Her Hope and His Darkness (closed)

[SwanLake]

Closed for silvertongue217​

Jacquine “Quin” Throne
26 years old
5’10, 142 lbs
Everything about Quin is fresh. Her skin is as pure as freshly fallen snow, her long wildly curly hair the color of bright golden rays of sunlight on the year’s first clear day. Sparkling thickly lashed almond shaped eyes as vibrantly green as spring’s first leaf with a curious halo of pure gold around the pupil. High set cheekbones with a celestial subtle upturned nose and delicately full lips the color of a blushing rose petal and twice as soft. Elegant neckline, feminine shoulder with perfectly formed ‘C’ cup breasts without the sage of age. Trim waist with a womanly flair to her hips and a firmly set rear end, proportioned with long legs.
Pediatric nurse at Boston Children's Hospital

Mother​

Anesidora: Another name for Pandora, the opener of the box. A family name handed down to the first daughter generation to generation.​

Father​

Bezaliel: ‘Shadow of God’, a fallen angel turned Prince of Hell of the third hierarchy and 13th Watcher of the 20 leaders of the 200 fallen angels.​

She had more last names than most people had pairs of shoes and it wasn’t because of constant marriages but because for Jacquine “Quin” Throne whole life they had been on the run. When Quin was younger she had asked time and time again why it was that they always had to move, why they had to change their last name or what it was that they were running from but her Mother would just smile, smooth a hand over her wild hair and say nothing. When Quin had turned nine she had stopped asking.

Still it wasn’t a horrible way to live. Quin travelled all over the United States, visited parts of Canada and Mexico and even went as far south as Brazil for a total of fourteen months. With all the change and instability in her life there was one thing that she knew without a doubt, her Mother loved her with every fiber of her being. Because it was when Quin was about twelve that she realized that they didn’t moved because of something that her Mother feared concerning her own life but because it had to do with something about herself. She was never in a school long enough to be in a yearbook or if she was her Mother pulled her from school just long enough for a legitimate enough sounding reason that no one asked questions. The quicker Quin made friends and connects the sooner they were off on another adventure.

And then her Mother got sick. Quin was sixteen and had just finished her senior year of high school. She had wanted to stay where they were, get her to a hospital and get her better but her Mother just shook her head no. They sat down together and her Mother explained her illness. It was cancer and by the time she had found out it had spread from her breasts, to her lungs and was now in her throat. What little time she had left she wanted to spend with her daughter not stuck in some hospital. In the end her Mother had gotten so weak that they stopped moving and three months later her Mother had passed.

Quin didn’t know what to do with herself, she didn’t have anyone and she didn’t realize just how scary that could be for a seventeen years old. But her Mother had prepared her and financially she had nothing to worry about. Her Mother had invested in the right companies and owned quite a few shares in some rather well known companies, giving Quin a certain amount of freedom. For a few months she just drifted from place to place, revisiting some of her favorite places but was unable to reconnect to them the way she had hoped.

Boston, Massachusetts had been a mistake. The ticket Quin had bought earlier that morning had been for Groton, Massachusetts but luck had steered her not only onto the wrong train but to have slept through her mistake. Last stop for that line and Quin was rudely awaken by the ticket collector once she found that she was in the wrong place completely. Quin could have let the rudeness get to her but the moment she stepped out of the train car she was sparked back to life. Boston wasn’t the biggest city she had ever seen but there was a life thread to this place that called to Quin and made her smile. She was home.

Things seemed to have just fallen into place for Quin when she came to Boston. She got into a college she wanted and found a passion while volunteering at the children’s hospital. She sailed through school on a swift wind and with her grades, hours of work study and pleasant attitude she was offered a nursing spot at Boston Children's Hospital.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There was a growing tightness in Quin’s stomach that had her pacing in the middle of the night. For a normal person that might have been more of a problem but Quin had never been able to sleep more than four hours no matter how hard she tried. Once the sun was up, Quin was up and the feeling turned into something akin to anticipation. Like a child waiting for something to happen but clueless as to what they were waiting for.

The shrill call of the alarm clock was a dull echo in the background as Quin sipped her green tea and watched the sunrise slowly in the thickly clouded sky. The weather forecast called for a sunny but breezy day but Quin had a feeling that there was a storm coming. She just hoped it would hold out until she made it to work.

It was ten o’clock in the morning when Quin parked her scooter in the employee parking lot. It was two hours earlier then her twelve hour shift started but she had promised the kids that she would come in early and they could have their pick at arts and craft. So far the tossup was between balloon animals or picture frame window art. Quin was leaning towards the window art even though she knew just how messy the kids could get. Last week they had setup a dress up photo booth and Quin had brought in her Polaroid camera and got a picture of everyone dressed up.

“Here, let me help!” Henry called picking up his pace. “What have you got?”

“Oh you know. Things for the kids.” Quin smiled. Both luggage racks were down and on the front was a box filled with multi colored balloons and a bike hand air pump and on the back rack was another larger box with dollar store picture frames, tissue paper in every color under the sun, about a dozen bottles of Elmer’s glue and food coloring.

“You really need a real car.” It amazed Henry that Quin, his fellow nurse was able to fit what she did on a scooter.

“And pay parking fees in Boston!” Quin rolled her eyes and handed Henry the smaller of the two boxes but he had a mind of his own and was already grabbing the larger box from the back.

Henry snorted. “Please! I’ve seen the place you live, you can afford the parking fees.”

“But I would miss the feel of the wind in my hair.”

“Of all the things you could miss, that’s what you miss?”

The way Henry spoke, his tone and the look on his face drew Quin short in her next step. “What does that mean?”

