Dawn Reclaimed

"Thanks." Perplexed, Gina watched him leave. Shutting the door behind him. She clicked off the TV and lounged back on the pillows. Staring at the ceiling thinking about Hunter the confusing, frustrating enigma that was Hunter, until sleep claimed her.

Claire tossed and turned all night. Cat napping in between trips to the bathroom, the runs of light fluttery cramps, and trying to find a comfortable position. She gave up when the first rays of dawn streaked through the drapes and settled across her cheeks. Exhausted, swollen, and cranky, she rolled out of bed. Reluctantly admitting that she was ready for the baby to get with the program and be born.

"You're up early." Grant yawned. "Come back to bed."

"No point," Claire huffed. He looked well rested. Hair tousled about haphazardly in a lazy way. She caught her reflection in the bathroom mirror. She looked haggard, pale with dark circles under her eyes. Her hair lay in a virtual rat's nest of tangles. It wasn't fair. That he should look so good when she looked so bad. "I'm going to the shower."

Claire's bad mood wrapped around Grant, strangling him like a wispy, vaporous snake. He wasn't sure what to do. Coddle her. Try to coax her into a halfway decent mental state or leave her alone to simmer in her own foulness. He pushed away his instinct for self-preservation and marched downstairs to make his girl some tea and a little breakfast.

Claire felt a little better after a long hot shower. Even better when Grant parked a mug of hot, ancient family blend of herbs, tea in her hand and settled her in front of a spread of scrambled eggs, wheat toast, and fruit. "I'm sorry I'm so grumpy today. I don't mean to be. I didn't sleep well."

Grant broke a strip of bacon in half and crunched down on the edge. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing. Everything. I've still got so much to do and the wedding is only two days away. I don't even know what I'm going to wear. I didn't sleep well last night and I'm completely miserable," Claire snuffed.

"Well, you got your shopping done, right?"

"Yeah."

"And as far as what to wear to the wedding. I don't care if you come in a bikini. You'll be the most beautiful woman there no matter what." Grant chucked her chin with his finger. "Smile for me. Claire." His face brightened as her lips curved upwards, not forced, but in a genuine smile. "That's better."

"You're so sweet," Claire gushed. "But, I don't think I'll be wearing a bikini anytime soon."

Grant chuckled. "Naked is better. I vote for naked." He stacked the empty dishes back on the tray and pushed it aside. Hopping onto the bed and making a comfortable looking nest out of the pillows. "C'mon. Cuddle with me."

Claire climbed up into the bed and settled against the pillows. Nestled comfortably in Grant's arms. "I should be working today. Packing up the house."

"What do you need? You don't need appliances. You don't need towels or bed linens. You don't need cookware."

Claire looked around their suite. She should be grateful for Nash's generosity. The suite had a wide and sprawling common area for relaxing, a large bedroom that was equally as large, and another somewhat smaller bedroom separated from the master bedroom by a spacious bathroom. Still, something was lacking. The walls were in pristine condition, painted a soft, warm beige. "Nothing in here is mine."

"Is that what's bothering you?" A plan formed in Grant's mind. Claire needed her personal things. Of course, he should have realized. The room was nothing but a room to her. She didn't feel completely at home.

"In part. I guess. I'm nervous about the wedding and Janine's party plans. You don't think she'll have strippers do you?"

Grant chuckled. "I hope not. I don't want you lusting after anyone but me." He smoothed her damp hair through his fingers. "I don't think I could take the competition."

Claire sighed and closed her eyes. "Grant, there is no competition where you're concerned. I don't see anyone but you."

"Good."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything." Grant pulled Claire closer. Settling her cheek against his chest. Her bad mod was dissolving into a peaceful calm.

"Are you scared?" Claire asked hesitantly. The worry had been niggling the back of her mind since the day that she found out she was pregnant. She'd been able to keep it pushed away, but with the baby due any day, fear cropped up in the back of her mind. "About the baby?"

"No," Grant soothed. Truthfully, he never forgot Hunter's painful wail when his wife exhaled her last breath. He was scared and worried. He lied to spare her any further anxiety. "You've got the best care available. Everything will turn out fine. There's nothing to worry about and no need to be scared."

"Do you think I'll be a good mother?" Claire stifled a yawn. The motions of his fingers as the smoothed through her hair was calming and soothing. She felt relaxed.

