Gabriel twisted in his nightmare, completely oblivious to what was going on about him. In the little square of moonlight coming in through his window a pale form appeared. Slowly but surely, the form darkened and deepened till you could faintly make out the shape of a woman. Anna appeared first as a ghost, then slowly and surely she became more and more real. Finally there she was, standing in Van Helsing's room dressed in the clothes she had first met him in.

Anna blinked and looked around, then turned to the window and looked up at the moon. With a sad smile she gave a little wave, then turned back to Gabriel. Walking to the bed she stared down at him, feeling like she was caught in some wonderful dream. Reaching out with shaking fingers she tenderly brushed some hair from his forehead. Biting back a sob at the feel of his warm skin under her fingertips.

He mumbled and tossed on his bed, his face taking on a perturbed look.

"Gabriel" Anna whispered, leaning over him and lightly touching his forehead.

"Gabriel, wake up" she whispered, brushing her lips against his forehead,

"wake up love" she tried again. He mumbled and turned, his blankets sliding off the bed.

Gabriel felt something pulling at him, someone was saying his name, a woman was saying his name. Something soft and warm brushed his forehead,

"wake up love" the voice called again. Gabriel tried to say 'who's there' but his lips were not working right. He rolled in his bed, and felt the warmth of the blankets slide off. The unmistakable feel of cool fingers ran over the wounds on his chest,

Opening his eyes blearily, he looked at the side of the bed, expecting to find he had been dreaming again. Anna smiled down on him, her eyes spilling over with tears, she took his hand in hers.

"Hm, for once a good dream" Gabriel grumbled, looking around waiting for Dracula to appear and kill Anna as she stood before him.

"Gabriel, I'm not a dream" Anna whispered, bringing his hand to her cheek, tears flowing freely. Blinking, Gabriel ran his thumb over her cheekbone he inhaled sharply and sat up. Staring at her in disbelief,

"Anna?" he choked out. She nodded, choking on another sob, she kissed the inside of his palm. He crushed her to him, his hand on the back of her head, feeling the silkiness of her hair and remembering the last time he had felt it. She shuddered in his grasp, crying openly in his arms. He pulled her from his shoulder, cupping her face in his hands, staring into her tear filled hazel eyes.

"You're really here" he asked, his heart fluttering madly in his chest, she nodded again, unable to say anything. Which was okay with Gabriel as he pulled her to him and kissed her passionately, gripping her upper arms tightly.

"You came back, you came back" he gasped as he pulled away, cradling her to him, burying his face in her hair. The familiar sent of roses touching his nose, he inhaled the sent of her deeply.

"I never left love, I was always here, always with you" she whispered against his chest. Suddenly feeling very sleepy, she relaxed against him, her eyes drifting closed.

"I love you Gabriel" she told him, looking up at him with half closed eyes, he laughed and kissed her head, leaning his cheek against the top of her head.

"I love you too"

Sniff... That was-- that was-- fun!

You ready for the next chapter?