Disclaimer: In no way do I own any of the characters in this Fan Fiction. Everything belongs To Sarah Nelson, the artist/author of the comic, Vampire Phantasm. She is having a FanFic contest, and I thought you peeps might like to read it too. Even if I don't win. --Herald

Chapter 1: Not a normal Fairy Tale

Jill lay awake that day, staring blankly at her ceiling, just like she had for the past five days. Rolling onto her side, she stared at the wall of her rather large room. Sighing Jill turned her thoughts to Jack. The reason she hadn't been able to sleep properly for the last week. Ever since he had dragged her to see that, Orlock person. Who called himself the Monarch of Vampires…

Something happened in there, she was sure of it. Jack had made her and, that giant, leave, and Vallov was acting strangely the whole time. All he was doing was standing in the middle of the room, growling. At nothing. It was so freaky!

And when Jack had come back out…he had looked simply horrible…his entire torso was covered in blood! When she had been able to sleep, her dreams had been wracked with nightmares, of Orlock's blood red eyes, and of Jacks battered body.

They had been standing there, waiting for Jack to be done, and suddenly, he started screaming, Jill had almost fainted, but Vallov had launched himself up the stairs. (How could one so tall move so incredibly fast!) The had got there to see him bloody, and weak. Orlock had just stared at Jill for what seemed like hours, and just when she thought he was going to kill her, he left. Jack didn't speak of what had happened, or at least not whenever she was present, but for some reason Jill had the feeling that whatever Orlock did to him, happened often.

Giving it up for another sleepless day, Jill rolled so she was sitting, her legs dangling over the side of her queen-sized bed, her eyes staring at her pale feet. Fingering the edge of her dark purple nightgown, Jill sighed.

Glancing around her room, Jill once again marveled at the luxury of it all. Although, the whole demeanor was in those dark, morbid colors all vampires seemed to flock to, it still had a relaxing aura to it. The thick, black velvety curtains were at this moment completely covering the windows in her room, to keep out the sunlight that would be her end.

Jill sighed in regret, knowing that she would never again be able to look apon the sun, to bask in it's warmth, heck! She'd never be tan again! Perpetually pale! But what choice had she? It was either let the freak turn her, or die. And she had rather wanted to live. Now she wasn't so sure. Staring at her long, pale fingers, Jill wondered if maybe she should have had Jack let her die.

The Curtains over her window matched the plush carpet on her floor, and the wallpaper that decorated her four walls. Her bed on the other hand was made of a dark wood, which somehow had an almost purple sheen to it. And it had dark red sheets and coverings. Jill had some more furniture, all made of the same dark wood. Her dresser, filled with dark, almost gothic clothing, (She didn't want to know where Jack got them.) A Vanity with a Mirror, a rather ironic piece of furniture considering her new status, and a table with matching, padded chairs.

Getting to her feet and walking across her room, Jill sat down in front of the mirror, before remembering that she could no longer see her reflection. Sighing and pulling a lock of hair in front of her eyes she looked at the ashy, platinum blonde color it had been her whole life, and wondering if her eyes were the same light brown color they had been, but she somehow doubted it. Examining her fangs with a pale finger Jill sighed again.

Turning to look at her bed, laying against the far wall, Jill then made a sudden decision. Standing up she walked to one of the three doors in her room. One door led to the hall, one lead to her bathroom, and the third, led to Jack's room. She kept it locked most of the time, because she didn't fully trust Jack, he acted so strangely most of the time. But it didn't matter, because he could probably unlock it, or just break it down, but it gave her a feeling of comfort, so she did it anyway.

Silently unlocking the door, Jill gave Jack's room a cursory glance, slightly shocked to see that it was a mirror image of hers. Locating his bed across the room she saw his prone body laying on the bed, his mouth open slightly in his sleep. He lay sprawled out on his bed, the blankets kicked off sometime in his sleep, a touch of drool at the corner of his mouth. Looking once more at her bed, Jill took a deep breath to steady her nerves, and almost bolted. Starting to tremble, Jill took another deep breath, told herself that Jack wouldn't kill her, and started walking towards his bed, her hands clasped in front of her.

Stepping to the side of his bed, Jill looked down upon a sleeping Jack. The first thing she noticed was how calm and gentle Jack looked in sleep. Almost…innocent in fact. Examining his features, Jill felt her face redden when she noticed how handsome he was, his sharp features weren't too aquiline, nor to long. And his eyes, even though they were closed, Jill could picture them in her mind's eye. Although red, they were beautiful, so full of emotions. And his hair, it was black, but had strangely purple highlights to it. Jill resisted the urge to feel it, but only barely.