"The best. That is one thing I'll never worry about," Grant reassured. He continued to stroke her hair until he felt her body go lax in his arms. Finally, she was getting some well deserved rest. And it was time for him to get busy. Gently, he eased his arm out from under her head. And slid out of the room on silent feet.

Daniel slouched on the stool. Shuffling through his iPod for music to fit the occasion. Trying not to pay attention. But, watching with curious and reserved interest.

"All right. Kick 'er over," Hunter said. The garage smelled heavily of gasoline and sweat. Getting the fuel pump out and the new one in had taken most of the morning.

Tristen cranked the key and pumped the gas pedal. His girl did not disappoint him. She delivered, right on cue, with a powerful roar.

"Let's try this again," Hunter said slamming the hood shut and climbing in to the passenger side. "Dan? You in?"

Daniel looked up. So not buying into the whole father-son moment. "Nah, I'm not pushing her big ass back here."

Hunter shook his head at his son's use of language. Keeping his lips zipped, he had no right to instruct his son or anyone else in the proper use of English. "Open the garage door then," he huffed. He expected trouble with Tristen. Resistance. But not from Daniel, he was the quiet one. Tristen while reserved, had welcomed him with enthusiasm. Daniel fought him all the way. Bucking every time Hunter tried to insert himself back into the role of father. He watched Daniel take his time to saunter over to the garage door and heft it up. Hunter had never realized how deeply Daniel's hurt ran till now.

Tristen whispered a silent prayer and slid the gearshift into reverse. The engine growled like a powerful predator, idled down the drive. He pressed down on the gas and held the brake. Spraying his brother in a shower of gravel.

"Tristen, don't push your luck," Hunter warned. She's together, but barely.

When the car reached the end of the drive. Tristen looked at his dad with doubt. "Now what?"

Hunter settled back in the seat. Surveying miles and miles of barren cornfields. "Open 'er up. Let's see what she's got."

Tristen squalled the tires around the corner, hammering down on the gas. His girl was responsive. He pressed the gas. Watching as the speedometer crept past fifty-five. Open fields zipped by. At seventy miles per hour, he backed off the gas. Grinning like a banshee at his dad. His smile dissolved as he saw red and blue lights flashing in his rearview mirror and heard the shrill wail of the siren over the growl of the engine. "Great." He slowed and pulled over.

"Let me handle it," Hunter said. He unbuckled and slid out of the passenger side. Walking out to meet one of Moore County's finest. "Hey, Mack how's it going?"

Mack should have known. He wasn't purposely setting up a speed trap. Just driving through. Taking in the scenery of a beautifully warm, sunny day. When the rusty Camaro whizzed by, daring him, he had to react. "Nice day for a drive isn't it?" he said coolly. Pushing back his hat off his brow, he asked, "You got insurance on this thing?"

Hunter grinned, setting his eyes on the thick markings barely peeking out from the sheriff's stiff collar. "Not yet. The boy just got it running. We were on our way into town to take care of plates and insurance when we bumped into you."

"You know I could haul the kid in for reckless driving and impound the car. Do you have any idea how fast he was driving?"

"Honestly, he's a good kid. We just got a little carried away." Hunter answered, undaunted by the officer's scolding. "It won't happen again." His eyes narrowed. Studying the sheriff's sun bronzed and deep set wrinkled features, "Haven't I seen you someplace?"

"Small town," Mack answered. Crumpling the ticket in his fingers. Now that the towering man mentioned it, he did look familiar. He'd seen him at the compound. Heard the rumors about how the guy had helped the Sons. He should have known it. The guy wasn't any ordinary guy. He was Pack. "Don't let me catch you or him out here speeding like a bat out of hell again." Being in service to the supernatural sometimes sucked. "And get some insurance and plates on that rust bucket."

"Will do." Hunter nodded to Mack and slid back into the passenger side. "No problem. Head this baby into town and we'll get her plated and insured."

Tristen expected a list of hefty fines and a free tow to the impound yard. "How'd you get out of that?" He asked in awe.

"Sometimes, it pays to know the right people." Hunter shot his son a knowing grin and buckled up.

Tristen shook his head and pulled away from the shoulder. "Damn. Someday you're going to have to introduce me to those people."

