Norman

I sat on the couch watching the TV as the girl pushed against the wall in fear. "Breaks my heart every time" Henry said suddenly touching my shoulder.

"I know poor girl sacrificing herself to save her village" I agreed.

"No, Warlock dying for love" Henry told me in shock. At these words I gave him a confused look as he continued. "Vampires know when dawn's coming you can feel it long before you see it" he told me.

"Anyone ever try to keep you out past your bedtime" I asked ignoring the movie completely.

"Passion can be a great distraction for vampires as well as humans and playing on the edge of being burned is part of the fun" he answered jokingly.

"You think there'd be easier ways of getting a meal than getting involved in a messy romance" I asked sighing like it was an obvious statement.

"It's not about taking blood when I feed from you there's a connection, every emotion adds to the quality of the experience" he told me moving my hair to the side of my face romantically. "Sometimes it's taking someone up a dark alley and tasting their fear, sometimes it's tasting a lover in the throats of passion and it's easy to forget the dawn" he told me as I felt the arousal set in though I tried to ignore it.

"Popcorn" I tried to offer trying to keep myself in control. He ignored my statement completely before continuing to talk.

"Passion isn't something you can shut out for ever Lizzie" he told me leaning forward until he was noticeably closer and removing his arm from my hair into holding my back lightly. "It knocks down walls, sweeps you off your feet" he told me moving slightly to rub my check. "Can change your life" he said as my control snapped. With these words I leaned forward as he noticed the movement and met me half way kissing me on the lips as I soon felt myself being shifted downwards as I gripped for him. "So much for celibacy" I thought to myself.

***

The next night I still found myself at Henry though I felt different more jumpy, and my wrists burned sharply. I waited in bed until suddenly Henry woke as I turned to him. He must have noticed my jumpiness because he turned to me. "Are you okay" he asked.

"Yah my wrists sting a bit" I told him grabbing one of the sex nightgowns I had left here from before. He looked me over worriedly before speaking.

"Anything I can do" he asked pushing himself up on his shoulders slightly.

"I'm sure there are a few things" I answered crawling so that I was straddling his figure. With this I saw him smile as I leaned down to kiss him as his hands met my hips. Just as I started getting into it he pushed me away. "What's the matter" I asked feeling rejected.

"I promise I'll be right back" he stated putting me in another powerful kiss before heading out the room. I sighed slightly before following him to turn the corner to see Henry looking irritated and Vicki ranting. Suddenly she looked up to see me standing there in a short piece of red silk material and immediately turned red. She fell silent for a minute. "You wanted to know where Lizzie was well there she is" Henry stated. Within seconds Vicki came out of her shock as I found myself blushing brighter than she did while trying to cover myself.

"Hey sis" I smiled trying to play innocent.

"You don't rest do you" Vicki accused turned to Henry as he made his way over to me. "I mean I thought you were the Prince of Darkness but really it's more like the Lord of Luxury isn't it" Vicki accused.

"A man has priorities" he answered.

"You don't have to play with your food exceptionally when the main course happens to be my little sister." Vicki stated before spinning her glare onto me. "And you, why didn't you call you had me worried sick all day" she turned on me pointing her finger at me challengingly.

"I just woke up" I blushed pulled my dress for some coverage.

"I'd take it that this warning you received can't wait" Henry interrupted.

"What warning" I asked.

"Well let's see she said that a demon was coming to get my little sister and that someone was assembling the objects to summon him" Vicki said as Henry was suddenly by my side. "That can't be right because you destroyed all the objects that Norman Bridewell used to summon the demon" Vicki asked noticing his actions. At the look Henry gave Vicki I knew the answered.

"You did destroy them right" I snapped at him.

"I took care of them like I said" Henry answered though not in a yes or no.

"And that's why someone's having visions of demons having a surprise party for her" Vicki asked pointing at me.

"Vicki you don't know this cyclic you don't know how accurate her gift is" Henry snapped at her. "Visions are like dreams you need to know how to interpret them" he told us.

"Hmm lets see Astrough dragging my little sister into a pentagram and eating her soul pretty clear" Vicki answered.

"That's why I separated them. With the objects divided they can't be used in that ritual again.

"Hmm well maybe that's why someone trying to un separated them" Vicki offered rudely. "Where are they" Vicki said going into protective sister mode and taking a step forward.

"The Grim wore and the challis is with trusted friends, the knife is safe here with me" Henry answered.

"Yah because ah no one can get in here, right" Vicki said pointing at me.

"What do you want" Henry asked.

"Gather them up and destroy them like we said we would" Vicki told him.

"The nights almost over if you insist to collect and destroy them tomorrow" Henry told her.

"Bon appetite" Vicki growled walking out.

