The New Beginning Part 12
Thanks to all of you who wrote to comment on the new character. A lot of you asked about whether this was going to be a permanent character, a new immortal, or what. HRM... good questions =)
Changed the opening page of the website if anyone is interested ... comments as always. Will be starting a forum soon for the Nick and Jonathan series ... any interest?
Backbayguy@juno.com www.stormloader.com/articwolf
CHAPTER ONE:
The G-V descended out of the late afternoon sky, a white missile lined up on the tarmac in front of it. After its' typical perfect landing the flight crew taxied the plane to the General Aviation of McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. The pilot noted the limo and two bodyguards in front of it. They walked towards the plane as the engines shut down. Once the engines shut down, Jason looked out and recognized the two as they approached the plane and he worked the controls to unlock the plane door. The two waited as the automatic stairs unfolded and locked into place.
"What's going on guys?" he asked as he came down to the tarmac.
"It's quiet" one of them replied. "How was the flight?"
"Uneventful as always" Jason said. "Where we headed?"
"The casino" the other one replied. "The Boss is expecting you. I've got the keys for your rooms and our guests' room as well. Jonathan said he wants one of you with him at all times or at least outside the room until he gets a chance to talk to him later on in the evening or tomorrow morning"
"Sounds like a plan" said Jason. He looked back up at the jet to see one of his security crew by the door. "Let's rock"
Two more of the security team came down the steps with a very confused young man between them. It was a very quiet ten minute drive to the casino. As they approached the casino entrance Jason turned to the young man in question.
"Ryan, I know this has to be confusing for you and probably a little bit scary" he started. "Trust me though, nothing bad is going to happen. Our employer wanted to talk to you about what happened in Phoenix and such and he thought that this would probably be a bit better then you dealing with the system in Phoenix"
Ryan looked across the limo at the bodyguards. He was still trying to figure out what was going on. From the time he woke up in the hospital to find bodyguards, being escorted out of the hospital to a private jet he was wondering where his life was taking him. Still he knew that he would probably be dead if whoever these people were hadn't intervened. It was hard to comprehend for him to be traveling in a stretch limo with five of the largest bodyguards he had ever seen.
"Whatever you say man" said Ryan.
"It's OK trust me" said Jason as he opened the limo door. Ryan and the other two got out and walked into the lobby. The original two left with the limo. As they walked, Jason called Danny on his cell. When he answered, he said, "We're here and headed upstairs"
"OK" said Danny. "I'll let the boss know"
CHAPTER TWO:
Jonathan was working at his desk in his suite as Danny walked in. As he walked across the room, Sebastian made his presence known with a low growl and entwined his way between Danny's legs; almost tripping him.
"Back off cat" said Danny.
Sebastian's reply was a deeper growl and to stop and put his ears back. Jonathan looked up and smiled. The reply from Sebastian was not at all polite. Probably a good thing Danny didn't know what the cat said.
"Nice to see you two are getting along" said Jonathan getting up from the desk. He walked over and scooped up Sebastian who apparently was going to stay in his bad mood. "What's up?"
"Jason and his crew are here" Danny said. "They just took Ryan to his suite and one of them will be with him"
"OK" said Jonathan scratching the cat's ears and finally getting a purr out of him. "I'll probably talk to him later tonight or in the morning. He needs rest at this point. This had to have freaked him out a bit"
"What about having Nick talk to him first?" asked Danny. "They are a bit closer in age"
"That's not a bad idea" said Jonathan. "I'll talk to him about it"
"Where is junior anyway?" asked Danny.
"Downstairs working out I believe" said Jonathan. "He said something about making his security detail break a sweat"
"Good luck" said Danny with a laugh. "Michael and those guys spend more time training and conditioning then you two do having sex"
"I'll ignore that" said Jonathan with a smile. "You know we're going over to Caesar's for dinner later right?"
"Of course I do" said Danny. "Do you really think you can go anywhere and I don't know?"
