Matt patted his hand against the side of the door as he drove, drumming out a song despite the fact that the radio was off. There'd been a small 'problem' with his new system  and the only part of it to work, aside from the lights and the clock; which refused to set... was the radio. However, at the moment, the only stations coming in were country.. and he couldn't stand country.

He sighed as he spotted his turn off, the sign reflecting bright green in his headlights. Making the turn onto the two lane road he swerved to miss the remains of a very flat skunk. A moment later he spotted another lump on the road ahead of him and started towards the middle to avoid hitting it. The sight of a pale hand flung out across the yellow line had him slamming on the brakes, making the car swerve; the tire screeching slightly as he stopped. He didn’t get any 'dead' sense to the body, so obvioulsy whoever it was was still alive.  Sighing heavily he decided he'd better go see if he could help before someone else came along and ran over them.
 
Matt rubbed his arms as he crounched down next to the still form; a chill brushing over him as if coming from the young man laying on the road. "Shit." he muttered softly and reached out to check how strong his pulse was.

~

All sense of time had completely escaped Saffron when he'd passed out. If not before hand when he'd been running. He'd been sore, tired, and hungry but hadn't stopped, knowing they were still tracking him. Right had been sure to erract his revenge the moment Saffron had been dragged into their camp, and Saffron had used the last of his strength where his abilites had been concerned to escape from his guards. The new 'collar' hadn't helped. It'd made running even harder, as it bound his abilities, and escaping had taken extraodanary will power. The moment he'd hit the black top of the road, he'd been unable to put another foot infront of him and had given in there, actually wishing for death. Now, he was vaguely aware of another presense. This one oddly comforting...the familiarity of death.

A slow conciousness was returning, which seemed more like a heavy fog on his mind, he didn't think Death woke a person up to claim them. A soft moan and a frown; the heavenly peace of unconciousness fading even more and Saffron realized some one had picked him up. That brought it all back to him and even as weak as he was and as sore, he began struggling; the last thing he needed was to be carted off back to Right, who intended to take him back to LiVed.

Matt cursed softly as he tightened his hold on the young man in his arms. "Hey! Hey.. calm down...I'll set you down in a sec.." he said as he reached the car and sat him on the hood, trying not to think of dents. With no sign of any major injuries, despite the number of bruises, he'd decided to risk moving him rather than leave him in the middle of the road, but with the kids frantic struggles he was starting to think he should've taken the risk of being run over. "Hey.." he said as he kept his arms around the young man to hold him upright, trying to avoid getting hit in the process. "Snap out of it, kid... I'm not going to hurt you, alright? Calm the fuck down." he said, trying to keep his voice soft. The odd chill he'd felt orginally was still there; a sort of tingling energy rush between them, gentle and faint but still there.

Struggling was causing more pain then Saffron was used to, which said a lot because pain was something Saffron had lived with all his life. He finally stopped struggling all together, as the spoken words began to sink in and he turned his head, looking up. He knew he was sitting on  something which he slowly realized was a car. "W-who are you?" His voice was soft and hoarse. He raised a shaking hand to the damned thing around his neck, still not used to the thin metal collar; magiced to keep his abilities contained.

Matt caught his breath slightly as the kid looked up at him and the strange pull seemed to increase slightly. "Matt Hogan... but most just call me Graves... I just dragged your ass of off the middle of the road. Not the wisest choice of locations for a nap, by the way." he said with a soft smirk. "I don’t think you're bleeding or broken.. not any where obvious or major anyhow... but I can take you to the hospital... must be one around here somewhere.."

"No! No hospitals...no doctors...I just...I just need some where...safe...to rest a few hours." Saffron replied, biting back a sudden rising panic. He let his eyes adjust to the darkness, looking around the tree lines; They had to be close...how long had he been out..? Why hadn't they just taken him back..? "I'll heal quickly enough...just...beatings..." He muttered, his fingers tugging at the collar before giving up.

Matt raised an eyebrow at that, noting the edge to his voice and the frantic glances. "Sure.. no problem." he said softly, intrigued despite himself. He watched the slim fingers playing with the band around his neck and wondered at the odd choice of jewelry. "Come on then..." he  said, reached out with one hand to open the passenger side door. "Lets  get you inside so we can get out of here... If you'd rather lay than sit, you can take the back.. there's a bed roll behind the seat..."

Movement in the treelines caused Saffron's heart to start beating faster, and he slid off the car, tumbling toward the ground as a deer moved into view. The sight of the animal didn't ease his fear though, since he knew they were out there.

Matt cursed softly as he tried to catch him. "Shit... calm down!" he said, pulling him against him, one arm around him as he scanned the area. "Look... let's get you inside... You’re obviously freaking over someone or something, so lets just get moving, okay? You can tell me about it then." he said,  helping him into the car and shutting the door. he glanced around again as he quickly made his way back to his side and got back in. He locked his door then leaned over to hit the passenger side lock as well; the kids unease starting to get to him.

"I'm sorry...it was nothing...just a deer..." Saffron muttered. In the condition he was in, there wouldn't have been any thing he could do if they did appear; the collar even made it impossible for him to summon his swords…And it seemed to drain him. Despite having used his abilities on the one guard the day before; he'd used all his strength just do do that; it now felt liked he'd gone months, several months with out using his abilities. Not good for a death elemental.

"Hey.. don't sweat it, kid." Matt said softly as he started the car and got them moving again, picking up as much speed as he dared with the threat of wildlife crossing the roads. He kept stealing glances at the young man beside him. "You hurt? You said something about beatings... who are you running from? Not that it matters... They won’t get you as long as I'm around."

Saffron shook his head slightly, staring out the window. "My...former...master..." He said so softly he didn't think he'd have been heard. The presence of death was still so strong, he couldn't help but wonder about this guy, and yet it was calming to him. "They caught me...two days...I think two days...ago...they were following when I got away..."

Matt glanced at him again and upped the speed a bit more. "Former Master huh? Get the feeling we're not talking karate or kung fu here..." he said softly. "He the reason for the necklace?" he asked softly. "Some kinda S&M shit?" he asked, hoping if that was the case, the former was because the kid got tired of it and broke it off...  although if that was the case, why was he still wearing a collar?

There was a soft weary smile that touched his lips, and he could see the guy's reflection in the window as he glanced at him again. "You could say that..." He said softly. "It's a collar...and it is for control. It controls my abilities; pervents me from using them..." The way he was feeling, he didn't care what this guy thought, he didn't care to use caution in not telling just anyone what he was.

"Abilities, huh? So..." he said,  glancing at him again. "You’re not a vamp... and you don’t strike me as Were... although who knows, with them. I'm not thinking witch... and unless you're so good with glamour you can hold it while you're unconcious, you're not fae... so.. what does that leave..?" he asked, frowning slightly. "Demon..." he glanced at him again. "Nah... fuck.. there's too many.. plus all the half and mix breeds..." he said with a snort and turned off onto another road. "So you're got some powers or shit that this master doesn't want you to use.. probably on him, so that thing cuts them off. So... I'm guessing there's some trick to getting it off or you wouldn't still be wearing it, huh?"

"Yeah...magic..." Saffron muttered, curling closer into the corner. "I'm an elemental..." He muttered, closing his eyes. "My name is Saffron...Azreal. LiVed owned me for nearly twelve years...and has kept trying to get me back since the first time I escaped..." He winced, the bruises stinging and smarting as he moved. Right had done his worst with the beating and rest of the punishment. "Do you have anything to drink?"

"Yeah... there's a cooler in the back. Some food in there too..." he said softly, distracted. "So... youre talking about `Master’ and `owned’.. you're meaning slavery here.. Real slavery.. not that s&m play acting shit...?" he asked softly, his gaze going back to the kid huddled on the seat. "Shit... you're really fucking hurting, aren't you?" he asked softly as he saw the expresion on his face. "I'll pull over and get it for you."

"No, the s&m shit was turned over to Right when I misbehaved..." Saffron muttered, closing his eyes. "LiVed owned me from the time I was nine until I turned twenty one...the first time I escaped..." He curled up smaller. "He's the king of the Black Court ; A master vampire… And head of the Illumanatie. So yes, it's real slavery."

Matt ground his teeth tight at hearing this. He pulled over to the side of the road and left the car running. "You want to move to the back seat and lie down? Or the very back.. if you’re not superstiscious or easily creeped out..." he added softly, trying not to think of what sort of things had been done to this kid... especially AS a kid...

Saffron opened his eyes slowly, looking up at him. It sounded so much like an order, he wondered if there was a repurcussion for disobeying...He cast a glance toward the back and thought it would be nice to actually lay down...somewhere other then the ground. With a soft sigh, he moved to sit up.

Matt quickly got out and ran around to the others side. He opened the door and reached in to help him out. "Maybe the back seat would be best... softer.. less shit to bump into.. plus I don’t have to worry about ya rolling around if I take the corners too sharp." he joked with a soft smirk as he helped him into the rear seat. "I'll grab the shit out of the back.. hang on.." he said and left the door open as he went to the rear of the car. A moment later he was back with a rolled blanket and a small green cooler. He set the cooler on the floor and untied the straps of the roll before handing it to Saffron. "There... couple sandwiches and stuff in there with some bottled water. Help yourself, alright?"

Saffron accepted the blanket, looking up at him again. There was an odd look in his eyes, obiviously he wasn't used to such...kindness. "Thank you..." He said softly, near a whisper, but it was sincere.

Matt couldn't help the soft smile. "Your welcome kid. Yell if I go too fast or bang you around back here, okay? I'm not the safest driver.. so I've been told." he said then made sure the blanket was inside before shutting the door, snapping the lock down before he did. He relocked the passengers side door before he shut it and went back to his own. He glanced in his mirror to see Saffron then truned his attention back to the road as he starting driving. He was both wondering why he felt the need to be, not only helping this kid.. but... to be nice as well. The helping part was easily enough explained.. he could've easily have been in his shoes himself. He still didn't know how he'd managed to avoid detection as a kid. He knew there were creeps out there that would love to get their hands on him.. both as a necro.. and as a kid...

Saffron had stretched out in the seat, leaning against a door. He'd gotten the water; while he was hungry, he just didn't think he could eat anything at the moment. He'd used the blanket behind him. At the moment, he was staring out the window at the sky and the stars from what he could see of them. Everything seemed so much quieter, so much more peaceful, when he could see the stars. And he felt so much more guilty. He'd once been told that the souls of the dead looked out from the stars; he'd been nine and in hell the first time he heard that. He supposed it was why he was always looking...was for some kind of...forgiveness...for all the lives he'd taken.

