38: Truth and Consequence – Pt. 2

“What the hell are you doing here?” Cole growled as he opened his front door to find Derrick standing in the hallway. “Get lost before I stake you.”

Derrick smiled sinisterly and inched closer towards the threshold causing Cole to take one step back from the door. “Been reading up have we? Preparing for a war Cole? Because trust me when I say I’m decidedly better armed for whatever it is you think you can do to me but I didn’t come here looking for a fight. I came on Victoria’s behalf; she needs you.” 

“Really? What could she possibly want from me? She didn’t seem to care about being partnered with a monster or the fact that her association with you was placing her in direct danger. Oh yeah I’ve been reading. And I’ve in fact learned quite a bit about your kind. Like how you can’t be in direct sunlight without bursting into flames, how holy water and garlic affects your appetite and the proper way to shove a 12 inch stake through your gnarled up heart!”

“Oh yeah, something else I know, you can’t come into my home without proper invitation and since I have no plans of ever letting you set foot inside my place you can get…” Before Cole could finish his sentence, Derrick stepped over the threshold and inside of Cole’s apartment. “Whoa what the fuck? I thought you needed to be invited inside, how the hell did you do that?”

“You don’t remember? You graciously extended an invitation to me a while back and once welcomed, it’s eternal. Thanks pal.”

“Get the hell out of here before I…”

“Before you what? Scream bloody murder as I rip off each of your limbs and beat you with the bloody ends? We’ve already established what I am; don’t make me show you what I’m capable of.”

“L-look n-now I don’t want any trouble. So j-just turn around and leave.”

“Cole,” Derrick sighed with frustration as the man continued his broken record. “If I wanted to kill you your heart would have already been in the palm of my hand that first night you pissed me off on Victoria’s driveway.”

“Comforting thought. So then what the hell do you want?”

“As I said, Victoria needs your help and I’m here to make sure she gets it. She’s working a case that only someone with your resources can help her on.”

“Victoria doesn’t need me. She needs to have her head examined for trusting someone like you.”

“You’re right she probably does need a psych eval for ever falling for a sniveling little weasel of a man like you. You’re not worthy of her, you never were.”

“Say what?”

“You heard me. She was constantly singing your praises. Told me you’re a real stand up guy but that’s not what I see at all! You bailed on her at the first sign of trouble. Now what kind of man does that? Especially considering what she went through to save you from your ex.”

Cole stood quietly unable to respond to that accusation. And how could he? Derrick was right. He prided himself on being there when she needed him and when she called for him, he ran off without looking back. Cole sighed and closed the door before starting towards his kitchen. “Would you like a drink?” he offered in a shocking display of civility to the man who’d already invited himself into his home.

“No, I’m fine.”

Cole grabbed one beer from the fridge and popped the cap before circling back to his living room. Taking a swig from his bottle he looked over Derrick once more and leaned against the wall as he spoke. “How’s Vik doing?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself? She said you’ve been ignoring her calls since Friday.”

“Humph, I doubt she’d even take my calls at this point. It’s been almost a week.”

“And it would be what you deserve. But right now she’s drowning with this case. So do yourself a favor and grow a sack.” Snatching the handle of the door, Derrick made a hasty retreat from Cole’s apartment.

“Ahem,” Derrick cleared his throat behind Victoria and she turned with a start. “You know peeping into someone’s window is a crime, Detective. But if you’d like I could hurry inside, strip down to my knickers and walk passed the window a few times for you.”

“I-I wasn’t um…”

“Wow! You look incredible!” Derrick’s eyes flitted up and down her body and Victoria blushed beneath his scrutiny. His tongue involuntarily licked across his bottom lip as his gaze slowly raked up her chest stopping on her eyes with a look of hunger. “Is all this for me? I’m flattered!”

“A-are you ready to go?” she asked nervously beneath his smoldering gaze and watched him frown in confusion. “To Mike’s party? It’s tonight; I called and told you I was on the way. And why do you never answer when I call anyway? Am I on constant screening?”

Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, he noticed the two missed calls and sighed as he unmuted the ringer. “I’m sorry about that Victoria, I was in a meeting. But you have my complete attention now,” he smiled seductively and again she felt the warmth on her cheeks.

