Matt set Saffron on the bed and began to quickly dig in his bag for Saffron's shirt and boots  before pulling his own on. "Sorry baby.." he said softly. "I just didn't want him hurting or upsetting you." He looked up then stole a quick kiss before yanking on his other boot. "Hate to say it, babe... but maybe we should ditch Maxi and call in Kay and her people... I know you're not ready to meet your dad.. but he doesn't have to know who you are..."

"Think they can deal with Hell Hounds any better?" Saffron asked in reply, pulling on the shirt. "`Cause if you think they can..."

Matt shurgged as he dug out a couple extra sheaths for knives and began strapping them on, along with his gun. "Well...  Kay's  half demon...the heir to a throne, as a matter of fact.. Figured she might have a trick or two..." he cast a glance at the door then at the window. "I just.. I don’t give a shit about Rin... but the others helped us and they didn't sound very good about those things out there. You know them better then me though babe... if you think they can handle it..."

"No one handles these things well." Saffron answered, pulling on his boots. "You don't know much about Hell Hounds, do you?" He asked, glancing at him.

Matt sat down next to him and pulled him close. "Baby.. I don't know much of anything about this shit... except that I don’t want you any where near it." he said softly. "I don’t know what to do... I want you safe. I want you as far away from all of this as possible..as far away from Rin as possible..." he sighed. "But they'll just find you again..."

"Well that is something I tried to point out earlier." Saffron answered. "And it is something you'll have to put up with...if you want me." Another howl outside, this time closer, Saffron shivered.

"Oh I want you baby...I said I'd deal with all of this and I will.. gladly, if it means you're with me." Matt said, pulling him into his arms and cradling him for a moment. "I just wish I could find a way to keep you safe from it all..."

Saffron didn't answer. He wasn't sure any one could keep him safe. There was another baying of the hounds, this time however, it was answered by a faint horn.

Matt looked towards the window again and thenturned Saffron's face to his, kissing him tenderly. "Whatever happens baby.. I love you and I'll keep you safe. Somehow, I'll keep you safe..."he said simply.

Saffron touched his face gently. "I know you will." He answered simply. Another horn this time closer.

Matt reluctantly stood and grabbed his machete. "Come on, baby... we should get ready. You're going to need your swords.... Although... stay out of it if you can... It's hard to fight being worried about you..."

Saffron snorted softly, getting to his feet. "I'm not that helpless." He replied softly, swords already in hand.

Matt smirked softly and stole another kiss. "I know... but you’re mine.." he said, his fingers going to brush against the amulet beneath Saffron shirt. "It's my job to worry and be over protective and all that macho shit..." he said.

"Hmm, I suppose that means you'll be taking it rather seriously." Saffron replied, looking up at him. "We better get down stairs."

Matt smirked softly and leaned donw for a quick kiss. "Yeah... be careful, kid... please." he said softly then headed for the door, machete in hand. "Maybe I'll ask the faeries.. sorry..'FAE' about hellhounds and thrones of hell... Who knows.. maybe Kay can lend a hand... Ithink she might pout if she finds out about this later and I didn't even ask about her..." Matt said with a smirk.

"Well I suppose it doesn't hurt to hope." Saffron replied, heading out into the hall, and for the stairs.


~ ~

Maxine had recovered a couple choice weapons, including a long bow. Mariko eyed it , "That gonna help?" She asked.

"You'd be surprised." Maxine answered, just as she heard Harry coming down the hall, grumbling about the lack of sleep. "Cheer up luv...things might be fun." She replied to him.

"Well if it's just hell hounds, we won’t have much of a problem right? Just let Harry's...pet out there and they'll go away..." Mariko said.

Maxine snorted softly, shaking her head, "It’s what follows the hell hounds that I'm worried about." Maxine answered.

 "You wouldn't think..." Shane started. "Why the fuck would LiVed have hell hounds and why the fuck, or should I say HOW the fuck would have a..."

Rin cut him off. "It's not LiVed."

"Answer me honestly Rin, did you bring them here?" Maxine snarled, turning from the window to look at him.

 "No." Rin answered simply with out looking at her.

 "Swear on Terra." Maxine hissed.

"I swear on Terra." Rin answered.

Maxine nodded, turning back to the window. She was trying to think up a plan, just as the first Hell hound crossed into view, crossing the wards. It went down, twitching, but it'd broken the wards, now the others were crossing into the yard.

Maxine and Rin both swore at the same time, very viciously at hearing the sounding of a horn. "Some one trying opening a rift or a portal, please." Maxine said.

Both Mariko and Shane tried, to no success. "Can't..." Shane said. Maxine's lips were pressed into a thin line and she muttered something in elvin, before trying herself, but it was impossible.

"They've netted the area..." Rin said. "Have to get some where beyond the net to open one.

The first hell hound to make it to the front door, threw it's self at it; the door trembling. "We can't fight 'em here." Harry said.

"I loath the idea of going out there." Maxine replied,

"Alright, so we can't open a rift or portal in here...and they're trying to get in...where does that leave us?" Maxine asked.

"Well they're just after the kid, right?" Shane asked.

"Absolutely fucking not." Rin cut in.

Maxine snorted softly."They're after, Saffron, yes, but I'm not turning him over. So I guess we go for plan B."

Mostly everyone was gathered in front of the front door when they heard the sound of footsteps and looked up to see Matt and Saffron. "Good, I was about to send Mariko up to get you two." Maxine commented seeing them. "We're going with plan B."

"Plan B?" Saffron raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah...a naturally healthy retreat out the back door." Harry put in with a smirk.

Matt snorted. "Sounds familiar... think I've followed that plan a few times. Yo Maxi.. you wouldn't happen to know if the Lords of Hell a have any effect on these hellhounds.. would you? `Cause I know a lady who's going to inherit one... and she'd love to come to my rescue if she can... I'd never live it down, but still..."

"The only people with control over these things are members of the royal family of fae...any court in the fae world. However...It might give us an advantage." Maxine answered. "Harry, how `bout taking these two first?  We'll cover you guys." she suggested.

Matt scowled softly. "Royal fae... do I know any fucking royal fae..? Fuck.. do I know any fae? Well.. aside from Faal... and that irritating fuck Delaney...?" he muttered softly as he followed Harry.

"Delaney? As in ESTEHL Delaney?" Maxine asked, looking at him, before snorting. "Irritating is not the WORD for best discribing Estehl Errin. I could give some better ones. However, he happens to be crown prince of Ter Nah Nog, and there for has some control over these things."

Matt stopped and raised an eyebrow at her."Delaney? A Fucking prince?!" he asked then snorted. "Well.. suppose that explains alot. Any chance your phones are working? I have no fucking clue what happened to my cell and my laptop is in my car." he said, motioning for Saffron to get farther away from the door. "I can give Kay a shout and she'll bitch at Delaney for me."

Maxine pulled her cellphone from her back pocket and tossed it to Matt. "Just tell her it's urgent." Mariko had snagged Saffron's arm, pulling back as the hell hounds out side made another bid for breaking down the door. It wasn't long before there was the sound of horses. "Oh PLEASE tell me that's not what I think it is?" Maxine said, looking back at Rin.

Rin snorted. "You knew what it was when you heard the horns."

"Yeah, but I was still hoping..." Maxine replied.

Matt flipped open the phone and dialed the emerengcy number for the office. It was snapped up on the first ring. "Its Graves. Give me Kay."he said, simply putting himself between Saffron and the door even as he spoke. "Kay... big trouble.. need Delaney yesterday. Can you locate me? No... I don’t give a shit. I've got fucking Hellhounds about to break down the door and eat my fucking boyfriend! I NEED Delaney!" There was a moment of silence in which the hounds and horns sounded even closer. "Thanks." he said and dropped the phone from his ear but left it on. "She said he's coming.. she's tracing the signal."

There were quite a few of them looking at Matt with either puzzled or amused expressions. Maxine snorted, shaking her head with an amused smirk, glancing back at the door. "Lets see how long it takes him now." She said softly. The window on one side of the door, opposite the one Rin was looking out suddenly busted, a hell hound sticking it's ugly head in. Maxine spun and stabbed it with a dagger through the brain.

Matt had returned the looks with a raised eyebrow. "What?" he turned to Saffron with a smirk. "Ten bucks says it was the 'boyfriend' comment that made her agree... Shocked her into it..." he said with a chuckle  then raised the phone again."Helloo? Big fucking ugly dog breaking down the door… Where's my damn faerie?" he hissed into it, keeping Saffron behind him.