Henry stopped at Quin’s side and raised his brow in knowing answer. “Sweetie…” He shifted the box to one arm and braced it on his hip. “How long has it been?”

“Been?” Quin tucked her chin to her chest and continued on walking having a feeling as to what her friend was hinting at.

“Yes, how long since Caleb? Have you even been on a date?” Henry pressed easily keeping up with Quin.

“You know that’s a very personal question.” Of all the people she had ever meet in her life Henry was by far the closest friend she had.

“None. None is your answer.”

Were all gay guys this pushy? She knew that they weren’t, he was just being a concerned friend. “No. There was that one time at Kyle’s birthday party.” Quin defended feeling uncomfortable in the direction that this conversation had taken.

“The only thing you said to him was hi.” Henry said flatly.

“And bye.” Quin laughed. “He just wasn’t my type.” She sighed hopping over a crack in the sidewalk.

“Still doesn’t count.” Henry sighed rolling his eyes. “What are you waiting for?”

The question made Quin pause as she thought about the feeling that kept her up at night. “I don’t know…” The knot in Quin’s stomach twisted and it sent a chill down her spine. “Something beyond earthy bounds.” Quin giggled spinning like a leaf cast by a wild wind. “A man to stroke the flames of my soul into coals hotter than the flame itself, to walk that bed of coals without fear of drowning.” She sighed with a smile. “Bravery in the face of love, courage to call my faults and prove me wrong in moments of my weakness without making me a fool.” It was a dream. “Strength to hold me both tightly and without harm, force enough to quicken my breath and race my heart with no trace of fear. A balance finer then a razor’s edge and the ability to master it like no finer swordsman known.” For such a man did not exist. “Is that so hard to ask for?” She laughed knowing that such an impossibility made wanting it safe.

“You’re worse than a Disney movie.” Gagged Henry with and sickened face. “You’ll end up a crazy cat lady if you don’t learn to settle.”

Quin openly laughed at Henry's prediction of her future. “Well Jarvis could do with more friends.” Being alone had once scared her but Quin had grown since then.

“You’re helpless.” Henry grumbled pausing to watch Quin walk through the automatic sliding double doors. “God help her…” He sighed seriously worried about his dear friend.

 

[silvertongue217]

DEEP IN THE PIT OF HELL

"come on you bastard"

The creature narrowed his eyes his fiery red eyes burning with hatred, he p[awed the ground his nails dragging deep rivers in the sand and rock as he lowered his head. The man in the robe the one who was taunted the creature raised his hand slowly as the crowd grew silent. Their was a pause as a hush descended in the arena every one watching to see what happened next.

Then he flicked the creature off

The crowd roared its approval and the beasts roared in anger bounding forward and exposing his teeth. Every one watched as the creature got closer and closer waiting to see what would happen next.

Turns out it would happen very quickly

Suddenly the figure wasnt there any more, instead it was now a few inches to the left. The hand that it used to flip off the creature was know soaked in blood and holding a piece of what looked like the creature. The creature it self took a minute to register what had happened to it. It hobbled towards him ready to strike again before its eyes finally traveled down to the bright red gash dripping blood out of his belly. The creature finally toppled its eyes diming as it finally went still.

The crowd roared in approval to which the figure simply held the piece of the creature up as a trophy. Seconds later the creature was hauled away and the man walked off throwing the piece into the crowd. Once he entered the shadows he pulled off his hood exposing a handsome tan face and piercing voilet eyes.

" I do so love hell" Balazar said chuckling as he ran a blood soaked hand through his dark black hair "nothing like going native for a while"

"Enjoyed your last fight" A man said coming out of the shadows his long travelers cloak swishing.

"Well enough" Balazar said rolling his eyes and shrugging out of his long red cloak exposing a impeccable and out of place black and red suit "I suppose it is time to go then?"

"Yes" The man said his hand coming out of his cloak to show off a blood red file "the details of your target and take care to bring her home alive"

"If you say so" he said bored as he tucked the file into his suit "must be pretty important if the boss man wants her alive" He remarked as he turned and started heading to the shadows.

"THATS AN ORDER HUNTER!!"

But he was already swallowed up by darkness

He stepped out of the shadows of the grave yard turning and slamming the rusty gate shut behind him. With a wave of his hands the fire snaked back around it fusing the door to the ancient cracked stone. After making sure his hidey hole was safe and sealed he turned staring up and noticing the darkening sky that herald his arrival to earth.

"good to be back" he said breathing in with his nose smelling what he considered his birthright "your favorite prince has returned" he sing songed watching as the sky boomed in response.

"Now lets see where we are" He said pulling out his cell phone and turning it on. In seconds he had the GPS back on tracking his location to Boston. A wicked grin lit up his face at the revelation.

"Never been to boston before" He murmured checking his ancient pocket watch "and order didnt say there was a time frame on this mission"

He tucked his pocket watch in and began walking whistling to himself as he pulled out his latest job. He opened the page and began to read drinking in the details as he stepped out of the cemetery.

"nothing but a name and an address huh?" He said his curiosity stoked as he paused on the busy side walk "well well this is an interesting case" He said putting it away and giving out a low whistle.

A car suddenly slid into the waiting parking lot a black mustang that had a hint of red in its metallic color. There was no one in it and he went around watching as the door opened to allow him to slide in. He got in feeling the engine roaring to life around him and took off speeding in the direction of the hospital.

and his target

He reached the hospital in a matter of seconds moving into one of the parking lots and making his way inside. He put on his most enthusiastic smile and went over to the receptionist pulling some flowers out of thin air.

