Disclaimer: Only wish they were mine, then I'd be rich! But, alas, they are not my creation. They are the creation of Dick Wolf who, at this time, seems to be the second most successful creator on TV only under Jerry Bruckheimer. Heaven help us if they ever join forces!!!
Rating: PG-13 for alluded to gore.
Spoilers: None
Category: Case, drama.
Author: Traci
Archiving and feedback: Yes to archiving at amorous intent – anyone else merely ask. Feedback to traci_ann@yahoo.com
Summary: A young woman is found dead with puncture wounds on her neck. She seems to have been involved with vampirism. Will Eames be the next victim?
Author's Notes: Okay, I'm scaring myself with all the dark stories I've been writing of late between CI and CSI. I swear to everyone I am obsessed with the Cartoon Network and MacGyver – really!!! I can't explain this dark side at the moment but hey, it's getting fics written hehehe.
An additional note: This was supposed to have gotten out for Halloween but, due to writer's block beyond my control, it obviously didn't. So, uh, Merry Christmas?? Hehehe.
As usual special thanks to Tracy for reading over this for me and brainstorming with me. I guess Aussies are good for something after all hehehe. KIDDING!!
SanguinationWith long, pale fingers he motioned to her from across the room. The glint in his eye sparkled beneath the flashing lights.
She smiled. She knew what he wanted. It was what they were all there for. Bidding farewell to her friends, she slowly walked along the edge of the dance floor.
His smile was erotic. Warming yet ice cold all in one. Without a word, he took her hand in his and led her out the backdoor.
********************
"Eames, Goren, they found a DB in an alley down near the South Street Pier." Deakins sighed. It had been a bad week. More murders that just never seemed to end. If the calendar had not told him otherwise, he may have sworn it was a full moon.
The two detectives gathered up their coats and left.
*************************
The officer on the scene greeted them.
"I'm Detective Goren and this is Detective Eames."
He nodded. "Body's this way." He led the down a small, narrow alley filled with garbage.
A large rat ran over Eames shoes. She jumped. "That thing should be on a leash," she commented and her partner chuckled.
Approaching the body, both put on latex gloves. Goren crouched down to look over the victim while Eames looked around the immediate area.
"She was into vampirism," he commented.
Eames walked back to him.
"See… there are traces of black lipstick," he told her, pointing to her lips. "And the eye shadow." He paused, looking over the body a bit more. "There are… puncture wounds on her neck." Looking up to Eames, he continued. "We may be looking at a cult. Isn't there a… nightclub mid-town that is geared towards vampires?"
She nodded. "Yeah. It's just off Times Square."
Goren stood up and turned to one of the officers. "Have there been any others like this?"
"No," he answered shaking his head. "As far as I know this is the first one in years."
"Then there have been others?"
"I think about ten years ago or so. It was listed as a cold case. No suspects. I'll look into it more and send over the file."
"Thank you," Eames said then looked up at her partner. "Let's see if modern day vampires have an aversion to sunlight."
*******************
Goren pulled up in front of the 'Clubsylvania'.
"Don't know how we ever missed hanging out here after work," Eames said with a grin.
"Perhaps we could have our Christmas party here this year," he teased.
They walked up and tried the door. It was locked. Eames knocked. No answer.
"We can't exactly go in without a warrant," she sighed.
Saying nothing, Goren looked around for a moment then took off across the street.
Eames followed him into a family-owned deli.
"Do you know where the owner might be?" he asked the young woman behind the counter.
She shrugged. "He's really weird. Probably sleeping in a coffin somewhere right now."
"We need to ask him a few questions." Eames held up her badge.
"I really don't know where he lives or anything. He comes in here just before we close every night and orders a very rare burger."
Goren and Eames thanked her before leaving. Once outside he looked down at his partner. "Have any special plans for this evening?"
"Yep. Meeting a vampire for dinner."
*******************
Darkness had claimed the city long ago but Eames and Goren remained seated in a far corner booth waiting.