Matt spotted headlights behind them and remembering the kid's nervousness, he kept an eye on it as it rapidly approached. He snorted to him self as a red truck pulled out and whipped past, easily doing almost twice the speed limit. Two teen age cowboy types were standing in the back of the truck hanging onto the roll bar with one hand and their hats with the other, and Matt snorted again.

"Obiviously never suffered road rash...yet." Saffron muttered from his spot, having watched the truck. He was quiet for a long moment, watching Matt from his spot. "I suppose it wasn't just my luck that you happened to be on this road tonight, was it?" He asked after a moment.

Matt snorted and glanced into the mirror at him. "No.. a .. 'friend' 's been bitching at me to go somewhere for a while now.. finally couldn't take her shit anymore, so I packed some shit for the drive and here I am. Just be thankful she didn't decide to come along for the ... aww fuck.." he said, his voice dropping to a soft groan as he felt the familiar presence. "Fuck off, Marilee... now's not the time for your shit..."

Saffron raised his head slightly, an eyebrow quirked. He felt the presense of something that could have been a ghost, but then some how he didn't think so; some how, it was more like what he got from Matt. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized what Matt was. Saffron's eyes widened slightly, LiVed would have done anything to get his hands on some one like Matt, especially if he still had Saffron under his control. Then there would have been no stopping LiVed."You're a necromancer..." Saffron said softly, troubled. He'd have to leave as soon as he had the strength, rather then drag Matt into this whole mess...if LiVed discovered Saffron was with him...then there would most definitely be a larger mess of trouble.

There was a soft laugh and Matt raised an eyebrow at Safron's reflection. Before he could comment or ask how he knew, Marilee spoke up. "And you're a death elemental..."

Matt groaned softly. "Fuck off, Marilee." he said, shooting Saffron a look. "Fuck.. you set this up somehow, didn't you? You didn't want me to check on any old bugger... you wanted me to find the kid..." 

Marilee laughed softly again. "Really, Mattias... you give me a great deal of credit..."

Saffron swallowed hard, even more troubled. The death elemental part was easy enough to know about him, in most cases...but now he was starting to wonder if she didn't know the rest...The reason LiVed was so obsessed with keeping control over Saffron, the connection to the Seal, and all that. Except he couldn't voice the question. Instead he covered it. "I've never met a necromancer, but I've...heard quite enough about them..."

Matt snorted. "Well... I've only met one other necro either... and she's the loud mouth pain in the ass you hear. Marilee.. meet .. Saffron, right?" he said, looking in the mirror. "Marilee ran afoul of a few vamps and lost her bod... so now she plays ghost and bothers me." 

The soft whispery laugh sounded again. "Yes... but you love me anyhow.." she said, anmd Matt could envision the old playful sparkle in her eyes.

"Yeah..." he answered softly. "So.. kid... death elemental, huh? Cool... heard about you guys too..."

"Only one death elemental at any time..." Saffron said softly, looking down. "And I'm probably the only one in existance that doesn't like being one..." He added. "You might want to drop me off in the nearest town...if they find out...LiVed would love to get his hands on a necro..."

There was a hiss and Matt raised an eyebrow, wondering what had pissed her off. "Ah.. right... LiVed's a vamp, right? Marilee doesn't like vamps..." Matt said with a soft sneer. "Look, kid.. don't sweat it... Let me worry about me, okay? "

"Right...well you'd have to worry less about yourself with out me around...the collar does allow them to find me easier..." Saffron said softly, wincing silently as he shifted in the seat. He had a feeling if it wasn't for the fact that Matt was so connected to death, he'd have been much more...submissive.

"Kid... I've been avoiding them for years.. if they didn't catch me as an untrained kid, they sure as hell aren't going to get me now. Fuck off Marilee, I'm trying to drive." he said, tugging the steering wheel back as he felt her pull it to the left. He spotted the turn and sighed. "Fine... whatever..." he growled softly and made the turn off. "Look, woman.. whatever you're up to.. spill it." The car was silent for a moment, then the whisper returned. "Protect him.. I'll find you later."

Saffron hadn't failed to hear that, and sighed faintly. He wouldn't be surprised if she did know. "Interesting friend..." He said softly to Matt. "And as for them not getting you...Their persistence tends to pay off at some point..."

Matt snorted softly again. "Yeah well... they missed their chance, alright? They could had me easily when I was a kid... Fuck.. even a few years ago they could've taken me.. but that was before I knew what I was doing. Trust me.. they ain't touching me now. And they're not touching you either."

Saffron looked toward him, his gaze  sad. "Graves...they've touched me my entire life. My father sold me to them...least that's what LiVed always said. LiVed never needed this collar...he had his ways of keeping me under control...there's no escaping him." He looked away, hugging his knees.

Matt watched him in the mirror as much as he could, that feeling of needing to portect him still there and getting stronger it seemed. "Yeah well... life sucks and then you die right? Except with me.. life sucked, I died, and it kept on sucking... Sorry you had it so hard, kid. But hey... Marilee found me and looked after me whether I wanted it or not... now I found you .. so I get to be your pain in the ass like she's mine." he added with a wry smirk.

Saffron snorted faintly, yet found himself looking toward Matt again, a soft faint smile on his lips. "Unless I prove to be the pain in the ass..." He said softly. He watched him for a long moment, studying him. He reminded Saffron of some one he hadn't thought about in a long time...it was times like this, Saffron found he still missed Rin...

Matt shrugged. "Yeah well... it was a mutual thing with me and Marilee.. so it'll probably be the same between us. Pain in the ass-hood goes both ways. Although... I'm not a fucking ghost, so I won't be as much of one as she is... fucking irritating..." he said and spotted the church up ahead. "Aww fuck... Marilee… what is it with you and fucking churches..?" he whined softly. "Think she wants us to go for the sanctuary spiel...."

"Makes sense...very few of LiVed's cronies can enter a chruch...including Right..." Saffron said softly, a touch distracted; some of his thoughts still on Rin and feeling that hurtful broken heart feeling starting again. He bit down on the inside of his cheek, before he allowed himself to shed a single tear over the Drow right now, though he looked at the small delicate silver ring on his right hand.

Matt turned into the drive for the church, hoping that either the doors were open, or someone was up and around to let them in. "Fine.. then church it is.. as long as we don’t have to sit through a service I'll survive..." he mumbled as he looked for some place out of the way to park the car, but still have it where they could get to it easy should they need to leave quickly.  He stopped and  studied the building for a moment, then noticed the lighted window in the addition at the back. A moment later a light came on above  a door. "Looks like we've been spotted.." Matt said softly as the door opened and a man leaned out.

"Can I help you?"

Matt snorted softly realizing that they were far enough from the light, all he saw was the shape of the hearse… he wouldn't be able to make out the paintings on the sides. "Stay put. I'll be right back." He said and stepped out of the car.

Saffron watched him get out, but stayed where he was, with a sigh. As comfortable as he was around Matt, he knew next to nothing about him...and yet felt...he trusted him, which was something Saffron hadn't done in a very long time.

The old man opened the door a bit more, peering at the herse and the man who got out a bit hesitant.

Matt took a deep breath as he stepped into the pool of light. The man,  took a step back, but quickly recovered and stepped back into his place again. Matt smiled softly. "Sorry for disturbing you. We need a safe place... I have a kid in the car who's in rough shape... being chased by some vamps... for starters. I was hoping  the church was open..."

The old man raised an eyebrow, taking in what the man said, and glanced toward the hearse. "Vampires...er...yes, of course. The chruch is always open to those who need sanctuary..." He said. "There haven't been vampires in this area for...a long time though...We do have...a spare...room here in the back." He opened the door a bit more.

Matt looked past him into the room then looked back at him. "This part isn't original to the church... it's still sanctified? Holy ground and all?" he asked softly, swearing revenge on Marilee for this.

The old man raised an eyebrow. "Yes of course...as priest of the chruch, I saw to that when it was added on some fifteen years ago." He said. "Although if you'd feel more comfortable, room can be made for you in the sanctuary." He added.

Matt snorted. "No... I'll take your word for it... Just.. not all priests are as ... attentive in their duties, I guess you could say. I had to have my.. church.. was resanctified to include additions... The original building stops just inside the kitchen area... the priest insisted it shouldn't matter since the addition was on holy ground... but .." Matt shrugged lightly. "Anyways.. I'm Matt Hogan. The kid is Saffron. He's had the crap beat out of him, but won’t go to a hospital.. so..." he shrugged again and turned to leave. "I'll go bring him in.."

"I'm Father Andrew." The priest said, before letting Matt head back to the car. Father Andrew had already been...informed of the visitors, before they'd arrived...he shook his head, turning to perpare the extra room, although it was small.

Saffron had moved, sitting up right in the seat. He'd watched from that spot, and saw Matt coming back toward the car. He wondered if he had the strength to make the walk to the door himself, but doubted it.

Matt knocked lightly on the window of the back seat and offered a smirk. He'd take Saffron inside and get him settled and let the priest look at his injuries, then come back and find a place for the car. He waited while Saffron unlocked the door, then he pulled the door open. "Father Andrew has a room you can crash in.. Holy Ground, vamp safe and all..."

"Can't ask for more...beggers can't be choosers and all that..." Saffron said softly, with a weary smirk, looking toward the church. He slid to the open door, letting his feet touch the ground.

Matt watched the way he set his feet carefully, the look on his face... he sighed and reached out, taking gentle hold of his arm. "I've got you, kid. I won’t let you fall.." he said softly.

A faint thank you came from Saffron, though he wouldn't look at Matt; and there was a faint blush, that was thankfully not seen in the darkness. Saffron slid from the car, wavered a moment, before he managed to get his balance with Matt's help, his bones and muscles protesting. He gingerly put one foot in front of the other, taking slow steps.

Matt slipped his arm around behind him, steadying him as best he could. The same chilling engery rubbed against him at the close contact and he smiled softly as he understood what it was now. If the collar really was magically cutting off his powers, he wondered what this connection would feel like without the collar in the way?

~ ~

It was slow progress, and by the time they reached the door, which Father Andrew held open for them, Saffron was blushing even more. The calmness he was feeling around Matt was stronger, more comforting.

"Can you make it up the steps?" Matt asked softly, feeling his face burn slightly in a blush and not knowing why. It could be simply because he was being so...close with Saffron.. he'd never been this way with anyone.. except perhaps Marilee. But somehow he figured it was more to do with the way he felt being this close to him.

Saffron raised his eyes, glancing up the steps toward the door. There weren’t many steps but they were steep. "I... should be able to..." He said softly, before taking a breath, moving to take the first step. By the second step, Saffron's foot slipped, starting to send him stumbling.

