“So, are we ready to have that discussion now?” Cash asked as he jumped up on the table, making himself comfortable, he had the feeling this was going to be a long, long night.

“Is Dimitri safely tucked in?” Raul asked, not looking up from the pile of parchments that were in front of him.

“Yep, snug as a bug in a rug, as Siobhan would say.” Cash smirked, “Why are you suddenly so concerned about him?”

“I’m concerned about all of us Cash,” Raul sighed, rubbing his eyes and standing up. “To many things have been happening, too many ‘coincidences’ as it were.”

Cash nodded, “Does this mean you’re finally ready to tell me who the spy is?” he asked, trying not to sound accusing or angry.

Raul gave him a lop-sided grin as he sat on the table next to Cash, “About that, and a few other things as well……. I owe you an apology Cash, several actually.”

“Closer to a dozen, but who’s counting” Cash smirked, relieved to see the sparkle back in Raul’s eyes.

“Obviously you are.” Raul countered, trying not to laugh, “Alright, I apologize for my comments, behaviour, and unkind thoughts,…. Does that cover it?”

Cash laughed softly as he hugged Raul, “Yea, I’d say that about covers it.” after a few moments, they separated and Cash asked, “So, care to tell me what brought about this sudden change?”

Looking a bit bashful, Raul explained. “Angel,…she came back to the school today, she called out for you, but you didn’t hear her. Actually I barely heard her, she’s still quite weak.” he stated before Cash could become upset. “I took her back to Albus’s office, Arthur Weasley and she came back to speak to Albus about what had happened.”

“I know I’ve been acting badly Cash, but you have to understand, it wasn’t just that YOU weren’t coming to me, it was also the thought that she didn’t need me here anymore. I hate to feel useless, and even worse, I despise the feeling that I have let someone I truly care about down. I thought that was what had happened, that I had disappointed Angel, and she didn’t want or need me here anymore, and that is why you were going behind my back and taking charge of things.”

“You thought I was going behind your back?!” Cash asked, somewhat shocked by the idea.

“You discussed ‘nothing’ with me. All I knew was that suddenly my Gangrels were taking orders from you, orders I knew nothing about.” Raul explained, “Add that to the fact that we are supposed to be here to protect her, and she was the one who saved us….” he shrugged his shoulders, “And then when the hunters showed up and wanted to speak to ‘you’ and not me…..”

“I explained all of that to you before,” Cash sighed, “and I seem to recall making it very, very clear, I no longer wanted to lead. I’ve done the Primogen thing, and I can’t split my loyalties like that. MacLeod is my primary concern, always has been, always will be.” he stated unapologetically.

“I realized that, I just guess until I heard her say it, I wasn’t sure I could believe you.”

“Heard her say what?” Cash asked,

“Heard her say she still needs me here, still wants and values me.” he admitted sheepishly. “I told her the hunters had arrived and she hugged me. She told me Daithi didn’t think he could get them here so quickly. I saw the relief on her face when she confessed she was terrified that the Tremere may break though her spells and escaped the area.”

“Whoa!!! Break through ‘her’ spells? Galloping ghouls, no wonder she hasn’t been healing as quickly as she should. She’s still trying to hold together things across dimensions, dammit, she’s lucky she hasn’t passed out by now.” Cash bellowed, then suddenly became quiet, staring intently at Raul, “Did you say she was here today, as in she apparated here.”

“I assume that’s how she and Arthur arrived.” Raul nodded

“Great, she’s going down for the count on this one.” Cash smirked, “that’s a bit too much even for her. I hope Sirius can handle this one.” shaking his head as Raul stared at him, Cash explained. “Think about it, she zapped back into the school while most of the Tremere’s spells were still active, had a temper tantrum and easily wiped out most of Voldemort’s death eaters. Saved me, healed her son and husband, and then apparated two full grown wizards, her son and herself back home. And somewhere in between all of that, she managed to find time to put up containment spells to keep Gustavas here until Brutus arrived. Now she’s holding spells together here, back home, and apparating ….. She’s burning the candle at both ends. That husband of hers is going to have to have a long talk with her about this when she finally wakes up.”

Raul chuckled, “I mentioned her ‘husband’ to her, she tells me I’m spending too much time with you, that she has no husband.”

“Give it time, I’d say the chances are mighty high she’ll be married when she comes back.” Cash winked, “Now, about this spy…..or was that just to get me going?”

