All the girls looked up to see Van Helsing walking out of the front gates, Arene in his arms. She was no longer wearing the rags Dracula had put her in, but jeans, a white blouse and a vest. Her hair was pulled back again. She was smiling and talking to Van Helsing. The girls all smiled and ran up to him. He gently helped her onto the ground and some of the girls helped her up. Nicola walked over to Gabriel.

"How is she?"

"She can't really move her legs right now, but she'll be walking by the time we get to Rome." He smiled as the other girls starting talking to her.

"I'm gonna miss you guys," Arene said. "Keep in touch?"

"You bet," one girl said. "Where are you headed?"

"Rome. I'm gonna live in the Vatican."

Most of the girls had to laugh. The same girl who had spoken up at breakfast spoke again.

"Does the Vatican have computers?"

Arene laughed.

"I don't know...but just in case."

After a quick exchange of home, E-mail and LJ addresses the girls started on their way. Suddenly Arene felt herself being hugged by someone else. She turned around and immediately burst into tears.

"Nicola!" she said, hugging her friend with what might she had. "Oh my God, I thought I would never see you again. I thought you would have already left."

"Not without saying good-by to you..." Nicola said, beginning to cry again. "I hear you're going to Rome."

Arene smiled.

"Yep, I'm gonna live with my father and Godfather."

Nicola looked at her.

"Godfather?"

"Carl."

"Ah... well, I'm gonna miss you," she added.

The two exchanged addresses and good-byes until Van Helsing put his hand on his daughters shoulder.

"Come on, my child," he said in a gentle voice. "It's time."

He lifted Arene into his arms and they mounted on their horse just as a cab for Nicola pulled up. Nicola smiled and started to leave.

"Hey!" Arene shouted and Nicola turned around.

"Kudos."

"You too," replied Nicola, smiling.

With that the two girls went their separate ways but their hearts did not. They would never forget the day they met... or the two men who had brought them together.

End