“Um, ok well the party started a half hour ago and while it’s ok to be fashionably late…”

“Say no more, let me just grab something from inside and we can get going.”

Victoria waited on the front stoop as Derrick hurried inside and grabbed a large bag from beside the staircase. “So this persistent need of yours to drive my jeep, that come from a sense of control or are you trying to tell me something about my driving?” she asked as he slid her keys from her hand and opened the passenger side door for her.

“Although it’s true I lost a few hairs from that white knuckled excursion where you narrowly avoided mowing down a little old lady and careening us into a 7-11, I prefer to drive because it gives me something to do other than stare at you or out the window like a mindless drone. Plus you’ve made it perfectly clear the settings on the dash are not the passenger’s source of entertainment.”

“You like to drive because I won’t let you change my radio station?”

“Enjoy staring at the sights Detective,” Derrick smirked and slid behind the steering wheel. After adjusting the radio to a classic jazz station, he pulled out of the driveway and followed the GPS direction.

“Victoria!” Mike smiled as he opened the door and pulled his partner into a tight hug. “So glad you made it and your plus one.”

“Derrick.”

“Right, I remember him, Derrick, nice to see you again. Well come in, everyone’s already here.” The deeper Victoria followed Mike into the townhouse the louder the music seemed to get.

“Your neighbors must know you’re a cop,” she shouted over a heavy metal rendition of Jingle Bell Rock. Mike turned with a grin and pointed her towards the den. Just inside the kitchen doorway a group of guys from work were going on about the latest game while guzzling down bottles of beer. Beside the Christmas tree in the living room sat their wives or significant others all discussing what they expected to find under the tree this year.

Victoria smiled as Mike’s niece Tina came around with a tray of assorted hors d’oeuvres. She was dressed like a little elf complete with pointy shoes. Piles of gifts were stacked near the fireplace all marked with a name of someone at the party and Victoria quickly tucked her gift to Mike in the stack with the others.

Just inside were officers she’d worked with, some from her unit and some from others throughout the department. She smiled and waved in her Captain’s direction when he turned with acknowledgement to her as he spoke to who she assumed to be Mike’s girlfriend. Mike had excused himself to the kitchen where fresh baked cookies were being pulled from the oven and she watched as he tested the batch.

Pulling out the bag he’d brought with him, Derrick also added a present to the mound. “You bought Mike something?” Victoria asked once Derrick rejoined her again. “I thought you didn’t want to.”

“Yeah well, you kind of told me what he wanted so it made it easy. In speaking of easy, you figure out what to get me?”

“Well actually,” she smiled and retrieved a small envelope from her gift bag. “You’re one of those people who gets a gift card.”

“Ah, a gift card. That’s a little impersonal don’t you think?” Derrick asked as he opened the little red slip of paper. “Tailored to Fit by Dan Martine, a suit store? You got me a gift card for a new suit? Are you trying to tell me something Victoria?”

“New round of drinks everybody!” Mike shouted and was instantly drowned out by the cheers that followed.

“Thirsty?” Victoria asked and hurried towards the kitchen to fetch them both a drink.

“Derrick!” Ed Mason’s voice roared over the booming music as he approached the aged man. “It’s been a while, how are things?”

“Couldn’t be better. How have you been?”

“Oh same old; actually I think I’m getting grayer. These last few months have been really crazy. Crime’s at an all time high while money stays the same. I tell you it’s the politicians who are really getting away with murder. You should see what they’re paying in overtime for these men and women in blue who are out there risking their lives every day!”

“It’s a real tragedy. Law enforcement officers just don’t receive the appreciation they truly deserve,” Derrick smiled in Victoria’s direction as he spoke. “Also I wanted to thank you for helping with that bit of business. I never got a chance to once things were over.”

“No problem, it’s all in a day’s work. Carson and Rizzitello make a great team. I’m glad things worked out.”

“Me too.” Victoria grabbed a few drinks and quickly stepped through the archway leading from the hall. From where he was standing Derrick could see how she kept avoiding getting caught beneath the mistletoe and laughed as she found herself waiting a while for some of the partygoers to move through it.