Goren glanced at his watch. "It's almost eleven. I don't think he's showing up tonight."
Eames sighed and looked out the window. "Club is still dark. They were supposed to open an hour ago."
"If he is our killer then he may have skipped town." Goren paid the waitress.
Eames took out her cell phone. "I'll call Carver and see about getting a search warrant."
ADA Carver yawned as he answered the phone. "Hello?" he mumbled.
"It's Eames, we need a search warrant."
He looked at the clock. "Do you know what time it is?"
"Yes."
"What evidence do you have?"
"A closed nightclub."
Carver closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "That's it?"
She explained the situation to him.
"No judge will give you a warrant. There's not enough evidence to link the victim to the club."
When Eames shook her head at Goren, he took the phone. "We need to get in there."
"Like I told Alex, there's not enough evidence to issue a search warrant. Find some kind of connection between the two and I'll do whatever it takes to get one for you."
Goren hung up and handed the phone back to Eames. "Let's go around back."
Without a word she followed him.
The alley behind the club was much the same as the one where the girl's body had been dumped.
Upon spotting numerous blood stains on the wall and the ground, Eames said, "I'll call the CSU immediately."
Nodding his acknowledgement, Goren walked over to a nearby dumpster. Carefully lifting the lid, he peered in. "Call Carver, we have a connection."
Eames walked up behind him and stood on her tiptoes to look in. Lying atop the trash was what appeared to be the victims' clothes. "Bobby, we're going to have to wait until the lab results are in."
He sighed.
"I want this guy just as much as you do," she comforted.
**********************
Two officers had remained outside the club all night but no one showed up. The lab results confirmed the clothes did belong to their murder victim.
Goren and Eames sat quietly at their desks.
"Alex, how do you feel about a little undercover work?" he asked quietly.
She looked over at him. "I don't think I have what it takes to pass as a vampire wannabe."
He gave her a small smile. "A black wig, dark makeup…" His smile faded. "But you're probably right. I think the only way we are going to find where the vampires are meeting now is to become one of them though."
"I'll call vice," she offered, picking up the phone. "I'm sure they have someone who could fit the part." Upon hanging up, she said, "They're going to send someone over this afternoon. She's finishing up a case right now."
"Thank you." He clicked the mouse on his laptop. "I may… have found something."
Eames got up and walked over to him, standing beside him.
"There… this chat room. It's for practicing vampires in the city." He pointed to the screen. "They are talking about a gathering. Perhaps another site for the club members to meet."
Eames leaned in closer to the screen to read some of the posts. "Whatever they are talking about it's happening tonight."
Goren typed a message posing as a twenty-something female vampire and posted it.
For a moment the chat room remained inactive. Then a private IM popped up on the screen. It asked him for specific information. He glanced up at Eames.
She reached over and typed a response. "We'll have to save this so the girl from Vice will know what to say."
The person known as 'bldgvr' replied back, giving the location of a new club that was vampire friendly.
Goren looked at Eames who grinned back. "You sure you don't want to do this?" he asked.
"Typing anonymously on the computer is one thing…"
*****************
Two hours later, while they were waiting for the officer from vice to arrive, Eames' phone rang. "What? No, I understand." She hung up, sighed, and looked to Goren. "Feel like shopping?"
"For what?"
"Vice can't spare anyone. The officer they were going to send got tied up with her case and there's no one else available."
He grinned.
"You keep grinning like that and you can go undercover."
********************
Within a short time the two detectives returned to the precinct with the apparel Eames would need for that night. She immediately set out to the bathroom to change. Forty minutes later she returned, grateful that is was well past eight pm so not many co-workers were around.
Goren stopped what he was doing when he saw her approach. "You know, I may know of a great Halloween party…"
She glared at him.
"Alex, you fit the part perfectly." He studied everything about her. From the black hair wig to the dark eye makeup and lipstick. Her outfit was a tight-fitting, low-cut black mini-dress complete with black hose and spike heels. She looked nothing like his partner. He walked over to her, wire in hand. "The question is… where do we put this?"