Matt was ready, his hand resting on his back as he started up. At the first sign of a stumble, he reached forward and caught hold of him, pulling him back against him. "Hey..." he said, blushing a bit more. "See? Told ya I wouldn't let you fall..." he said and eyed the steps. "Are you sure you can make it? I can carry you up... its not that far..."

Saffron stayed where he was for the moment, against Matt; not sure why, other then to catch his breath, although for some reason it didn't seem like his heart was going to slow down. "It's only three more steps..." Saffron said softly, aware Father Andrew was watching. "Besides, no one's ever carried me before." He winced, that sounded so pitiful. He wondered what the priest was thinking; Saffron was certainly a feminine looking boy, and considering the way he was dressed, and the collar...Saffron's blush deepened.

Matt sighed softly and glanced up at the waiting priest. "Alright.. but if I have to catch you again... you can forget the tough guy shit, cause I'll carry up all the way to the damn room." Matt said. "Father... would you mind catching him from that end if he starts to to fall forward?" he asked, doing his best to pretned his face wasn't burning, and that it wasn't from having Saffron pressed against him...

"Of course." Father Andrew said from his place. Saffron turned his eyes back down to his feet, taking a breath before moving forward again, moving up the last few steps. Moving away from Matt he felt oddly...cold, as if already missing the warmth from his body. He made it up the last three steps, though he had to stop at the top. Father Andrew stepped back from the door to let them in.

Matt followed, keeping his hands ready to catch him, just in case, and was oddly disappointed when they made it to the level floor. He nodded to Father Andrew as he past inside and the door shut behind him. "Thanks again, father... I don’t how badly he's hurt... he an elemental though, so he'll heal quickly... I hope. He's wearing a magic collar that’s cutring off his powers though... so... I don’t know... If you know anything about first aid ... would you mind taking a look?"

"Of course." Father Andrew said, moving to go and get the first aid kit from another room. In the light of the room, it was clear there was blood on the back of Saffron's shirt. There was another door open to the extra bedroom. "If you'd like to move in there where it's more comfortable?" Father Andrew indicated.  “I'll put on some tea."

The extra bedroom, was sparse, containing a bed, a wooden chest, a table with two chairs and a wardrobe. A cross hung at the head of the bed, and a cot had been put against the window near the bed, both already seemingly having been made up.

Matt looked around the room and snorted softly, wondering if Marilee had somehow gotten word to him. As far as he knew, only the dead could hear her.. or those closely linked to death... but she had her ways. He ushered Saffron inside and eyed the dark stain on the back of the shirt, hoping he hadn't hurt him more when he'd been holding him... he'd noticed the damp feel to the cloth but had put off to sweat... "You want a hand getting out of that shirt?" he asked softly then felt his face burn even more at the way it sounded.

Saffron was trembling, which had nothing to do with the coolness of the room. "I'm...fine...really...I just...just need a change of clothes and...some rest..." He muttered, not looking at Matt.

"Nonsense, lad." Father Andrew said as he came back in with the first aid kit. "That's blood."

 "Really father... it's nothing..." Saffron said softly, there was a touch of fear in his voice.

Father Andrew clucked and gently pushed Saffron down to sat on the bed. Over Saffron's protests, the priest got the shirt off of Saffron, having to cut it off. "Gracious me!" Father Andrew exclaimed softly when Saffron's back came into view. Amung the wounds which could have only been from a whip, black wings covered Saffron's back, still quite visable.

Matt stared at the viscious marks and forced himself to look past the wounds to the tattoos beneath. He followed the sweep of the wings and had his hands clenched in fists to keep from embarrasing hismelf by reaching out to touch them. "Nice tattoo." he said awkwardly. "Don't worry... know a few good shops where once those heal, they can ink over the scars... fill the wings back in..."

Saffron kept his eyes on the window, feeling the tears slip silently, and not even sure why. "Thank you..." He answered in a whisper. "Rin did them a long time ago, by hand..."

 Father Andrew said nothing, merely shaking his head in pity, as he prepared to clean the wounds. "I can clean them, but it would be best not to bandage them. However, since we have several donated clothes, I'm sure I can find something of soft material." He said softly.

Matt narrowd his eyes at the name and the odd tender tone in Saffron’s voice when he said it. "Thanks Father." he said softly and watched Saffron as the priest cleaned the wounds. He noticed the way he kept his gaze fixed ahead, on the window or the scene reflected in the dark glass, he wasn't sure.. but he noticed the tracks of tears on his face and went from clenching his fists to jamming his hands into his pockets; frustrated at both feeling usless.. and the odd feeling that he needed to do something to help.. to touch and hold and help...

Nothing else was said while Father Andrew gently cleaned the wounds. When he was finished, he closed the first aid box, setting it aside on the floor. "Let me go see what I can find in a change of clothes." He said, standing, and leaving the room. When the priest closed the door, Saffron finally raised a hand, wiping off his cheeks, but didn't turn from the window.

Matt watched him for a moment longer before speaking. "Where else are you hurt?" he asked softly, wanting to go closer but not daring.

Saffron shook his head. He wasn't going into that. "I'll be fine..." He answered softly. He fingered the collar, tugging at it once. He noticed storm clouds had covered the stars and it was lightening, and sighed, finally looking away from the window. He turned his gaze, hesitating a moment, before looking at Matt. "Thank you..." He said softly, not sure what he was thanking him for.

Matt shrugged lightly then walked closer to take a seat on the cot across from him. "You're welcome.. but you don’t have to thank me, you know." he looked at him for a moment. "Are you going to tell or show me the rest of your injuries or do I have to bring it up with the priest so he'll look...?"

Saffron snorted softly. "You'll forgive me if I wish to keep some of that to myself." He said softly. "Other then the whipping, I'm just bruised mostly..." This was clear enough on his ribs. "It was good beating..." He muttered darkly, looking at the floor, his hair hanging in his face.

Matt  growled softly and shifted forward on the cot until his knees almost touched Saffrons. "Look.. kid...you're hurt. As an elemental, you heal fast.. but you said it yourself.. that collar.. stops your powers.. which means ... you don’t heal as fast. So you're going to have to deal with it like a human... and be looked after. Stop hiding." he said, trying to keep his voice soft despite his frustration. "I know you don't.. I mean...I get that this guy probably raped you, alright? You don’t want the priest to know... fine. But that doesn't mean the rest of your injuries.. bruised included, don't need care."

"I'll heal..." Saffron replied in a whisper, his eyes still on the floor. "They didn't draw blood other then my back; LiVed would have been all over them. "As for Right raping me...it wasn't the first time."

"Well it was the last." Matt said fighting the urge to touch him, then finally giving in and reaching out to give his hand an awkward squeeze. "Told you...I'm your pain in the ass now, and you’re mine...it's my job to look out for you.. and my pleasure to kick the ass of anyone who hurts you."

Saffron shook his head, looking at Matt through the hair that hung in his face. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into...Matt." He said softly.

Matt snorted and reached up to brush the hair out of the way. "Never do.. Don’t worry... the spooks will fill me as I go..." he said then found himself staring. "Fuck... " he said softly as he caught sight of the deep green eyes and he felt a painful squeeze in his chest.

Saffron flinched at his touch, but didn't pull away from him; trembling slightly. It'd been a very long time since anyone had touched him that gently or in such a way. "Please..." He barely whispered, not even sure what he was asking.

Matt froze at the soft plea then continued to tuck the hair behind his ear and brush his fingers down his cheek. "I'll do what I can to help you Saffron. I'll make sure these guys don’t hurt you again..." he said softly, the fingers on his other hand almost aching to reach out and touch him too.

Saffron swallowed, looking at him. "Matt...you don't know anything about me. I keep trying to tell you...I'm more trouble then I'm worth. I've done so many things that..." He trailed off, closing his eyes for a moment at the touch of his fingers on his cheek. "I'm not an innocent...what ever idea my wings gave you, I'm no angel."

Matt snorted and sat back, pullig his hand away and leaning on both hands to keep them to himself. The urge to touch and hold this kid was a bit unerving. "Never said you were an angel. Said you were a pain in the ass, actually, remember? I'd be yours and you said you'd be too, so I said you'd be mine... and that sounded like shit..." he muttered with a wry smirk. "Anyways... forget it...you're not the first kid I wound up looking out for okay? Just deal with.. you're not ditching me until I know you're safe."

Saffron sighed, frustrated. He wasn't going to listen...probably even if Saffron told him the whole story. "Fine..." He said softly, looking back at the window with an almost dead stare as the rain started. He was spared saying anything further as Father Andrew returned with a bundle of clothes. "These should fit...although the softest material I could find was a woman's shirt." He said, sitting down and holding up a soft silky button up blouse.

Saffron glanced at it, it was rather big. "It's fine, Father, thank you." He said softly. The priest nodded, sitting it down.

"Yeah.. So...father... who gave you the heads up we were coming, if I may ask?" Matt said to break the awkwardness he was feeling. "I mean .. I doubt you always have a cot set up in here ...."

Father Andrew cleared his throat. "An old friend. She said you'd be in need of a place. Wasn't quite sure it was you when I saw the hearse though. I think I'll see about that tea." He said, turning back for the door.

Matt snorted as he watched the priest leave. "Old friend my ass... either Marilee can somehow talk to him... or she .. Fuck.. bet she got the old bugger to call him for her..." he muttered then snorted again and looked back to Saffron, the same squeeze in his chest at the sight of him sitting there. He scowled softly and rubbed his chest. "So... kid... you want any of that tea or would you rather just try to get some sleep?"

Saffron had dragged the clothes closer to him and glanced up at Matt from looking at the shirt. There was a different look in his eyes, already attempting to distance himself from Matt, to close himself off, "I'm leaning toward sleep," He said simply, though there was something...dead or cold to the tone. He didn't mention he was choosing sleep so that he could leave sooner after resting up.

Matt nodded and stood up. "I'll catch him and tell him no thanks then... you want to sleep in that shirt or leave it off for now? Not sure which would be better..." he said softly then  turned and headed for the door quickly before he could do anything. He looked around then reached out and called to any spirits nearby, receiving a guide to the kitchen.

~~

Saffron had watched him go, wincing slightly, but reminding himself it'd be better if he were cold toward Matt. He left the shirt off, but found a pair of sleep pants in the pile and changed into those. The sheets on the bed were soft so they shouldn't aggravate his back too badly. For the moment, however, he sat next to the window, staring out.

Matt found the priest in the kitchen standing by the stove staring at the kettle obviously lost in thought. He cleared his throat so he wouldn't startle him and saw the man jump slightly anyhow. "Sorry.. didn't mean to startle you, father. I just wanted to let you know Saffron's going to sleep... so we'll pass on the tea for tonight."

