A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC(s)…..though I wished I owned the rest…..*sighs*

I know I keep posting new ones and not get the other ones going but the Muse just had to get his way on this one...I just finished reading ALVH and there will be movie and book elements. This will be Henry/OC and right now the pair are close friends as I am uncertain if I want those two to go beyond it but that could change. This takes places in modern times so it may be AU-ish. I am also trying to write longer chapters so updates may be longer but I want the chapters to have more depth.

I hurt myself today….

To see if I still feel….

I focus on the pain…..

The only thing that's real…..

The needle tears a hole, the old familiar sting…..

Tried to kill it all away…

But I remember everything…..

What have I become, my sweetest friend?

Everyone I know goes away in the end…

And you can have it all! My empire of dirty

I will let you down…..I will make you hurt…..

Summer time in Washington D.C. was turning out to be more like Southeast Asia during the monsoon season. Just beyond the heavy wooden slab that groaned and creaked when the patrons passed between its narrow passage; the front dark with the cruel pounding of Nature's watery fury. The bar was quiet and dark, just the way she liked it. Large crowds made her grow uneasy as from her experience large crowds masked trouble. The few people who occupied random barstools or the narrow tables kept to themselves, wishing to be left alone to their thoughts or lack thereof. The jukebox pushed against the space between the bathroom doors belted out the sounds of The Man in Black, Johnny Cash.

I wear this crown of thorns upon my Liar's Chair…..

Full of broken thoughts…..I cannot repair…..

Beneath the stains of time, the feelings disappear…

You are someone else, I am still right here….

The solitary shot glass sat empty on the glossy surface, patiently waiting for the company of liquid gold. It would be the 7th or maybe the 8th time it was staring at the bartender for more. Her eyes flickered in the dim lighting overhead as a lone finger jabbed downward at the empty glass in a request and not demand. The woman behind the bar seemed to have read her mind as the bottle of Jack materialized and poured the next offering. The crown of raven strands swished against her skin as she nodded a curt thanks and slipped another 20 for the lady's troubles.

"Keep the change," she muttered into the air.

Her hair was soaked and plastered against random places on her neck and face from the rain but she didn't seem to care. Her clothing was drenched which chilled her body directly to the bone; a biological reaction to temperature fluxes. She blocked the sickening cold despite the sensation of fleshy pebbles surfacing in response. A few droplets of water landed softly on the bar but then again did it matter?

What have I become, my sweetest friend?

Everyone I know, goes away in the end….

And you can have it all, my empire of dirt…..

The song continued as she peered down into the bottom watching it vanish in a rush of smooth gold.

"I'll be ready for another soon," she spoke with a volume to which only she and the bartender could hear. She lifted the shot and paused for a moment, studying the subtle ripples across the surface before knocking it back with the grace of a rocker. The scent of alcohol stung with a short blast of heat across her nose before splashing across the deadening buds across her tongue as she readied to down the next round. Her silent of solitude was ruined by the annoying vibration against her wrist and bar. She ignored the buzzing of her phone, swatting at it like a fly. She didn't want to hear it; not now anyways.

She knew he was close by, even now. She could feel him watching her down her sorrows in the faux comfort of Jim and Jack. He was part of the reason why she resided upon that barstool at the end of the bar, hoping and praying the whiskey would erase her ache. But it was a foolish wish to make. Consciousness was a bitch. It chained her mind and soul against her body, refusing to let this charade continue. Her body continued to grow heavier with every other partake of glowing caramel or gold yet she detected a presence approaching from behind. A silent snort and pathetic shake of her head greeted the man as he eased into the seat alongside her.

"A woman only drinks like that when she wishes to forget or kill a man. Which is it?"

I will let you down, I will make you hurt…..

"Both," she motioned for the next before spinning around and coming face to face with him. Henry Sturges, centuries old vampire and Alexandra Koch's mentor. He didn't look a day beyond 35 but then again there was no need to keep count of the years when you were a vampire. His facial features were strong despite the hints of boyish charm residing within. His hair was short, common with the times, with some spiked up which Alex generally associated with douchebag rich boys who were never told the word no growing up. Today his attire of choice was dark denim that fit too well on his lower body with black shirt that seemed to be as snug though Alex held her tongue. His normal attire included another layer as his kind were prone to sun sensitivity but with the deluge right outside he could loosen up a little as she liked to call it.

