Author: JkMack
Rating: NC-17
Copyright: Joss Whedon created the Buffy universe we all know. Thank you Mutant Enemy for not expanding the W/T relationship. I don't own anything here but the story idea and a few people I made up.

We made it back to New York with a few hours to spare before dawn. You always knew you where in the right spot too. Can't miss New York! The smell was all its own, the way the people walked. Just the overall feel of the Big Apple left you with quite an impression.

My boots thudded up the concrete steps into the town house, as we have now called it. Following William into the main hallway he kissed me on the cheek and quickly departed to make arrangements for the upcoming guests.

I made my way to the back of the house towards my night dwelling. Or AKA my room. That always made me feel adolescent saying 'my room'.

I took off my coat and laid it on the nearby chair. I sat down on the bed and held my face in my hands.

There was a soft knock at the door. I lifted my head to see Janielle standing in to doorway. Her long slender frame leaning up against the opening. Black hair that curled to her shoulders and muddy brow eyes that reflected her skin tone.

She was wearing pretty much the same outfit as me. Leather pants and a white ruffled shirt. It was the uniform of William's warriors. We all pretty much wore the same black and white.

I was still pretty young so I didn't have to sit in on all the meetings. I was born in 1873 in a small town in Ireland. That's where William stumbled upon me, alone in one of our farm's meadows. I had run out there after watching my mother's final shudder of breath.

The primary age for political stuff is around two hundred years. The council figures you've been around long enough to be a vampire adult or something.

"I see you made it back all right." She said still standing in the doorway.

"Aye I did." I answered looking her in the eyes.

"The Master was really worried about you."

I nodded "yeah I gathered that. Do you know when the council gets here?"

"The are set to arrive tomorrow. Are you going to sit in on the session?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No. I figured I'd just go out. William gathers I'd be more use on patrol and whatnot." I was the only one permitted to call William by his first name. Everyone just called him Master or Maker. I never understood why I was privileged to speak his name. When I asked him about it he just smiled and said "Because you are worthy of it."

"I see." Janielle answered. "Raoul and I are going to attend the Master as his body tomorrow." To be his body meant to protect him. So basically short for bodyguard. It's a great honor among the warriors to protect our Maker.

As if on cue Raoul entered beside Janielle and smiled at me. His brown hair falling past his ears and his dark almond eyes. His skin was ghost white but his smile always warmed you up. Lines that signified he smiled a lot even before he became the un-dead.

"Hey there Flame." He said.

"Hey back." I smiled.

Raoul was Janielle's mate. They had been together for a couple hundred years. The two seem to argue all the time, but here they are still together sticking it out.

It is customary for a vampire to choose a companion after at least fifty years of being born anew. I had been dead over a hundred and still didn't have one. It wasn't because there weren't those willing I just haven't found that certain being. William has never pushed me on the issue and since he is the Master of this region it's up to him to enforce the rules. He always knew I would come around in my own time. I always did so he didn't press me.

"Are you not sitting in on the session?" He asked with the same toothy smile.

"Now you should already know that it's not really my thing." I said.. "I think I might just go out, hit some clubs. You know the usual."

He nodded and laced his fingers with Janielle. "Well dawn is almost here we must get as much done as possible. Good night Flame."

They left and I could hear them whispering as they went. Most likely talking about me. Many of the guard and such did talk a great deal about me, especially for my relationship with the Master. No I wasn't his first make and certainly won't be the last but he and I have an unique connection.

I laid back on the bed. What was I to do? Tomorrow was going to be a long night.