For the first time in months it didn't feel like a battle. Yuki sat at the computer and words flowed with ease. The anticipation of Victoria's next visit was almost as satisfying as her presence and an unfamiliar optimism invaded his world. Where he might have once suffered a profusion of doubts and fears he now found it impossible to care.

Had that kiss been a prelude to more? Was it just meant in a friendly way? It didn't matter at all. Of course he held on to a seed of hope… but it would be enough just to be near her. Even if it was only occasionally. Did he love her? He wasn't sure yet. Yuki knew it was entirely possible he might but he really did know very little about her and proclaiming those emotions to be burgeoning love was premature.

Everything would work out in the end and it was pointless to spend time worrying. For the time being he simply let his excitement flow onto the screen and drive the story forward. Finally life was getting better.

His chair skittered back as he stood and darted out of the room. The doorbell finally rang! He composed himself upon entering the last room and walked the rest of the way to the door, smiling at the cheerful woman waiting as he pulled it open. She wore only a light jacket over jeans and t-shirt in spite of the chill on the wind but of course that didn't bother her. She stepped in and closed the door before hugging him.

"Sorry it's been so long. It's not easy to get away without a lot of questions."

"It's only been a few days." Yuki smiled, returning the hug happily. Sometimes it had felt like a long time since he had seen her but he kept busy with his book and cleaning the house when he reached places where he needed to think.

Looking over some of the rarely used rooms he was shocked by how much dust had accumulated, how abandoned they felt. It was somewhat comforting to know he would not be embarrassed if she chose to explore the house now.

"It felt like forever." She sighed. "So much going on lately… they think something big is going to happen soon."

"How concerned should I be?" He frowned.

"Oh, no, I wouldn't worry." She said quickly, leaning back enough to see his face but not releasing him. "Most of the major activity is in larger cities. Around here there are some stray vampires and those fleeing capture but nothing really bad."

"I meant for you." He clarified.

"You're worried about me?" She asked, clearly surprised.

"Of course. It's not that I lack confidence in your ability so much as the possibility of you being sent into a situation where you might be outnumbered. It doesn't matter how strong you are if the numbers are against you."

"I suppose that's true but I wouldn't worry at all." She laughed. "I'm not alone when it comes to more important missions. I may lead the charge sometimes but there are others fighting with me and not all of them are human."

"Good." He smiled, much comforted. There had been some small concern tugging at the back of his mind that they might send her into any situation too dangerous for humans. If they hunted vampires it seemed unlikely they would try too hard to protect one - even if it was on their side.

They went to sit and chat in the kitchen over some tea and it seemed only moments passed before Victoria was setting her mug in the sink and saying goodbye. He began to protest only to see it was an hour to dawn. Still, he considered asking her to stay…

Much to his bliss the kiss he received this time was longer and more heartfelt. What kind of fool falls in love with an undead woman? He chastised himself silently as the door closed behind her. The aspect that troubled him most was the concern that he might be influenced simply by the fact that he could touch her without changing.

He shook his head, refusing to believe it. That was certainly a wonderful aspect but Victoria was an incredible person. She was kind, intelligent, loyal, beautiful… What was not to love about her? Had she been a normal human woman he was quite certain he would be in a state of despair rather than elation.

Slowly he made his way back to the study, feeling a bit like he was drifting through the clouds with an absurd smile upon his face. He sat and stared at the screen without seeing it. He thought again about buying a camera so he could at least have a picture of her. Would she be visible? He had forgotten to ask whether that was another rumor or one of the facts when it came to vampires.

"So this is the little rat distracting my policegirl…" The deep, amused voice sent a burst of fear through Yuki and when he jumped from the chair spun to the source he was not comforted by what he saw. A man in a red coat and matching large-brimmed hat was staring at him upsidedown from the ceiling, only half of him visible as he drifted closer.

Yuki's brain stumbled over the bespectacled man defying the laws of reality as his lower half floated through the attic while the upper half regarded him with an odd combination of amusement and disdain.

"She… told…" He managed with effort, uncertain what to think or how to react. He knew Yuki was a rat… she swore she wouldn't tell. Hurt warred with fear as the man drifted closer before dropping out of the ceiling and gently setting his boots on the ground. Right side up he was no less menacing in spite of his smile.

"There is nothing she can hide from me if I wish to know." He took another step forward and Yuki took a step back. "And I wanted to know why she has been acting oddly the last few weeks. Where she goes when she takes 'a night off' between missions. Why her shots have not been as clean as they should be."

"I have no desire to distract her from her duties." He assured the man, taking another step back.

"Good," He said with a wide smile that clearly showed sharp fangs. "Then we agree."

Before Yuki could take a breath to respond the man had covered what ground there was left between them and pain exploded in Yuki's neck. He could feel the long gouges the man created - not just puncture marks as most people would expect. It seemed like both hours and only moments passed before he was released, too weak to stand.

He smirked down at Yuki, blood staining pale skin. "No more distractions."

"Master! NO!" Victoria's voice from the hallway both relieved and horrified him.

Master? He thought, his eyelids drooping against his will. He wanted to see her once more…

"Hm. You shouldn't be here, policegirl. It's almost dawn." The man said unapologetically.

"I don't care! Why did you do that?" She demanded. Yuki was almost able to smile as he felt her lifting him, drawing him against her chest.

"You have a decision to make." He responded, once again sounding amused. "I just hurried it along."

Liar. Yuki thought. He just wanted her for himself…

"I'm so sorry…" She whispered to him. "I don't know if this will work… Please don't hate me."

Once more he felt teeth against his neck and the pain became too much, what will he had to hold on to consciousness vanished.

Yuki's eyes opened to take in the familiar light fixture over his bed. Shouldn't I be dead? I was dying…

He sat up and touched his neck but there was no injury there. A dream? He looked around and he caught sight of Victoria, asleep in a chair beside the bed. This can't be real…

When he lightly touched her hand she jumped and smiled nervously at him. "Are you alright?"

"I think so… what happened?"

"Umm… yeah… that…." Her smile faded and she looked away from him. "I'm sorry, I really am, I just couldn't let you die like that. My Master wasn't happy about us being in this situation and he kind of… handles things his own way. I had to… umm…"

He rested a hand on her arm. "Just say it."

"Yukiyou'reavampire!" She said in a rush, cringing as if waiting for him to hit her or yell at her.

I'm undead… He frowned and turned to sit on the side of the bed. Not entirely sure how to react but certainly not with the anger she feared. He reached out and took her hand. "You are still here. That is all that matters."

"What?" She looked at him as if he were insane. "Seriously?"

He gave her a faint smile. "I suppose there are other aspects that matter but only one I care about right now. I imagine your Master will be unhappy about this, too, and I am not looking forward to seeing him again. With you to help me I am sure I will adjust however I need to, though. I don't hate you, Victoria."

She relaxed visibly and smiled. "Well… now I'm afraid there's a big decision to make. Let me tell you more about the Hellsing Organization…"