The soft cerulean hardened to icy slits that would chill a man's soul as they fixed on the vampire. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off looking for my replacement? Did the Trinity put you up to this?"

Henry was disappointed in her. It was a shame she regarded her abilities with little esteem or faith. Perhaps it was the burden she had been forced to bear for so long and the loss of Nathaniel that had culminated into the wilted shadow before him.

"No, I am not looking for your replacement as you are so convinced of and no the Trinity have no wish to see such occur. I'm here to bring you back Alexandra. It's time to come home."

The bartender appeared with the next round. She gave a questioning glance to which Henry responded with a short shake of his head. Alex plucked the glass with thumb and index finger without averting her attention away from Henry. His face was open while eyes were sympathetic. But Alex could see the emerging hints of dismay. That was all she needed to see.

"Lemme think about that one for a moment," Alex swallowed the shot down, savoring the fiery rivers that rushed through her veins once again. She licked her lips, retrieving the stray droplet before it fell in waste. Her skin had a shade of pink that was the result of the alcohol teeming through her veins. "No."

"Then I am not leaving until you decide otherwise." Henry was resolved to bring her back.

"Then you're gonna be sitting there for a long time Henry because I won't be going back." Alex was equally strong willed, challenging her undead mentor.

Henry remained silent as Alex abruptly glanced down at her hands, blinking then swearing the blood was still fresh on her skin. She swore it was there, drying into a caked layer of iron and crimson, serving as a painful reminder of what transpired in that dark alley. Henry watched with concern as she flipped her hands back and forth as though she was staring at something that his eyes were not privilege to. Panic bubbled in her chest and throat as images of a dying man burned her vision. Her ears pricked up at the gurgled wet sounds of his dying breath. The blood was spilling across his throat and chest, racing beneath and around his head like an unholy crown.

Nathaniel!

Her scream looped in her mind forcing Alex to close her eyes and curl her hands into a set of tight fists. Her heart raced slamming with all the anger, rage, sorrow, and hurt that now fueled her existence.

"Alexandra, I'm sorry about…."

"Don't," she whispered with caution in her tone. "Nothing you say can help."

"You are not the only one who has lost someone Alexandra!" Henry's stinging words made her lift her head up, greeting the centuries old vampire with bleary eyes. "I lost everything!"

"I know that!" Her fist slammed on the bar startling several patrons from their drunken stupors long enough to see what brought them out before slipping back into their artificial comas. The hazy stares lingered on the pair at the bar for several moments. A few assumed it was a lover's quarrel.

Alex looked around feeling her shoulders tense out of instinct before settling back down.

"You are heading on a downward spiral Alexandra."

"Let me," she huffed.

If I could start again, a million miles away…I would keep myself…..

"No."

"Why do you continue to do this to me?" Alex buried her face within her waiting hands. Her will had been receding since Nathaniel's death and the whiskey was only delaying the inevitable; or so she thought. "Why is it the Trinity are so insistent on keeping me around?"

"Because you're a fighter. I have seen it in your eyes, the way you wield the sword, the passion that explodes from your body with each jump, kick, and swipe. The way you tend to your weapons with such tenderness…."

"You are giving me way too much credit. Besides, you sound like one of those romance novelists you know that?"

"This isn't a time for humor Alexandra. You have to come home….now."

"And I don't want to."

"You are needed by the Trinity."

At the mention of the Trinity needing her, Alex's mouth expelled the last dose of Jack across the bar in a fine mist of liquor and saliva.

"What" *cough* "Did" *cough* "You" *cough* "Just" *cough* "Say?"

"Water please," Henry motioned at the beet red face concealed beneath the splay of mocha. He placed a hand softly against her back; carefully though as her hostile reception had put him on guard. Henry had never witnessed his friend at such a low point. Clearly Nathaniel's death had sliced a deeper wound than originally thought.

