Chapter 21:

So, these three chapters aren't just going to be the arc, there's still the whole Bishop-destroy thing going on! Just the arc is pretty big here :P

Claire's POV:

"Amelie," I say quietly as I lounge on the sofa in my flat. My phone is to my ear and I'm just relaxing, or I was until I got this call. What's happening: I mean I thought she wasn't really communicating with me until now - it's been ten days since the turning back of me from evil to good. "What's up?" I ask her, realising that she's probably not going to ask me anything like that.

"'What's up'," she says. I can hear the delectable air quotes in her opening words. "What's up is that we're planning on taking back Common Grounds under our command. It's nothing to concern you, I'm just informing you so that you are aware of the situation," she explains: I'd forgotten about Common Grounds. Even in my evil phase (which sort of failed because they escaped majorly easily!) I never countered anything in for it... It just existed, neutral but slightly biased towards good because Oliver owns it.

"Oh, ok, thanks for the heads up," I say, thinking through what they may do. Will it be as simple as they walk into the office and sit in the chair? Now that would be ridiculous! "Do you want me to do anything?" I ask because I want to be proactive and do something, rather than just stand here. Well sit, but you get my meaning!

"No, I want you to stay away," she says forcefully and I nod, although she can't see me. "Although we think that we're going to be able to take it back with absolutely no problem, I cannot be certain and you are not to be harmed. Do you understand that?" she asks me, her tone steely by the end because she's so focused on her words.

"Yes, Amelie, you have my word that I will stay away from Common Grounds until you have taken it over?" I sigh, a slightly sarcastic tone overtaking my tone.

"Don't you speak to me like that!" Amelie says down the phone, protective and elderly grandmother taking over. It's nice that I have someone to call my grandmother: I missed the opportunity to have that because of Bishop.

"Sorry, Amelie," I say quietly, laughing slightly because of the irony of it all. The way that she's talking to me like my grandmother and she's pregnant with my great(X44) aunt! "I shall not do it again. Was there anything else?" I ask in a neutral tone, as not to be shouted at again. I can hear Sam down the phone chuckling at Amelie (and my responses... His hearing means that he has the ability to hear me!) before Amelie silences him with a few well chosen words.

"No, that was all, I believe," she says slowly, obviously thinking this through. "Claire, please be careful. I know you think you'll be fine and such, playing this spy, but I know how much danger you are in. Promise me that you'll remove yourself if you sense it's too dangerous to continue," she says, sounding completely worried about me. I half want to laugh at this all, but decide Amelie coming down here to throttle me in person probably wouldn't be the best action to occur!

"I promise, Amelie, that I shall not be reckless or stupid or do anything that could lead to my impending doom of death," I recite dully, half smiling. Because I'm breaking all of those things I've just said by going back to work every day... Who knows if he's going to snap? I don't know if he'll realise he doesn't need me (or worse, if he realises I'm a spy) today, tomorrow, next week or ever. Yet I need to be prepared.

"Good," Amelie says, seeming relatively satisified with my answer. "Well I shall speak with you later - I have to go arrange this capture, goodbye Claire," she says suddenly, hanging up the phone as soon as she's finished speaking. I go to reply but just have the dial tone: how nice!

I flop back on the sofa and look at the clock - 6am. I should go to work in a bit, but not yet. I'm pretty sure I've got enough time to finish reading Wuthering Heights first... Only fifty pages left!

Myrnin's POV (about 12pm):

I recieve the confirmation text message from Maxine after we finish a meeting. I sent her a message earlier, asking if she wanted to meet me at 2pm in the University Library (I'm not going to show her where the library I'm taking her to is... That would be too idiotic!) to 'hang out' and have some fun.

I'd love to. I'll bring the food & drinks - see you at 2 in the library! Maxine

That's brilliant - I can't wait for this! It's only about 2 hours until I'm meeting her: at least she's dealing with the snacks and such because I do not physically have the time and such to find them. It's going to be hard enough to manage to get away from Amelie and Oliver (the rest aren't exactly going to be bothered... Rather they aren't as nosy as those two), let alone finding food!

Ok, see you there!

I send this back before moving forwards through to my current room. I'm staying in the same room that I was staying in before, when I'd blown up the lab and was waiting... No, let's stop that thought there! I open the door and jump, landing lightly on my bed. I stretch out, dropping my phone next to me, and place my hands behind my head as I relax. For about an hour, I 'snooze' - I'm able to wake up easily but am getting some rest, something I haven't done in so long. I cannot remember the last time I slept: one of the benefits of being so old is that sleep isn't necessary, so during a time of need like now I don't have to spend valuable hours asleep.

