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Drifting into Deep Waters; Prequel to Moon Tears
Topic Started: February 2, 2012, 4:20 pm (7,288 Views)
Lilith
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Jaimelicious

Men in kilt are my ultimate fetish. :drool

OMG! I loove Cuchulain's myth! ;_; and 'Cuchulain's lament' must be one of my favorites celtic songs. Ellen's home sounds so interesting. I can't believe Geno is a Romanov!! :blink: Also a family surrounded by mystery and magic. I¿m very intrigued about what mystic forces bring them together.
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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Forbidden Forest Ranger
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Awww, that is such a cute dog :D Also, Evgeni's tattoo is well neat :D
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Lucifer's Angel
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Chapter 11

Kris felt very disappointed as he stopped the truck outside La Lys Blanc Pays, seeing Marie unfasten her seatbelt as she was about to leave to go home. "Kris, don't worry, I am going to be at the game tomorrow", she chided, a soft smile on her lips.

He chuckled as he leaned over and softly kissed her lips. "Je sais, ma fille pays. I would just rather have you be at my house, but your Papa would not like that. But we are going to spend a lot of time together in Ottawa during the All-Star Game, I can be a very patient man. Bonne nuit, ma amour", he said as she gave him a kiss and got out of the truck.

Kris saw her enter the bar and drove away from the building, still deep in thought and wanting Marie by his side. He glanced down and saw it was barely eleven, not feeling at all tired and knowing he didn't have to be at practice until noon. I'll drive for a bit, the latest I can be home is at two because I need to sleep at least eight hours and I get up at ten, he calculated.

Kris glanced down at his Onstar and decided to drive westwards towards Ohio for the hell of it, the rural farmland suiting his mood as he didn't want to be around city lights. He followed the directions onto I-80 towards western Pennsylvania and the Ohio border, changing the station from Boneyard to the 40's one as it played Sleepy Lagoon by Harry James: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1r6PCa6II0 This is Marie's music, I wish she was here with me. But when we go to the All Star Game, I"m going make up for this, he mused.

He left the city as the highway passed through the suburbs until they gradually thinned out, the houses replaced by farms and open fields. The combination of the inky black sky with its innumerable stars and pale new moon with the barren trees and flat, fallow fields covered in a mantle of white was an arresting one, pristine white snow from the snowfall a few days previously and the trees with their barren branches and the very dark sky like a painting. The lights of the truck bounced off the reflecting stips on the road and provided the only artificial light, yet it still seemed less bright then the moon and stars above.

Kris had to chuckle to himself when he remembered that he had changed out of his kilt and dress shirt and into jeans and a Metal Up Your Ass shirt, his dress clothes neatly folded in the back of the truck. If I have to stop somewhere, at least I won't look like a total weirdo, he chuckled.

The radio was now tuned to the 60's station as it played In Dreams by Roy Orbison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTMIxjmWz0

A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper
"go to sleep. everything is all
right."

I close my eyes, then I drift away
Into the magic night. I softly say
A silent prayer like dreamers do.
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you.

In dreams I walk with you. in dreams I talk to you.
In dreams you're mine. all of the time we're together
In dreams, in dreams.

But just before the dawn, I awake and find you gone.
I can't help it, I can't help it, if I cry.
I remember that you said goodbye.

It's too bad that all these things, can only
happen in my dreams
Only in dreams in beautiful dreams

That's the song from Blue Velvet, David Lynch is awesome. Dennis Hopper was so creepy in that movie, I ought to hear some more Roy Orbison, he mused.

Kris continued driving westwards as he crossed into Ohio, the scenery not changing at all. The radio now played I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight by Barry and the Tamerlanes as he frowned, feeling as though the song reflected his thoughts about Marie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVu2KVlw07M

Can't help it if I wonder
Wonder what she's doing
Can't help it if I
Wonder what she's doing
Tonight (tonight)

Oh, where can she be (tonight)
As I sit alone I just
Can't help but wonder
If she still thinks of me

Can't help it if I wonder
Wonder what she's doing
Tonight (tonight)

Oh, I wish I knew (tonight)
Is she in somebody's arms
And is he holding her
The way I used to do

Can't help it if I wonder
Wonder what she's doing
Tonight (tonight)

I thought that I
Could do without her
Thought that I could
Get along just fine
But I was wrong

For ever since
We said goodbye
I just can't seem to
Get her off my mind

Can't help it if I
Wonder what she's doing
Tonight (tonight)

If she only knew (tonight)
That I'm sorry and I'm still
So much in love with her
I wonder what she'd do

Can't help it if I wonder
Wonder what she's doing
Tonight (tonight)

I wonder she's doing tonight
I wonder she's doing tonight...


He squirmed a bit in his seat and glanced down at a blue sign on the highway which displayed a sign for 7-11 as he put on the turn signal to make the exit. The exit led towards the sort of main street found in countless towns strung along the interstate, a gaudy neon-lit strip of chain restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores.

Kris parked at a 7-11 with an attached gas station as he filled up the tank and paid with his credit card, parking the truck near the store as he turned off the engine and went inside. The store was empty except for a middle-aged clerk behind the counter who glanced up from his issue of Guns and Ammo. "Howdy, mister. You ain't from here", he said in his heavy Midwestern drawl.

"No sir, I was just driving through and saw the sign, I just put some gas in my truck", replied Kris.

