Yuku free message boards

***This chapter is dedicated to four very wonderful people at the Criss Angel fan forum: AreYouReady15, Aescleah, rachel02189, and MoonFlower. If you stop over there at all, give them a hello!***

At a restaurant across town, life had gone on as regularly as it could. Families came and went, business meetings being held, friends hanging out and catching up with each other... This was the case at a corner booth near the back of the restaurant. Three excited girls sat huddled together around pictures and plates of food, talking to each other and bursting out in loud laughter occassionally, catching a few stares from the other customers at the tables next to theirs.

"Oh my God, Anita, I can't believe you did that!" a brown haired girl named Devina softly exclaimed, after being told a story of her recent adventures.

"I can't believe that, either," spoke up the third friend, Rachel. "That's amazing!"

"I know, I'm still in shock. It's going to sink in after about a few days, let me tell you."

"Speaking of still being in shock," interrupted Rachel, "we have to tell you about what we saw a few days ago-- Criss Angel's stunt!"

Anita gasped. "You guys actually saw one of those? While I was away, too... lucky."

"But this one, oh my God, it was so..." Devina trailed off as she tried to find a suitable word for what she saw.

"It's too freaky for words," finished Rachel.

"What happened?" asked Anita, definetely curious now. She listened patiently as her two friends tag-teamed each other in telling her about the stunt-- some parts in great detail. When they finished, she sat back in shock. "Wow, that would freak me out also... extremely! Is he okay?"

"Yeah, or at least, I hope he is," answered Rachel.

"I would not want to be there if he does get hurt, which I really hope he doesn't," Devina said, quickly adding in the last part. The other two girls nodded in silent agreement. If their idol had somehow injured himself, there would be a massive wave of shocked Loyals all over the U.S.

"The paramedics were gorgeous, almost like they stepped out of an E.R. episode," stated Rachel, wanting to change the subject.

"Yeah, the guy paramedic was cute. He's probably taken, though," Devina added, munching on a fry.

"Wouldn't that just be it, too?" Anita asked. "He'd probably be dating the other paramedic there."

"Then they'd be such a cute couple! She was so pretty, wasn't she Devina?" asked Rachel. At her friend's nodding, she continued. "She's about as tall as me, with extremely dark hair, almost black, and these really, really, golden brown eyes! She definetely had to be wearing contacts or something, because they were almost unreal."

"Well, then again, you never know what genetics will give you nowadays," stated Anita.

"That's true," added Devina.

The girls' conversation continued on for another few minutes, when they had unanimously decided to leave the restaurant and see what else Las Vegas had to offer them today. Some of the other customers were happy about this, others could care less... but one lone person sitting at a table watched them leave, a speculative expression on his face. He couldn't help but listen to the girls' conversations, and was almost glad that they were louder talkers when grouped together. He mused over what one girl, Anita, had stated. 'You never know what genetics will give you nowadays'... I guess luck, maybe even fate, runs that same way, too.

He snapped out of his thoughts when his waitress came by with his platter. "I'm sorry that took awhile," she apologized to him. She straightened from setting the plate down in front of him, then asked, "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Joel smiled up at her, and after taking a quick glance at her nametag, answered, "Well, Ashley, if I can think of anything at all that could make this even more perfect, I'll let you know."

Ashley felt her smile widen at his niceness. "Alright, sir, enjoy your meal," she said before turning and walking back into the kitchen.

Joel briefly watched her leave, then turned to his meal. He now had a very interesting turn of events, plus a modified plan circling around in his head. But, before I do any of that, I should check and make sure that time hasn't made me too rusty... He glanced back towards the kitchen as he thought of the one thing that could make his day more...

"Perfect," he said to himself.

Costa politely knocked on the door to Isabella's apartment around ten minutes to seven. Sure, he was early, but it was either that or face the furry pink wrath that would be his brother driving back from the airport terminal. Still chuckling to himself over that, he raised his arm to knock again, when it opened.

Mike blinked as he saw Costa on the other side of the door. "Hey, back again I see," he greeted Costa.

Costa laughed. "Yeah, for some odd reason, I can't stay away. I'm actually here to pick up Isabella, and I know I'm early--"

"It does not matter, because I am ready," Isabella stated as she joined them. Costa forced himself not to drop his jaw, but had a feeling if he did it would go through the floor easily. She was dressed to kill in a red handkercheif-style dress that fell about mid-calf, with an identical colored wrap draped across her arms and closed toe heels. Isabella mistook his shocked silence for something else, and asked, "I am too over-dressed, am I?"

