Gods among us-part XXIX

"I tried Master, I really did."
"It was not enough."
"Tell me, what can I do to make it right?"
"I need you as my vessel "
"Anything, Master, anything"
"Your vessel"

"It's yours." he said by lowering his eyes. The dark shadow went into Niko's body...

At Mark’s place.
Mark entered his house and smelled his favourite meal, lasagne. He took his shoes off and went in the kitchen. He saw Anna cooking. I can't do this to her he thought. Anna turned around and saw him. She smiled immediately and went closer to him.
"I thought I heard the door." she said smiling and kissed him softly in his lips.
"This smells really nice." Mark said. "Lasagne! Am I forgetting something?"
Anna laughed.
"No no, you are not forgetting anything."
"Phew!" Mark said.
"There is no need to celebrate something in order to cook my man's favorite meal." 
Mark took a deep breath. Oh boy he thought. This will be more difficult than i thought.
"Could you please put the plates in the table?"
"Yes, of course." he said and took the plates.
"Why four?" he asked? "I thought that we were going to have a dinner for two."
"I wanted to have a dinner for two too my love, but JJ called. Niko and she will come over for dinner." 
Oh no Mark thought and started sharing the dishes on the table. His face was serious. 
"What's wrong?" Anna asked and went closer to him.
"Nothing." he said.
Anna hugged him and kissed him on his lips.
"Don't lie to me, I know you very well."
Mark smiled.
"Honestly, it's nothing. I just wanted to spend the night alone with you."
"Hmmm I guess someone missed me!" Anna said smiling.
Mark stayed quite. Oh my he thought.
"OK" he said suddenly. "Lets finish the table, the others will be here any minute now."
Anna agreed.

At the same time at Niko's place.
JJ looked at Niko.
"Its you, but at the same time I know you're not." JJ said sad.
"It's still me JJ. He will take over once the time comes."
JJ hugged him.
"Why you agreed?" she asked crying.
"I didn't had any other choice." he said also sad. "But as I told you, its still me. And once they will win, we will be free."
"If they win."  JJ said and she started crying.
Niko kissed her.
"Please babe, dont cry. Everything will be fine, you'll see." 

JJ looked at him. 

"How can you be so sure? It's not that simple. Nothing is simple anymore. It's a matter of time for Hera to find him, and once she finds him, you know that the others will follow as well."

Niko sighed. 

"I know. But we need to be optimistic. Anyway, are you ready? Mark and Anna are waiting for us." he said and forced himself to smile.
JJ nodded.
"OK then, lets go." he said and grabbed his keys.
They spent the driving hour in quite and 20 minutes later they rung the doorbell. Anna opened the door smiling.
"Hey you guys." she said and hugged JJ.
"Hi Anna." JJ said and hugged her back.
Niko entered as well.
"Where is Mark?" he asked.
"In the living room." Anna answered and started moving towards the living room.
Mark was sitting in the sofa checking his mobile.
"Hi Mark." JJ said and hugged him.
"Hello." Mark said and hugged her back.
Niko came closer as well.
"Hey there." he said. Mark looked at him. Something is odd he thought.
"Hi." Mark waved back.
"Shall we move to the kitchen?" Anna suggested.
"Yes." Niko said.
Once they entered the kitchen they saw that the food was already served as well as the red wine in the glasses.

"Mmm it smells so nice." JJ said.
Mark smiled.
"And it is very tasty." he said.
Anna hugged him.
"Thank you babe. Lets start." She said and they sat on the table.