She had opted for a picnic at the park and couldn't have picked a better day for it. The sun was bright, the sky was blue and the clouds were fluffy white marshmallows floating through the air. She was setting up the spot where they would eat their dinner... Her mom had helped her cook a bunch of things, though she didn't do any of the work since Xavia said it was for a special person and Mama knew that interfering with a woman cooking for a man, especially one she secretly hoped her daughter would keep seeing because, Lordy, she had never seen Xavia as happy as she was.

Xavia packed her basket with wooden bowls, plates, and went with some glassware she wouldn't miss if it broke... Then she carefully arranged one of those checked tablecloths in the bottom, then was putting in the following:

Lecsó (mixed vegetable stew, made of tomato and paprika, somewhat similar to ratatouille)
Rántott sajt, (flat cheese croquette, cheese rolled in breadcrumbs and, deep fried)
Vinetta or padlizsán krém (Transylvanian mashed eggplant salad made of grilled, peeled and finely chopped eggplants)
Tarhonya (a kind of large Hungarian "couscous", big pasta grain, served as a side dish)
Gundel palacsinta (Gundel crepe, stuffed with walnuts and served in chocolate sauce, often flambéed)
(Thank you, Wikipedia- Hunagarian Cuisine)

The basket was packed into her van, along with a few bottles of sparkling grape juice to simulate the wine she couldn't really drink anyways, she slid her guitar into the back seat, along with some outdoor throw pillows she borrowed from the patio chairs she had in her back yard. It didn't take her long to get everything else she wanted, like a portable radio. He had said jokingly that he wanted her to sweep him off his feet and she took it as a challenge.

The drive wasn't that long; she chose a smaller park somewhere close to her house, just because it would be easier for her to get to and from her van. The park was relatively quiet on that day, which was great for her, she thought as she put her vehicle in park. She'd pull her phone out and lock her car for the moment, then stick her fob into her pocket, and started walking around to find a place that was kind of secluded but not horribly so, just enough to afford some privacy.

She hit Artair's number on her speed dial, and then waited for him to pick up, the wind ruffling at the red, cotton dress with the flowy skirt and the halter top. Assuming he picked up, she would smile and greet him, “I am here at t'e park, looking for a place to set up our picinic. You here yet?” – She wasn't calling him any pet names yet, but it seemed weird to think of him as some term of endearment just yet. She did know how she felt, otherwise she wouldn't have written a song about him.

So, when he made an off hand joke about her treating him to a date, he wasn't expecting a picnic in the park, on a beautiful day with home cooked food. So far, he was intrigued by the idea and had been looking forward to this since it was first suggested. After their first date, the second was pretty welcome, especially given how rough things had been for Xavia recently. Baby shocks and now some creepy stalker following her home, leaving horrible messages and making her life hell. However this piece of human scum was, he was apparently smarter than he let on, so far Derek's friends hadn't caught him and Devon didn't have much luck either, it was damn frustrating. All they could do was wait and hope he stopped, or left himself open to be caught. Artair definitely hoped for the latter, no one messed with his friends or family and Xavia was firmly in both categories.

Shaking away his more murderous thoughts and focusing on the current problem he had to deal with. New York Traffic. The town car he'd gotten from Haven was stuck and it looked like he'd be at least ten minutes late, which sucked. Sure he could get out and run but he'd rather not show up to a date sweaty and as red faced as his hair was, so he just sat in the back fuming a little, reassuring the worried driver that no, traffic wasn't his fault and he wasn't upset with him.

Maybe he should do something about his resting rage face. Too many people got the impression he was angry with them.

Answering his phone as soon as it rang, he was greeted by the familiar accent he'd come to enjoy so much. "Hey Xavia, sorry but thanks to traffic I'll be a wee bit late. You know how the city is." It wasn't the worst you could see, but it wasn't far off. "Since we'll be waiting anyway how was your day? Anything exciting happen?"

Rather than mention any of the stalking stuff, he wanted her to be happy, focused on their date and having a good time. Plenty of time for him to rip someone to pieces, when he was caught that was.