The bartender slid the icy cold pint glass into the waiting hand. Henry quickly nodded a short thanks then turned to Alex who was quiet but shaky. She was breathing with quick shallow breaths as her hands curled around the edge of the bar turning her knuckles white as snow.

"Alexandra drink this," he wrapped her hands around the chilled glass. Alex didn't argue and took several sips gingerly before taking two large gulps. Her lungs expanded the instant the glass and lips parted ways, thankful for the fresh infusion of oxygen that flooded the starved organs. She blinked a few times feeling her eyes readjust to the familiar dim lighting.

"Thanks," she croaked. Her throat felt raw from the hard racking hacking but it would subside. Henry was running a hand up and down her back in a comforting soothing gesture. To his pleasant surprise, Alex didn't reject him and finished off the glass.

"Now will you please give up this ridiculous protest and come home?"

"What do they want?"

Defeated on part of the alcohol's influence, Alex looked to her mentor and acquiesced.

"We cannot discuss it here." He clutched a hand around her bicep and slapped a ten dollar bill on the bar. "Come with me. But first, you need to be out of those dreary clothes and sober."

"Please," Alex rolled her eyes and slurred her words. "It's because of The Three Stooges Nate's dead."

"Blame them all you wish Alexandra but you very well know the truth."

"They let him die."

"Alexandra," Henry grew serious in his tone as his patience was wearing thin. "The time for laying blame has past. You are coming with me right now."

"Fine," she slid off the barstool and started for the door with Henry's hand tightening around her arm.

Outside the rain continued pounding the city streets and rooftops as the pair emerged. Henry retrieved an umbrella from his jacket and forced it open before allowing Alex to step out from underneath the awning. His arm wrapped across her waist allowing her smaller frame to lean against him for support as they took to the sidewalk. Alex stayed silent but felt her biceps and triceps twinge as the cold broke in. Her teeth clattered in Henry's sharp hearing though her lips were sealed tight. He knew she was trying to be strong, to show she was tough but she was only trying to deceive herself. She felt his arm draw her closer against him and nestled her head higher on his shoulder. The close connection remedied some of the chill in her bones as they ascended a slight incline, a marker that reminded them they were halfway to the brownstone.

I would find a way….

They walked in silence while cars splashed through the deepening swirls of murky water along the curbs. Pedestrians who didn't have cover scurried for it while those who were prepared strolled leisurely with a few savoring the drenching atmosphere. Alex admitted to herself the rain was purifying, expelling the filth and grime that human doused the city in. She would splash in puddles as a child but that was then and now she was a woman; a woman who had been sought out and trained to hunt vampires. Innocence had been tarnished with the song of her blade, splattered in the blood of the undead.

She recalled better brighter times but all those distant memories did was hash the wounds back open. Keeping disciplined and maintaining her energy in the war against the vampires staved off those now painful eras. Alex had grown accustomed to being alone with the exception of Henry of course. Their initial friendship had gotten off to a rather rocky start before the human had gradually overcome her instinct and allowed trust in and since then had put her life in his hands on more than one occasion.

By the time they reached the bottom of the steps the rain had lightened up though it remained steady against the concrete. Alex was breaking loose from the whiskey's spell, finding she could walk up the medium sized flight, with the assistance of the railing of course. Henry had the door open and ushered the hunter inside. The entry way was dark, lit up with the random strike of lightning. Thunder rippled overhead shaking the walls of the building. The entire dwelling darker than outside as the curtains were drawn tight, keeping the sunlight from intruding.

"I'll be in the shower," Alex announced and trudged up the stairs. Henry was in the kitchen preparing a strong brewed pot of coffee. He worried about Alex as this had been a new low for her. His eyes had been witness to every injury and breakdown since the day they crossed paths but today, today had rattled the vampire. He expected her to mourn and grieve as humans did but never had he seen her in such a sad state. Her lips had barely touched the taint of alcohol but today would've proved any person wrong. Henry had counted 10 shots of whiskey before getting her out of there. Had any vampire seen her in such a vulnerable position…..