"Ah well...I shall make me a cup any how. Are you sure I can't get you a cup, young man?" Father Andrew asked, moving to retrieve a tea pot off the shelf. He'd been thinking about all of this.

Matt smirked softly. "I'm not much for sleeping at night...but I don't think he should be left alone.. Just.. get the feeling he's one of those that will disappear out of windows, you know? Either dragged or jumping..." he said, then smirked a bit more, his eyes sparkling. "Unless you want to talk... perhaps go back to how you knew we were coming..?"

Father Andrew cleared his throat gently. "Ah, well that...a bit of a friendly heads up, I suppose..." He said, getting a tea mug. He seemed to pause in his work, tilting his head to the side, listening.

~ ~

Saffron managed to get to his feet, moving slowly, but gingerly toward the door. He wasn't sure where he was giong, but he couldn't just sat on the bed any longer. He glanced in the direction that most likely lead to the kitchen, then glanced toward the door they'd come in, while he leaned against the door frame a moment. With a sigh, he pushed away from it, moving over toward the main door.

Matt eyed the priest as he listened to the soft whispers then scowled as a second whisper sounded behind him. "Aw fuck... be right back..." he said and turned, letting the ghost lead the way again. His instincts had been right to send the ghost back to keep an eye on the kid. He spotted him just as he neared the door. "Kid... get your ass back in bed." he said softly as he watched him, his eyes on the ravaged tattoo across his back.

Saffron ignored Matt for the moment, reaching the door, and opening it. It was raining harder outside, but the air felt nice. Saffron leaned against the door frame, watching the rain, crossing his arms over his chest.

Matt sighed and walked closer, stopping just behind him. "Glad to see you have your legs in working order again... but they should be in bed.. away from open doors where the bad guys can see you..." he said then looked over Saffron's shoulder and groaned. "Aww fuck... forgot about the car..."

"You've got nothing to worry about." Saffron answered softly, flatly, still leaning against the frame. "I wouldn't get very far regardless...." `Least not yet’, but he didn't add that. "I was just getting some air."

Matt snorted softly. "You have a window in the room... could've asked me to open it for you..." he said, debating on whether it would be worth it to move the car now...

"I've looked out that window long enough." Saffron answered softly. "Needed a change of location. You can stop worrying. I'm not leaving." He added, a bit more hard, but with out looking at him.

Matt snorted softly with a smirk and leaned closer. "I know." he said simply then sighed. "Damn.. the arts towards the road.. as soon as it gets lighter they'll see...." he growled then sighed. "Guess I'm getting wet... you start feeling wobbly, you sit your ass down before you land on it, alright?" 

Saffron snorted softly, and spared a glance at him, slightly amused. "I'll try to remember that before I tumble down the stairs." He replied softly.

Matt smirked  as he looked out towards the road. "Well... might as well go for it... its only getting worse.." he said and shucked his coat, tossing it on a nearby chair. It wasn't going to keep him dry and he'd rather have it dry for later. "Really wish I had a few more of dad's powers.. bet he knew some trick to stay dry..." he mumbled darkly then slipped between Saffron and the doorway. He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, then bolted for the car through the rain, cursing the entire way.

Saffron slid down the door frame by his shoulder, and sat against it, watching him. The little over hanging roof, kept the rain off of him, except for a bit of blown mist, which actually felt nice on his skin. He watched Matt, trying to decide about him, trying to decide if he could trust him. And trying to decide just what he'd been feeling earlier when he'd touched him.

Matt slid behind the wheel and sighed. The car was going to be a mess... water on the front seat and no doubt blood on the passenger and back seat... but then... it wouldn't be the first time. He snorted as he started the car and decided to pull it up beside the side door, the nose pointed at the road. with any luck, it would look like the hearse was waiting for a funeral, or something.

As he  shut the car off, he  pocketed the keys and twisted around to relock any of the doors he'd missed then made a run through the rain for the back of the car. He ignored the cold water running down his neck as he grabbed his bag and pulled a plain black garbage bag out, then stuffed the back pack inside it. Smirking to himself, he shut the door and ran for the door, part of him wondering why he was bothering to run when he wasn't going to get any less wet then he already was...

Saffron raised his eyes from looking at the wet ground, to watching Matt coming back. He watched him closely, again struck by the fact he reminded him of Rin. He frowned slightly, and leaned his head against the door frame, still watching him. He wondered if that was why he felt so comfortable around Matt. But then he'd never really felt comfortable around Rin; not this comfortable anyway.

~ ~

Matt looked up as he neared the door and felt that pang in his chest again as he saw Saffron sitting there. What was it about this kid? He'd never felt like this over anyone before.. well.. not a guy anyhow...

"The rain cold enough?" Saffron asked, as he made it to the door. He extended a hand out under the roof, before leaning forward a bit, some of the rain hitting his hair. He turned his face up a bit toward it, closing his eyes for a moment.

Matt watched him for a moment then smirked and shrugged. He was still standing infront of the door, just out from the overhang. "Nah... not too bad once you're wet, anyhow. Rather nice... if you had dry stuff to put on, I'd say come on out.. might feel good on your back..."

Saffron turned his face slightly, eyes still closed for the moment, but a soft smile on his face. He finally moved off the step, just to the second one, out from under the over hang, The rain was quick too soak him through.

Matt chuckled softly and shook his head. "Well... you have that shirt dry anyhow... " he said and reached around him to toss the garbage bag inside the door. Part of him felt foolish to be standing in the rain with a kid he just met... but the rest of him didn't care... it felt good. He couldn't remember the last time he'd just stood in the rain.. he tipped his head back, letting the rain wash his hair back off his face and smirked. Marilee was probably enjoying this...

The rain felt soothing, though he was soaked in no time, black hair hanging in his face. He finally opened his eyes, looking up at the sky as it began raining even harder, before lowering his eyes, to look at Matt, watching him. He frowned slightly, noticing Matt's ears.

Matt ran his hands over his face, clearing some of the water as he looked back down to check on Saffron. He ran his hands back over his hair then noticed the look the kid was giving him. He frowned slightly, wondering what was wrong… then suddenly realized his hair was plastered to his head. "Fuck.." he muttered softly and felt himself blush. "You ready to go in?" he asked, trying not to think about how... good.. he looked standing there like that.

Saffron looked at him a moment longer, before turning his face back up to the rain, as it pounded down. "No." He answered softly, which probably couldn't have been heard over the sound of the rain.

Mat snorted, smirking slightly as he watched him. He was suddenly glad he'd decided to take care of the car and get wet. Before he even realized what he was doing, he'd reached out to brush a chuck of hair off of Saffon's face, watching the rain sweep it aside. The tingle at the touch is what made him snap out of his thoughts and look at his hand, still resting on Saffon's cheek.

Saffron turned his eyes toward Matt, looking at him a long moment. This was a sense of deja vu for Saffron, but he remembered the last time didn’t end so well, standing in the rain with Rin. In fact, if he remembered correctly, there was a slap about this time...

Matt swallowed hard, trying to figure out what the hell he was doing, but took a step closer to him anyhow, his fingers slipping over his cheek and into his hair. He stood there for a moment, looking down at him, watching the rain hit and run off his skin, feeling the wet hair and the tingle of contact on his hand. He was attracted to the kid... he couldn't deny it... despite the fact that he'd never looked twice at another guy before. The kid just...somehow grabbed at his heart.

Saffron sighed softly, close to a whimper at his touch. This was going to lead to something that probably would be better not to. And yet he didn't want...he couldn't believe he didn't want him to stop touching him. He found himself cursing Rin silently.

"Saffron..." Matt said softly, his words no doubt lost in the rain. He swallowed hard again, trying to decide what to do. Half of him was screaming for him to kiss him... the other half was telling him he was crazy; the kid was hurting and a total stranger... He sighed softly as he rubbed his thumb lightly over the soft skin of Saffon's cheek, his other hand coming to rest lightly on Saffron's hip. He leaned in then turned his face to the side slightly, and laid a gentle kiss on his cheek, his eyes closed.

Inhaling sharply, Saffron closed his eyes, hesitating in responding to anything. He raised a hand slightly, as if to place it on Matt's chest, it lingering in the air a moment, before his fingers brushed gently, the tips laying against his chest a moment, his head was tilted back slightly, as if to kiss him, but he didn't move.

For a moment, Mat just stood there, one hand on Saffron's hip, one on his face, his face resting beside his and the rain pouring over them.... He felt so... good, so right... His hand slipped over his hip, up onto bare skin as he let his lips brush against the skin of his cheek again, moving slowly around to his mouth. He sucked in his breath as his fingers touched one of the wounds, the moment breaking. He pulled his hand back and kissed his cheek once more, then stepped slightly back. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have... sorry.." he said, not sure if he could be heard over the rain.

Saffron was left breathing hard, trembling slightly. He heard Matt, and shook his head slightly. Taking a trembling step back toward the steps and turning, ducking back under the overhang out of the rain, shivering now. He knew he should have continued to stay cold, before he got hurt again. "You've got nothing to be sorry about."

Matt reached out and caught hold of him gently. "Yes I do." he said softly, as he stepped close again, his hands going to rub Saffron's arm lightly. "You're gorgeous and you're distracting as hell and I let my feelings get in the way.. You're hurt. You shouldn't be standing in the rain.. and I sure as hell shouldn't be... doing this.." he said with a soft snort. "You've just got away from a freak... you don't need another one in your life right now."

Saffron bristled suddenly, suddenly reminded even more vividly of Rin, and he pulled back. "No, I don't need this at all." He replied softly, turning and heading up the stairs back into the church, all the while cursing Rin even more then before. For once wishing he'd killed him.

Matt watched him go, an odd ache in his chest. He sighed softly and wished he'd kissed him.. Just once…

 “Foolish foolish boy..." the whisper sounded in his ear and he sighed again.

"Go away Marilee." he said wearliy.

"Go after him... don't let him go..." she said and he  smirked slightly.

"Yeah... don’t worry.. I won't let those guys hurt him again, okay? I'll look after him... now .. fuck off." he said and followed Saffron inside.

~ ~

Saffron made it inside, biting his bottom lip until there was blood, just so that the tears he was feeling, were something else, and was glad that the door to the room was just a few steps from the main door. He pushed the black hair from his face, reaching the door and pushing it open.