"I never gamble...when my life is on the line anyway." Saffron replied, watching the other hell hounds pulling away the dead one. Rin had to move back from his window when they tried on that side.

"I was told there was something of a problem." Came a voice from the door way of the study.

"Well in case you've gone completely BLIND, Estehl. THAT is the fucking problem." Maxine replied, with out turning around.

Matt snapped the phone closed as Estehl spoke and pocketed it for now. He'd give it back when they weren't being attacked. "Yeah... Delaney...Maxi here says  you can help.. so... help! Ditch the fucking dogs!" he hissed, trying to keep one eye on the door and one on Rin.

"Well Maxine would know, wouldn't she.?." Estehl replied sarcastically, before moving toward the door. He yanked it open while letting his glamour drop. The hell hounds stopped trying to attack the door. The dullhans on the other hand were waiting patiently on the other side of the fence. "I say you have quite a problem. " He replied, looking over the scene.

Matt rolled his eyes. "Fuck... should've just asked for Kay to come..." he growled softly. "Shit... even Faal isn't this bad..." he muttered. "Why couldn't he have been good enough..? "

Estehl ignored him, turning his attention back to the hell hounds who were snarling. "Go home." He said simply. The hell hounds paused, one or two of them seemed to look back and forth between Estehl and the dullhans. "I said, GO HOME." With that, the hell hounds vanished.

Matt groaned and looked at the ceiling before turning to look at Harry. "That's it? All of that shit and all he says is 'go home'??" he said. "Fuck I hate this fae shit..." he muttered softly and shot Rin a glare. "Thanks Delaney... don’t suppose you can do anything about the rest of those bastards out there too, hmm?"

"Unfortunately, No." Estehl answered, closing the door. Maxine snorted softly, rolling her own eyes. Estehl went to open a rift, then frowned, nothing happening.

Maxine gave a dark laugh. "You can open them in, but you can't open them out." She said.

"They netted the place." Rin said from his spot.

Estehl looked over at him. "Oh, it's you." he said dryly.

Matt cleared his throat. "I'd do introductions, but I take it you know Maxi and 'dad' ... so... this is Saffron..." Matt said. "The boyfriend you just saved from the dogs..." he said, shifting his machete to the other hand and slipping his free hand around Saffron. He shot another look at Rin, wishing he could get Saffron as far from the man as he could, but knowing there were bigger things to deal with at the moment.

"Saffron...sounds familar." Estehl looked at him closely. "Ah yes, Azreal... LiVed's little assassin."

"Among other things." Saffron said simply.

"As for knowing Maxine and...him. I've had the displeasure."

 "The displeasure was all mine." Maxine replied scathingly. "Found your brother yet?" She asked, with a cold tone.

Estehl narrowed his eyes darkly on her. "Not that it's any of your business."

"Nice...."Matt said, drawing the word out to emphasis the sarcasm. "Hey.. why don’t I just call Kay back get her to open another rift or portal or whatever..? We can leave THAT way?" Matt asked

"Probably work." Maxine replied. "Give it a shot. The sooner we can ditch the Prince here, the better." She added.

"Such respect for royality." Estehl replied, with a click of his tongue.

 "I don't have to like you." Maxine put in, before ignoring him.

Matt snorted as he pulled the phone out again and hit redial. Oddly enough he was connected right to Kay, then realized it would've saved the number he dialed from. "Hey... sure.. big help." he said sarcastically. "Need another favor... ride outta here... seems portals and shit are only one way here...Hey .. as long as it's some place fairly fae'less.. I don’t care." he paused and rolled his eyes, listening to her and aware that he was the center of attention and much amusement. "Yeah... I'll be bringing my boyfriend and you can meet him.. Yeah.. thrilled..." he said and tossed the phone back to Maxine. "Saff baby.. I am SO sorry.." he said softly as another portal opened near where Estehl had appeared.

"Ah well, couldn't put it off forever." Saffron replied simply, glancing at the portal.

Maxine caught the phone with out a problem and put back in her pocket. "The two of you go through first." She said ot Matt and Saffron.

Matt sheathed his machete. "They don't have to know... we can make sure no one calls you Saffron... he wouldn't know you by Azreal..." Matt suggested as shot Rin a look. "Hell baby... he might not even be around..."

"Might, but I'm not holding my breath." Saffron replied simply before heading toward the portal.

"Staying or going?" Maxine asked Rin. He didn't answer, watching Matt and Saffron. Estehl snorted faintly.

Matt followed Saffron, keeping his eye on Rin, practically glaring at him. "Yeah 'Dad'... coming along to meet the future inlaws? I'm sure they'll be as thrilled to meet you as I am..." he said darkly, waiting for Saffron to pass through before starting after him.

"Ah...family reunions." Estehl said softly, with a smirk.

"Sounds familiar, I'm sure." Maxine replied. Saffron slipped through the portal which opened up into the lobby.

Matt took his eyes off Rin long enough to step through, emerging right behind Saffron and facing a sizable welcoming commitee. "Fuck... did you spread the word fast enough?" he asked Kay, who merely smiled and shrugged.

"Like we could pass this up..." Her gaze fell to Saffron and Matt sighed.

"Yeah... this is him..." he said, not sure whether to introduce him as Saffron or Azreal... Finally he sighed. "Lady Chaos, Kay... Azreal... Kid.. this is my boss... and  a bunch of her people.." he said, waving a hand at the group behind her.

Saffron stared around at the new faces, slightly wide eyed. This had been unexpected. "Uh...hi." He said simply. He looked back at Chaos, remembering Matt had said she'd married Auron...He studied her for a long moment.

Matt looked back at the portal, checking for any of the others coming through. Not seeing any one he figured they were still arguing about who was coming."Um.. don’t close that yet... " he said, jerking a thumb at the portal. "Kay... Your hubbie wouldn't happen to be around would he? Not that I want him to appear or anything..." he added, receiving several soft snorts from the others.  He looked at the assembled group and made shooing motions at them "You came and saw.. now fuck off.. Don’t you people have work to do?"

"Think we're jus' tryin' tell fer sure iffin' it's really ye or not." Came Eire's answer from leaning against the counter behind him with a smirk. "I mean after all...Where'd ye dig him up from...local cemetery, no offense kid." He added, glancing at Saffron.

There was a red head coming down the hall, that got Saffron's attention, except the red head suddenly noticed the group, and had ducked out sight into another room.

"Fuck off Montgomery." Matt said darkly. "I just faced off with a bunch of fucking bastards lead by some shit head named Right, was cornered by a bunch of hellhounds  and was trapped in a house with Delaney and my long lost father.. I'm NOT in the mood for your shit.." he growled.

Eire suddenly came away from the counter, eyes flashing. "Right...as in Major Right?" He hissed, before turning his eyes on Saffron. "I knew it!" He eyed Saffron. "LiVed's little death elemental. Finally get away, or ye still playin' scent dog fer 'em?" He growled.

"What, afraid I'm here to kill you again?" Saffron fired back. He got a snarl in return.

Matt rolled his eyes. "Oh for fucks sake!" he growled and stepped between them. "Listen Eire.. You don’t know shit. I found this kid half dead on a highway from what that bastard did to him... And after we got him healed, Right set the fucking church we were in on fire and kidnapped the fucking priest. So back the fuck off before I kick your ass... The kid is with ME... get it? Fuck. Off."

Eire didn't back off; growling softly. "I spent two years in LiVed's little pet project, two years of seein' that KID doin' the things he did, an' showin' no regret." Eire replied simply.

"Yeah, well you obiviously weren't looking close enough!" Saffron snapped, the emotions evident in his tone.

Matt shoved Eire back a step. "You didn't see him, Eire." he snapped. "His back was nothing but bloody ribbons and the rest of him was bruises." he snarled, his voice low. "And he was wearing a fucking collar that cancelled out his powers that almost fucking killed him. Fuck... it almost killed him getting him out of it." he cast a glare at Kay. "Call him off, Kay.. I'll fucking kill him if he hurts Sa.. ..Azreal."

Eire didn't even look in Kay's direction, when she called his name, though the growling was a bit more hostile. He'd taken that step forward again. "Enough of this." Came a soft voice. Some one grabbed Eire's arm, tugging. "So he was part of the Illuminatie, so were you. Put it behind you, Eire. He's obiviously in need of help." Lex was standing behind Eire, having finally emerged.

Matt didn't move. He just stood in between Saffron and Eire, one hand on the hilt of his knife just in case. "Don't worry, Montgomery.. we won’t be around long.. .we're just ditching some fucking bad guys who are proving to be a pain in the ass." he said. "Hey Red... why don’t you take.. Azreal here and show him the kitchen... We haven’t eaten anything in a while... I need to speak to Kay for a momnent.. and see what the fuck is taking the others so long..."