The man raised an eyebrow when he heard Kris' French accent. "You really ain't from around here, mister. You French?", he asked.

"Sort of, I am from Quebec. I just wanted to clear my head because I had to drop off my girlfriend at her house, otherwise her Papa would have gotten out the shotgun", he joked.

"Yep, I remember that from when I started dating gals in high school. Reckon I've seen you before on TV, you look sort of familiar", said the man.

"I am Kris Letang, I play for the Penguins", he replied.

"Oh yeah, you was on the TV on the sports how. Hockey ain't my thing, I'm a Browns fan. You guys any good?", he asked.

"Oui, monsieur. We are in first place in our division and third place in the conference, I think we're doing pretty good", he chuckled.

"That sounds good, that means you guys are winning? I know Ohio's got a team, are they any good?", he asked.

"Uh, the Blue Jackets aren't very good, they have only been to the playoffs once in eleven years. I would recommend you root for the Penguins", he laughed.

"Reckon so, Mr. Letang", he replied as Kris bought a bottle of water and an air freshener.

Kris left the 7-11 and got back in the truck, turning on the engine and backing away from the space. He changed the station and frowned when he didn't find anything he liked, looking down and seeing a CD case near the drink holder. Kris stopped at a red light and inserted the CD, realizing it was a Hank III bootleg that certainly wasn't his. I think Ellen left it here when I gave her a lift the other day, he mused.

He kept the CD in the stereo as he drove back towards Pittsburgh, the gritty, hard-living outlaw country of Hank Williams' grandson feeling appropriate to him. "All right, this is a great song by fuckin' David Allan Coe, The Ride", said Hank III in his twangy Southern accent as him and the band played the David Allan Coe classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm2U5zebNpI

Well, I was thumbin' from Montgomery
I had my guitar on my back
When a stranger stopped beside me in an antique Cadillac
Well he was dressed like 1950
Half drunk and hollow-eyed
He said "Its a long walk to Nashville
Would you like a ride, son?"
And well I sat down in the front seat, he turned on the radio
Them sad old songs comin' out of them speakers was solid country gold
And I noticed the stranger was ghost-white pale
When he asked me for a light
And I knew there was something strange about this ride

He said "Drifter can ya make folks cry when you play and sing?
Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues?
Can you bend them guitar strings?"
He said "Boy, can you make folks feel what you feel inside?
Cause if you're big star bound let me warn ya, its a long, hard ride"

Then he cried just south of Nashville
And he turned that car around
He said "This is where you get off boy,
Cause I'm goin' back to Alabam'"
As I stepped out of that Cadillac
I said "Mister, many thanks"
He said "You don't have to call me Mister, Mister.,
The whole world called me Hank

If you're big star bound
Let me warn ya its a long, hard ride


Kris felt the hair rise on the back of his neck as he realized the song was about a man who gave a lift to the ghost of Hank Williams, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He glanced around and was stupidly relieved to see the passenger seat was empty. Don't be silly, the song isn't real, he reminded himself.

Kris arrived back home as The Ride had been playing continuously since he left, ejecting the CD and placing it back in its case. i hope the CD didn't melt, he thought dryly as he parked the truck in the garage and turned off the engine.

He went straight upstairs and changed into boxers and a sleeveless t-shirt as put away the dress clothes and his jeans in the closet. The bedroom was one of two large master bedrooms on the upper floor, Evgeni's room and the guestroom down the hall. It was dominated by a massive dark wood bed covered in black Egyptian cotton sheets topped off by a black brocade quilt and a matching canopy, a nightstand, dresser and wardrobe in the same color wood in front of the bed. The walls were painted a dark blue that helped him sleep and adorned with watercolor seascapes. A twenty inch TV mounted on a stand stood in front of the bed with a DVD player on the shelf below, the wooden closet door was adorned with a Metallica poster from the Master of Puppets era, the poster a photograph by Ross Halfin of the band posing outside of Sweet Silence studios in Copenhagen.

Kris pulled back the covers from the bed and got inside as he closed his eyes and tried to sleep. He frowned when he heard Blue Skies by Benny Goodman playing in his head, one of the songs he had heard on the drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI8Ejq6mPyM Kris opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling as the song continued playing in his head, an earworm that wouldn't go away.

With a low growl of frustration, Kris threw back the covers and went downstairs. He made his way into the kitchen and turned on the light, going over to his little home bar and reaching for a bottle of Grand Marnier, pouring himself a generous measure of the orange-flavored brandy liqueur. Kris felt warm and relaxed as he felt the liqueur go through his system, slowly sipping his drink. He poured himself another measure and walked into the parlor as he continued drinking, feeling pretty good.

Kris saw a flash of something out of the corner of his eye, hearing Blue Skies again. He frowned but became still when a shape appeared before him, slowly taking the shape of a young man his age in a suit. The young man wore a double-breasted gray suit with white pinstripes of the sort worn by gangsters in movies, his dark hair peeking out from under his matching fedora and carrying a saxophone. The young man looked right at him and Kris found himself staring into a face exactly like his, except for his blue eyes and slightly shorter hair as he took a step backwards. The young man gave him a sad smile before gradually fading away, until there was nothing.