At 1:02pm, I open my eyes and sit upright in one simple movement. Using my vampire speed, I head over to my wardrobe and pull out an old pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt - no need to go over dressed to something between friends!

OoOoOo

"Myrnin, this is awesome!" Maxine exclaims in delight as I walk slowly through the room. I'd completely forgotten about this underground book storeroom in the middle of nowhere in Morganville until the other day: there is my entire history through my life in here... I collected thousands of books, pertaining to every subject, but only put the science books in my lab - the others weren't necessary because I was working on the disease and I would have destroyed them in my manic phases. To destroy such priceless artefacts would be awful! Even though I haven't been there in centuries, I can still remember what books I put in that underground vault and the reasons why I kept them.

"I know, I was just a little awestruck myself," I admit as I look around. We're underground, but it doesn't feel that way with the high arched ceilings! There are hundreds of columns of books, arranged alphabetically by subject then cross-referenced for age: no point having to search through a thousand books to find the one(or more) relevant to the Dark Ahes, is there?

"But this is your library?" she questions. Ahhh yes, I did say it was but I can still feel awestruck?

"I haven't been here since I placed all of these books here nearly two hundred and fifty years ago," I admit and she looks shocked. "There were a multitude of reasons, all too mundane to be discussing, but I have to admit I have missed the overwhelming smell of books. I don't quite have enough science books to invoke such a smell," I say, rather regretfully and she giggles slightly. The sound of this pierces straight to my heart, but rather than breaking it, it strengthens it somehow. I don't have a clue, but no longer do I feel like the world is going to come crashing down on me... As much, at least!

"You do make me laugh!" Maxine says, laughing even more at the minute.

"Why?" I ask, completely perplexed as to why she's laughing at me.

"I enjoy the smell of old books, but I don't have enough science ones to invoke such a smell," she gasps out inbetween her fits of laughter. Now she's repeated what I've said, I'll admit that it sounds rather funny. I join in with her laughter but I have to stand still because she's laughing so hard that she can't move forwards. She's doubled over, so I scoop her up and zoom with vampire speed to the section I was looking for - the kings and queens of England and their information books etc.

"Here you are," I say to her, making her cease her laughter as I look into her face. She's still in my arms and I slowly lower her down, still looking into her face. Her eyes are like pearls, glistening in her roundish face, and they are currently wide and open to look at me back as much as I'm looking at her. "Are you alright?" I ask her as I hear her heartrate and breathing take a sharp hike suddenly.

"Um, yeah, I'm fine," she says, slightly breathlessly. I realise I am still holding onto her arm and I let go of her, just for the reason that she may be uncomfortable with a vampire touching her. Yet as soon as I let her go, she stumbles slightly and I automatically steady her, relinking my fingers around her slim arm. I don't let go until I'm entirely sure she's fine and able to stand upright without falling over. In fact, I probably hold onto her for a little longer than necessary. I stare into her face, unable to look away for a long time until something in my head clicks into gear and diverts my eyes away.

Myrnin, you're not looking for romance... You want a friend you can help! Nothing more than friendship!

"Um, well this is, erm," I say, for the first time in my life words failing me. I'm almost tongue-twisted... I'm completely unable to articulate the words that I want - what's happening? "Um, this is the section pertaining to the various monarchs my country has had from approximately 800AD until 1729AD... Only a few years after, I moved to America. Please be careful because they are priceless originals and anything from before 1542 was very expensive as it had to be hand written before the printing press was invented," I say, relieved to be able to actually get the words I want. Infact, this time I seem to be overly talkative, going on and on when I could have been concise and said it in a sentence or two. (a/n, printing press invention! Knew history was useful for something!)

"Um, ok then," Maxine says with a smile, obviously trying to be polite and stay sane rather than be my psychotic double (in terms of being psychotic... She's a) female, b) human and c) very very pretty... Have I really just thought that? No, I can't have!) and go on. "Can we get started then?" she asks, making me smile. Nobody I have ever known (names are NOT in use here) who loves books has ever asked to approach my bookcase, usually digging straight in and asking later. Well, besides when I was a sufferer of the disease: I think if they'd have done that, even when I was myself the monster would have taken over and bitten their heads off (literally) faster than they could pick up a book!

