A/N: Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

I'm afraid I won't be able to post tomorrow; I'm out for the day with friends visiting a friend in Barry then shopping in Cardiff.

I'm hoping to update all my fics on Sunday. I've missed typing them, unfortunately work got in the way of them all.

Please let me know what you think.

Chapter 12: Link

Erin looked at Bertrand nervously; she didn't want it to be anything that he wouldn't recover from and knowing their kind that was probably the only diagnosis.

Bertrand carefully phrased his question, "Has Vlad touched Alex in any way?"

Erin looked at him in confusion, she nodded. "Yeah." She didn't see the significance of it.

Bertrand was right; he definitely knew what it was. "His mind's connected to his father's, it must have been when they touched each other – a link was established between them for the first time. Does it happen after each time they touch?"

Erin thought back, the first time had been a couple of hours after Vlad had met Alex it had grown since then and this was the worst with her and Vlad touching the boy at the same time. She nodded to Bertrand. "We touched him together before he entered this, Vlad was explaining the meaning of touching a vampire's neck and we were showing him."

He gave a visible sigh, "Telepathy is important in young vampires, when a vampire is born they are linked to their parents. The bond develops; it's a way for the Blood Mirror to recognise the lineage of the vampire. Alex would have been linked to you immediately when you held him for the first time but he's only just been linked to his father. If Vlad had touch Alex when he was born this wouldn't be happening to his son. Vlad would've known to shield his mind and thoughts from Alex. When you both touched him, the link intensified. Both of his parents were strengthening the bond with him, you were touching each other's necks weren't you?" Erin nodded guiltily; she always knew that gesture would get her into trouble. "His instincts kicked in and his DNA recognised both of his parents, you were acknowledging each other. You completed the circuit that had been broken until that moment."

"How is this relevant to what Alex is going through?" Erin asked him outright. She couldn't understand it.

"Somehow he's reliving Vlad's memories; Vlad doesn't know he has to shield them because he doesn't know about Alex. The nightmares he's having is of the book, Vlad didn't want to open it and he was chased inside the Blood Mirror, Alex is reliving that in Vlad's place."

Bertrand was a vampire; he was telepathic so he should be able to do something about it. "Can't you link with him and help him through it?"

"It needs to be his father." Bertrand stuffed his hands in his pockets, a habit he'd developed over the years. "Vlad needs to block his access to his memories and other aspects of his mind."

Erin shook her head, involving Vlad wasn't an option. "What do I need to do to stop them?"

"Alex needs to become used to his father's mind, you need to tell Vlad to make it easier on Vlad's mind as well. He will adapt quicker to Alex's link appearing in his mind, he probably hasn't sensed it yet but he will."

Erin was firm in her answer, "I'm not telling him."

It was like talking to a brick wall, it made him more curious about the deal she'd made with Adze. "Then you have to ride it out." Bertrand told her, "He'll have more nightmares."

"What if I let him near his father?" Erin asked quietly, it was a risk but not as big a one as telling her son that Vlad was his father.

"Then it might help, Alex will get used to him if he spends more time with him. What are you going to tell Vlad?"

Erin shook her head, she could think of an excuse. "He doesn't have to know."

Bertrand didn't like being a part of this; he didn't like keeping this secret from Vlad. He'd learned his lesson years ago about keeping secrets from the younger vampire. "You're playing a dangerous game."

"It's dangerous either way." Erin looked at Bertrand, "Can you wake him up?"

"I might be able to," He'd managed to enter Vlad's mind and Vlad was the most powerful vampire of them all. He'd only done it once before Vlad had shut him out completely. "But if he slips into as deep a sleep again then only Vlad will be able undo it."

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Alex felt someone pressing against his mind; he wanted them to go away. He didn't want them here; he wanted to be left alone.

He was scared of this place but he didn't like the feeling in his mind, only his mum could do that and this wasn't his mum.

It was someone else.

It felt like someone poking him to wake him up. It didn't hurt but it was uncomfortable. He tried to push them away but he couldn't find them to grab them.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He screamed as loud as he could but it didn't work. They continued to prod and poke him.

He forced himself to move, he ran as fast as he could trying to escape them he could feel himself waking up and while it was a good thing he was terrified of what he'd find on the other side.

He found he had no choice.

Alex saw the bright lights of the room before shooting upwards. Immediately he felt himself being smothered as he was drawn into a tight hug. He knew that scent anywhere. "Mum." He mumbled, burying his nose into her hair. He didn't really pay much attention to Bertrand at first but when he did he knew what he was, he recognised him from his dreams. He wasn't always nice to him but later on he was nicer, when he looked as he did now in them.

Alex tried to sort through the memories of Bertrand having short, curly black hair to the semi long waves that he now had. He liked this man better with the longer hair he seemed friendlier.

"You need to learn how to do it." Bertrand told her softly, "You might have to wake him as well." Erin was the only person that was a breather with that ability and it was all part of the reason she couldn't give blood anymore. It was a consequence and a blessing in a way.