Seeing the humor reflected in his eyes, she grabbed it from him. "I can take care of that myself, buddy."
He laughed as she once again disappeared to the bathroom.
When she returned they tested the wire system.
Deakins stepped out of his office. "Goren, where's Eames and why aren't you interrogating that person in the interrogation room?"
Goren tried not to laugh when Eames turned to face Deakins. "Because I'm not being interrogated," she hissed.
"Eames? I thought vice was taking this."
"Change of plans. They didn't have anyone to spare."
Biting back a smile, Deakins glanced at Goren. "You're watching her I take it?"
"Already wired."
Deakins nodded. "You know, I was thinking of having a Halloween party…"
"Don't start," Eames warned.
Goren laughed. "I already suggested one."
With a small nod, Deakins headed back to his office. "Be careful."
**********************
It was nearing midnight when Goren pulled up to the curb a few blocks from the new club. "All kidding aside, Alex, be careful. I'll be right outside but…"
She smiled and rested her hand on top of his. "I was in vice for six years. I'll be fine." Opening the door, she stepped out and leaned down. "Beside, like you said, you'll be right outside." She shut the door and walked down the block.
Goren watched her closely. He knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself but something bothered him. Something he could not put his finger on as being more than a gut feeling.
*******************
Eames casually strolled up to the side-alley door, gave the password to the bouncer and was admitted. They scanned her for weapons but nothing showed up. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness of the room. All around her people dressed similar to her were sitting, dancing or talking. She turned down the test-tube of pigs' blood offered to her by a waitress.
"Alex?" Bobby whispered through her earpiece.
"Nothing yet," she mumbled back. Scanning the room, she found a man sitting by himself in a far-off corner. "I may have found him."
As she approached, the man looked up at her and smiled. His dark eyes sparkled. Long, pale fingers extended out beckoning her towards him.
***********************
Goren sat in the car down a side street. He slowly sipped the hot coffee while listening to what was happening in the club. Suddenly the wire went fuzzy.
"Alex?"
Nothing. Just interference.
"Alex!"
Nothing.
Grabbing his gun, he ran towards the club.
*************************
Eames slid in the booth seat across from the mysterious man. "Are you 'bldgvr'?" she asked seductively.
He gave a nod but no verbal response.
She smiled. "It's nice to find others like me. I'm new to the city."
His bony fingers reached across the table and caressed her cheek.
Maintaining her composure, she met his eyes. He stood up and urged her to follow him to the back.
She obeyed his wish.
*************************
Goren pushed his way past he bouncer and maneuvered through the sea of people inside. He saw no sight of Alex. As he reached the back of the club he noticed the backdoor just closing. Nearly breaking the door, he rushed outside into the back alley.
"Freeze!" he shouted.
The mysterious man turned around. Alex, however, showed no sign of hearing him.
"NYPD."
The man grinned, holding Eames' arm. "You have nothing on me." He turned to walk away, taking Eames with him.
Goren ran after them, grabbing hold of Eames just as they turned the corner onto the main street.
She turned to face him. The eyes staring back at him were empty. Looking around, he was surprised to see the suspect had disappeared in a matter of seconds. Leaving Eames alone for only a moment, he looked both ways down the street but saw nothing. He returned to Eames, put his gun away and rested his hands on both her arms. "Alex? Are you alright?"
Empty eyes continued to stare back at him.
"I'm getting you to the hospital," he told her, leading her back to the car.
****************************
Goren was pacing the floor of the waiting room when the doctor appeared.
"How is she?"
"Mr. Goren, she's been drugged. The lab is running tests now to see with what but…" He hesitated. "She's still, for lack of a better term, spaced out on whatever it is."
"Is she going to be alright?"
"I believe so, but I can't honestly say until I know what she was given. You may see her now if you wish. Maybe seeing a familiar face will help bring her out of it."
Goren nodded and walked towards her room.
Pausing in the doorway, he took in the site of his partner lying motionless on the bed. Her makeup was gone as was the wig. She was his Alex again – almost.