"Yes, go straight ahead," I say with a smile, motioning with my hand for her to do as I say. My mouth automatically curls upwards into a smile as she zooms off like a rocket to the books and pulls out a book regarding Queen Elizabeth I. She really was my favourite monarch, I just think that part of that book (the bit with Francis) has been scribbled over with me calling Drake every bad name under the sun!

I point this out to her and she immediately flips to that page (where the chapter begins) in the book to observe my edits.

The book originally said:

Sir Francis Drake was the saviour of this country from the horrors the Spanish Armada would have brought. He worked for the great Queen Elizabeth I (may her soul rest in peace) and gave her brilliant advice pertaining to what she should do in order to win. He was a great man, who ought to be revered as the saviour who prevented the despicable acts of the Spanish Catholics to be brought down upon us.

Pretty modern language, given it was written in 1607! There are currently 8 copies of this book in the world (excluding this one) and they average to sell for about 15 million pounds everytime. I presume most of these books would be worth about ten times that, given they're in pristine condition and some are only copies.

However, MY version is:

Francis Drake (never deserved the 'sir' title) is a complete prick who ought to be killed slowly and preferably painfully. He destroyed my friendship with good ol' Lizzie and made out that the advice I gave to her was his, after he exposed me. He'd have been the biggest turncoat EVER if the Spanish had come - PRICK PRICK PRICK! God, I hate him more than Oliver! But he IS better than Bishop... At least he didn't- KILL HIM! I. Want. Drake. Dead. Now.

"Wow, you were certainly angry!" Maxine notes as she finishes reading it aloud for me to hear on the other side of the table. I had forgotten that this was in here: that's the reason when I was in my furniture storage place, I couldn't find it! It's an antique mahogany table (very strong) with matching wooden chairs with velvet cushions and is absurdly comfortable!

"I was... As I told you the other day, he had me turn into an outcast and made me spend over twenty years with Oliver, I don't think I couldn't have been angry, do you?" I say, clenching my fists as I remember those awful decades. Most immortals have a bit of a rough time sometime or another (get into debt or build such a good life that when they have to leave it, they get upset) but mine had nothing to do with money or women (unless Amelie counts... Oh those years! She'd kill me if I relayed what happened though! I would do so, but I don't think that a pregnant person ought to have such disturbing secrets about their past revealed, especially when their current partner can hear!) just that I had to spend so long with Oliver. It was almost a relief when good old Lizzie, as I called her, died because it meant I didn't have to be in hiding anymore! I mean, why else would anybody ever bother looking for me besides on her orders?

"Fair point," she shrugs before picking up her bag. "Right, I brought Fanta orange, sprite or pepsi. Food wise, I brought chocolate, chocolate, more chocolate, some sweets, more chocolate and some mints, if that's alright?" she says. I want to kiss her! Living with Amelie has been torture: she either doesn't have any sweets in the house (very likely) or she's hidden them (or in a place I'm never going to want to look in) so well that I can't find them!

"That's absolutely brilliant, I need some chocolate!" I exclaim, reaching over for the first dairy milk I see. She scoffs slightly as I chomp on it, devouring it in less than thirty seconds flat. I can feel the addition of the sugar to my bloodstream instantly - it feels awesome! "Mmm, this is delicious!" I exclaim as I reach for my third chocolate bar, the second disappearing as fast as the first.

"Maybe you ought to slow it down a bit," Maxine advises me with a grin on her face.

"Maybe you're right... If you give me a sprite," I say with a cheeky grin - nobody could ever resist my charms!

She grudgingly agrees to this, pouring me a glass from the 2L bottle and handing it to me. I raise it to my lips and sort of manage to salute her to show my thanks.

