me, right?"
      "Yeah David,"  She paused.  "That's one of the reasons."
      "Goodnight Emily.  I miss you."
      "I miss you to.  Goodnight."  Emily hung the phone up and dropped her hand
onto her chest.  Her head was heavy with thoughts and questions.  She cared
so much for David.  She didn't want to lose the great love and history
between them, but she couldn't deny the strong feelings she was developing
for Zachary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Nancy looked up from her register and watched Zach walk in.  "Hi Nancy.  Is
Emily in today?"
      "Nope.  She called in sick."  He seemed surprised.
      "Is she okay?"
      "Oh yeah.  I guess she got sick swimming yesterday with me."  He nervously
played with a piece of paper on the counter.
      "Do you know her number?"  Nancy made a lopsided grin as she looked down at
his hands.
      "Well...I dunno.  I hardly know you.  How can I be sure you're not some
rapist or murderer after my best friend?"
      "Well, then dial her number and let me talk to her with you right here."
      "Deal."  She answered quickly and pulled a phone from under the counter and
sat it between them.  She dialed the number quickly and handed him the
phone.
      "Hello?"  Emily's voice was gruff on the other line.
      "Emily are you okay?"
      "Zachary?"  She asked as she attempted to clear her throat.
      "I'm all right.  My throat is swollen pretty bad.  I get like this fairly
often.  How did you get my number?"
      "I came to see you at work, but you weren't here.  Then Nancy dialed for
me.  She doesn't want me to know your number."  She laughed weakly.
      "Oh Nancy's very protective of me."  He turned to Nancy and watched her
cross her arms across her chest.
      "I can tell.  So did you have fun last night?"
      "Of course I did."
      "Me too.  Well, if you start to feel better, let me know."
      "I will.  Thanks for calling Zach.  You're a great friend."  He smiled
sadly to himself and closed his eyes.
      "No problem.  Get some sleep."
      "Bye."  He hung up the phone and handed it to Nancy who studied him
closely.
      "What's wrong?"  She asked.
      "Nothing."  He shrugged.  "She was glad I called and said I was a good
friend."
      She nodded.  "I see."
      "Well, I better get going."  He walked out of the store into the beautiful
summer afternoon feeling a little disappointed.
      "How's it going brother?"  Zach didn't even look up when Trevor suddenly
appeared next to him.
      "Trevor."  He acknowledged him but continued walking.
      "You're not even going to say hi to me?"  He asked.
      "Why?  So you can piss me off again?"  Trevor only smiled sweetly to his
little brother.
      "You sure hold grudges.  If you want an apology than, I'm sorry.  I didn't
mean to make my favorite Full Blood angry."  Zachary only glanced at his
face to see if he could find any sign of sincerity in what he said.
      "You know I can't actually stay mad at you for too long."  Trevor started
laughing and patted him on the back.
      "So how are things with Emily going?"
      "Wouldn't you like to know."  Zachary said as he stepped into the start of
the woods.
      "Do you believe in the Prince Binx legend?"  Trevor asked.  Zach stopped
and turned to his brother who leaned on a tree with his arms crossed across
his chest.
      "Why do you ask?"
      "You seem so determined to have Emily.  There are a lot of other Bloods you
could mess with that are just as pretty but are aware of their powers.  Why
do you mess with her?"  Zachary didn't say a word as his brother walked up
to him.  "So I got to thinking.  You are the sappy type to believe that
there is one Royal Blood running around with enough power to control and
rule all the Bloods on the planet.  Do you think it's Emily?"
      "That's silly."  Zachary said as he let out an annoyed snicker.  "Every
Blood knows that Prince Binx never really existed.  How could any being be
so powerful?"
      "It could happen.  The original Bloods couldn't even walk in sunlight, but
here you and I are."  Trevor waved his arms open.  "The day is beautifully
sunny, yet neither one of us feels like burning like a match.  We're
becoming more powerful every generation already.  Who's to say that there is
someone more evolved then us?"
      "If you feel like chasing little fairies and Bigfoot, go ahead."  Zachary
said coldly and, Trevor seemed angry by the comment.
      "I know you can block your thoughts from me, but you don't have to shut me
out completely."
      "Butt out of my business Trevor.  You only want to know what I'm up to so
you can ruin it for me.  It's bad enough you showed up to tell me and mom
that you were my father's son.  Your mother slept with him on the day before
my parent's wedding."
      "Damn you make me sound like some jack-ass off of Jerry Springer."
      "Sometimes my life feels like a tasteless show.  Someone, somewhere is
having one hell of a laugh at my expense."
      "Like it's my fault what our father did.  Yes he was our father, get over
it."
      "Go to hell Trevor.  Don't try to act all cool and confident with me.  I
know how you really are.  I've seen it many times these last few years.
You're like a buzzard.  You set off to the side waiting for someone to screw
up for you to swoop on in and take what you want.  You're only waiting for
that right moment."
      "You know Zachary,"  Trevor began.  "You underestimate me.  I'm not the
enemy here.  I've been watching you, but I have never had any intention of
cheating you."
      "Sure Trevor,"  Zach answered with little emotion.  "Why don't you do me a
favor and leave me alone."
      "No problem."  Trevor disappeared with a thunderclap that shook the ground
below Zachary's feet.  Zach felt a little guilty for taking his frustrations
out on his brother.  He was  more upset about Emily's "You're a good
friend."  comment.  Maybe he was kidding himself.  How could she love him?
To her, he was a monster in disguise.  He couldn't be the one to tell her.
She wouldn't believe it.  With a sigh he continued his walk.
      "Maybe I should start driving."  He commented to himself out loud.  He
pictured himself behind the wheel, jerking it toward a bridge.  He shook the
image away in his mind.  He was better than these thoughts.  He headed for
home.  Alone.

END OF 4
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Sector Q
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