"Nick did it once" pointed out Jonathan.
"Yeah, and he didn't do it to me" said Danny.
The two continued an easy conversation for a while before Danny went out to check on preparations for later on. Jonathan went back to work on the paperwork before him. About twenty minutes later, he sensed first then heard Nick come into the suite. He went out to meet him. Walking up to him, he kissed him.
"How was the workout?" he asked.
"Not bad" said Nick, wiping the sweat from his face with his shirt. "I'm in good shape, immortal or not, but those security guys are frightening. I must have sweat off a half gallon and they barely broke a sweat"
"That's why they are the best at what they do" said Jonathan smiling.
"So, what's the plan for the next couple of hours?" Nick asked as he walked into the bedroom and started taking off the work out clothes.
"Fucking your ass is always an option." said Jonathan coming up behind him and slapping his firm ass.
"Do you think me so easy as you can slap me on the ass and I'll just fall onto the bed and let you ravage me?" asked Nick.
"I don't know about ravaging you" said Jonathan starting to run his hands over Nick's hard body. "I do believe though with a proper kiss I can have my way with you"
"I do believe you are right" said Nick, pressing himself up against Jonathan. "Wanna find out?"
"Absolutely" said Jonathan.
CHAPTER THREE:
After an hour and a half of lovemaking, the two were freshly showered and heading out for Caesars Palace. As they were going down in the elevator, Jonathan turned to Nick.
"Ryan got into town about 2 hours ago or so. I put him in one of the suites upstairs" he said.
"You going to tell me what you are up to?" asked Nick. "You kicking me out for a younger model or something?"
"Of course not" said Jonathan smacking him lightly on the back of his head. "You and I have this `always and forever' thing locked up"
"This is true" said Nick putting his arm around Jonathan. "Seriously man, what's up? I know you are a very charitable person and all but you do seem to have something in mind"
"I'm honestly not sure" said Jonathan. He paused as the elevator doors opened and Danny looked out before letting them exit. They continued out and across the casino he owned. As they left the casino area and exited, he continued. "There is something about the kid that bothered me. I don't know what it was. Maybe because he just seemed so helpless being beaten, or that no one can contact his family. I sent someone from the agency to his address but no one was home and didn't look like they were going to be anytime soon. It's just strange"
They exited the casino proper and walked across the front to where the Hummers were waiting. Eric was already in the driver's seat waiting.
"You guys paranoid tonight or what?" asked Jonathan after getting in. "These things are surrounded."
"You own the casino Jon" said Danny, getting in as well. "You are a prime target here, so we make sure nothing happens"
"You are positively the least fun person I know in Las Vegas" said Jonathan.
"That's what you pay me for" said Danny. "Besides, if someone tries to kidnap you, they will be the least fun person you will know in Vegas"
"True enough" said Jonathan.
"So," started Nick as they headed off towards Caesar's Palace. "What are you going to do with him?"
"Who Danny?" asked Jonathan. This earned him a scowl.
"No you putz" said Nick. "Ryan. It's not like you can just pick him up and take him all over like Sebastian"
"I just want to talk to him and see what the story is." said Jonathan. "Something just doesn't make sense. Speaking of, Danny had a good thought. What do you think about you talking to him before I do? You are closer to his age then I am."
"Sure, why not?" said Nick. "I'm not really sure what to say, but I'll try"
"We'll figure something out" said Jonathan putting his arm around Nick's shoulders. "See if we can't get him back with his family"
"What if he doesn't want to go to them?" asked Nick.
"We'll deal with that when we get there" said Jonathan.
Arriving at Caesar's, they got out and walked into the building surrounded by Danny and his crew. Walking through the public areas, they garnered looks surrounded by an obvious security crew of five people. Walking out into the mall area, they came to Wolfgang Puck's Asian restaurant and went in. It was a quiet dinner with just Nick and Jonathan at one table and Danny and one other at another. The rest of the security crew had remained outside.
