Things did not happen exactly to plan. A car pulled up at about half past six, interrupting their embrace. Staring into each others eyes for a moment, they knew this would not be the best time to explain. Kissing her once more and telling her he would be there that night, Rob disappeared.

Kayla did a quick sweep of the room, making sure nothing was disturbed. Flinging the stick into the corner it had come from, she answered the door.

"Mum!" she cried, flinging herself into her mothers arms. She had already decided, in the time it had taken her to sweep the room, that she would find the Night World. Rob had promised to tell her more about it soon. Her mother could not be blamed for wanting her away from danger, neither could her father. They thought they were doing the right thing and she would talk to them at another time, with her soulmate at her side.

"Hiya baby! Dr Reid felt better and she knew it was your birthday so she came in so I could go! Happy Birthday sweetie"

The rest of the evening was a happy time. Her father called and they chatted for a while before the hotel he was staying at told him to get off the line. Her mother asked her how she liked the gift just before she headed to bed, earlier than usual.

"I love it Mum. It's perfect, just what I wanted" was the only thing she could say, not mentioning the good timing.

Hurrying upstairs she slipped into her room and closed the door. His shoes on the floor, Rob lay on her bed. He had been watching the door for about three hours. Kayla hurried to embrace him, but before she could, he stopped her. Sitting up, he looked somewhere between embarrassed and hopeful.

"Um, can I ask a favour?"

"What?" she asked confusedly.

"Um, I, uh, I'm having trouble with the oxygen"

She blinked. Then her eyes widened.

"Me? Won't change me, will it??"

"No, I only need a little for the moment, just enough to keep me OK until about midnight"

"Why midnight?"

"When you're asleep, I'll take a stroll" when she showed signs of interrupting he stopped her. "It won't kill them, I don't need to kill. I just need a bit of haemoglobin and I don't want to take too much from you, I don't know how I'll react to the mixed blood"

"I wasn't going to object to that part. You'll leave me?" Kayla's eyes were hurt. Rob smiled at her expression but understood. It hurt to think of leaving her too.

"You'll be asleep. And I'll be back before morning. You won't miss me. Promise. Now come here, I know you have Night World clothes on underneath now, I wanna see!"

Pulling off her school shirt to reveal a black Shape shifter tank top, Kayla hopped on the bed next to him and he held her close. Twisting away from him slightly, she gazed into his eyes briefly. Then she offered him her neck.