"Hi hello i have a delivery here" He said winking at her "some one ordered a boquet of beautiful flowers to be delivered to a Ms. Throne"

The receptionist proved easy to fool and in seconds he was making his way to her office the flowers still in his hand even though no one paid any attention to him.

 

[SwanLake]

Five hours into her shift and it was time for her only break. It was officially two hours long but it meant that she was on call her entire shift which sometimes meant that she didn’t get time for lunch. Not that it mattered to Quin, she could eat a bag of chip from the vending machine and be good for the rest of the day.

“Come on we’re getting lunch.”

“What?” Quin was sorting the new patients that would be coming in later on in the day, catching herself up with their conditions and what they would require so she could get their rooms setup.

“L-u-n-c-h.” Chanted Judy. Barbra, Chrissy and Henry were behind Judy softly chanting the single word in harmony with smiles on their face.

Quin rolled her eyes and gave in with a laugh. “Okay, okay.” She put down her charts and waved to Mary who had come in later in the afternoon. “Going to lunch.” Quin might have been one of the senior ranked nurses on shift but she still liked to let her fellow nurses know where she was in case they needed her. “I’ll have my phone with me if you need me.”

“You mean you’re leave to have lunch?” Mary over played being shock but the truth was she really was quite shocked that Quin was leave if only for lunch.

“I can stay if you-“ Quin started before she felt four set of hands grab at her.

“No you don’t!” Henry growled.

“Bye Mary.” Sang Chrissy as Barb gave her a wink.

“Have fun!” Mary sang back laughing at the look of discomfort on Quin’s face.

“But my bag-“ But it was useless as she was all but forcibly dragged out of the hospital.

For as long as Quin had been at BCH she could count on one hand the number of times she had clocked out and taken a lunch. Leave felt strange and she kept looking back over her shoulder for something or someone to tell her to stay. “Anyone want to tell why I’m being kidnapped?” Quin finally braved once they were all piled in Barb’s spacious SUV.

“Because you need an intervention.” Judy informed her friend sitting beside Quin.

Quin was confused. “What? Why?” As far as she knew there was nothing in her life that needed to be overhauled or changed.

“Why?” Chrissy repeated with a laugh. “Because you’re an uptight hottie that needs to get laid!”

“Chrissy!” Quin blushed three shades of red before turning on Henry. “You!” She accused with narrowed eyes.

Henry spread his hand out in question. “What?” He asked innocently. “I’m hurt that you would assume I had anything to do with this…”

But Quin knew better and she felt herself give in again. “I wouldn’t say I’m uptight.”

“Really?!?!” Snorted Judy. “Have you seen yourself around males?”

“Barb, help me out here.” Quin pleaded reaching out to her kindest, soft spoken friend.

But all Bard did was smile and wink as she pulled out of the parking garage and on to a busy street.

Well it seemed she wasn’t getting any help from Barb. “I just don’t…” Quin didn’t know how to explain it but after Caleb she just didn’t feel like putting herself out there like that.

“Honey, it’s been almost two years.” Henry’s voice help a note of sadness. “He wouldn’t want you hanging on to him like this.”

“Urg!” It was the only thing that felt appropriate at this moment because Henry was right, Quin just didn’t feel like admitting it. “So where are we going?” She said instead changing the subject.

“The Elephant Walk.” Henry sighed happy enough for now to let her change the subject.

“Ohh I love their braised duck sandwich.” Quin cooed her mouthwatering at the thought. “For kidnappers you sure are considerate about lunch picks.”

“Five star kidnappers at your service.” Teased Chrissy with a flourished bow from the front seat.

The group took an hour lunch before returning to the hospital. It was longer than any lunch Quin had ever taken but the hour had flown by. Between good food, great friends and laughter filled conversations Quin hadn’t even minded the time until they got back into the SUV. Quin frantically checked her phone just in case her apple watch had neglected to alert her to a missed call or text.

“Relax chika.” Chrissy laughed drawing attention to Quin.

Quin looked up from her phone noticing that all eyes were on her. “What?” She asked sheepishly tucking her pocket back into her scrub pocket.

“Hopeless.” Henry repeated for the second time that day.

Ever the adult Quin stuck her tongue out at him.

Back at the hospital Quin returned to her normal routine. Sure there were charts and paperwork that needed to be done on her desk in her shared office but she pushed them off to spend time with the kids.

When Quin had first joined the BCH team there had been a small library that the kids had access to but the books were old, missing covers and boring. That had been Quin’s first personal project when she joined and after scouting book auctions and sells BCH now had an expansive book collection. It also had sparked reading hour where once a week if Quin wasn’t paged, she would read out loud. Today’s book was a continuation of the book they had just finished the week before, the second of Tamora Pierce’s ‘Circle of Magic’ series, ‘Tris’s Book’.

“She was pressed – jammed, really- into a corner formed by chunks of stone. Someone’s knee poked into her thigh on one side. Someone else’s foot dug into her calf on the other. There were four of them, and a dog, trapped in a bubble in the ground.” Quin started her voice carrying out over the room, smiling at the faces excited to hear what happened to four mages in training. “The first part of an earthquake was just fading, and the rest about to roll over them like high tide pounding the harbor walls.”

“Are they okay?” Whispered Evelyn a sweet six year old with big brown doe eyes.

“We’ll see.” Quin smiled.

“I’m glad the dog is ok.” Tom voiced from the back of the seat group.

“Guys, hush!” Complained David. “If we’re all talking Miss Quin can’t read.”

The group of a dozen or more children settled down and once it was quite again, Quin started reading aloud. They made it to the third chapter before they were interrupted.