Matt paused long enough to grab his bag and close the door, then spoke softly knowing he'd be heard. "Appologize for the mess, would you Marilee? Thanks..." he said, not waiting for a reply as he followed Saffron into the room. He tossed the bag down and was about to go find towels when he caught the Saffron’s reflection in the window and saw the dark smear on his mouth. Frowning he reached out, catching hold of his arm as he walked around to face him. Spotting the bleeding lip his frown softened. "Saffron..." he said softly then gave a soft snort, stopping his thumb as it was about to wipe the blood off. Instead he leaned in and kissed him, tenderly licking the blood from his lips as he did. He slipped his arms around him, careful of his back, not wanting to hurt him, but needing  the touch.

Saffron gasped in surprise behind the kiss, and started to pull away, but with a whimper, ended up submitting plantively mostly because of the feelings Matt was getting out of him. His hand came to rest on Matt's chest this time fully, his other coming to rest around his neck as he slowly gave in more, beginning to kiss him back.

Matt closed his eyes at the feelings coursing through him. He couldn't remember a simple kiss effecting him so strongly... or wanting a kiss so badly. He slid one hand up to cradle the back of Saffron's head as he kissed him, struggling to hold back and keep the kiss on the gentler, tender side; a soft moan escaping.

Saffron whimpered again, but pulled back. "I can't..." He whispered. "I can't do this..." He felt a new prickle of tears for what he knew he'd been trying to hold them back in the first place. He kept himself closed off for a reason.

Matt sighed again and rested his cheek against Safron;s hair for a moment. "I know.. gods I'm sorry... I shouldn't have..." he said softly. "I won't again... I'll keep my hands to myself.. I promise...unless you want me to..." he added with a soft smirk, then couldn't resist kissing the top of his head softly before pulling away. Whe he saw the tears he swore softly and took his face in his hands."Fuck.. kid.. don’t cry... I'm not fucking worth it, alright? I'm sorry.. I swear.. I'd never hurt you okay? You don’t have to be afriad of me.. raping you or anything.. I swear.."

Saffron gave him a look, one hand raising to wipe the tears away, the other suddenly hit Matt on the shoulder, although not terribly hard. "Oh you damned asshole! I'm not afraid of you raping me!" He snapped, although emotionally.

Matt snorted softly. "Good... 'cause I don’t want you ever to be afraid of me...." he said softly, letting his thumbs rub against the skin gently. "I'm sorry, kid... the last thing I wanted was to fall for someone, alright? And hell.. I definately didn't plan on any of this... but I'm still glad it happened.. I'm just sorry it’s hurting you..."

Saffron sighed, his hand dropping to the collar. "I can manage the trouble with LiVed...mostly...to a point. This is where it's hard...it's been a long time and the last one broke my heart."

"Last one..." Matt repeated softly, moving one hand down to take hold of his, pulling it free of the collar. "Why do I get the feeling you mean more to that than it sounds?" he asked softly. "Last what ...?"

Saffron looked up at him with a weary, sad and almost pained look. "Last...person I ever let touch me like this... The last...man I wanted to touch me like this... the last man I ever loved." He answered softly, tiredly.

Matt smiled softly and tipped his chin up to look at him. "No... you meant more. I saw the look on your face outside... you meant the last fae..." he snorted softly and shook his head. "Kid... I ain’t fae.. just the misfortune of having a father that is.. or was..." he said with a soft shrug.

Saffron gave a tired dark smile. "He was one in the same either way. Rin...was Drow...and always around the Black Court....He said once he was also LiVed's slave...I wonder some times if his is any more."

Matt snorted. "My father was Drow, supposedly... although only my one aunt said that.. the rest, if they spoke of it, said fae or elf... I never met him.. Don't care to, either." he said then brushed the backs of his fingers over Saffron's chek again. "I'm not this Rin guy, alright? I don't have much of a track record with relationships, but... I swear I'll try not to ever hurt you..."

Saffron sighed tiredly, closing his eyes for a moment at his touch. "Matt, be sure you want me, before you ask me to do this." He said softly, simply.

"I'm not asking you to do anything, Saffron..." he said softly. "I... I just wanted you to know... that's all." he said softly. "I want you... I won't hurt you... and if you...  You don’t have to be afraid around me..." he said simply, feeling a blush burn over his face as he tried to find the words he wanted to. "Aw fuck..." he said with a sigh. "Just.. I'm here, alright? I'm not abandoning you." he said, adding softly. "I can't."  He stole one last soft kiss then stepped away, heading for the door. "I'll see if I can't find us some towels..."

Saffron watched him, not sure what to think about this now. Only that what Matt left him feeling every time he kissed him, was enough to make him forget about everything else.

Matt stepped into the hall, feeling almost as of he couldn't breathe. He could feel a ghost nearby, but ignored as it since he knew it wasn't Marilee. He headed back towards the kitchen, remembering passing a bathroom along the way. He found the room and a cupboard full of towels and grabbing several, heading back to the room.

Lost in his thoughts about all of this, Saffron sorted through the pile of clothes for something to change into. He was deciding that maybe it was time he gave into accepting help from some one else for once.

Towels in hand, Matt bumped the door open with a hip, thankful he hadn't closed it completely and tossed the pile onto the cot. He grabbed one and tossed it to Saffron before grabbing one for himself. "Find anything that might fit?”

"Several things." Saffron answered, catching the towel with out looking up. Lucking out at finding another pair of sleep pants, he sat them aside with the shirt from earlier and began drying up. He managed to slip out of the wet sleep pants with out too much trouble.

Matt dropped the wet shirt to the floor and looked up to see Saffron. He blushed but took the few steps closer. "Here...I'll get your back..." he said and began to gently pat the skin around the wounds dry, trying not to think of the fact the rest of him was bare was well. "Let me know if I press too hard, arlight?" he said softly, brushing a hunk of black hair aside before continuing.

Saffron had paused in the middle of drying off when he started on his back, and he straightened up slowly, before taking the towel he had, to his hair. "You're doing fine." He answered softly.

"Okay... just.. didn't want you hurting yourself trying to do it..." he said, trying to ignore the fierce blush he could feel burning his face. He finsihed around the shoulders and worked his way carefully back down, drapping the towel around Saffron’s hips as he finsihed, holding it in place for a moment. "It is a gorgeous tattoo." he added softly and kissed his shoulder lightly before turning back for another towel to work on getting himself dry.

Saffron glanced slightly over his shoulder at him. "Thank you. They're because of the name, Azreal. I had them done when I was fourteen, long after I dropped my last name in favor of Azreal."

Matt smirled softly to himself as he draped the towel over his shoulder and peeled of the wet jeans, todssing them into a pile with the shirt. "Yeah.. figured that. Azreal, angel of death…Saffron, death elemental..." he said and shot him a quick smirk.

"Death shouldn't always have to be painful. Not always." Saffron answered softly, retreiving the sleep pants.

"It's not." Matt said just as softly as he dried off. "Here it is.. mostly. If it's not painful for the person dying, it's painful to those left behind... but that’s just the culture... Some cultures hold no fear of death..." he said, then wrapped the towel around his waist as he grabbed the garabge bag and pulled his back pack out of it.

"Not always just the cultures...some people use death painfully." Saffron answered simply, with out looking at Matt. "What do you think LiVed had me for?"

"I .. that's not what I meant... I just meant..." he shook his head softly as he pulled out a dry pair of underwear. "Look...we got stuck with powers that can hurt people... a lot. And you got stuck with assholes who made you abuse that. Shit happens." he added softly then sighed and tossed the bag aside as he grabbed the jeans and shirt he had in there too.

"We'll just agree I have a guilt problem with killing the innocent and leave it at that." Saffron said lightly, getting dressed, but deciding to leave the shirt off for now. "If truth be known, that wasn’t LiVed's only reason for keeping me, but it was the biggest."

"Yeah well.. he was an asshole." Matt said simply as he pulled on the jeans, deciding that despite the fact thy weren't the most comfortable sleep wear, it was better to be dressed in case of trouble... plus he didn’t have anything else.  He dropped the towel to the floor and used it to mop up some of the water at his feet, not bothering with a shirt with his hair still wet. "I should clean up some of this water... "

Saffron turned, sitting on the bed and glanced at the puddle of water he'd made, before dropping the towel on top of it, using his foot. "Of course he was an asshole. He threw me in hell at the age of nine so that my abilites would manifest faster...Four years...quick time to grow up."

Matt snorted. "So you came into your powers earlier then other elementals... me too. I was ten....." he said as he bundled his wet clothes into a towel then did the same to Saffron’s, before grabbing another towel for the rest of the floor.

"I think I might have come into my powers early anyway...my father was quite a powerful elemental; time and illussion, it's rare for an elemental to be TWO elements. Very rare. And my mother...well...she was daughter of the seal." Saffron said softly, glancing toward the window as a loud crack of thunder startled him.

Matt frowned slightly then looked over. "Daughter of the Seal.. as in fae?" he asked as he straightened up. "Not fair.. you didn’t get the ears.." he added witha smirk, his eyes sparkling.

Saffron snorted softly. "No, just every thing else. The scent, the fair look...I really doubt you've failed to notice I'm definitely more feminine looking then most guys. And not to mention my own little connection to the Seal. Which brings a hell of a lot of perverts out of the wood work after me."

Matt dropped the wet towels to the floor and went  to his side, his hands going to rest on his hips. "Hey... so you've got me too ward of the perverts now... You just may have to ward me off on occasion too.." he added with a soft smirk. "I think you look great... and yeah.. now that you mention it.. you do smell damned good." he added with a soft chuckle.

Saffron sighed softly, turning his head from the windows, to look at Matt. He stared at him a long moment. "Where do we stand now?" He asked softly after a moment. "I don't think you could have failed to notice I was kissing you back a few moments ago...it should give you some idea of how I feel..."

"Yeah, I noticed... trust me." he said with a wry smirk. "Look... kid... I'll be honest... you're the first guy I've ever been attracted to, so I'm a bit... nervous... but I AM attracted. Big time... as in… can't pretend otherwise." he said , blushing again. "Maybe I can try to blame it on the fae scent, or this... connection... between us... but... I think it's more..." he said then shrugged. "I want you... very badly... but I know you are in no way up to anything... and I'm not just talking phsyical here...."

"I've never been with anyone willingly. I've never been with a man of my own choice," Saffron said softly, not sure how to put what he wanted to say into the right words. "And I was young when...there was Rin. And it's been a very long time since I trusted any one...and let them close, so I won’t lie...I'm scared."

Matt slipped his arms around him gently, pulling him close. "Me too... and I've never admitted that to anyone about anything before..." he said softly. "But...I'm here. Obviously my promise to keep my hands to myself didn't last..." he said with a wry smirk. "But I won’t push it, Saffron... I won’t force you or make you feel that way... as long as I can hold you when you need it... and sometimes when you don't..."