The music cycled to another rock version of a holiday favorite, this time it was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. “Ah, looks like Caroline is in a dancing mood,” Mason remarked as he noticed his wife motioning towards him. “Guess I’d better go perform my husbandly duty. I’ll see you around.”

Mason spoke to Victoria as the two passed one another and Derrick moved forward to help her balance the drinks in her hands. “Here we are,” she sang, handing him a glass. “It’s a um…”

Derrick took a sip as Victoria continued trying to think of what Mike called the colorful Holiday cocktail, “Hot Buttered Rye,” he answered.

“Right! It’s whiskey. I know you’re a bourbon and brandy kind of guy but he didn’t have any. I have a Sparkling Charleston Cosmopolitan, want to try it?” Swapping glasses with her, he took a sip of the fruity drink and whistled at the sweetness in flavors. “I’m a girl,” Victoria laughed at the pucker that followed on his lips. “It was a tough choice for me between this and the Ambrosia Cocktail. It looked pretty but I think the wine in the Cosmo was calling my name.”

“I see.”

“How’s yours?”

“Not bad. He went a little heavy on the nutmeg but other than that it’s great. So uh, is this the entire department or what?”

“Ha not even close! Most the guys here work the Homicide unit or Robbery. I saw a couple of the Vice guys playing pool out on the patio and one or two of the K-9 patrols. I saw you talking to Mason, what did he want?”

“To thank me for keeping you in line. No, he uh, he was just saying hello.” Victoria froze as Turner and Briggs both rounded the corner and Derrick followed her gaze towards the two men. “Who are they?”

She continued to stare and the men returned her look, both with cold, dead eyes that seemed to hollow out when light from the above strobe flickered on them. “Victoria?” Derrick called for her, keeping an eye on her bracelet and the men standing across from them. Briggs leaned over and whispered something into the other man’s ear making him smile menacingly at her before the two disappeared through another doorway. “Victoria!”

“What?” she asked finally looking up at him. “Oh, Derrick, I’m sorry I…”

“What’s the matter? Who were those men?”

“Um Officers Carl Turner and Joe Briggs.”

“Ok. What did they do to you; threaten your life or something? Your bracelet blinked yellow and teal constantly.”

“Yellow and teal?”

“Yeah, yellow as in unsettled and wary and teal as in fearful and suspicious.”

“You seem to really know more about this thing than you let on.”

“It’s just colors Victoria. Now do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Remember those wraiths I mentioned?” she nodded towards the spot the two officers stood and Derrick sighed. “They never outwardly threatened me but I just feel I don’t know strange and a little frightened whenever they’re around. If you’d have just seen their faces and the way they look at me. I’ve tried avoiding them as much as possible at work.”

“You want me to go after them?”

“No. Like I said I just avoid them. If they wanted to harm me they’d have made a move by now right?”

“Maybe. You sure you don’t want me to do something like beat their skulls in? Because I’d be more than happy to do it!”

“No, at least not now. It’s a concern for another day, today is Christmas Eve right?”

“Right,” Mike chimed in as he stepped towards the two with his current girlfriend in tow. “Enjoying the party? How are the drinks?”

“Not bad actually,” Derrick answered but his attention instantly turned to the woman at Mike’s side. “And who may I ask is this lovely lady?”

“Aria, I’d like you to meet my partner Victoria and her boyfriend Derrick,” Mike grinned at the sudden blush that flooded Victoria’s cheeks and took a sip of the drink in his hand to hide his amusement.

“Friend,” Victoria quickly corrected. “Derrick’s not my boyfriend. And hello Aria, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Victoria shook her hand, feeling the burning on her face slowly dissolve. Aria took Derrick’s hand in greeting as well and the two exchanged pleasantries. “So Aria, you must be something special if you get to meet the friends and family. Mike’s not normally a ‘one-woman’ kind of guy. In fact I can’t remember the names of the last three women he dated in September alone.”

Mike spit his drink back into his glass and stared at his partner in wide-eyed shock. Victoria smiled back in mischievous glee finally getting back at him for all of the constant jabs about her and Derrick. “Well I’d like to think I’ve tamed the animal. Michael’s not sure about a lot of things and needs all the help he can get in the love department. He’s lucky I found him,” Aria responded.