Leaning back and sighing deeply, Raul shook his head, “No, I am fairly certain I know exactly who the spy is. He knew every move we made, he knew when Angel was leaving, he even knew the other betrayer intimately……”

Cat smiled as they apparated on the porch, it felt so good to be back home. The Weasleys’ had been wonderful and great fun, but she needed her family, she needed to rest, she needed……

“Cat!!! Harry!!!” Sirius yelled as he burst out onto the porch, “I’ve been waiting for you two for hours. Did you have fun?” he asked Harry, tussling his hair as Harry grinned up at him. “What about you Cat? Did you enjoy spending some time with Molly and Arth……Cat?” Sirius paused and pushed the hair off of her face as one arm instinctively wrapped around her. “Gra? Are you alright? You’re looking very pale.” He didn’t know what to say when she leaned against his chest, nuzzling against him and sighing deeply.

Sirius gave Harry and inquisitive look, seeing Harry shrug his shoulders, Sirius closed his eyes and stroked Cat’s long, soft hair. “Come on, it’s too cold out here, let’s go inside and get warm.” he all but whispered as they walked inside. Sirius left Harry to his own devices as he took Cat to her room at Orpha‘s request Once they were out of earshot, Sirius tilted Cat‘s head towards his own. “Are you alright gra? Are you sick or anything?”

“No, just very, very tired, and this is the first time in a very long time I can truly let down my defences and sleep.” Cat explained as she yawned. She almost followed that with a yelp as Sirius scooped her up in his arms and carried her to her room. “Siri? What are you doing?”

“I don’t want you to get sick again, I still cringe every time I think about how close I came to losing you a few weeks ago.”

“I’m not sick and no one is losing me.” she sighed, placing her head on his chest so she could listen to his heart. “Although I appreciate the lift” she added softly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Any time gra” Sirius whispered as his heart melted, it felt so wonderful to hold her like this, and not just physically. Even during the few times he had held her, comforted her through the night, she had never actually accepted his help, she had been unconscious or in the throws of a vision. But this time, this time she was awake and alert and willingly allowing him to take care of her. Seeing her bedroom door, Sirius grinned widely “So does this mean I get to carry you over the threshold?”

Cat laughed softly, “Just as long as you don’t get any ideas about starting a honeymoon.” she teased, laughing even harder as Sirius attempted to look innocent. “Not even on your best day could you convince me you are an innocent babe Sirius Black.”

“Really?….Fine, I’ll settle for the babe part then, ….can’t be picky at my age.” Sirius shot back, laughing deeply as Cat groaned and rolled her eyes. He carried her over the threshold of her bedroom and gently placed her on the bed, tucking her in as they spoke softly. As much as he knew he should leave, he just couldn’t bring himself to go, especially when he saw the way she kept staring at him. Taking her hand in his, he sat on the bed, stroking her cheek as her deep, green eyes looked into his own.

“I supposed I should go,” he whispered softly, “I don’t want Duncan to have to live up to his threats. He’s thought up a few new ones by the way, ask him to run them past you tomorrow, I’m sure you’ll be impressed, they’re rather inventive actually.” he winked.

“Duncan wouldn’t harm you and you know it.” Cat replied as she held onto his hand, “My clan adores you, they want you to join us, they keep calling you Harry’s father.” she added softly.

“I know” Sirius smiled, “and I’ve also noticed both I and you stopped correcting them by the first night. I like the sound of it gra, I like the idea of being someone’s father,” he confessed as he kissed her hand. “But if they call me his father, and you his mother….what exactly does that make ‘us’, if I may be so bold.”

Instead of replying, Cat pulled Sirius down to her and kissed him tenderly on his lips. Just as she released him and attempted to end the moment, Sirius deepened the kiss, combing his fingers through her hair as he lifted her from the bed, holding her tightly against his chest. After a minute or two, he pulled away, panting softly as he nuzzled against her neck. “Don’t tease me Catrianna,…don’t give me hope if there isn’t any.”

“I can’t promise you anything Sirius, you know that,” Cat whispered back breathlessly, “it’s no longer my decision, its…”

“I know, …..maybe I should go now, before things go too far.” he suggested, although he made no move to release her from his embrace.

“Sirius….I….I don’t want you to go,” Cat admitted softly, “I’m not ready to share myself with you, not yet. But I miss you, I miss having you near me, I always felt safe and loved when I knew you were near.” She showered the back of his neck with soft kisses as she heard him sniffle quietly. “You don’t have to go Sirius, I can’t share myself with you, but I’ll gladly share my slumber.”

Lifting his head off of her shoulder, he cupped her face in his hands, “Are you sure Gra? Completely sure? The last thing I want to do is push this. I love you too much to even chance it.” his heart fluttered as she smiled lovingly at him. Moving over to make room, she gently patted the empty space on the bed as she pulled down the covers.

Sirius felt his heart melt for the second time that night. It didn’t matter that they were both fully dressed, save for their shoes, it didn’t matter that she wasn’t prepared to physically consummate their relationship, this meant much more than that. This meant that her heart still beat for his, that she knew he would protect her, cherish her and respect her wishes, but most of all, it meant she trusted him and what was love without trust.