Lex glanced at Saffron, the curious look exchanged, before Lex gestured silently for Saffron to follow. He hesitated, sparing a glance at Matt, before following, just as Estehl came through the portal with Mariko and Shane. "The other three decided to play with the Dullhans." He said simply.

Matt snorted, smirking slightly. "Is it too much to hope dear old dad doesn't make it? Or one of you killed him in passing on your way here...?" he asked then waved a hand. "Umm...Mariko... right? Yeah.. and.. I don’t know him…he's with Maxine...umm.." Matt scratched his eyebrow as he thought. "Maxine...." he snapped his fingers as he remembered. "Maxine Croft. She hauled our asses away from Right and his cronies and we were lying low at her place when these Dullhan buggers and their hell hounds showed up...." he said then waved at hand at the other group. "Meet Lady Chaos and her crew." he said, his eyes on the hall Saffron had vanished down with Lex. "Okay... enough nice crap... Kay.. I need to speak with you in private... Montgomery.. keep your fucking hands off him."

Eire snorted, ignoring Graves, and picked up a folder off the counter beside him, heading down he hall. Kay watched him go for a moment, before looking back Matt with an inquistive look. "My office then." She said with a loose gesture of the hand.

~~

Saffron had followed Lex to the kitchen, neither of them exchanging any words. There was something oddly familiar to Lex about Saffron, but he couldn't put his finger on it so to say. "Been traveling with Graves long?" Lex asked after a moment.

 "Not long at all." Saffron answered. "Just tonight, actually." He added softly.

Lex looked back at him with a raised eyebrow. "But didn't he say...boyfriend?"

 "It's a LONG story." Saffron replied with a slight smirk.

"I'm afraid all we've really got in here right now is left overs." Lex said, peeking in the fridge.

"I'm not really hungry, that was just his way of getting me out of there." Saffron replied.

"Mmm...I know the feeling...Faal tends to do the same thing." Lex answered, turning and coming back to the table sitting down across from Saffron. "So....was what Eire said...true?" Lex asked softly.

Saffron didn't answer for a long moment. "It's true." he  finally answered. "But I was LiVed's slave at that time, so I had very little choice. However, I think you can see he won fair and square or he wouldn’t be here today." He added.

Lex looked at him a moment, then nodded. "I can understand that..."

 "Understand what?" "Being a slave...I was a slave all my life to Abadon." Lex answered softly, undoing the scarf around his neck, to show the collar.

Saffron had shuddered involunetarily, at seeing Lex's collar. "Least it's not as bad as the one LiVed had me in." He said softly.

"You know how they are with collars." Lex replied with a grim smile.

"To say the least." Saffron agreed.

They fell into silence again for the moment, both looking at the table top. "So how long have you worked here?" Saffron asked finally.

Lex glanced up. "Not...very long actually. I'm still the new kid around." He said with a faint smile. "But then my father doesn't really work here either...well, he's not on the pay roll persay, but he does help out alot, considering he's married to Kay, er Lady Chaos." Lex said.

Saffron nodded slowly, still looking at the table top. "So your father is Auron Mordant..?" Saffron said softly.

Lex glanced back up at Saffron, raising an eyebrow, Saffron was staring hard at the table top, either angry or holding something back. "I didn't know he was until a few months ago, when I got dumped here basically... I'm still basically...trying to adjust to that." Lex answered softly. "Do you know him?" He asked after a moment.

Saffron glanced up sharply. The look was almost like looking in a mirror for Lex, almost, and that got him thinking. "No. I don't." Saffron answered finally. Lex frowned.

"You don't know him, yet you know his name and that I'm one of his kids..." Lex said softly, watching Saffron.

Saffron had turned his gaze to the window in the room.  "I've heard of him." He lied.

Lex was quiet for a moment. "Azreal is an unusual name...Angel of Death..."

"I'm a death elemental." Saffron answered, looking back. "So it makes sense."

 "But it's not your real name is it?" Lex asked.

"Is it really nessasery to know my real name?" Saffron asked.

"No. not really." Lex replied leaning back in his chair, and lighting a cigarette. "However," He said, taking a drag. "There's something very familiar about you. I wasn't sure about what it was...until just a moment ago." He said softly.

Saffron turned his eyes back onto Lex."And what did you figure out?" Saffron asked, with a slightly cold tone.

Lex shook his head slightly taking another drag, then sighed. "I'm not trying to start anything." He said after a moment.

"But you're suggesting something." Saffron, looking at him.

"Well...just a thought." Lex answered.

"So share it..."

Lex looked at him a long moment as he took a drag.

Lex sighed finally. "Your name is Saffron isn't it?" He asked after a moment. Saffron looked at him in return for a long moment, "Yes." He answered softly.

"That makes us brothers..." Lex said softly.

"So I've heard." Saffron replied stiffly.

Lex eyed him. "You know he thought you were dead..." He said after a moment.

Saffron sighed deeply. "And he sold me into slavery." He replied.

"Is that what you believe?" Lex asked.

"That's what I've been told all my life by LiVed." Saffron replied.

Lex shook his head, taking another drag. "Unforunately, I can understand that train of thought completely, but...he would have never done something like that..." Lex said softly.

 "Really?" Saffron replied sarcastically.

"He's not that way." Lex replied. "What ever LiVed told you... isn't or wasn't true."

Saffron didn't answer, just simply closed his eyes. He was starting to wonder where Matt was.

"Maybe you should...talk to him, yourself." Lex suggested.

"I don't really want to." Saffron replied flattly. "Not yet anyway..." He added a bit softer.

Lex sighed. "You know...he didn't know about me, until we met." Lex said softly. "Our mother died in hell, giving birth to me."

"That doesn't mean anything." Saffron replied. "He was never happy after I changed." He added.

Lex looked up. "Changed?"

 "Yeah...from a girl to a boy, and changing back." Saffron replied.

"You're not the only one..." Lex replied, looking at him. "And that wouldn't change anything about how he feels about his children. What ever LiVed told you...was a lie." Saffron meerly shook his head.

Lex and Saffron lasped into silence, Saffron resting his head on his arms on the table, staring at the wall. Lex sighed softly, not sure what more he could say.


~ ~

Matt  nodded then caught Sylvie's eye and nodded his head towards Mariko, Shane and the portal. She gave him a look, a smile obviously being supressed as she nodded. "I'll see to them."  He gave her a wink as he passed, following Kay, and heard her soft snort before she moved off to introduce herself. There was basically only two people in the place he wasn't a complete ass to... Sylvie and Lex ; Sylvie because .. well... she was a lady a REAL lady.. and you just didn't act like that... and Lex because.. well... Lex was Lex... you just... were nice to Lex...

Kay opened her door and stepped inside, holding to the door for him. He found himself looking around for any sign of Auron as he stepped inside. She walked past the little reception area and over to her desk, where she sat on the edge facing Matt. "Okay... you have my curiosity peeked... Hell... it's beyond peeked."

Matt smirked and scratched at his  eyebrow again as he plopped down into on of the chairs. "Umm... Auron's not around is he?" 

Kay raised an eyebrow. "You asked that earlier... I'm afraid to ask why... do you want me to call him in?" 

Matt sat forward and quickly waved a hand, "NO! No.. fuck no... as a matter of fact... I don’t want you to tell him any of this yet..."

Kay's eye narrowed as she leaned back a bit, one hand resting on her desk as her foot kicked slightly. "Now I'm even more curious."

Matt took a deep breath. "Umm...Azreal's name is Saffron. He's Auron's son... well... sort of... First he was his daughter.. then son.. and sooner or later, he'll be his daughter again..." he said, then held up a hand. "Don't... I know how fucked up that sounds.. but it's true. But you can't tell Auron.. not yet. Saffron isn't ready to meet him. The bastard who's ..'owned' him his entire fucking life convinced him that Auron sold him to him, and that he doesn't want him. I tried to tell him it was bullshit, but..."

"Auron's son...." Kay repeated softly as she watched Matt then she suddenly reached for the phone.

Matt lunged out of his chair and slammed his hand down over the receiver. "NO!" he said. "No... not yet. When Saffron is ready and not a minute sooner. I wouldn't have even told you but I have the feeling we're going to need all the help we can get." he said, looking into her eyes and feeling a chill as he realized that the human blue had bleed away to her demon eyes. He slowly took his hand off the phone. "Please."Kay just stared at him until he returned to his chair. "Look..." He said, blushing slightly. "I love him, alright? It hurts to see him hurting.. and .. he's not ready yet. I'll keep working on it.. and in the mean time, he's with Lex...." he said with a shrug. 