In the short time that Gina had been at the compound, she'd managed to fall into a routine. That routine usually involved Hunter. She'd tried to do things that seemed familiar to her. Taking a shower, drinking coffee, and taking a round through the endless winding corridors. Trying to keep distracted from his absence. She hadn't seen him since last night. She was bothered about why she hadn't seen him and bothered by the fact that it bothered her. She sat in her room alone. Imagining that once she returned home, this was what her life would be like. Isolated. Alone.

She had to get used to it. Used to not having him around. She was leaving in a couple of days. If it weren't for her promise to attend Claire's party and the wedding, she'd go ahead and leave now. Really, if she had to be truthful, no matter how much she liked Claire, she'd still leave, if she truly wanted to. Hunter was the real reason she was sticking around.

She palmed the key to her apartment. She had no reason to go back so soon. And unfortunately, she had no apparent reason to stay. She stood in the middle of the room at an impasse. Stay. Go. Her mind bounced back and forth, the words ricocheting like ping- pong balls in a box from side to side. The days until she went back to work would be long and boring. Lonely. But, staying would make it harder, at least for her, to leave. Better the cut be deep and painful so it could heal. She snatched up the cell phone Dane had given her. Determined and mind made up to go.

Hunter sat on the hood of the car. His son's officially insured and legally plated car. He snickered as a couple of post-high school girls slowed and appraised Tristen and his car. Evaluating the raw material to see if it was workable. "I think they're interested," he said, jamming an elbow into Tristen's ribs.

Tristen nodded his head toward the girls who giggled shyly under their breath. Sucking on his shake, he leaned back on the hood of his car. The sun and sitting on the hood of his car with his dad, and of course, the girls, made the hours of work worth it. "It's the car," he said, snickering. "Its gotta be the car."

Hunter heard his phone beep from somewhere in the depths of his pocket. Indicating that he'd received a text. He felt around in his jacket and flipped open the cover. Reading the text. "I've gotta get to the compound." The text was a simple one liner that shook the foundation of his world. Gina was leaving. "See how fast this bucket of bolts can get us there."

Tristen heard the tenseness in his father's voice. The issue wasn't a challenge to him but hinged with need. He dropped the rest of his shake into a trash container covered with ridiculous smiley faces and started the engine. "Ok."

Claire's house looked like an empty shell by the time Grant finished packing. Outside of the furniture, the living room was barren. Her bedroom and bath boxed up and left neat as a pin. The kitchen, empty and immaculately clean. He hadn't expected what looked to be a few baubles scattered here and there to total up to so many boxes and totes, stacked and crammed hastily into the back of the truck. How could one person accumulate so much stuff?

Claire awoke to teenage moaning and groaning. Begrudging footsteps stomped up the stairs, muffling barely audible cursing under someone's breath. The door to her bedroom flung open with a thud. Startling her. A shock of black hair stuck up from behind a trio of neatly stacked boxes. "Ok. Where'd'yawan'em?"

"Ah..." Claire blinked in confusion.

"Move it, boy," Grant huffed as he dragged his own load up the stairs.

"Put them over there," Claire stammered. "What is all this stuff?"

"Hell if I know." Daniel shrugged and unceremoniously parked the boxes in a corner.

"Surprise!" Grant said as he parked his burden beside Daniel's. "I realized that you didn't feel completely at home here, so I went to your house and packed up all your things." He shrank under Claire's stare, "If I forgot something, I'll go back for it or if there's things here you don't want, I'll take them out to the garage. I just thought this might help."

"Well," Daniel grumbled. "Let's go get the rest of it."

"The rest of it?" Claire breathed, "Grant, how much did you bring?"

Daniel snickered, "All of it I think. Move it, old man. You're not getting any younger." He shoved Grant toward the door.

"That was very thoughtful. But..." Claire peeled open a box. Gasping in delight. "My books!" How could she have doubted that he'd bring the one thing she missed the most? Books. With a sudden burst of energy probably brought on by the fact that she'd slept all day. She began riffling through the boxes and putting her treasures onto shelves.

"Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?" Hunter asked planting his body in the way. Preventing Gina from opening the passenger side door.

"I didn't think a goodbye mattered," Gina retorted. Nervously fiddling with the zipper on her borrowed jacket, she avoided the intensity of Hunter's stare.