"Could you see what the dream was about?" She wanted to help Alex as much as possible.

Bertrand shook his head, Vlad's powers were too great and Alex was a very close second to Vlad's abilities. His mind was more complex than in any other young vampire. "You will be able to and so will Vlad, I don't have that kind of connection to him that you do."

She made an effort to move, "I haven't got time, Alex…"

"How do you feel about letting your son spend a few hours with his Dad?"

Bertrand's tone left her with no room for discussion.

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Erin decided to approach Vlad with a different tactic. "I need you to look after Alex." She barely managed to get it out without gritting her teeth.

He blinked pulling his neck back; he didn't expect that from her. "Why not Jonno or Ver?"

"Because I'm in a meeting with both of them and Alex likes you." She told him as a matter of fact, she couldn't tell him that she was being forced to learn something by Bertrand; anyway she did have a meeting with them afterwards about Alex. Vlad's eyes narrowed, he wasn't amused at being the last option and Erin hadn't meant it that way but she couldn't exactly tell him the truth.

"I thought you didn't want me near him? You wanted me to leave to keep him safe?" Erin fixed an emotionless mask over her face, she refused to answer that. She'd forgotten how much of a memory Vlad had when it concerned her. He wasn't against spending time with Alex, he wanted to but he didn't know where he stood with Erin concerning him at the moment. "What are the rules?" He asked her sarcastically, there had to be some rules involved in looking after her son.

Erin tipped her head at his sarcastic comment, a tight lipped smile crossing her features. "No Slewdo." She told him firmly, "No chess either. Anything else… fine just not those things."

"Why not?"

"Because I hate Slewdo and I'm not having him cheat at chess like you do." She shuddered at the thought of Slewdo, it was the one game she despised, she didn't care for the breather version of the game much either.

Vlad narrowed his eyes at her, "I don't cheat. I just move the pieces in a different way." Erin nodded a smile on her face. He never played chess correctly for as long as she'd known him.

"That's cheating." She summed up. She'd enjoyed playing chess with him though, it had always been interesting.

Vlad changed the subject from his 'apparent' cheating. "Anything else?"

"He's vegetarian." She told him. Vlad nodded slowly, he understood that, he thought Alex might be.

They remained in silence for a few minutes just looking at each other. Erin could see Vlad was trying to understand her change in attitude when she didn't want him near Alex. She wanted him to leave. "Erin?" She nodded, telling him he could continue. "Who is Alex's father?" He asked her gently, he needed to know it was burning him inside.

Erin shook her head, "Please don't." She couldn't make up a name or lie about it again to him she'd rather just not say anything.

There was another question he needed to know, "Does he know about him?" Erin shook her head; this was getting into very uncomfortable territory for her. Vlad nodded accepting it this time, he'd find out though. He wouldn't rest until she told him. If Erin hadn't told the father then there had to be a reason for it and a thousand unpleasant scenarios raced through his mind.

Erin changed the subject quickly, unfortunately choosing the wrong topic to change to. "What were you going to say about the book before Jonno interrupted us?"

"What?" He was slightly confused; so much had happened he had problems trying to recall the conversation she was referring to.

"The book, you said one good thing came of it."

"It made me realise that I needed you." Erin felt herself warming at his words, "I lost you because of it and all I could think about was wanting you back with me. I realised how much I loved you." Erin's eyes closed at his words, she relished them. He took a chance. "And I still love you." He cupped her cheek tenderly, her eyes closed as she leaned into his touch.

Erin couldn't stop herself, it was automatic and heartfelt. "I love you too." Her eyes became glassy as she looked at him; she could feel the years disappearing completely as she'd said those words.

Vlad smiled feeling lighter than he had done in years and leaned down before she could stop him. Their lips brushed hesitantly against each other in feather light touches. He slanted his mouth before kissing her fully and with more force. He took three steps until her back was pressed against the wall. He pressed her into the wall, holding her there as his left arm wrapped around her waist and his right cupped her jaw.

Erin clutched at the back of his neck, twisting her fingers in the hair there. She felt his tongue brushing lightly against her lips, asking her to deepen the kiss.

An all too familiar spark raced through Erin and she jerked herself backwards. "NO!" She shouted, her chest heaving, he looked startled at her reaction. His eyes temporarily fixed on her swollen lips. "We can't." She pushed him back, he went hesitantly but he didn't want to upset her so he did as she wanted. "You're getting married and I left to protect everyone I care about." She ducked under his arm before he could stop her. She put a respectable distance between them folding her arms defensively over her chest.

"What did you agree to?" He asked her sharply, he knew when she was lying to him.

"I don't know what you mean." She didn't look at him.

His eyes flashed dangerously, "The way you spoke to Adze, you agreed to something, made a deal of some kind. What was it?"

Erin shook her head with a plea. "I can't tell you. Please don't ask me to." Tense silence filled the air, and Vlad's head snapped around as he heard a door slam at the end of the corridor. He didn't see who it was but at the moment he didn't care. "Will you look after him for a couple of hours?"

"Yeah."