"Feel like doing anything special tonight babe?" asked Jonathan as they finished dinner.
"I was going to suggest some dancing over at Studio 54, since we don't seem to have a problem in getting in; however I remember the last time we went dancing. I was sore for two days" He said.
"You wanted to dance, I just wanted to make you feel comfortable" said Jonathan with an innocent smile.
"Clearing the damn dance floor at Avalon?" Nick asked looking directly at Jonathan.
Jonathan just looked back and gave him an innocent smile.
"Hrm" said Nick. "How about the Champagne Bar at Paris then some blackjack before heading back?"
"Sounds like a plan." Said Jonathan.
They finished their desserts, paid the bill and left the restaurant. It was a short ride over to Paris. As they wandered around it was easy to imagine themselves as being in Paris. From the romantic little hideaway restaurants to the "street side" bistros, it was an excellent re-creation of the city of lights. They finally came to Napoleon's, the champagne bar. The live jazz music wafted out of the elegantly furnished room. Jonathan turned to Danny.
"How about we try something like just you inside and leave the goon squad outside?"
"I don't know" said Danny frowning.
"Come on Danny" said Jonathan, "Look, send a couple of them inside to look the place over and we'll wait. I just don't the whole team in. I just want to spend some nice quiet down time, drinking champagne, listening to Jazz, relaxing, and not seeing armed troops everywhere. Besides, let's face it, I can clear a room if I need to. This isn't exactly a planned and announced trip, it a simple night of relaxation. We are on vacation."
Danny stared at Jonathan for a moment. "Give me 5 minutes, then me and one other OK?"
"Sounds good, thank you" said Jonathan.
As they waited, Nick pointed out the store across the way called Lenotre. Before he could say anything, Jonathan found himself being pulled across the way by Nick, Danny in pursuit. They entered the store to be assailed by the scent of fresh baked croissants, pain au chocolate and other fresh pastries. Nick went scurrying around the store looking at various things while Jonathan just stood laughing and shaking his head.
"You know" he said to Danny. "There are days it is so easy to forget he is 24 years old and worth close to a billion and a half dollars. He still acts like a teenager sometimes"
"Yeah I know" said Danny a short smile on his face. "He keeps his crew running around let me tell you. That's one of the reasons you love him though"
"Yeah it is" said Jonathan, a slightly more serious tone in his voice. "There are days I'd love to be able to just forget who and what I am like he can"
"Don't we all" said Danny. "You've got it made though boss. You could always just chuck it all, put it all up for sale and just be yourself"
"Days I've thought about it" said Jonathan. "But then there is this immortal thing"
"I try to forget that " said Danny. He kept one eye on the bar across the way, waiting for the crew to come back out as well as Shawn and Brendan wandering around after Nick. "Looks like the crew is done checking out Napoleon's"
"OK, I'll go corral Nick and be right there" said Jonathan.
"I'll wait" said Danny with patience in his voice.
After getting Nick to get it together, having purchased both chocolate and preserve filled croissants for the morning they walked back across the way and into Napoleon's. The dark woods, gold and burgundy drapes combined with subdued lighting made for very intimate surroundings. The two were escorted to a private table and the menu of champagne presented to them.
"There are 100 varieties on here Jon" said Nick, looking at it.
"Yeah, but I know what I want" said Jonathan.
He looked at the waiter and ordered a bottle of Crystal to be very chilled before being brought to the table and an order of chocolate strawberries; with a second bottle in reserve. As the two settled in the jazz music lulled them into a peace of mind. In a few minutes the waiter returned to the table carrying a tray with two champagne flutes on it.
"With compliments of the management, Mr. Castleton." said the waiter as he put the glasses down in front of the two. He nodded over towards the bar manager at the end of the bar who raised his own glass towards them. "It is our signature drink, called a Champagne sorbet"
Jonathan raised his glass and looked at it. "It looks different, what's in it?"
