This one is long too! Goodness! Well, just read it okayyy? Its great and full of wonder and ponies! …Not really. But whatever.

…Just read it.

Claire ran into Michael two days later on her way back from school. In two weeks she would be all done. Done with collage! She was going to get a collage degree at 18. Booya.

"Congrats," Michael said while walking with her back home [in the shade], "You've grown so fast…" Claire smiled. "Thanks. I think so too!" Claire replied, unable to hide her excitement, "Do you have any plans on the last day, or…"

Michael smiled and gave Claire a playful shove. "I wouldn't miss your graduation for the world." "Speaking of events, don't you have a concert coming up?" "Yeah, I do, how'd you know?" "Monica was commenting on your abs and mentioned a concert," Claire laughed. Michael looked down then back at Claire. "Really. Well then," Michael chuckled, "You coming?"

"Yeah, of course," Claire hip-bumped Michael, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

The two made a turn towards Grandma Day's house. Michael kept walking in the shade of the buildings. Being the youngest vamp in town, he was the most vulnerable to the sun.

Miss Day was out on the porch rocking back and forth, reading a book. She looked up at footsteps. "Hello, dear," she greeted, "You going in that alley again?" Claire sighed. "We've been through this. I'm living there now." "I know, I know. It's just… odd. That's all." "Well, thank you for your concern." Michael waved and they kept walking.

They finally reached the door to Myrnin's lair, proceeded to open it and walk down the creaky steps. Claire had been trying to convince Myrnin to get new wood and fix them, but he keeps saying that he wants to be able to hear if someone is coming down.

Claire walked in first and heard a crash and a grunt. What?

Michael and Claire raced down at the sound of another thump and when they reached the bottom, they saw a man with long brown hair crouched over Myrnin, pinning him to the floor. His fist was raised as if to deliver a final blow. Claire's gasp caught their attention.

Myrnin's forehead was bleeding, but the cut was healing quickly. The man looked beaten as well, but healing.

Myrnin smiled nervously.

"Um," he said with a raspy voice, "Claire, this is Ainsley Jensen."

-Was going to have this next part as a separate chapter but decided not to cuz the part above was wayyyy to short. I should have put that along with Ch. 3, but whatever. Blehhh to you too.-

Claire dropped her bag out of shock. Michael growled at the foreign vampire. Ainsley got the message and backed off. Claire ran to Myrnin's side.

"Are you okay? What the hell happened?"

Myrnin sat up. "I'm fine, it's my fault." Claire cupped Myrnin's face in her hands. "What do you mean?" "He wants me to find some man," Ainsley growled, "And then we get on the topic of our past and he was being an idiot."

Not taking her eyes off Myrnin, Claire said, "He's not an idiot." And she kissed him.

Michael groaned. "Come on guys, I said not to do that." When they stay silent for three more seconds, Ainsley kicked Myrnin in the side.

He grumbled something, stood, and helped Claire up. "Not necessary."

"Apparently, it was," he snapped back.

Claire, blushing brighter than the sun, sat back against a counter. "Myrnin, did you want this guy to hunt down Frank?" she questioned.

"Frank!" Ainsley said, "That was his name. Yes, he did. He doesn't have the money for it. I do."

"Myrnin?" Michael responded.

"I just want to know where he is, okay?" "Wait, Frank Collins?" Michael said skeptically, "Claire, you knew about this? And didn't tell me?" "Yes. I-I guess it slipped my mind," Claire replied. "Mm hm."

"So, Myrnin, I can find him, but you need tell me something," Ainsley growled, "why did you take my Sydney?"

Wait. Sydney? As in the Sydney back at the post office? But she said…

"For the hundredth I didn't take her. She followed me."

"And the day she left with you, happened to be the day after you kissed her?"

What?

"She kissed me! How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Okay, both of you, stop!" Michael barked, "What is going on?"

"It was forty years ago," Myrnin began, "Ainsley had brought Sydney Vivian over for a visit…"

-London, England. 1970-

"Ainsley Jensen, you are such a tease!"

Myrnin rolled his eyes. Here he was, trying to get some quiet and read while he was still sane, and Ainsley was playing with his food.

"Shhh, Ninny over there might go nuts at any moment," Ainsley replied.

Myrnin growled quietly. Over the past 18 years, things had been pretty good. But in the last two, Tension had been rising between the two friends. Ainsley had become interesting in dating humans, while Myrnin remained single.

But lately he had been getting letters from an old friend. Amelie [insert last name Rachel!] is building a town in Texas. The US sounded dazzling, but he felt a twinge of guilt, wanting to leave the man who has helped him for so many years.

Keeping him under moderate control, even helping with a medicine. A crystal substance that gave him a period on clarity; keeping the illness at bay.

"How would you like to join me for the Kings and Queens ball?" Ainsley asked. "That old medieval party they throw every year?" Sydney responded, "Of course!"

"Fantastic! Myrnin? Would you like to join us?"

Myrnin sighed. Well, he could meet someone there…

"Very well, Ainsley," Myrnin smiled, "As long as you don't show me up that horribly." Ainsley chuckled, "I shall try my best."

