Arthit's POV------

The next couple of days were filled with police reports, body guard duty and keeping Kongpob comfortable and still. It looked like he might be one of those patients that didn’t want to listen to their doctor.

As he became more lucid, he halfheartedly asked some leading questions. Perhaps neither of us was quite ready for the answers yet, so he allowed me to avoid answering.

I wasn’t sure how I wanted to answer, and the hospital wasn’t the best place to answer most of them anyway. How do you tell someone you are in love with them after knowing them for such a short time ?? How do you tell the person you love that you are a Vampire ?? That your Vampire strength is what helped you break the chains holding him to the piano like they were made out of tissue paper. That the reason you were able to reach at the right time to save him because you felt the mating pull, pulling you towards him, Oh, and by the way, one more thing..... I also feel the urge to feed from you like crazy, since I met you and you were nearly killed by me if my family wasn't there to protect you from Me.

For now, it was easier to ignore those things and continue learning about him. I was right, He was a bad patient, but he was getting healthier. He had more hours where he didn’t need the pain pump, and the doctors let him off of it by the end of the week. He was still taking pain meds by mouth, and that would continue for some time.

The wound in Kongpob’s side was healing well. He was told that he wouldn’t be allowed to do anything strenuous for six weeks, with some light exercise starting at the four week mark. When I learned that information, I breathed a sigh of relief, before regretting the action as I remembered what a bad patient he was. I didn’t know if he would actually listen to the doctors regarding resting.

His orthopedic surgeon told him that the bones in his hand would need to knit before he could do anything further. He would be in the cast for six weeks. He also let him know that he felt Kongpob would play again. Noor came in as his therapist on the sixth day to show him a few things that he could do while in the brace. The doctors agreed that he could be discharged on next week if he listened to them with regard to resting and taking care of himself.

Kongpob continued to fight the doctors and display bad patient behavior. He wanted to be well right now, and his doctors finally had to threaten him with permanent disability if he didn’t follow their orders. His frustration was evident as he fought to keep still and do as ordered. I longed to wrap my arms around him and hold him close each time the look of frustration was replaced by one of near defeat because of the situation. I did find myself running my fingers through his hair at the moments where I could see him start to tense up. It did seem to help him.

Officer Mike came in on Thursday to get Kongpob’s statement about the kidnapping. He told us that Maya had gone totally nuts when she was informed of her mother’s death. She had spewed enough information at that point that Mike was sure that she would be found guilty on all charges when her trial came up in the spring. We all have to be available to testify then.

Guardian Angels were still on guard duty. It had been leaked that Kongpob was in this hospital, and the press was very anxious, actually quite rabid, to talk to him.

His fans were also trying to get close to him. Bright, Jenny or I were with him 24/7. Jenny had caught a young woman wearing a badly fitted nurse’s uniform trying to give Kongpob a sponge bath. His face had been very red as he tried to keep her hands away from him while trying to grab the nurse call button with his good hand. She was trying to yank his shirt off. It’s a good thing that it was Jenny who caught the girl because I may have had to kill her.

How dare she touched......
MY MATE !!

May and Aim came by every evening. They were back in their own house now, the flowerbeds had been replanted and the feeders replaced. The back of the house had been cleaned up and had a fresh coat of paint. May closed up the office at the University and moved it back to Kongpob’s house. She put a lot of effort into postponing the rest of the concert tour indefinitely. Kongpob didn’t want to cancel because he thought that would give him a goal to work towards. His doctor thought that was a great idea as well. Maybe he thought it would help him be a better patient and take more care of himself.

Once his head was cleared of the drugs, we discussed his recovery and where it should take place. He couldn’t be home alone for at least two more weeks, and even after that, it would be months before he would be back to 100% health.  He really wanted to go home…home to Oregon. And I wanted to go with him. I felt that it was mostly my fault that Kongpob had been taken and injured. If only I had realized sooner that there were two stalkers. He would have been safer. I never would have left him alone. The guilt was only part of the reason though. I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit the real reason. I wanted to stay with him because I just couldn't stand the thought of being away from him for any length of time. I didn't know exactly how he felt about me, but I was the first face he looked for every time he woke up. Then he would smile, and all was right with my world at that moment. 