“Quin, Mrs. Baldwin is here…” Marcus tried at smiling but she could read the masked frown.

“I’ll be up in a minute.” Closing the book Quin turned to the children. “Okay that’s all for today.”

Some of the kids sighed and grumbled but they knew when they saw the orderly that their reading hour had been cut short.

“If you want there are extra copies if you want to read ahead, just remember to sign them out.”

As she headed back upstairs she passed by Peggy the front desk receptionist. “Who are the flowers from?” Peggy asked as Quin walked by.

“Flowers?” The question had Quin detouring back towards Peggy’s desk. “Who sent me flowers?”

Peggy’s eyebrows drew together as confused as Quin seemed to be. “I don’t know, that’s why I asked you.”

“Oh…” Who would have sent Quin flowers? “I guess when I find out I’ll let you know.” She shrugged assuming it was a parent of one of the children she cared for.

“They’re really pretty from what I remember…” Peggy said almost like an apology.

Quin smiled back on her way towards the elevators. “I’ll send you down a flower.”

“Oh! That’s not what I- I didn’t mean…” Peggy stammered.

The elevator door opened and Quin stepped through waving off Peggy’s hesitation. Anyone who knew Quin knew she hated cut flowers, it just reminded her of death but she didn’t shared that with Peggy.

 

[silvertongue217]

He finally reached her office a quaint little place tucked into the corner of the hospital. Balazar strode in running an eye over the small spartan area, the woman his target was clearly a small cog in the big machine of the hospital which made his mission all the more particular. Who was this woman? Why was he ordered to capture her alive and send her back to hell?

Then he felt it

It was diluted and if he hadnt been so curious he probably wouldn't have sensed it but... yes there it was a power that laid dormant a bloodline that had weight in the underworld.

"Well Well Well" he murmured breathing in with his nose "It would seem im after a princess" He said running his hand across the desk and picking up a picture of her.

"And they thought they could sneak it past me" He said laughing looking at her "your a pretty thing arent you" He said to himself studying her"if not a bit naive" he murmured placing it back on the desk and pausing as he felt her presence join him on the second floor.

?He looked down contemplating the Rooses as his mind worked into over drive. He could capture her right now be a good little boy for father and invoke his usual reward but it wouldn't answer his burning questions. Who was this girl parent to? Why was she hiding out on earth? Why was she getting picked up NOW of all times?

Of course then there was a matter of power, which as a prince of hell was some thing Balazar wasn't interested in even though he didnt show it. There hadnt been a princess of hell in a very very long time which meant she was a rare jewel and probably half the reason why he had been sent after her. Why would he give such a rare jewel up to his father? Not when a much more delicious plan was forming in his mind.....

He turned just as she was coming in putting on his most charming smile "hello are you a Ms. Jacquine Thorn? If so I have some thing for you he said his hands popping up from behind his back the flowers gone and instead a business card forming in his hand.

"Im sorry but i am afraid I was employing some subterfuge with the flowers but i didnt want to make a big fuss out of my seeing you" He said handing her his card which had the name Kaine printed in emerald green script "my name is Kaine Kaine Demont I represent a group of people who have been watching your work within the hospital and are looking to fund your proposals to expand the library and the children wards I was hoping to have a few minutes of your time for a more formal interview"

 

[SwanLake]

The meeting with Mrs Baldwin had been kept short. Marcus Baldwin and twelve year old she had known since her first day at BCH had passed away. His mother wanted to come by and say goodbye to the staff and hand out farewell gifts Marcus had made for everyone. He had made her a wind charm and Quin was on her way to her office to hang it up in her window.

There was a man, in her office. A tall attractive man, in her office. Her first thought was Henry. If he had sent her a man… Well she didn’t know what she would do, if anything but she would be rightly tiffed. “Yes?” As skeptical as she to the man’s presence she was polite and gave him a warm smile as she stepped past him. “Something for me?” Quin spun on her heel two step shy of the window. The way the man spoke rang warning bells in her head. Henry really had sent this man. “I’m not sure what Henry told you but I’m fine, really.” She assured the stranger as he produced a business card which she took out of polite habit.

Wait-

Quin reevaluated the situation and gave the man time to explain himself. “Oh! The man with the flowers.” That clicked into place but when she looked around there wasn’t flowers to be seen. “With no flowers?” She asked curiously. She had promised to share the flowers with Peggy yet there were no flowers. It was easy enough to explain if Peggy hadn’t already claimed to have seen them.

The name itself did nothing to Quin but when she said it out loud. “Kaine Demont?” A cold finger ran down her spine and the small hairs at the back of her neck rose on end. Quin turned the card over but saw no company name or even means of contact, just a name. His name. “I’m sorry but I think you have the wrong person. I’ve submitted no such proposals.” She extended her hand returning the expensive looking card back. “I thank you for your time.” Turning her back on Mr Demont she quickly hung the wind charm and ducked out of the room just as Chrissy passed by.

“Oh! Who’s that?” Chrissy cheered peeking past her friend to get a better look at the man. “He’s fine.” She cooed still fighting Quin to get a better look at him even as she pushed her down the hall.

Quin pushed harder willing her friend to move faster. The more time she had spent with Mr Demont the more unnerved she felt. Even away from him she felt like his eyes were still on her.

“Bye!” Chrissy waved much to the embarrassment of Quin.

 

[silvertongue217]

He watched as she took him in. she was good at hiding her feelings but he just caught the flicker of her checking him out. Well Well Well she felt the spark as well he mused even as she covered her self. Demonic beings loved corruption as much as they loved innocence which meant there was a spark between the two before she even entered the room.