"It is a blend of Mango Sorbet, Apricot Brandy, Strawberry Liquor and champagne." Said the waiter, "I do hope you like it. We are chilling down your bottles per your request and will have them to you in about 5 minutes sir"
"Thank you and please send our thanks to the manager" said Jonathan.
Once more, the two relaxed in their chairs. Nick turned to Jonathan. "This is really good. A little sweet but very good. I could deal with this now and then"
"Me too" said Jonathan. He could feel himself relaxing and thinking about what Danny had said. He sort of drifted off into a neither world in his mind when he was poked rather rudely in the side by Nick.
"Where did you just wander off to?" asked Nick. "Your body was here but your mind was no where near your body"
"Just thinking, I'm sorry" said Jonathan reaching over and giving Nick a kiss. This caused the couple next to them to make a rude comment, that they thought no one heard; except for immortal ears.
Jonathan looked at Nick, lifted his eyebrow and smirked. Next to them came a gasp and a scream as the glasses of cold champagne sitting before the couple fell into their laps. This caused them to move quickly and the woman hit the champagne bucket causing it to tip over and spill ice and ice water over their laps; resulting in more screaming. Jonathan just smiled. Nick looked at him suspiciously.
"Did you do that?" he asked.
"Me?" asked Jonathan. "Have you ever known me to waste champagne?"
"They were drinking Korbel" said Nick. "I know you"
Jonathan remained silent. There were definite advantages to his immortal mind he thought to himself.
As the couple next to them departed, their own champagne was brought to the table, along with their strawberries.
For the next hour and a half, they just relaxed, drank, and enjoyed both the music and each other's company. Finally finishing the second bottle of champagne, Jonathan signed the check and they departed for the blackjack tables. Long before taking control of the casino he owned on the north side of town, Jonathan had established a large line of credit at all the major casinos in town. They walked towards the high roller tables and were admitted. Once more, Danny and the crew had to wait outside the area because of the weapons they carried. Danny decided that this wasn't going to do and handed off his weapons off to Michael then followed the pair inside. Jonathan just gave him a look but said nothing. Over the course of the next hour, Jonathan was actually losing money on the table but Nick was winning. Deciding it was time to quit, the two tallied up their wins and losses.
"I don't believe it" said Nick. "I actually beat you tonight"
"Yeah, yeah, don't remind me" said Jonathan. "What did we finally manage to end up at?"
"Well, you made them happy losing a half million, but by my superior play I managed to claim about half of that back"
"Superior play?" asked Jonathan as they were walking through the casino on the way back to the Hummers. "You got incredibly lucky, splitting aces three ways and they all hit for wins. You had 50,000 dollars riding on each hand."
"It was my superior knowledge that allowed me to figure out the odds and knowing when to do that" he said with a smug smile.
"You look like Sebastian when you smile like that" said Jonathan laughing.
"You calling me a pussy?" asked Nick with mock indignation.
"Nope, no pussy" said Jonathan putting his arm around Nick's shoulders. "A nice tight hairy ass, but no pussy"
"If you're nice to me on the ride home I'll let you play with it" said Nick.
"I'll consider it" said Jonathan.
CHAPTER FOUR:
They rode back to the hotel and casino they owned chatting about nothing in particular.
"Hey" said Nick, "Did Brandon and Mark end up at the MGM?"
"Yeah as far as I know" said Jonathan looking out the window and seeing the emerald green monolith that was MGM Grand. "Hope they are relaxing. They need it"
As they arrived back at their casino, Danny opened the door of the Hummer for them. Nick and Jonathan got out to once more find themselves surrounded by 8 bodyguards.
"You are an annoying son of a bitch sometimes Danny" said Jonathan.
"Thank you" said Danny with a straight face.
Jonathan looked at his watch, noting it was 11:30 pm. "Call upstairs and see if Ryan is awake would you?"
"You got it" said Danny.
As Danny made the call they continued inside. Jonathan walked up to the registration desk, seeing the manager on duty there and asked how the night was going, much to the horror of the manager being brought face to face with the owner. Jonathan got the info he requested and nodded before going on.