Noor provides me, my food supply in her office room, twice in a week. It helped, as Kongpob's blood was becoming more and more potent as the effects of the transfusion ebbed. I felt like I was in control of my blood lust right now. I didn't know how much of that was because I was just so grateful that he was alive and with me, or if my control had grown over the time we had spent together.  And the amount of time that we spent together was a lot. Kongpob and I were together nearly all of his waking moments and most of his sleeping ones as well. I would kiss him to sleep after he used the pain pump those first couple of days. His kisses filled me with awe. I had never kissed anyone before, and now I understood just why everyone talks about it so greatly.

We were always holding hands or just touching each other in some way. It was amazing to hear his heart beat. Kissing made it speed up, but holding hands or touching his face would calm him down. That was very helpful for some of the procedures that had to be done before he could be released. Noor said that I was better than any drug for Kongpob. 

This first week after the kidnapping, he seemed to be content to just have my company. I told him that I was going to answer all of his questions, but this wasn't the best time or place. Once the decision was made to go to Oregon, I told him that I would tell him there. He seemed at ease with that.

As his discharge date grew closer, I grew more inwardly nervous. What if he didn't accept me ?? I know that he accepted that I was different, but hearing about what I was...... and the harm I could do him might frighten him away. I didn't know how I would handle that. It would crush me to learn that he did not want me....... I will never leave his side, I would try to win his heart anyhow..... Finding my mate after living alone for a very long long time, I am not ready to be without him anymore. Just thinking about being separated from him caused me an almost physical ache.

The connection that had been formed between us kept me attuned to his position. I could point towards his location no matter where I was. Bright had laughed at me on our last run, to our home because, once again, everytime I stopped for even a moment, I was facing towards the hospital, facing towards Kongpob. 

I noticed that he looked at my family a little differently now, like he was trying to figure us out. It appeared that he was now aware that we were all something else. He wasn't sure just what ?? but he was looking for clues. I wondered what the evidence was adding up to for him ?? Every one of my family had been to his room, to meet him, at least once. When Wad and Prem had come, They had brought him some wonderful books for him to pass his time in the hospital. After Jenny had saved him from that fake nurse, Kongpob has told her that she could drive the Porsche any time she wanted, even in the rain or snow. Bright, on his guard duty hours, had brought some video games for them to play together. He even offered to play one handed so that they would be more evenly matched. Well, more evenly matched in Kongpob's mind anyway. 

Noor came by at least once a day to check on him even though Dr. Suppasit was back as his primary doctor. Knott came to meet him too, everyday before he is off to his work and Kongpob loves to talk with him about his social works and NGOs and he also has promised him to organise a concert for helping people through his NGO, after he gets better, enough to perform again on stage. Once again I was amazed at how well he fits in with my family. He looked at us with wonder in his eyes. There was never any hesitation in his reactions to us. Of course, he didn't really know what we were yet, but he wasn't intimidated. That fact made him stand out from nearly every other human that I had known, the exceptions being Angela and Mike.

My family was doing everything in their power to make him feel comfortable with us. I didn't know how things were going to work out, but they were doing what they could to help me and to help him feel at ease. And the way he was with me, well, it made me love him even more. When he wasn't sleeping, which he was still doing a lot of as he healed, we talked about so many things. We talked about his music, books that we both had read, movies that we had seen. It made the time in the hospital go by so fast. Our kisses were sweet and soft, leaving me wanting more, and I think he felt the same. But I really have to be so so careful with him, specially in our intimate moments. He really was so very breakable, and I don't want to hurt him in any way.

