-/-

"No...No...No!"

The rap of a conducting baton against the piano top had Agatha stop in the middle of her playing. Already she had tried to complete Debussy's Suite bergamasque piano solo five times, every time being told to stop and start again. First it was her posture, then her fingering, then her timing, then her posture had lapsed again.

"What now?" Agatha couldn't help but snap, lifting her head to glare at Monsieur Mehul.

The man may come from a famous French musical family, but if there were a sharpened stake in the room, Agatha would have been tempted to off their remaining descendent.

"Your playing Mademoiselle lacks any sort of joy." Monsieur Mehul tutted, yet even he had the sense to look nervous, when an incredulous Agatha glared at him over the edge of the piano.

"I cannot imagine why." Agatha restrained herself to mere sarcasm.

"I am merely trying to help, if my expertise is unwanted…" Monsieur began, expecting to be reassured, only for Agatha to continue to glare at him.

"Perhaps we should switch back to dance practice." He suggested. "I am sure whoever your future husband is, he will excuse your lack of musical skills, if you are able to avoid stepping on his toes."

Biting her lip, knowing that her potential future husband wouldn't damn well dare make any comment on her musical skills, or her dancing, not if he knew what was good for him. Agatha chose to keep those thoughts to herself. As satisfying as it would be, to put Monsieur in his place, every time he made a comment about her lack of the feminine skills, necessary for capturing a man's interest; Agatha found the power to resist. After all, it wasn't like she wanted anyone else, talking about her relationship with Dracula in terms of marriage. It wasn't like their affair was a secret, but clearly that rumour hadn't yet been shared with Monsieur; she doubted he would be quite so rude to her, if he thought she might one day marry an Elder.

"Now from first position…."

-/-

"Honestly Mycroft where the hell did you find him?"

Collapsing onto Mycroft's sofa, Agatha ignored Mycroft's stink eye, as she dared to lift her feet up, and place the very edge of her shoes on his upholstery. That they were heels, ones she had been forced into, that had never so much as seen the outside world; well that didn't matter to Mycroft, they were near his furniture.

"He came most highly recommended. We were lucky to get him."

"No, he is evil and that's why we could get him, no one else would put up with him." Agatha retorted. "My feet are killing me, I am practicing my piano piece in my sleep, and if I have to hear another complaint about my posture."

"He has never failed to properly train a debutant, and you only have a few weeks left before your presentation. We only want the best for you, and he is the best…"

"Then how did we get him, if he is so good?"

"Ahh, there some unfortunate incident a few years ago, he was caught in bed with someone he shouldn't have been, there was an honour dual…which obviously he won." Mycroft waved it off, the less said about that archaic practice the better.

"Polite society however decided to punish him; his clan disowned him for the shame he brought upon them. So, given the chance to align himself with our clan, he took it. Word has spread about the number of sisters you have, he knows if he does well with you, then we will hire him to tutor the rest."

"Hmm Monsieur vs Lucy, that would be a battle of wills I would like to see." Agatha groaned through her smile.

Almost smiling himself, Mycroft took a moment to study Agatha in repose. Other than her taxing lessons she looked well. She was certainly dressing better, those trousers were tailored and screamed designer wear, and the sweater was both casual and elegant. It seemed Lucy's efforts with the clan credit card were paying off.

"Other than the lessons you are content?"

"Mycroft that was almost small talk." Agatha retorted cracking one eye open. "Are you feeling well?"

"I am capable of inquiring after other's wellbeing." Mycroft was almost insulted at being so called out, Agatha wasn't wrong, but it was that she knew him that well, which really bothered him.

"You may be capable, but you don't like to do it; so why don't you ask me the real question you want answering, and spare yourself the discomfort?"

Now he did smile, it was times like this Mycroft remembered why he found Agatha easier to tolerate than many others. She was bright, and she was blunt, and in a world where he was constantly having to look for double or triple meanings in everything, it was nice to just have a simple conversation.

"I am just checking that everything is well with you…with the Count? He has been strangely absent the last few weeks."

"We are fine…" Agatha paused unable to keep the smile from her face when she thought of her boyfriend, even thinking that still felt ridiculous, that she had a boyfriend and he was… "Actually everything is wonderful. He's been busy with some of his mortal business affairs, I've seen Renfield around quite a bit. The renovations on Castle Dracula have reached a stage that they need his input to make some decisions, nothing more nefarious than that."

"Ahh well that's interesting." Mycroft replied politely, even if the mention of his distinct kin put his teeth on edge.