“It's okay. I am still looking for a good spot to set up and all.” She looked over her shoulder in the direction she felt that creepy feeling from. She rubbed at her arm with her free hand. Xavia was trying to not let this stalker thing be a focus in her life, but she felt the urge to call the cops every time she turned around. “I am trying to be okay but t'at person sent me more messages last night, all kinds of t'em... Police could not trace t'e calls at all, said t'ey were doing all t'ey could but whoever he is... He's... I just want him to stop.”

And then she found the spot and felt cheered up a little bit. She was about to start walking back when she heard the sound of walking, but didn't see anyone. She turned about and craned her head about to try and see what was happening. Her brows puckered and her heart started thumping pretty hard. When a small dog came trotting out of the shadows, she nearly jumped out of her skin..

The dog looked pretty small, and rather tame. No need to be freaked out, she thought as she turned away from the tilted headed animal who gave a small bark and wag of tail. “Just really weird,” she said on a low voice into the phone. And then, on Artair's side, he would hear the intake of a trembling breath, and the sound a phone would make when it hit the ground, but the phone didn't cut off.

On Xavia's side, she felt a strong arm go around her, and lips against her ear. “I told you that I would see you soon. Why didn't you answer your phone? I wouldn't make a move if I were you, baby... I know you have thorns but I do too.” She felt the cold metal against her neck, and he dug the tip in just enough for a single droplet to slither down her neck.

“Who are you?” she asked, doing as he said for the moment, willing the animal that Derek sent not to attack while the man had his friggen knife against her throat. It could quite possibly kill her. Please, please, please don't.

“You know who I am.” he reached his hand down and pressed it to her belly, “You get fat? Or is there something you haven't bothered to come to me and tell me?”

“Don't do this,” she said, the fear was a heavy lump against that knife and tears were in her eyes. She tried not to move at all, tried to think of how to disarm him and get away from him.

“Don't do what?” The man cut her off before she could say anything further, then yelled, “Ruin you the way you ruined me?! Shut up.... SHUT THE F**K UP! You do as I say and maybe, just maybe, I will let you live, you stupid woman.” She could feel flecks of spit hitting her cheek as he got angrier, and she flinched. She tried not to even whimper, and he pushed her away from him enough to put the knife at the small of her back and his free hand clamping on her shoulder, “Now... You and I are going to go over there.... and you're going to feel a world of hurt for ruining my life.”

He marched her forward, still too close to her for anything to safely attack him and not hit her. His voice became that sing song voice that was no longer distorted by some voice changer, but was still pretty creepy, nevertheless. “Zzzzaaaaaaahhhhvvvviiaaaaahhhh.... Your fear only makes me happpppierr... Don't think of turning on me now with your nightshade, I will only want to hurt you morrrre.” Besides, he had come prepared. He.... was an adapted now.

So did he, if this creep could just leave her alone, he'd be over the moon. Xavia had suffered enough. More than enough actually and she didn't deserve someone trying to get in her head and mess with her. She needed a break, to bad life decided to just pile it on, really dig the knife in. When he heard the phone drop he knew something was up. When heard the voice, he knew she was in danger. When he heard how terrifed she sounded, even as she was so distant from the phone, he knew she needed him. "Mate, stop the car let me out. Call Devon's office and tell them it's an emergency, the creeps found her, he'll understand." Pushing the door open and giving the guy a solid look, "Once that's done head to where I asked you to drop me off. Might need you again soon."

Not even looking back, he launched himself from the car and set off at a dead sprint, angling towards the park and dodging the random passersby on the street. This was not happening, not now, not after everything she'd been through. No one was hurting her any more. Whoever this creep was, whatever he wanted, he'd made the single biggest mistake of his short miserable life.