"No! No, that's just fine," Costa said quickly. "It's just that you look very beautiful in that dress."

A small flush crept up her face as she turned her face away and giggled. "You are quite the charmer, Costa."

"Well, no, there's a bigger charmer in the family."

Isabella smiled as she walked up to Costa and kissed his cheek. "Right now, I would beg to differ."

Costa chuckled as Mike got Isabella's attention. He gave her a small purse and quickly told her the contents before giving her a hug. Costa then held his arm out to her. "Our chariot awaits us," he told her.

Isabella giggled again, taking his arm. "As does an eventful night, to say the least."

~~

Dimitra smiled as she walked into her son's suite. She was so proud of all of her son's hard work, and was very glad to see it pay off. Her sons had learned well about working hard, and they couldn't have had a better teacher. Her smile softened as she remembered her late husband. He would be so proud of his boys.

Criss interrupted her from her thoughts by stepping up to her and wrapping her up in a hug. Her smile renewed as she hugged him back. "Hello, Christopher, how are you?"

"I'm doing fine, Mom. How was your flight?"

"It was very nice... but Christopher... why was JD dressed as a pink rabbit?"

Criss fought hard to supress his chuckle. Succeeding after covering it in a cough, he said, "I have no idea, and I didn't have a part in it."

Dimitra shook her head at her youngest son. "Every time I come here, something always happens that makes me want to stay and make sure the three of you stay in line," she told him. "This time, I'm almost glad that it's not because of you and one of your dangerous illusions." She then looked around the nearly full room of Criss' production team and staff members of his store. "Well, I saw two sons, where is the third?"

Criss thought for a second, then replied, "He said he had to pick up something, and would be back soon."

No sooner had those words left his lips did the suite door open to reveal a smiling Costa-- and the one person that he thought he would never see again in his life. His eyes widened, and he snapped his mouth shut to keep from swearing right in front of his mother. Dimitra, however, only noticed the direction that Criss was looking and turned to see her third son standing in the doorway. She called his name out in joy and stepped up to him and gave him a hug as well. He stepped away from his "date" long enough to do so, but when he saw Costa introducing Dimitra to the "paramedic from hell", he stepped into the conversation. "Costa! Glad you made it back!" he said loudly, then grabbed one of his hands in a very firm grip and pulled him into a hug. As soon as he did, he whispered in his ear, "What the hell is going on, why is she here, did you invite her?"

Costa pulled his hand out of Criss' grip and continued what he was saying. "Mom, Isabella works as a paramedic."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Dimitra exclaimed. "You must not have been at one of Christopher's dangerous stunts, I surely would have remembered you."

Isabella laughed. "Mrs. Sarantakos, you are too kind. But, unfortunately, I have been to one of his dangerous stunts."

Criss blinked. "Unfortunately?" he asked her, allowing a little bit of hostility in his tone.

"Yes, because I now know why your family worries about you so much, Christopher," she answered politely.

She must have ignored the tone I used, or not noticed it at all...

"Well, I hope my son wasn't too much a trouble for you, was he?"

Oh, no, not that question! God, I'm screwed!!!

Isabella took a deep breath before answering. "Well... he was a challenge."

Dimitra, however, saw through that polite reply and turned to her youngest son, who was now feeling two feet tall, and shrinking rapidly. "Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos?"

Crapcrapcrapcrap. "Yes?"

"Apologize to her right now."

Criss started to protest, but Isabella beat him to it. "He does not have to--"

"I insist that he does. My boys know that this kind of behavior will not be allowed in this family, so he will therefore apologize."

A triumphant smile crossed Costa's face, and Isabella looked down to at least hide hers. I'm going to kill Costa, no doubt about it. "I apologize for behaving so rudely to you," he spoke clearly for Dimitra's benefit.

Isabella paused, as if to mull over his apology. To Criss, it was the longest pause ever, done specifically to make him sweat. She finally looked at him and said, "I accept your apology."

A breath he didn't even realize he was holding whooshed out of him. Dimitra smiled, happy with the results. "Now, you two go and have a wonderful conversation, and Costa and myself will leave you two alone."

"What?" That question shot out of both Criss and Isabella before either could stop it.

"You two heard me, go and talk with each other. Costa, come with me for a second," she replied, grabbing Costa by the arm. The look on his face as he was pulled away showed one of extreme joy seeing his little brother squirm.

Fantastic. Simply fantastic. "Okay, who's idea was this?" That way I know whose name to put on the headstone.

Isabella pulled her wrap higher up on her arms and crossed them. "It is not my place to say."

