04 - Bring the Pain

<< Eye for an Eye

The Unbelievable Mr Brownstone

She Is The Widow Maker >>

In Bring the Pain many themes are expanded, the main one, perhaps, being the development of Brownstone as a much more complex character. His KISS philosophy is gradually being undermined and dismantled, as the complexities of life encroach upon it. He and Shay and Alison interact extensively, Magic makes killing not as simple as it once was, and even his basic understanding of who he is, is in question.

Chapter One

Brownstone planning a trip to NY with Alison. Wants a comfortable car (Toyota, Hyundai), but also the maneuverability of 4-wheel drive. Not compatible. Took the Toyota (were stubborn and persistent even with a few rounds in the engine block), and will hope for the best. Maximum insurance. Was uncomfortable on the school grounds. There was just too much magic in one spot for his taste here. He was forced to confront the reality of being in a place where normal people were in the minority. He distrusted magic because it was a complicated tool rather than a simple solution, like a punch or a bullet to the head. And acting as a parent for a girl who could see souls and could often tell if someone was lying could be difficult. Alison liked Wicked. Not for the story line, she just loved the idea of being surrounded by the music and the energy of the crowd. The true glory was the bright colors of the souls of everyone in the room. It was as if the performance was tying them together into one giant entity awash in positive energy. Every note and every lyric rippled through the souls of the gathered crowd, the intensity and shades of their energy shifting in intensity with the song’s emotions. James was quiet. He was also satisfied, more satisfied than she’d seen in a while. James reminded Alison of the wicked Witch of the West- misunderstood. “She was really just trying to protect and help the people she cared about and fight bad guys. Just like you. Just remember that I will always believe in you, James.”

Chapter Two

The Harriken. The failure of the subordinate was the failure of the leader. That principle defined the Harriken. Luck was a lie. Destiny, a joke. There were only opportunities and those smart enough to seize them. “Most of the Harriken in America are now dead. People mock us on the internet and praise Brownstone as ‘the Scourge of Harriken.’ Unacceptable. Completely unacceptable.” Grandfather personally promised to take the head of James Brownstone and bring it stuffed to the table. The Harriken had no place for the incompetent. Strength demanded respect. Weakness should and would be purged. As he would be, if he failed. On the way out of the garage, Alison asked Brownstone if he liked his job. I guess I was just curious about if you ever get angry at people when you do your job.” Sure. Most of the people I go after are complete pieces of garbage, Alison. They’ve hurt a lot of innocent people, so yeah, I get angry a lot when I’m on the job, especially when they won’t come along quietly or hurt other people when I’m going after them.” If people hurt someone I love or even threaten to hurt someone I love, I get fucking angry.” “Have you ever thought about doing a different job? Your soul doesn’t match the angry bounty hunter. It’s...beautiful. It’s like you were meant for something else. You killed Pyro, didn’t you?” “I got really angry at the idea that he might go after you, so I finished him off. And I don’t regret it.” Alison started to cry, and Brownstone didn’t know what to do. He called Shay, showed Alison to her, and Shay told him to console her. He hugged her, and she buried her head on his shoulder, although she kept crying.

Chapter Three

As they were walking down the street, Alison saw three men going into a bank, and told James that “They’re planning something bad. I can see the evil streaks in their souls.” She suggested that he stop them before they hurt someone. “ I’ll call the police, but please go in there and stop them before someone gets hurt.” James crossed the street, pushed into the bank just in time to see the three men yank pistols from their coats. One fired into the air, and several people shouted or screamed. The other two swept the room on either side, guns at the ready. They pistol-whipped the guard with his own gun. “Everyone down. After that, if anyone moves,” the first man said, a rusty-haired man with an offset nose, “they fucking die.” He took out a cube, and instructed it be logged into a cashier’s terminal. Technology! Alison came into the bank, and was present all of the while James was defeating the robbers, including when being cuffed by the police. She stuck around while he was being questioned and released, and all of the while he was thinking that he wished Shay was there to talk about stuff.