Kay sighed and moved her hand away from the phone. "I don't like this, Graves. If you're right and this IS his son... he deserves to know... He believes Saffron is dead..."

Matt grimaced. "Yeah.. I know... and Saffron believes Auron not only abandoned him... but sold him into slavery. And when I said you guys had found Lex and Regan... he blew up; crap like how he found his other kids so those were the ones he wanted, or something stupid like that..."

Kay snorted and stood. "I can't keep this from him... but .. he'll know as soon as he sees him..." she said.

Mat groaned softly and leaned his head back. "Yeah... I figured... knew my dad as soon as I saw him and I'd never met the man before.. Auron raised him until LiVed stole him.." he sighed and rubbed his face with both hands. "Fuck... this is crazy, Kay... maybe I should tell him. If he knows then maybe he'll back off until the kids ready. If he doesn't know and recognizes him...."

"Shall I?"  Kay asked simply and Matt groaned again.

"Fuck.. fuck fuck fuck...." he sighed and sat back up. "Fuck. Yeah.. yeah go ahead... better he be warned then stumble on him..." he said softly. "Fuck... Saffron  is going to fucking kill me....."

Kay smirked softly as she called Auron's cell and asked him to join them. As she hung up, she sat back on the edge of her desk and shot Matt a look. "It's the right choice, Matt." 

Matt snorted . "Sure... for you maybe... but.. fuck..."

It wasn't long before Auron was knocking on Kay's door, before entering her office. "Something wrong, Clarice?" He asked, noticing Matt.

"No.. not wrong. Not really... But .. important." she said, and moved to the couch, taking his hand and pulling him with her. "You need to sit down first." she said. 

Matt waited until they were both seated, noticing how Kay kept a tight hold on Aurons hand. "Umm... I have something to tell you... and I need you to promise that you will nothing about it yet..." Matt said as he leaned forward.

Auron raised an eyebrow, eyeing Matt. "It's a little hard to promise something, with out knowing what I'm promising to." He replied, glancing at Kay.

Matt glanced at Kay and she sighed and gave Auron's hand a squeeze. "It's for the best, Auron... I know you don't give your word lightly... but...I think you should..." she said, shooting Matt a glare for dragging her into it.

"It’s.." Matt cleared his thraot before continuing. "I have some news about your son... but I'm not telling you until you promise not to act on it yet."

Auron looked back at Matt, his eye brow even higher. "My son..." He echoed softly. "You mean, Saffron." He said after a moment, keeping his gaze on Matt. He didn't say anyting for a moment longer, before saying. "Fine. I give you my word."

Matt let out a sigh of relief. "Yeah... Saffron... Hes not dead. He's alive... he was kidnapped by a guy named LiVed; master vamp... real bastard. Made the kid believe that you'd sold him to him." he said softly. "I tried telling him it's not true, but... he's not ready to meet you yet...."

Auron stared at him for a long moment. "How do you know any of this?" He asked after a moment, rather calmly.

Matt looked at Kay then sighed. "Because I found him. Been protecting him.. or trying to.. from all the fuckers who are after him... Tonight we've been burned out of a church, attacked by Right and his goons, with a monster tossed in for the fun of it, then cornered by Hell hounds and the Dullhan..." he said then cleared his throat again. "Plus... he's my boyfriend..." he added a bit softer.

Auron gave him a slightly incredious look. "Your boyfriend..." He repeated, then shook his head, digesting everything. "I suppose I should thank you, for looking after him..." He said after a moment.

"No.." Matt said simply. "You don’t have to thank me or say anything to me... I found him half dead on the highway in the middle of the night and before I knew what hit me..." he said with a soft snort, then swallowed hard again. "He's... going to change back soon... propular opinion seems to be by his birthday..."

Auron nodded simply. "I always suspected the possibility..." He said simply. "The same with Lex.." He looked at Matt for a long moment. "Do yo really care that much about him?"

Matt looked up and met Aurons eyes. "Yeah, I do. I haven't known him long... but.. I can honestly say that I would die for him. I can't stand the thought of not having him in my life, and..." he looked down for a moment to gather what courage he could before looking back up. "...and sooner or later I'll ask him to marry me...He's already wearing my amulet...sort of a stand in for a 'promise ring."

Auron gave into a little bit of surprise, but it was fleeting. "I see." He said simply. "Well as long as he's happy."

Matt smiled softly. "Thanks..." he said simply, glancing at Kay. "Umm... see.. the reason I wanted your promise was.. because he's here. He didn't want you to know about him yet, but... we figured it would be better that you know rather then run into him...."

Auron took that surprisingly well. "And he believes I sold him into slavery?" He asked after a moment.

Matt nodded. "Yeah... you should know...he said LiVed tossed him into hell as a kid so his powers would mature faster. Met the guys glimmer; fucking manipulator. Kept talking all sweet to Saff like it was all a missunderstanding..." he bit his lips and shook his head again. "If I hadn't stopped him... the kid would've gone back to him.. he has that strong a hold on him. We got the collar off, but it damn neared killed him... and... this bastard, Right... Major Right, Montgomery called him..." Matt caught Auron's eye as he lowered his voice a bit. "He hurt him, Aruon... I mean... he really fucking hurt him. By the sound of it... this bastard did whatever he wanted to him... including rape...."

Auron's free hand was clenched. "Major Right...LiVed's right hand man...I understand he was also responsible for most of the hell Eire went through." He said simply. "The dog fights especially."

Matt sighed and ran both hands back through his hair. "Yeah.. and LiVed apparently sent Saffron after Eire at one point... ' his pet assissin' he called him.... Some bad blood there... going to be interesting keeping them apart..." He said then sat back in his chair. "But the problem at the moment is the Dullhan.. and which ever 'royal fae' sent the fucking dogs after him..."

"Sounds like Teliveer, who has an interest in Lex as well." Auron replied. He sighed, leaning his head back a moment, taking everything in. Knowing his second child was still alive...and actually in the building, but did not want to see him...

Matt watched him a moment, amazed at how well the man was taking this... he'd expected... the need for sedatives, if nothing else. He sighed then leaned forward again. "Look.. Auron... he's going by the name Azreal while he's here... He's with Lex right now... can't expect you to avoid him or anything.. and even though I told Saff I wouldn't push the issue until he was ready..." he looked at Kay. "Personally... seeing how well you're taking this and all... I think you should go see him. Just.. don’t push too hard.. he's been through more than anyone ever should..." he said softly.

"You'd be surprised." Auron said softly. "Lex when through quite his own hell, being a slave to Abadon...I suppose that's why this," He gestured, meaning everything with Saffron. "Isn't surprising me.."

"Do you want to meet him?" Matt asked softly. "I mean... he's going to be pissed at me for telling you guys anyhow... might as well dig it a bit deeper.." he said with a soft smirk. "Just.. let me go first..."

"Not that I need to MEET him, but I would like to see him." Auron replied simply with a faint smile. "But of course, if you think you can soften the blow..."

"You're wrong... you DO have to meet him. He's all grown up, Auron.. he's not the litle kid you remember... he's a complete stranger.  A complete stranger who doesn't even like what he remembers of you..." Matt said softly. "Of course.. I have no doubt what so ever that LiVed somehow fucked with his memories...."

"No doubt." Auron replied softly. "But reguardlress, he's still my child." He shook his head slightly. "I know what you meant, I know he's an adult now."

Matt sighed and shook his head as he stood up. "No.. you don't. You're still looking at it like you're his dad and he's your kid." Matt said simply. "Don't.  In his eyes.. you haven’t been his father for a very long time... you're just some guy he doesn’t want to know..." he snorted. "Kinda like me and my father. I don’t want anything to do with him... but he's here anyhow... Of course... he's not here for me, he's here for Saffron..."

Auron simply didn't reply to any of that. "Perhaps you should go check on him? I doubt he's very comfortable in this place with so many people, especially with Eire around." He said simply.

Matt watched him for a moment longer then nodded. "Sure..." he said softly then looked at Kay who just nodded for him to go. He looked back at Auron. "Don’t hurt him." he said simply before leaving the room and heading for the kitchen.


~~

Things in the kitchen were still on the quiet side. Lex had finished his cigarette and was putting the kettle on to make a cup of tea. Saffron was still sitting in the same place and postion.

Matt stopped in the door and watched the two of them for a moment before speaking. "Thanks... both of you." he said softly before moving to stand behind Saffron and rest his hands on his shoulders. "How are you doing, babe?" he asked softly, then glanced at Lex. "Did you...I mean.. does he know?"