Knocking more than one person out the way and getting sworn at more in those few minutes than he usually heard in a week, he was at least nearing the big park they'd planned to meet at. Every second counted, every slight delay could cost her deeply and he chafed at every single loss of speed. Nothing mattered but her. Nothing. Not morals, not the law, not his own life. Which was a startling possibility, going from zero to one hundred was bad enough for anyone, for someone like him with so much damage to it, he could actually cause a heart attack, one he'd happily deal with if it just waited until she was safe.

Rounding the corner and seeing the entrance he slowed for a second to catch his breath. Where the hell would she be in the park, where would someone set up a romantic picnic? Somewhere a little out of the way, a little isolated. Damn, that meant no random jogger or dog walker was going to find her and stop it, he was on his own here. Running into the park and hoping for the best, he started shouting out her name, as well as watching for any animal he recognised as one of Dereks. If anything could lead him to her, it was one of them.

When he found them though, he had no plan, no idea of what he'd do.

The Hawk that Derek had watching over her, he flew off from the branch he was perched upon to go to Derek instead of attacking. He wouldn't have a free shot with him so close and with a blade in hand.

It wouldn't be hard to miss the screams coming from somewhere toward the middle of the park. At some point, she probably broke free and tried to fight because she wasn't about to let him kill her. The fight lasted only briefly, though the man did significant damage. Xavia stayed on her feet as best as she could, after a particular battering about the head, stumbled back against a tree.... And... she went into it? Only briefly, but it was enough to startle her. That had never happened before! She fell out on the other side, and he was about to get her again, but the sound of people running caught his attention, as well as sirens because someone had to have called the police. The man ran and left her as a heap on the ground.

Xavia lay there, staring up at the sky, struggling to keep her eyes open. The knife he'd used was still in the vicinity, he had managed to get her with it a few time if the fact that her right lung burning and her having a hard time breathing had anything to do with it. Her head hurt so bad! Why did he do this to her?

“Artair...” she wheezed out, praying that he found her. Stay awake... You have to stay awake...


But the darkness was so comforting! She could hear people off in the distance, the scrambling to find whoever made the screaming sounds, but she simply couldn't keep her eyes open... She closed her eyes.

There! A bird was circling over a spot, it had to be one of Dereks! Dashing towards it and hearing the screams his heart dropped, his resolved hardened and his pace went up. His entire body was flooded with adrenaline. He was so close, he only had a minute at the most and he'd be there, there to save her, keep her safe. Then they stopped, the screams that was and he couldn't fight the mounting dread. No! Not this time. He wasn't losing another person from his life while he was helplessly watching. Not again.

Bursting into the clearing, a sword already ready to rip into the world, he froze at the sight of her on the ground. No, no, no, no. This wasn't happening, not now. Springing into first aid mode, he was down and checking her vitals. "Xavia! Xavia I'm here. Come on talk to me lass, show me you're still there." She was breathing, good. But she was losing blood, too much and her breath was laboured and had a telltale sign of a punctured lung. If he didn't get her to Doc soon, she'd die. As it was, it was still damn risky and he couldn't even imagine what damage this might have done to the kids but as callous as it was, he had to consider her life first. Not just because he cared about her, but every ounce of training demanded he save the mothers life, over the unborn children's.

Tearing strips off his shirt and bandaging the deepest cuts as best he could, he had one of two options. Get an ambulance here now, get her to hospital and hope Doc could get to her quick enough. She'd get care much quicker, but it would take longer to get saved. Or he risked it getting her to Doc. Risked a lot more getting to straight to Doc. He had to be cold and logical. His anger, his emotions didn't matter right now. All that mattered was her.

Doc it was. "Lass, I'm so sorry, but these next few minutes are going to hurt. A lot. But I will save you, trust me." Making sure the wounds were bandaged enough for what he was about to do, he bent down and gently picked her up. Moving quickly and carefully as possible he threaded his way back to the town car.

Whoever his driver was, he was making sure the lad got a massive raise. He was waiting there, calmly gave him all the help he needed getting Xavia in and wordlessly set off at high speed towards the mansion. "Stay with me lass. Just a bit longer. Doc'll see you right as rain." He hid his own emotions, putting on the strong front at the moment. Plenty of time later to break down.