Chapter Four

Brownstone drove Alison back to school. Their weekend of family fun had taken its toll, leaving the girl exhausted and napping on their way back. I think I’m almost as tired as when I was escaping all those hitmen. James wondered why he had become a bounty hunter, and why Alison had wanted to see him in action. Did she want to do the same? James looked at her, sleeping, and thought, You don’t have to make the same mistakes I did, kid. You can be better than me. And I want to make sure you will be. Back at school, as Alison was getting out of the car, James saw all of the boys start to run indirections away from them. Alison said they were scared, because she had told the Brownstone was her father, and that he was overprotective. And “What boy wants to risk making the Scourge of the Harriken mad?” When James get back to LA, Mack asks a favor of him. Would he take down a level one, Xander Stevens. He has info related to a case where a cop was killed. We got people looking for him, but you got all sorts of channels we don’t. Just your name makes shit happen, and we need this guy.” Sure, James would do it for Mack.

Chapter Five

Brownstone talked to Shay about Alison – worried that he’d corrupted her - shown her bad ways. “You’re overthinking this, Brownstone,” Shay told him. “You’re not corrupting some poor innocent girl. She’s a teenager who’s interested in exciting things, and even if she’d never met you she’d be doing stupid shit. That’s what teens do. What’s the matter? Are you so convinced that you’re a piece of shit that you have to look for any evidence to prove it? That girl can see souls. If you were a piece of shit she would have seen it, and if you even look like you’re becoming a piece of shit she’ll know. Maybe you should trust her.” Shay sighed and shook her head. “Just let me deal with you being a good man, first.”

THE BEGINNING OF THE ASSASSINS'/HARRIKEN THREAT

Grandfather has a plan for taking Brownstone. “It’s simple. When facing a monster you must use a monster, so I will be hiring five.” Shay checks the internet on needed assassins (her former profession), and sees that Tokyo is hiring ultra professionals, the first sign that they might be coming after Brownstone. “Everything those fuckers have thrown at me I’ve been able to deal with. “We need to deal with this. If you wait for these guys to get all set up it’ll be a lot more than your house that gets blown up, especially if they come at you when you don’t have the cops and the Marines watching your back. And that’s if they just come at you.” Tough as you are, even you weren’t ready for them to blow up your house. At the pay level they’re offering, we’ll probably get some magic ability, or at least the ability to deal with magic. And we both know how ruthless the Harriken are, so … At this level, Alison might not be safe even at that school if we wait too long. Magic can defeat magic. We need to hit them before they decide to attack you where you’re vulnerable.” Shay shrugged. “I’m not letting the closest thing I’ve had to a true family get killed.” “You need someone to watch your back. You think like a bounty hunter, not a killer. I’m a killer. I’m still a killer. I just don’t get paid to do it,” Shay said. “Point is, I think like a killer, and I know how to gather information on people like me. You need me on this.” “Should I give Alison her wish? It kind of feels that way.” “ Then we should go to Virginia and level with her.”

Chapter Six

Grandfather meets with five assassins in Tokyo. $2 million dead, $5 million if alive. In euros, not $US. “I wish to have some...entertainment with Mr. Brownstone before he dies. I have access to excellent doctors who can do a good job keeping him alive while I make him suffer. I will provide you with as much information as I have on the man. Use it however you want. I don’t care how you do it. I don’t care about collateral damage or innocent people dying. I only care that James Brownstone is either killed or brought to me.” James, Shay and Alison out to lunch, in Virginia. The Rolling Hills Barbecue Pit Stop. Shay had brought sound disruptors, so no one cold hear them talking. Alison thought BBQ a good idea, because Drow were supposed to be big meat eaters Protein needed? Wanted to talk about their futures, but wanted to eat first. Told Alison her legacy was a wish, from her Mom, which must be freely given “Yep, a wish. An actual honest-to-goodness wish. That was what the Harriken wanted. That was why they kidnapped her and planned to kidnap you—to force her to give them the wish. But it must be freely given. “Your mom did give the wish freely to someone, just not the Harriken.” Alison tilted her head, confused for a few seconds, then gasped. “You have it, James?” “Yeah. She gave it to me to hold onto. Told me to give it to you when the time was right.” Shay cleared her throat. “Gave it to him by kissing him, by the way.” “I’m about to fly halfway around the world to take on some bad guys on their turf and in their home country. I need to give it to you before I leave because if the worst happens your inheritance shouldn’t die with me.” “My mom kissed you?” “Sure. Their lips were locked like she was the Titanic and he was the iceberg,” Shay said. “Keep the wish,” the teen told him with a smile. “I don’t need it.” My only wish is that you come back, and if you need the wish to help with that, I want you to use it.”

Chapter Seven

James asked Alison if she could feel comfortable and call him Dad. He asked her if he could adopt her. She cried. For the first time in a long time James could see a future, something that wasn’t just pain and violence broken by the occasional barbecue feast. A family. He’d given up on the idea long ago, thinking no one could love an ugly and cursed freak like him, but Shay and Alison had both accepted him with all his faults and sins.