Saffron sat back in the chair, and glanced at Lex who'd glanced back at both of them. "He knows; he figured it out." Saffron said simply. Lex gave a shy smile and a shrug.

Matt smirked softly at Lex. "Now you know why I asked you and not someone else.. Well... aside from the fact the you and Sylvie are the only ones I actually like..." Matt said with a smirk then sighed heavily before moving to Saffrons side. He bent down and kissed him softly then knelt beside him. "I… um… have something to tell you.."

Lex glanced back but had the good mind to keep to himself, making himself busy but silent in getting the mug ready for the tea. Saffron looked at Matt and raised an eyebrow. "That sounds rather like bad news..." He said simply.

Matt slid his hand along Saffron's legs, holding him as he sat. "Well... you'll probably be pissed at me..." he said softly. "But I swear baby... I didn't plan on it. It just.. felt right..." he said then took a deep breath. "I spoke with your father... I told him you were here but that you didn't want anything to do with him. I told him everything baby... I think you should meet with him.."

Saffron clenched his jaw and closed his eyes a moment, "I don't....I really am in no mood to meet him." He said simply. Lex glanced back chewing on his bottom lip, he wasn't going to butt in.

Matt leaned against Saffron's legs, one hand going to carress his face tenderly. "I know, baby... but I still think you should. I won't leave you.. I'll be right here. Hell.. I'll hold you the entire time if you want. And Lex will be here too.. won't you, Red?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at the shy redhead.

"Yus, of course." Lex said, glancing back. He sighed and turned around. "Look...it wouldn't hurt to...just hear him out..." Lex said.

Saffron didn't reply to Lex but he looked at Matt a bit irritably. "I wasn't ready for this." He said softly a bit hard toned.

"I know, baby." Mat said softly, "But I think you need to do this now... I think if you don't it'll just hurt more. I started off telling Kay and asking her not to tell him.... then I figured it would be better to tell him incase he bumped into you. I was going to ask him to stay away, but… Don't you think being here and knowing he was avoiding you would hurt more..? Even if I was the one who made him act that way?" Matt said softly. "Hate me if you need to, babe... It'll hurt like hell, but I can take it.. just... I think you need to do this..."

Saffron gave a slightly frustrated growl and shoved away, getting up, "I don't NEED this right now! I've got enough problems as it is!" He snapped. Lex leaned back against the counter, not saying anything, but sipping his tea.

Matt got to his feet but didn't go after him. "Yes you do. But you can't do anything about those... you CAN do something about this one." he said simply. "You can't face LiVed or Right. You can't face the Dullhan... and facing Rin is useless...  but you can face Auron. You can tell him what you feel and think and get it off your chest." he said, his eyes never leaving Saffron.

Saffron bit his cheek, since his lip was already sore enough, and tossed a glare back at Matt. "I don't want to." He said very softly. "And I'll be damned if I let you make me." Lex winced silently and moved toward a far chair with his tea.

Matt sighed and sat down. "I won't make you, Saff... I won't force you to do anything. I won't even tell you to do it... I just think you should, is all." He sighed again and leaned back to watch him. "I love you, angel.. you know that. If you want to leave... that's okay... as soon as we have a place that's safe from all the bad guys after you, we'll go. You don’t have to see or talk to anyone you don’t want to until then. I'll keep them away..." he said softly.

"Good, becuase I've had enough family bonding." Saffron bit back coldly.

Lex winced again, but kept his focus on his cup. Oddly enough, he knew exactly how Saffron felt, and he also knew it was something Saffron would have to work out on his own....

Matt smirked softly. "Hey... come on babe... I know how you feel, alright? Or have you forgotten my own charming little run in with my long lost dad already?" he asked with a sneer. "Saffron... angel... I'm sorry. I know you're pissed at me... and I'm sorry."

Saffron looked posstively ready to throw something and Lex watched discretely from his chair in the corner behind his cup. Saffron turned toward the window, his back to Matt and said nothing.

Matt sighed again, watching Saffron for a minute before going over and wrapping his arms around him. He pulled him back against him and kissed his neck softly. "Please, baby." he said softly. "I'm sorry..."

Saffron pulled away and didn't reply. Instead he turned toward Lex. "Is there some place I can be alone?"

Lex looked up a bit surprised. "Umm....yeah, the guest rooms." He took the last sip of his tea and got up. "I can show you...they're just down the hall..." Saffron headed for the door with out another world. Lex carried his cup over to the sink.

 Matt sighed. "Saffron... " he said softly. "I love you, babe... don't forget that, alright? Be mad at me.. just... don’t forget that..."

Saffron had already slipped into the hall. Lex sat his cup in the sink, glancing back that way before glancing at Matt. "I suppose the only thing I can say is just give him a little time. If he's anything like me...he just needs to be alone for a bit." Lex said softly, before heading toward the door.

Matt sighed and leaned back against the counter. "Sure..." he said softly as he watched the red head vanish. "Fuck." he said, running both hands back through his hair. "Fuck fuck fuck...asshole... should've kept your fucking mouth shut.." he muttered to himself.

~ ~
Kay sat there for a moment, rubbing the back of Auron's hand as she held in. "You want to punch a hole in my wall or something?"

Auron gave a soft laugh after a moment, running his free hand over his face, then through his hair. "No, but I could probably use a stiff drink after this." He replied with a weary smirk.

Kay lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. "I can get you one if you want..."

Auron smiled a bit more. "I wouldn't say no to one." He said simply. "I'm just not sure which part of this is...hardest to grasp..."

Kay let go of his hand, kissing him softly before moving to a cabinet across the room that displayed some of her blades. She opened a set of doors in the bottom and pulled out a bottle and glass before heading back to the couch. "Hope you don't mind Glenlivett... Daddy gave it to me..." she said handing him the glass and pouring a healthy amount in it for him before setting the bottle on the low table.

Auron snorted softly but smiled. "I've never said no to anything stiff, you know that." He said, before sighing, taking a nice size drink and leaning back in against the couch. "All this time I was holding out hope he was alive...The only thing that hurts, is the idea that he doesn't want anything to do with me, just because of something some one else told him..."

Kay pulled her legs up on the couhc and tucked them beneath her as she leaned against him, her arms going around him. "He was just a little boy, Auron.. and some monster got a hold of him and hurt him... filled his mind with lies to hold onto him better... He doesn't know the truth.."

Auron took another drink. "Yes, I know...but from the way Graves put it, he doesn't want to know the truth either..."

"He's scared, Auron... you heard Matt... he's..." Kay sighed softly. "Look at Lex..." she said, laying her head on his shoulder. "He still doesn't want to know too much about his mother.. he's afraid  to learn the truth.. I think the same if true of Saffron..."

"I know..." Auron sighed. "But there's nothing I can do if he doesn't want to listen...which makes this all the harder. And then there is the subject of him and Graves..."

Kay smirked softly. "Ahh.. I thought you took that rather well... Which is harder to think about.. your son with Mattias Hogan.. or your daughter...?"

Auron gave a discret cough after taking another drink and setting the glass on the table for the moment. "Do you want my honest opinion?"

Kay laughed softly as she sat back, keeping her feet tucked beneath her. "As long as it doesn't involve trashing my office or making use of any of my blades... yes, I do."

"Well... I can't say I'm thrilled at the idea..." Auron said softly, "But it rather seems I have little objection to put to it...And yes, it is harder to imagine my daughter with him, then my son...but that's not exactly the point...It's hard to imagine ANY of my children with him."

Kay snorted. "Understandable... to be honest.. I can't see Matt with anyone, period, let alone one of our kids..." she said with a smirk then leaned on the back of the couch. "But it sounds like he really loves him. And I believe him when he says he'd die for him... Sounds like he's willing to do anything to keep him safe and happy... Which is just the kind of person you hope you're kid winds up with... ironic, hmm?"

"Very ironic...although it just goes to show..." Auron said softly. "Some times the scary looking ones are the better person then the clean cut ones."

Kay snorted, her eyes flashing back to red. "Yeah... if you go by appearances between Matt Hogan and Rowen Ravenscourt... "

Auron sighed, running a hand through his hair and looked at her. "You're right in that...I suppose I would take Graves over Ravenscourt anyday..."

Kay sighed and unfolded her legs, setting her feet back on the floor. "Sweetheart.. I'd take Reese or Nate dating one of my kids before I'd take Ravenscourt..." she said with a soft smirk.

Auron leaned back against the couch. "That's not saying much for your crew, petit." He said softly. "But point well made either way." He sighed.

