Title: Good morning

Author's Note: Yet another. Why the hell didn't I post these? I suck.

Her hello was his goodbye. Never a morning person, but Beth didn't need an alarm clock now. Roll over while it was still dark, splash of water, brushing teeth. Down the stairs in a pre-dawn meander.

He lay supine, face blocked by the book in his hands, long legs hitting the arm of the couch and bare feet peeking over.

"Good morning."

"Good evening." Their running joke. Opposite time zones.

Beth grabbed an apple from the fridge and the newspaper from the counter where Mick had left it.

He bent his knees to make room for her and wiggled his feet beneath her. She flipped the pages, hoping the crinkle of the pages covered her sighs, but knowing better. Her hand traced a circle on his knee.

Beth lost the plot of the hostage rescue as Mick settled the book against his knees, his face, his eyes from her sight.

She crunched into her apple, tart and crisp. Keeping her mouth busy and mind on city council meetings. Second readings. Pending legislation.

A lick of Mick's tongue on his thumb to turn the page and she shivered.

More apple.

The red was gone and she was at the flesh.

Back pages. Docket, divorces and the dead. The dead … mmm, the undead ... lukewarm skin that heated her right up.

Her stomach growled and she set the apple core on the table, abandoned the newspaper.

Mick put his book down and smiled.

"Still hungry?"

She draped herself over his knees.

"Are you sure you're the vampire?"

Mick tapped his teeth, closed his eyes in mock reflection.

"Pretty sure. Why?"

Her tongue peeked through ready lips and gave him a good lick. "Because I want to eat you up."

He gave a devilish grin. "That can be arranged."