Saffron sighed softly, before looking up at Matt, and the soft smile that touched his lips reached his eyes, which had lightened some; more a dark emerald then almost black now. "You can hold me any time..." He replied softly. "Just try to understand...I submit easily to being dominated..."

Matt swallowed hard. "I'll try to keep that in mind.. but.. I'm afraid I'm a bit of an ass..." he said with a smirk. "If I get too rough or whatever... just.. say something.. I don’t want to hurt you..."

"Trust me. You'll know if you're ever too rough." Saffron answered softly with a sigh. He found his arms resting lightly on Matt's shoulders, found himself leaning slightly against him, and didn't really care. "You should also know, whether you want me or not, with me being connected to the seal...there's trouble in that...that'll never go away...and that I might not always be like this..." He said even softer.

"There's trouble in everything I wind up involved in... don't worry about it. Some things are worth the extra trouble, Saffron.. and I can tell just holding you, that you are definately worth it and more..." he said softly. "And I am definately not like this all the time... I'm normally a loud mouthed, insensitive jack ass.. just ask Marilee.. she's said it enough." he added with a soft snort. "I'm only like this with you..."

Saffron sighed softly, but gave a weary smirk. "That's...not exactly what I meant....never mind...it probably wasn't even true, knowing LiVed." He sighed again, feeling exhausted, and the collar was starting to give him a headache again, from the drain on his abilities. He wondered how long he'd have before the damned thing started killing him. The collar was designed that under LiVed's control, it would ease up at certain times, when LiVed would allow it, allowing Saffron to kill, to stay alive. Away from LiVed...and without a way to break the collar...

Matt rested his cheek against the top of Saffron’s head for a moment then gave his hip a pat. "Come on... you should be trying to get some sleep. You want me to see if Father Andrew is still up and see is he has any aspirin or whatever for the pain?"

"No, there was pain medication in the first aid box, I already took some." Saffron answered softly, starting to step back toward the bed, from Matt. He suddenly inhaled sharply with a soft painful cry as the headache flared suddenly with such intensity, and a glimmer appeared in the room by the door. "Well...well well well well...There you are, Saffron. I've been looking for you." LiVed said pleasantly through the glimmer.

Matt narrowed his eyes at the sudden appearance and wrapped an arm around Saffron, pulling him back against him. "You… fuck off." he said simply, jabbing a finger at the glimmer. "You or your cronies come after him again and you'll regret it." he said, the sudden thought of how much like a bad movie that had just sounded in his head threatening to make him smirk....

LiVed raised an eyebrow. "Saffron, lad, just what in the world have you been telling this young man?" He asked with a rather confuesed tone. "And...good lords what happened to your back?" His tone had gone to one of concern.

Saffron had gone still, staring at the floor. "I haven't said anything sir...and it was an accident..." He said in hushed softness, he was trembling slightly.

Matt looked down at Saffron then gently moved him behind him, putting himself between Saffron and LiVed. "Shut up... don't try your shit with him. Don’t even speak to him." Matt said simply, as he removed one of his earrings. Marilee had told him that she'd seen witches like his blood line break simple spells like glimmers and sendings and even glamours, by casting a bit of their blood through it. He'd only done it once and it was just a test.. he didn’t know if it would work against someone stronger or not.. but... if the guy tried anything.. he'd find out.

LiVed ignored Matt, keeping his attention on Saffron. "Child, I think it's time for you to come home. You're ill...and you're not going to get any better here. Come home before you get much worse." He said gently.

Saffron raised his eyes slowly from the floor, looking toward LiVed fearfully. "I..." He started to protest, only to give another soft cry, clutching his head.

"Saffron..." LiVed's tone wasn't hard or cold, merely stern like a father's. "You'll only make yourself sicker, what with your birthday and all coming up. It wouldn't be wise for some one in your...vulnerability to be out on your own when that time comes."

Matt stabbed his finger viciously, then squeezed until he had a sizable drop of blood. "Stop fucking with him.." he growled softly, and took a step closer to the glimmer. "He's not yours anymore.. LiVed, right? That’s who you are? Well..LiVEd... Fuck. Off." he said and raised his hand, watching the blood start to run down his finger.

LiVed gave a frustrated sigh and turned his gaze on Matt which had darkened and harded. "Sir, I don't know who you think you are, interfering between me and my ward, but I'll ask you kindly to stay out of it, before I make you." He said still politely. Then his tone grew colder. "You have no idea who or what Saffron is, and as for him not being mine, I'll be the judge of that. And further more, he has only a few more days before the collar kills him."

Mat felt his heart skip at that, but forced it aside. "Like I said.. Fuck.Off.  You and your perverted freak are never getting your hands on Saffron again." he said, and slashed his hand downwards, sending droplets of blood spraying through the image, immediately turning to pull Saffron into his arms. He closed his eyes, silently praying to whatever was listening that the image was gone and Saffron would be alright... that what he'd said about Saffron dying wasn't true..

There was silence in the room, which stretched for what seemed a good long time before it was broken simply by Saffron's sniffle, although that was muffled, his hands still covering his face. He was still trembling, although not as much, and he couldn't bring himself to look and see if LiVed's glimmer was still there. Unable to endure the silence much longer, Saffron whispered. "He's telling the truth...the collar is killing me. And I'm changing..."

Matt tightened his arms around him and rested his cheek against the wet hair. "No... Don't believe anythng he says... it's just something he said to keep you inline.. Youre not dying, Saffron.. I won’t let you.." he said, his voice soft. "And we'll find a way to get rid if that collar... I know some people who deal with shit like this all the time... I bet one of them will know what to do..."

Saffron ran the back of his hand over his face, before pulling back enough to look at Matt. "It is killing me, Matt, I can feel it. It's the same thing that happens when I don't use my abilities for a very long time, only sped up. If elementals stop using their abilities, it kills thems."

Matt swallowed hard then cursed softly. "Fuck... fuck fuck fuck.. no..." he said. "No.. I just found you.. I'm not losing you..." he said softly, stunned. "Kay'll know a way around this.. a way out of it... or one of her people will..." he said, then looked down. He was aware there had been nothing more from LiVed so he took that to mean it had worked and the glimmer gone.. and LiVed no doubt extrememly pissed about that. "Saffron..." he said softly, stroking the side of his neck with one hand.

Saffron was glad Matt hadn't persued the subject of LiVed's whole cryptic statement about his birthday or that Saffron had said he was changing; he still hadn't wrapped his head around that one yet. He looked up when Matt had spoken his name, "Hmm?"

Matt struggled to find what he wanted to say; the knowledge that he'd finally found something and someone he wanted in his life... only to be told that that someone was dying... He blinked, his eyes suddenly burning as he looked down at him. "I won’t let you go.." he said quietly.

Saffron looked up at him some what surprised, and found his heart pounding at the simple words. He hesitated a moment, then lifted his hand, letting his fingers stroke Matt's cheek, before resting his hand there, and leaned up, kissing himself softly, tenderly. "I some how don't think...LiVed would let me die. I'm too important...and I doubt...the seal would let me die...or at the most...change me before that were to happen..." He said softly.

Matt frowned slightly, shaking his head a little in confusion. "I don’t understand… You said it before... that you were changing..." he said softly.

Saffron sighed. "My mother was the former daughter of the seal, I was first born, by tradition I should have been the next daughter of the seal...I'm not...I'm the orcale...but either way the Seal can't have...males in those postions..." Saffron winced, and pulled away from Matt, turning back toward the window. "I wasn't...always a boy." He whispered. “And by my next birthday, which is eight months from now, I won’t be any more."

Matt looked at him for a moment, disgesting this. "So... you were born a girl.. and changed into a boy... and now.. you're changing back...?" he asked softly. "But... that's good, right? Like you said... the Seal won't let you die... If you’re a girl then the Seal has all the more reason... fuck.. and LiVed will want you back even more... won’t he...?" Matt asked then growled softly as he closed the distance btween them and wrapped his arms around him again. "I don't care, Saffron... I won’t lose you. You'll change, but you'll still be you... and I'll keep those bastards away from you..."

"Of course he'd want me back even more...a grander scheme for me then, than now...Imagine what he could do with me when I'd be a girl..." Saffron muttered darkly, but didn't pull away from Matt this time. "He's already told me his master plans...Once I changed, he was locking me in the tower, until he found a suitable...mate for me..."

"Well.. could be worse..." Matt said with a soft smirk. "He could have decide to be that mate.. Thats just.. gross.." he said then snorted and kissed the top of his head softly. "Sorry... I just... it doesn't matter what his plans are... he won’t get the chance..." he said simpy. "I have you now... and I'm not leting you go."

Saffron leaned back against Matt, feeling again, safe and secure in his arms. He was quiet for a long moment, "I believe you..." He said softly, near a whisper. "I trust you..." He added even softer. The words I love you suddenly wanted to slip out, but Saffron clamped his mouth shut before they could.

Matt smiled softly. "Good. I won't let you down, Saffron. I won’t let you go." he said, kising the damp hair tenderly. "Come on... into bed." he said and  reached over to flip back the blankets for him. The cot suddenly seemed too far away from the bed, even though just an hour earlier he'd thought it far too close. "Saffron...? This is going to sound bad, but.. I don’t want to let you go. Would you mind if we both shared the bed? If you do.. that's alright.. I'll survive.."

Saffron looked at the bed for a long moment, before asking softly. "Does that involve you holding me while I sleep?" His voice was almost unheard.

"I... was hoping it would... after all... I don't want to let you go..." he said with a soft smile. "But... just holding.. I promise.. no funny stuff, okay?"

Saffron turned his eyes from the bed, to look up at Matt, his gaze a surprisingly innocent wide, a rare look for Saffron. "I've never slept in some ones arms..." He answered in a whisper, the tone innocent and yet fearful at the same time.

Matt smiled softly, blushing. "I've never held anyone while they slept... " he said simply. "Are you worried you won't be able to sleep?" he asked softly, tucking a strand of damp black hair behind Saffrons ear, thinking how incredible he looked.. those eyes...

"Oh...I'll sleep...as tired and exhausted as I am...I'll sleep..." Saffron answered softly. he felt a faint pleasurable shiver run through him as Matt tucked the hair behind his ear and looked at him again, innocently and perhaps naive. Not even Rin had ever offered to hold him while he slept. He looked back at the bed, and after a moment, slipped into it, under the blankets, closest to spot to the wall.

Matt watched him for a moment, waiting until he was settled before joining him. "I don’t want to wind up hurting your back... When those pain killers wear off, you're going to feel it..." he said simply as he lay on his back and held out his arms to him. "Come on...get over here... stay off your back.."