"He's awake watching TV" said Danny. "You want to go talk to him?"
"I thought we would at least stop in and say hi." Said Jonathan. "I'm sure the kid has got to be freaking out"
They rode up the elevator to the 11th floor, where the suite Ryan was staying in was at. Having been forewarned of their arrival, Jason and two others were waiting by the door.
"How is he?" asked Jonathan.
"Not bad" said Jason, "Confused, a little scared but OK"
"Open it" said Jonathan.
As Jason was unlocking the door and going in, Jonathan had a thought. He looked around and noted that only Danny was looking at him. The other agents with Danny had left for other parts of the floor and the other two of Jason's crew were by the elevators. Jonathan closed his eyes and concentrated. Suddenly Sebastian appeared in his arms, much to the distress of Sebastian who put his ears flat back and hissed at Jonathan.
"That wasn't polite" said Jonathan looking at the cat.
"Neither is popping me though the neither regions of time and space" came the reply from the cat, his tail whipping around furiously.
"Sorry but I need your help, so behave" said Jonathan.
"Do you ever wonder if you are losing your mind, talking to him?" asked Nick. Danny just shook his head and tried to ignore the whole episode.
"Long as he can hold an intelligent conversation, nope" said Jonathan. "He turned back to the cat. "Now look fur ball, I got a pretty scared and confused kid on the other side of those doors, so be nice and help us out here"
Sebastian stared at Jonathan for a moment before putting his ears back up. "This is going to cost you"
"Great" muttered Jonathan "I'm being blackmailed by a cat"
Nick burst out laughing as they walked through the suite doors.
Jonathan looked across the suite to see Ryan standing up slowly from the couch. Jonathan got his first good look at him since the incident in the alleyway. Ryan did indeed look young, a little younger then his 17 years. Standing about 5'10", Jonathan judged him to weigh in around 150, probably somewhat underweight from being on the road but other then that pretty healthy. The bruising on his face was pretty minor and had faded mostly. He was dressed in a sweatshirt, jeans and sandals.
"Hi Ryan" said Jonathan coming over having let Sebastian down on the floor. "My name is Jonathan Castleton, this is Nick, and the four-footed one over there is Sebastian."
Ryan looked at the two of them then the cat. Sebastian was sitting with his tail curled around his paws looking back at Ryan, the emerald green eyes shimmering.
"Hi" said Ryan, moving slowly holding his side. "I, uhm, guess I owe you some serious thanks for what you did for me"
"No problem" said Jonathan coming over towards him. "Just happened to be in the right place at the right time"
"How are you feeling man?" asked Nick walking over and holding his hand out.
Ryan shook hands with him. "OK I guess." He replied. "Ribs still hurt like a bitch, but I've got some pills for that. I'm just not sure what to make of all this"
"I'll explain it in the morning Ryan" said Jonathan. "Right now, I just wanted to stop in and say hi and see if there was anything you needed"
"I'm good sir, thanks" said Ryan quietly, not really sure what to expect. "Thank you for the clothes and stuff in the closet. I guess my other clothes were pretty messed up from Phoenix."
"OK, first off, I'm Jon or Jonathan, not a sir" said Jonathan. "I'm not old enough to be a sir and I don't plan on being old enough to be a sir. As to the clothes, you're welcome. I couldn't exactly have you wandering around in bloody clothes."
Nick snickered in the background.
"Don't mind Nick, he's just like that" said Jonathan. "If you need anything one of the guys will be around all night"
"OK" said a very quiet Ryan.
Jonathan looked over at Nick, his mind conveying his thoughts to Nick.
"Listen bro" said Nick, walking over to Ryan. "This isn't what you think, if I think what that look on your face means. We didn't bring you up here for sex. We just want to help if we can. It looked like you needed some back in the alley"
"Yeah a little bit I guess" said Ryan, a smile on his face for the first time. "I just don't know what to make of all of this. I mean, this is a pretty big suite in Las Vegas. It must cost a fortune. I could move to a smaller room. I don't need all this room. I can't even put it together with the jet and stuff."
