CODE NAME: VAMP

CN:V.4 - Simon, You Need Me

"You seem distracted." Sebastian said, his fingers tracing the tattoo in the middle of Jonathan's chest. "Want to talk about it?"

Jonathan sighed. He didn't want to talk about his fear but he knew he had to say something or Sebastian would think he was hiding something. "It's work stuff."

Immediately he cringed. But Sebastian chuckled. "I thought we were partners."

"Damn it, Sebastian." Jonathan sat up in bed. "It is not a big deal."

"Then tell me about it." Sebastian said, sitting up too. "At the very least, you'll stop looking like you need to throw up."

Jonathan laughed. God, he loved this man. "You are an ass."

"I know." Sebastian said, smiling. "Tell me. What's wrong? Is it the Pit? Is there a problem there?"

"No." Jonathan shook his head. An image of a young Simon Lewis crossed his mind; his face dirty and swollen. "Someone from my past is alive and that is a bad thing."

When Starkweather had brought all he knew about Simon Lewis to him that afternoon, his worst fears were confirmed. Simon Lewis was alive. And he was in New York. According to the information, he had lived in New York for years. And he was sane.

He looked different. A lot different. And he didn't seem to have the scars of his ordeal and Jonathan knew he had a lot of them.

"Who?" Sebastian pressed. "And since when did that ever stop you?"

Jonathan sighed again. Very true.

He just had a bad feeling about Simon Lewis. If he was alive, then he was probably the one he saw at the party. How did he know Imogen? That is, if he even knew her.

"He was someone I...I betrayed." Jonathan said. He was man enough to admit that. He had thrown the young boy under the bus to save himself and now he was being haunted.

"Darling, you stood by while your mother was gunned down." Sebastian said darkly. "And you still made it to Paris for our anniversary. Tell me something else."

Jonathan rolled his eyes. "He was in the Pit. He fought in the Pit. He's alive and well. Stronger men than he either went insane or died after their ordeal. He's alive. Do you know what that means?"

"Oh." Sebastian said. "Do something about it."

Jonathan smiled at him. Sebastian was almost as devious as he was. "You mean...?"

"Exactly." Sebastian said, returning his smile. He pushed Jonathan to his back and straddled him. "I'll even arrange it."

"What did I do to deserve you?" Jonathan murmured.

****

"Simon..." Imogen gave him a tight smile. "How are you?"

"I missed you." Simon said with a grin. "And I know you missed me too." He winked.

She rolled her eyes but she relaxed. "I just hope you'll behave next time."

"We both know you don't pay me enough for that." Simon said, tongue in cheek. "But I'll make sure we have all the information we need before I kill anyone."

"All I ask." She said dryly.

Simon's phone buzzed and he grinned. He and Jace had been texting since that morning. They had not made plans to meet up but that was fine.

JaceH 12.13PM

I am catering this party in Manhattan. Boring, black tie shit. Wanna keep me company? I promise to feed you and I've heard the booze is top notch.