Plenty of time later on to find the b------ and spend a long time revisiting every injury she'd taken on him.

Someone found her phone and her purse, and she gave it to Artair as people circled the scene. At the sound of his voice, Xavia looked up at Artair, wheezing that weird sounding wheeze that happens when a lung is punctured. Well, she could only open one eye, anyway, her face swollen on the right. Most of the beating had happened at the back and sides of her head, but he had split her lip in two places, and there were at least four punctures and several scrapes/bruises/abrasions. There were lots of defense wounds, painting a picture of how she couldn't even get her powers going with how quickly the attack had happened.

“Artair,” she lifted a hand to grip at his arm, but it hurt to breathe and it was so hard to form words right at the moment... “It was him,” she said on a labored breath, he wouldn't need to ask who she meant by that. She didn't say anymore, didn't have it in her. After that, she gave in to the haze of darkness where it didn't hurt.

When next she opened that eye, she had been moved to the back of the town car and they were on their way to the hospital. She patted around for his hand since she was half blind, and then clutched it, feeling the sticky feel of her own blood on his hand as she gripped, and she kept her eye upon him, squeezing when he asked her to stay with him and tried to reassure her that she would be okay. Her other hand kinda lifted and touched his face, and then it dropped to her side because she was just so very tired feeling.

He knew it, he knew who did it. This had gone on too long. This guy was a dead man walking. No one hurt his friends and got away with it, he didn't care have f----- up in the head he was. Devon might want to 'treat' him but that wasn't on the table anymore. "Shush lass, save your strength. We're getting you out of here. Anything else can wait." He was only in a mild state of utter panic, no need to let anything else get into his head at the moment.

Returning the squeeze with one of his own, Artair would have preferred to sit and make sure she felt fine, but she was still in a bad way, and Doc needed to be informed and gotten ready to help. Rummaging in the back of the taxi for the first aid kit before tearing it open and getting the proper bandages out, this would buy her some time. "Mate! Give the mansion a ring and tell them we've got a teacher on the way badly injured. Get DocProf ready, this is serious." The mansion would handle it. If Xavia made it alive to the mansion, she'd be healed pretty quickly, it was now his job to make that happen. Applying as much first aid as he could in the limited space they had in the car, the bleeding was still pretty bad, but it had been slowed a bit. From his guess she wasn't losing enough to be in danger, yet. But she was bleeding internally, and there was no way to predict what damage that could cause.

Taking her hand again and giving it a slightly more than comfortable squeeze, "OK Xavia, hate to do this but you need to stay awake, you can't go to sleep." With shock and blood loss, losing consciousness was more than just bad, it was dangerous. Need be he'd slap her, but words and a little pressure would do for now. Hopefully. "Focus on whatever you can to stay with me. Think about your girl, and those kids you got coming. You need to fight for them." And for me, he wanted to say, but the words failed. 

It was so hard to focus on him, her eye was so heavy... But he was talking to her, and she could only look at him for a time, and then she said on a wheeze, “Not... going... anywhere.” Her words might have been a struggle to speak, but she was able to give a slight smile with the good side of her lips, and then she sighed with the effort it took. Staying awake was going to be hard, but she resolved she would do it, not just for her children, but for the words he failed to say, for him.

Xavia squeezed at his hand one more time, but his face swam before her gaze. She only took short breaths, it hurt to take normal ones. She kept her hand in his and tried like hell to stay awake for him, but eventually, it became too much for her and she drifted in and out of the comfort of the darkness for the duration of the drive.

When next she actually woke, it was probably by the time they had gotten into the infirmary, and the doc had done his magic. She opened her eyes, and was staring up at the ceiling. The large breath she drew in was refreshing after not being able to breathe right. Her eyes were wide, she sat up thinking she woke up from a nightmare, until... that is, she looked around and saw where she was. Holy crap... She lay back and put her hand over her forehead.