She asked him about the flowers but he shook his head instead watching as she took his card. The card was his own special little invention allowing him to track her with ease now that he had some thing marked with her. He took it back happily pushing it into his pocket and watching as she blew him off.

He was expecting it after all who would pay much attention to some guy suddenly coming out of the blue and offering her money? But he didn't stop instead stepping out with her and watching as she was caught up with some girl.

He laughed when she said bye following her down the hall and walking with her as she pushed her friend "you may not have submitted any proposal plans per say but it was you who spearheaded the new children library right? " he said winking at her friend before turning his attention back to her.

"You also have made some very good vastly superior improvements to the way the children ward is run" He remarked "which has caught the interest of me and my board honestly we would pay you for the time of the interview and the money would be used to help the children" he said his intense eyes locking onto her.

 

[SwanLake]

Spearheaded the children’s library? “No.” Quin answered honestly. “All I did was get newer books for the library. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Chrissy proved more stubborn then planned for and Quin sighed giving up on moving her friend on, especially when she blushed at something as simple as a wink.

’What?’ Chrissy silently mouthed with a shrug as Quin stepped around her.

Vastly superior improvements? “No, I didn’t.” She argued. “Look.” Quin sighed and stopped in the middle of the hall when Mr Demont brought up money again. “I have rounds to make, patients to check in and a job to do. Any interview with you would not only be unprofessional but a waste of time as all you’ve yet to say has been incorrect.” She politely smiled. “Furthermore,” Quin continued. “The mention of money does nothing for me or the kids. I don’t come to work with dreams of getting rich. If I did, I would not be a nurse. It’s far too demanding, stressful, unappreciative and physically taxing. But as you’ve come all this way for something I’ll leave you with all that I can freely say. If what I’ve done had drawn the attention of your people then I’ll make it simple. The hospital no matter what, will always be an experience for the children, our job, the job I have tried to do, is to make the experience a good one. Have the children leave with good memories. Not only because it’ll make the next visit less stressful but because I believe that happiness promotes healing.” Quin turned back around and headed for the nurses’ station and her charts. “So again I thank you for your time Mr Demont.” Quin threw over her shoulder as she turned her attention to Mary and the current schedule.

Chrissy stood shocked, mouth slight ajar as she watched her normally soft spoken friend storm away. “She normally goes out of her way to make time for people.” She apologized on behalf of Quin.

“QUIN!” Victoria cried in her girlish high pitched voice.

Quin was already halfway down another hall when the young girl’s voice stopped her in her tracks. When Quin spun around there was a dazzling smile on her lips and the hall lite up from the inside out as she quickly dropped to one knee and abandoned her charts off to the side, freeing her arms to be flung wide open for the girl of five to run into them. “My Darling Victoria, how are you?”

“Wonderful.” Informed the six year old. “I got a new eye patch.” Victoria boasted pushing back her cinnamon brown locks. “I bedazzlered it myself.” She smiled, the pride in her voice evident.

Victoria was a survivor of retinoblastoma. It had been a long and nearly deadly fight but in the end, they ended up taking the eye to save the child’s life. The crying three year old didn’t know how to handle the loss and her parents had been just as lost, unsure of what to do and frightened of how their child would mature with only one eye.

During the months that the family all but lived at the hospital, Quin had grown close to the girl and she used her influence to convince the young child what an adventure her life would be. It was hope that Quin had not only given Victoria but her parents as well. They had gotten so close because of the genuine care that Quin felt for Victoria that they were on each other’s personal Christmas card list. Quin was even honored with yearly school pictures with hand written notes on the back of them from Victoria.

“Ah!” Quin smiled standing up and bracing the child on her hip. “Nearly as beautiful as you. What bring you here?” She asked just as Kim and Wyatt, Victoria’s parents caught up with them.

The child seemed to glow in Quin’s arms and brightness shone not only in her eyes but her smile as well. A reflection of the same brightness that Quin radiated. “Oh, just a test and a check up to see if I’m okay.” Tori smiled playing with one of Quin’s curls that had escaped her loose ponytail.

Quin waited for the rest of the story before bounding Tori on her hip and tickling her. “Must you keep me waiting?”

It seemed that was just what Tori was waiting for as she smiled wider than before. “All good things are worth waiting for.”

“When did she get so smart?” Quin asked her parents with a playful roll of her eyes.

“I’ve always been smart!” Peeped Tori. “And now I’m also healthy.”

Quin looked over at Tori’s parents knowing that sometimes the child’s story wasn’t the same as reality. But both parents were beaming, relief painted clear on their faces. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all year.” And after the news of Marcus Baldwin it had been sorely needed. Quin hugged the child to her and the warmth around the two grew and expanded until it touched her parents and the unknowingly reacted to it with smiles of their own.

“Will you come to lunch with us?” Tori invited Quin with an expected look.

Quin’s eyes moved over to her stack of charts and her smile faulted for half a second. “I just had lunch and I’m about to do my rounds.”

Tori made a face, you could see that she was working though what Quin had said. “Okay.” She finally admitted. “Buy you’re still coming to my birthday party, right?” Tori asked only a slight hint of worry in her otherwise cheerful voice.

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She promised, giving Tori another hung before putting her down. “But for today, I’ve got to say my farewell and go help other sick children.”

Tori ever the little helper reached out and handed Quin her charts. “See you at my party.”

“I will. Thank you for stopping to see me.” Quin hugged Kim and then Wyatt.

“Of course, if we didn’t we’d never hear the end of it.” Laughed Kim, her laughter contagious as Wyatt joined in and hugged his wife closer.

“We’ll see you this weekend.” Wyatt confirmed back down the hall with his family.

