Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Blood Ties. They are all Tanya Huff's creation.

Characters thoughts are in italics.

I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed, read and added my previous stories to their favorites and story alerts!

Chapter 1

Henry stood in the doorway to Vicki's office. His jacket folded over his arms. Vicki was so engrossed in her paperwork that she had not noticed him yet.

"Hi,Vicki."

She glanced from her paperwork pretending not to be startled but her heartbeat said otherwise.

"I thought you had some inking to do."

Henry took a seat in front of Vicki's desk. "That's true but I wanted to ask you something. How about you and I going on a real date?"

Vicki's green eyes looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Are you serious?"

He leaned forward. "I don't jest about matters of the heart."

The PI returned her attention to her paperwork. "Can I think it over and get back to you?"

"Of course. You know where I'll be."

Henry did a slight bow and smiled. "I look forward to hearing from you." Then he sped away.

Some of the papers on her desk drifted to the floor so she crouched down to retrieve them. Her thoughts drifted back to Henry's question.

How about you and I go on a real date? Do I really want to get involved with another partner? Last time I got involved with someone I worked with it didn't turn out too well.

She rose to her feet, placed the papers back on her desk, plopped into her wooden chair and continued catching up on paperwork.

Henry's sea blue eyes stared intensely at his drawing. Something is missing. He rested his hand on his chin. Maybe stepping away from it will help.

The vampire rose from his drawing table, walked to the window and stared at the Toronto skyline. His cell started to ring. He walked to a small mahogany table near the door and picked up his cell. The caller ID displayed Vicki Nelson.

"That was fast," Henry said.

Vicki could almost picture Henry's smug face through the phone.

"And how do you know that I'm not calling about a case?"

"Vampire intuition."

"So where are we going on our first date?"

Henry walked to the leather sofa and sat down. "I was thinking I could cook you dinner at my place and then we could watch a movie afterwards?"

The PI sounded surprised. "You cook?"

"I've acquired a lot of skills over the centuries. Cooking being just one of them."

"I can't wait to hear that story. I'll bring the movie."

"Okay. What time would be convenient for you, Victoria?"

Vicki flipped through her appointment book. "Tomorrow night will work for me."

"About 10:00 p.m."

"Sounds good," the PI responded.

I'll see you then. Bye, Vicki."

"Bye."

What have I gotten myself into? Vicki returned to her paperwork.

Author's note: This is my first attempt at something romantic. I hope that this chapter turned out okay. I am sorry that this chapter is so short.