Shay had Peyton research the group, came up with the names. These are premium top-grade assassins, not just hit men. True killers; some of the best in the business. (See Groups, Assassins, Harriken Style) Brownstone worried about the Soul Collector.

Chapter Eight, Nine

THE AMULET NECKLACE

Brownstone decides to find out what his necklace can really do, what its cost to him might be, so asks Shay to research it for him. Shay took pictures of it with a regular lens, and with a UV filter. Showed glyphs with a UV filter, which Shay could research in her Warehouse Four Library. Asked him about the language he had spoken when he was found. Mostly pops and clicks. Xhosa?(Africa) Remember anything about the jungle? Colors? Plants? Animals? Amulet? It makes me tougher, improves my telekinesis, and...it hurts like fucking hell when I put it on. Does it make you stronger or faster otherwise? Still didn’t tell her about the voice whispering to him when he wore it. Shay went to her Warehouse Library, to look up the glyphs, which she had seen somewhere before. Found her reference in Ancient Pyramids of Latin America. Not Oriceran, maybe involving another planet.

Brownstone went to Black Sun, found it had been upgraded tremendously – paint, TV, tables and chairs, refinished bar. “This is the bar that betting for and against Brownstone built.” Brownstone wanted info on Xander Stevens. Tyler gave him a phone# to start his search. Peyton found out that some/all of the assassins might be on the move to the United states. Unclear who, or how many.

Chapter Ten

Brownstone finds Stevens, who begs to be forgotten, as he’s only a level-one bounty. Brownstone wants him to turn himself in, and Stevens agrees, and does so, several hours later. James goes to the Leanan Sídhe bar to ask the Professor for useful things to help in the fight with the assassins. Father O’Banion asks, for payment, that James participate in the Bard of Filth competition. (See Locations Leanan Sídhe, Bard of Filth Competition). Agrees, and O’Banion promises to look for things for him. Goes to Zoe’s, gets potions for himself and Shay. Zoe tells him he’s too much surrounded by killing and death for her, just a business deal from now on.

Chapter Eleven

Brownstone, wanting to insure a future for Shay and Alison in the event of his death by the assassins, goes to Tyler at the Black Sun Bar and makes a deal to set up a new betting pool on the action with the assassins. Good deal for all concerned (See Groups, Assassin Betting Pool) Shay goes to Professor Armstrong, an academic archaeologist, to help her solve the mystery of the glyphs. He recommends going to an Oriceran Scholar. Perhaps they know something we Earth people don’t know. Brownstone goes to house construction, talks with Trey. When house done, gong to have a big housewarming party! Trey likes that. Talks to Bill, foreman on job. With new expanded house, not a lot of yard space. That’s OK, no dog anymore. Wants to expand the basement, underground, ”off the books”, so not in official house plans. Also wants stronger counter tops. Special bonus for crew and Bill, if can do it. Can do.

Chapter Twelve

Assassins meet in Japan, to discuss order of “battle”. John Candle (America, guns), claims first try. Others will wait in Japan, allow Brownstone to come to them. Tyler has second thoughts on starting betting pool, helping Brownstone with anything. I’m better than you, asshole. Way better than you. Smarter than you. Better-looking than you. More fashionable than you. In the end, it’d be Brownstone who regretted making Tyler so much money. For now, he had a lot of planning to do. People wouldn’t ignore the possibility of Brownstone surviving this time, which meant Tyler needed more categories; more ways to skim profits off the gamblers. “I’ll win, Brownstone. I always fucking win in the end.”

Chapter Thirteen

Tyler was setting up the pool. It was the sweet rush of combining making money with the threat of James Brownstone’s death that entertained him. Brownstone brings him a list of the assassins whom he will be fighting. “The fucking UN of killers is coming after me? I’m uniting the world in my own way!” “It means we can get higher odds on your survival. Lieutenant Hall and three officers stood at the entrance to the bar. Tyler welcomed them in, (didn’t want trouble with e Police!) spouts off about how bounty hunters are not needed, how the police can handle everything, and Hall agrees. Hall makes the bar “Switzerland”, neutral territory for everyone- and we’re not going to worry about anyone while they are here.” (See Groups, The Assassin betting Pool.)

