NAME: Kirk Baldridge

EMAIL:

TITLE: Soul Provider

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these characters, names, places, etc. They all belong to Kim Harrison, and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank her for creating them.

FANDOM: The Hollows

PAIRING: Rachel / Ivy

RATING: M

SUMMARY: Rachel's may have found a way to save Ivy's soul, but will she ever get to use it?

SPOILER: None. Set some time after Black Magic Sanction if that makes a difference.

Rynn Cormel stepped out of his limousine, and turned to offer a gloved hand to the female figure sliding out behind him. "I trust you had an enjoyable evening?"

Ivy Tamwood smiled. "It was wonderful, Rynn. Thank you."

"My pleasure." He glanced up. "I'd best go. The sun will be up shortly."

"Thank you again." Ivy leaned up and kissed him. "We should do it again. Soon."

He nodded. "I will check my schedule."

Once he was gone, Ivy pulled the ivory pin out of her hair and shook the silky raven locks free as she headed for the front door. She couldn't wait to get out of the skin-tight black dress. 'I know Rynn likes it, but sometimes I think the undead forget the rest of us still have to breath.'

Ivy heard a familiar voice as she entered the church. 'Rachel?' It was Saturday night, and she had expected the witch to still be in the ever after. 'Turn it!' She always felt like she needed to apologize whenever she was out with Cormel doing 'vamp things' as Jenks liked to say. Rachel assured her she had nothing to apologize for, while Ivy could smell the witch's disapproval, though she could never be sure if it was because of the thought she might have fed or slept with Cormel. 'Like it's her business.'

Rachel turned from Jenks, looked up, and smiled as Ivy glided into the kitchen. "Hi."

"Hi yourself. Short weekend?"

Rachel shrugged. "Al let me off early. Apparently, Pierce did something that made such a mess all the demons are coming down on Al to fix it. I haven't seen him since."

Ivy noted the way Rachel's lips and brow contorted slightly as she said her ex's name. Her and Pierce's relationship had burned hot and fast, ultimately ending when one of the other witch's schemes nearly got the two of them killed by Newt. "Good riddance?"

"Something like that." Rachel cocked her head. "You look a little flushed. Good night?"

Pouring herself a glass of orange juice, Ivy nodded. "Yes, actually. Rynn and I went to this new restaurant he's thinking about buying. Adolpho's?"

"I've been there," said Rachel. "The linguini is delicious. So I guess Cormel is settling in well?" The former President had taken over as the master of Ivy's camarilla after Piscary's death, and his presence was still making waves all over Cincinnati. "Good for him. And for you, I presume."

"It is. You never have to wait on a table, that's for sure." Ivy waved over her shoulder. "I'm going to pry myself out of this thing and take a shower."

Jenks landed on Rachel's shoulder and snapped his tiny fingers. "Hey, Red?"

"Yes?"

"Wipe your mouth, witch. You're drooling."

Blushing, Rachel swatted at the pixie, who took to the air, laughing his little ass off. "No I'm not!"

"Oh come on, Rache. Ask her out already."

"I can't, Jenks. Not yet. My inner coward is still winning." Rachel sighed. "Besides, she's with Glenn."

Jenks cleared his throat. "Can you keep a secret?" She nodded. "Tinks' titties! Good, 'cause I can't, and it's killing me." He landed on her shoulder again and lowered his voice. "They broke up. She said he was too busy to spend any time with her, and he said she was distracted every time they went out."

Rachel glanced toward the kitchen door. "When?"

"About a week ago. From what she says, it ended pretty amicably, all things considered."

"God. Why didn't she tell me?"

Jenks shrugged. "Didn't want to burden you I suppose. She thinks you're still getting over Casper."

"Do you have to call him that? He has a body."

"Yeah, Tom's. Same ghost inside, different lunker outside, that's all."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say Jenks." She still felt bad for Ivy. 'I know Glenn made her happy. The only other time I ever saw her like that was when Skimmer was around.' She and the blond living vampire had never gotten along, mostly because the only thing they had in common was Ivy, and Skimmer seemed to be under the impression they both wanted her the same way. 'Thing is, she's right.'

Only problem was it had taken so damn long, Rachel was afraid she'd lost her chance. Until recently, she had been stuck on labels, trying to figure out if she was straight, gay, bi, or something in between. Eventually she decided words didn't matter. She was not sexually attracted to women, plural, but there was no longer any denying she wanted Ivy Tamwood. 'Now I just have to find the guts to tell her.'

Jenks chuckled. "Damn, witch. You got it bad."

"I know."