Hey guys! I've had lots of cuddles and fluff for these two lately so now we are back to the angst! Read and review, as always.

Leila watched as her husband breezed into the room, her hope that he was coming to bed dashed when he moved to the shower instead of heading towards her. She understood he was busy, the devastating storm that had rolled through a week ago had caused massive damage to even the castle which meant the town would be wrecked by it, but even Vlad needed some sleep.

She knew that Vlad hadn't come to bed more than three times in the last week and he hadn't slept for more than an hour or two each time. That wasn't enough sleep, even for a vampire.

Hearing the shower turn off, Leila made her decision. If her husband was going to disregard his health then it fell to her to drag him to bed. Moving to intercept him before he could disappear again, Leila blocked the doorway just as he went to exit.

His mouth twisted into a scowl, the last week's lack of sleep plainly showed on his face as he spoke down to her. "Leila, I know we haven't had much time together lately but I am very busy with important political matters. I can't take time away right now, no matter how much I may wish to."

He tried to brush past her only to meet resistance, his irritation rising he spoke again, this time with exasperation. "Really Leila, don't do this now. I don't have time for childish games." When she refused to move again, he let out a low growl that, to his shock, she returned.

"I don't care that we haven't had time together lately, you're busy and I get that. But Vlad, you haven't been taking care of yourself. Over the past week you've gotten maybe four hours of sleep combined. Have you been eating anything at all?"

He knew that she was only concerned for him, but her questioning his ability to take care of himself as if he were an errant toddler ruffled is pride. "I have five hundred years of experience in caring for myself before you came into my life, may I remind you. I know my limits and-" Before he could finish, his vision went black.

Leila's irritation disappeared as Vlad suddenly pitched forward, the only thing stopping him from colliding with the ground was her quick reflexes. Panic surged through her as she lowered him down, her hand stroking his cheek as she tried to rouse him from his forced sleep. She knew that he wasn't getting enough sleep, but she had ever expected him to actually pass out! She had thought vampires couldn't do that…

Shaking off her confusion, Leila pulled him up. He couldn't argue with her while he was unconscious, which made this the best time to put him in bed and see that no one woke him up. Shouldering his weight, she carried him to their bed while stifling a laugh at how they must look. Placing him on the bed she went about removing his shoes and coat, astounded when he didn't even twitch in his sleep despite normally being a very light sleeper. Pulling the covers over him, she placed a kiss on his forehead before leaving to track down a member of the staff. She needed to get the word out that no one was to wake him before someone came looking for him.

Peeking into the hallway, she saw no one but knew that they could hear her. Firmly shutting the door behind her, she called out. "Hello?" Before she could count to three in her head Maximus blurred into focus in front of her. "How might I be of assistance?"

Speaking in a low tone so they couldn't be overheard, she laid out the situation for him. Maximus looked disbelieving when she got to the part of Vlad passing out, but when he saw her concern he knew she wasn't lying. "That is worrisome. Unfortunately, a new group of people from the town who have meetings with him have just arrived and we can't reschedule them now."

Leila felt irritation rise as Maximus spoke, she understood that his people needed Vlad, but he couldn't destroy his health over this. Seeing her stony expression and knowing she was about to argue, Maximus continued before she could speak. "However, that doesn't necessarily mean we have to wake him up. You, as his wife, are the only other person who has the authority to meet with them. Don't worry, I'll help you. You're right that Vlad can't run on nothing but willpower."

Leila felt the bottom drop out of her stomach at the thought of commanding anyone, least of all Vlad's people. But if she didn't then Vlad wouldn't get some much needed rest… Forcing herself to straighten and put on a brave face, she nodded at Maximus who smiled at her.

"Okay, follow me. I'll brief you on the way about what this group of people want and what you need to do about it."

_
After five hours had passed, full of Leila doing her best to take some of the weight off of Vlad's shoulders, she was ready to curl up and take a nap with him. How had he been doing this for days on end without crashing sooner? Her head hurt after only a few hours, but a few days? She shuddered subconsciously as she watched the newest group of people leave. It's for Vlad, she reminded herself. He was getting some desperately needed rest right now, and there was no doubt that he hadn't woken up yet because she knew that when he did he was going to be in a foul mood and headed right for her. The thought of another fight made her wary, but she knew this was necessary.

Thinking back on how many clashes they had lately made her heart twist in her chest. The added stress from the storm hadn't helped either of them with remaining calm, increasing the tension to dangerous levels. She had felt another fight brewing even before she had tried to stop him earlier. If this fight was unavoidable, then she may as well get yelled at for doing something that will help her husband relax a bit.