Finally the day came for Kongpob to be discharged from the hospital. It was Friday and we would spend Friday and Saturday night at the house in Bangkok, getting packed and letting him rest for just a bit. We would then fly out to Oregon, on Sunday in his private jet. May had arranged for the local maintenance company to open the house there and to get it stocked for Kongpob's return. There was a car at the house in Oregon, that we would be able to use for the duration of our stay. 

Noor was smiling widely at us when she entered the room with the final discharge papers of Kongpob in her hand. Each of Kongpob's doctors had been in, repeating to him just what their expectations were as to his continued recovery. Several appointments had already been set up for him at the Oregon Hospital and Physical Therapy Clinic. 

"So, are you ready to get out of here, Kongpob ??"

Noor asked. 

"He has been dressed and ready for three hours !!"

I exclaimed. Kongpob was already standing beside the bed, a small bag of his personal items close at hand. A nurse had followed Noor in, with a wheelchair. He groaned when he saw it. 

"Hey, everyone gets to use one of these when they leave, Mr. Suthiluck. Even famous Rockstar's"

I teased him. Jenny came in the door just then.

"The PR team is out front. They have told the media that they will be having a news conference in about thirty minutes to give an update on Kongpob."

She laughed.

"The news guys are all scrambling to get the best places to shoot from. Too bad we will be long gone by the time they actually start talking."

She picked up Kongpob's bag and headed back out the door, her stiletto heels clicking happily on the shiny floor. She really liked to play smart and left others dumbfounded. Some of the news media had gotten on her bad side this week with their attempts to get to Kongpob. But she didn't buzzed and sent them on their way.

We all left the room and rode down in one of the private elevators. We made our way through the corridors of the hospital. Bright was waiting at the exit for us with the Jeep.    

Kongpob stood and reached his hand out to shake Noor's hand.

"Thanks so much for everything that you have done for me, Ma'am" 

Noor took his hand, cupping her other one over it.

"Kongpob, it was a pleasure to help you. Now, you keep up the good work, and don't overdo it. Listen to Arthit"

She looked stern for just a moment.

"He will take good care of you. Let him !!" 

Kongpob flushed slightly. He knew that he was a hard patient as he found it hard to be patient.....

"I will, Ma'am" 

He also thanked the nurse for her help. She blushed and stammered 

"You are welcome sir"

Then he turned and stepped up into the back seat of the Jeep. I reached up and gave Noor a hug.

"I will call you if he needs reminding to take it easy, Dr. Rojnapat"

Even Kongpob laughed at that. I went around the Jeep and got in beside him. Jenny got in front with Bright, and we left. We could see the crowd at the front of the hospital as we drove away. It gave us all a sense of satisfaction to have gotten away so cleanly.  We made it to the guard's cabin at Kongpob's house with no problem. I had wondered if some paparazzi would be staking the place out, but everyone thought that Kongpob would be released tomorrow, so there was no one waiting for us.

Bright pulled up to the front door of the house. It was flung open immediately, and May hurried down the steps to greet us. Jenny had Kongpob’s door open, and he stepped carefully down from the Jeep. May hugged him gently, but for a very very long time. Aim waited at the door, a wide smile on his face.

“Come on, May”

Kongpob laughed,

“let’s get in out of the rain !! We can hug inside. And didn’t you say something about having food for me ??”

May laughed as she wiped her happy tears away and led us into the house.

“Yes, we have got Chinese from your favourite restaurant ”

I gathered up Kongpob’s and my bag and turned to Bright and Jenny.

“I will see you tomorrow, Bright. I will come home to get my bag, and to feed, as well before we fly out on Sunday.”

I paused to look them both in the eye.

“I can’t thank you enough for this. You are the best brother and sister in the world”

“Can I tell that to Knott and Prem ??”

Bright asked with a big goofy grin on his face.