She looked as if she was filled with relief. "Thanks."

One question remained unanswered in his mind:

Why was Erin letting him spend time with her son?

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Erin combed Alex's hair, it wasn't unruly but he didn't like to keep it tidy at all.

"Who was that man?"

"Bertrand and he's going to help you."

"I knew him almost as long as your D… Vlad." She answered. Alex seemed a little unsure about something, "He won't hurt you." That was all in the past now.

Alex looked confused, "He was in my dreams."

"You don't need to be scared of him."

"I'm not scared; he was nicer as they went on."

Erin hoped he hadn't seen certain memories of Vlad's; it was a worry for her, and thinking of Vlad…

"You're going to behave for Vlad." Erin told her son quietly, "That means no sulking when he says 'no' and no showing Vlad what you've drawn."

"Why not…"

"Because." She told him with finality, she didn't want Vlad seeing a picture of the Blood Mirror from Alex.

"Can I ask Vlad about being a vampire?" He asked her softly, hope in his eyes. Erin's immediate answer was to say no but she didn't want to deny her son half of his inheritance.

"Nothing that will upset him." She told him firmly, giving him a maternal look and he nodded. He didn't want to upset his new friend.

A knock on her door had her smiling instantly before she rearranged her features into a calm expression. She hated feeling like a school girl at the thought of Vlad being on the other side of the door.

Erin grabbed her son's hand and led him over to the door, she knew the pair of them touching would be inevitable but as long as she wasn't touching him at the same time Alex would be okay.

As soon as the door opened Alex shot towards Vlad, gripping him around the waist in a vice like grip. Vlad shuffled uncomfortably under Erin's gaze. Alex refused to let go of his grey shirt, he looked back at his mum grinning.

"When do you want me to bring him back?"

"I'll come and get him." She smiled at Vlad, Erin placed her palm on her son's back and Alex turned to face her. Erin kissed his forehead, "Have fun." She knew he would anyway.

Alex nodded frantically before grabbing Vlad's hand and tugging him along the corridor, "I want to show you something."

She couldn't help the grin that crossed her face as Vlad followed their son, content to let him lead the way. With a sigh she closed the door, leaning against it.

She'd be impatient now until Vlad returned him to her.

She was ready for Bertrand to teach her while trying not to feel as if every second was an hour.

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Alexander refused to let go of Vlad as he conversed in Transylvanian with Bertrand, he held his trouser leg tightly. He wasn't afraid of the other vampire; he was in awe of him. He was completely different to Vlad, he seemed to ooze confidence and he was someone to be feared. Bertrand even smiled at him every now and again; his only answer was to beam back up at him.

Vlad had taken Alex for a walk around the base or rather Alex had taken Vlad for a walk. He seemed proud of everything that was on the base and was determined to show him everything from the labs to the storage room. Vlad didn't have the heart to tell him that he knew it all already and was content to let Alex play tour guide.

They'd met Bertrand on the way back and were currently discussing slayer matters in Vlad's native language, they would have used French which was Bertrand's – that's if he could ever get his head around it.

"Vlad?" Alex interrupted when he was sure Bertrand had finished talking. It was hard to tell with Transylvanian. Bertrand didn't seem to mind being interrupted so he guessed it was okay to speak then.

"Hmm?" He looked down at the young boy. He ruffled his hair, he was patient he was more interested in them being vampires than anything else.

The boy chewed his bottom lip lightly, opening and closing his mouth a little. "You and mum are friends aren't you?" He whispered.

He nodded in confusion, "Yeah." Although at the moment that was up for debate.

Alex tipped his head in an adorable way, "So can I see you more?"

Vlad gave him a soft smile; he hoisted him up balancing the child on his hip carefully. "We'll see what your mum says." Somehow he couldn't see Erin allowing it considering the history between them.

"She loves you though." Alex told him, he looked at Vlad in confusion.

Vlad tried to get the boy to understand that at the moment while Erin had admitted it, it was something that was difficult at the moment. "As a friend."

"But mum kissed you! She never kisses anyone!" Vlad really hoped that he hadn't seen that. "She only kisses me on the head but she kissed you! On your lips!" He seemed excited and Vlad actually panicked at that.

He knew he'd heard a door slam and now he knew who the culprit was.

A deep chuckle was heard behind him and he shot daggers at Bertrand. "Alex, me and your mum... it's difficult."

"But you love her?" Alex pressed; Vlad forgot how children pressed to know the answer to something. Wolfie had been the same way. He nodded. "Vlad?" He seemed more nervous than usual. "If mum loves you and you love her…" He promised he wouldn't ask anything that would upset Vlad and the vampire didn't seem too upset so he ploughed on.

He was curious now; Vlad couldn't help but draw out his answer. "Yeah?"

Vlad truly wasn't expecting Alex's next question, it floored him completely. It was asked in such childish innocence, complete with wide blue eyes that Vlad had to let it sink in to fully understand the impact of the boy's question.

"Will you be my Dad?"

TBC

A/N: What do you think?

Thanks for reading.