As if summoned by her thoughts, a wave of rage slammed into her subconscious. All the staff around her froze up, tensing and watching the door for Vlad's entrance. In less than a minute he came storming in with smoke pouring off him. Scanning the room, his eyes stopped on Leila. His rage flared again, before he pulled his shields into place. He looked considerably more rested now, but she couldn't appreciate it when his face was twisted into a truly ugly scowl.

In an attempt to preempt the coming fight, Leila spoke while raising her arms as if to ward him off. "Before you start, I only did it so you could get some sleep. I didn't do anything that will cause you problems later and Maximus helped me figure everything out." She could see Maximus grimace at being brought into the approaching fight, but to his credit he didn't run.

Vlad's scorching gaze flicked dismissively over his friend before settling on her again, just as angry as before. "I told you that I didn't have time to rest and instead of heading that you decided to take command? Are you insane? You have no experience leading anyone above the intelligence level of a dog and you thought it would be a good idea for you to give orders to my people?!" He stopped less than a foot away from her, the heat pouring off him practically burning her through both of their clothes.

Speaking quietly enough to not be heard by anyone else but him and Maximus, Leila hissed. "What did you want me to do Vlad? You passed out! Not dazed out for a minute, but completely lights out and collapsed on me. Even when I did try to wake you, you didn't budge. If you're that tired then I had no business waking you up, besides I thought I did pretty well."

Vlad's eyes flashed green as fire licked up his arms, "Whether or not you excelled in leading my people is not the issue. The issue is you taking command without receiving my permission first. These are my people, this is my country and it is my responsibility. I have been handling these situations long before you were born."

"If you won't accept my help then why can't you ask Mencheres or Cat? I'm sure they'd be more than happy to pitch in, which would take some pressure off of you and resolve the situation quicker."

Leila knew that he didn't mean what he said next, knew that if he hadn't still been sleep deprived he never would have even thought it, but that didn't stop the words from searing into her chest like a brand.

"I have run Romania for centuries without help because I do not need it. Other people are unnecessary when it comes to running my country. I don't need Mencheres, or Catherine. And I need you least of all."

Despite logically knowing that Vlad didn't mean it like it sounded, Leila felt pain burn like acid through her veins. She could faintly hear a slight hiss from Maximus, glancing in his direction she remembered that they still had an audience. The newest group of townsmen stood frozen stiff, some looking wide eyed at Vlad while others watched her with empathy.

Vlad stiffened, whether from his poisonous words or his realization that they had an audience she wasn't sure, but it didn't really matter.

The words had been said and as she looked over the people who were all desperately looking like they wanted to sink into the floor, she knew that she couldn't make a scene by breaking into tears right now. So, forcing her emotions into a small dark box as she had done for many years living with her scornful father and sister, she put on a smile she hoped wasn't completely plastic and spoke in her cheeriest tone, unaware of Vlad stiffening further upon hearing it.

"Ah, in that case I'll leave you to it since you are obviously well again. Your next meeting is here so I will just go now, after all I'm not needed here. Try not to overwork yourself again, Vladislav." She wasn't sure why his full name slipped out, but his form jerked as if she had cursed him instead of simply saying his name.

Her movements lacked their usual grace, but she doubted that anyone would judge her for that right now. To keep up the charade that she wasn't on the edge of tears, she placed a kiss on Vlad's cheek. His muscles twitched as if she had struck him, before she turned toward the doorway.

Sending what she hoped was a smile to the group of people, she exited. She thought she had heard Vlad let out a strangled noise but she brushed it off as her imagination. Quickening her strides, she did her best to keep her eyes down as to not alert anyone of the pink sheen covering them despite her best efforts. She was practically running by the time she reached their bedroom, shutting the door as gently as she could before sliding down against it.

Leaning her head back against the wood, feeling its cool surface against her skull, she pulled her knees to her chest and finally let the tears flow. She bit her lip to keep any sounds from escaping, not wanting anyone to come and check on her right now. She couldn't completely let go, but she could at least stop fighting the tears.

After a few minutes, she forced herself to stand. Feeling caged in, she began to pace the length of the room as her mind whirled. Vlad's previous words running circles through her mind, like a record on repeat that just wouldn't stop. Leila never wished more that she had someone to talk to about this kind of thing. Her father would only use it as a weapon against her, Gretchen would be unsympathetic at best and mocking at worst, and Marty… At the thought of the man who had for all intents and purposes been her father, the tears began to flow again. A fierce ache yanked on her heart as longing tore through her emotions. She would give almost anything to have Marty here to talk to right now.