Kris didn't notice that he dropped the cup and the orange liqueur had spilled on the carpet or that his mouth was hanging open. He kept staring at the empty space where the young man had been, still in shock and not knowing if he had actually seen it or not. Looks like me and Geno are both nuts, he thought as a stifled laugh escaped his lips, quickly turning off the light and going back upstairs before he became hysterical.
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Lilith
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:o OMG! Kris is seeing visions too! I wonder if the person he saw is a ghost, by the looks of him it seems like one. Very intrigued in here! :blink:
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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Oh, blimey, was that a different ghost? :O I wonder why he appeared and what he wants?
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Lucifer's Angel
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Chapter 12

"You guys better play good tonight in front of the women, otherwise you won't get lucky", teased Jordan as the team got dressed in their game uniforms an hour before game time.

"That is the best incentive, mon ami Nederlandais. Maybe if you found yourself a woman you would play better", teased Kris.

"Nah, I like variety, I'm not ready to settle down just yet. Eric's only a year old and married with a kid and Tanya's pregnant again. My nephew's cool and all, but I'm not ready for kids yet. Mom's already got one grandkid and another on the way, she ought to be happy with two", he laughed.

"We think alike, Jordan. My brothers already have kids and I love my nieces, but I'm not looking to have kids or a wife either. My brother and his wife just had a baby girl and Mom's pestering me for grandkids, while I like babysitting Amelie I'm not ready to have kids yet", joked Max.

"Maybe she can be Parker's girlfriend, he's a handsome little guy and all the girls like him. If your nice has the Talbot charm and her Mom's good looks, it's gonna be interesting", said Jordan as they all laughed.

"You two sound like my mother, she is convinced Henri is going to have a lot of girlfriends when he is older. Lucky I have a son because if I had a daughter, I would not let her out of the house until she is older", teased Marc.

"Guys, we ought to think about the game instead of when kids are going to date", said Sidney as he tried not to laugh.

"Je said, mon capitan. Let's kick some Islanders ass", said Kris as everyone nodded in approval.


"I hope we win tonight, Henri wants to see his father win", said Vero as Henri gurgled and looked about curiously in his mother's arms.

"How is the wee lad doing?", asked Ellen, smiling down at the baby.

"Henri managed to sleep last night, I am sure Marc appreciates that. But my mother says babies don't sleep during the night until they are two years old, I don't think Henri will have a brother or sister for a long while", she laughed.

"I have no idea how to deal with a baby, I am an only child and my father never remarried. How do you do it?", asked Marie.

"I have a little sister so I have some practice. And Marc is a good help, he learned how to change diapers and feed Henri his bottle, he's a natural. But I am definitely going back on the pill, I had a 20-hour labor and I'm not doing that for a while", Vero chuckled.

"Mon Dieu, that sounds horrible", exclaimed Marie.

"It is, but it's worth it in the end. Poor Marc, I was cursing him the whole time", she giggled.

Marie said nothing as she tried to concentrate on the pregame skate, smiling when she saw Kris. He was skating in a small circle near the Penguins' crease and holding his stick horizontally with both hands, his black hair flowing from his helmet and reaching his shoulders. However, her mind kept coming back to what Vero said about being in labor and her own mother's death. That's why I don't want kids, I don't want to die and leave a child behind with Kris and no mother. And I don't want the child shunned by family. All I know is that my mother's name was Daisy Dean and they were form Arkansas. That's nothing to go on, she mused. The only picture she had ever seen of Daisy had been taken during their wedding reception, her father handsome in his dark gray pinstriped suit and fedora and her mother in a lace white wedding dress, Daisy's curly brown hair and brown eyes so different from her own black hair and blue eyes.

She shook her head and looked down at the ice as the arena lights dimmed for the pregame introductions. "What's the matter, love?", asked Ellen, concern in her green eyes.

"Just thinking about my mother", she replied.

Ellen smiled sympathetically. My mum died when I was a baby, it's not something you get over", she said.

Marie nodded gratefully as the lights went back on and the players prepared for the opening faceoff. The referee went in between Sidney and Islanders captain Doug Weight as he prepared to drop the puck, Sidney winning the faceoff as he skated towards the Islanders' goal. There was a tremendous groan of disappointment when the puck went just wide of the net, changing into boos as the Islanders gained possession.

Kris cursed under his breath when the puck was turned over, chasing after Islanders winger Kyle Okposo and wresting the puck away before passing to Sidney as he skated over to the Penguins' crease, ready to block the Islanders from trying score on Marc. He barely felt it when the he deflected the puck from his shoulders, planting his body in front of the crease to make a screen for Marc. Kris smiled in relief when the Penguins regained the puck, smiling wider as the puck went past Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro to make it 1-0 Penguins as the sirens went off and the fans roared.

Marie's eyes went wide in shock as Kris and one of the Islanders defensemen dropped their gloves and started a fight, much to the delight of the fans. "The player checked Kennedy into the boards and was taunting him, Kris is defending his teammate. This happens a lot", said Vero as the fans roared for Islander blood. Kris grabbed his opponent by the jersey and the exchanged punches while the linesmen looked on to see if anyone was seriously hurt. They finally separated the two men as they were led to separate penalty boxes, the crowd cheering on Kris as he had won the fight and a black eye already forming on his face and his hair tangled and helmet at an angle but his opponent had two black eyes and a bloody nose.

"That's a good thing, Kris defended his teammate. He's not a violent man, but he is honorable. He won't ever hurt you like that, Marie", said Vero.