THE ASSASSINS AND THE HARRIKEN

Chapters Fourteen - Twenty-Four

Chapter Fourteen

Shay meets Candle at LAX, gives him a note from Brownstone, telling him to come to a construction area just past Terminal Five. Candle quickens pace. Shay changes appearances slightly, goes to Terminal Five, pulls out her gun, and waits for the attack to begin. Candle comes in, calls out to Brownstone. Shay ran toward the attacker, firing as she went. Candle fired at her, bullet turning corner to find her, then fired at her again. Candle intent in finding Brownstone, and on keeping Shay “dancing” to avoid bullets. Brownstone sends a reciprocating saw into his face, and Shay fires multiple shots into him, killing him. Shay wants to keep his gun,but it has turned into a pool of glowing liquid. Hall watches video of fight, and, because she had bet pro-Brownstone, anticipates the Caribbean Cruise she was going to take. Saw Shay in the fight, and started to make some calls, to find out who she was. Shay and Brownstone agree to go to Tokyo, as Peyton has said that the assassins are not coming to the US. Fake IDs and passports necessary. This is Tokyo, one of the largest cities in the world, and the Harriken have deep roots there. What they don’t control the Yakuza do, and the Harriken can call on favors from them.” Shay shook her finger. “And to the cops in Tokyo you’ll be nothing more than another foreign bounty hunter, not some local celebrity. No, we need to play this smart, which means we don’t fly into an island nation where killers are expecting us yelling at the top of our lungs that we’re there.” Has a decoy on another flight. Brownstone pays rent in advance for three months, so stuff will not be thrown out if he dies.

Chapter Fifteen

Brownstone meets Peyton. Peyton and Shay talk about Brownstone, and Shay’s relationships with him. Peyton thnks he’s not gay, just clueless, and that Shay will have to make all of the moves. Brownstone comes back from looking around the warehouse, and wants to start packing for Japan.

Chapter Sixteen

Brownstone and Shay booked morning flight to Narita, will get to Tokyo by early afternoon. Brownstone not happy about so much time in the air. Checks on Japanese National Police Agency Bounty Awareness app on his phone. “If I commit to three level-four or higher bounties we can ship our weapons legally, and then we don’t have to worry about extra bullshit. I can use a ‘registered agent’ to commit to the bounties it says. So I’ll just use the fake me as the registered agent. The point is, no reason to do it illegally if I can find us a way to do It legally. Illegal shit complicates everything, and this situation is complicated enough as it is. I’ve already found three bounties that should work. I’ll have to check in with the police on arrival to get the permits and officially they’ll all be for me. Assassins meet to decide who will try next. Connor (electricity guy).

Chapter Seventeen

James questioned by Police about knowledge of Japan’s Bounty Hunter Rules. Is familiar with them, agrees to them. He’d not declared his amulet as an artifact, nor the toys he’d borrowed from the Professor. Then again, smuggling artifacts remained far easier than smuggling weapons, since the authorities in most countries didn’t have a reliable and widespread away of easily detecting magical violations. Aware of the TEK, the Japanese anti-magic police. Shay and Brownstone discuss plan in hotel room. Brownstone to go after his bounty hits, Shay to go after the assassin, as she’s more experienced in magical items than he is. Shay’s philosophy - “Always remember, killers are killers and assassins are pussies, and I’m a killer.”

Chapter Eighteen

Brownstone hunting a Japanese level-five bounty. An unusual spike in suicides had led the authorities to investigate, and that had led to drone confirmation of a so-called “despair bug.” The name didn’t do justice to the huge monster Magic had returned to Earth, and its strong connection to Oriceran only underlined the fact that monsters were real and more than ready to prey upon mankind. Brownstone seeks the “bug” in a local stand of forest. He could tell he was getting closer now to his prey. The trees and bushes grew increasingly brown, their leaves withered and dying. Their very life force was being sucked out. The dying vegetation wasn’t the only change. Since he’d entered the forest he’d heard bugs or animals, but now heard only the quiet moaning of the wind and the crunch of branches under his feet. The one wildcard in the situation was the despair bug’s ability to get into people’s heads. From what he’d read, it only worked on people who already had issues with depression or sadness. The monster talks to James, in the guise of Father Thomas, his orphanage “father”, Thomas tries to convince him to take his own life, but James knows he’s fake, and shoots the vision. The real bug now shows itself, and James manages to knife it in the head and in its eyes, killing it. Connor had been watching, and admired James for killing the despair bug. Would have taken him out for a beer in other circumstances. But was perfect circumstance to take him down. Shay approached him, used a knife to his wrist, then to his throat. Got info re assassins, then slit his throat.