Kay snorted, smirking softly. "Hey.. don’t get me wrong.. I love my guys.. they're a great crew and good friends... and they all have their good points. But no one is good enough for my kids. " she said and leaned in to kiss him softly. "You ready to go see him?"

Auron sighed again, taking her hand and kissing it, before standing. "I suppose I am."

Kay stood and tugged lightly on his hand. "Than come on... Lex took him to the kitchen... if you're lucky he's still there."

Auron smiled wearily, but let Kay lead him out of the office and in the direction of the kitchen.


~ ~

Lex glanced at Saffron, but he was staring at the carpet with such concentration...Lex bit his lip, "They're this way..." He said softly, leading the way toward the guest rooms. He wasn't sure which ones were being used, but picked the last one, which was empty.

"Um...if you need anything you can reach the front desk by zero on the phone..." Lex said.

 "I doubt I'll need anything." Saffron answered simply. Lex winced.

"Right...well um...I have some paper work to finish, that I left in the kitchen..." Lex said. Saffron glanced at him. Lex bit his lip, before adding softly. "I don't think he meant to upset you...they never really do..." Saffron snorted faintly and slipped into the guest room, closing the door.  Lex sighed and turned, heading back to the kitchen, hearing the sound of something breaking form inside, and spotted Kay and his father.

Saffron stood in the middle of the room for a long moment, finally breathing a bit more evenly, letting the anger drain out slowly. He really shouldn't have gotten so mad at Matt...

Saffron finally sighed, and moved over to the bed, sitting on the edge, and stared at the wall, now more misrable, then angry.

Saffron lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling for a change, not that it helped. Closing his eyes for a moment, he sighed deeply. This was a disaster, to say the least...

He finally sat up again, wiping the couple of tears that slipped off his face and glanced at the door. He didn't know his way around, and he rather doubted that Matt was still in the kitchen...

Saffron considered returning to the kitchen, but he didn't exactly want to run into any more family...Instead he leaned against the headboard in the dark, and continued staring at the door.

~ ~

Matt listened to the sound of voices then footsteps walking away, then lashed out, kicking the nearest chair across the room. "Fuck!" he said, snatching up Lex's abandoned mug and hurling it across the room to watch it shatter against the wall.

Kay slipped her arm around Auron's waist as they walked then sighed at the sound of a crash from ahead. "Hmm.... that didn't sound promising..."

"No, it certianly doesn't..." Auron agreed softly, catching sight of Lex, coming from around the corner from the guest rooms.

Matt drew a few deep breaths, trying to get himself under control, then turned and started for the door only to see Auron and Kay headed his way. He swore again and shot them both a glare. "You're on you own... I fucking pissed him off and now he's not talking to me.. FUCK he’s not even LOOKING at me!" he said then snorted angrily as he shoved past them both.

Lex watched from a few steps up the hall with a wince, before heading over to his parents. "Saffron wanted to be alone...he's in a guest room..." Lex said softly, glancing after Matt.

Auron sighed softly, shaking his head, then gave a weary smirk, looking at Lex. "I don’t suppose I've ever told you, your mother had the same kind of temper..."

Kay  took a breath and kissed Auron's cheek lightly. "I'll leave you guys alone... I'll shadow a certain necromancer and make sure he doesn't trash the place... or piss off Sylvie.."

"Right...well good luck with that..." Lex muttered softly, shaking his head slightly before slipping into the kitchen.

 "Agreed." Auron replied, glancing back at Lex, before following him into the kitchen.

Lex glanced up at his father, as he grabbed the folder he had earlier. "So now what?" He asked softly.

Auron looked at Lex. "For once, I don't have the slightest idea..." Auron answered honestly.

Lex smiled slightly. "Understandable...I don't...blame Saffron...obiviously he was told some pretty awful things..." Lex said softly.

Auron simply nodded. "And I'm not sure how to get him to listen to the truth..." he replied.

"Well, he didn't want to listen to me...so I think about the only way to do it, is to some how get him to sit down with you." Lex told his father.

Auron snorted faintly. "And yet I get the impression, he's for most against that..." Auron replied.

Lex nodded. "So I was thinking...what about getting...Regan or...mom to do it..." Lex replied softly. Auron raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, after all...mom knows how to handle the lot of us at our worst..." Lex pointed out with a bit of a smile. Auron chuckled softly.

"How did the two of you get along?" Auron asked.

Lex shrugged. "I think we got a long fine...until I realized who he was." Lex replied softly.

Lex exchanged a few more words with Auron, before leaving the kitchen with his folder and heading back toward the archives. On the way, how ever, he stopped at the last guest room and hesitated, before knocking softly.



~ ~

Matt stormed back out into reception  and spotted his father. He growled. "Why couldn't you have just fucking died back there? You're the last fucking thing I need.." he snapped at Rin, then waved in passing . "Hey Maxi."

Maxine raised an eyebrow, watching Matt pass, before glancing at Rin with a morbidly amused look, and snorted softly.

Matt switched direction and headed for the elevators. He should find an empty bed and crash, get some slep.. or hell, get something to eat.. but he was too wired. He took the elevator down stairs and went straight to the gym, not bothering to change. He just pulled off his shirt as he snapped the lights on and went straight for the weights.

Kay followed him, coming to a stop and leaned against the door,  watching Matt for a bit before she finally let him know she was there. "You do remember that you're suppose to have a spotter in here with you, or at least alert security so they can keep an eye on you..?"

Matt snorted, not even slowing down. "I HAVE a spotter... you." Neither spoke for a minute then Matt set aside the weights and sat up. "I fucked up, Kay... I never should've gone to you. That kid is the best thing in my life... and he fucking hates me right now..."

Kay gave a snort. "Don't be an ass, Matt. He doesn't hate you... he's a Mordant. Tempermental, stubborn, arrogant.. Hell, just all round moody. He's hurt, he's angry... but he doesn't hate you. Just give him a bit too calm down then go up there and try again."

Matt snorted again and lay back down on the bench. "Keep that bastard Rin away from him in the mean time..." he said softly.

Kay gave an irritated sigh as she pushed herself off the door. "Fine. Be that way... just don't wait too long. Trust me." she said as she turned to leave. "And you work for ME, remember? I'm the one who gives the orders... Go play bodyguard yourself."

Matt heard the door shut behind her and cursed again, slamming the bar back in place and sitting up. He scowled at the door, then looked up at the ceiling and scowled again. A blink of blue light caught his eye and he turned to see one of the 'obvious' security cameras aimed in his direction. Since he didn't know where the hidden ones were and  the other visiable ones weren't pointed at him, he flipped off the one that was, snatched up his shirt and left the gym.

~ ~

Kay stepped off the elevator and headed to the kitchen to check on Auron and Lex and see if either of them had been brave enough to knock on Saffron's door.. or if they were waiting for her to do it for them...She spotted Lex at the guest room door as she got off the elevator and debated whether or not to join him, or go on to find Auron. With a soft smirk, she headed to his side as the the door remained closed. "Hey, hun... " she said softly. "Things not going well?"

"Not exactly..." Lex answered softly, glancing at her, before sighing. "I was going to check and see if...he was alright, but I guess he'd rather be alone...Did you find Graves?" Lex asked softly.

Saffron was standing by the door, listening to the other two in the hall, leaning aginst the wall.

Kay gave a soft snort. "Yeah... wasn't hard to find. He gets upset or something you can usually find him down in the gym or at the closest cemetery... And since there was no way in hell he'd ever leave Saffron alone, it was the gym." she said then leaned against the wall beside the door, aware of the prescence just inside listening to them. "I never thought I'd ever see that guy so... obvioulsy in love. You know... thanks to Matt talking to your dad, he's okay with them being together... even considering the change. I think if Matt hadn't come to him, Auron would've been dead set against them being together... but now he can see how much he loves him..."

"Hmm, there's a surprise." Lex said with a slight smirk. "Maybe Faal should have done that..." He glanced back at the door. "I did try to tell Graves just to give...Saffron some time. I mean...if he's anything like me, which he is, he just needs a little time; but...well if he is anything like me, he shouldn't be alone."

Saffron snorted softly on the other side, slightly amused, still listening. With the room being dark and cool, he'd relaxed considerably.

Kay sighed softly and reached out to brush a lock of hair off of Lex's forehead. "Yeah... I know... You've given us far too many scares, sweetie." she said softly. "But I doubt Matt will be able to stay away for long. And.. I told him not wait too long." she added with a smirk. "I just pointed out that I'm familiar with the temperments of Mordants..."