“May I at least hold you?” he asked softly as he opened his arms to her. Seeing her smile, he smiled back as she snuggled against his chest, making herself comfortable as they both drifted off to a deep and needed sleep. ……

Cash and Raul walked quietly down the halls, each mulling over what had been said. “You still disagree with me, don’t you?” Raul asked, his voice even and calm.

Cash nodded, “I know he hasn’t been with us very long, but Angel trusts him. He’s a bother at times, but a good kid, I can’t imagine he’s the spy. I honestly don’t believe he would ever betray her, …us ‘maybe’, but her…no.”

“I hope you are right my friend, I honestly do” Raul sighed, “but until we know for certain, I must ask that you not share information with him that may compromise our mission here. After all, it may well mean the lives of our Clan, and of Angel and her son.”

Cash paused, as if reflecting on Raul’s request, then slowly nodded his head. “You’re right, no matter how sure I feel, I have no proof one way or the other. And needless to say, I won’t risk any lives over it.” He was about to say more, but instead grabbed Raul by his arm and pulled him against the wall, placing his finger over the Primogen’s lips as he motioned for Raul to look down the hall.

Raul smiled and nodded, signalling to Cash he understood and would be quiet. Peering down the long, dark corridor, they saw Desiree, the Caitiff Primogen watching Cobryn as he familiarized himself with the castle. Raul smirked as he looked at Cash ~so, watching or stalking?~ he thought.

~stalking~ Cash thought back to him ~but whether for knowledge or ‘something else’ I can’t say~.

Raul and Cash laughed silently as they hid in the shadows like two little boys spying on their sister. In fact, they were so engrossed in watching Desiree watch Cobryn, they never heard the nearly silent footsteps of the two Roma approaching them…….

Fallon elbowed Erich as they made their way to check up on Dimitri, “Over there, isn’t that the one Dimitri goes on about?”

“You mean Cash?” Erich replied, narrowing his eyes as he peered into the darkness. “Yes, that’s him, . …. He seems awfully fond of you I might add.” he hinted.

“You might, then again, I be inclined to pinch you.” Fallon teased, trying not to laugh as Erich pretended to give her the evil eye. “stop, they’ll hear us.”

“I’m surprised they haven’t already” Erich smirked, “I wonder what’s holding their attention.” ..…

Desiree quickly pressed herself against the cold stone walls as Cobryn turned abruptly, scanning the area she had just been standing in. He was good, very good, the last two hunters she had ‘dealt’ with hadn’t even felt her presence, let alone had enough sense to figure out what she was up to. She continued to stalk the young Caitiff hunter, her eyes taking in every movement of his strong, lean body as he darted from one shadow to the next, presumably to search for signs of the Tremere. Although she had serious doubts as to what his ‘true’ intentions were, after all, Daithi wasn‘t exactly known for his charity or concern for others, however, he was well known for his use of spies and planted saboteurs to get what he wanted ….

Feeling mischievous, Fallon cast a charm over herself and Erich, making them appear as quiet and invisible as ghosts. Motioning to Erich to follow her, they made their way to the vampyres, gliding up to them so silently that neither Cash nor Raul had realized they were there until Fallon slowly reached out with her hands and tickled Cash in his ribs.

Fallon yelped and gasped as Cash twisted in her hands, easily capturing both of her wrists in one hand with a single swoop. In his other hand, a gleaming sword appeared, she only saw the flash of candle light on its metal edge before it was at her throat. She closed her eyes, waiting to feel the blade slice through the soft flesh of her throat as she heard Erich’s voice yell out in panic and anger.

“Fallon?” Cash gasped as the blade stopped a hair’s breath from her throat. “What are you doing?” he yelled, causing not only Raul to jump, but Desiree and Cobryn as well.

Fearing the questions that would follow if Cobryn spotted her, Desiree apparated about twenty feet behind Fallon so no one would realize she had been following him. She ran the distance quickly, arriving at Cash’s side at nearly the same time Cobryn did. “Cash!! What is it?”

Cash shook his head as he lowered his sword, “Nothing, just a few would be, or perhaps, almost-were ghosts trying to be funny.” he grimaced as he realized how close he had come to killing the Roma leader.

“Had I known you were armed and nervous, believe me, I wouldn’t have bothered.” Fallon replied as she quickly regained her voice and her dignity. “From what Dimitri had told me of you, I thought you would find it amusing.”

“I would,….if Raul and I weren’t just discussing security issues and wondering why we have people spying on one another.” he stated, giving Desiree a penetrating gaze. Hearing Raul clear his throat, Cash let that particular subject drop. “Isn’t it late for the two of you to be out and about?”

Trying to break the tension, Erich laughed and nodded his head in agreement, “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her, but its taken us so long to get here she apparently wants to see every inch of the castle tonight.”

Cash smirked, “Alright, fair enough, but what’s your excuse Erich?”