Saffron hesitated a moment, before slidding over, and snuggling against him, his head tucked against Matt's shuolder, one arm over his chest. This was so new and different to him, but then it felt incredibly right. He suddenly felt and hoped it'd be this way everynight from here on.

Matt wrapped his around his arms around him carefully, kissing the top of his head. "Gods you feel good..." he said softly with a smile. "Poke me if I snore, alright?" he said witha smirk and kissed the soft black hair again before laying his cheek against it. "Sweet dreams."

Saffron lay there, quiet for a moment, still awake. "I don't have good dreams." He finally said softly. "I only have nightmares." He sighed, closing his eyes. This was going to be a first for him.

Matt stroked his fingers over Saffron's shoulder as he held him. "You've only had nightmares before.. but you've never been held while you sleep before either..." he said simply. "This is a night for firsts, after a all..."

"One of those things only time will tell..." Saffron answered softly, his eyes finally closing. With a soft sigh, he was already starting to fall asleep, exhausted from everything else. He shoved the thought of the last couple of days out of his head, and his arm tightened around Matt's chest, clinging to him more.

Matt stroked his fingers through Saffron's hair gently as he listened to his breathing deepen, feeling himself grow tired as well. This night had started out so simply.. just do a favor for Marilee and get her to stop bitching about it... and instead he winds up rescuing a kid and finding himself, not only seriously attracted.. but falling for him. How long had it been since he found himn on the road? An hour? Two.. maybe a bit longer? He sighed, letting his fingers come to rest, still tangled in Saffrons hair, his eyes closing. It didn’t matter, he realized... it was just true.

Saffron had snuggled closer, falling into a deeper sleep, for once, peaceful, feeling safe at night for the first time in a very very long time, not since he was a child.

~ ~

"Matt! Mattias!!"  the leathery whisper sounded in his ear and he scowled, batting a hand past his face and cuddling closer to Saffron.

"Fuck off...." he mumbled softly, half asleep. Something wet suddenly slapped him in the face and he started fully awake as he threw off the sodden towel. "What the FUCK!?!" he hissed loudly at the room, "Damn it, Marilee!!" but no sooner were the words out then he sensed the other spirits restlessness and caught a faint wiff of smoke.

The fire had been started in the basement of the church, slowly working it's way up. It'd already reached the door they'd come in through, and was licking it's way down the hall in their direction, as well as consuming the front of the church. It'd been set, deliberitely to drive them out of the church.

Matt cursed softly as the spirits related their news, slipping out of bed and grabbing his shirt and boots quickly. He snapped up the shirt father Andrew had left for Saffron and jammed it into the backpack along with the first aid kit and Saffrons boots. "Father Andrew?" He asked as he checked the door for heat, trying to see if they stood a chance of getting out this way of if they'd have to go out the window. "Did he get out?"

Father Andrew had made it out, but the enemy, who was waiting outside, had nabbed him, taking him prisoner. Now they were waiting for Matt and Saffron. They had the place surrounded.

Matt cursed, then cursed louder as he learned they were watching the car. He eyed Saffron who was starting to wake up, trying to figure out what they were going to do. He could smash through the window, but Saffron was in no shape to run while he fought off the bad guys... and he wasn't sure he could handle a portal.. Portals and rifts weren't his strong suit, although Marilee had tried. "Saffron..babe..." he said,  shouldering the pack and moving back to the bed to pull Saffron into his arms. "We've got a problem... time to get the fuck out of here..."

The more Saffron woke, the more he was aware of the fire and swore softly. "He sent them... Should have known they'd try something like this..." He muttered, smoke was starting to curl under the door.

Matt paused as he went to scoop Saffron into his arms as something smacked into him again. His shirt, still wet from being bundled inside the towels. He scowled then sighed and pulled his knife from his boot and cut the shirt into two pieces. He tied one over Safforn's nose and mouth and one over his own then grabbed his machete out of the bag, strapping it on. Bag back on his shoulder, he scooped Saffron into his arms, keeping up a steady stream of curses as he reached out to the closest dead, calling them even as Marilee opened the door.

The fire was curling up the walls in the hall. The only part of the church that wasn't on fire yet, was the office, which was at the other end of the hall, but there would mostly likely be enemy watching those windows, they were left with little choice either way.

"Fucking ambush..." he muttered, coughing despite the wet cloth sheilding him from the worst of the smoke. There was no way in hell he was letting them get their hands on Saffron again... and if they went outside, chances were, that was exactly what was going to happen. He could feel his zombies getting closer to their targets, but he didn't fool himself with thinking they'd be more than a slight diversion... there just weren’t enough of them in good enough shape close enough...

Saffron looked out the window, chewing on his already sore lip, on hand unconciously tugging at the collar around his neck. He cursed it silently. "We don't have much choice..." He said softly after a moment.

Matt growled and kicked at the nearest door, sending it crashing open in a burst of sparks as the flames lept out at them. "Fuck!" he cursed, moving farther down the hall out of the way. The door leading outside was a fairly clear shot... and it was a trap. He focused, trying to open a portal. He felt it start then he lost his concentration as something crashed deeper in the church. "FUCK!" he yelled again. Marilee was whispering hurriedly in his ear, but he wasn't listening... His zombies had arrived and had started in on their arsonists. Matt decided it was the only shot they were going to get and ran at the door, hoping Marilee would open it in time and hadn't used all her strength already..

Some one was waiting on the other side of the door as it opened to trip Matt, which sent them both tumbling, Saffron rolling in the damp grass. The assailant was already moving to grab Matt, to keep him away from Saffron as others were moving to grab Saffron. "Shouldn't have run in the first place." Came Right's voice, approaching. Saffron rolled on to his back; it was still raining making the grass beneath him slick.

Matt pulled the knife from his boot and slid it to Saffron, his machete in his other hand as he faced off against the closest man. He smirked as something came hurling from the open doorway, slamming into the one who had tripped him. "Nice shot , Marilee!" he said and spun to help Saffron.

Saffron had made a dive for the knife, but Right had been anticipating the move and lunged forward, grabbing Saffron by the hair, yanking him back. "You're coming back with me, Azreal, so unless you wanna be back under the belt..." Right sneered.

Saffron began twisting, to get out of Right's grasp, even if it was riping out hair. Right sneered and tightened his grip, twisting the hair around his fist and yanking Saffron back away from the knife.

Matt snarled and slammed an elbow into Rights face, breaking his hold on Saffron. "Get your fucking hands of him..." he growled as he swung the machete, but Right dodged out of the way. Matt called the zombies closer, pulling them past the outsiders towards the main players in the center.

"Should've known you'd be a problem." Right snarled. "Fortunately, I have just the thing to keep you busy." He gave a call and something big came lumbering out of the darkness. He'd also motioned to a few other men to began moving in on Saffron.

Saffron stuggled to his feet, looking around, the fire from the church giving plenty of light. He felt next to useless with the collar.

Matt tried to keep himself between Right and Saffron, part of him keeping track of the zombies progress.. there were five still standing and he could feel a few more on their way, just now reaching the edge of the lawn. The creature lumbering towards him caught his attention and he flipped his machete nervously as he eyed it. "Aw fuck... kid... you weren’t kidding..." he said softly.

The giant came into view, a huge war hammer dragging behind it. Saffron managed to dodge some one making a grab for him, before seeing the thing. "Uh...no...but on the upside, it's slow..." The giant gave a bellow, before suddenly swinging the hammer at them. It crashed into the ground and the giant moved one hand to make a swipe for Saffron. He reacted on instinct and a single one of his swords appeared, leaving Saffron as surprised as he was dizzy. He managed to take a slice at the giant's hand, before staggering back out of it's reach. The giant bellowed again, and took a few steps forward, Saffron went down on his knee, from the drain of the collar at having managed to summon at least one of his swords.

The giant's hand was reaching for him again. Then it gave another bellow as the arrow pierced it's hand. "Get up, kid!" The archer appeared to the side. "Saffron, get up!" She yelled again, as Maxine Croft notched another arrow.

Matt spun from finishing off the guy he'd been fighting, and took a swipe at the giant’s hand as it reached for Saffron again, only then noticing the new comer. He kicked out at Right as he got too close, dividing his attention between Right and the giant. "Saff... get moving..." he called over his shoulder.

Maxine moved forward, letting the second arrow fly at the giant, which it staggered back, even as a third flew. And Max wasn't alone. A man big enough to rival the giant had appeared as well and grabbed Saffron's arm rather gently, hoisting him to his feet. "Ya heard the lady, kid." Harry grumbled.

"Marilee, next time you say there's an emergency; specify please." Max said out loud, knowing she was still there. She took another shot at the giant, before falling back and taking Saffron's arm as Harry let go of him.

"Let me take care o' this, sweets." Harry said, cracking his neck.

"All yours, lover." Maxine replied with a smirk, helping Saffron back. Harry smirked, moving toward the giant.

Matt snorted at the mention of Marilee and stepped aside, focusing on a rather irritated looking Right. He backed up until he was at Saffron's side. "You should hire better men... they don’t seem to stand up to zombies well..." he said with a soft sneer as he reached out a hand to Saffron, keeping the machete pointed in Rights direction.

Right sneered, then glanced at Saffron, who was much more pale and drawn. "That's okay. We'll be getting him back soon enough..." He said with a nod. The arrow suddenly ruffled Right's hair as a warning. While in the back ground, Harry was taking on the giant bare handedly and sounding like he was having fun. Right snarled and suddenly gave the yell to retreat.

Matt gripped the machete tightly, the urge to throw it at the man's back incredibly strong.. but a soft whimper from behind him pulled his attention to Saffron. The sight of him wavering slightly on his feet, had the machete away and his arms catching hold of him, pulling him close. He looked up at Maxine and offered a grim nod. "Thanks for the rescue.."

Harry could be heard yelling for the giant to come back and get some more, Maxine glanced toward the big man with a slight smirk before looking back at Matt. "No need to thank me..." She said simply.

Saffron was still gripping the one sword, almost afraid to let it go, but was also clinging to Matt, his eyes closed to stop the world from spinning.

Harry came trodding back toward them, shaking his head while muttering. "Fuckers don't even know how to give a fair fight any more."

Matt snorted at the mans comment. "Did you happen to see a priest among them? Father Andrew..." he asked softly then shook his head and brushed the hair out of Saffron's eyes. "You okay, kid? You look even shakier on your feet now then you did before..."

"Nope, no priest." Harry replied, looking back at the chruch. "Did manage to push a nice looking hearse outta the way before it caught fire though." He added.