He shook his head of the thought, refusing to think that. Alex was a fighter, a warrior; but she was also a human who was fallible and concealed strengths and weaknesses.

Alex drew the curtain back and crossed onto the thick soft rug. The air was thick with white drifts of steam as she crossed towards the mirror. She ran her palm across the foggy mirror finding her doppelganger staring back through through the clouded glass. By now the whiskey had ran its course and sobriety was settling in. Her head was thick and heavy but it was temporary. The sinking feeling of remorse was now climbing through her, making her feel like a total ass for her earlier display at the bar. Alex noted that she needed to apologize to Henry for her behavior as he had shown her patience and support in these years of their friendship. Well, he had been firm a few times but it was warranted on each instance.

She returned her attention to the woman staring back in the mirror. The identical ring of ice underlined with indigo crescents told the story of a troubled weary soul. It wasn't a new tale but one that played out in every hunter. Killing vampires did that to her. A few of her associates and friends had fallen to her blade, killing her inside each time but then how could she have lived with herself knowing innocents were being murdered? Her remedy was a regiment of training but Nate's death couldn't be remedied with physical activity. Instead Alex had surrendered to sorrow and drowned them in the promise of liquid gold euphoria.

"I can't do this," she dropped her head and shook it for a minute. "He wouldn't want to see me like this."

Alex took a deep breath and lifted her head back up giving the mirror woman a final hard glare. Something surfaced as her eyes narrowed in defiance as she started to feel the control returning.

"Not this time," she snarled then darted out the door to her room.

Henry was seated at the modest table when he looked up to see Alex hovering in the doorway. Gone were the soaked layers of denim and cotton and drowned rat appearance. Her hands were deep in the back pockets of her jeans as her eyes brushed back and forth, focused on the floor and not on him as she mindlessly chewed on her bottom lip. Her posture was slouched indicating she was embarrassed. He said nothing and fetched a cup of coffee before approaching the hunter.

"Alexandra," Alex flinched like a child who was about to receive reprimand for a misdeed.

"Your coffee is waiting," Henry stood and waited until she forced her head up showing the vampire penitence.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to act like that."

"Alexandra," Henry took her by the forearm leading her to the table. "I understand you are grieving and it is natural for humans and yes sometimes vampires to display the emotion."

"I shouldn't have gone nose down like that. I don't know what happened. I regret even setting foot in that bar."

The sudden pressure of a gentle hand upon her shoulder made her look up to see Henry smiling with a mix of empathy and sorrow.

"It is human nature to run from pain, to desire a means to forget tragedy."

"Well Jack and Jim were not the answer. Nate would've been disgraced."

"No," Henry carefully countered. "He would've understood."

"Ah Henry, my voice of reason and optimism," Alex took a sip of coffee finding the dark Colombian roast at a suitable threshold of taste compared to the stinging bite of whiskey. She didn't dump any crap like milk or sugar in it as she believed coffee was best when the flavor was unaltered or masked with such junk.

"And I will continue to remain such until….." His voice dropped off causing Alex to look up. This time it was her turn to assume the role of reason.

"Henry," she set the mug down and collected his hands in hers. The vampire's skin was cool with a slight roughness to it but Alex had grown accustomed to the feel. "I may get angry at you from time to time and I may say things I don't mean but I would NEVER send you away. If anything it should be me you run from."

"Alex," Henry squeezed her hands in reassurance. "I have gotten to know you rather well over these years and I know you are a good person. Over the near 400 years I have been wandering and training hunters, you are one of the few extraordinary. I have come to see you as a close, no dear friend."

Alex smiled at the vampire's confession, feeling the chasms of hurt close up some. The pain of losing Nate would always be there but with Henry as her rock the pain wouldn't so unbearable.

"Now drink up and we'll go meet the Trinity."

"Usual place I take it?" Alex mumbled with the mug tight to her lips.

"Of course Alex," Henry responded and slid a plate of toast before her. He always had been good to her.