The mansion was amazing, any misgivings he might have once had, any stupid little prejudices he'd held onto couldn't stand in the way of them saving someones life. As soon as they arrived they were immediately waved through the gate and a medical gurney was waiting for them. Xavia was taken very quickly and professionally and Doc was already there, healing her as they moved. She was fine, she'd live. His body was still wound up so tight and when he was told he couldn't go into the infirmary with her, he was close to screaming. The only reason he didn't is it was Doc himself sending him away to clean himself up. His soft but firm voice was impossible to argue with.

Using the toilet he'd been directed too, Artair slowly cleaned away the blood on his hands and arms. It was hard, hard to feel clean after what had just happened, with the blood stains still on his clothes so he just kept washing his hands, scrubbing them over and over. The task helped him ignore the tremor in them, and the mounting emotions threatening to break out. Not now. Not yet.

Finally clean and given a fresh T-Shirt by one of the staff members, he was let in to see her, Doc quietly telling him she'd be fine but would need rest. Sitting down next to her and waiting, she was soon back in consciousness. "Welcome back to the land of the living lass, good to see you awake again." Jokes, of course it was a joke. No way to deal with actual emotions, he just kept up the facade.

At the sight of his face, she stared for a minute. It was obvious that she was still in a big shock after what happened. She then moved off the gurney, moving to curl up against him if he should let her. She was trembling big time by that point, burying her face against his neck. She couldn't help but cling to him, the whole ordeal had been quite a fright for her. Even at that moment, knowing that she was safe and alive, that she hadn't lost the babies, even all that wasn't enough to dispel the images of the angry face.

She didn't really ask why the man did what he did, it was clear there was something wrong with him; something had broken within his brain that left him mad. Xavia couldn't help but tremble violently at the thought that she could have died. Oh, god, she would have done so with unfinished business, she wasn't ready to go! Not now... She nuzzled her face against his neck and she gave a shuddering sigh, “I was so scared.”

It was probably going to take a bit of time for her to compose herself. Having some psycho breathing down her neck for a few months, only to go completely aggro on her was not something she would forget any time soon. Good God, why did she have to deal with things like this? Why couldn't she just be left alone? It seemed that the time had come to hire another body guard, if not for her peace of mind, but for those who cared about her.

Hugging her tight to him, letting his emotions finally have a chance to surface he nearly wept from how glad he was. Nearly. Even now, even after something like this he couldn't cry. He was still so broken. "It's OK Xavia, everything's going to be fine. Haven will make sure no one can get to you and yours anymore." He'd damn well see to it. If Devon valued their friendship at all, he'd protect her, stop this creep ever getting close to her again. He, he had a different role to take. He was going to find this man and he was going to make him suffer, more than people would think possible. Artair would cross another line, one far worse than harming someone. Using every bit of anatomy knowledge and research, he'd inflict unimaginable pain.

"When you're safe, and up to talk, we need to find out who did this. I need anything you have to give, any info you could think of. He won't get away with this dear, that I can promise." The clan looked out of them and theirs. Xavia was absolutely in that category, there were no two ways about it. "We'll figure this out lass, together. No way you're getting rid of me anytime soon."

Once she'd calmed down from her understandable freakout, he released her from the hug, giving her a quick kiss on cheek before standing up. "Come on Xavia, lets get you home, your littlun's waiting." If he was her, he'd hug Deliah and not let go for a good five minutes. Events like today brought back how fragile life was, how easily it could be snatched from you. Made you want to find people close to you, not let them go. Offering a hand up, which he would be in a hurry to let go, he gave her a soft smile. "Ready to go?" 

"Maybe it is not good to go home right now... I... Please... let's stay here..." She really wasn't ready to go home. The thought of seeing that muddy foot print, the cut screen, the different things out of place... Yeah, it just didn't sit well with her. It was pretty bad if she was scared to go back home and chose to stay in an infirmary setting where she hated it more than anything in the world... Yeah... She couldn't.

People needed to be got a hold of, things needed to be happening, but for now, she just wanted to stay where she was at...

(continued here )