Alec walked through the increasingly filthy streets, following the vampires ahead who seemed to have locked onto Maureen's scent. Alec had noticed that the trail was taking them back towards Brooklyn, which concerned Alec. He didn't want another encounter with the High Warlock, but of course he also didn't want him harmed. They may be over, and Alec may no longer have felt as if he was in love with Magnus, but he still cared strongly for the warlock, and definitely wasn't going to let him be killed. Alec suddenly caught a strong scent, which he was pretty sure belonged to Maureen, but it was coming from behind him, whilst the vampires ahead were still surging forward. Alec stopped in his tracks, and the gears of his mind seemed to turn painfully slowly as he figured out the trap Maureen had set. When it finally clicked, that she had double backed to attack the group from behind whilst they were still distracted by her scent, Alec could hear the clicking of healed boots against the pavement. Alec turned slowly to see Maureen stepping out of the shadows, a manic grin on her face as she gave Alec a little wave. Alec looked behind him, but the other vampires were already disappearing into the distance and around one of the many corners of the winding and confusing streets of Brooklyn.

"Are your friends leaving so soon? Oh well, at least we'll have some time to catch up," Maureen said as she continued to walk towards Alec.

Alec made a split second decision, and charged at Maureen. The sudden attack caught her off guard, but she managed to dart out of the way, and twist her body impossibly fast so that she could grab onto Alec, latching onto his back. Alec reached back and grabbed Maureen by her hair, and pulled her forward, which earned a screech from her. She wriggled out of Alec's grasp, leaving him with a handful of hair, that he threw away in disgust. This only angered Maureen further, and this time when she attacked Alec she managed to land two blows, one into his face, and the other into his stomach. Alec quickly regained himself, and caught Maureen's arm as she tried to lash out of him again, and twisted it, so as he brought Maureen closer to himself he also heard the bones and tendons in her arm snap under the force of his hold. Maureen struggled to free herself from Alec's strong hold, but her usual power didn't come to her, her supernatural strength leaving her body at an alarming rate. As Maureen felt her senses start to dull she screamed and called out for help, not understanding what was happening. Alec presumed that her state was due to him having possibly defeated her, and so without wasting any time, he used his other arm to securely hold her against his body as she kept on trying to pry her way out of his arms, to no avail. With Maureen so close Alec sensed something he had not been expecting. He could smell the life within Maureen, the fresh blood being pumped around her body by her beating heart. Without having to think about it Alec's fangs extended, and before he fully understood what he was doing Alec acted on his most primal instinct, and bit into Maureen's neck.

The heavenly feeling that washed over Alec was indescribably divine, and Alec felt as if his whole being was ringing with the purest life-force possible. He bit deeper into Maureen's flesh, snarling as more of her blood filled his mouth, the hot liquid making him feel more content then he had ever thought possible. It was like in that moment he glimpsed everything; his purpose in life, his future, and the force that give him irrevocable satisfaction. Alec could feel Maureen starting to slump in his arms, her arms no longer trying to pull him away, and her legs no longer trying to kick at him. Her screams had also stopped, a strange gargling noise the only sound now escaping her lips. Alec pulled Maureen closer as he started to notice that the blood was no longer pouring as freely from her, and he could also feel her heartbeat against his chest, and he could tell it was slowing down dramatically. Alec had no idea how long he had been with Maureen, but eventually, when he could no longer suck another drop of blood from her lifeless body, he looked up, and saw that the group of vampires he had been hunting with had returned, and were looking at the scene with confusion. Alec laughed at their dumb founded expressions, finding everything in the world joyous and hilarious at that moment, his body and mind still singing from the blood he had just consumed. Alec threw his head back and closed his eyes, feeling the world around him, rather than seeing it.

He opened his eyes again when he sensed that Raphael had returned, and the scent of burnt sugar, that always indicated magic, travelled with him, yet there was no warlock in sight, simply Magnus' scent still on Raphael.

"Well done, you have done what you promised, you have slain Maureen. I did desire to be present for your first kill, but still, you have done very well," Raphael said to Alec softly as he started to guide him away from Maureen's corpse, which lay staring up at the night sky with unseeing eyes.

"She was alive," Alec said, his voice still sounding far away.

"Yes, Magnus assisted the clan by performing the spell on her that she wished to hand over to the Morgenstern boy."

"She tasted like happiness."

Raphael chuckled at Alec's words as the high from his first time drinking fresh blood continued to affect him.

"I am sure she did. Now we should get you back to Dumort."

Raphael knew that when the taste of fresh blood was first experienced by newborns it only made them desire more, and this was one of the times when they could be most dangerous and unpredictable. Alec suddenly reached up and started to trace Raphael's face lighting with his fingertips, and it took Raphael a moment longer than it should have to pull away.

"What are you up to Alexander?"

"Your face is so soft…"

"You are lucky you are my progeny, any other vampire would have to face harsh consequences for saying such a thing," Raphael said jokingly, whilst also looking over his shoulder, and instantly feeling relieved when he saw that the other vampires had already moved off.

"Would you kiss me if I asked?" Alec asked suddenly as the pair continued to walk towards Hotel Dumort.

Raphael stopped walking and turned to face Alec, shock clearly etched into his features.

"What did you say?"

Alec bit his lip, a subconscious habit he had retained from before his death, and he then stepped forward, bridging the gap between Raphael and himself. The sudden boost of confidence from Maureen's blood seemed to dissipate as Alec looked at Raphael with self doubt, and he then went to turn away from the older vampire, but at the last moment Raphael reached out and gently cupped Alec's face, bringing the younger man's lips to his own.

A/N Just a warning that the rating for the next chapter may go up...