Chapter 6: Blood Spilt

Kary and Conner stumble, exhausted, to their separate rooms so they could shower and clean up. 'Wow, that was one hell of a work out' Kary thought as she changed into her night clothes. Every time she went into the night, Kary had a force of habit to wear black, Gunn once asked her why...she was stealthy enough that she could wear hot pink and no one would notice her. It all went back to the damn slave drivers at the Lab, must be invisible, can't make a sound, can't be seen or you'll be dead. 'Well fuck you guys' Kary thought as she tore off her black top and threw on her new red, low v-neck t-shirt that Cordy bought her. Kary stood in front of the mirror admiring her new look for a second, when she heard her name being called, she grabbed her black coat and ran out the door to catch up with the others for the hunt.

The gang hadn't been getting any calls lately, so they took to wondering the streets at night or some of them anyway. Fred, Lorne, Cordy and Wes normally stayed home to 'hold the fort', while Conner, Gunn and Angel took charge of the streets. This was only the second hunt Kary had gone on, but she hoped to kick some serious ass. Conner did too; she could sense it and she could tell he was on the prowl. 'This should be fun!" Kary half smiled to herself as the four set off into the night.

"Well your starting to fit right in here peaches," Lorne smiled at Kary as she sleepily walked into the kitchen. Kary offered a weak smile before pouring herself some coffee, this was never allowed at the Lab but Kary seemed to love it. Kary slumped into the chair beside Cordy and poured herself a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

"Angel told me you killed three vamps last night, impressive." Cordy said in a chipper voice.

"Not really, the Lab would lock me in a room of four and leave me there." Kary looked around cautiously as she let this information slip. 'What's wrong with me? I never would've done that before, maybe I'm just tired, and I'm adjusting...yeah that's it' Kary continued to eat as Fred came in and took a banana.

"Do you know where Conner is?" Kary turned to Cordy while cleaning up her dishes.

"You two seem to be getting along, I think someone has a crush." Whistling sounds came from Gunn and Fred as Cordy smirked at Kary.

"Haha, I just wanted to kick his ass again, training." Kary informed them, but secretly smiled to herself.

"I bet you do, he's down stairs in the gym." Cordy added before making kissing motions with her lips.

Kary had only been here a week, but already she felt like a part of the family.

"What's with you today, you're slower then usual." Kary could here Conner talk as she entered the gym and could tell he was sparing with Angel, not only because she could smell he sweat guys always did sweat more then girls but because Conner suddenly came flying past her and hit the mats. "Okay, I take it back, you're not slow." Conner called sarcastically to his father at the other end of the gym, before turning and greeting Kary. "This father training is fun and all, but it really hurts sometimes." Conner winked at her and Kary smiled. "Did you come here to train? Or are you looking for one of us?" Conner questioned her as he stood up.

"Actually, I don't want to interrupt, its okay...family stuff is important, god, I know that." Kary said flatly.

Conner grimaced as he realized what he said. "Kary...I'm sorry," Conner looked down at the girl he had just hurt.

"Don't be, not your fault. I'm gonna go now." Kary backed to the stairs.

"Kary, wait..." Conner called as he chased after her.
When Conner got to the top of the stairs, Kary wasn't there. And even though he shouldn't worry, he had a sinking feeling that she wasn't coming back anytime soon. When Angel met him at the top, he expressed his doubts.

"I know, I could sense the hurt too, c'mon we'll get everyone together and search the town. It will be a fun day out for you guys. I'll stay in the sewers, but remember to check dark hidden places...she'll feel most comfortable there." Angel trotted along to get everyone else.

"I can't believe you already chased my sister away, I mean come on...she wasn't even here a week." Cordy mocked as Angel told the others.

"Just search okay" And with that he walked to the sewers and the safety of the dark.

knock-knock

Conner tapped on the door to his old apartment. He had taken her here last night when she got cut in order to patch her up. She seemed to like it so he figured it was worth a shot. "Kary?" Conner pushed open the door and saw Kary sitting on his bed with a needle in her hand.

"What the hell are you doing?" Conner cried as he dashed over and knocked the needle out of her hand. When it hit the floor and smashed, Conner saw that the needle was full of blood...more precisely his father blood.

"Kary, what's going on?" Conner bent down and picked up the half of the needle with blood still in it.

"I can explain, I just don't know how." Kary winced as he put the needle on his bed table.
"How about telling me why my father's blood is in the needle about to go in your arm." Conner glared at Kary, unsure of what to make of this.

"WHAT? I had no idea that was Angel's blood," Kary looked shocked and scared at the same time.

Conner relaxed and sat across from her. "Just tell me why you had the needle," he took her hand in his and looked intently into her eyes.

Kary let out a sigh before talking, "at the Lab, they would give me a needle of 'vitamins', or that's what they told me. When I was twelve I could smell the blood in it and asked them about it. Terkel, my mentor, said it was the reason I was strong and healthy...its vampire blood. That's why I can spare you...I have vampire blood in me."

It all made sense to Conner now, "but why are you still taking it?" he questioned.

"Well, when I found out it was vampire blood; I was disgusted and refused to take anymore. A week later, I had some sort of reaction. I couldn't breath and my whole body hurt - like excruciating pain, I though I was going to die, so they gave me the needle and in an hour, it was gone. Just like that. I don't know why, but I have to take the needle every week in order to prevent that again, cuz I don't know if I could handle the pain." Kary looked hesitantly at Conner. The concern on his face really touched her and he put his arm around her shoulder, "Conner I have to take one in the next 15hrs." He lay back with her in his arms. He kissed her head and whispered in her ear "okay, just take another one and I promise that pain will never touch you again." He kissed her again, but felt her flinch away.

"Conner..." Kary turned on her side and looked into his eyes, "That was my last one."