Before Criss could reply, JD's voice cut through the crowd. "Isabella, I'm glad you made it!" The two exchanged hello's to each other before JD whisked her away into the crowd... in an all too-crafty move to make sure that he couldn't simply escort her to the door earlier than he should. Screw just killing one brother, I'm going to kill them both. They'll be dead, and I'll be happy!

Isabella couldn't have been more thankful when she was pulled away by JD. If she had stood there with Criss fuming at her for much longer, she most likely would have given in and told Criss about Costa's plan. She wanted Costa to remain healthy, whole, and in one piece, because she liked him.

She had been talking to Dimitra for a little while and found her to be very funny and wise. She was often reminded of her own mother when talking to Dimitra. Her mother was never short of any lessons to teach to her, so it was no suprise when she felt herself at ease with Dimitra.

A faint beeping sound broke her from her thoughts, and when Dimitra looked at her expectantly, she suddenly remembered her beeper in her purse. She pulled it out and looked at the screen, a blush covering her face. She looked at a little screen, and a familiar number showed up. Joshua's number? Oh, no, an emergency! She looked back up at Dimitra and said, "I am completely sorry about this, but I have to leave."

Dimitra didn't need to be told that, she could tell by the sudden serious look that something had happened. She held up a hand in front of her as she apologized. "Don't worry about that, I understand that you have your work to focus on."

Isabella wanted to hurry, but common curtosey told her to stay long enough for goodbyes. She stuck out her hand for Dimitra to shake and said, "It was wonderful meeting you, Mrs. Sarantakos." She was surprised when she was taken into a hug.

When they pulled away, Dimitra said, "It was nice meeting you too, and you stay safe!"

Isabella smiled, then left the party, pulling her cell phone out of her purse. She would always remember Dimitra, that she was sure of.

~~

Criss was talking to Dave, his manager, out in the hallway next to the doorway of his suite. He would have held this conversation with Dave inside, but not while she was there. There was just something about her that irked him on some deeper level. Granted, she might have the same feelings for him, and yes, they might be his fault, but she really needed to loosen up in his honest opinion. So, rather than sulk from across the room and glare daggers into the back of her head all night, he may as well avoid her. But, as his luck would have it, who would leave the room at this opportune time but her. Figures.

"Leaving already?" he asked her, keeping the huge amount of hope out of his voice.

Isabella could still detect it, though, so she said, "Yes, I am. I have lives to save." She leaned in a little bit and raised her brows for emphasis on the last part of that sentence.

He was just about ready to let a sarcastic retort fly when she answered the cell phone she was holding. Oh, how he wanted to take her cell phone and smash it into little tiny pieces... or better yet, make it disappear. Sure, he was being childish and a little bit immature, but she started it.

She broke away briefly from her conversation with Josh and turned her attention to the two men in front of her. Criss looked just about ready to kill something, but she forced herself not to take any steps backwards. "How do I get to Body English from here?"

He only half listened as Dave gave her the directions. She really didn't strike him as the type that would be sneaking away from a party that they were invited to to go club hopping... and without shoes, nonetheless, as she quickly pulled them off with one hand. This girl just gets stranger and stranger... "You're going to Body English without shoes on... because...?"

She glanced up from pulling off her shoes with one hand as she heard his question. "I do not mean to sound rude, but that really is none of your business." She straightened with her shoes in one hand, quickly told Josh that she would be there as fast as possible, then hung up. She gave the men a small nod and said, "Please excuse me," before turning around and taking off for the nearest elevator. Time was of the esscence, but she really wished that the suite wasn't so high up so that she wouldn't have to wait for the elevator and just take the stairs.

Criss was wondering if she simply made up that emergency so that she could get away without seeming like the evil person that she was. But, nonetheless, she was leaving now, so that was a small victory for him, managing to get out of this sticky situation fully intact and not insane. But then, she turned and ran from him. Something that couldn't be overlooked even in the most normal of situations-- maybe she really had an emergency to get to. But the sight of her running away from him triggered something in his mind...

... she was the girl from his dream.

He sucked in a breath as the truth was realized to him, and he started after her. "Hey, wait!!!" he shouted after her. He started running top speed after her, to try to catch her before the elevator left, but the door finished closing as he got to it. He pounded his fist on the metal door in frustration, then started for the stairwell only to stop. This wasn't a different building, where he could just run down and catch up to her as she left-- this was the Luxor. He may be good, but he wasn't that good. But now, he was definetely going to have a talk with Costa and JD about the paramedic... Damn, what's her name again? I've been dreaming about her for the last week or so, plus I met her in person, you'd think I'd know her name by now! Suddenly remembering how he treated her once he met her in person, he beat on the elevator door again. How was she going to believe him now?!