Saffron sighed, looking up at Matt with an exhausted expression before holding up the one sword. "Managed to get it through the collar...not a good thing." He muttered.

"Fuck it's not a good thing.. it's a great thing.. Proves you're stronger then they gave you credit for. If you can break its hold that far.. why not farther?" Matt said with a soft smirk then glanced up at Harry."Thanks man... I love that car." he said simply. "I'm Matt in case Marilee didn't tell you..." he said with a snort. "Come on.. lets get out of here..." he said and looked down at Saffron. "Hang on, kid.. looks like I get to carry you again."

"It's not a good thing..." Saffron muttered in reply, on the verge of passing out. "It's killing me faster now."

"We have a safe house, not far from here..." Maxine said. "And I can get a hold of some people about that collar."

Matt sliped his arms around him and lifted him carefully, mindful of both his injuries and the sword in his grasp. He cradled him against his chest. "I told you, kid... I won't let you go.. remember that..." he said then nodded to Maxine."Lead the way."

Maxine nodded, "If you'd like, Harry can take care of your car. "

Harry grinned. "Don't worry, it's safe with me. A piece o' art like that...treat it like it was my baby." He said.

Matt eyed the large man carefully. "You're not going to fit in it... or I'd toss you the keys..." he said softly. "But sure.. you saved it already... proof enough for me that you'll take care of it."

"Don't worry, I've got ways." Harry said reassuringly, his eyes sparkling.

"Honestly, Harry'll make sure it gets to the safe house safely with out a scratch. Come on." Maxine said, turning, her bow on her shoulder as she led the way toward the other side of the road where a black suv was waiting.

Matt nodded. "Thanks man.. I owe you." he said then took a step and stoppe. "Oh.. don't mind the dead guys... the ones walking around are heading back to sleep.. the rest.. well.. they'll just stay laying around..." he added with a smirk as he ordered the zombies back to their graves with thanks... something he'd only just begun doing; thanking them even though they were just shells... the one incident where he'd called a soul back to the body had left its mark on him. He supressed a shudder at the memory as he followed Maxine, Marilee whispering in his ear who they were and where they were going.

~ ~

Reaching the suv, Maxine opened the back passanger door. "Marilee's an old friend. We were in the neighborhood, when she...called for help." Maxine said, casting a glance back at the burning church. She spotted Harry sorting through the dead soliders, no doubt looking for information on the priest. Saffron had already passed out, but was still clutching the sword.

Matt carefully set Safron inside and shrugged out of the pack, tossing it in the back, wondering that it hadn't burst open during the fight. He eased Saffron over carefully and climbed in beside him, pulling him against him; his arms around him protectively.

Maxine climbed into the drivers side and started the engine. "I have a history of dealing with LiVed, so the safe house will be safe against him even sending glimmers. So he won’t find you or the kid." She said, pulling away from the curb and heading at a good speed in the direction of the safe house.

"Good too know.. I can get rid of the glimmers.. but I hate giving up blood without a fight..." he said then sighed. "Shit... forgot my damned earring.." he said reaching up to rub at the empty hole. "Screw it.. wasn't one of my faves anyhow..." he muttered and looked donw at Saffron. "Hang in there, babe.." he said softly, stroking his cheek tenderly.

Saffron shifted slightly, his sword was laying on the seat beside them, and he seemed to cling more to Matt. Maxine glanced in the review mirror. "Instinct made him pull the sword...he's always been very strong for a death elemental...Perhaps one of the strongest ever, but for the collar to be effecting him like that..." She shook her head. "Then again...it's probably the fact he's orcale of the seal that allowed him to get it."

"From the sounds of things.. that might be all thats keeping him alive ..." Matt answered her softly, not taking his eyes off Saffron. "This person you know... they can get this thing off, right?"

"Right." Maxine answered. "Mariko shouldn't have a problem; Shane and Lin can help her." She said, turning off a road that looked like shit, she muttered something, and the drive wasn't nearly as bad as the road looked. "If...by chance they can't. Then I can call in Gillorn. As prince of the Seelie court, he'd be able to remove it with little problem."

Matt looked up at her and scowled. "No.. no fucking fae. No fucking faeries.." he muttered. "Caused enough shit as it is..." he added softly, looking down at Saffron.

Saffron had some how heard the word fae and whimpered, shifting closer. "Alright." Maxine said with a weary sigh. "Although I do slightly take offense to that, as I myself am Elvin." She muttered, shaking her head, turning down another road. "And you're half Drow." She added. She'd found him familiar from the first, and now she realized why when she realized he was half drow. She knew Rin...

Matt snorted. "Yeah.. I am.. don't fucking rub it in. No offense alright? But Saffron... Saffron doesn't need that shit right now..." he said, his voice going softer as he said the kid's name. "Fuck... look at him...he looks so fucking... young.. so.. breakable..." he said softly, knowing the only way she'd be able to hear him was due to her fae blood... or ears... 

"To some one like me, he is young..." Maxine said softly, driving. "And to some like...Rin he was very young." That was even softer spoke. Maxine shook her head, turning down a side street. "I think I understand everything now. I don't like it, but I understand it."

Matt looked up at her, frowning slightly. "I don't think I like the sound of that." he said softly, stroking Saffron’s hair tenderly. "And Saffron mentioned a Rin... I don't think I like that either.... and from what I gathered, Saffron WAS very young when Rin was around... he did the tattoos.. I think Saffron said when he was.. fourteen? Or was it younger..? Damn ... I can't remember..."

"That sounds about right...he...knew Rin until he was nineteen or so...the way I understand it. I know it's the same Rin...he described Saffron..." Maxine sighed, pulling into a driveway finally of a large gated house. She stopped, rolling down the window and began the security process. "I've known Rin since we were kids. He's Drow...my father kept a family of Drow as slaves...Rin and I grew up as companions. To make a long story short, I know Rin very well..." She seemed to stress this. "Two days ago, he showed up, asking me to repay a debt. He told me LiVed was after Saffron, he told me where to find him...asked me to get him out of LiVed's reach...But it was his parting words now that make sense. "

Matt narrowed his eyes further, an odd sense of dread building at her words. "Suppose you're going to tell me what those words were, right?" he said, wondering if this Rin had his own plans to come after Saffron. The timing seemed too good for it to be a coincidence, so obviously Rin knew about the whole Seal connection and what that meant...

Maxine looked at him through the review mirror, her expression neutral. "He said look after the kid as well. He never called Saffron kid; he called him Elohim, meaning dark angel."

Matt snorted. "So... he asked you to get Safron away from LiVed and too look after the kid... and you think he wasn't referring to Saffron..." He narrowed his eyes suddenly. "Fuck.. you think he meant ME!?!" he asked, and leaned back against the seat, snorted. "Fuck... as if. How would he even know I existed let alone was with Saffron?"

Maxine shut off the engine and turned her seat, to look Matt dead in the eyes. "Rin and I stayed something of...friends, after I left Ter Nah Nog. So I know something about him. He has a weakness for small and fair and raven haired creatures. Your mother's name was Rosalie, she had dark hair, almost black, I wouldn't say completely black, but dark enough, with dark eyes." She said simply. "I met her once. When she was with him." 

Matt suddenly felt cold and his heart seemed to be suddenly slow. "You're trying to tell me you think he's my father..." he said simply, feeling oddly numb. "So what if he is?" he said, the numbness giving way to anger. "Doesn't mean shit."

"You should re-evaulate things before you jump to conclusions." Maxine said simply. "It might not mean anything to you..." She pointed down at Saffron with out another word. Saffron whimpered, curling up smaller, still passed out.

Matt groaned softly. "Fuck..." he said and sighed heavily. "I think he knows.. or suspects... the way he looked at me earlier..." he shook his head slightly. "So... I take it I look enough like him to be recognized.... " he shook his head softly with a wry smirk. "Was always told I looked like my grandfather.. aside from the eyes and ears, anyways..."

"I don't think it's so much appearance as something about you is...strikingly familiar...the way you carry yourself for one...and the eyes. You have his eyes." Maxine said softly. "That is probably what Saffron saw..." She finally turned, getting out of the driver's side and stepping back to open the door for him.

Matt snorted again, his gaze going to Saffron as he stroked his hair again. "Fuck..." he said softly then sighed. He slipped his arms  around Saffron again, cradling him against his chest and slid out the door as it opened. "I'll come back for my bag and his sword..." he said softly. "I just want to get him inside and safe..."

"Fair enough." Maxine said, locking the doors and shutting them, before turning and starting for the house, taking a keycard and keys from her pocket. "Might I sugguest something..? It’s obivious you feel something for the boy...best just prove to him that you do care, and leave it at that."

"Prove to who that I do care? Saffron already knows and he's the only one that matters." Matt said coldly. "Just to make it clear.. I don’t have a fucking father, alright? I don’t give a shit about the unlucky sperm donor, alright? He wasn't around. The only thing that might have gone in his favor was if he hadn't even known about me.. but obviously he did..."

"I wasn't talking about Rin, I was talking about Saffron." Maxine replied simply, before turning to look at Matt at the porch. "Saffron might know here," She tapped Matt on the forehead. "But he doesn't know it here yet." She placed a finger on his chest, over his heart. "That's what you've got to convince." She turned back to unlocking the door.

Matt watched her for a moment then snorted and followed her inside. "Whatever... no offense.. but mind your own business."

"Hey, I've said my peace, you won’t hear any more out of me." Maxine replied causually, closing and locking the door again, punching in a code. "Call me paranoid, but this is the Illuminatie we're dealing with, so we went for higher security." She said.

"Yo, Maxi, that you?" Shane came out of a side room, and eyed Matt carrying Saffron, but other wise didn't say anything.

"Who else would it be with that kind of clearance?" Maxine answered, before turning to Matt and pointing at the elegant stair case. "Second door on the right at the top. You...two can use that room."

Matt snorted softly and nodded, starting for the stairs. He stopped a few steps up and looked back at her. "With all the security and shit.. maybe you should have someone get our shit instead... be a pain in the ass having someone go through all that shit to let me out and back in... Besides... with .. Rin involved.. I'd rather not leave Saffron alone. Just.. make sure whoever gets his sword is someone you trust...." he said then sighed. "And.. sorry...about .. well.. sorry." he said then turned and started up the stairs.

Maxine chuckled. She'd get Saffron's sword herself. She was aware of Shane looking back and forth and spoke to him sharply. "Did you see the collar around his neck?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, get Mariko and get to work on a way to remove it, NOW." Shane was already heading down the hall, while Maxine called Harry. "Now I know what you meant, Marilee." She said softly, with a rueful smirk, and shaking her head.

~ ~