"I will tell him you are feeling neglected." Agatha teased, finally kicking off those damn heels, and sitting up to massage her sore feet.

No doubt when she got to Dracula's penthouse tonight, and he learnt she had been getting a dance lesson, he would want her to show him what she had learnt. It wasn't that she didn't like dancing with Dracula, it was far more fun with him, than her tarter of a teacher. It was just every time she made a mistake, Agatha couldn't help but feel she was letting him down in some way. He would get this patient look on his face, but Agatha could sense he was disappointed.

"So, was there something in particular you needed him for?"

"Oh…no...nothing particular." Mycroft hedged, before quickly changing the subject. "Was there something you wanted Agatha, other than to moan about your instructor?"

"Trying to get rid of me already?"

"Not at all, I just can sense you are not just here because you missed my company."

Realising she had been caught, Agatha swung her feet down from the sofa, watching as Mycroft leant back as if preparing himself. "We've always been honest with one another haven't we Mycroft?"

"Yes." Mycroft answered carefully.

"And I don't see why that should change, just because other things have changed…"

"Agatha…"

"I know something is going on Mycroft, I know it because Dracula is being so careful around me. I know it, because I am not an idiot that will believe him, when he says there was no fallout from him choosing me over Isabella. So, because you are also not an idiot, I am asking you. Is the clan in any trouble?"

"I…I think you need to be having this conversation with the Count Agatha."

"So that is a yes then?" Agatha knew it, she knew Dracula was being unnecessarily protective; now she just had to work out, if it was because he was genuinely trying to avoid the situation himself, or if he didn't want to share his difficulties with her.

"It is a, I cannot answer that question Agatha, if you want to know something then you need to talk to our Elder yourself."

"Under orders then." Agatha's answering smile was anything but friendly.

"More like not putting myself in the middle of your relationship." Mycroft rephrased it. "Agatha just talk to him, don't go in all guns blazing, the Count clearly adores you and none of this intended as slight on you…It's just complicated."

Pushing herself up from her seat, Agatha slipped those damn heels back on, Mycroft was right about one thing, it was time for her and Dracula to have a conversation.

-/-

"Captain can I have a word?"

Agatha was almost out of the front doors. Her thoughts full of her uncomfortable conversation or lack of conversation with Mycroft, and the uncomfortable conversation she was going to have with Dracula. She hadn't even seen Captain Anderson sitting behind the main security desk.

"Sorry Anderson I am in a bit of a…"

"It's about Ms Westenra." Anderson jumped in before Agatha could make a quick escape.

Sighing Agatha resigned herself to a slight delay, she could only hope her uber didn't turn up and leave in her absence. "What's Lucy done now?"

Pleased that his word was still worth something, and that Ms Westenra and Count Dracula hadn't yet corrupted Captain Van Helsing completely, Anderson felt his chest puff out a little at finally getting her full attention. "She has been leaving the building without appropriate supervision. I have done my best to reinforce the rules with my men, but somehow, she is still getting out. I do not need to remind you how dangerous it is to let an untrained vampire out with the general public. I even confronted her about this…and well I am sorry to say she threatened me."

"What?"

"She reminded me that accidents happened every day." Anderson reiterated, pleased that Agatha was taking this situation as serious as it was warranted. "I hate to cast aspersions, but I cannot help but feel that this lack of respect for the rules in Ms Westenra, directly reflects the lack of consequences she faces from her Elder."

"I beg your pardon?" If Anderson had been using half a brain cell, he might have noticed the edge to her tone. Perhaps on another day she might have allowed it to slide, but Agatha had already had her nerves frayed today.

"I have made a long list of her documented infractions." Anderson reached back to his desk to scrabble for his notes. "I routinely send updated versions to Mr Holmes to pass on to Count Dracula, and he assures me when I ask that he has passed them on a timely manner, only the Count is 'reviewing' the situation."

"Then I suggest you leave the matter for Count Dracula to handle, in his own way, and when he chooses to deal with it." Agatha began, a slightly growl starting her throat.

"Please Agatha like that playboy is going to do a damn thing." Anderson scoffed, knowing he had overstepped when Agatha stepped back as if personally attacked. "Surely even you can see past whatever 'feelings' you might have for him, and see what a poor role model he is for…"

"You don't know a damn thing about him Captain Anderson. Count Dracula is a wonderful Elder, he has done more for the women in his clan than any other Elder ever has, and I will not have a paid employee slander his name." Agatha hissed.

"He really has you fooled as well?" Anderson could only shake his head in despair. "I thought better of you, I thought you cared about mortals..."