Lex blushed slightly and gave a sheepish smile, before saying. "See, that's the point I made to dad. You know how to handle us pretty damn well." Lex said with a smirk, then sighed. "Its just that...I don't think Saffron wants to even speak to dad...he's not going to listen to the truth....at least not from dad. I thought maybe you'd stand a chance talking to him..."

Kay snorted, her eyes sparkling. "Sure... the poor guy hasn't been traumatized enough so lets send in the former bounty hunting half demon turned step mom..." she said with a soft chuckle. "Lex sweetie... if he's not ready to talk then I don't think it matters which one of us knocks on the door... "

"Well I didn't mean NOW..." Lex said. "He's already proved he's not going to answer the door..." Lex sighed. "I guess it would be best just to leave him alone for now...I should go see if Faal's in his office anyway..."

Saffron shook his head slightly; he would have liked to know where Matt was, but he didn't feel like opening the door just yet with his...brother and step mom out there...instead he turned and went back to the bed, sitting down again.

Kay smiled softly. "Good idea... although it might be too early for him yet... emergencies involving you are the only times I've ever seen him drag his butt in here before nine..." she said then gave a shrug. "Than again, stranger things have happened.. like Graves having a boyfriend.." she said with a smirk.


~ ~

Auron was staring thoughtfully out of the window in the kitchen, when he realized some one else had entered and glanced over to see Maxine standing in the door way. He frowned slightly. "Maxine..."

 "Hello Auron." Maxine said with a slight smile, before moving over to lean against the counter. "Problems?" She asked.

Auron snorted softly. "You could say that."

"Did you have something to do with tonight, Maxine?" Auron asked softly, watching her.

"Mmm, to a point; rescued them from the church." Maxine replied.

 "I suppose I should thank you for that..."

"No real need to...I would have done it even if Saffron wasn't yours..." Maxine said.

"Right Max, but yuo knew from the start, didn't you?" Auron replied, eyeing her and getting up from the table.

"Oh of course...Looks more like his mother, but still." Maxine smirked.



~ ~

Matt paced through the first floor lounge, ignoring  MacDonnell and Montgomery who were apparently taking a break for a game of pool... although, since it was still the night shift, they might be done for the night.. or hell, the way things worked around here, they might not even be technically working the night shift at all and had just been on one of those 'can't sleep, might as well do something' modes...

"Boyfriend troubles?" Nate asked with a soft smirk as he waited for eire to take a shot.

Matt shot him a glare as he paced. "Fuck off, MacDonnell... you want to irritate someone, there's a Drow upstairs by the name of Rin.. help yourself. Fuck.. Call in reinforcements to bug the shit out of him..."

Nate raised an eyebrow. "Because he's a Drow..or..."

Matt snorted and sneered as he spoke. "No.. because he screwed with Saffron when he was younger and a slave... Plus.. he's my dead beat dad... so go knock yourself... physical harm is welcome." he said then shot a look towards the ceiling. "Especially if he bothers Saffron..."

Mariko had wondered her way down to the first floor lounge in time to hear most of this conversation. While eyeing Nate and Eire with some yummy looks, she spoke to Graves. "Really if you're that worried about Saffron being bothered by Rin...maybe you should see about it yourself. It IS your responsibility..."

Matt sighed heavily and shot her a look. "Yeah yeah... but if he throws one of those swords of his at me when I walk in the door... it's your fault." he said with a soft smirk. "Oh.. Nate MacDonnell... Eire Montgomery." he said, pointing at each of them in turn. "This is Mariko... have fun, toots." he said then headed off to the elevator with a sigh. He still wasn't sure if he wanted to face Saffron and find out just how mad he was.. or go tackle his father...

~ ~

As soon as Matt  stepped off the elevator, he spotted Kat and Lex near the last door and waited for them to leave, figuring that was probably where Saffron was. He watched the red head glance his way before leaving, which of course made Chaos turn to see what he'd looked at. She gave him a wicked smirk and pointed at the door as she backed away a few steps then turned and left. He sighed heavily, the shirt still tucked in the waist band of his jeans as he slowly made his way to the door in question, where he stood and tried to work up the courgae to knock.

Saffron listened to Lex and Chaos leaving, before hearing another set of footsteps and feeling the familiarity of death already outside the door, as he leaned against back against the headboard, and waited for Matt to knock.

Matt ran both hands back over his head again, took a deep breath and then knocked gently on the door. "Saffron? Baby? Can I come in... please?" he called softly, his eyes closed as he waited, hoping he'd at least answer.

Saffron looked at the door for a moment, before sighing. "It's open." He answered softly. He stayed on the bed, legs tucked under him, leaning against the headboard; fingers picking a stray thread in the blanket.

Matt opened the door slowly until he could see Saffron on the bed, then stepped inside and shut the door. "Are you alright?" he asked softly. "No one's been bothering you?" he asked as he watched him. The urge to just go pull him into his arms was incredibly strong, but he didn't want to push him; he'd been through shit all his life... he didn't need to be smothered...

"No one's been bothering me." Saffron replied softly, watching him. He'd left the bath room light on, and the door slightly closed, so it was still rather dim in the room. "It's been rather quiet." He added.

Matt moved to sit on the edge of the bed, turned to face Saffron. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything to them...I thought it would be better for you, but.. I was wrong. I didn't mean to hurt you, Saffron.. I'm sorry." he said softly."I've never appologized to anyone in my life with the exception of Marilee once or twice... and you."

Saffron watched him for a moment, before sighing softly. "I'm sorry I got so mad." He said softly. "I didn't have any real reason to be mad at you..."

Matt sighed softly and shifted closer, his hand going to carress Saffron's cheek. "Yeah you did... I went behind your back. You had every right to be pissed at me..." he said simply. "You don’t have to appologize for that... I do."

Saffron sighed again, giving him a look. "Of course I have to apologize, I was being a brat..." Saffron said softly,

Matt snorted softly and shook his head. "No baby.. you weren't being a brat. I did something incredibly stupid  and ... hurtful..and you were mad about it... Nothing bratty about it. You were well within your rights..." he said then sighed softly. "I really am sorry, baby..."

"At this point in time, apologies have been made. Let’s leave it at that." Saffron replied with a slight tone, giving him a look. "Done, move on. You're forgiven." He crossed his arms over his chest.

Matt closed his eyes in relief for a moment then smirked softly as he opened them again. "Doesn't look like I'm forgiven..." he said softly, shifting over until he sat as close to him as he could. He brushed his thumb over Saffron's lips as he held his face cradled in one hand. "Think I can kiss you without getting smacked around?"

"I don't know, that depends on how well you can kiss me." Saffron replied, his eyes sparkling, even in the dim light.

Matt smiled softly as he brushed his thumb over his lips again. "Guess I'll have to see.." he said softly, then leaned in and kissed him tenderly, his hand slipping behind his head to tangle in his hair.

Saffron closed his eyes, sighing behind the kiss, his arms slipping around Matt's neck, leaning toward him away from the headboard. "Well now you know I can be rather tempermental and moody." He said softly. "Think you can deal with that?"

Matt smiled softly as he slipped his arms around him. "I'm still here, aren't I?" he asked simply. "Sorry I took so long to come back... I was a bit scared you wouldn't let me in..." he said softly.

Saffron snorted softly. "If you'd tried sooner then you did, I probably wouldn't have. I just needed some time to cool down." He said softly, leaning against him.

Matt held him close and kissed the top of his head tenderly. "I'll keep that in mind for the future... some time to cool down but not too much time because I'll go insane without you..." he said with a soft chuckle. "I love you, Saffron... I don’t want to piss you off again... but I get the feeling it'll happen..."

"Well no couple is perfect." Saffron said simply, before sighing, laying his head on Matt's shoulder. "I'm sure we'll have arguments...and misunderstandings..." He added softly.

Matt held him, stroking his hair. "Yeah.. but we'll pull through them all..." he said just as softly. "Still think you got the better dad though.. he seemed really nice when I talked to him..."

Saffron frowned slightly. "Matt...I don't want to talk about my father...don't push it." He said simply. "I'll decide about that LATER." He added.

Matt sighed softly. "Alright alright..." he said softly."But you could just do what I want to do with my father.. go deck the son of a bitch.. might make you feel better.. I KNOW it'll make me feel better..." he said with a soft smirk.

"So why don't you just go do it..." Saffron replied, pulling back enough to give him a look. "I'd tell you to get in a hit for me...As for my father...I don't even want to see him right now...leave it alone."

