Okay, here's the deal. I posted this story over two years ago when I started it and have since totally forgotten about it. But even after two years, I'm still getting the occasional review. Which, frankly, I find astonishing. So I'm resurrecting it. I don't like disappointing people, so I'm going to try my hardest to finish this. Ideally, I'll be updating every week or two, but depending upon how many people review, it might be a little faster. Especially if those reviewers offer a some hopeful suggestions about what they'd like to see happen.

I've also done a little editing and smoothed out some paragraphs I felt were too choppy. Nothing major, just some touch ups.

I own nothing except the little villains in this brief ficlet, which I would happily trade for any sort of ownership of Delos. I'd even share. A little. Maybe. Ok, I lied.

Chapter 1

Things will never be the same again. I'll never be able to go back to being a normal school girl again.

Maggie couldn't believe how accurate that thought could have been when it had occurred to her only a year ago when she was standing in front of Black Dawn in a slave outfit from the Middle Ages. Life certainly would never be boring again, especially with the company she now kept.

A little above her and to the left, Delos hung onto the rock wall with only his fingertips as he tensed his muscles in preparation. Their hand- and foot-holds were steadily growing extinct as they climbed higher up the mountain. Luckily, Maggie was able to go to all sorts of places she hadn't reached before because of her soulmate.

In a burst of inhuman strength, the vampire pulled on his miniscule hand-holds while his feet pushed up against the wall. Blindingly fast, his right arm shot up and clung to the little overhang that had granted them a brief respite from the overhead sun. He grunted softly as he brought his other hand to the ledge and moved his feet further up the wall. His body was left at a backward tilt, causing his safety line to dangle loosely below him before running down to join with hers.

Maggie risked a quick glance down and immediately regretted it. They were several hundreds of feet above the next level area on the mountain, and nothing but air stood between the vampire and that very-distant surface. "Delos, you alright?"

"Aren't you the one who always tells me 'Don't look down'?" His voice was sarcastic, but not in a mean way, just ironically so. He hadn't had to turn to know what had sparked her need for reassurance. They both had a sixth sense wherever the other was concerned, a benefit of being soulmates.

She smiled a bit, and stretched her fingers, which would begin to go numb pretty soon if she didn't move. "What can I say? I'm a masochist." His little chuckle was enough to relax her nerves, at least a little. "The line's secure when you're ready."

He didn't answer, but she saw his body tense again. She didn't know anyone, at least any human, who was strong enough to climb up when tilted back like her soulmate currently was. It just took too much upper-body strength to hold your legs up while climbing at a bad angle with only your arms.

Delos didn't do it blindingly fast like most of his little stunts, but he did do it. His arms, left bare by the sleeveless, black t-shirt he was wearing, flexed with an aesthetically-pleasing amount of muscle as he pulled himself up with the jingling of his harness and clenches. When his feet had disappeared over the ledge, she moved up as far as her frailer body could reach, and then waited.

Golden eyes, shaded below unruly brown hair, appeared above her. A mouth that could only be described as arrogant followed, twisting into a wry little smirk as he looked down at her. "How's it hangin'?"

She gave a valiant effort to keep her own lips twisted down in a scowl, but failed miserably and laughed instead. "That was horrible," she complained. "Now are you going to be a good blood-sucker and help me out, or am I going to have to try something stupid, like climbing up myself?"

He paused as if seriously considering the options. If she hadn't needed both her hands to hold on, she'd have thrown something at that handsome, contemplative face. She gave him one of her own trademark glares that showed her own obstinacy.

"I suppose you're still useful enough to make the effort." The little smirk changed into something much more suggestive.

Maggie returned the smirk coyly, batting her eyelashes for more effect. Then, in a very seductive voice, said, "If you leave me hanging here for so much as five more seconds, you're not going to get any 'use' out of me for five months."

The pressure on her harness was immediate as he took her line and pulled her up. She was sitting on the edge of the overhang before she could even think of counting. Delos was kneeling beside her, still smiling.

"Fast enough for you?"

She punched his bare arm, playfully, but not what one would say was gently. "Arrogant bastard."

His answer wasn't verbal, but still required the use of his mouth. The kiss was very nice, and Maggie was just getting into it, enjoying the soft glow surrounding them in their minds, when a voice interrupted them.

Couldn't you guys at least refrain from that stuff around me?

They pulled back and turned to look at the large rock that had fallen down the mountain to land on their little overhang. On it was perched a large falcon with pale blue-gray eyes and copper feathers. The voice obviously hadn't been spoken out loud, as birds can't actually talk, but rather was sent to their minds.