But thinking like that got her nowhere, Marty was dead and he wasn't coming back which meant she had to suck it up and deal with it alone. Loneliness added itself to the ever growing heap of emotions threatening to drown her. She knew it was ridiculous to let this get to her but she couldn't help it. She knew that in a few days she and Vlad would be back to normal and this would be forgotten until the next fight, but in the moment it felt impossible to make herself feel anything but pain.

As the tears burned in her eyes again, she remembered Kira leaving her cell phone number when they visited for Christmas. Biting her lip, Leila considered calling her. Kira hadn't scorned her when she had a PTSD attack and they seemed to be friends when she and Mencheres had left… Before she could change her mind, Leila picked up the phone that had been specifically built for her and scrolled down to Kira's number.

The time it spent ringing was nerve wracking, Leila almost choosing to hang up only for Kira to answer just as her finger hovered over the end call button.

"Leila? Is everything alright?" The sound of her friend's genuinely concerned voice made a lump form in her throat. Clearing it twice before she could answer, "Yeah, I just really need to talk with someone who isn't on my husband's payroll."

Silence stretched for a moment before the sound of a shutting door came across the line, "Sorry, I didn't think you'd want Mencheres listening to this. I take it something happened with you and Vlad?"

Leila sagged down into the armchair in front of the fire, relief that she did have someone to talk with warring with her want to not bother Kira. Vlad's words rang in her mind again, making her decision for her. "Yeah you could say that...This is going to be a long story so you might want to get comfortable."

The call had gone considerably well, to her surprise Kira had not only listened but had offered advice that Leila had the intention of following.

Kira had told her that she and Vlad needed time apart from one another, their constant fighting was negatively affecting her. When Leila had asked where she should go, Kira had wasted no time in offering to house her. "We can call it a girl's week. Maybe Mencheres can stay with Vlad and help him get all of that mess sorted out."

And so here she sat many hours later, a packed suitcase next to her as she waited for the sound of Mencheres helicopter. Leila knew that she should talk to Vlad, but the earlier sting was still there and growing. Wariness pressed down on her, is this how their life was going to be? Constant fights, her in tears from something he said or did until he eventually did something else to apologize, usually without actually apologizing? The thought made her stomach turn over, that would truly be a nightmare.

She had half expected him to come to her during the hours she had waited for Mencheres and Kira to arrive. His not showing up brought both relief and pain to her. She wouldn't have to face him and give him the chance to change her mind before she left, but he also hadn't stopped by long enough to check on her despite his harsh words earlier.

She broke out of her thoughts by the sound of helicopter blades. Glancing out the window, Leila took in the sight of the sleek black machine as it landed. She could just see Vlad's form as he rushed out to meet it, obviously confused at his honorary sire's presence. She could see the instant Mencheres told him what was going on, Vlad froze before whipping his head around to stare right at her through the window. When he looked like he was going to start toward her, Mencheres hand came down onto his shoulder. His lips were moving, but she couldn't hear what he was saying from this distance. Kira ignored both of them as she breezed through the castle doors, a woman on a mission.

Leila knew that was her que to grab her suitcase and leave the room. Taking a stabilizing breath, Leila got ready to face off with Vlad. Squaring her shoulders, she walked through the doors and made her way down to the waiting helicopter.

Kira met her half way, wrapping her into a hug before Leila could utter a single syllable. Whispering into her ear so no one could hear, "It'll be okay. Mencheres promised to keep an eye on Vlad. He encouraged our girl's week and told me to feel free to extend it to two weeks if we felt the need."

Leila felt tears prick her eyes, but these were of gratitude. She had only ever had Marty, her mother and Vlad to care for her like this and two out of three of them were dead now. If how tight Kira held her was any indication, she was to be added to that list. Pulling back, Leila murmured her thanks. "I don't know if the second week will be needed, but it is nice to know it's an option."

One of the staff rushed to grab her bag for her, but she waved them off. The last thing she wanted was for the staff to deal with Vlad ordering them to not load the luggage. She always tried to not put them in such situations. The lady must have guessed her reasons because she bowed smartly before leaving while reeking of relief.

When they passed the doors to the entrance, Vlad was there and looking like a storm cloud. "Come now Leila, this is excessive. I acknowledge that what I said was unnecessarily hurtful, but-"

Leila cut him off before he could start on a rant, "That's not the reason I'm doing this." She grimaced, "Well, not the only reason. You and I have been at each other's throats for the last two months Vlad. I'm tired of fighting you, exhausted by the emotional backlash that always comes from it and I'm wary of the tension that seems to be suffocating us lately. It's not like I'm leaving you. I'm just going on a vacation with Kira for a week. I need space, Vlad. We both need space or else we're just going to keep sniping at one another and I am tired of it."

