Young Dracula: Extra Outtakes

A/N: As is the norm with me, I got inspiration while watching Insomnia – typical me I know, I think I've seen this episode the most of all the YD episodes.

Anyway seeing Mina and hearing how she was a psychotherapist had me thinking, how there was actually something missing from the plotline.

I don't own Young Dracula.

Deception – based between episodes 7 and 8 of season 2

Vlad was not sure how he felt about having his classes interrupted like this. He was behind enough as it was with the incidents he'd had recently, spanning from plans to avoid becoming a vampire to the latest episode where he'd spent a day falling in and out of the dreamworld.

Yet here he was, in this small office with someone he most definitely didn't want to talk to. The person being Mina Van Helsing.

Sure, she didn't believe in vampires and yes, everything he told her would be in the strictest confidence. However, that didn't mean he didn't feel a sense of discomfort from facing a slayers wife.

Mina clicked her pen preparing to write notes and then spoke. "So Vlad, how are you feeling?"

Such a simple thing to ask with so much meaning. Vlad thought to himself. He couldn't help it, being around Mina not only gave him the creeps because of her relationship with the slayers but also the fact she was trying to get into his head and if there was anything that breathers and vampires had in common it was the fact that they didn't like anyone trying to get into their heads.

Vlad shrugged dismissively. "I'm fine." He tried to keep it casual. "A little tired from the erratic sleeping maybe, but otherwise I'm good."

Mina seemed convinced by that and wrote something down. "How have the past few weeks been? I hear you had family round, that must have been fun."

"It's been alright I guess…" Vlad paused and saw the unconvinced look on Mina's face. He decided to stick to the truth but not in a way that would give him away. "It's just been a bit… you know…"

"What? Whatever it is Vlad, you can tell me."

He closed his eyes for a minute, opened them and took a deep breath. "Stressful. First my Dad tries to get remarried and all that results is some tacky party and a fall out with one of my few friends. Then my uncle and cousins come round. It was going well until my Dad managed to get my uncle angry. Then my cousin had a change of heart and became a spiteful bully. Suddenly, my Mum appears of the blue, pregnant pretending it's my Dad's. So Dad then ignores me in favour of his 'son', while my sister fooled the entire school into thinking she has a terminal illness. Then to top it all off I keep on having fights with my best friend and I am not sleeping right and I'm worried I'm going to fail school."

Mina cocked her head to the side and smiled faintly. "Families, huh. Always a mess, yet you love them more than anything and will do anything for them."

"Exactly," Vlad sighed. "Sorry, I just. My family is worse than most they seem incapable of getting along. I'd just like one occasion, just one where we are all happy and chatting."

Mina smiled. "I know that feeling," she then put her pen down. "Listen to me Vlad. Families will be family, every family has their problems and if someone says otherwise then they are lying. I understand you want what is best for your family, but sometimes you need to turn you back and walk away. Let them get on with it, usually in the end things work out and if they don't that's when you step in."

Vlad looked to his feet, uncertain what to say.

"I don't pretend to understand your family; they are very… eccentric. But, I get the impression you care about them and they don't care about you. I don't think that is true. Both Ingrid and your father were by your side the whole time until you stabilised. They would never have done that if they didn't care Vlad."

Vlad looked up and sighed. "Dad only cares about the family honour. He proved that when he was so blind to think someone else's child was his own. As for Ingrid," Vlad shrugged. "You never know if she cares or not. She's a mystery. All I know is if she cared about me she'd spend less time fighting me and more working with me."

Mina nodded. "I always find we as humans," Vlad didn't comment at that. "Tend to think in the worst case, especially with those we love." She paused. "The thing is Vlad, from what I hear you come from an isolated background. You were raised near Bistriz, with only your family for company. No school, no friends, no nothing. I cannot imagine what that was like for you. Now you're surrounded by people, you have a friend but everyone else seems to avoid you."

"Thanks for the reminder," Vlad muttered.

"I'm sorry. I know this must be hard for you. You must feel like the whole world is against you, but Vlad it's important to know in the end you are not alone. There is always one person you can rely upon, and that person is you. If you cannot trust yourself then you cannot trust anyone."

Vlad took a deep breath and nodded.

"Alright," Mina then looked down at her notes, and looked up again. "Do you feel like the episode you had recently was a result of all the mental stress you have been putting yourself through recently?"

Vlad knew that now he would have to lie. Completely and outright lie. There was no way he could admit that he had spent most of the day in and out of sleep as part of some vampire test, and now knew he was going to grow up to be the most powerful vampire and the leader of his own kind.

"Maybe," Vlad muttered reluctantly. "I haven't been sleeping well, and with everything that has gone on I have had a lot on my mind."

"Understandable," Mina said sympathetically. "Have you been having nightmares?"

"Yes," Vlad said with ease, at least that part was the truth. Ever since Van Helsing had tied him up he had a variety of dreams about the slayer. Those nightmares about Renfield seemed heavenly compared to the ones he was now suffering.

Mina nodded. "Nightmares can be frightening. They can show our worst fears; even things we didn't know we were scared off. Given you have been under a lot of pressure recently, it's unsurprising that you have been suffering both nightmares and lack of sleep."

She paused. "I'd suggest try and put yourself in a more relaxing environment. If your family have problems that don't involve you then don't get involved. Your health and well-being is just as important as theirs."

Vlad nodded. Knowing that would never happen, he always put his family first that would never change.

Later that day

"He seems to be under a great deal of pressure, I cannot give details but I suggest that the teachers attempt to help him catch up a bit at a time. Don't throw too much at once otherwise he may have a relapse." Mina said.

"Very well, I'll inform the teachers," the Headmistress said. "Do you believe Vlad will be able to recover from this?"

"If I'm honest," Mina paused. "I don't know. Vlad is under incredible strain, and I have a feeling he isn't going to drop it unless something dramatic happens. I can try to encourage him but that is all I can do. I cannot force him into anything. It is not as if he is making things up, and he is no danger to anyone. So all we can do is watch and wait."

"In case he does will I be able to call you to assist?"

"I'm planning to move back in with Erik and Jonno," Mina said calmly. "So if you need me I'll come round as soon as possible."

"Thank you Mrs Van Helsing."

Mina left the Head's office to find her husband and son.

Hidden behind a wall and an open door stood Vlad. He'd heard everything Mina had to say. After everything that had happened he had learnt to trust almost no one, and to ensure his lies were brought.

He knew full well that lives depended his deception.

A/N: The whole point of this is to show Mina does her job, because she never does at all which is mad. I also wanted to follow up Insomnia because they wouldn't have just let Vlad off after what happened and being hospitalised! I do admit this went a little darker than I thought, it kind of went the way of me trying to point out all the pressures some children have to go through, and Vlad has it worse than most because he has to prevent humans being hurt.

Thank you for reading and please review

C

xx