“No.... You won't do that.... if you want your head on your shoulders and your **** between your legs.... ”

Bright gulped nervously, but Jenny laughed at his expressions.

I chuckled too shaking my head and hugged them both, then sent them on their way. They really were wonderful. We had been Guardian Angels for ten years, six of them here in Bangkok. It was time to move on. Even in this day and age of cosmetic surgery, it was hard to keep up the appearances when we just didn’t age. We had decided that it was time to close up the business, to take a break. I wanted to concentrate on Kongpob, and he was going to be in Oregon for months as he healed. I had to be with him, or at least near him. That depended on how our conversation went when we arrived there.

Angela had worked for us for five years and would be getting a huge severance package. She had been attending school during that time and now was close to graduating anyway. The monetary bonus we would be giving her would set her up for whatever she chose to do in the future. We had spoken to her already, and she was prepared to help get the office closed out. She had looked at me, speculation in her eyes. I think she knew that Kongpob was a big part of the reason. She probably felt a bit like a matchmaker, as she had encouraged us to take the job as his bodyguards in the first place. I would give her credit for that, for sure.

I stepped into the house, hearing laughter coming from the dining room. Kongpob was recounting his close call with that fan/nurse to Aim and May. It was easy to laugh about it now, after Jenny had saved him. His laughter filled me with warmth. This would be an interesting time in my life. And i hope it would prolong in Oregon.

**************

Our flight was rough into Oregon. We were greeted by thunder storms and more sheeting rain. The airport, perched on a mountain top, was amazing when I finally saw it out the windows. Kongpob laughed at my startled look. There was a drop off at both ends of the runway. I knew that the pilots were good at their job, but still, a stiff tail wind and we would be over the cliff. I would hate to have to kick the side out of the plane, grab Kongpob and jump to safety if they messed up and we started falling into the abyss.......

Kongpob had rested fitfully the entire trip. His pain was better, but still there. I also wondered if he was speculating as to what the answers to his questions would be. I was wondering that myself. Truth is what I wanted to give him, but I also was afraid that he would run screaming from the room, from the house and away from me.

After a winding drive down from the airport, we drove through the town and then up a long twisting, tree lined drive. His house was perched on the side of the forest. The house was really very beautiful. I knew that my family would love this house. They had all promised to visit us soon. That is, if Kongpob didn’t ban me from ever seeing him again....... Patience and faith were what I needed to hold on to now. Things would work out.....

They had to.

I unload the luggage and carry it into the house. I had shooed Kongpob into the house, not letting him lift a single bag. And there were lots of them. May has packed 5 bags for Kongpob and Jenny has stuffed me with 4 bags of mine, I had rolled my eyes, and she said that I need to look handsome and appealing to keep Kong happy and energiesd, that way he will heal fast.

After the driver left, I felt a moment of panic. There we were, alone in the house, and the time for answering questions was upon me. What would he ask this time ?? His first question, about my kiss, had been like a bolt from the storm. Who knew what he would ask now that we were here. He surprised me all the time.

I turned to face him. His face was drawn and tired. It was time for The vampire Arthit to step to the front and take care of his mate.

“Kongpob, let me fix you something to eat, and then you need to rest.”

He started to object, but I continued,

“Show me which room is yours, and I will bring you a sandwich and some tea. What kind would you like ??”

He gave in, though not very gracefully, and led me slowly, which told me just how drained he was, up the wide staircase to a room at the front of the house. I dropped a couple of his bags on the floor and told him to get comfortable. I would be right back with his Green tea and a chicken sandwich.

As I prepared the sandwich the way he liked, with lettuce, tomato and mustard sauce, I decided that I better brush up on cooking skills. There were several cookbooks arranged on one shelf in the kitchen. I hadn’t cooked in about 360 years. That might be a fun challenge, if I were given the chance.

Finishing up, I carried the meal up the steps and into his room. He was actually on the bed, under the covers, and had dozed off. I made a little noise, on purpose, as I set the tea mug on the bedside table. Kongpob opened his eyes and smiled up at me.