“This weekend.” Quin waved, watching the family turning the corner where they were then out of sight.

Seeing Victoria and her parents had been a good recovery point for Quin after the annoyance of Mr Demont. She didn't know why she felt annoyed by him but she did. But none of that matter anymore because she was in a great mood and prepared for her next patient.

 

[silvertongue217]

He watched her go his eyes narrowing. He wasnt used to a brush off in either hell or on earth. As A prince of hell he was given a sort of respect and deference and what little creatures thought themselves above him were quickly brought down to heel by him himself. On earth he excluded wealth and power and was or at least told he was very handsome.

Yet she didnt seem to care

Who was this girl? He thought to himself watching as she continued moving down the hall. He could sense that she was a daughter a princess of hell but she seemed to exclude none of the traits. she was nice sweet even.

Which meant a different tact would be needed

He watched her go smiling softly to himself. He hung back letting her think the matter was done before he followed after her and into the children's ward. He stopped at the desk and shrugged off his suit jacket working his sleeves up to expose his arms and tattoos.

He walked into the childrens ward smiling at some of the childrens as he walked back up to her.

"You will find im awfully persistant" he said giving her a small smile "and I really do wish to talk to you so if you allow me" he said gesturing at him self "to help you for the day maybe we can talk afterwards" he said his voice light as he looked over at the kids.

"Hey guys how would you like to see a magic trick" He said ignoring her (for now) and bending down pulling a quarter out of his pocket and expertly moving it in between his fingers.

 

[SwanLake]

Quin didn’t expect her new found (non)friend, Mr Demont, to keep following her but he did and her mood plummeted with each controlled and level breath. She tried to ignore him and walked into the common room shared by the long term patients on this floor looking for Colt Bradford. Chances were he would be here instead of his room. Most rooms on this floor along with many of the others in this building were larger solo rooms but many of the children made friends and were either in the large common room on their floor or in each other’s rooms.

As she entered the spacious room filled with children and guardians alike, Mr Demont started to speak. It was easy enough to silence if voice from her mind but his words buried under her safeguards and struck her still.

Seriously?!?! Quin groaned to herself within the safety of her own mind. “No.” She said aloud at the same time her mind vented about this stranger. “Having you follow me would, again, be unprofessional and against not only hospital rules but laws.” Quin pointed out in a monotone. “Smile at me all you want but my answer will be the same. No.” But her words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears as the man turned towards the kids promising a magic trick. She rolled her eyes and bit her tongue unrealizably ruffled.

“Colt.” Quin could dish out as good as she got and for the moment she forgot about Mr Demont and joined the ten year old at a round table. “Hey buddy.” Qin greeted fluffing the boy’s tawny curl. “We’re expected at echocardiography in ten minutes.” She warned leaning over to look at his hand of cards.

“Already?” Colt pouted looking up at his favorite nurse.

All Quin did in answer was point at the large clock opposite the expansive wall of windows.

“Do I have enough time to finish this hand?” He perked up raising his hand. “I’m winning.”

They didn’t really have the time but… She looked over her shoulder at Mr Demont and figured she could use the time to deal with him. “Five minutes and you better win or you owe me a chocolate shake.”

“If I win you owe me one.”

Quin smiled and stuck out her hand. “Deal.” Having looked at his hand she knew he had a good chance of winning. “Mrs Bradford, were would you like us to meet you or will you be joining us today?” She asked with a kind smiel on her face.

The prematurely graying thirty something year old shook her head and waved her hand. “I think I’ll go upstairs and take a nap. Last time it took forever.”

She nodded and fluffed Colt’s hair once more before turning back to the spur in her side.

“You.” Her tone spoke of her already met exhaustion and annoyance as Quin not so gently nudged (aka kicked) Mr Demont’s foot with her own herding him towards the common room’s exit. “What do you want?” Quin rounded on him once they were in a side hall away from the children. “Won’t you just leave, I have nothing for you.” She tried to explain. But as forceful as her words were Quin knew deep down inside that he wasn’t just going to leave. So she would have to compromise. “I can’t have you following me around today like some shadow.” Quin repeated rocking back on her heels with her fists set on her hips. “I get off at midnight. If you really want to talk to me after my shift meet in at the back entrance.” She sighed feeling something inside of her roll, queued by some unknown emotion that Quin wasn’t sure was all bad. “And you’re buying me breakfast.” Quin shook her head another deep breath falling from her full lips. “Can we agree on that?” She asked checking her watching, she was still two minutes safe of her five minute cut off.

 

[silvertongue217]

The kids gathered around him and even though he could feel the glare from his target. He couldn't help but smile both at his ability to get under her skin and the children. Truth be told he had no problem with kids sure they got annoying when they became teenagers but kids at this age had a tendency to look at the world like he did a place to be lived to its fullest.

"so a magic trick then" he said turning to them and smiling. He bent down coming to the height of the children and spreading out his fingers.

"nothing in my hand right?" He said waiting for them to nod before he snapped his fingers conjuring a large coin. The kids hooted as he rolled it between his fingers popping it up with his knuckles before grabbing it out of thin air and showing it was gone.

"Now then-" he said before he felt her nudging him in the back. He got up letting her move him away trying not to smirk as he noted the effect he seemed to be having on her. He leaned against the wall folding his arms as she said her spiel. she had some fire in her he noted impressed enough that it only fueled his curiosity for her more.

"Tell you what" He said smiling and moving off suddenly very VERY close to her "breakfast tonight my treat and you get to hear what i want to say with an open mind " he told her before sliding past her "but theres nothing to stop my from hanging out with the kids" he reminded her trying to resist looking back over his shoulders as he rejoined the kids.