"You do not get to lecture me!" Agatha hissed. "I have sacrificed more to protect mortals than you ever have or will. Now I suggest you get back behind that desk and do your job Captain. Record all your little infractions, and pass them on to the Count, through Mr Holmes as is proper and do not presume to lecture me ever again." She added, slamming the exit button, and yanking the door open, dashing for her waiting cab, and catching it just before it went to leave.

Throwing herself down into the back seat, Agatha glared off the cab drivers greeting. Suddenly she was not in the mood to play nice with anyone.

-/-

"Back so soon, did you miss me that much?" Dracula called out when he heard the key turn in the lock. For someone who protested at the very idea of moving in with him, Agatha seemed happy to use the key he gave her and make herself at home in his apartment.

He was seated at the large dining table, Renfield was on the line Skyping him from Romania. In the background Castle Dracula could be seen, the large hall was flood lit with large industrial lights, and the distant hammering of work men could be heard.

Crossing the room without returning his greeting, Agatha pushed the screen of the laptop shut, cutting off Renfield mid-sentence, causing Dracula to look at her, his face creasing in concern as he caught sight of Agatha's face.

She was mad, she had been mad since Mycroft's office, had stewed all the way back in the cab, had even rehearsed her opening speech all the way up in the lift. Yet when she was face to face with him like this, Dracula's handsome face all but looking devastated with concern, as Agatha stared down at him, her words stuck in her throat. Instead she felt a frustrated inarticulate lump, something she couldn't swallow down.

"Agatha?" Dracula repeated her name gently, easing himself out of his chair and reaching out to touch her arm. "What's wrong?"

"I…I…" Agatha couldn't speak, she could feel tears of frustration threatening.

"Sweetheart." Dracula was wrapping her up into his arms, tucking her in under his chin, as he rocked her gently. "Whatever it is we can fix it."

"I am…so…so mad…" Agatha managed to grunt out into his chest, her fingers griping the soft fabric of his sweater.

"Who are you mad at?"

"Everyone."

"Even me?" Dracula asked, a little fearful of her answer.

"Yes."

"Oh, well will it help to say I am sorry whatever it is. I hate to think anything I have done has gotten you this upset." Dracula sighed, kissing the top of her head.

"I hate my new teacher." Agatha started with her first, and arguably the most petty of her issues. Feeling Dracula chuckle against her cheek.

"Then he is fired." Dracula insisted. "I won't have anyone getting you this upset. I will still love you even if you tread all over my toes when we dance, and at least that way I won't get all jealous when other men want to dance with you."

"No…I mean, I don't like him, but he is good, and normally I could handle it…"

So, it wasn't just the lessons then. "So what else happened?"

"Anderson had the nerve to call you a bad Elder." Agatha added, her tone turning irritated as she remembered being ambushed. "He said you were a playboy and a poor role model for the clan. He accused me of letting my feelings for you, get in the way of keeping mortals safe."

"Oh, and what was left of Captain Anderson after you peeled him off the floor?" Dracula asked, his light tone completely at odds with the way his expression hardened. He had assumed the little rat man was harmless, but if he was going to confront Agatha like that, perhaps it was time Dracula payed him a little visit.

A friendly one, at least the first time…there would be no need for a second visit.

"I was too angry to trust myself to deal with him." Agatha confessed, sighing as she felt Dracula's hand on her back, rubbing away some of the tension. Yet she still hadn't addressed the last issue, which was the only one that really mattered.

"None of which explains why you are also mad at me."

"I talked to Mycroft." Agatha replied into his chest, knowing she was a coward when she couldn't lift her head to meet his gaze.

"Ahhh…" Dracula sighed, he could only wonder what Mycroft had told her, there was plenty he could have said that would make her mad at him. "You know I would never agree to anything that would put you in a position you didn't want."

"I don't know anything of the kind, because neither of you are telling me anything." Agatha finally lifted her head from the sanctuary of his chest.

"I am not a fool, I know there are problems with our clan's reputation. How could there be anything else after that debacle with the Pazzi family? Keeping me in the dark doesn't reassure me of anything, if anything it makes me worry more." Agatha added, staring deeply into his dark eyes, trying to infuse her gaze with determination. "I want to know what you are planning on doing about it."

"Would ignore it and hope it goes away be a good enough answer?" Dracula replied, hoping that Agatha didn't catch the hint of desperation in his voice.

"No because I would know you are lying."

"Ah, well yes."