"So, enjoying it?" I ask Maxine, about an hour after my chocolate munching feast, about the book she's currently reading. It's about Henry VII and the battle of the roses - if it wasn't battled in daylight (and August) I'd have taken part! It looked amazing... Still, I got the dead bodies for blood afterwards (even though Amelie deemed this action barbaric and irrespectful of the dead: religion hinders so much!) so it wasn't too bad! Still, I always wish that I had managed to take part in a major battle of some description: it was just too hard. There was all the blood from the swords being stuck through midriffs and heads and every other limb, but also the whole 'Humans-Can't-Kill-Me-With-A-Sword thing was a bit of an issue... If I didn't die, that would sort of have identified me as something unnatural sooner. Ahhh yes, but I do remember how Amelie turned me. We were friends but I got into a spot of bother with the English Government and the present King. It wasn't anything I couldn't have gotten myself out of... Probably. Anyway, I apparently committed 'treason' (that King was always looking for an excuse to get rid of me, so, being the unoriginal twit he was, he decided to go for treason. Could have at least been something interesting and not 'samey') but anyways! Amelie and I were friends, since I was 15 years old, and I knew exactly what she was. Before the Government and the king were after me, I was trying to persuade her to turn me. See, I was already 25 years old and life expectancy was approximately 45 years back then. I didn't think twenty years could begin to cover what I wanted to learn... I wanted FOREVER! I wanted to see someone else believe that the 4 humours theory was bull (nobody believe Myrnin, oh no, but I was right!) and I wanted to see why things rotted - Louis Pasteur was a genius. Amelie prays to God, I thank Pasteur for putting everything together and finally finding the germs only I had been able to see for hundreds of years - only I called them Hurops... He named them from the word 'germinating' which is what they were doing! (a/n, sorry... History revision for Monday - may as well pop it in!) Anyway, I escaped (with Amelie's assistance) from the jail I was being held in. If she'd have been a quarter of an hour later, Myrnin here wouldn't have had a head! So after we left, she realised I couldn't live as a human if I went 'on the run' with her (and she didn't want to kill me... My charms left her weak!) so she turned me!

"Uh, Myrnin, are you there?" Maxine asks me, waving a hand in front of my face.

I blink my eyes and move my head back, my eyes shaking all over the place as they work to focus Maxine's hand. "Yes, I'm here... Just took a wander down memory lane and got stuck, I'm afraid," I say with a small sigh. She moves her hand away and somehow the movement gives me a flash of inspiration. "Come with me," I say, already standing next to her, and tug at her hand. She follows me quickly, keeping up with my speed because she's being half dragged by me.

In the far back corner, there is the duplicates of my science books. I always made sure I picked up three copies of every book, for a couple of reasons. One was that it meant all three of us (Oliver got very crabbit when he was left out... It was better for the human population that he didn't get like this) had a copy but it was also incase some got destroyed - it meant that I had two back ups. Sometimes I ended up getting more than three copies and I have some duplicates with my personal library (including science books): there are three copies of Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. It's not that I particularly enjoy the book, just that it was popular and meant that I had a reserve of money stocked up in the books.

"Myrnin, I thought you said you had all of your science books at your house or something," Maxine says slowly. I chuckle and release her arm as she wanders towards the shelves. "I mean, this is the history of physics - b-but, this isn't your house, is it?" she asks and I laugh even harder. I laugh so hard that I double over because of it. As I land on the floor, my wedding ring in my pocket digs into me slightly, sobering me up instantly. Shut up subconscious, or whatever you are! This is not a relationship or even going to be... It's simply a friendship.

But you're cheating on Claire, your wife...

I'M NOT THOUGH! Subconscious idiotic me, get it into your head (well mine as well!) that I am not cheating on anyone. Firstly, we're sort of on a break whilst I decide whether or not I can trust her - the cloud of indecision is weakening, but it's not altogether gone yet. But also, this is a friendship. Like she has with Richard or Michael, I think I deserve one - why should it be that I can't hang out with anyone, even if they are human? Claire survived... Why shouldn't Maxine? We're friends! Nothing more! ¡Nada mas!

"Are you ok?" Maxine asks me, and I realise with a jolt I've just been sitting here for an elapsed time.

"Yes, just thinking," I say but don't elaborate further. After all, she must have known Claire but whether or not she knows of our relationship and marriage (given we rarely went out besides in huge groups or to empty restaurants and the wedding was nearly vampire exclusive) I don't know. Yet this isn't exactly a subject I want to broach: it could ruin everything. She thinks she's friends with a carefree vampire (besides the whole Bishop saga, something humans don't really understand) but if she knew the troubles, the problems, that rest just below the surface... She'd run and never come back.

