The Delacours: Part Deux

forty-one.

When Chris came home, he quickly rushed to a shower, ignoring Val, Zane, and I. He was in the shower for a long time – longer than normal. He also wasn't in the bathroom he usually used, but was in mine and Val's bathroom. Worried, I knocked on the door.

"Chris?" He didn't answer. I could hear the shower running. I forced the doorknob to turn. Chris was sitting on the floor of the tub, letting the water hit him. "Chris, are you okay?" I asked, pulling back the shower curtain and kneeling on the side of the tub.

"The office is clean."

"Clean from what? What the hell happened?"

"I... I lost my temper with Rebecca."

"Did you kill her?"

"No! But we did get into a fight. As a Sheriff... I let my anger get the better of me."

"But why did you get so angry? What happened? I thought you were just gonna call her!"

"I did call her, but she was so smug and rude I told her that she needed to come in to talk about it. So she came in, looking like a million bucks by the way, and all I could think of is what you told me about Jackson."

"Chris. You didn't bring him up..."

"Not in so many words. I asked her why she wanted to leave and what was she leaving behind. She's the one who brought him up! She said she wasn't satisfied with him and that's why when what's-his-face came along, she hopped on the opportunity to leave. She said her marriage to 'the human' was unsatisfactory in all departments – emotionally, physically. She bashed the shit out of him and, he's your ex, so while it was annoying, I didn't necessarily care for what she said. It was nasty, but whatever. But what really pissed me off and pushed me over the edge... was the way she spoke about her kids. She said she wished she never 'ruined her body' by having them and if it wasn't because she had them, she would've left Jackson a long time ago." I gritted my teeth.

"So what did you do?" He put his face in his hands.

"I slammed her face into my desk. Then I really lost it and shoved my hand into her chest. I squeezed her heart enough to make her worry, but she was very much alive."

"So what did you need the cleaners for?"

"Well... her blood was on my rug. And a couple of things broke. But it's all good now. I don't know why it bothered me so much – I wasn't expecting to do that."

"Her attitude touched a nerve. Quite frankly, I probably would've killed her, so you showed much more restraint than me. It is what it is. Don't let it get to you."

"No, but what happens when word gets out the Sheriff of Massachusetts is a crazy asshole?" I laughed loudly.

"I've done worse when I was Sheriff. Shit, I've done worse as a Magister. Enough people know that's not how you actually are to not believe it. And again, who's she gonna complain to? Me? I guess I should tell you that yes, attempting to rip her heart out was inappropriate and unprofessional, and as a vampire in a position of power and duty you should know how to handle your anger better. You should have told her that now that she's a vampire, she's still required to act like a decent person and live amongst the humans inconspicuously. But I know you know all of that and I'm sure it won't happen again?" I smirked.

"...No, Madame Magister. It won't." He chuckled as he stood up in the shower. He turned the water off and grabbed a towel. He stepped out, wrapping the towel around his waist. I couldn't help but stare at him – his muscles were defined and they flexed as he reached for his clothes. I grabbed his arm as he went for the door to leave to his room.