Disclaimer: I don't own Blood Ties, I wish I did. That belongs to the brilliant Tanya Huff and the creators of the TV show. The characters might be a bit OOC, as well, but you guys can deal with it, right? Right.
"I'm not sure, I'll have to check," Henry Fitzroy heard a very familiar voice saying softly as he slipped silently into Vicki Nelson's office, his eyes fixing instantly on the detective's assistant, a Goth university student named Coreen Fennel. His eyes not moving from her, he watched as she flipped through a textbook, a few frustrated oaths crossing her lips. "Damn it, I can't find the page, and I forgot what the ceremony was called...Try calling Julia, she always remembers these things...Yeah, alright, I'll see you tomorrow, then...No, not coming home tonight, Vicki needs me to do something, don't wait up...Yeah, I'll be fine. Look, I'll have my phone, call me if you need me, 'k? See ya." Setting the receiver gently back in the cradle, she snapped the textbook shut, groaning as she stared down at the cover.
Moving forward, Henry placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing gently. "Problems," he asked softly, a faint note of concern tinging his voice. "You don't look as cheerful as you normally do." Feeling the knots under his hands slowly loosening, he kept rubbing, waiting for her to speak.
She gave a tiny nod, flashing a small, grateful smile at him over her shoulder. "That was my dorm mate, Alyssa. Just some huge project we have to do, that neither of us have not even gotten started on yet, and it's due in two weeks, that's all. Something about the Egyptian pharoahs for Ancient History...would've asked you for help, but that was way before even your time," she said then, in response to his questioning look. "Otherwise, I would've asked you for help right away. Thanks for the shoulder rub, by the way, it's really helping...Just got off my shift over at the coffee shop, those trays were killing me..."
As he leaned forward, he kissed her cheek gently, rather like he would have done to one of his sisters. "No problem," he said softly. "So, I know Vicki and Mike are on a stakeout together, so that leaves me with you. Vicki wanted you to attract the attention of whatever this thing is that we're searching for, right?" When Coreen nodded, her pulse beating faster for just a moment, he slid his arms around her waist and squeezed gently. "You'll be fine, Coreen. I'll be right there watching, nothing will happen to you. I promise."
Coreen twisted around in his arms and hugged him then, giving a slightly relieved smile as he held her tighter. "It's so stupid, isn't it? The fact that I'm scared? I've seen and done so many things, I've helped catch an incubus, a Gorgon, I've gotten kidnapped by Norman...twice...but I have to do this, and I'm scared."
Kissing her forehead then, Henry rubbed her back reassuringly. "It's not stupid at all. Before, you had Vicki and I where you could see us, and even Mike. This time, it'll be pretty much on your own, unless you need me. If you weren't scared, I'd think you had a death wish."
She couldn't help laughing a bit, shaking her head. "No, I definitely don't have a death wish...I might dress Goth most of the time, but I'm not looking forward to death anytime soon...unless it's a certain kind of death," she said then, sounding slightly hopeful, a shocked look crossing her face as Henry shoved her away from him, making her back hit her desk.
"Don't ever say that again," he snarled angrily, looking as though he wished he could knock some sense into her, but she knew he wouldn't. "You're not meant for the life I lead...You deserve better than a life of watching the people you love die before your eyes, a life of nothing but darkness and night for eternity...I never want to hear you talk about becoming like me again, do you understand?"
Nodding quickly, she frowned up at him, rubbing her sore back, her fear passing as quickly as it had come. "Fine, I won't say it anymore...You didn't have to hurt me, you know," she muttered, giving him a quick glare as his angry look faded slowly.
"I'm sorry," he said honestly, reaching up and closing his hands around her upper arms. "You just don't know what you're asking, Coreen...Not right now, you don't. See how I live for awhile more, and if you still want it, then I'll consider turning you...but I'll only consider it. I'm not saying I'll do it, not yet. Now come on, time for you to play the pretty bait," he finished, moving her until she was between him and the door, pushing her forward until they were in the hall, and he was locking the door behind them.
As they moved down the stairs, discussing the case quietly, they kept exchanging quick glances, seeming to know what each other was thinking without it being spoken. Which was good, Coreen was very sure she'd end up vomiting if she thought any more about the possibility of Henry not getting to her in time. "Here, take my phone," she said after awhile, stepping outside into the cool night air. "If Alyssa calls, answer it, and just tell her you and I had to do some research, and I went off to find another book. Don't want her worrying after all, and maybe calling the cops after me." Taking her phone from her pocket, she pressed it into his hand, crossing to the opposite side of the street.
Henry started to walk after a few minutes, keeping far back so that no one would realise he was watching her, but close enough that she was always in sight. His dark eyes scanned the quiet streets around them, a frown crossing his lips whenever someone showed interest in Coreen. None of them seemed to be the thing they were looking for, however, so the frown quickly faded. Stopping in his tracks suddenly as the phone in his hand rang out loudly, he answered it, rolling his eyes slightly as he heard a woman's frantic voice on the other end. It had to be Alyssa. "This is Henry," he said in a soft, soothing sort of voice. "Coreen's fine, we're just doing some research at the library, she went off to get a book...Yes, I'll have her call you back as soon as we leave. Bye." Hanging up, he looked up again, scowling as he realised that Coreen was gone from sight.
Author's Note: Now! Leave me some good reviews, please, people? If I can manage to scrape ten good ones, I'll continue this.