"If you don't want to see it, you could always leave, Miles," Maggie retorted leaning closer to Delos to brush a quick peck over his lips, which he returned.

Yeah, but then we'd never get this mission done with. Come on, I found the plant.

He flew up to circle over a reasonably decent path leading further up the rock wall. Both climbers stood and stretched briefly before taking their places again with Delos in the lead. A few months ago, it would have been Miles in his human form, or Maggie, but the vampire had absorbed everything they'd taught him about climbing like a sponge, and was fully as capable as either of them, who had been doing this since they were ten.

Miles still climbed with them, but for missions like this, he took on his other form as a falcon to scout out possible paths and their destinations. The arrangement worked perfectly, and the three of them had become a valuable team for Circle Daybreak. Especially for the witches.

"What does Thea want with this weed, anyway?" she asked curiously as she set another clench and ran her line through it. In her mind, she pictured the willowy blond girl with her warm doe eyes and welcoming smile. The witch had been one of the original founders of the Circle, and was now the resident healer at Thierry's mansion in Las Vegas, where they'd set up headquarters.

Delos answered, setting his own supports before continuing up. "She mentioned something about Hannah, but other than that I'm not sure."

Conversation dropped after that, everyone focusing on their own tasks too intently to bother with small talk. There were no other difficult parts that called for Delos' strength, but by the time they reached their destination, Maggie was feeling a bit weary.

It was another ledge that they reached from the side, and the view it offered was breathtaking. All three paused to enjoy the sight of the forest below, rich and green in the afternoon sunlight. Human habitation hadn't touched this part of the wilderness yet, and hopefully wouldn't for a long time to come. The memory of the Dark Kingdom, after the mist had cleared and the light had once again lit the land, returned to her. With no pollution or large cities marring the earth, the kingdom had been gorgeous, and very similar to the place they were looking out on now.

The moment passed, though, and they turned to one another to decide their next course of action. The plant's up that cliff over there, wedged between two rocks. Only one of you will have to go.

Miles looked between the two, waiting for them to decide. It was strange how often their goal was in just the right place that kept Miles from retrieving it on his own. But Delos had surprisingly offered a possible explanation when she'd spoken her observation on one occasion. Most of the plants that grew this high up required strong roots that would be too difficult for Miles to pull up with his beak, and ledges where he could land and shift into his human form close enough to the plants were scarce. So they went on these little excursions together as much for fun as for the mission.

Maggie shifted her eyes to Delos' right wrist, bound in the thin leather brace Aradia had made for him. He would have to wear it for the rest of his life because of his little talent at controlling the blue fire. "How's your arm doing?"

He flexed his hand and rolled the joint. "A little sore, but not bad."

"I'll go. You can rest it for a while."

He hesitated, as she knew he would, but nodded stiffly. If she let him have his way, he'd lock her up in a padded room and keep her nice and safe for the rest of her life, but she was a bit too strong-willed for that, so they'd compromised. She didn't get too overprotective when he was having trouble with his arm, and he didn't get too overprotective when she left the bedroom.

"Be careful," he said at the same moment as her brother. She flashed them a broad smile and began preparing her equipment for another climb.

The plant, a pathetic looking weed that was tightly wedged into its little alcove, was easy enough to reach. She took a moment to wonder exactly what the witch would want with the elusive little bugger, then reached in to pull it out. It came free with some effort, but just as she felt the roots give, a sharp, painful double sting ignited her hand in a blaze of pain. She yelped and jerked back too quickly, losing her footing and falling to dangle by her left hand.

"Maggie!" Delos' voice had lost all its usual arrogance and only held fear.

She didn't have time to answer, because a whole nest of scorpions erupted from the crevice to climb down towards her left hand and the only support keeping her from dropping quite a long distance. "Oh, God!"

Letting go and allowing the line to catch her didn't occur to her quickly enough. She had never fully trusted the things, never having had to rely on them before. Instead, she watched as the frightening-looking creatures crawled closer and closer. The feel of their pointy legs on her fingers made her twitch, and caused them to react. The stings made her hand completely numb to any feeling but the pain, and she dropped.

There was no time to scream. She twisted and shook her hand violently to be rid of the monsters, but they were holding on with pinchers and feet. The force of her harness stopping while the rest of her tried to continue took her breath away anyway, not giving her a choice in the matter.

Maggie! Don't move! I'll get them off. Her brother's warning just barely penetrated the haze of terror and pain surrounding her, and she had to force her body to obey. It was hard, though, and she didn't think she could hold still for long, but the blur of copper shooting towards her wasn't wasting any time. With deadly talons, he plucked the three scorpions still hanging onto her off and dropped them to disappear down the cliff.