“I wouldn’t have disturbed you, but I think that you need to eat and take your medicine before you sleep.”

He sat up against the padded headboard and resettled the covers over his lap. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and I tried to keep my eyes where they should be, on his gorgeous, innocent face. But it was difficult.

I set a pillow on his lap and sat the plate down on it.

"Thanks, Arthit"

A frown crossed his face even as he took the mug of tea in his hand.

“I hate feeling so tired, so weak”

He sipped his tea then picked up a piece of the sandwich. I had cut it into small pieces to make it easier for him to handle with one hand”

After taking a bite and swallowing, he said,

“Aren’t you going to eat ??”

I had settled myself cross legged at the end of his bed to watch him eat.

“No, thanks, I am good right now”

Was this the time to tell him ??

I asked myself. Was this the time to tell him that I had drained three pint's of blood last night ?? That I had drunk until I nearly sloshed ??

The dark circles under his eyes told me that it wasn’t.

The conversation that we would have would be shocking enough. I wanted him to be as rested as he could be for that. Or maybe I was just hoping for more time...... time to be with him before the big reveal.

“Kongpob, you are getting better. You know it’s only been two weeks since you were shot and your hand was broken.”

I leaned forward and ran my fingers through his hair.

“Your body needs sleep to heal and you need to listen when it talks to you.”

Kongpob closed his eyes and leaned into my hand.

He sighed and sat up a bit more to continue eating.

“I know you are right, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling a bit useless”

I sat back and looked at him.

“Kongpob, you are not useless, and if I have to call Noor to have a chat with you, I will.....”

That made him laugh just a little before he continued eating. We chatted about the view out of his windows. He told me about the time he tried to climb down the balcony to sneak out of the house when he was 12. His mom threatened to seal his doors closed if he ever tried that again.

“If you do it this time, I will really seal the doors”

I told him with a glare, before I burst into laughter.

“Yes, Bodyguard Arthit, I will behave”

He grimaced.

“The way I feel right now, I don’t even want to think about trying that !!”

“Let me get you a glass of water, and I will bring your pain meds right back.”

I stood and took his plate.

“Would you like some more tea ??”

He started to slide back down under the covers.

“No, just the pills and some water will be fine”

I left and hurried back with them.

He took his pills and closed his eyes. I leaned over and gave him a light kiss on his temple. He smiled and slipped into sleep. I drew the drapes over his windows and the balcony doors, leaving him in a half light. Then I sat in one of the cushioned chairs near the bed. I watched him for a while, just reveling in the sound of his heartbeat, in the musky, vanilla scent of him.

After I was sure that he was in a deep, dreamless sleep, I made my way through the house. Looking into the rooms and checking out the painting that Kongpob and May had mentioned. The maintenance crew had done a great job. There was no dust to be seen. I could see the love that his mother had put into making this a home. Her touches were everywhere.

I finally found myself in the dining room. The room was filled with light as I made my way to the window and the painting hanging there. The painting, the one that Kongpob had remembered, was in an wooden frame that was covered with gilt. I let my eyes rest on the portrait, seeing it for the first time in centuries. The Artist had taken a few liberties, and the process of becoming a vampire had refined my features. But it was still essentially me.

Kongpob started to stirring upstairs. I could hear him get up. And then I heard him head down the stairs.

“Arthit.....”

He called.

“I am in here, Kongpob.....”

I turned to face the door, standing beside the painting of myself, the one that had been painted in 1660.

It was time for answers. And I hoped that I was ready to accept the outcome of telling him the truth. I hoped that he would be able to accept the truth that I offered him.

It was time…time for answers.

🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞

A/N: So....how was it ??

Arthit is going to tell Kong about him in the next chapter. I hope you all will like this chapter and I will try to update soon, Till then.... stay safe and healthy 💖💖