He blinked, she just stared wide eyes open. She looked him over once, and then her eyes met his. With a slow hand, she placed her index finger on Vlad's lip. He cringed, and she saw that. The lip went up revealing Vlad's long, curved canine. She stared at wonderingly. Her finger brushed the milky white fang feeling its sharpness, its deadliness. She pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"So you are-".

He nodded.

"And that hurt"?

Again, he nodded. Everything inside of him was frozen and tense. He was still waiting to hear those words. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, begging for escape. Meredith settled back, playing with her fingers. Her eyes not meeting his, he knew that she was disgusted with him. And he couldn't blame her, wasn't everyone else?

Swallowing a lump in his throat, he stood. Meredith looked up at him, "Vlad…"? He offered her a forced smile, his hand reaching for hers. "C'mon, I'll take you home". His voice cracked, "one last time". She took his reaching hand; he flinched from the touch but kept his hand clasped over hers. "Doesn't that hurt"? She asked at the door.

"More than you know", he released a shaky breath, "but I love you, so", he shrugged, "it doesn't matter. She paused and faced him, "you love me?"

He nodded, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I have always loved you; I've been crushing on you since fourth grade". Might as well get everything out in the open. Meredith placed her hand on his arm. "That was my first year at Bathory".

"It was".

They were out the door; the cold night sent a shiver down Meredith's spine. Vlad shrugged off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. "Thank you", she murmured. They walked down the sidewalk, their hands at their sides. "I guess I know why my father hates you so much", Meredith clutched Vlad's jacket closer around her.

He didn't answer; too busy holding back his tears. "Some part of him knew that you were…". She couldn't finish. "A vampire", Vlad nodded to himself. They weren't far from her house; a light acted as a beacon on her porch. "I just want you to know, it doesn't change how I feel about you", Vlad paused letting his words sink into her head, "I will always love you". For moment, Meredith didn't look at him. Her head tilted up towards the night sky.

Vlad sighed, looking the opposite direction, "just wanted you to know". Then, he felt some force slam him into a nearby tree. He saw stars for minute. Meredith's hands were on his chest, she eyes held a dark gleam. She pulled away, holding one hand out fingers spread, "really"?

With Vlad's back against the tree, he stood tall. "Yes". He looked so defeated, like he's been through this type of situation one too many. Meredith withdrew something from her pocket, a slimmer, yet smaller stake. Vlad's jacket fell to the ground, as she dragged it out. She pointed the hunk of wood, at the boy.

The point gilding up and down Vlad's chest till she let rest it on his Adam's apple. His head tilted up, looking at the sky. "How about now, do you still love me"?

Vlad closed his eyes; slow tears crawled down his face. "Yes".

Meredith moved in, the stake horizontal at Vlad's throat, she pressed it into to his skin. "And now"? She whispered. "Yes", he whispered again. The wood left his throat, falling and clunking against the cement. She wrapped her arms around him, "I love you too".

His arms supported her, as they cried into each arms. "I know I shouldn't" she sobbed, "You're killer, evil, but-". Vlad placed a hand on each of her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "I've never killed". He wasn't about to mention the victims at the council. She sniffled, "you have to drink-". He shook his head, offering her a sheepish grin, "Nelly brings home blood bags, and I drink from those".

Her hands were brushing his hair back from his forehead, then she planted a kiss on his lips. He ignored the pain it brought him and focused on the pleasure of having her in his arms.

-+-

Together they roamed the neighborhood. Skin not touching, instead Vlad held put his arm in the crook of hers. "So your mom was human"? Meredith asked.

He nodded, "and my father a vampire".

"I've never heard of a vampire being born". He shrugged, "I guess…I'm special". Meredith heard the double meaning in his words, she stroked his hair out his eyes. "You are special, Vlad".

He snorted, "You mean a freak"?

"No" she whispered, "you're the most special thing, I have". His mouth quirked, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm lucky to have you".

For moment, they said nothing just gazing into each other's eyes. "We can never touch, can we"? Meredith noticed the burn marks forming on Vlad's lip. He rubbed it thoughtfully, "I guess not". His face solemn, "but I'll find away". His lips kissed her forehead, despite the pain it caused him. "It's worth it, anyway". Meredith smiled, putting her arm in his.

"So where were you really, last week"?

He looked away; reliving the memories is something he did want to do. "It's hard to explain". He closed his eyes, as if he was in pain. "I think, I can keep up".

"No" he shook his head, "it's not good, Meredith". Her eyes were big and brown, and Vlad fell for them. He sighed, "all right, but I have to sit".

They settled for a patch of grass, "I was taken…" Vlad began. Telling her how he was wandering the streets after Otis 'punished' him. "That's awful Vlad". He was fiddling with his fingers, "you don't understand, he trying to teach me to drink from the source".

She gasped, balling her fists. "Vlad, he can't do that". He waved his hands in front of her, "whoa, wait. Not to drain them dry, just enough to satisfy my thirst".

"And how his your thirst"? Meredith looked him in the eyes, her tone strict. With his head bowed, he whispered, "better". She placed a hand on his knee, "you can tell me".

He wanted so much to tell her, tell someone. But fear kept nagging at his heart. If he told her, would she leave too? Or worse kill him? He took his chances, "I won't lie to you, Meredith. It's getting harder". Her hand did not move from his leg, "but I'm trying. I swear to you I'm trying". She edged closer, "I believe you, Vlad". She placed a stray strand of hair behind his ear.

"And I'll help, anyway I can". His eyes drifted to the hand on his leg. "You start by removing your hand". She quickly put it back in her lap, "oh sorry. It is hard being near me"? He breathed out heavily.

