There you see, if you review I listen! Enjoy. I'm not sure I could write another sequel, but I might be persuaded...

Gabriel let out a long sigh as he lowered himself into the hot bath water. Having been bucked off his horse earlier he was very glad for the hot water working his muscles.

Anna had been in the study when he came home, covered in mud. Her expression had been priceless. A perfect 'o' of surprise, then she had broken down in laughter. So with a heavy sigh he had marched off to his room, thinking that if she'd been thrown from a horse how he would smother her with attention.

He relaxed his head against the back of the tub, thinking of limping to the study and whimpering.

A loud shriek pierced the air, Gabriel reacted instantly, jumping out of the tub... and slipping on a piece of soap carelessly left at the side.

"Aow!" he yelped as he fell back into the tub with a loud splash. He surfaced with a growl, spitting water out of his mouth. Wincing he pulled himself to his feet, and eyeing the soap dangerously he grabbed his robe off the chair.

He secured the belt on his soft robe and slid his feet into his house shoes. Grabbing a sword on his way down the hall, he headed for the study.

Carl peeked his head out of the door and stared as the soaking and bruised Van Helsing marched past him.

"Van Helsing? What's the sword for? Was that Anna squealing like a little girl?" he followed his friend curiously.

"Carl, those who have been known to squeal like a little girl should probably keep comments to themselves right now."

Opening the door both men stared at the sight that greeted them. Anna was holding a book tightly to her chest and staring at the ceiling. She did not move nor acknowledge either of them.

Both followed her gaze slowly, so they didn't miss anything, Carl squinted.

"Is that a spider?" he asked looking back at Anna, waving a hand in front of her face then looking at Van Helsing quizzically. Gabriel fought the strong urge to smack his forehead.

With a growl he handed the sword to Carl, who blinked still slightly confused and placed it on a table. Grabbing a chair Gabriel placed it under the spider hanging from a thin web. Reaching up he grabbed the thin thread of silk, and stepped down from the chair. Anna made a disgusted noise that matched the expression on her face and looked away. Carl looked at her disbelievingly,

"That is what all the fuss was about?! You've fought vampires and werewolves, you married a monster hunter! And you're afraid of that!" he asked. Gabriel grabbed him by the collar with his free hand,

"Carl, remember what we talked about in the hall?" he asked politely. Van Helsing handed him the small arachnid,

"Now, I don't care what you do with it. But take it out of here, I don't want to see it again."

Carl looked at him like he'd lost his mind, he reached for the little thread and missed. The spider dropped to the floor, and Anna magically became very animated.

"no, no, no, no, oh kill it! Gabriel!" she said shrilly jumping into her husband's arms. Carl looked at her and shook his head, and calmly stepped on the spider.

"You were trained to deal with all kinds of monsters, you killed one of Dracula's brides! And you're terrified of arachnids!" he yelped. Gabriel gave him a stern look,

"Carl?" he said in a dangerous tone, the Friar turned to him.

"Leave"

Carl shook his head and walked off talking to himself about women all being afraid of two things. Spiders, and rats...

Anna sighed and kissed her husbands cheek softly, he put her back on her feet. It was then she noticed the bruise on his face,

"Ohhhh, you poor thing!" she gasped taking his face in her soft hands. Gabriel was sure he was going to pass out.

"My poor baby" she whispered and kissed the bruise, he blinked absolutely baffled.

"Come on let's get you cleaned up, how about a nice cup of tea?" she said stroking his wet hair. Clutching his hand she pulled him down the hall, as they passed Carl's room the little Friar stuck his head out of the door. Van Helsing grinned widely and waved as his wife pulled him into their room and closed the door.

Carl wondered about what he had just witnessed, his eyes went wide as a thought hit him.

"Every time he kills one does she..." he shook his head to clear the thoughts from his mind and went back to tinkering with his inventions.

Meanwhile, with a triumphant smile on his face, Gabriel was in the bathtub once more. Anna had left to get him a hot cup of tea, and was safely out of hearing range. He laughed till it hurt, wiping tears from his eyes, he shook his head.

Leaning over to the small cabinet next to the tub he opened it and pulled out a glass jar.

Inside was a spider...