Saturday night rolled along and the trio made their way to the "ball" in style. Horse and carriage.

"Ah," Ainsley sighed, his arm around Sydney, "brings back memories, eh Myrnin?" Myrnin smiled. It sure did.

The party was being held in a community building. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, people were dancing and laughing all over the place. Ainsley and Sydney, with arms locked walked through the door proudly. Myrnin tagged along behind, feeling more like a third wheel.

He carried a small bag of the crystals, hoping he wouldn't have to use them. The couple paused at the top of the stairs to gaze upon the crowd. "Lovely turn out, yes?" Ainsley commented.

"Indeed," Myrnin responded. He decided to be the first one to walk down. But another couple bumped him and he collided with Sydney. Sydney yelped and Myrnin reacted swiftly, catching her before she fell to the floor. "Sincere apologies milady," Myrnin said quickly. "It's alright, Myrnin," Sydney giggled, blushing brightly. Ainsley was not so amused.

"Come Sydney," he said defensively and pulled Sydney out of Myrnin's arms. Myrnin, confused, followed the couple down the steps. He noticed two women scoping him and Ainsley and smiled. At least he was still attractive in their eyes.

A voice came over them. "Welcome one and all to the Kings and Queens ball," a man's voice said, "we are now going to begin a slow dance. Grab a partner and begin."

Sydney smiled at Myrnin for a moment and then her eyes were back on Ainsley. Myrnin searched the room. He saw a young woman standing alone against the wall. He took the advantage.

"Greetings miss," he said with a bow, "would you like to dance?"

"Sure. My boyfriend totally blue me off," the girl held out her hand and Myrnin guided her to the dance floor.

As they danced, Myrnin asked, "What's your name?" "Kimberly." "Myrnin." "Whoa. I haven't heard that name, ever," Kimberly chuckled. "It's an old name. My mother…" he trailed off. He couldn't remember his mother. Wait. Where was he? The ball. Right. Dancing. Huh? Oh no.

The dance ended quickly, thank God, Myrnin bowed, said goodbye, and made his way to a bathroom. He stared into the mirror, turned on the facet, and splashed cold water in his face.

Myrnin then took out the bag and popped a few crystals in his mouth. Within seconds he was feeling better. He walked out and searched the floor for Ainsley and Sydney. He found them talking at the near cent of the dance floor.

"Bonjour," he said with a dazzling smile. Sydney took on a love struck look that was interrupted with Ainsley's demanding voice.

"Where is that girl you were dancing with?"

"She had to use the restroom."

The booming voice came again. "Okay! Our next song is a kind of slow fast one. Well, it's the Beetles. Oh, and you can't dance with your first partner!"

The announcer was right. It was a slow fast song.

"May I take Sydney for a spin?" Myrnin asked innocently. Sydney looked over to Ainsley. Ainsley mulled it over and then relinquished Sydney to Myrnin.

The two began a slow-fast dance [don't even badger me about my wording].

"So Ainsley told me you two are vampires," she said. "He did, did he?" "Yep. Ainsley is really pushy." "How so?" "Well, I think he thinks I like you," Sydney's voice went quieter, "More than normal."

Myrnin chuckled. "That's odd."

"It's true…"

Myrnin looked Sydney in her chocolate eyes. "What?"

"I've always liked you." Then Sydney snaked her arms around Myrnin's neck and pulled him into a kiss-

-Present-

"That didn't happen!" Ainsley barked.

"Yes it did!"

"Wow, I can't believe you remember that far back," Claire said, mystified.

"Okay, what did you see?" Myrnin growled.

"When I handed Sydney over," Ainsley snapped back, "I went to get something to snack on…"

-London-

Ainsley went to the back of the community dance floor and found a table of cookies, crackers, brownies, and other random assortments of human food. None of these snacks would provide sustenance, but he liked the taste.

Ainsley grabbed a cookie and nibbled on that, searching for his friend and girlfriend. He waved to a few other loners who were snatching cookies here and there. He finally spotted the two. They were talking. That's normal.

Ainsley didn't get it, but he thought that Sydney had a thing for Myrnin. Maybe they were cheating with each other behind his back. He looked away to dump the napkin and was about to walk over to them, for the song was almost over, when he saw the two lean in and kiss.

-Present-

"It looked like you pulled her into a kiss. Not the other way."

"You guys can't be serious," Michael groaned, "You're forty year fight is over a stupid girl?"

"You have to remember, Michael," Myrnin reminded, "tension was building far before Sydney was even born."

"He stole money from me," Ainsley grumbled.

"He taunted me," Myrnin barked.

"You nearly exposed my home."

"You carelessness almost got us killed a number of times."

"Enough!" Michael shouted, "Ainsley, will you help Myrnin?"

"Whatever."

"Good. Okay, just focus on the present please," Michael lowered his voice, "What happened forty years ago, happened forty years ago. Mm? Just leave it be."

"Fine," Myrnin grumbled.

"Fine," Ainsley echoed, "Myrnin?"

"What?"

"Where is Sydney now?"