Chapter Nineteen

While Brownstone goes into the police station to receive his bounty money, Shay keeps watch outside, on street. Notices four Japanese women, old, young, police woman, young in pant suit, all in ankle-length black boots, looking at station. Guesses it’s Hisa, warns Blackstone. Put on your amulet! Go to subway, five blocks down the street, down, watch for black boots. Keep her busy. James does so, and, because he’s wearing the amulet, all of Hisa’s moves, plans, poisons cannot ham him. Shay comes up, stabs her in the back, kills her. James removes a small brush from his pocket, using blood paints a glyph on her forehead, and chants a spell. A small black portal opens, starts sucking the body into the Oriceran in between world, just as the professor had said it would. Another one down. Shay goes to the restroom, calls Alison,tells her it’s all OK, just two more and the Harriken to go.

Chapter Twenty

Brownstone decides to go after another registered bounty, Japanese, in his early twenties, a serial killer who uses magic somehow to paralyze his victims, then disembowels them while they are still alive. From what I’ve read, this asshole’s been picking up the pace the more the media talks about him. He also left some sort of note ranting about the corruption of society, and how anyone who is helping fight the chaos is a tool of darkness and shit like that.” Trevor (poisons) to try, next. Brownstone running ads, challenging the serial killer, to make him come out to defend his honor. The Cleaner came, taunted James and they talked about why he killed. Rude people deserved to die, etc., James called for more lunch, and the owner brought out two plates of beef. The Cleaner began eating from his, and after a few seconds fell dead onto the table poisoned, as Shay had warned. Police already have Trevor’s body, so Brownstone picked up bounty, and walked out. Tyler tells Brownstone that Hall (AET chick) still betting that Brownstone would survive.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sabine calls Brownstone, asking him to come to a construction site, along with Shay, whom she is aware of. Will take on both of them. Almost feels like a casual encounter, Sabine in jeans, tennis shoes, and cream-colored top, Shay and James in coats. Amulet’s whispers grow louder and more insistent in his mind as if the amulet was worried about something. Sabine didn’thave a gun or any weapon, just her necklace, which she addressed and “asked Grendel to give her strength and make her his revenge claws.” Sabine, James and Shay knock, kick, slam, and punish each other for a long while, Shay concentrating on destroying the necklace with bullets, James on keeping Sabine occupied with bodily activities. Eventually, James thrust a spike through her head as Sahay shot at the neckalace again and again this time exploding it. The spike had gone through Sabine’s head, and she was dead. James again put the body into the in between.