He closed the door behind him, pulled a chair up to her bedside and took her hand. She continued to stare at the ceiling. "I shouldn't have let you do this," he whispered, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm sorry I let you down. I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner."
Startled by the gentle squeeze from her hand, he looked at her. "You are still in there. Come back to us, Alex. Come back to me."
Goren's focus remained on his partner even as he heard the door behind him open. "How is she?" Deakins asked, stepping into the room.
"She was drugged," he stated simply.
"Where were you?"
Slowly, Goren looked up at him. "I let her down. I nearly got her killed." His gaze once again fell upon Eames.
Deakins watched him for a moment. "Goren…" He paused. "I didn't mean it like it sounded. This isn't your fault."
"It is. I shouldn't have let her do this. At the very least I should have gone in with her."
"You wouldn't have blended in," came a strained whisper.
Both men stared at Alex and slowly both men smiled.
"Welcome back, detective," Deakins told her. Looking to Goren he said, "I'll see what I can find out from the doctor."
Eames' eyes focused back on her partner once again. "It wasn't your fault," she told him.
"I'm your partner. I'm supposed to protect you."
In spite of herself, Alex chuckled.
Goren gave her a half-grin. "That… that didn't quite come out right." He was about to continue but Alex's yawn stopped him. "Deakins should be back in a moment."
The doctor walked into the room followed by their Captain.
Checking Eames' vitals, the doctor looked to the two men. "I need to speak to her alone."
"I'm her partner," Goren argued.
"I understand that but with the new privacy act in place…"
"It's okay, they can stay," Eames told him.
With a slight nod, the doctor began. "We found traces of LSD in your system. It wasn't enough to have done this so I had further tests run. It seems the LSD was mixed with a substance we have yet to identify."
"But I didn't drink or touch anything."
"Did he make any contact with you?"
Alex thought for a moment. "He touched my face."
Sighing, the doctor continued. "I believe your suspect may have built up an immunity to the effects, or else the drug was on a sleeve or glove or something. It is easy to transfer through touch."
"I…" Alex took a deep breath. "I hadn't thought anything of it, but when he touched me I did feel a little prick… almost like a bug bite."
"What about side-effects?" Goren asked.
"I honestly can't say. Having no idea what the other substance is, I can't tell you what to expect." He turned back to his patient. "I do want to keep you here for at least a day or two for observation. Maybe in that time we'll have some more answers."
As he left, Deakins said, "Take all the time you need." Pausing, he smiled. "I'm just glad you're alright."
Alex watched Goren as he watched the others leave. "Go home, Bobby, get some sleep," she said.
His attention returned to her. "Not until the other officers get here."
*****************************
The following morning Alex awoke in her hospital bed to find Bobby sitting beside her on a chair. "Don't you have a home?" she yawned.
"You're awake."
"Yes, I am." She studied his face for a moment. "What happened?"
"N… Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you were going to be alright."
"Robert Goren, you are a terrible liar, at least when lying to me. What happened?" she asked as she propped herself up in the bed.
His eyes met hers. She was alive. So far she was the only victim who had lived. "There was another body found this morning."
She sighed. "As soon as I get out of here…"
"You'll be going home," he stated knowing where she was going with her thought.
"No. I need to be in on this one."
"Alex, we don't even know what he gave you with the LSD. Deakins will never go for it either."
Her brown eyes found his and held his gaze. "I *need* to be involved with this one." When he did not respond, she continued. "It's not your fault this happened. Blaming yourself will not catch the guy."
"Doctor says you can get out of here later today."
"Finally." She sat up and stretched. "I'm sick of being here."
He grinned at her. "There's only one catch."
Alex groaned. "What?"
"You need someone to stay with you for a night or two."
"I am quite capable…"
"Not my suggestion – doctors' orders. It's they only way I was able to convince him to let you leave."
"I guess I could call my brother," she conceded.
"If… yeah, you could."
Eames looked over at him. "What were you going to suggest?"