Well, that was easier than I thought, Joel mused to himself. Almost like riding a bike... you can never forget. As he took a break from his work, he gazed up at the stars overhead. He should probably wait until everything's died down to try to go after the paramedic... Isabella, he believed her name was. That one woman was the reason that he was such a good boy and stayed out of trouble in jail.

Most people would think that was sweet. He knew that she probably wouldn't think the same way.

Then again, waiting was something that he did for the past twenty-three years of his life. He was starting to get impatient. Maybe he'd pay her a visit tomorrow... but first, to finish his new 'garden'...

~~

Criss paced in his suite the next morning for what seemed like an eternity. He had asked his brothers for help when it came to Isabella, but after getting teased about his intentions with her he decided to go off on his own. But, believe it or not, in a city as huge as Vegas, it's incredibly hard to find someone that doesn't really like you. "Maybe there's a reason for that," he said to Hammie, who was sitting on the couch watching his owner pace. He blinked when Criss spoke to him and flicked his tail idly. "You're probably thinking I'm an idiot for not realizing that, huh?" Criss then asked. Hammie then looked away and leapt off the couch, running into the other room. "Of course," Criss said.

Should I call the hospital and ask for her? But what if she's on call? And am I supposed to dial 9-1-1 just to get a hold of someone who works there? Criss stopped pacing then. Why should I call? She has the opportunity to just hang up on me, but if I'm there, then she'd have to see me! At least, I hope. He grabbed his keys and his coat before he could change his own mind and left with what he hoped was a good, solid plan.

He pulled into the back of the parking lot and climbed out, feeling like a bundle of nerves. What does one really say to someone that you intentionally made mad at you, not only by insulting her in a different language but doing various other things? 'Hi, I don't think you remember me, but I'm the one that stated my obvious dislike for you in a few different ways. Anyways, I had this dream about you about a week ago, and I really do think that you're going to be killed by someone that just got out of jail, but you gotta trust me, because in the dream I save you.'

Yeah, he was screwed. If she didn't take a swing at him, she's most likely throw something. Looking up from the ground, he froze in place as he saw a certain someone enter the hospital... "Damn, don't tell me I'm going to be too late!" Criss said as he picked up his pace.

~~

Criss had to love being an illusionist sometimes. He learned many things in his line of work-- how to pick handcuffs and locks, loads of tricks with cards, even levitating... but at this point, what he was most thankful for was the art of misdirection. Apparently, it was a busy day at the hospital, and the sudden loud beeping of an alarm had several people, including Joel, turning to the sound long enough for Criss to quickly sneak in through the door that held the patients. He figured that he'd search around in there, maybe ask a couple of people...

Isabella was busy finishing an accident report, and didn't see where she was going until she bumped into someone. "Oh, excuse..." she said, looking up at his face. Her mouth dropped and she said in astonishment, "You..."

It seemed like Criss' luck was turning around. "Listen to me, you have--"

"No, you have to leave. You cannot be back here unless you are a patient, or you are visiting with someone."

And, just like that, it turned right back. "I am 'visiting with someone', that certain someone happens to be you."

"Oh, you wanted to throw in a couple of more insults for the rest of my family?"

Criss took a deep breath and forced his hands to remain at his sides. "You're in danger," he said sharply.

Isabella knew this already, so she arched a brow. Criss, thinking that look meant she didn't believe him, let out a sharp breath in exasperation. "You're in danger because a very dangerous man is here to cause you bodily harm, maybe even kill you!"

"Will you stop describing yourself, please?"

Criss laughed, clenching his fists, before bringing his hands up to her shoulders and leaning forward to look her in the eyes. "I'm sure you've heard of Joel Macentyre, yes? Well, don't ask me how I know, but he wants you for some reason, and it's not good at all."

"Yes, yes, I know!" Isabella snapped, not realizing what she was saying until it was too late. When she did, her face flushed and she turned away.

"You do?" Criss asked in confusion, straightening. Still feeling put off by the annoyance in her tone, he said, "Okay, 'Ms. Smarty-Pants', did you know he's here now? Out in the lobby?"

Isabella's heart skipped. Her clipboard fell to the floor as she turned around, her eyes widening as the fear mounted. "No..." she breathed.

There, you guys are just about caught up!

