Blood Ties

Blood Ties

I Do Not Own Blood Ties or any of the characters.

After Norman is sent back to Hell...

With two cups of tea in hand, Vicki sauntered back into the living room to find Henry picking through his stash of old vampire movies.

'What is it with vampires and their desire to watch themselves in movies?'

Vicki could only ponder this as she snuggled into the soft leather loveseat and readied herself for another long night of fiction vampires and the real vampire who would critique the director.

"Lets go back to the 'basics'. I have always liked how Bram Stoker for some reason. He almost got things right but it is quite comical to see the flaws."

Henry could see in Vicki's eyes that she was not going to last an entire movie. The caseload for the past month had been murder. Really. To find some poor lady's murderer could definitely be seen as one of the harder cases the two partners had ever have to face. It would of course be another demon but with a sweet tooth for little old ladies. What made it worse was that it had only been a month after Noman's little stunt and their relationship had been strained ever since.

What had Norman done to her? Nearly braking the CD in his hand, Henry turned his attention towards a more delicate goal, how to get Vicki to open up to him again.

"Do you want popcorn, or are you in the mood for Chinese?"

"I haven't had Chinese in a while, do you mind getting some. It would give you a chance to 'snack' yourself."

Kissing her on the hand, "I'll be back in ten minutes. There is that little shop just a block from here. Your normal?"

Before Vicki could answer, Henry was gone with god-like speed. "Guess he knew the answer."

Glad to be alone for a few minutes, Vicki stretched herself along the couch, allowing her mind to wonder through the past couple of weeks. Where had the time gone, any way? Coreen was off to a party and definitely be gone all night, especially with the next day off. Mike, of course, was at work, wearing that multi-colored tie that she had bought for him as a gag gift. Leave it to Mike to actually be proud of the damn thing and wear it at least once a week. Leave it to Mike!

Relaxing even more, Vicki's thoughts traveled to all those around her: her mother, her clients, Coreen, Mike, Henry...

She had been a bit unnerved around Henry since the fight with Norman. The creep actually had the nerve to impersonate Henry just to get to her. She had actually kissed him! What is a girl to do when she needs to vent on someone about a person when that person is that someone you vent on to begin with? The sad thing is that after Henry and she figured out Norman's plan, she had kissed him again...damn these hormones! Ever since that night, an invisible brick wall had separated the two. Tonight was to be just a friendly get together... yes, friendly.

With a deep sigh, Vicki roused to her feet and started off to the kitchen. Pouring more water for tea, her mind slipped away, back to Henry. She thought of how protective he was after Norman. He wouldn't even let Mike near by without a warning gaze. She knew Henry cared for her greatly, but as a friend, a lover, or just a one-night stand. Shaking her head, She couldn't let it get that far . . . she couldn't bear to be hurt again.

'Could I risk our friendship for a one-night-stand?... a quick meal?'

Feeling a gust of wind, Vicki returned to the living room to the welcoming aroma of chicken and re-fried rice.

Henry, sensing her uneasiness, gave her a sympathetic smile and beckoned her to sit on the couch next to him. The food and the movies pasted slowly through the night. As the dawn neared, the movies ran out and the plates where emptied.

Vicki, of course, did not last through the night, and was resting her head on Henry's shoulder. Her soft breathing was hypnotic, but the sun was only a half an hour away. His only choice of action was to place Vicki in her bed and flee to the protection of his condo. Lifting her in his arms and caring her to her bed had long been a dream of his. Henry had long since come to cherish this armor-plated woman and even come to love the stubborn creature that is known as "Victory" Nelson. Looking into her face was to look upon an angel, not even his father had the ability or the right to summon with his fortunes.

'I truly wish you would let me in Victoria. Let me help you fight your demons... let me fight them for you.' Placing her under the sheets, "Just let me stay with you."

Sensing her heart quicken, Henry motioned to hasten his exit when a hand fell upon his arm, "You can stay here for the night if you like. The drapes block all the sun light and I don't have to be at work tomorrow anyway; Please stay."

If he left now, Henry would still be able to make it home before dawn and not scare the night guard. She had just asked him to stay with her! Maybe there is a God after all.

Giving her one of his best smiles, "I would love to, and trust me, I don't snore."

Easing off his shoes, Henry slipped into the bed. The sun would be up in a few minutes.

'It's a start'

Feeling sleep coming upon her again, Vicki rested her head on her pillow facing Henry. Not a bad view to fall asleep to.

"See you tomorrow night, Victoria." "Good night, Henry" With a kiss on the forehead and a deep breath, sleep claimed the two, one to find rest with such slumber and the other to be tortured by it.