Chapter Two.

Ronnie, or Veronica as most people knew her, was, among many things, reliable. Ivy met her through Kisten a long time ago. Veronica worked in the financial district and would often come

to Piscary's with her colleagues and friends. Kisten had set his sights on Veronica after seeing her several times in the restaurant. He told Ivy that he thought she looked like a mix

between Ali Larter and Cindy Crawford. This Ivy had to see for herself. So one night, while Ivy and Kisten were sitting at the bar at Piscary's, in walks Veronica and friends. Ivy had to

agree with Kist, Veronica was gorgeous. A tall, thin, brunette with a devilish glint in her eyes. She too was a living vamp. Maybe not as much old world background as the Tamwoods, but

she could hold her own in the social circles. Beauty, power and influence; no wonder Kisten was smitten.

Kisten had told Ivy tonight was the night. He was sure that she would be going home with him this fine evening. Ivy had offered a wager that he was out of his league with this one.

Undaunted, Kisten approached Veronica in hopes of asking her out. As Ivy watched from across the bar, Veronica politely blocked Kisten's advances. As flattering as his offer was, she

explained that she "batted for the other team." Never one to be shot down, Kisten countered with another offer to then join him and his lovely friend sitting at the bar. Veronica took a

look across the bar, and with one eyebrow raised, tipped her glass at Ivy and took Kist up on his offer. And thus the friendship was made.

Ronnie, Kisten and Ivy became fast friends. Ivy could sense a sexual tension between herself and the pretty brunette, and Kisten was always waiting in the wings on the slim chance that

the three of them would get together. Remembering this made Ivy smile and shake her head, "God, Kist, you were such a pig!"

Ronnie was more than that to Ivy. Over the years, Ivy and Ronnie grew to be close friends, meeting to work out together or just to catch up over drinks. More recently, after Kisten's

death, Ivy relied on Ronnie's sympathetic ear. Ronnie had definitly been a strong shoulder to lean on for Ivy, listening to her whenever she had a problem, personal or otherwise. And

Ronnie was no stranger to the problems Ivy was having with Rachel. The vamp found Ivy's predicament with Rachel slightly amusing, but she would never rub Ivy's nose in it.

As Ivy reminisced on the way to the club, she couldn't help but think that she was finding more and more excuses to call Veronica lately. In fact, she had caught herself daydreaming about

other things involving the pretty vampire a few hours before she made the moves on Rachel at the church. Ivy tried to push the coincidence down into the back of her mind and

concentrated on driving. At least at this hour, the traffic isn't bad, she thought.