TITLE: Blind Love

DISCLAIMER: Due to a breakdown in receiving creative vibes, I did not inherit the wherewithal to put down on paper the characters from Blood Ties. That credit goes to Tanya Huff, who obviously had her creative radio turned to the right frequency while I was fleshing out mythological creatures in Wales….Oh, well. And to Peter Mohan who knows a good read when he comes across one and who is just as dedicated to keeping to the characters' true selves as we are at keeping them alive and going during this terribly long and interminable dry spell. Thank you Lifetime for picking up the second half of the first season…Please be just as brilliant and contract for a full second season of episodes quickly.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Don't ask me where this came from, but all writers are always asking what if….

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As he closed out the account for room 206, Peter Jensen glanced up from his position behind the desk at the Toronto Radisson in time to see the young woman from last night step from the polished bank of elevators set at the left side of the lobby. She wasn't beautiful or tall, or dressed in any outlandish style of clothing, but something about her made people stop and notice. Her girl next door face, rosy and freckled, framed by a disarray of curling chocolate locks, defined the word cute. A pert nose, a gently sculpted chin, and glistening pink lips the lower one fuller than the top seemed perfect compliments to her high cheekbones.

She was dressed in a caftan style blouse that clung to high breasts, but fell in loose tempting folds below the waist band of brown linen trousers. The turquoise, brown, and pink colorful brushstrokes on her blouse swirled over a background of cream complimented her skin tone and was a charming sight this early in the morning. Tan arms, long and slender, bore the weight of a half dozen or more silver bracelets of varying widths and design. Their jingling reminded Peter of the bells his mother had once made the family teacup poodle wear in order to be found since the little dervish could hide himself in the tiniest of places. On her left hand, she wore a single ring; an oval garnet on her middle finger.

As she walked across the lobby, her steps were sure, but not quick. She moved with all the grace of someone comfortable in their body, even though the body shape did not fit the more popularly classified definitions of desirable. She had curves; lush ones, ones a man could hold onto, and though she was short in stature, those curves were finely balanced.

"Good morning, Peter." She called as she passed before the reception desk.

Peter nodded. "Good morning, Miss Costello. You are certainly up early."

Laura's steps faltered and a frown turned down the dark line of brows across her pale green eyes. "Am I? Not too early, I hope? Time zone changes always mess me up."

Peter stared at those eyes, suddenly realizing what it was that made this woman so different from everyone else.

"It's eight thirty," he reassured.

"Oh." Laura breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, that's good."

Uncertain on how to proceed, Peter shuffled a few registration cards through his hands. "You…are you meeting a tour group?"

Laughter bubbled up as the woman shook her curls. "Not a tour group, but I am off to a meeting."

"Well, then, I wish you good luck, Miss Costello. If you like, the John at the door will be happy to get you a taxi to take you where you need to be."

"Perfect, Peter. I'll see you later." With a wave in his direction, Laura turned accurately toward the hotel door. In less than a minute she was standing on the red carpet beside the impeccably dressed doorman.

"A cab for you miss?"

"Yes, thank you, John."

Tipping the red cap in respect, John stepped toward the loading and unloading curb and held out a commanding hand. He was a tall man, lanky and lean, like Lurch, but confident and proud of the position he held. Client service was an art form he had perfected a long time ago, as was the astute ability to read people. The young woman who had followed him to the curb, however, baffled him on many levels. She used no cane that he could see, wore no protective glasses, and moved with fluid grace that belied her disability. If he hadn't been so observant of people, John would never have even noticed she was blind, she was that good.

"Where to, Miss?" He asked as a black cab pulled up to the curb.

"Insight Film Studios, please," said Laura with a smile. "I'm off to interview a vampire."

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A/N….Anyone curious? Let me know.