 

[SwanLake]

Quin didn’t so much as flinch at Mr Demont’s sudden close proximity. “An open mind?” She laughed softly leaning in even closer. “I can promise to listen, the state of my mind depends on many different factors.” She smiled in an overly sweet fashion.

“Hold it there cowboy.” Before he could rejoin the kids Quin reached out and caught the collar of Mr Demont’s shirt. “That’s where you are wrong yet again.” This time her smile was genuine. “There is something I can do.” Pilling him along a few steps Quin stopped at a phone. “You’re an uncleared stranger, a danger.” Now that they had come to an agreement she didn’t feel bad at all over what she was about to do. Letting go of the back of his shirt collar Quin picked up the phone. “Yes I have a bogey IFF red, second floor Mandell Building, Charles ward. Male, tall, dark hair, jacket maybe only shirt, tattoos.” She hung up the phone and crossed her arms over her chest with a smirk on her face.

Quin looked at her watch, her five minutes were over but she was willing to overlook that to see Mr Demont carted off by security. “We can wait here together or you can try to run, Mike was an ex-ranger and would love the chase. Not the paperwork but I’m sure he’ll find it a satisfactory exchange.” Quin had only ever called security three times before this and none of the previous times had felt so good. There was no reason she should have felt that way but Quin did and would have been shocking to her if she wasn’t so pleased.

Her smile only grew when she saw Mike round the corner. He was a tall man, lean and built like a runner. With him was two other men, George and Scott. George was shorter then she was but stocky while Scott was a fair average between Mike and George’s build. “Mike.” Quin greeted.

“This him?” He nodded towards Mr Demont with narrowed eyes.

Quin nodded. “If you could escort him from the ward?” She asked kindly. “I have a meeting with him after my shift.” Quin didn’t need to explain the dangers of having someone just wandering about unsupervised, Mike was the one who rewrote most of their security measures.

“I’ll see you after my shift if you’re still willing.” Quin smugly grinned sliding her hands into the front pockets of her scrubs. As much as she wanted to watch Mr Demont lead down the hall she had to get back to Colt. “Mike. George, Scott.” She smiled as she passed them.

“Okay Colt, ready to go?” Quin sang as she reentered the room.

For the rest of her day Quin checked in new charges, made more rounds and assisted in appointments when needed or called for. But as sure as she was that Mr Demont had left the hospital Quin had the feeling of being watched, of a set of eyes on her that she just couldn’t find no matter how hard she tried to identify the reasoning behind the feeling. To make matters worse there seemed to be dark shadows that danced at the very edges of her peripheral vision that we so brief that she questioned the seeing of it for the first few hours after her meeting with Mr Demont.

That being said Quin was a little on edge when midnight rolled around and she clocked out. “Good night William.” Her smile was polite but tired.

“Night Quin.” As old as William was he knew everyone’s face and made an effort to say hi and bye to those who came and go.

As Quin walked towards her scooter she checked her watch, it was 12:07. Half of her wanted Mr Demont to not be there, deciding she was too much trouble just to talk with but the other half was curious. What was it he wanted to talk to her about that was so important that he felt it necessary to lie to get to her? And where had happened to those flowers?

 

[silvertongue217]

"Touche" He muttered to himself not making any move to shrug off the security guards hand. He watched the door close behind him and turned his eyes flashing with his power as he captured the man in his thrall.

"Release me" he said watching as the man obediently dropped his hand "now lets see about getting me on the list of approved visitors for the children ward...."

A half an hour later

Balazar walked out whistling to himself as he debated going back to the children's ward. After capturing the security guard in his thrall he was able to integrate himself into the hospitals volunteer list. Of course he had been tempted to set himself up as a doctor as well but he found day jobs to be to boring to really commit to it. Instead he was content... content to hang around and annoy/ seduce his newfound target.

"who are you?" he murmured to himself stepping into the shadows melding with them and becoming one. He wrapped himself in the cocoon of darkness and turned watching her. She couldnt see him nor could any one else but she would feel him feel him watching her . He spent the day studying here chuckling whenever she looked over her shoulder at his direction but other wise staying silent as he contemplated her. There was some thing so... familiar about her some thing that boiled his blood. Why did he feel such a grudge against her? Yet at the same time a pull he couldn't quite explain? Who was this girl?

And more importantly who sired her?

Finally she began to clock out and he exited the shadows and stepped out into the parking lot. He paused breathing in the night air before going to her scooter and waiting.

"Ah there you are" He said having dressed down in a simple black T shirt and jeans "Surprised to see me after your little stunt with security?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"its no matter i took care of it" he said before she could say any thing else "now i believe you owe me a breakfast date would you like to drive over there your self instead of getting in the car with big bad me?" He asked nodding at his mustang across the lott.

 

[SwanLake]

“Where else would I be?” Quin asked her tone sassy if not a bit tired as well. The comment about her little stun brought a smile to her lips. “Not really. You look more stubborn then smart.” She insulted him with a smile. What was with her today? A voice inside her mind asked. Quin didn’t know what it was about this man but she didn’t like him and didn’t know why. “I would hope so, after all it was just a little stunt.” I threw back at him using his own word to describe calling security on him.

Quin mimicked his raised eyebrow and shook her head. “It wasn’t a date. I only date respectable people and something about you tells me that’s far from what you are.” It was then that she noticed that he had changed. The black shirt clung to his body accenting his muscles while the jeans formed well over his legs to the boots he was wearing. He had been handsome before in fancy clothes and was looking better still in simpler wear.