Chapter Twenty-Two

As James and Shay prepare to go after the Harriken, Detective Sakamoto informs them that there are some gas repairs in the Azabu area that need immediate attention, and that the police wold be re-routing traffic in that area so that innocent people would not be in danger from the potential “explosions”. James asks, “What if someone was to go to Azabu and, you know, speed up the process of fixing the gas leak. What would you say to that?” “I think anyone who could do that would find that quiet appreciation sometimes works better than public praise. Now, the local police have to concentrate on keeping civilians away from any potential explosions and they aren’t going to interfere with a public works specialist in the performance of his duty. We would appreciate that, and I’ll also note that it will be easier for people evaluating the damage after the fact if certain people weren’t around to draw attention to themselves.” Shay tells Brownstone his necklace has nothing to do with demons, and that he definitely needs to wear it. She believes he’s not from Earth, not even Oriceran, but from another planet. And his amulet is not so much a weapon as a tool for turning someone into a weapon, I think. A few of those glyphs have something to do with war.” “I’m some sort of living weapon? If what you’re saying is true…fuck, I’m just becoming what I was supposed to be. I don’t know if I like the idea that I’m some sort of weapon.” “A weapon’s not evil or good, Brownstone. It’s all about who’s holding it.” “If I’m the weapon, who is holding me?” Shay shrugged. “For now, I guess maybe me?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Grandfather was ready. The bulk of the might of the Harriken were now concentrated in the Tokyo headquarters.. A drone spotted Brownstone and an unknown woman driving in their general direction, but he’d jammed the machine, and now they couldn’t be sure when he would attack—only that it was soon. Brownstone had to be destroyed to reclaim their honor, but the man had provided a valuable service. He’d reminded the Harriken that victory was always fleeting. The Police would not interfere. “Cowards. They don’t even intend to fight. They will let this foreigner fight for them.” Grandfather looked down at the enchanted Masamune tachi lying across his table. “We have weapons.” “Brownstone is powerful. No one denies that, and I will grant him the respect he’s earned as a worthy foe, but he’s just a man. He has trinkets, but so do we. He bleeds, and his heart can stop.” “I trust that our bravest men have been given our best weapons?” Brownstone and Shay plant explosive charges all around the buildings, including the parking garages. James pulls out two amulets from the Professor, gives one to Shay, puts the other one on himself (need to be returned). Also pulls out a small clay urn, and sets it on top of a car in the garage. Another of the Professor’s gifts. (Does not need to be returned.) The Harriken believe they can defeat Brownstone and Shay if they can get them inside. Now the two will give them the show they expect. Brownstone launched a missile from one of his rocket launchers.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Shay and Brownstone, starting at the door, shoot, explode grenades, and kill on each floor, wiping out almost all of the Harriken so far. James uses the Professor’s urn, breaking a wand to initialize its action, and soon seven ghost skeletons climb the stairs, to help them eliminate anything with a magical quality. Th extra amulets they were wearing protected them from those creatures. Leaving blood and destruction in their wake, they proceeded to the tenth floor. Both James and Shay downed their healing potions as they prepared for the last battle. The skeletons, still silent as ever, turned on each other, clawing, biting, and ripping. They spilled no blood, but each blow took a piece until only a pile of slowly fading ghostly bones remained. They were self-destructing, as promised, because they were the only magic things left. “Sometimes you have to fight magic with magic.” Shay shrugged. “That’s the world we live in now.” James opened the door to the last office. The leader of the Harriken stood behind a small table that was low to the ground. He was clad in an elaborately patterned kimono and held a tachi. “I am Grandfather. I lead the Harriken, and I will be the man to take your life, James Brownstone.” “That a Masamune?” “Of course, Brownstone,” Grandfather replied with a smirk. “I applaud you for making it his far, but we both know you will fall before this sword.” As they began to move toward each other, Shay fired, killing Grandfather. . “It was either that or get a ruler out and offer to measure your dicks,” she snorted. “Fuck, Brownstone, were you going to talk him to death?” Shay ran to a computer in the corner, inserted a thumb drive and called Peyton to hack into their systems before Brownstone blew it all up. Tyler and the group watched on TV, as the Harriken Headquarters in Tokyo exploded. Halls comment was, Wish you would have pulled that stunt here. Then I could have cuffed you and stuffed you. I’m not even gonna bother to call the Japanese police and tell them to get a voice-print match. You probably have them sucking your cock already. But this shit isn’t over, Brownstone. Once you’re back in America, your ass will be mine eventually. And she promised herself that she would identify the woman who was with Brownstone. She was too clean, like a ghost. “I’ll get back to this shit when I have time.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

James visits Father McCartney, tells him of his works. Father tells him to take some time off. Spend some time in prayer for the next few days, reflecting on what our Lord wants from us all. Take a week away from your job and try to remember the humanity you’re protecting rather than being crushed by the darkness of the evil you’re used to dealing with. I wanted to thank you for the stock. I can’t express how much good it has done for both the Church and the orphanage. Whatever you feel about what just happened, remember the good you’ve done that doesn’t involve violence.” James Goes to the Leanan Sídhe to return the artifacts he had borrowed, and learns that the contest is still on, just not that night.

James heads for the door, and finds Shay with him He took a moment to drink in Shay’s beauty, her athletic body, her long dark hair, and even the brightness of her smile. “Didn’t you think I was gay?” James .murmured. “We all make mistakes. I figured out that you’re just thick. It’s fine. I understand now. The question is, do you? Do you understand how I feel?” “You sure about this? Especially after everything you’ve seen and found about me? I’m not even human, according to you.” “Well, at least you have a human body.” James snorted. “Yeah, I do.”They stared at each other for another moment before they exited the pub hand in hand.

Alison, Shay and James talking about Alison and her adoption. “Anyway, like I said, it doesn’t matter. Family is family, and I would love for you to adopt me. You’re the first man who has actually cared for me, and it’s funny how you pick on the boys.” “Don’t worry about it,” Alison told him. “I’m just happy I’m going to be your daughter officially.” The girl let out a happy sigh. “I know you can’t see it, but it’s...beautiful how our energies are connected now.” James smiled. “That’s great, kid. That’s great.” "Oh, and does this mean that Shay will be my Mom?" James just laughed. Guess I should have figured out she’d see that.