"It's the French and the Scots in him, we are a people who do a lot of fighting and have honor", said Ellen.

"How do you know Kris?", asked Marie.

"Don't be jealous, Marie. We go to the same neurologist and he's been a member of the St. Andrew's Society since he came to Pittsburgh, we are just friends. Besides, I'll not steal your man, my Da taught me better", said Ellen.

Marie blushed. "Perdon, Ellen", she said.

"I understand, it is the French in you. Thanks to Kris, I know French people, us Scots also have a jealous streak. The blokes are going out later, Diesel if we win and some other place if they lose. Of course you'll join us?", asked Ellen.

"Oui", she giggled.

"You two girls, I do not want my son hearing that. I am kidding, he doesn't undestand yet. But the doctor says no sex for at least two more weeks, but when we can Marc is going to be ready", giggled Vero.

"Aye, I would think so", said Ellen dryly.

The Penguins won 3-0 over the last-place Islanders as the crowd left happy, the teams heading straight to the showers. "We wait outside the player's entrance for them, they have to shower and dress and speak to the press", said Vero as she gently carried Henri in his sling and led them towards the locker room.

A massive black and yellow door guarded the locker room as the burly security guard nodded when he recognized Vero. "They are with me, Troy", she told the huge fat security guard as he nodded.

Vero knocked on the door as the men's chatter could be heard on the other side. "Un instant, attendre jusqu'à ce que tout le monde est décent", said Marc.

Several minutes later, Marc opened the door and smiled at them, embracing Vero and taking Henri as the baby chortled happily at seeing his father. Marc was a tall, think young man with shoulder-length straight dark brown hair and brown eyes, his long nose, thin lips and narrow face making him vaguely equine. He was clad in jeans and a plain black t-shirt and bare feet in sandals as he led them inside the locker room, the players all dressed with Sidney and Kris in suits as they had to speak to the press after the game. "Hey there, little dude, your dad played a great game", laughed Jordan, looking right into Henri's face and grinning widely. The baby gave the blond giant a giggle and tried to grab his hair, much to everyone's amusement.

"I think he likes blonds already, mon ami Nederlandais. I'm sorry I had to fight the guy, but he was being un secousse, I had to show him not to mess with us", said Kris apologetically. He was dressed in gray slacks and matching jacket over a black shirt with the top buttons undone, his hair still wet from the shower and his black eye starting to fade a bit.

"Let me see", said Marie. She reached into her purse and took out a compact and a little brush, opening it to reveal her foundation. Kris was still as she applied the foundation to his black eye, blending the makeup so it wouldn't stick out so much. "Your skin is darker than mine, I hope it doesn't look too fake", she said.

Everyone had a laugh at the sight as Kris just chuckled. "Ooh, you should be a model, Tanger", teased Jordan.

"I don't want him going to the press conference with a black eye, that doesn't look good", she chided as she put away the makeup.

Max came over and peered into his face as he rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look in his blue eyes. "Hmm, not bad at all. You're right about the foundation, you'll need a darker shade for him or else it'll look like clown makeup. Tanger, at least you kicked that guy's ass", he said as everyone nodded.

Evgeni came out of the shower as he came over to them, giving Ellen a puzzled look when he saw Kris with the makeup covering up his black eye. "Kris, why are you wearing makeup?", he asked.

"Marie gave it to me to cover up my black eye, mon ami Russe", he laughed.

"Hah, that is good idea, he look more like pretty boy. You have to do talk to reporters, you want me to wait or take the girls to Diesel?", he asked.

"You take the girls, Geno. I'll meet you guys there", said Kris.

"Kris, I won't mind", said Marie.

"You girls wait for me at Diesel, press conferences est ennuyeux comme l'enfer", he chuckled as him and Sidney were ushered to the press room by security.

"We will take you to Diesel, ladies. We are going to celebrate", said Max as Jordan nodded eagerly.

"Vous deux sont ces vilains garçons", teased Marie.

"Que nous sommes", agreed Max as the group left the dressing room.
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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Lol, it was funny when Kris had to wear make up to cover his black eye :lol:
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Lucifer's Angel
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Chapter 13

"We are going to arrive in Ottawa in style, we do enough flying as it is", said Kris as they prepared to board the Adirondack to Montreal at Grand Central Station. They had set out yesterday after the game on the Pennsylvanian from Pittsburgh to New York City, spending the day in the city before getting ready to board the train to Montreal, continuing onto Ottawa from there in order to attend the All-Star Game.

"I know, I think I have done more traveling these last few days then I have ever before", said Marie with a chuckle.

"Lass, you have a lot of catching up to do. Da and I go to Scotland every other year, that is far", teased Ellen.

"And my parents are coming from Russia to see the game, Ellen. Mama want to meet you, she wants grandchildren", said Evgeni as Ellen gave him a look.

"That will not be for a while, Zhenya", she retorted.

"Oui, mon ami Russe", laughed Kris.

Grand Central was crowded that morning with passengers rushing to catch their trains and the loudspeakers spitting forth garbled warnings that echoed off the wall. While it was snowing outside, the snow wasn't very heavy and the trains were on time as the group prepared to board the Adirondack to Montreal and then take the Corridor to Ottawa. The train itself was a modern one with a gray exterior and the Amtrak logo on one side, the cars recently cleaned as passengers started boarding.