“Understandably, Victoria’s the exact same way,” Derrick smirked watching both detectives shifting their weight from foot to foot.

“Why don’t I refresh that drink for you?” Mike offered and hurried towards the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Victoria slipped away from Derrick’s side before he could protest. 

Slowly he meandered towards a space beside the fireplace and leaned against it. He watched a moment as Victoria and Mike made idle chit chat, laughing at one another’s jokes and pretended as though he wasn’t listening. She turned to him at Mike’s mention of his name with a smile and what appeared to be another flush of embarrassment before she started back towards him.

“Hey hey, one Hot Buttered Rye, less nutmeg,” she announced, handing him a drink. “Now tell me Derrick, what’s with the wall flower routine huh? It’s a party. You and I should be having fun!”

“Sounds great, don’t let me stop you.”

“What?” Victoria gasped at his arrogant smirk and sat her drink on top of the mantle. She smiled as she took his hand and swung it around cheerfully. “Dance with me.”

“I…don’t really dance Victoria.”

“Oh come on it’ll be fun! We can pretend to be as drunk as some of the others and go nuts!” The smile on her face brought one to his and he sighed and nodded his head affectionately. “Yes! That’s the Holiday spirit Mr. ‘I don’t like big crowds’.” She locked her hands around his arm and pulled but he didn’t budge an inch, instead she found herself slipping back towards him and giggled at his insane amount of strength. “DERRICK!” He laughed and let go finally allowing her to tug him towards the dance floor.

“Did you have fun?” Derrick asked once the two made it back to his place.

“I did and I think you were a big hit with the men in blue! They seemed to hang on to your every word.” He helped Victoria from the passenger seat and started to the front door.

“Well it was entertaining to say the least. I had a great time too. We should definitely do it again sometime.” Unlocking his front door he let her inside first before escorting her towards the living room.

“Funny you should say that because I sort of need to borrow you again.” Victoria stopped just near the doorway and twiddled her fingers a moment. “Brad Devereux’s secretary called this morning to the precinct to invite me to a fundraiser he’s hosting at his home this Friday night.”

“And you wanted me to…?”

“I was hoping you could accompany me and together we could um investigate him a little further.”

With a quick smirk at the nervous expression Victoria held having to ask such a thing, Derrick pretended to be in concentration, mulling over her proposal before finally responding. “It’s a date.”

“Good. I’ll call you later when I know more about the event.” Victoria started towards the door and Derrick called her before she could get away.

“Oh Detective, would you like a nightcap?”

“You mean do I want to get drunk before driving myself home again? No thank you.”

“Well you know you could always spend the night, I have plenty of rooms. And if you just so happened to wander into my bedroom and cozy yourself beneath my sheets, I don’t think I’d be too inclined to kick you out; at least not right away.” Victoria was about to return his witty comment when he abruptly turned for the bar.

But as she started for the room with him, he quickly turned back around and closed his arms on either side of the wall around her. “Derrick what are you doing?” Victoria asked as he blocked her entry into the living room. Grabbing something from his pocket, he lifted the object above his head and smiled as her eyes wandered towards his hand. “Derrick!”

“I found it amusing the way you wouldn’t walk through a doorway if someone else was standing near it and so I thought how much fun it would be to catch you off guard. Surprise!”

“And you went through the trouble of swiping a sprig of mistletoe for your little game? That’s a shame for you really because I’m not kissing you.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, it’s tradition Victoria.”

“No it’s a cheap way to cop a feel!”

“Well either way, you’re not leaving this archway until I get my gift,” Derrick smirked as he watched Victoria’s bottom lip slip into her mouth and inched closer. She pushed a hand into his chest to keep him back and he rested his arm around her waist.

“I gave you a gift card!”

“To a men’s clothing store.”

“Well you seem really into what you wear so I thought it would be great! Your suits are as old as dirt!

“A-HA! I knew that was the reason! I don’t recall you complaining, in fact as I remember it, you said I looked hot!”

“W-well that’s beside the point.”

“Ok, then what exactly IS the point?”

“I just I-I don’t know. Derrick, you’re 417 years old! You have enough money to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool.”