Her breathing was shallow and she knew she should try to slow it down to keep from hyperventilating, but when she tried to draw in a deeper breath, she couldn't, which caused her to panic even more. "I can't breathe!" she whispered, choking.

The feeling of swaying made her struggle again, but then strong arms were around her, holding her still and radiating comfort and safety. "It's ok. It's alright, Maggie. Calm down." Delos' voice, which could ordinarily talk her through anything, had no effect this time. No matter how she tried, her lungs refused to listen and were beginning to lock up. Similarly, the numbness was spreading from her arm to her shoulder and throughout her body.

Delos! I can't move! Help me! She could feel her frantic plea effect him, sending him into a fiercely protective mentality. His mind chilled over and, with surprising speed, he climbed back down to the ledge to lay her out on the hot stone.

She's having an allergic reaction to the venom. That's the only explanation. Those scorpions aren't poisonous enough to actually kill anyone. Miles was flapping his wings in agitation and scraping his talons on the stone. You have to do something!

Delos did do something. He pulled out the deadly knife he carried with him everywhere and dragged it harshly against his wrist, cutting the flesh and letting his blood flow freely down his arm. Maggie saw the brilliant crimson color draw nearer and then tasted it on her lips. "Drink it. It won't change you, but it should be enough to get rid of the poison."

A part of her mind stood back and was horrified at what she was doing, drinking the blood pouring out of her boyfriend's arm. But the part that was in control couldn't help but trust him and swallow. What started out as just warm, thick liquid--a little like tea mixed with honey–quickly transformed into liquid fire as it trickled down her throat, through her body, and found the toxins attacking her from inside. It didn't taste like any tea she'd ever had before, though. It didn't even taste like the blood she'd swallowed when she'd bitten her lip. It tasted rich and sweet. It tasted like power. And it made her whole body convulse as the venom was forcefully consumed.

Delos held her arms down and moved into a one-armed pushup position above her to keep her legs from kicking and her torso from arching. You're going to be fine, sweetheart. It'll be over soon. His mental voice was still a cool wind in her thoughts, stronger than it usually was with the open vein allowing a closer connection between their minds. The soft glow that always surrounded them when they were touching was trying to insinuate itself between her and the pain, but it wasn't making an easy job of it. The pain wasn't ready to let her go, and the only thing keeping her from possibly flailing off the side of the mountain was Delos' body pressing hers tightly into the rocks beneath her. The pink glow was stubborn, though. Probably as stubborn as her thick-headed soulmate, and it finally shoved its way through the other sensations to sooth the wrenching pain of the poison even as Delos' blood made her feel warm and light headed.

The wrist over her mouth was pulled back, and she found herself trying to follow it without quite knowing why. She only knew that she'd been enjoying the feeling of Delos' mind surrounding hers in a loving blanket and was afraid that without him there the pain would come back. While she anxiously waited to see if her fears would be proved right, she felt some of the warm blood drip onto her hands over the distantly stinging punctures.

"Maggie? Are you alright?" Worried golden eyes, surrounded by thick black lashes, looked down on her when she managed to focus her vision.

It took her a couple of times, but she finally managed to answer. "I've decided that I hate scorpions."

His lips curled up into a brilliant smile that held nothing but open adoration. "Me, too, sweetheart. And I plan on killing every last one I see from now until I die. Can you sit up?"

She gave it a valiant attempt, but in the end needed his help and ended up leaning heavily against him. "I feel kinda funny," she murmured. Funny didn't quite cover what she felt though. The world seemed to have shifted just enough to be noticeable around her. Everything was brighter and more detailed, and she could hear a strange rhythmic thumping. It took her a second to realize it was Delos' heart, and that it was beating pretty fast for a vampire. No wonder, I probably scared the shit out him.

"It's the blood. It'll be out of your system by tomorrow. I'm sorry, but you might be a little sick tonight." Cool lips brushed over her sweaty forehead and she smiled and curled a little closer to him.

"Not your fault. Can we rest for a while before heading back down?"

If you think I'm going to let you try to repel down in the state you're in, you're insane, her brother retorted, his mental voice harsh with emotion. I'm going to go deliver this damned weed. You guys take your time. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, Delos.

"You have nothing to worry about there, brother. I'll tie her up and carry her down if I have to."

"Do that and you can kiss your sex life goodbye."

Golden eyes looked down at her from above his arrogant little smirk. "As long as you're safe . . ." And he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers in the most lovingly chaste kiss she'd ever experienced.

TBC (If you want. Initially, this was just supposed to be a one-shot.)