"Too bad we cannot linger in Montreal, I want to show you my city, ma fille pays. But my mother and her children and my father's people will be there. And Geno's parents are going to be there as well", said Kris as they found their seats.

"I thought you were an only child", she said, raising an eyebrow.

"I am, but my mom is a foster mother to a brother and sister, Andre and Hughette. Mom's been a foster mother since I left to play in Juniors, she got lonely and applied to be a foster mother. They have been with her for a year and she wants to adopt them", said Kris.

"Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman", said Marie.

Kris beamed with pride. "Je sais. Andre and Hughette are good kids and they love her, but it could be difficult to adopt them", he said with a frown.

"Why is that?", she asked.

"Andre and Hughette, their parents are Metis and it's difficult for white people to adopt First Nations kids. But Mom loves them and it would be terrible for them to go back into the system, a lot of foster parents are terrible and only do it for the check. They are going to meet us in Ottawa, and so are my father's people", he said.

"But what about your father, it does sound odd for you to know his family but not your actual father", she said.

Kris looked thoughtful. "Je sais, ma fille pays. My parents were not married and he disappeared after I was born, all I know is that his name was Letang and I have his name. Mom says I look like him, but she won't tell me his first name. My Letang family is from Ile de la Grande Entree in Les Iles de la Madelaine, they are all Breton and I have trouble understanding their French., plus they don't speak English", he said.

The train's whistle blew as the last passengers got on board, the whistle blowing a final time as the train pulled out of the station. It went north towards upper Manhattan and the Bronx towards Connecticut and upstate New York as it snowed outside, adding to the snow already on the ground as it looked like a snowglobe from inside the train. The train left behind the city and its suburbs as they passed farms and tiny little towns that made up much of upstate New York and New England, the livestock still in barns and the fields lying fallow.

They arrived in Montreal nearly eleven hours later as snow fell upon the city, the clock reading eleven as it pulled into the station. "In two hours we are going to be at our hotel, Ottawa is only an hour away", said Kris reassuringly when he saw Marie looked sleepy.

"I'm not tired, but she's not traveled so much before, Kris", Ellen chided.

"This nothing, fly from Pittsburgh to London and then to Moscow, then another flight to my city in Siberia, that is very far. That over 24 hours of travel", said Evgeni.

"That's why I'm not flying to Russia any time soon", said Kris dryly.

They boarded the train to Ottawa before it pulled out of the station. This particular train was brand new, all gleaming steal and new dark gray upholstered seats and that felt like Barcaloungers. It even had WiFi and a full service bar in the dining car that was still open as the group found seats at the bar. The bartender on duty raised an eyebrow as though he recognized the men, but said nothing as he poured several beers for other customers before facing them.

"Two Maudites", said Kris as Evgeni nodded.

"I'll have a Rob Roy with Grouse", said Ellen.

"And I will have a Corpse Reviver with Martell", said Marie.

"Nice, I like girl who drink whiskey", said Evgeni with a smile.

"Of course, I am a Scot", she retorted, an amused look in her green eyes.

"What's a Corpse Reviver, that sounds strong", said Kris.

Marie nodded as the bartender got their drinks. "That is brandy, Calvados and vermouth. It's a French thing", she replied pertly.

"I don't drink brandy, that is an old man drink, ma fille pays. I just drink beer and whiskey", he laughed as he took a large swallow of beer.

"Kris, that a rude thing to say", chided Evgeni.

"You're right, Kris. My Da and his partners drink a lot of brandy at their club, never cared for the stuff. I much prefer whisky", said Ellen with a laugh as he took a sip of her Rob Roy.

"That my girl", said Evgeni proudly as she kissed his cheek.

The train made its way west towards Ottawa as the group continued drinking and talking. Someone had put money in the jukebox as it played I am a Simple Man by Ricky Van Shelton as Kris finished his beer and got up from his stool, taking Marie by the hand and leading her in a little two-step much to everyone amusement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4PBpesX6oo

I don't know why you wanna start with me
I ain't done nothin' far as I can see
And I'm warn out from working too hard
Why don't you give me a break

I know that lately things ain't been so good
I'll make it up just like I told you I would
But I'm tired and I wanna sit down
To ease a sore backache

You say you're having trouble figuring me
I don't believe I'm such a mystery
Baby what you get is what you see
I am a simple man
I wanna a job and a piece of land
Three squares in my frying pan
Don't seem so hard to me to understand
I am a simple man

You say you got some things to talk about
A lot of problems that we need to work out
But we just end up fighting
Why don't you give it a rest
I don't know what else I can say to you
I'm doing everything I know to do
And I can't give you anything more
When I'm giving my best

You say you're having trouble figuring me
I don't believe I'm such a mystery
Baby what you get is what you see
I am a simple man
I wanna place I can lay my head
Soft woman and a warm bed
A little time off before I'm dead
I'm just a simple man

You say you're having trouble figuring me
I don't believe I'm such a mystery
Baby what you get is what you see
I am a simple man


The other patrons had a good chuckle at the sight, seeing tall muscular Kris in his jeans and Kill 'Em All shirt dancing with tiny Marie in a simple dark blue dress with stockings and heels as the lively country song played over the jukebox.

"You guys, everyone watching you", teased Evgeni.

Kris just laughed as he ordered them more drinks. "Je sais, mon ami Russe. But I was feeling very good and dancing with my lady", he chuckled.