"About?" she presses, and I half smile. She reminds me so much of Amelie, always wanting to know everything about everyone. Yet also... Claire. She has to know everything, otherwise she feels left out and stupid. This I used to find endearing but now, now I'm not so sure. It's this trait that meant Bishop could latch himself into her and make her his, technically. They may share blood, technically, but I always thought that was it... I always thought she was Amelie's descendant, not Bishop's at all, because she looks as if she's got no relation to him whatsoever - not just looks, but personality, beliefs and everything really! That's the part of the family I always believed (from when Amelie told me) that Claire came from, yet maybe not. If she was so easily swayed over to his side, maybe she belongs there. Maybe all the time she's spent with Amelie and Sam has made her realise that that's the side she should be on, but her body is technically Bishop's. So she's torn: the side she was born to be on, against the people she loves and the side her brain wants to be on. Perhaps she doesn't fit in anywhere and is just someome who loiters in the middle, never truly belonging to either side. Yet who knows?

"Hello, Myrnin?" Maxine says, once again waving her hand in front of my face.

"Sorry," I say, standing in half a second. Slow, for me. "I was just thinking and processing some thoughts and possibilities about someone."

"Who?" she presses.

"Someone who used to be very close to me, someone I loved very much," I murmur the last part but I don't know if she could hear. Still, it's only the truth. I haven't mentioned names or events or anything pertaining to the war. In human's terms, Morganville is just being ruled by another vampire - Claire. I don't believe that Bishop has been out more than once. As far as they know, she's the rebellor. Which she was, until she 'turned back' to us.

"And how do you feel about them now?" Maxine asks me softly, with a small smile.

"Now, I'm not so sure," I admit, thinking through my words very carefully. "They did something that I don't know if I can forgive. Still, let me put that to the back of my mind, so I can propose my competition!" I say, adding a fake tone of happiness (skillfully, so only my closest friends could tell it wasn't real) to my voice and a wide smile. It's the smile I put on when it's not the true emotion I am feeling: overbearing and slightly cheesy, smiling like this always makes me feel uncomfortable... Still, it's what happens when I'm feeling this way.

"What competition?" Maxine asks, abandoning the Claire issue and coming straight over to this. It's the exact same thing as what she would do... Still, let me leave that behind.

"I will turn away, in the bottom right hand section, there is a copy of evey medical book from throughout the ages," I say. "You pick out a random fact and turn it into a question and I shall tell you what the answer is. Good competition?"

"Only if we set an amount of questions: if you get one wrong, I get a point, if you get it right you get the point," she says and I scoff. Does she think I'm going to have proposed a competition that I can't complete without decimating her? Honestly, humans these day! Besides Eve, of course... She scares me, a little!

"Fine, you have a deal there," I say, waggling my eyebrows before turning around. I fluidly move to change from standing to being sat cross-legged in less than 1/24 of a second. Pretty quick, I think!

I hear her rifling through the books to find something:

"What were the two types of plague involved in the Black Death?" she asks and I half laugh - how simple?

"Bubonic and pneumonic," I answer automatically, remembering how bubonic hit the country first, in 1348.

"What did the Greeks use to pray to be healed by the Gods and what was the God's daughters called?" she continues - I'm going to presume that she is simply picking out books at random and doesn't have any sort of timeline.

"They prayed in Asclepeia - plural Asclepions - to the God, who's daughters were named Hygeia and Panacea, but it wasn't usually the supernatural method of curing disease that made them get better. They relaxed, ate well, lived in comfort and simply healthily so this usually aided their healing process... The God did nothing for them," I recite. I wish I could have been there, to tell them that the snakes or the praying did nothing to help them get better. It would have been hilarious to destroy all of their beliefs!

This format of me answering the questions as soon as she's asked, all correctly, continues until we reach the amount of questions we decided upon.

"Told you that I know my history," I say, turning back around to see a disgruntled Maxine.

"Ah man, I forgot you were around during most of that!" she says, slapping her forehead.

"Only from the end of the Dark Ages: before that is history to me," I inform her. "Even Amelie was only involved in the Dark Ages: every vampire who experienced those ancient times was murdered," I say and she nods.

"Yeah, ok then," she replies, seeming a little uncomfortable with the conversation. Probably the murder bit - if vampires can be murdered, imagine what could happen to a human! "It's already 5pm!" she says, gasping as she looks at her watch.

"Damn, I need to go," I murmur, remembering how Amelie wanted to speak to me at 5:30pm. If I'm late... Well I don't want to invoke the wrath of Amelie, who's temper fuse has been shorter than ever before for the past few weeks. "Come on, I'll take you back to the university now," I say to Maxine, darting ahead of her to the table and have her bag ready for her. She pulls on her coat quickly and follows me to the portal. She shuts her eyes as I open the door and push her gently through into the main campus area, just around the corner from the University Coffee Shop.