“Closer to three pools.”

“My point exactly! There’s nothing I can give you that you don’t already have or couldn’t buy for yourself a million times over. You’ve been everywhere, seen everything making it incredibly difficult to shop for you. Plus if we’re going to be hanging out in public I can’t have you walking around with a huge sign on your forehead that says ‘I’m a creature of the night, check out my 16^th century Victorian outfit’. So I did something I thought you’d appreciate.” 

“And I do, very much. But there’s something else that I would appreciate even more.”

“This is false imprisonment Mr. Constantine, listed under Article 135 of Avondale Statute Penal Codes 210.5 and 236 and punishable from one to twenty years in prison if convicted with a felonious assault!”

“And it’s also your word against mine Victoria. And let’s not forget, I’m very good friends with your boss and the Chief of Police…at least they think I am.” 

“YOU COMPELLED CAPTAIN MASON? I knew he couldn’t have liked you that much, he doesn’t like anyone that much! And that thing he said about your family! You’re dirty Derrick.”

“No Victoria, just a vampire. A vampire who, despite some minor lapses this year has been on Santa’s nice list and only wants one thing for Christmas.”

“Nice list? Ha! You probably compelled him too!”

“And what if I did?” Derrick smirked and leaned in a little more.

“Well I’m not all knowing in the ways of Santa but stealing mistletoe might be considered naughty, Derrick. I don’t think you’re making Santa’s nice list this year, no matter how much you compel him.”

“Hmm you’re getting off subject Victoria. I have the mistletoe and you have the lips. Decisions, decisions.”

“Fine Derrick,” she sighed in defeat. “Just one kiss and no tongue.” 

“Cross my heart.” Sliding her hand higher, Victoria locked them both around his neck and took a step forward. Tenderly she brushed her fingers through his hair, sighing as she inched her mouth closer towards his. Her eyes closed and automatically her lips parted and she felt the soft caress of Derrick’s mouth as their lips embraced.

And when he kissed her, his tongue wrapped around hers despite earlier promises cleverly coaxing hers into playing with his. Her eyes flew open as he deepened the kiss and she took in the sight of him, eyes closed, head tilted and a serene look on his face as he enjoyed himself. Derrick knew just how to flutter his tongue and draw a deep groan from her and did so at will. An intense fire engulfed her body, thundering volcanic sparks along her spine starting from her lips and stopping between her molten thighs.

Victoria’s fingers dug into Derrick’s back, pulling him in tighter as she gasped for air. His kiss was devouring her senses, awakening a sleeping sexual yearning that caused her to push her tongue deeper into his mouth and roll it around in a battle of wills. The mistletoe fell from Derrick’s hand as he slipped it too around Victoria’s hips, curving to the shape of her ass as he pressed himself closer consuming her lips passionately. She moaned against his mouth as his tongue slid between her lips once more, gently stroking the roof of her mouth.

Before she knew it, he had her back against the wall and her left leg hooked onto his hip. A moan of satisfaction rolled through them both as the kiss deepened and his already present erection was firmly pressed against her. Victoria’s hand eased into Derrick’s hair while his hand was making its way under the hem of her dress. The feeling alone as his fingers made contact with the bare skin of her thigh was like lighting a fuse and the higher he went, the hotter she got.

Warm tingles rushed through her body in overwhelming waves motivating her to absently circle her hips while locking him in with her leg, wanting and needing to have more. Derrick dragged his lips down the sweet column of her neck, stopping at the base with a gentle bite. The breathless moan that the simple action forced from Victoria’s lungs provoked what sounded like a low growl from him and within seconds he had both of her hands pinned above her head and their lips locked together once again in a deeper more passionate kiss.

The pleasure of being that close to each other was too much yet not enough. Derrick wanted more yet worried of pushing her too far too fast. He moved slowly at first, testing her reaction as he fondled the rounded curve of her bosom with the hand that wasn’t holding her in place. But very soon it was making its way up between her thighs and he slid it over the thin strap of lace situated on her hip accidentally nicking her soft skin with his fingernails.