Matt snorted softly. "Because I don’t have an reason to actually punch the bastard... I mean... yeah he abadoned me and he played his part in your misery... Unless you need me to avenge your honor... that's a good reason..." he said and gave a soft snort. "Nah.. guess I don’t know what I want... talking to your dad... its kind of made me wonder about mine..." he said softly. "And I don’t think I want to think about it..."

"Ah see, then you should know how I feel." Saffron replied with a slight tone, giving him a look, then sighed softly. "Rin has his good points too." He added softly. "But that's all I'll say on that..."

Matt kissed him softly. "Yeah.. I know how you feel... so lets forget our fathers for now." he said simply. "So.. how's it feel to be out of that stupid collar now that you've had some time to adjust."

Saffron snorted softly. "I honestly haven't thought that much about it." He replied softly. "Normal I guess...I mean...what it's supposed to be like with out a collar...that collar..." He added.

Matt smirked softly. "Sorry... pretty dumb thing to ask, I guess...." he said then sighed heavily. "So.. maybe I should just shut up, huh?" he said then caught him in another kiss, taking his time with this one.

He caught Saffron slightly offguard, but Saffron ended up submitting to the kiss, leaning against him, with a slight whimper.

Matt let the kiss deepen gradually as he held Saffron close, licking and nibbling at his lips and tongue drawing some whimpers and moans from him as he did. Everything else just vanished and all that mattered was being here with Saffron in his arms.


~~

Lex was headed for the offices and slipped into Faal's. He wouldn't be found there, at least not by most of the people in the building, so he'd have a place to think and work, not that he could concetrate on the work he had...He flopped down on the couch in the corner and chewed on his bottom lip while staring at the wall for a long moment, thinking about things.

"What's troubling you, little one?" Faal asked as he stepped through the rift. "I couldn't sleep... the feeling that you needed me was too strong.."

Lex looked up, with a weary smile. "I'm just trying to figure out what to do..." He said softly. "My...brother, Saffron...has been found. He's in the building...but he doesn't want anything to do with us...well mostly dad..."

Faal raised an eyebrow, but moved to sit beside him, sliding his arms around him. "Is there anything I can to help, sweetheart?"

"I don't know...I don't think there's a lot any one can do. He just...he believes dad didn't want him...He was...a...slave to LiVed..." Lex said softly, leaning against Faal. "On the upside, dad may be a little bit more reasonable about us now. Seems Saffron and Graves are a couple..." He added with a slight smirk.

Faal raised another eyebrow. "The necromancer?! Your brother is dating Mattias Hogan? Sweet Terra... I almost feel sorry for him; your father that is... I take it the heart attack wasn't fatal then?" he added with a lighthearted smirk.

"Not fatal at all." Lex replied softly. "Graves appearently is so in love with Saffron, he made it rather clear to dad...least that's what mom says..."

Fal gave a soft snort. "Hmm... so... he actually just spoke to Auron about it? Hmm... why didn't I think of that? I was the one raised in that era ... you'd think approaching the father before declaring your love would be obvious to me..."

Lex smirked slightly, before leaning over and kissing Faal softly. "Well dad is a little bit hard to approach in the first place...and I doubt Graves would have said anything if mom hadn't been in the room to hold dad back..."

"Ahh.. well then.." Fal said with a smirk, pulling Lex closer. "If I had  known that Clarice would stand up for me, perhaps I would've as well... However, I have the definate feeling she'd much rather enjoy watching the show.."

"Mmm, yus there is that, isn't there...but really...if he accepts Graves, then you should be no problem at all..." Lex replied with a soft smile.

"Hmm... a blue haired, half Drow necromancer employee... verses an extremely wealthy Elf... " Faal said with a smirk. "You’d think, wouldn't you..?"

"Not to mention, better liked by most of the rest of the employees, and certainly much more of a gentleman." Lex said softly with a bit of a smirk, "Although Graves obviously has his good points..."

Faal chuckled softly."He must or Clarice would never have hired him.. and I doubt your brother would be with him.. and your family wouldn't be handling this news as well as it sounds like they are."

"Hmm, well...I think mom finds it's...amusing really; at least where Graves is concerned. Regan doesn't know yet, but I imagine mom will tell her later...The only real problem with all this, is...Saffron's refusal to listen to the truth of the matter, where dad is concerned. Damn LiVed..."

Faal sighed. "LiVed? As in DeVilmount... black king.. yada yada? Lovely... should I call Estehl about this or it's nothing that the courts can help with?"

"Mmm, I don't know...not really. From what I've gathered...LiVed apparently kidnapped Saffron as a kid...and told him dad sold him to him, and then appearantly managed to make dad believe Saffron was dead..."

"Kidnapped? Well... Kidnapping a child is an offense in just about every realm.. and to take him from his home realm to another... " Faal said with a soft sigh. "The fae have always had a bad reputaion for stealing mortal children; in truth, they weren't mortal children but half fae... but still... I can't see the courts standing for this.. especially considering who your brother is." he said. "And knowing LiVed... your brothers upbringing was less than exemplorary?"

"Well, from what I got from Saffron...his upbringing wasn't much better then mine...if you get the meaning..." Lex said softly. "And ontop of that, Saffron did say he knew he was Orcale of the Seal...so I imagine that would add to the offense...I'm just not sure there's much that can be done about LiVed over this..."

"I'm not sure either... but we can look into it. In your case, you were born into Abadon's lands therefore he had a right to keep you... but LiVed stole Saffron from his father... and as you said, the whole Seal busniess adds to it. If Saffron had been just another half fae child, LiVed might have talked his way out of it.. after all, like I said, fae have been kidnapping half fae children and bringing them 'home' for millenia...however... the Oracle of the Seal. Now that makes it different... and means that the other courts might find a way to intervene if only to block any hold he might have over such an influencail person.."

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look into it at least..." Lex said softly, shifting closer and making himself comfortable. "Although, doesnt that mean that Saffron would have a guardian too?"

Faal smiled softly. "Well... taking into consideration Mr. Hogan's usual demeanor and his sudden apparent affection for your brother.. I'd say Saffron's already found his guardian.. although I could be wrong.."

"I wouldn't be surprised." Lex replied with a slight smile. "Rather makes sense if you do think about it..."

Faal chuckeld softly. "Well if one guardian breaks the rules concerning his charge and romantic liasons.. why not another?"

"Yus, I do think you've broken every rule in the book of being a guardian, short of marrying me, but I figure that's only a matter of time..." Lex replied with a slight smirk.

Faal blushed furiously. "Umm.. well.. actually..." he stumbled over himself.

Lex raised an eyebrow, absinthe eyes sparkling. "Shall we just agree it's a matter of time, or did I ruin some plan of yours?" Lex asked.

Faal cleared his throat. "I wouldn't say 'plan', no... it is something I've been giving considerable thought to, however..."he said softly. "So, yes..I think it's safe to say we can agree it's just a mater of time.."

"Just a matter of time then." Lex agreed, with a slight smirk, before leaning back against him. "Which should make something of an impression on dad."

Faal smirked softly and traced Lex's cheek with a finger gently. "So... I take it it's something you've been thinking of as well and I'm not... being crazy..?"

"Of course you're not being crazy." Lex said softly. "I would probably say yus...actually I would say yes, no probably about it..."

Faal smiled softly, stroking his cheek. "Well .. that's a relief to know... will make the actual propostion less nerve-racking..."

"Should, shouldn it..." Lex replied with a slight smirk, before sighing softly. "I'm starting to think I shouldn't have volunteered for working tonight..."

Faal smiled softly and pulled him closer, kissing his hair tenderly. "Don't feel that way, little flame... you got to meet your brother, yes?"

"Well yus...and while that was worth it in it's own right....I could have done with out all the drama, I think..." Lex said softly. "Hell, even Eire doesn't like Saffron...if I hadn't stepped in when I did, I imagine it would have been a nice little fight between Eire and Graves...and I didn't want to see Eire get hurt..."

"Well see? Its a good thing you were here then... you were needed..." Faal said the kissed him softly.

"Excpet I could have done without the drama...You realize it's going to be tense in my family for a while..?" Lex said softly.

Faal gave a short sharp laugh. "Sweetheart...when has it ever been less than tense in your family?"

"Well you know what I mean..." Lex said with a slight pout. "Although you have a nice point..."

Faal smirked and kissed him quickly. "Well... admittedly the majority of the tense times are when I'm around... but yes sweetheart.. I know what you mean. And if they get too bad, I'll kidnap you and steal you away from it all..."

"Mmm...well I think it's just tense when you're around because dad's trying to remain on his best behavior...and I think mom and Regan just find it amusing..." Lex said softly. "Although I definitely wouldn't mind disappearing for a while..."

~~