"I had a really fun time... I don't actually remember doing much work though!" she says, tightening the grip she has on the handles of her bag.

"We'll have to go back and do it," I promise. "I mean, we've got all that food and drink to finish off!" I continue, smiling as I mention the delicious chocolate.

"You're right," she says with a grin. She looks so pretty now - friends can say that! "Ok, I've got to go meet my friend now, so I'll speak to you later?" she asks as she walks away.

"Sure," I reply, watching to make sure that she gets to the Coffee Shop. I shouldn't be out here - there are definitely some of Bishop's people here - but I need to make sure she is safe. After all, she has my scent all over her... She probably won't be seen or realised of her existence, but you cannot be too careful.

Once she is safely in the shop, I return to the portal and head through to Amelie's house. I emerge in her study, where only she remands - for our meeting, I presume.

"Amelie," I say quietly, for her to acknowledge my presence here.

"Myrnin, you're early," she says coolly, with none of the usual happiness present in her tone when she sees me. I wonder what's up: she can't have had some bone to pick with me since earlier - she'd have picked it many hours earlier!

"Is that a problem?" I ask her as I leap from the other side of the room to land in the chair sideways. I hook my legs over the side of it and twist my torso to face a displeasing Amelie. Ahhh well, I'm relaxing.

"Who's scent is that?" she asks me directly, not actually answering my question.

"Maxine's," I say just as simply as her question was. "Why?"

"Where on earth have you been today... With a human?" she asks, sounding slightly disgusted. "Because if I find out you have taken her to a sacred or secret place... My father won't be the only one dying this month," she threatens. Ooops, then I guess I'm dying. Wait, I didn't smell her scent there: maybe she's forgotten about the vault, as I did.

"Nope," I lie smoothly, relying on my centuries of experience to get me across this chasm of lying to Amelie.

"Then you have simply been the biggest, most reckless, idiot I have ever met!" she explodes!

"Why?" I pout, hurt that she could insult me so easily!

"You are supposed to be locked up!" she hisses, her face contorted in anger. "Therefore, if any of his human followers or any vampires saw you wandering around, they'll know that Claire isn't one of them. Then they will tell my father and, oh look, Claire will be dead. Do you understand what consequences your actions have?" she snarls and I feel a rush of indignation. Why is she so concerned for her? She destroyed me, and everyone, nearly but she is forgiven instantly. Now, that is horrific. Amelie has basically welcomed her back with open arms and thinks that, because I haven't decided to take her back yet, I'm an idiot.

"Well I haven't been seen by anyone, human or vampire," I hiss back, venting my anger at Amelie. Probably not the best idea, given she's piss heady so easily at the minute, but she's irritated me by mentioning Claire. "Therefore our little operation is still under wraps, Amelie, so relax!" I say, stretching back in the chair. My fangs are down, from when I hissed, and I grudgingly retract them - it wouldn't exactly help the situation. Her's are down, her eyes blazing red, but that's a different matter!

"Where have you been?" she repeats. "You know I could simply do a little digging and identify your location, don't you? And I think I'll be slightly less forgiving if I have to do that, than if you tell me," she says - she has a point. There is that thing that people say that if they have to find something out that someone's done or said, they will get madder than if the person confessed.

"Fine, I took her to the vault where I keep all my books because she's studying the history of England in the university, so I offered to give her an opportunity to read some books," I admit, groaning slightly.

Suddenly, Amelie is standing and, somehow, has managed to make herself appear several feet taller than her petite frame.

"You. Did. What?" she asks, sniffing the air slightly. "That's where that overwhelming smell came from. So, let me clarify. You took a human, whom you have known for a couple of days at most, to a secret vault where I have not been in two hundred years, let alone Sam or Oliver or even Claire, who may actually have had an interest in going!" Amelie hisses, her face actually appearing to be getting angrier! Now, uh-oh. That's a problem: when her eyes go blazing silver, she's either working to bring back a vampire who's been staked or whatever or she is really angry. Unfortunately, I have a feeling the first option may be having to be used... On me.

"Yes, I did," I reply coolly, moving from my relaxed position to standing upright. Now, I realise that her height is regular again and I tower over her. Yet her power and sense of control makes her metaphorically appear over double my size. Uh-oh. Normally, only Oliver gets that treatment! "Why not? They're my books!" I continue, indignation showing through.