"Silly, at least it was not that Justin Bieber lad, he is bloody horrible", said Ellen as she tried to stifle a yawn.

"You tired, baby? We be at hotel soon", said Evgeni.

The train arrived in Ottawa barely more than an hour later as the retrieved their bags and walked outside towards the bank of waiting taxis. "The Hyatt, please", Kris told the driver.

From inside the cab, Ottawa appeared to be any other city, with no indication it was the capital of Canada. The outer reaches of the city had the same chain businesses and prefab houses as anywhere else in North America as the taxi drove towards the city from the station. The capital was surprisingly modest with barely any buildings over twenty storeys high and the Parliament buildings towering over the city, the streets almost empty except for a few late-night buses and taxis.

Kris paid the driver as Evgeni took the bags out of the trunk and they went inside. The lobby was empty except for the night clerk, the lights dimmed and the PA system silent. "Reservations for Letang and Malkin", Kris told the clerk.

"Okay, here are your keys. You are in Rooms 412 and 414, enjoy your stay and good luck with the game", said the clerk.

"Good night, guys", said Evgeni as the group split up to go to their rooms.

Ellen turned on the light and opened her bag to find a nightgown. She went into the bathroom to change as a stab of pain shot through her temples above her eyes, her hands flying up to her head. Ellen grabbed the edge of the counter and closed her eyes, taking several deep breaths to steady herself as everything went back to normal.

She quickly changed into a slip and left the bathroom, hoping he didn't notice her pale face and slightly shallow breathing. Evgeni had stripped to his shorts and was watching the NHL Network as she got in bed. "Good night, Ellen", he said as he turned off the TV and the light. Ellen tried not to scoot away as he took her into his arms and held onto her tightly like a doll and fell asleep. The pain in her temples hit her as she bit her lip to not cry out, her vision momentarily turning black and her limbs paralyzed. Ellen saw the figure in long black robes and a hood approach, the Druid priest holding a sprig of mistletoe as she could not move a single muscle in her body or turn away. Finally, the vision receded and the pain gradually faded as her breathing went back to normal.

Ellen was still as she dared not to wake him, silent tears on her cheeks. I want that to go away, she prayed silently before falling into a fitful sleep.
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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Oh dear, what did Ellen see :O That sounds pretty scary!
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Lilith
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This gets more and more inriguing. Ellen seems to have this visions more frequently. I love the detail of the physical symptoms she gets when she has them. More!
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Lucifer's Angel
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Chapter 14

"Excuse me, but is this the fan fair for the All Star Game?", asked the man.

A bored-looking usher nodded as the man followed the rest of the fans towards the Meet and Greet at the All-Star Game. He appeared to be middle aged, dressed casually in black slacks and a gray sweater, his thinning brown hair turning gray at the temples and tinted glasses on his face. If anyone had bothered to notice him, they could have peered under the glasses and seen the cool gray eyes the color of polished silver, full of all his accumulated wisdom.

He milled about with the other fans and smiled in satisfaction when he saw Kris Letang's name amongst the players answering questions from reporters and fans. A subtle smile formed on his face when he saw Kris take to the podium along with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis as the prepared to answer questions from the local French media and fans. While both men were well-dressed, Kris clearly stood out as the better-dressed. He wore pressed black slacks and a metallic gray shirt with the top buttons undone and no tie, his dark hair just grazing his collar as he answered a question from a reporter.

The man was barely noticed to the reporters and the fans as he silently made his way towards the front, looking off to the side and seeing the middle-aged woman with two young children, a young woman in black slacks and a white blouse, her dark curly hair tied back with a white taffeta ribbon.

Christine is a good woman, one of the best I ever had and she should have found a man to give her more children. But she is doing a good job with the little one and has done a fine job with our son. And his lady is very pretty and looks kind, he mused.

Marie smiled down at the children as Andre pretended to roll his eyes and his sister Hughette tried not to giggle. Both of Christine Allen's foster children had trouble containing their impatience, being very eager to have Kris show them about. Andre and Hughette were twins who were about to turn five in a month, both of them with olive skin, glossy brownish-black hair and wide dark eyes that spoke of their Metis heritage, Andre in brown corduroy pants and a red sweater and Hughette in jeans and a pink hoodie.

"Tante Christine, is Kris finished?", asked Andre.

"Almost, Andre", she said.

"Miss Marie, Kirs said he was going to show us his friends", said Hughette.

"Oui, but Tante Christine is right, we must be patient. Lucky Geno does not have to be here until later", said Marie.

Hughette's eyes widened in fright when she saw Evgeni enter the area with Ellen. He was so big, easily the biggest person either of the children had ever seen, wearing jeans and a brown fluffy sweater that resembled a fur coat as he smiled at them, the little girl hiding behind Christine.

"Wow, you look like a bear", said Andre as Ellen tried not to laugh.

Evgeni laughed as he bent down to their level, a kind look in his brown eyes. "I not a bear, I big like bear but I am a man. I am Evgeni Malkin but you can call me Geno, nice to meet you", he said.

"See, he's not a bear", retorted Andre.

"Andre, don't talk like that to your sister", chided Christine.

Hughette emerged from behind the older woman and smiled shyly at the big Russian. "I am Hughette, Mr. Malkin. This is my brother Andre and Tante Christine", she said.

"Very glad to meet you, Hughette and Andre. Kris almost done, this is boring", he said.

