# A New Life

(No-Sex, Plot)

As dawn broke over the bluffs ridge it shown directly into their bedroom, bathing those in the bed with its refreshing golden glow. Dani was curled on her side facing Darious, one arm draped casually over his middle. Snuggled up as close to her as he could get, he held her to him, body pressed to hers. Arkady was spooned up next to her back, a hand on her hip. At the foot of the bed Marcus lay curled up in lupine form, snoring softly. Within a couple minutes of daylight Darious' inner clock woke him. Carefully, he untangled himself from Dani and stretched. After taking a shower and dealing with his other morning obligations, he came in and woke those still in bed.

Not at all a morning person, Dani grumbled, growled and snarled but she got up and picked her way past all the boxes in the room to the bathroom. While she was in the shower the other three did a quick run through of the house to make sure everything was packed and ready to go.

After a hasty breakfast from McDonalds they all put the things that would be going with them on the plane by the front door, the essentials that they would need immediately. Shortly after 9 AM the moving men arrived and started carting everything out to the truck and packing it in.

When everything was loaded and ready to go she and Darious took a final walk through the house to make sure nothing was missed. Stopping in their bedroom they looked out over the bluff, watching the mist slowly rise in the morning light. She leaned against him, a wistful smile on her face an arm around his waist, sure, she had agreed when they had talked about this move but it was hard leaving the house she had so lovingly designed. There were a lot of memories here, some good, some not. Leaving wasn't easy, but it was for the best. Darious was fully retired now, turning over the reigns of Triple D and no longer immersing himself in the paperwork that had kept him occupied for so long so he had not need to be in the area.

The world was changing rapidly from what they once knew and much of the old guard was changing. Dark creatures were no longer discriminated against and were openly involving themselves in everything. It wasn't uncommon for them to even hold public office! But there were other changes as well, those who she had known for so long, the she-devils, were moving on themselves, many retiring from the council. It was the time for the younger ones to finally take over, bringing new blood and new ideas. To those now holding offices on the council Dani was little more than a legend. Most of them had never seen her and she liked it that way. Changing locations was just another step in separating her from the council activities.

A year ago the idea had been brought up between her, Darious, Marcus and Arkady that maybe it was time for them, like the others, to move on. They had all been nomadic creatures for thousands of years and settling down as they'd done had become boring. It took some planning and a bit of hunting but finally they had arranged to buy a small island off South America and build on it to suit their exact needs. After several years of construction, their refuge was complete and the time had come for them to move. While this house had been home for so long all had grown weary of the cold and harsh winters. All combined it told them the time had come to move on to something new and start over someplace else

Putting his arm around her waist, he drew her close and kissed her on top of the head. "It's time to go toy we have to get on the plane if we want to make it by nightfall."
Holding him close, she smiled up at him, "I know, it's hard to leave but I have to remember that we're going TO something new, not fleeing from something bad." Taking one last look over the lonely bluff she put her arm around his waist and they walked down the stairs together.

As the limo pulled down the long drive, she took one final look at the house already looking lonely and abandoned. Smiling a bit, she leaned onto Darious and looked out the front window as they turned onto the highway and headed for the airport. A new life was starting and she couldn't wait for the challenges it would bring.

Authors note: No, this is probably not the ending you wanted but it is the best I could give you. Dani, Darious, Marcus, Arkady and the whole crew are riding off into the sunset like so many heroes of book, film, and legend. The Dani and Darious saga has kept me busy for five years now with many changes and re-writes. This story, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, was how it originally started but as I wrote it I realized there was something wrong with it so I junked it all and started over. But as time went on I posted parts of this here and there. The response was such that I decided to post the whole thing even though it was what I wasn't going to use. As you read it, and possibly score it, take in mind I patched what I had together the best I could so there are chunks missing here and there and it isn't what it could have been. But I think it's a great story anyway!

Be sure to take a look at "Fate" to see Dani and Darious in a slightly different timeline and universe.
Danyealle