He shrugged. "I figured I could, maybe, but if you'd rather…"
She smiled. "I don't want to be any trouble."
"Never. I figured I could stay on your couch."
Alex laughed. "Yes, because the couch will be so comfortable for you. But if it gets me out of here today, then I will be the one more than willing to sleep on the couch."
*****************
Tired of arguing with Bobby and just plain tired, Alex did not put up a fight when he carried her overnight bag for her and helped her out of the car and up the stairs to her apartment. She was just grateful to be out of the cold, sterile confines of the hospital room.
"Do you want something to eat? I can cook something up or order take-out or whatever you want," Bobby offered while he poured her a glass of ice water.
She smiled as she stretched out on the couch. "I'm not really hungry, but go ahead and do whatever you want."
He handed her the water then sat on a chair beside the couch. "You have to eat."
"I've been eating," she argued. "I swear if a nurse made me look at another tray of hospital food…"
Goren chuckled. "How about something light? A sandwich maybe?"
"Grilled cheese?"
"Anything you want."
When he returned a few minutes later he found her fast asleep. Placing the sandwich on the table, he carefully lifted her up and carried her into her bedroom. He stood and watched her for a few minutes before turning off the light while leaving the door open a crack.
Settling on the couch, he turned on the TV and picked up the sandwich. He was just in time to catch his favorite guilty pleasure, 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. Halfway through the episode, he heard soft footfalls and turned to see his petit partner walking towards him. "Alex?"
She smiled and joined him on the couch. "I just woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. What are you… SVU?" She chuckled. "I never figured you for a fan of this show."
"Why not? They've done an incredible job with keeping it very true to life and realistic."
Alex shook her head. "You ate my sandwich," she pouted.
"I'll make you another." He stood up only to have her pull at his arm.
"I was kidding, Bobby. Sit down. Finish watching the show. I'm just going to get saltines or something. Do you want anything?"
"No, I'm fine."
When she returned from the kitchen, she sat closely beside him on the couch.
This worried him. Turning off the TV as the credits rolled by, he turned to her. "Do you… want to talk about it?"
She shrugged. "What is there to talk about? Every time I close my eyes I see him, I feel him." Her eyes slowly found his. "I have to see this through so it can end for me."
Bobby stared at her, unsure what to say or what to do. Before he had a chance to make a decision, his cell phone rang. "Goren."
Eames watched him. She knew. "Where?" she asked as he hung up.
"Lower East Side," he told her, standing up. "I… will you be alright?"
She nodded and stood up as well. "Cause I'm going with you."
"Alex…"
"I have to. I need to."
With a hesitant nod, he waited for her to change.
**********************
Goren showed the officer his badge then he and Eames proceeded to the body.
"Same as the others," one of the forensics officers told them. "Please tell me you guys have some idea who's doing this."
Glancing at Eames, Goren told him, "We're still working on it."
The forensics team stepped back to let Goren examine the body.
No one noticed the way Alex's body stiffened.
No one noticed the panic fill her eyes.
No one noticed the hard shiver run through her.
No one but one.
"Eames? Eames?"
She jumped at the feel of strong hands on her shoulders.
"Alex?"
"I… I'm sorry," she whispered. "I got distracted. What did you find?"
He studied her face. "No. I'm taking you home. Now."
"Gor…"
"No argument this time, Alex."
************************
By the time Bobby pulled up to her building the interior of the car had turned to ice though the heater was on.
She was ticked and he knew it, and she was sure he knew it.
"Alex…"
She said nothing, only opened the car door and walked to the door.
Goren sighed. These were the times he should leave his partner alone but, given the circumstances, it was the last thing he was about to do so he followed her only to have her apartment door slammed in his face.
"Alex!"
"Just go away," she shouted through the door. "Leave me alone."
"No."
There was no response.
"Just don't trip over me in the morning when you come out," he shouted back through the door. "I'll be sleeping right here."
A few minutes later he heard her unlock the door and opened it. "You have a key," she mumbled.