Costa was in the parking lot of the Luxor, just starting to dial his younger brother's cell number, when he heard more than saw the black Lambo screech into the parking lot and to a stop. He started towards the car, his curiousity building with his confusion. Once he was close enough to the car to see who the passenger was, his confusion overtook the curiousity. What is Criss doing with Isabella? Whatever it was, it must not have been good, since she was gripping the seatbelt with one hand and the door handle with the other, looking very pale.

Criss stepped out of the driver's side and rounded the car, only to be stopped from opening the other door by Costa's hand on his arm. "What did you do, why is she here? Did you kidnap her or something?"

"Or something," Criss replied, distracted. He shook off Costa's hand and opened the door as far as he could, since she was still holding onto it with a death grip. Her eyes were closed, and she was panting as if she had run a 5K marathon.

Costa noticed her condition as well, as Criss tried to loosen the hold on the door. "She looks like she's going to faint... what happened?"

"Joel," Criss muttered in reply. That finally made Isabella open her eyes. She looked around, quickly taking in the new surroundings, before she realized that someone was trying to pry her hand from the door. She finally let go, flexing her fingers as she did and stretching out the cramps. She let go of and took off the seatbelt as well, since she was sure that the car wouldn't be going anywhere with her still in it.

"Joel?" Costa repeated in confusion. "That one guy you keep dreaming about?" In a softer voice, he asked Criss one more question: "Did it actually happen?"

"Yes, yes, and no. I'm not sure, but I think I prevented the third one from happening."

"Whoa," he replied, the full gravity of the situation hitting him. His brother could have nearly gotten killed today... by something other than his illusions. Criss hadn't bothered to say anything after that, wanting to get inside the Luxor now. He looked back over his shoulder, to see if that truck was coming. Even though he sped through the Las Vegas traffic as best as he could, he was almost worried that Joel would catch up to them. But he didn't see the truck following them at all.

Criss didn't know if he should be grateful for that or even more worried...

~~

Isabella heard the conversation around her, but was too shocked over the events to comment on them. She felt herself being led back up to Criss' suite, which she hadn't had a good look at, even while she was at the dinner party. Very spacious and well-furnished, it was something she wasn't used to seeing, and gave her the feeling that she should be very careful of everything she did so that she wouldn't wreck anything.

Criss led her to his couch and sat her down in it before kneeling in front of her. "You okay?" he asked her. At her quick nod, he stood again and let her collect her thoughts while he went back to have a hushed conversation with his brother. She focused on taking slower, calmer breaths as she looked around the suite again, only to jump slightly when she heard a thump coming from beside her. She jerked her head around with a gasp only to see a cat looking at her curiously.

She chuckled softly to herself and forced herself to calm down. Looking back at the cat, she studied it closer as it leaned over to sniff her hand cautiously. A slow smile crept across her face as she watched the action, then let out a soft laugh as he started nuzzling her hand. As she scratched him behind an ear, he started to purr, then moved forward to curl up in her lap. "You are one spoiled cat, are you not?" she softly asked as she stroked his fur.

"His name is Hammie," Criss stated, coming back to kneel in front of her again. Gently scratching his cat's head, he explained, "He's a ham for the spotlight."

She laughed, then said with a very sincere look, "Thank you for helping me."

He smiled back at her. "No problem. Only thing is, I don't know what we should do next. I don't know if you should stay here and wait this out, or what."

"I think we should call the police."

He hung his head and sighed. "That's what I want to do too," he said. That was the first idea that came out of his mouth while talking to Costa, but he brought up a very good point to him. "Here's the problem: they can't really do anything."

"What do you mean?"

"He didn't harm you or threaten you in any way. He just got out of jail, so of course he's going to have that 'scary person' factor on him for a little while. And he didn't even follow us anywhere. Unless something else happened that I don't know about, there's nothing they can do."

The problem for her was, something did happen. Only, it happened twenty-three years before, and she died from it. If she told anybody that, they most likely would suspect her to be crazy more than they would suspect Joel to still be a threat. Oh, how she wanted to curse at the unfairness of it all!

Her phone ringing made her jump, scaring Hammie into clawing her legs a little before jumping away. She forced herself once again to relax as she pulled the phone out of her pocket. It was most likely her boss, wanting to know where she was. Scrambling to come up with an explanation, she answered. "Hello?"

"Hello," a smooth male voice replied in her ear.

It didn't sound like her boss, yet he said nothing else. "I am sorry, who is this?" she asked him.

He laughed into the receiver, then replied, "Why are you even asking, silly girl? You know who this is... you know very well who I am."

Her grip on the phone tightened as her eyes grew big, and it felt like the air had been sucked entirely from the room. "Joel..."

"Bingo."

*evil laughs* It's working...