***

The next night Henry took us to an antique store in hopes of finding the objects required. "You left the challis in an antique store" Vicki snapped at him.

"It's anything but an antique store Morris is a powerful individual" Henry defended.

How also happens to sell dusty old furnisher" Vicki asked.

"He knows this world and he hates magic even more than I do. He promised to keep the challis safe" Henry told her.

"Well let's just hope he's someone that keeps his promises" Vicki answered. With this we headed inside the store to see an old man polishing a lamp.

"What do you want Henry" Morris asked turning to him.

"The Challis" Henry answered.

"Don't be assured" Morris answered.

"I know I asked you to guard it but the situations changed" Henry told him.

"The challis is perfectly safe" Morris told him.

"I don't think you understand" I tried to say.

"What part of the apocalypse do you think eludes me my dear" he cut me off. "I have been fighting demonic influences since before you were born" he told me.

'So we both want the same things so go get the challis and let me destroy it once and for all" I defended.

"Lizzie was connected to the ritual" Henry told him.

"And one person has already been killed trying to bring Astrough back" Vicki stated.

"Henry when you asked me to guard this you made me swear never to reveal it's where about to anyone even you" Morris told Henry.

"The situations changed, it's important" Henry told him.

"Well I have no idea where it is" Morris answered honestly.

"You lost it" Vicki snapped.

"It is beyond anybodies reach even mine" he answered.

"You used a concealment spell" Henry stated.

"You always were a clever one vampire" Morris told him.

"I thought you said he hated magic even more than you do" Vicki stated.

"I only use magic to defeat magic no one will ever see the challis again" he answered.

"Well I don't know about you but would sure feel a whole lot safer if we destroyed the damn thing" I stated.

"Who says it would let you hurt it" he asked. "The concentration of evil channelled into the things give them there own power" he told us.

"There must be some way to find the challis even if we can't destroy it we have to try" Henry stated looking at me before pulling me closer noticeably possessive.

"I have taken over the burden you're best out of it all of you" he told us. With this he turned away and fell on deaf ears. As I noticed Vicki take a step forward Henry dragged her out.

"Morris know more about the challis than either of us if he feels it's safe maybe we should trust him" Henry told Vicki.

"Well maybe that concealment spell works on us but how do we know it'll work on a demon" Vicki asked.

"There comes a moment where you have to believe in people" Henry told her.

"You know I'm running a little bit low on that right now not to mention time and patience" Vicki stated.

"It'll be safe with Maurice he'll continue to protect it there's nothing else we can do right now" Henry told her. When we got to the car we turned to Vicki that stopped at the door. "Are you coming" Henry asked.

"No, no I just need some air" she answered.

"I'll be okay Vicki" I told her.

"You better be" she answered.

***

The next night I did everything in my power to make him feel better after finding out Morris had been killed but so far no luck. "It's not your fault" I told him.

"Morris trusted me; I believed that the objects separated would be safe" he argued.

"He knew the risks he thought they would be safe" I told him.

"I should know that using magic's never safe I knew he'd never be able to resist having an object in an actual summoning I used his obsession" he argued.

"Look we just have to get the rest of them back where's the book" I asked.

"Doctor Saguaro has it" he answered.

"You gave that book to one of your best friends" I asked in shock.

"She thought some good would come from studying it" he told me.

"Henry we know what that book does we don't need to study it" I told him. "I mean you might as well have painted a target on her back and handed out bows and arrows" I told him.

"She's aware of the dangers she won't have told anyone she has it" Henry told me.

"You don't even know how they found Morris they might be able to sense the objects we have to get it back from her" I told him.

"Until we know how they really find it I'm not going to endanger her" he told me.

"It might already know she has it not telling her is putting her in jeopardy" I told him.

"Contacting her right now could be leading them right to her once we know it's safe we'll get the grimior than you and I can have a good old fashion book burning" he told me as I felt my stress and worry finally collapse down on me as I realized how real this fear was. "It's going to be okay" he told me realizing it.

"It'll be okay, you said I'd be afraid to give myself over to passion do you really think that's true" I asked.

"Well there's passion and than there's passion. Like passion of longing for a lover's lips delicate touch and than there's passion for gun magazines and shacking down suspects" he smiled.

"And you think I'm the lateral" I asked.

"It doesn't matter what I think" he told me.

"To me it does" I told him.

"I think you try to be the lateral" he told me. "But I think deep inside you are more the first than you ever want to admit" he finished.

***

Later that night I was in the office when Henry came in slowly. "Hey" I said noticing him.

"Where's Coreen and Vicki" he asked.

"They're running down leads on that cyclic Camille Stokes" I answered.

"None of that will matter soon it's almost over, I took your advice I visited Betty and got the book" he told me to my surprise.

