WATSON-

A change had been brought about in Holmes since we had come to Weatherly Manor. He spent much time with Lady Evangeline but I didn't think much of it. Lady Evangeline was an intriguing lady and no doubt had much to tell about her experiences. But something disturbed me about her; there was something not entirely right with the relationship between Holmes and Lady Evangeline.

I decided one evening to take a walk in order to clear my head. I soon found myself in the garden. Spring had come upon us and the flowers were getting ready to bloom. Sitting on the bench I thought of my late wife. She loved flowers so. She would have loved this garden.

A twig snapping brought me away from thoughts of my Mary. I heard two familiar voices, which belonged to Holmes and Lady Evangeline.

"You were a spy?" Holmes' voice asked in surprise.

I heard Lady Evangeline's laugh. "Yes, I was. The year was 1775 and war had broken out in America."

"And you availed your services to the Empire."

"To the Empire? Oh no, I worked for the Americans."

"You betrayed the Empire?!"

"I didn't betray the Empire." I heard Holmes make a noise about to say something, but Lady Evangeline cut him off. "Ah, ah. Now, don't you dare lecture me about fighting against the Empire. I've seen enough monarchs over the years abusing their power; I thought a change was in order. I think the formation of the United States of America was a healthy thing for the Empire. We have good standing relations with America and I believe some of your most interesting cases have had connections with that country in one way or another. Now let me see if I can remember the titles Dr. Watson gave them. A Study in Scarlet in 1881, The Noble Bachelor in 1886, A Scandal in Bohemia and The Five Orange Pips in 1887, The Valley of Fear, The Yellow Face, and The Hound of the Baskervilles in 1888, all had some connection with America."

"You've read all of those?"

"No. Aldrich has read them all and he gives me the outline of the story."

I stood from the bench as I listened to them talk some more. I peaked through a whole in a bush. I saw Holmes and Lady Evangeline standing next to each other. Her arm was curled around his arm, but that wasn't out of the ordinary when a gentleman escorted a lady.

"Remarkable," Holmes said. "So you have spied for the Americans. What else have you done with your life?"

"Nothing of interest. After the American Revolution, I ended up in France and after France I came back to England."

"But living in France under Napoleon must have been interesting?"

"It was. Living anywhere is interesting when you're someone like me. I lived with your cousin for close to a century. Just how are you related to Dracula?"

"I'm not sure. Mother was the one who knew everything about my ancestors. I think that Dracula and I share a common ancestor on my mother's side."

"Similar in the way that I am related to Sir Henry.

"I still find it truly amazing. Do all humans have a vampire relative?"

"Most do. I don't pretend to understand such family connections. My own family is difficult enough to keep track of. So much chaos in my bloodline, but I'd give it all up, my title, my family name, even the awesome powers that I have, just for some stability."

"And have you found it?"

"Perhaps."

She stood on her toes and kissed Holmes on the cheek. Holmes put his arms around her waist and lifted her as his lips met hers.

I could not believe my eyes. In all the years I had known Sherlock Holmes I had never known him to show interest in women romantically, let alone showing outward affection of this nature for a woman. There was something not right about Holmes' behavior. This was not like him at all. Their lips parted, but they remained close to each other.

"It is very rude, Dr. Watson to spy on people without their knowledge," Lady Evangeline called out to me. "Do have the kindness to step out of the bushes."

I stepped out of the bushes as she requested. "I don't think I need to ask how you knew I was there."

"Quite. I am surprised that you remained there as long as you did," Lady Evangeline said.

"I was surprised to see what I did see. What have you done to him?"

Lady Evangeline's face drew into an expression of confusion. "I beg your pardon?"

"What have you done to him? You have seduced him."

"Watson!" Holmes shouted indignantly.

"Doctor! What in Heaven's name made you think that?"

"I have eyes Lady Evangeline and you don't need to be a detective to deduce what I saw."

"So I see. But I haven't seduced your friend."

"Really and how am I supposed to believe that?"

"Ask your friend, Dr. Watson. I'm sure that you can learn all you need to know from him."

"Evangeline?" Holmes asked.

"No. You know him better than I. You should be the one to tell him about us. Though I fancy such a discussion is better to be had indoors."

Lady Evangeline left Holmes and I alone in the parlor. She closed the doors behind her as she left. I waited until I heard the lady's footsteps on the stairs before speaking to Holmes.

"Well Holmes?"

"Well what Watson?"

"What do you have to say about your behavior a moment ago?"

"I love her," Holmes sitting in a chair.

"Love her? Holmes don't you see what she is doing to you? She is seducing you for her own purposes."