"It used to be. In the beginning your blood used to tease me all the time. You don't know how many times I envision your blood in my mouth".

"And now"? she asked.

Shrugging, he said, "now, I'm used to not drinking your blood", he mouth quirked, "I must really love you then". Meredith grinned, but Vlad's mouth turned into a deep frown. "Now, I'm just really thirsty". She patted his leg quickly, "we should be getting home. You can tell me the rest of the story some other time".

Vlad nodded and took her home.

-+-

The next day, Vlad felt better than he had in ages. For once, now nightmare plagued his mind. His thirst was in check and his girlfriend loved him no matter who he was.

He ran downstairs, smelling the first hints of breakfast. With a quick peck on the cheek, he whipped the mug out of Nelly's hands. "Morning, Vlad".

"Morning, Nelly". He sipped the juices down, happily. "Have fun last night"? He nodded, "the best". Nelly came around and squeezed Vlad's head. "That's good, honey". She kissed him on the forehead, "have a good day, sweet heart". Her eyes caught the little mark on Vlad's lip, "is that a cold sore"?

Vlad mentally swore, rubbing his lip. "No". Nelly peered closer, then she went for the cupboard. She withdrew a tub of something, squeezed the ointment onto her fingertips and smeared it across Vlad's lip.

"Nelly" Vlad said annoyed who was squirming out of the way. "Hold still, Vladimir". Otis put the paper down that he was reading, "Vlad, listen to your Aunt". Vlad obeyed, Otis was being exceptionally nice despite how V lad was treating him.

"There" Nelly said satisfied. She turned on her heels, "I love you, guys".

"Love ya too", Vlad called from the kitchen as she left out the front door. He sipped on his drink once more, "Vlad". Otis began, "I know haven't been straight with you, but it's not like you've been straight with me either".

"Your right, Otis. And I'm sorry, it's just I don't want you to leave again. I love you". He looked up at his Uncle, with innocent eyes. Otis smiled when he heard Vlad say that. "I love you too, Vladimir. I love you enough not push you or restrain you from your activities. I just want…to help and if you'll let me. I want to be there for you too".

Vlad nodded, he would believe it when he saw it. "Okay Otis. But I didn't kill Eddie. I swear, I don't even remember it". Otis nodded, scratching his chin. "All right, Vlad but your thirst. It's getting worse, yes"? That Vlad admitted too. "It is, but every time something's wrong with me you leave or get scared. And don't I want that".

Otis stood and came around the table; he put his arms around the boy. "I won't leave, I promise". Vlad nodded, he knew Otis took promises very seriously. If he promised then he didn't lie. "I'm willing to learn control too, Otis". He pulled away from the boy, "after school, today you will be joining me and Vikas…and possibly Joss understand"? Vlad nodded.

"Good, now get to school boy". With another quick hug, Vlad bounded for school.

-+-

For some reason, the school was less taunting today. The hearts of the student bodies weren't teasing Vlad's fangs, the blood that flowed through their bodies wasn't as tantalizing as the day before. Maybe the monster was on vacation? Or was it satisfied?

But how could it be satisfied, he hasn't feed since…unless he really did feed off of… he let the thought trail off. He didn't want to think that he was one that put Eddie in the hospital. He feared it could conjure up his memories and he might actually start remembering that horrible night.

Instead he searched for his girlfriend, when he saw a small body enter his vision. "Hey Vlad. What's up"? Sprat was jumping up and down, Vlad's eyes moved with his body motions. "Not much".

"So are you going to the club with us"? He asked hopefully. The only response Vlad could offer was a shrug.

"Well, you should come. You would have so much fun".

"When is it"?

"Tomorrow". Tomorrow was Saturday. He might be able to come, but he rather hang out with his girlfriend then some goth kid.

"I'll let you know later then". Sprat looked at him sideways, "all right, but you should come. You don't know what you're missing". Vlad rolled eyes, he doubted it. "Yeah okay".

"Plus…" Sprat looked around him, and whispered, "There's tons of donors". Vlad froze in his tracks, "what"? Sprat shoved his hands in his pockets, "donors, you know people willing to get bitten". Vlad tried to act cool, "dude, I'm not into that whole thing".

"But, you're a vampire". Sprat tilted his head to the side. Vlad shook his head, "Man, Eddie must be really getting to you".

"Eddie has nothing to do with it. In detention, remember you told…well you showed me your fangs". Vlad laughed, "Dude, they were fake, I just trying freak Eddie out".

The small kid crossed his arms, "really, let me see". Vlad eyes darted all around him. "All right, I'm vampire. But please don't tell anyone". Sprat smirked, "dude, your secret's safe. Just thought I would help".

"Help"?

"You do need blood right"?

Vlad shrugged, "yeah-".

"Well, there ya go. If you ever need any".

His hand came down on the boy's shoulder, "thanks Sprat. That means a lot". Sprat smiled, "no problem, and I swear my lips are sealed. The bell rang, "see ya, Vlad" Sprat called dashing towards class.

Vlad watched him go. He might just drop in at this little club, and have himself a quick snack.

-+-

Please review, cause I only got like two today so kind of bummer. And Vlad is so sad.

Vlad: Not because of the reviews.

ME: Oh, then why?

Vlad: You're killing me

ME: At least you have your girlfriend

Vlad: whatever, tell me this story has a good ending.

ME:…

Vlad: It doesn't?

ME: you're just going to have to wait like everyone else

Vlad: -groans- review her stupid story, so it can end!!!!!