"You did where is it' I asked.

"It's back at my place we can destroy it together" he said.

"Good" I sighed in relief walking around the desk and up to him.

"That's what you wanted isn't it because it scares you" Henry teased though I felt weird with him.

"I want that demon bastored back in hell where he belongs" I answered.

"You don't have to act brave with me Lizzie we know each other better than that" he said taking both arms in his hands.

"I just want this to end" I admitted. "The marks, the demons all of it, no matter what it takes" I told him.

"It's not easy, maybe you have to except the marks" he offered to my confusion.

"I thought you hated them even more than I do" I asked.

"But they're part of you know, there's nothing wrong with being afraid, it's what makes us sane. You have to embrace what you're afraid of" he told me.

"Yah maybe you're right" I answered. "I mean there are time where I wonder if we're going to survive the next couple of hours and I realise if I died there would be things I'd regret not having done, I love you" I told him. At these words I leaned kissing him but he didn't kiss back. "I thought you wanted that I thought that's why you'd come" I asked pulling back in surprise. "Oh god Lizzie Nelson queen of bad timing" I told myself trying to walk away. Suddenly I was back in the same position as he talked.

"No that was great timing" he said.

"Don't patronize me" I told him.]

"I liked it" he told me. "Let's try it again" he told me. When I kissed him it felt wrong. Henry was a good kisser but this time he felt like a dog kiss.

"Maybe this is a bad idea we should probably stay on work head back to your apartment get the book and the dagger and destroy them" I said in disgust pulling away. At these words unknown acknowledgment flashed across his face. "I mean I have a friend whose a glass broach she has a kiln" I said but he cut me off.

"It's a t my apartment" he stated.

"Henry what is wrong with you" I asked.

"I got to go" he laughed backing up.

"Hey" I snapped at him grabbing his arm. The next thing I know I'm flying threw the air before a sharp pain and blinding darkness.

***

Once waking up and trying his number I quickly made my way to Henry's place. I entered the room to see Henry holding my body with a knife to the throat. "Henry" I cried subconsciously. At these words the demon broke Henry's hold flipping him to the ground and turning to me. "You really shouldn't have stolen my shape" I told the demon.

"It's not like you're having any fun with it" my body answered. At these words I swung at it fighting until I got locked into a position. At that very second my wrists burned and glowed as I pushed them away pushing a shocked looking me away. I looked down at my normal wrists in shock before noticing my body turn around until it faded into that of Norman Bridewell. "Norman" I cried as he turned to point at me.

"Ding gold star" he told me. "Now who says blondes are stupid huh" he asked.

"Not a real blonde" I told him. At that very second he lunged at me before turning into a cloud of bats and flying off. With this I turned to Henry to see his chest scratched up and holding the dagger. "Henry, Henry are you okay" I cried running to a kneeling position beside him.

"I live you" he answered looking up at me.

"That depends were you just in my apartment kissing me" I asked him.

"If I was you'd remember it" he told me as it fully sunk in. At these words I started spitting in disgust.

"I really need some mouth wash" I stated. Just that I felt Henry's stare.

"You're bleeding" he gasped.

"Hate to waste it" I told him leaning down and kissing him from worry. I felt him suck on my lip for the blood until he pushed me up as I pulled away reluctantly.

"Stop, stop demon to stop" he reminded me.

"At least he didn't get the knife" I remembered.

"It's not safe, he knows where it is he'll come out for it" he told me.

"Oh god I have to warn Coreen and Vicki" I just remember pulling out my cell. Within a few rings someone picked up.

"Nelson Investigations Coreen isn't able to come to the phone how may I help you" the screen typed as I realized it was Norman.

"What are you doing there" I asked.

"Oh just visiting some old friends they're going to come back to my place care to join us" he asked.

"Lizzie don't come" the screen suddenly typed.

"Don't you hurt them Norman" I told him.

"You bring me that dagger and they're all yours" he told me. I breathed deeply as I tried to calm my shacking nerves. "Lizzie I'm not fooling around with you anymore okay. I need this, ah do I need this and so does Coreen" he told me. "Wear something nice" he said as the phone went dead.

***

Within minutes I had gotten out in front of the car and knew I had to call Mike. I waited as the phone rang until it picked up and barely waited to speak. "Mike we found the murder it's Norman Bridewell" I told him.

"Since when does hell have exit privileges" he asked.

"Well he wasn't dead when he was taken so apparently he didn't pass go" I answered.

"Alright some of this is starting to make sense. Your cyclic Camille Stokes she lived in Bridewell's building what do you want to bet that he's still connected to that old pentagram in his old apartment somehow" he asked.

"There's no such thing a coincidences these days" I told him. "Mike he's got Vicki and Coreen" I finally told him.