Tristen was curious. Watching the scene unfold between his dad and the mysterious, and drop dead gorgeous woman. He sniffed, human woman, he corrected himself. "Damn, that's cherry." he muttered to himself as he took stock of the massive garage's contents. He meandered across the garage and lifted the tarp in curiosity. More for an excuse to give his dad some privacy than interest in the sleek, black, vintage, 1968 Camaro Super Sport parked at in the garage's last bay. He tiptoed on reverent feet to investigate, feeling very small and insignificant in the presence of such a magnificent beauty. He almost whimpered when he saw the keys dangling from the visor.

Dane needed two sets of eyes. One to make sure Gina was safe. Sometimes wolves could be unstable and aggressive. Although when he saw Hunter with Gina, aggression wasn't what came to mind. And another pinned on Tristen who was stroking the hood of his vintage Camaro with a lover's light touch. "Go ahead and start it. I'm sure the owner wouldn't mind."

"Is she yours?"

"Drove her straight off the assembly line in '68."

Tristen climbed in and turned the key. The engine roared to life. Power thrumming through the interior, vibrating his body. "That's better than sex," he whispered in sheer reverence. The interior still smelled new. The odometer read just under thirty thousand miles. He'd found his holy grail.

Dane leaned on the open door. "Don't get laid much do you?" His lips curled in snicker. "Let's take her out for a short run. Let her stretch her legs. I think your dad needs some time alone." He climbed into the passenger side as Tristen slid the car into drive.

"I think I may piss myself," Tristen said as he pushed his foot down the pedal.

"Not in my car you don't." Dane slid back in the vinyl seat as Tristen gave the car some gas. Tristen looked very much like a kid on his first carnival ride, awe struck with wonder and scared as hell.

"How could you think that?" Hunter loomed over Gina.

Gina didn't back down. She had never been one to back down and she wasn't going to let him intimidate her with his size. "I haven't seen very much of you lately. Whatever warped since of obligation you think you have to me is fulfilled. Isn't that why you were hanging around? Well, I'm fine. And now you can be rid of me."

"What? Rid of you? Is that what you think? Of course, I'm concerned about you. How could I not be? Naturally, I've been keeping watch over you. But, rid of you? That was not my intention, to make you think that I wanted you gone. I'd rather that you stay here."

"Why? So they can relieve you of your supposed obligations and baby-sit me? I don't need a sitter. How long did you expect me to hide here? My life out there isn't perfect. Never will be. But at least I have a life." Gina tugged on the door handle but the door wouldn't budge beneath his weight.

"I'd like for you to stay a little longer," Hunter grumbled. "Until I'm sure you're going to be okay."

"The man is dead isn't he? There haven't been any reports of bogeymen lurking about in the shadows have there? So, what's more dangerous in the city now than before? According to your philosophy, eight hundred thousand inhabitants of the city should be here, knocking on the door. Begging for your protection.

"I'm in no more danger now than I ever was. Everyday there is a chance that it could be my last, and someday it will be. Be it an accident, old age, an illness, or homicide, someday I will die. What am I supposed to do until that day comes? Stay here and hide from the inevitable?"

"I'm concerned for you," Hunter stammered.

"Don't be."

"You don't realize how easy it would be for you to die. For some THING to snatch your life away from you."

"I think I do. In case your forgot. I was there too. Dane gave me a phone. He said I could call if I..." Gina's words were choked off as Hunter lifted her off the floor with one hand. Fisting the collar of her jacket with his massive paw. Her feet dangled and swung haphazardly. Ineffectually, she clutched at his wrist.

"What's the matter? Can't get to your phone?" Hunter pulled her face, burning red, close to his. "Do you see how easy it is?" he asked. His words choking in his throat as she delivered a swift and hard kick to his groin. Groaning, he dropped her and slouched to the concrete floor.

"Not as easy as you might think." Gina stepped around his slouched frame and jerked the door open. She had one foot on the running board when his arm snaked across her waist, pulling her back against his hard, warm chest.

"I want you to reconsider. What harm is there in waiting a couple of more days?" Hunter relaxed his grip. He held her close but not tightly. She stayed firmly planted against his chest. Her breathing, rapid, was in perfect time with his. Her heartbeat fluttered wildly and crazily through her jacket.

"Why?" She could have melted in his arms. Let go and let the moment and the insanity sweep her away. Instead, she kept her feet planted. Holding her breath to control the thundering of her heart. She knew why. He had feelings for her that went beyond friendship or any sense of obligation he might think he owed her. If he could admit it, for once, admit his feelings, she'd give him the two days he requested of her, maybe more.