"What happened back there?"
She walked away. "Nothing."
In two long strides he was behind her and turned her towards him. "That was not 'nothing'. What happened? Is it the drugs he gave you?"
Alex took a deep breath. "I don't know. Maybe. I just felt like… like someone was watching me."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because it's absurd. It's insane. It's stupid. It's…"
"None of those things." He led her to the sofa and knelt down before her. "Maybe you should… take some time. Go away somewhere."
"I'm not running away, Bobby. You know me better than that."
He held her hands tightly. "I'm really worried about you."
She smiled at him. "Don't be. He can't hurt me again as long as you're around."
"He did before," he reminded her softly.
Sliding one hand from his, she reached out and touched his face. "And you were there to keep him from killing me. We're cops, Bobby, danger comes with the job."
"I'm your partner. My job is to protect you."
If not for the deep hurt and sincerity in his voice, she might have burst out laughing. Instead, her heart broke for the man in front of her. The man who chose to take on all his pain as well as hers. Leaning forward, she placed a feather-light kiss on his lips then looked into his eyes once again. "You do protect me but this is something I just need to do. I need to be on this case. I'll go crazy if I stay stuck in my apartment hiding."
Still reeling from the kiss, his mind was working to catch up. He swallowed hard. "Just tell me when something like that happens again. Don't keep things from me. Not now. Not with this guy still out there."
Her eyes sparkled. "I promise. So now, get up off the floor and tell me what you found out there."
"Not much. Same style. She was probably drugged as well."
She yawned and it was only then he realized how many hours she had been awake. "Alex, get some sleep. If you don't you'll end up back in the hospital."
Eames got up but halfway across the room she hesitated then turned back to her partner. "Bobby, do you think..?" She shook her head. "Nevermind. Goodnight." She closed her bedroom door behind her.
He thought for a moment before getting up. Lightly he tapped on the door. "Alex, can I come in?"
"Yeah."
He opened the door and held his breath. She looked so much like a scared child who had awoken from a nightmare. "I… would you mind if I sat in here for a little while?"
Confusion clouded her eyes.
"It would make me feel better," he told her as he sat on a chair beside the bed. He had seen the fear in her eyes when she said goodnight. She was afraid to be alone but would not admit it so he would take the blame. "I… just want to make sure you're safe."
Slowly a smile spread across her lips. How he knew her so well she was not sure but she was grateful. "As long as it makes you feel better," she told him before snuggling down on her pillow. "If that chair gets too uncomfortable my bed is big enough for two."
His eyes widened but he said nothing.
******************
"Bobby, where are you?" She searched her room but found no sign of her partner. "Bobby!"
"He's no longer with us, Alex dear."
Her blood ran cold.
She shivered beneath the touch of bony fingers.
His eyes glowed. "Join me. Join us."
"Bobby! What did you do to Bobby?"
"He would not follow."
Tears filled her eyes. "He… he only wanted to protect me."
The intruder grinned. He teeth glimmered in the dim light of her bedroom. "He failed." Holding out his hand to her, he said, "Come with me. It is your destiny. We are bound to each other for eternity."
Her eyes were drawn to his. "I…" Slowly she reached out to him but drew her hand back quickly as if too close to the fire. "No. I will not go with you."
He snarled. "You will come with me. You will do as I say."
"NO!" She closed her eyes and felt her body shake violently. "NO! Leave me alone."
"Alex!"
Her eyelids flew open.
She stared.
"Alex, come out of it. Come on."
With trembling hands, she reached out and touched his face ignoring the tears that streamed down her cheeks.
"It was only a nightmare, Alex. Come on." Bobby held her face in his hands and softly stroked her tear-stained cheeks.
"B…Bobby?"
He nodded. "You're alright, Alex," he softly told her.
Wrapping her arms around him, she held him tight. Her fingers clawed at his back in an attempt to hide within him.
Goren held her as well. In his heart were tears he shared with his partner. In his eyes… in his eyes were daggers meant for the killer who had done this to her.