“Drive with you?” She followed his gaze to the new mustang and clicked his tongue. Anything less than a Boss 429 and it was just another muscle car to her. “For where we’re going you might want to ride with me.” She laughed pulling her keys from her pocket. “It’s not a place easily assessed by car.” All but giggling Quin got onto her scooter and nodded her chin at the open seat behind her. “Oh and don’t forget the helmet.” She couldn’t handle not laughing anymore as she put on her vintage leather cover helmet that matched the color of her seat, complete with the goggles, brim and earflaps. The extra helmet she had was the same make but in white. “And before you think of arguing I’ll sit here all night if you don’t put it on.”

 

[silvertongue217]

"keep on telling your self its not a date darling" He said eyeing her helmet and snorting "I mean it is two people going ot have lunch a man and woman after hours in a potentially romantic setting" He said knowing it would rile her up and taking the helmet. He scowled at it but flipped it over pulling it on and strapping it on. A part of him wanted to just say fuck it and transform his car into a bike but he decided to go along with her. He swung his leg over her scooted running his hands down her back before wrapping his arms around her stomach.

"Alright lead the way" he said his voice showing his protest "faster we get there the faster i can get off of this death trap" he said his tone showing he wasnt pleased with what he was on.

 

[SwanLake]

There was something annoyingly smug about Mr Demont that got under her skin. “I see it a bit differently. And by those standards you must date a lot.” Quin tried to smile but fell short. He would see how ‘romantic’ the place there were going to would be. It was charming in its own way and the food was to die for but it was far from mood lighting and soft music. “Oh!” Quin quickly covered the laughter at the sight of Mr Demont in the helmet. “You look…” She wanted to say precious but changed her mind at the last second feeling that even that fell too close to a compliment.

Wait- really? Quin rolled her eyes feeling the excessive amount of touching Mr Demont was using to get onto the scooter. “Okay,” She sighed loosening up his hold. “Keep touching me like that and I’ll start charging you by the hour.” At the mention of Rosie, her scooter, being a death trap Quin smiled. It would take about ten minutes if they hit the main roads but if she went the back way with all its winding bends and sharp turns down narrows streets it would add another five if not ten minutes but might prove to be more fun.

“Fast it’ll be.” Quin chuckled spinning out her back tire as she gassed it out of the parking lot.

Chuckles was one of Quin’s favorite places to go after work and she knew the way there like the back of her hand. What she liked best about it was that it never seemed to close, no matter what and its unique location nestled between apartment condos. As if they were there first and the developers just had to build around the RV turned waffle bar.

Quin took the first right out of the parking lot and sped up the street until sharply turning left onto a maintenance road, a road that was choked up with badly parked cars. Cars that Quin darted and weaved by with laughter. From there Quin raced across a main road on to another access road used by the strip mall’s read facing shops as a collection of thing; storage, parking, trash, ect. A normal person might have slowed down but Quin just pushed the scooter faster, dodging a stray cat that ran terrified for its life. Quin was taking a risk going so fact but she didn’t care. The adrenaline seemed to heighten her senses and there was a feeling that tickled the back of her neck that always saved her at the last second. Henry called it her spidey sense but whatever it was Quin had learned to depend on it because it had yet to lead her astray.

Faster and faster Quin pushed the whirling engine until a honeycomb like formation of buildings came to view. In the middle of one of the tucked away courtyards was Chuckles Waffles and without stopping Quin turned into one of the open yardway doors. Because of the time of day and the noise of her scooter Quin slowed down but that didn’t mean she took corners and turns any more kindly, waiting until the last second to skid Rosie around a turn.

“Tada!” Quin cheered pulling into an open spot and parking the scooter. “Chuckles, best waffle place in town.” This late or early however you wanted to see it, in the day one might think that the place would be empty but it was Chuckles and there were three other groups clustered together around the tiny tables. For Chuckles it was fairly empty and without waiting for Mr Demont, Quin hopped off the scooter and headed to the kitchen to order.

“Quin.”

Was it bad that she was instantly recognized? Quin shrugged off the thought and leaned into the window taking a deep breath. “Mmmmm.” She sighed. “Like always Mr Stevens it smells heavenly.”

Mr Stevens was an older man in his late sixties with only one leg, a crooked smile and kind eyes. In his youth he had seen the war up close and personal as an Army Ranger but other than that he didn’t say anything more on the subject, though he does claim that he lost his leg from the knee down after he got out of the military. Another story he doesn’t share. “Who’s the shadow?” A quick frown pulled at Mr Stevens’ mouth as he checked out Quin’s luggage.

“You know…” Quin turned to look at Mr Demont. “I’m not too sure.”

Mr Stevens huffed and just like that the smile was back. “So what are we getting today?”

“What’s the special?”

“Orange thyme waffles with mascarpone and fresh blueberries, honey marinated nectarines, a teasing of orange zest, roasted almonds and a sprig of thyme.”

“You had me at orange thyme waffles.” Quin all but drooled. “You by chance don’t have any of that wonder-“ She was about to ask when Mr Stevens pulled out a jumbo straw filled with a dark golden liquid. “Wonderful lavender and coffee flower honey.” Quin giggled taking the honey. “This stuff is like a drug.”

“It’s because it is.” Mr Stevens whispered leaning in.

Quin hadn’t believed him at first but after tasting the bold and flavor filled honey she had herself wondering because even after buying a dozen straws alone she still couldn’t get enough. It was what lead her to take a straw to work and test it. It came back clean.

“Same ticket?” Mr Stevens asked as Mr Demont approached.

“No.” Quin said flatly taking her normal table at the front under the flower pots.