Duo awoke with a splitting headache. Hell, his whole body hurt. He tried to sit up, but fell down cringing in pain. He opened his eyes slowly to the almost blinding light of day. How long had he been asleep? He looked over to his side, where Hilde sat asleep in a chair. He looked at his surroundings, and found himself to be at the hospital. A noise from the door alerted him, and he looked over to see a nurse standing there.

"Glad to see your awake Mr. Maxwell. You've been in a coma for 3 days now. We were wondering when you would wake up." The nurse said, wearing one of those creepy happy smiles and exiting the room, now that he was awake.

Duo looked over to Hilde, not sure if he wanted to wake her or not. He decided not to, and tried to sit up again. He found it much easier now that he was awake and not jumping up. He had a large wound in on the right side of his chest, and a deep gash on his forearm. Both were cleaned and had bandages on them, but they still hurt. He lightly stood up and got out of the bed, and put his clothes on. He thought he wouldn't wake Hilde up, until his elbow hit a glass of water, which smashed on the floor, sending glass shards everywhere. Which, of course, woke Hilde up with a start. She opened her eyes quickly and saw Duo standing there, half dressed with only his pants on, staring at what was left of the cup, then looking up at her and smiling embarrassed, a blush across his features.

"Good Morning. Have a good sleep?" He said, not meaning to wake her up. Hilde blinked back the sleep and looked at him smiling and said in a sleep-laden voice,

"G'morning. I'm glad your awake. I thought you would never wake up. I was really worried." She said, her eye's half open and slightly bloodshot from lack of sleep.

"Hey, can we get outta here? Please? I'm all better, and hospitals give me the creeps." He asked, putting his shirt over his head, wincing when they went over his wounds and looking at her. She smiled and nodded, as the two walked out the door, Hilde had already paid the bill. They walked out of the hospital, and when there was no one around, Hilde turned to face him.

He looked at her smiling, but she wasn't. Her face was set in a determined stare, and she looked over at him and stopped walking. Duo knew there was something bad about this....

"Duo, when... you were fighting that guy, you were...different...you...you..." She took a deep breath and just let it out. "What ARE you? I... I know your not human. You something else, something.. something different." She whispered, looking unsure, yet positive that she was right at the same time.

Duo's eyes widened. No, she wasn't....she wasn't supposed to find out. Dammit, he shouldn't have used his powers. Now she would hate him. His stomach lurched at the thought. If he didn't tell her, she would hate him too. He sighed and looked at her. No use lying, might as well tell her and hope for the best.

"Hilde...if I... if I tell you, you have to swear to not tell anyone, ok?" He looked at her seriously. She nodded and he continued. "I...I..." He stumbled over how to say it. "I'm...I'm..." He took a deep breath.

"I'm a vampire." He said, looking at her for her reaction, expecting her to turn white and scream and run. Her eyes widened as she stood there, frozen. Unable to speak, she stared at him, as if trying to figure out what he was going to do.

What she did next, he didn't expect. Her eyes slowly filled with tears, as one slipped silently down her cheek. "A...are...But.." She stuttered, unable to speak correctly. "Are...are you going to...to..eat me?" She asked, the fear slowly sinking in as her body took a stance of uncertainty and horror.

Duo shook his head vigorously. " Hilde, I would never, ever hurt you. I swear!" He almost yelled, trying to comfort her as much as he could.

"Why...why... why didn't you tell me earlier?" She asked, looking betrayed and very afraid, her eyes still welled with tears.

Duo walked up to her and tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "So you wouldn't look at me the way you are now, Hilde. I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want you to be afraid of me. Please Hilde, I swear I wont hurt you. Just please, please stop crying and don't be afraid. I wont hurt you" He pleaded over and over,. his eyes and his posture begging her to forgive him, trying to look as non-threatening as possible. Hilde stood there, crying softly for a few minutes, before stopping.

She looked down again, before whispering., "I know Duo, I know. I believe you that you wouldn't hurt me. I...I'm just shocked about what you are. I've never met a vampire before. I was always told that they were mean, uncaring beasts that sucked blood. I know that's what they are, but your so different. I don't know what to think. I know I can trust you, I really do. Even if it doesn't feel right, I know it is." She said, talking more to herself than to him, trying to decipher what she should do, but knowing that she could trust him no matter what she chose.

He looked at her concerned, and didn't say anything, for fear of scaring her again. He wished he could do something, anything to make her feel better. He walked slowly closer to her, and wrapped his arms around her in a hug, trying to comfort her. She gasped, a little scared at what he might do, but she relaxed and put her head lightly on his shoulder, still thinking. They stayed like that for a few minutes, before Hilde took a step back and looked at Duo.

"Duo...how long? How long have you been a vampire? I want to help you. Is there any way I can? Tell me everything Duo." She asked, looking concerned. He looked at her sadly, and started.

"Two weeks. I was coming home from a party, when I got thrown into an alley. I didn't even know until I was laying there with blood all over me from hitting a wall. I remember seeing a dark shadow, and then feeling a sharp pain in my neck and then darkness. I remember the voice though, and I found out that later who had bitten me. A guy by the name of Zecklei." Hilde gasped at the familiar name. Zecklei was one of the most feared vampires in the country. Duo continued, "The next thing I remember after that is waking up as a vampire and throwing up all day from the sickness. I laid there forever, because it hurt so much to move. It was so weird, I could see through all the shadows, and could move faster, everything seemed like it moved so slow, it was really weird. And everything was so easy to move and light. It was strange for a few days, before I kinda got used to it." He said, a sad smile on his face.

Hilde smiled, knowing what he said was true. Then, if he...if he was a vampire, why..why...

"Duo, why did you save me that day we met?" She asked, looking up at him.

Duo stood there for a second, thinking, before saying reluctantly, "Because...ummm...."
'Because I love you Hilde. Say it Dammit Duo, don't be a fool. Do it!!!' His mind screamed at him.

"Because Hilde. Ever since I've met you I've wanted to give you something. May I?" He asked, looking at her in the eyes. She looked confused a second, but nodded.

Duo Leaned forward, and pressed his lips against Hilde's softly, unsure if she wanted it or not. To his surprise, however, she kissed him back, the kiss turning into a silent three word phrase for both of them. They reluctantly pulled away from the kiss, and they looked at each other for a few minutes, wondering if the kiss was right or not, before both spoke in a quiet voice at the same time,

"I love you."


~End Chapter~

Hi Guys, sorry if this took FOREVER, but I had exams and crap. Sorry if the end was kinda cheesy btw. Oh yea, I would like to dedicate this chapter to Jason. ^_^ Thanks man, this wouldn't be here without your support!