And because she was still feeling hurt from his earlier words, she tacked on."Besides, as you said earlier, you don't need me. So instead of staying here and watching you work yourself to the point of passing out while unable to do anything to help, I'm going with Kira. We already agreed that a girls week sounds nice, maybe two weeks if it goes well. I'll call you in a week to let you know if will be extended or not. You're not stopping me though."

Vlad's mouth stayed open for a second, shock displayed clearly before his face wiped of expression completely. A mild look of consideration painted his face as he thought over the last two months and all the fights they had. He hadn't thought they were fighting excessively, but now that it was brought to his attention he acknowledged to himself that the frequency of their fights had increased alarmingly.

Grimacing, he nodded. He knew from the determined set of her face that she would not be moved in her decision and trying would only make it worse.

"Very well, I believe this isn't necessary but if you think it is then I won't argue. The reason our arguments have escalated is due to an increase in my workload and the recent storm damage. Once you get back we'll discuss it more." Leila nodded, not believing a word he said but knowing that agreeing was the only way they were leaving. His eyes narrowed as if he sensed that but before he could call her on it, Mencheres spoke. "The helicopter is refueled now, whenever you ladies are ready to go it is at your disposal."

Turning to Kira, he opened his arms in an unspoken invitation which she quickly accepted. Pulling him into a passionate kiss, they separated with eyes only for each other. Mencheres stopped Kira before she could enter the copter, "Beloved, if you could call when you land I would greatly appreciate it."

Kira easily agreed, "Sure thing, you can tell Vlad too. That way Leila can be saved the trouble of linking to him later."

Vlad ground out a curse as Kira wished his sire goodbye, knowing that she had done that on purpose to stop him from attempting to convince his wife to come home early as he had planned, before she turned to him. Eyes that had been warm with love not three seconds ago went dead when they landed on him. "Vlad." With a barely there nod, she turned to the plane.

Leila hesitated before quietly saying her goodbyes. "I'll be back in either one week or two. Love you Vlad." The words were said more out of obligation than desire and it twisted something in Vlad's guts.

It was all he could do not to hiss in frustration as Leila turned to the aircraft. He had known earlier that what he had said would have consequences but he had never expected this. He figured Leila would be hurt, but once he pried himself away from the townspeople for a moment he would apologize for his untrue words. His earlier sleep deprived statement rang back through his mind, making him grimace.

Seeing his wife shut down completely and act as if she wasn't hurt by his words had ripped at something in his chest. She should never have to act or fake her feelings for him, and yet she had done just that to avoid causing a scene. Watching her leave while knowing that it would be hours before he could soothe the pain he had caused had been a different form of torture. He had spent those hours thinking of how her face had crumpled briefly before she had pulled her shields around her like a security blanket. The barest flash of pink to her gaze and the deep hurt they had briefly shown before shutting down had felt like silver burning in his chest.

Every time he had managed to clear a few moments to go to her and take the words back, a meeting would magically move up to right that minute. After multiple attempts at wrestling himself free, he had given up and instead thrown himself into completing the day's meetings early. He had planned to use the hours he saved by spending some much needed time with her, perhaps watch a movie together after he apologized, but just as he had finished his final meeting of the day his sire had made an unexpected appearance.

The thought of stewing for the next week, at least, over his words without being able to fix the damage inflicted made him react without thought.

His body moved without his command, his hand wrapping around Leila's arm. Jerking to a stop, she turned to him warily as Mencheres stretched his name out warningly. "Leila, stop this. Come back inside and we can discuss everything now. If you still feel like leaving, then go but don't let this fester for a week." He had made time specifically for this reason, all she had to do was come inside and he could soothe the pain he had caused.

Leila's eyes widened as understanding dawned, gently taking his hand she pulled it off her arm and shook her head. "No, I know how that will go. How it always goes: you apologize, I accept and then we repeat the process again in a week or a month. Not this time, you'll survive a week without me."

Turning away, she jumped into the copter without a backwards glance. When Vlad looked ready to jump in after her, Mencheres wrapped his power loosely around him in warning. Growling under his breath, Vlad was forced to watch as the helicopter rose and took his wife away.

Leila watched as her husband's form got smaller as they rose, her stomach twisting uncomfortably as her gloved hands rung nervously. Kira watched sympathetically, knowing separation anxiety when she saw it, but deciding not to mention it for Leila's already frazzled nerves.

Taking her hand instead, Kira squeezed it reassuringly. "This is another reason it's good to have time away from each other. It's not healthy to be completely dependant on another person's company." Leila reluctantly nodded before prying her attention away from the window. Sighing as she sank into the chair, Leila mentally nodded her agreement. She knew this was going to be a long week if her already anxious feelings were anything to go by.