"We'll talk in the morning dude" said Nick. "Right now, just chill and relax and get some rest. If you are hungry, just pick up the phone and order room service, it is covered."
"This has to be costing you a lot man" said Ryan, trying to figure out the pair in front of him.
"Long story" said Nick. "We'll talk tomorrow"
"Thanks again" said Ryan.
Jonathan just nodded and picked up Sebastian. Together with Nick and Danny, they walked out of the suite and headed towards the elevators.
"What do you think?" Jonathan asked Nick.
"He's hiding something that's for sure, but what I don't know" replied Nick.
"All things in time I guess" said Jonathan. "You ready for bed?"
"You talking sleep?" asked Nick as they entered the elevators going towards their own penthouse.
"What do you think?" asked Jonathan.
Nick smiled and took Jonathan's hand in his.
CHAPTER FIVE:
In the morning after a leisurely breakfast in the suite, Nick wanted to go running. Jonathan reminded him that the temperature was in the 90's, Winter or not.
"Running is good" said Nick, changing into shorts and a tee shirt. "You going to come with me?"
"I believe I came with you twice last night" said Jonathan with a smirk.
"That's not what I meant and you know it" said Nick.
"Yeah I know" said Jonathan. "I need to finish a report this morning, then I want to go down and talk to Ryan. I need to figure out what's going on. We have to be back on the East Coast tomorrow."
"OK" said Nick, coming over and getting a kiss. "I should only be about an hour or so"
"Have fun, take company" said Jonathan.
"Who are you kidding?" asked Nick, shaking his head. "I told Jeff I wanted to go running and he's got 4 guys lined up to go with me"
"Life in Vegas baby" said Jonathan.
"Yeah, yeah" said Nick, "Can we head back to Key West? At least there I can go running with just one bodyguard."
"That's where I was thinking" said Jonathan. "We've got to be in Boston for a meeting but after that we can swing back down there. The meeting shouldn't take more then a couple of hours. We should be able to make dinner in Key West on Duval St or something by a reasonable hour."
"Sounds good" said Nick. "I should be back in an hour or so"
"Love ya babe" said Jonathan.
"Me too" said Nick, stopping for a kiss before heading out the door.
For the next 45 minutes or so, Jonathan was absorbed in the paperwork that kept his empire running. On vacation or not, Brandon was keeping him up to date and supplied with everything he needed. He kept one eye out for Sebastian who seemed to be making it his personal quest to attack any sort of paperwork Jonathan left lying available to him. More then once over the past hour, Sebastian had tried sneaking in and wiping out the top of the desk. Finally deciding enough was enough, he got up and went to the phone and called Danny.
"I'm on my way down to see Ryan" he said.
"OK" said Danny, "I'm outside your door, whenever you are ready"
"Be there in five" said Jonathan hanging up the phone.
As Jonathan stood by the windows looking over the wonderland that was Vegas, he silently watched the city that never stops moving become active. He allowed his mind to wander freely. Suddenly, a thought from elsewhere came to his mind.
"Use your gifts" a voice unbidden entered his head. He turned to find Kristian standing there across the suite.
"Where did you come from?" asked Jonathan.
"You are disturbed" said Kristian. "Your thoughts and vibrations are tied to me. I know when something is not right. I thought I might be able to help"
"You know what's going on?" asked Jonathan.
"Yes" said Kristian.
"Any ideas?" asked Jonathan.
"You know the answer to that as well as I do" said Kristian. "Think of the rabbit"
Jonathan's eyes went slightly out of focus as he recalled the first time his immortal powers became evident to him. A rabbit in the desert, his own mind linked to it. He came back in focus.
Jonathan nodded his thanks. Kristian nodded his head in returned and as silently and mysteriously as he had appeared, he disappeared.
Comments as always... backbayguy@juno.com