"Lass, Zhenya canna hurt you. I am Ellen Sutherland', she said, smiling at the children.

"Where are you from, you don't sound Canadian", said Andre.

"I am from Russia, and Ellen is from Scotland, we not Canadian", he chuckled.

Kris finished his session as him and St. Louis smiled and shook hands, going offstage towards his family. Christine embraced her son as the children chatted eagerly, kissing his mother's cheek. Christine was still a handsome woman, a bit chubby but with her dark hair just turning gray at the temples and a few lines around her brown eyes, wearing a black pantsuit and sensible pumps.

"Kris, that was boring", said Andre.

Kris just laughed as he smiled at the boy, an amused look in his dark eyes. "Je sais, Andre. But it is part of the All-Star Game, we have to do this sort of thing. But now we can linger a bit before doing a bit of sightseeing in Ottawa", he said.

The man smiled at the scene before retreating, barely noticed by anyone. But Ellen felt the all-too-familiar pain in her temple as she bit her lip and tried to concentrate on anything but the pain. Her vision had turned white as she took several deep breaths to steady herself, the pain in her temples like someone stabbing a needle into her head.

"Ellen!", shouted Evgeni as he caught her from falling. He was scared at how pale she was, her eyes a filmy white as they rolled back in her head.

"Merde, get a trainer, get the doctor", said Kris, seeing her have one of her odd seizures.

The crowd parted as Evgeni carried her to the trainer's room in the bowels of Scotiabank Center. The room had been set up for a few falls and people with headaches for the fan fair, but the normal Ottawa Senators trainers were on duty as he carried her inside. "She has epilepsy, I think she is having a fit", said Kris, trying to calm down as to not frighten the children.

The head trainer helped her to a sitting position and did a concussion test as an assistant reached for a phone to call the hospital used by the Senators and opposing teams. "Ellen hasn't had one in a while", said Kris.

Evgeni felt helpless as she was stiff and barely responsive, her eyes just a tiny brown dot in a sea of white that flickered. "What do we do, doctor?", he asked.

"There's an ambulance on its way, the hospital is five minutes away. She appears to have had a seizure, lucky you guys were with her. Does she have any triggers, I've seen guys go into seizures after a concussion, but I'm not a neurologist. Dr. James Bancroft is the doctor who treats head injuries for the team and is a respected neurologist, he's going to see her", said the trainer.

"Andre, Hughette, we are going to the Fan Fair", said Christine kindly. Both children looked absolutely terrified as how Ellen was, never seeing anything like this before.

"Tante Christine, is Miss Ellen a ghost?", asked Hughette fearfully.

"Non, ma petite. But she needs to go to the hospital", said Christine as she ushered the children out of the room.

Evgeni could only watch as a team of EMT's helped Ellen onto a gurney and wheeled her out of the room, the group following behind. "I called for a cab, you can't ride in the ambulance", said the trainer as he smiled sympathetically.

They all arrived at the hospital as Ellen was taken straight to the neurology wing. "I know she have epilepsy, but why she have seizure? What happen?", he asked.

Kris clapped him on the back. "No one knows what triggers it, she's been on every sort of medication and they don't work. We'll ask the doctor", he said.

Marie was thoughtful. She thought she had caught a glimpse of a man in the crowd of reporters, but it seemed as though no one else had. He was average-looking but when he had momentarily taken off his glasses, his eyes had been the color of a polished silver tea service. Those eyes were so odd and mesmerizing and then they were hidden behind the glasses, and then Ellen had her seizure.

Two hours later, Dr. James Bancroft came into the waiting room and smiled at them. "Miss Sutherland is responsive and feels better, she says. We've ran some tests on her and the results ought to be back in a few days, she may leave but make sure she doesn't get triggered into having another seizure", he said.

"Can she watch the game?", he asked.

"As long as it's not too stimulating, I'm sure she'll have no problem with the Skills Competitions and I'd advise her to not drink alcohol for now", he replied.

Ellen was sitting up in bed when they were allowed to visit her. She had a slight color on her cheeks and a big smile as Evgeni gave her a hug. "I want to get out of here, 'tis bloody boring", she chuckled.

"That's the spirit, Ellen. But the doctor says you have to be careful", said Kris.

"Bloody hell", she muttered.
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Lilith
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Ah, Geno is so sweet. Loved him telling the kids he wasn't a bear. xD And he was so romantic holding Ellen during her seizure. I wonder if she had another vision.
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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Poor Ellen, that must have been so frightening :( I hope that she won't have any more head pains and seizures :O
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Lucifer's Angel
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Chapter 15

"Hugo, how are Kris and Christine doing?", asked Renee Letang as the train approached Ottawa.

Hugo just smiled at the young woman, his silvery eyes concealed by his glasses. He had become invisible again and had transported himself from Ottawa to the train as it left suburban Montreal, the other passengers barely noticing the middle-aged man as he boarded. The Letangs had taken a ferry from Fatima in Les Iles de la Madelaine and then boarded a train heading west, the family group barely noticed by anyone. "Kris and Christine are doing fine, she is a good mother to the little ones. And Kris has a lovely petite-amie, she seems very kind and she is quite pretty and doll-like, Christine already likes her. His friend Evgeni Malkin and his girlfriend are also there, the little girl thought he was a bear", he chuckled, the both of them speaking in Breton so the other passengers couldn't listen in.