"What" Mike said before a pause? "Alright Lizzie I'm going to go in after her" Mike told me.

"Not alone" I told him.

"I can't exactly call a SWAT team in on this one" he told me.

"This is my fight he wants me and if he doesn't get me he's going to kill them I will meet you there" I told him hanging up.

***

As I waited out of sight I watched as Henry grabbed it and headed back over to me. "It's done" he told me.

"Do you really think this is going to work" I asked.

"You have to have faith Lizzie" he told me as I glanced back at the man down the alleyway before following Henry into the building. As I walked to his floor I looked around in recognition.

"Here we go again are they in there" I asked.

"I can smell them" he answered. "There's no need for stealth he already knows we're here" he told me as he lead me to the door. As Henry opened the door I saw Norman standing behind a tide up Vicki and Coreen.

"Hi guys" Norman waved. "You took your time I was going to start without you" he teased.

"Yah it's an empty threat you need the dagger and you need me" I told him.

"So did you bring it" he asked.

"We kept our end of the bargain now let them go" Henry answered pulling out the dagger.

"Dagger first and I would like Lizzie to give it to me" Norman laughed.

"Take me instead" Henry offered taking a step in-between us.

"No you know that's not what I need" Norman smiled.

"Henry give it to me" I said trying to stay strong.

"Lizzie this may not work" Henry warned me as I stepped forward. At that very second someone grabbed onto me as I turned to see Mike gun raised.

"Let them go Bridewell" he told Norman.

"Well who the hell are you" Norman asked. "You think shooting me is going to stop me" he asked stepping forward.

"Might make me feel better" Mike answered as Norman rose his hand and Mike and Henry went flying back.

"Now excuse me I have a little ritual thingy to take care of we can argue about this later" he said. "Vicki would you just give it to me" he snapped at me.

"Okay Norman we'll do it your way you want the dagger here it is" I acted throwing it at him. To my amazement he caught it.

"Nice throw alright here we go" he said turning to the book as I tried to think quickly. As I watched him start to talk the room got dark and windy as the floor became a cyclone. "Go" he snapped at Vicki and Coreen.

"Run you guys get out of here" I told them.

"Not without you" Vicki said pushing me back slightly.

"That's the spirit use that" Norman said walking forward. "Now let's finish this Lizzie" he said dragging me to him. When he cut my hand I cried slightly until I saw Norman start to gasp as the dagger glowed. "What did you do" he gasped at me.

"Had the dagger blessed by a priest on the way over" I told him. I than watched as the portal started to close and I spoke. "It's over Norman" I told him.

"Not yet" he said raising the knife. Suddenly Henry was standing in front of Norman having stabbed him. "You think this is over" he asked. "You felt it all the crazy things that have been drawn to you since we've met you're the door way Lizzie not your sister and whether you like it or not Astrough is going to come knocking" he told me. "These marks you think they're a curse they're a gift you just have to embrace this Lizzie and you can have anything that you want even him forever" he told me as he lifted my wrists. I paused for a moment before grabbing the dagger and knocking him into the portal. At this the portal closed as I relaxed and handed Henry the dagger.

"God a hate it when that happens" Mike joked walking to Vicki unwrapping her arms.

"Vicki" Coreen asked. "Thank you I didn't think anybody could stop it I thought he was going to kill me and take me with him" Coreen told us.

"Let's just hope he stays down this time" Vicki stated. "What are you going to do with those" Vicki asked Henry.

"The same thing I should have done in the beginning we can destroy them together" Henry answered.

'Good" I told him.

"Yah well that's all well and good but I've got three unsolved homicides that I';ve got to deal with." Mike stated.

"Well look at the bright side it could have been four, five ,six and seven" Vicki counted.

"Yah I'll be sure to tell Crowley that" Mike joked as I hissed from the pain of the cut. "Hey how's your hand" he asked me.

"It'll be alright" I answered.

"Alright hey come on you two lets take a closer look at those cuts" Mike said taking Vicki and Coreen out of the room.

"I'm concerned what Norman might have done while acting as me" Henry admitted once they left.

"Oh not much I knew it was him right away" I lied.

"Really because he said he knew what you felt like he said he'd just been with you" he smiled jealousy and protectiveness rising to the surface.

"Okay he might have fooled me for like a second" I admitted.

"How far did that second take him" he asked.

"Oh come one don't get any crazy idea's you know demons they lie anyway you know I'm not that easy or quick" I told him.

"Of course" he answered.

"He got you to" I just realized.

"Come on Lizzie maybe we should just forget this ever happened" he smiled trying to hide the answer.

"Your loss because than I may have felt sorry for you" I teased heading for the door.

"Well since you put it that way" he smiled wrapping his arm around me.