"That is, was, a secret place for our belongings, or ourselves if we had to hide," Amelie snarls, moving closer slightly. I almost want to laugh, with the sight of such a small bump protruding from her stomach (it makes her so much less intimidating!), but manage to refrain myself. Just. "Now, you've shown a human I don't even know, and by the sounds of it you haven't known for very long either, somewhere we could have relied upon! Well done, Myrnin, for destroying two hundred years worth of contingency plans!" she spits at me before falling gracefully back into her chair.

"Maxine wouldn't tell anyone, even if she knew where it was," I say, completely confident in this belief.

"Maxine would, if it was vampires versus humans, wouldn't she?" Amelie sneers Maxine's name and automatically makes a wave of anger almost overcome me. She doesn't know Maxine, as she said, so how can she judge her? Then again, she does sort of have a point: I couldn't expect someone I've known two days to fight on the side of vampires if it boiled down to humans versus vampires. Yet I cannot show Amelie that I acknowledge she has a point - she'll take that as a victory.

"You cannot say that Amelie," I say in response, staying as far away from the entire 'vampire versus human scenario' as possible. "Anyway, she hasn't a clue where it was... In fact, even I don't remember the exact location without using the portal, what with all the changes to the structure of Morganville since it was built!" I continue but she continues to look furious.

"What were you doing with her, anyway?" Amelie asks me, making me cringe inside.

"She wanted some first hand experience of history in England," I reply quickly... Probably too quickly! She raises her eyebrows and I nod my head for some reason.

"Do you remember the existance of Claire?" she asks me and I physically wince. "You know, your wife? The one who apparently you are too busy to decide whether or not you can forgive something that happened when she wasn't in control but you have the time to frolick around with someone else?"

"NOTHING WAS GOING ON!" I explode, unable to keep this in. It's disgusting that she assumes something went on! I may not be wearing my ring but I'm still, currently at least, married!

"Then why are your clothes saturated with her scent?" she asks me in a tone so cold, it feels like I'm in the North Pole.

"We had a laugh... You know, what friends do?" I say in a tone that is attempting to be as cold as hers. "Or do you not have any friends?"

Instantly, I feel guilty as a spasm of pain flashes across her face. And it doesn't simply flash, it remains... That was awful. I certainly shouldn't have said that last part - it was just wrong.

"Amelie, I'm sorry," I say quietly as I sit down in my chair heavily. "That was inexcusable... I'm sorry," I repeat but she doesn't react.

Moments later, her face is collected again to be entirely neutral.

"Perhaps I overreacted a little," she concedes - has Amelie just acknowledged she was wrong? "Perhaps not... Anyway, I only have concern that you don't make any rash or hasty decisions regarding anything. I won't try and get involved, just Myrnin be careful, please," she presses, sounding unhappy. I nod slowly, deeply, and then look at her. Her face is creased into worry but she makes a semi-smile at me as I smile at her.

"I promise I won't," I say, truth ringing in every syllable. She smiles again at me, stronger this time, before motioning for me to come to her. Here, she wraps her arms delicately around me and squeezes. As usual, I engulf her petite frame in me and place my chin on her shoulder. "Amelie, I have something to ask you," I decide to broach the subject now.

"Mmm?" she says.

"Can I be the baby's Godfather?" I ask and she snorts.

"Perhaps... Oliver is in the running as well, however," she says, leaving me horrified.

"B-but he'd destroy it!" I wail. "He'd have it wearing tie-dye and being ugly... Not that your baby could ever be ugly!" I quickly deflect the possibility my words could be construed the wrong way.

"Let us see," she repeats and I nod. Well, it's better than nothing!

What did you think? What do you think of what's going on?

Please review! I'd LOVE lots of reviews again! Last chapter, not everyone reviewed who normally does... please do! And even if you don't normally review, do so... for me! I'll updayte quicker if you do!

A question: I know this story has a LONG life and I definitely have another story starting soon, I just wanted to get a scope as to the order of the stories in my head that I should write. So the options are...

- Myrnin's life story from the beginning

- Sam and Amelie from the beginning

- Sam and Claire (weird but I don't think it's been done...)

- Shane and Claire, something... not sure yet

- Anything else that you could suggest as an idea!

So, please review and tell me what order you want me to write them in (if any!)

Also, please check out my new story - Never Truly Relinquishing Her Hold - please... It won't disappoint!

Vicky xx