"She is doing no such thing, Watson."

"How do you know that?" I didn't believe him. His senses were tainted by that woman's- I hesitate to say lady- spell.

"You haven't talked with her, you haven't gotten to know her the way I know her. Watson, I have told you that I have never loved. But Evangeline she's very different from any woman I had ever known. She's a remarkable strong willed woman and has seen much of the world."

"So I heard. But she's also cold hearted, callous, and detached."

"You don't know her at all. If you had taken the time to get know her, as you had suggested that I do, you would have learned that she is a much tired woman who underneath her seemingly cold exterior has a warm, tender heart and can love with such a love that only a woman can feel for a man."

"Holmes this is just another part of her seduction…"

"No it's not. Did you know that she didn't want to be the way she is? She was forced to become a creature of the night against her own accord."

"What?" I asked in surprise. I had to admit that I was unaware of Lady Evangeline's past and now I had some idea as to why.

"Now if she has me under her spell as you claim, why would she reveal such dark and personnel secrets about her past to me as she has done so tonight?"

"I suppose that's true."

"Of course it's true. Watson, I think you owe Lady Evangeline an apology."

"I suppose I do. Holmes have you…um…expressed your feeling for her?"

"Yes. Watson I am not ashamed of the fact that Lady Evangeline is my lover."

"It's progressed that far so soon?"

"Watson, I have more or less had this relationship with Evangeline since about November. But there is more to this relationship than just sexual relations."

"There is?"

"Of course. We talk about various subjects. Books, music, crime, whatever comes into our minds. Most of the time we simple take long walks. The fact is Watson, I enjoy spending time with her."

"Do you intend to make this relationship to be of a permanent nature?"

"If you mean matrimony, I don't know. But I do know this, I love Evangeline and she loves me."

"Well, I suppose that I should find Lady Evangeline and apologize."

I rose from my seat as the butler Brooks came into the parlor. "Excuse me gentlemen, but Lady Evangeline told me that you were still awake."

"Has Lady Evangeline gone to bed then?" Holmes asked.

"No sir. She's in the garden."

"The garden? But the sunlight?"

"I don't know about that sir, but like I said she's in the garden. Maybe you should ask her."

"Of course. Thank you Brooks."

"Do you require anything gentlemen?"

"Thank you, no."

"Very good, Mr. Holmes." Brooks left us alone once more.

"Since Lady Evangeline is still up, maybe I should go and apologize."

"Yes, I think you had better. As for me, my dear Watson, I'm turning in for the day. Good morning old man."

"Good morning, Holmes." Holmes patted my shoulder as he left to prepare for bed. Not long after he left, I got up and went out to the garden to find our hostess.

I found her near the rose bush. A basket lay near her feet and shears in her hand. A large straw sat on her head blocking out the sun's rays. She dropped roses into the basket as I approach.

"Your late wife's favorite flowers, I believe," She said handing me a rose she had taken off the bush.

"Yes. Mary loved roses. But how could you…never mind, I should know better than to ask."

"You are surprise that me of all people should be out in the sunlight. You are wondering why I'm not a smoldering pile of ash."

"Yes. I am."

"Well, when vampires reach a certain age they have the ability to go out in the sunlight for limited periods of time. Sometimes I come out here and I feel like I am the person I once was, not the monster I have become."

"Lady Evangeline, my words to you earlier, they were unbecoming of a gentleman. I hope that you will…"

She held up her hand with an unspoken command of silence. "Please doctor, spare me of your apologies. I don't blame you for anything you've said. Most of the world sees me as nothing more than a temptress infecting my victims with a single bite. It's only a generalization on your part." She picked up her basket and I followed her back into the house. "Sherlock told you about our relationship, I assume," she said coming into the kitchen.

"Yes, he did."

"And do I meet your approval?"

"I beg your pardon."

"Dr. Watson, your reaction to the discovery of your friend's romantic affairs reminded me of my father's reaction when he found out that my sister Margaret was being courted by her future husband."

"It must be hard for you, not having your family around."

"It is sometimes, but I remind myself that they're always with me." She pushed up her sleeve. She revealed the two bite marks on her wrist. "This is my cross to bear, Dr. Watson. My curse. To live so long, alone and unwanted by the world. Then I met your friend and my world changed. I love him, Dr. Watson, and like you, I will do all I can to protect him. But now doctor, I am very tired. So I will wish you a very good day."

She walked out of the kitchen and retired for the day. I followed her lead and went to bed for the day myself. My last thought as I fell asleep was that my friend Sherlock Holmes was happy and content in his life and I was happy for him.