"What is Kris' woman's name?", she asked.

"Her name is Marie Gagnon, daughter of Jean Gagnon, they are time travelers as well. And I believe Ellen Sutherland is as well, the name is familiar", he replied.

"Alisdair Sutherland is one of them, Hugo. Kris will eventually have to know his true parentage, he is your son. And he could be the one to break the curse with Miss Gagnon and Miss Sutherland also being amongst them. Do you want the curse to continue?", asked Renee.

"Aye, Renee. He will find out this summer, I am afraid I cannot kidnap the Penguins' star defenseman now. I am very proud of him, he does not the self-destructive tendencies of my other Letang sons", he replied, getting off at the next stop and disappearing without a trace.

The train arrived at the Ottawa station half an hour later. Kris and Marie were waiting for her as he embraced the other woman, exchanging greetings in French. Marie smiled at her but was a bit puzzled, hoping it wasn't rude. Renee wore a long black dress with matching stockings underneath and a lace kerchief on her head, her straight black hair pulled back and her dark eyes the color of sloe berries, looking weirdly out of place as though she was from the 19th century.

"My mother's brother is arriving later, that's my uncle Antoine and his son Jacques", he said as the group followed him towards the luggage claim.

Marie nodded as she tried not to frown. I hope his mother's relatives aren't quite so odd, she mused.

They arrived back at the hotel as Renee went straight to her room. "Your cousin seems nice, but a bit cold, aucune infraction", she said.

"The island is quite old-fashioned, but I understand, ma fille pays", he said reassuringly.

Evgeni and Ellen came up to them followed by a middle-aged couple in heavy black fur coats. The man was quite short, about 5'5 and slightly overweight with thinning gray hair atop a weathered face and pale blue eyes, the woman smaller and plump with red hair dyed the color of a fire engine, her dark brown eyes in a round face cheerful. "Bonjour, monsieur et madame Malkin. Bienvenue a Ottawa", said Kris as smiled and shook their hands.

He was caught off-guard as Mrs. Malkin took his hand in her hands and kissed each cheek, followed by her husband. "Hello, Mr. Letang and Miss Gagnon. Zhenya tell us about you", said his father Vladimir Malkin in slow, halting English.

"Please call me Kris, Mr. Malkin. And this is my girlfriend Marie", he replied.

Marie had already seen how the Russian couple had greeted Kris so she was prepared when his mother kissed her cheeks. "My goodness, you are so tiny, but you are so pretty like a doll. Please call me Natalia, and may I call you Marie?", she asked, her English better than either her husband's or her son's with only a bit of an accent.

"Oui, Natalia", she replied.

"How was your flight, Natalia?", asked Ellen as Evgeni went to get the hotel keys.

"Da, it was so long, we fly from Moscow to London and then to Ottawa, that was almost twenty hours. And then we are going to stay in Ottawa for the game before flying back, we will be back in Pittsburgh in time for the playoffs", said Natalia with a chuckle as they all went upstairs.

"Kris, how much family do you have?", asked Marie.

"There's my Letang family, my mother and Andre and Hughette and Antoine and Jacques. It is a lot", he chuckled.

Kris yawned as a slight blush formed on his cheeks. "I have to take my nap, tonight is the All-Star Draft. You and Ellen can go sightseeing with the children, some of the other players are taking their kids around the city. I don't mind if you go", he said.

"That sounds like a good idea, I'll go ask Ellen if she is feeling better", said Marie, kissing him goodbye as she left the room.

"I'll stay here, I'm not sure if I can go out without having another fit. You and the bairns have a good time", said Ellen apologetically.

"I understand, see you later, Ellen", said Marie as Christine and the children followed her downstairs.

"Cool, we got some company here", said Flyers right winger Claude Giroux with a chuckle as Flyers center and his good friend Danny Briere just laughed. Claude was of average height and muscular with curly rust-colored red hair covered by a brown fur Russian hat and hazel eyes, wearing jeans and a blue hoodie while Danny was only about 5'9 and slim with longish dark brown hair and soft brown eyes, surrounded by his three sons who all had the same longish brown hair and dark eyes.

"Bonjour, messieurs. Is anyone else coming along?", asked Christine.

"I don't think so, reckon the others don't want to go anywhere, madame. I am Danny Briere and this Claude Giroux, and these are my sons Caelan, Carson and Cameron", said Danny as everyone shook hands.

"And I am Christine Allen and these are Andre and Hughette Gendron, and this is my son's girlfriend Marie Gagnon. What is there to see in Ottawa, I'm not familiar with the city", said Christine.

"Who's your son, Ms. Allen? I don't think there's anyone named Allen here at the game", asked Claude, looking a bit confused.

"Kris Letang, it's complicated Mr. Giroux", she replied.

Claude blushed as the boys giggled, his hat flopping about on his head. "Desole, madame", he mumbled.

"Oooh, you made Uncle Roo blush", laughed the oldest boy Caelan as his brothers couldn't stop laughing.

"Garcons, c'est pas gentil", chided Danny.

"Anyways, we can just go walking around the city, there's a lot of government stuff here and a children's museum. My family moved to Ottawa when I was in high school so I know my way around a bit", said Claude as he led the group outside.
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Lilith
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The curse???? :o OK, that gives us a hint!! Yet, just intrigues me more!!
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