It seemed to take an age to reach Carl's bedroom. When they finally did, it was gloomy and cool inside, something which did little to improve their dark moods. Carl sat in a tight little ball on his bed; Gabriel sat in the chair opposite. Carl faced the other way. Gabriel looked at his twisted form and sighed.

"Carl..." What's going on, Carl? Why am I feeling all of these things for you? I... I need you. I need you to feel the same.

No words seemed to come to him. There was plenty to say, but somehow it died in his throat, leaving him to groan hopelessly.

Carl spoke. "This is stupid."

His words cut through Gabriel like a knife. What was he saying was stupid? The idea of them sitting in silence...

Or the idea of us being together?

He felt his eyes become wet again. "Carl..." he murmured the other man's name, needing him to hear it, needing to feel it leave his mouth.

There was a knock on the door. It flew open and Cardinal Jinette stood there, his face aghast.

"Gabriel!" he shouted to the man who was struggling to compose himself. He didn't seem to notice Carl, curled up in misery, on the bed. "I thought I'd find you here."

"W-what is it?" Gabriel asked, trying to look calm.

"A female vampire, Gabriel; she's attacking the nearest village, not two miles from here!" Jinette breathed.

Gabriel stood up. Carl looked up, and Gabriel saw the pain in his blue eyes. He scrabbled off the bed and he and Gabriel both walked over to Jinette.

"Are you two okay?" Jinette asked suddenly.

"Fine," Carl lied. "I'll help get him ready."

The three of them hurried down to Carl's lab in silence. Gabriel began gathering his hat, coat and bag. Jinette was giving him quick instructions. Another friar was watching them with interest. Carl was trying to fight his tears and sort out Gabriel's weapons. He pulled out the automatic crossbow and wiped it carefully.

I don't want you to go out there Gabriel. I don't want you to leave me here, alone.

Biting his lip, Carl moved over to where Gabriel and Jinette were talking. Carl placed the crossbow in Gabriel's bag gently. Gabriel reached out and touched the back of Carl's hand tenderly. It was a tiny action, one which Jinette would never notice, but in that brief moment of contact, Carl felt warm and safe. But as soon as Gabriel's hand was removed, he felt cold and scared again.

Carl grabbed some other things, a bag of ammunition, a bottle of garlic essence, a pistol. He dropped them all in Gabriel's bag.

"There, ready to go," Carl said, unable to hide the sadness in his voice.

What if you don't come back?

"Thank you, Carl," Jinette said.

Gabriel seemed unable to look Carl in the eye. He grunted some sort of goodbye, then he and Jinette left the lab, leaving Carl to walk over to the window and look out, watching as Gabriel crossed the square below to get his horse.

I always knew there was a possibility, a chance, you would get hurt. A time when you wouldn't come home the proud winner. A time when you'd have to drag yourself up the steps, or even worse, have to be dragged. A time you wouldn't return. It didn't bother me before. It does now. Because I know how much I'd miss you.