"Tell me the truth." Agatha insisted. "I expect this relationship to be one of equals, if you want me to come and confide in you, then I need you to do the same for me."

"Fine but you won't like it." Dracula sighed, gesturing to the dining table chair he had vacated, seating himself on the edge of the table. "Mycroft had a suggestion or two, starting with dropping rumours that I brought Isabella here in order to compare the two of you side by side, and that I found her lacking when I did."

"That…that is monstrous." Agatha hissed, outraged on Isabella's behalf. The poor girl had done nothing wrong, it wasn't her fault that Dracula had chosen Agatha, he had done so because he loved her, not because Agatha was more qualified for the position.

"Yes, I can see that from your perspective…"

"From any decent thinking person's perspective." Agatha cut in, if she was mad with Dracula for keeping her in the dark before, now she was mad for entirely different reasons. "Did you even think through the consequences for either Isabella or myself when you started this false information dropping. How much more pressure it would put me under, to perform perfectly at the presentation ball, how if I trip up even a little everyone will be ready to tear me apart?"

Avoiding her gaze Dracula couldn't lie and pretend he didn't, Mycroft had even said it outright.

"You…you both…I don't even have the words right now." Agatha babbled she was so angry, yet there was something else niggling away, something that told her there was still more she had to uncover if she kept pushing. "What else?"

"What?"

"What else did you and Mycroft decide behind my back?"

"Nothing else." Dracula insisted. "Agatha, I swear I am quite happy to simply become a social pariah, I don't give much of a damn about what people think, I never did…"

"But Mycroft does, and he is not about to give up the power and position, just to spare my blushes. So, spill it."

"I said no." Dracula began petulantly. "I don't know if that will make any difference…"

"The longer you delay the madder I am going to get." Agatha warned him. "What else did Mycroft suggest that was so bad, that even you said no to it?"

"He wants us to announce our engagement at the presentation ball." Dracula answered her bluntly, like tearing off a dressing. "He said if we don't announce it, like everyone is expecting; people will accuse me of being a liar, and you of being my whore, and it will ruin us both."

"Oh." That was all the words Agatha could find, placing her hands in her lap, she found that they were shaking.

"I still said no." Dracula insisted, kneeling down and taking her hands in his own, bringing them up to his lips and pressing kisses to them.

"I told him what you said, that one day when you are ready we might get betrothed, but that you weren't ready yet; and that I understood enough to know, that it was important to you, and you are important to me. Agatha please, please try to understand. I do not think these things, I do not care what anyone else thinks about us. Well that's not entirely true, I am angry anyone would dare to accuse you, of being anything less than virtuous…"

"But they would be right…"

"No!" Dracula insisted, almost getting carried away by his resolution. "They are simply living in an antiquated world that hasn't kept up. We know the truth. I know you to be one of the most beautiful souls I have ever encountered. You could have slept with a hundred men and it would not have dented your virtue. You are virtuous by who you are, not what you do or do not do with your own body, in the privacy of your own home. They are the ones who are tainted, not you, never you."

"You really think that?" Agatha whispered softly.

She couldn't pretend there hadn't been a little voice that sounded, a little like Mother Superior, in the back of her mind calling her a fallen woman. All those years of lectures about chastity and purity, being linked to their preservation of their bodies, as vessels for god only; well that was hard to completely push aside. Agatha had silenced them by pushing herself to be bold, to act more confident than often she felt, and after a while it had gotten easier to act and not listen.

"I really really think that." Dracula reassured her, pulling an unresisting Agatha into his arms, pressing his kisses to her forehead, her cheek, her lips. "You are perfect."

"No one is perfect." Agatha argued back, but she didn't push away his comfort or affection, she couldn't even find it in herself to stay mad at him.

As Dracula said this was Mycroft's idea and he had said no, he had put her needs first over his, over Mycroft's objection, even the future of their clan. That counted for something, that counted for a great deal.

"You come close then." Dracula countered stubbornly, relieved beyond measure when Agatha half glared, half smiled up at him. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you straight away, I should have."

"Promise next time you will tell me everything. Even if you think I won't be happy. I would rather know. I need to know I have your respect, just as much as I need your love."

Nodding Dracula lifted her hand to his lips pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I promise."

"Good…now if you have the time, how about we have some make up sex on the dining table?" Agatha suggested, once again choosing to silence that voice of doubt, knowing it was the right thing to say when Dracula's smile lit up the room.

Yet in the sudden stillness of anticipation, a nasal tinny voice could be heard.

"Urmm sir before you both…I don't mean to interrupt…do you think you could end the call first?"

-/-