Victoria bit Derrick’s lip as the venom’s dull burning prompted her to push away, giving her a moment of clarity to come to her senses. The chimes of the doorbell rang and he grunted against her mouth. Placing her flattened palms on his shoulders, she slowly counted down from three and with all her strength pushed him back until the kiss was finally broken. The loss of warmth from her body was instant, leaving behind nothing but the tingling sensation of where her lips had been as Derrick looked down at her with a sigh.

The doorbell rang again drawing an angry glare from him towards it and she lightly touched his face to calm him before he backed away to answer. Victoria brought her hand to her chest in an effort to steady her pounding heart and exhaled slowly. “So I guess you do have great resources.” She heard Derrick say after opening the door. “Victoria, it’s for you,” he called and was quickly joined by her in the foyer.

“Cole?” she looked over at Derrick and back to the federal agent standing in the doorway with a curious expression. “What are you doing here?”

“Well since your friend invited himself to my place, I thought it only fitting I return the favor,” Cole responded and glanced over her shoulder at Derrick who loomed nearby in the hallway. “Although I had no idea I’d find you here.”

“Yeah well like I said I know Derrick a little better than you think.”

“Really? So you know he goes around threatening your friends to get his way?” Victoria looked shocked and Derrick simply shrugged as she turned to him. “Didn’t think so. Ok look, I’m not here to jam anybody up so, is there someplace you and I can go to talk in private?”

“This is Derrick’s place, Cole so I wouldn’t…”

“It’s fine Victoria, you can use the study,” Derrick instructed before turning up the hallway and disappearing into the kitchen.

“Ok Cole, what do you want?”

“To help…and to see how you were doing.”

“Why do you care? Last time I saw you, you couldn’t wait to get away from me. I don’t want your help and you made it very clear that you weren’t going to offer it. So you don’t have to bother.”

“Look Vik, I’m sorry about that. I was being an idiot; I am an idiot to ignore you when I knew you needed me. But I mean I’d just found out your friend was…not normal,” he leaned in and whispered.

“Don’t bother I’m pretty sure Derrick can hear even the faintest of whispers. He has heightened senses, hearing being one of them; I learned that the hard way,” Victoria looked into the hall noticing Derrick who had a large grin on his face as he started up the stairs to his bedroom.

“Right. Well anyway, I didn’t handle it as great as I could have. I lashed out at you and I placed you in an unfair situation making you choose and I’m sorry. But I’m here now, to help you; whatever you need. You say you trust Derrick and I trust you and that’s good enough for me. So, where do we start?”

“Um, well currently I’m working a serial case that’s sort of hit a dead end. I could use some help with obtaining sealed FBI files dating back a few decades.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem. Say can I ask you something?”

“Sure Cole what’s up?”

“What happened between you and my ex?”

“Uh…what?”

“Um, Derrick. He told me that you saved me from my ex or something. Did he mean Tessa?”

“Oh, yeah um, what exactly did he tell you?” Victoria asked and glanced towards the staircase but Derrick had disappeared up the stairs. Derrick get your ass down here, she whispered and waited for the vampire to grace them with his smirk.

“Nothing at all. Was she um, like him?”

“Sort of. She was a Succubus.”

“Great; of all the types of magical weirdoes out there I attract the kind that sleeps with men until they die…although that’s not really a bad way to go.”

“Unless she attacks your friends by making you kill them,” Derrick replied as he joined them in the study. Cole took a good look at Victoria and she shrugged.

“Tessa tried to kill you?”

“Through your hands, yes.”

“Jesus, Vik. I didn’t know…I can’t really remember anything from then. Hey why can’t I remember anything?” He asked glaring at Derrick suspiciously. “You did something to me didn’t you?”

“He did what I asked him to Cole. But that was before you knew about him and what we are.”

“‘We’? Wait you’re a vampire too Victoria?”

“Witch, Cole. I’m a witch.”

“Wow,” he whistled and took a step back from the two. “Witches, vampires and succubae. If I made a joke about how sitcom/teen romance novel this entire situation is becoming would you cast a spell on me?”

“No. But Derrick would probably twist your head off your shoulders. He’s a bit touchy about that kind of thing.” Cole glanced over at Derrick and he shook his head in accord.

“Well ok then. My lips are sealed.”

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