Title: Dead Over Heels

Author: SBR Guru

Disclaimer: Um...spoilers for the entire series? I dunno. This is very standalone, but references everything across the series.

Summary: Harry's got a new case on the workload. Too bad the vampires are moving back into town. He was liking the quiet almost.

I looked at the case load that wasn't on my desk

I looked at the case load that wasn't on my desk. A big whole lot of nothing. Work had been scarce in the past few weeks, and the cash reserves I had put away had been quickly drying up. Ever since I'd gotten amorrachius sitting in my popcorn tin at home, there had been a distinct lack of the supernatural. Which was good for my health, bad for my business.

I was considering calling up someone, but then I realized I didn't have anyone to call. Murphy wasn't going to offer me a case, not now. Since losing command of SI, I hadn't gotten more than a handful of cases from them. And they weren't looking to hire me now.

Pity was almost starting to look good now.

I tossed away the latest book I was reading in a frustrated manner when the phone rang. I swore, if it was another prank call…

"Harry Dresden?" The voice on the other end asked. It was feminine, oddly familiar. I didn't recognize it right away, but something hung in the back of my mind.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, cooling down. It sounded like a case. "Yea, Dresden Investigations."

"I've got a case for you, Mister Dresden."

I made a small noise of affirmation. "All right. Can I get your name, please?"

There was a moment's hesitation. "Mary." She said, her voice softening in tone. "Mister Dresden, may I see you at…five o'clock today?"

"Sure thing…Mary." I said. She hung up the phone on me. Ouch.

I looked around my office, tugging on my western shirt. My eyes found the clock. It was four-thirty. It didn't give me much time to get ready. But I did some cleaning as best I could. It was exactly five when I heard the knock on my door.

I glanced toward the door, and headed back towards my desk. "Come in." I sat back down behind my desk.

Inside came a woman, tall and black haired. She wore a purple sundress, showing off thin legs. She looked unnaturally thin, like she was just finishing a hungry strike.

"Mister Dresden." She said, inclining her head to me politely.

I gestured to one of the seats. "Hi, Mary, I presume?" She nodded. "Please, take a seat."

Mary did so, smoothing out her skirt as she sat. I thought it strange she didn't have a bag or even anything resembling something she could carry money or even make up in. Thinking about it now, she didn't even wear make up. Her pale blanched skin didn't look too good.

"Mister Dresden," Mary started. "Let me begin by stating I know what you are."

I shrugged. "It's in the phonebook." I said, repressing a joke. That would have just been too easy.

"I also know of what you've done." She continued.

"Ask anyone in the community about that."

Mary gave me a long look. I avoided her eyes. "You killed a Queen of the Sidhe, Mister Dresden. You also killed several disciples of the necromancer Kemmler. And you are a feared Warden. This is why I am intending to hire you."

"I'm not a hitman, if that's what you're looking for, Miss Mary."

"No, Mister Dresden. I need protection." Mary closed her eyes, sighing gently. "I'm being hunted. By a Jade Court vampire."

Oh, crap.