Examining him further, Jill noticed the muscles on his arms, and on his chest. Jill felt more heat rising to her cheeks, and in a moment of fanciful thought, figured she more have a almost normal skin tone with all her blushing…

Biting her lip to calm down her reddening face, Jill was careful not to puncture her lip. Taking another deep breath, Jill cautiously kneeled down and poised a hand over his broad shoulder. Jill suddenly felt an overwhelming need to run back to the safety of her room, slam the lock home, dive into bed, and forget about every trying this again. Feeling almost ill because of nerves, Jill gently laid her hand upon Jack's arm. His response was instantaneous. The moment her hand touched him, he sat bolt upright; sending Jill backward in shock, where she landed on her back dazed.

Jack looked down at her, surprise evident in his face. After looking at the windows, even though covered in their thick curtains, he somehow seemed to know the time. After looking back a Jill, he stayed silent for a few moments, obviously trying to figure out what she was doing here, before he spoke.

"What are you doing here Jill? Are you hurt?" Jack asked with a hint of worry in his voice. Never before had she noticed how deep his voice was, and his voice sent pleasant shivers down her spine. It took a few moments to gather her scattered wits back, and several more to find her tongue. After staring at her hands, Jill realized she hadn't thought out what she had wanted to say to him in the first place! After running her thoughts in tight circles for many long moments while Jack stayed thankfully quite, as if he knew her plight, Jill decide to be blunt.

"Jack?" Taking a breath Jill continued while her hands trembled slightly. "What, exactly…happened in there? With O-Orlock and all…." Biting her lip Jill chanced a glance up and noticed that Jack seemed paler then usual, and seemed, not exactly angry, but none to pleased that she had brought this up. Continuing so she could get all her story out, Jill spoke again. "I know you never seem to want to talk about it, but he's you sire right? So, why would her hurt you? And, I haven't been able to sleep since…I've, been having nightmares…and…." Jill found her self-unable to continue and felt tears running slowly down her cheek. Before she could even think to wipe them away, she felt Jack's gentle hand wipe them away for her, and before that had even a chance to register, he placed his hand gently under her chin and lifted it so she could look into her eyes. After searching her eyes for an intense moment, Jack spoke.

"You…shouldn't let it bother you Jill. It is between Myself and…Orlock. " He seemed to think that was enough but it left a opening for Jill to put in her true fears.

"But that's just it! What if he comes after me?" Jill felt more tears come rushing out of the corners of her eyes but she pressed on not noticing the possessive look on Jacks face at her words. "He hurts you, and you couldn't protect yourself! And, Vallov is supposed to protect you but he couldn't do anything, and, how can I protect myself!" After those words passed her lips Jill collapsed on the floor with tears, while Jack sat on the bed, and intense debate going though his head. After what seemed like eons, Jill felt Jack kneel down beside her and pull her into his arms, cradling her head on his shoulder. After holding her for a few moments he started speaking.

"The reason he attacked me that day Jill, was because…I opened my mouth and said something I oughtn't to have said." Jill lifted her tear-streaked face to Jack and stayed silent, and sign for him to continue. "He was…questioning the reason I turned you. He knew why. The moment he saw you…." At Jack's last words, his voice faltered. Raising a trembling hand to Jack's face, she gently brushed the hair out of his eyes. Jack gently grabbed her hand, and Jill felt her heart stop and then start again, beating faster. Looking into Jack's face, Jill asked a question Jack's words had brought up.

"But, why would you choose me Jack? And, how can Orlock tell? And…how does he know my name?" Jill asked, her voice frantic. Gently rubbing her tears away from her face, and cupping her cheek with one hand, Jack stared into her eyes and spoke.

"Your eyes Jill. Your eyes." At his word Jill's eyes widened. Before she could say anything, Jack continued. "You'll remember I told you I had a wife and Daughter once?" Jack said before his voice faltered and his eyes clouded over in pain. At Jill's terse nod, he gathered himself and continued, although it obliviously pained him to do so. "On night, 203 years ago, I lived with my wife…Emily, and our beautiful daughter, Julia. There had been vampire sightings as I recall, but I didn't give them a second thought. One night, I heard a sound outside. I went out, but saw nothing…after I came back…the baby started crying…" Jack seemed lost in his memories for the moment, and although Jill wanted to know what had happened, she stayed silent. After some long moments, Jack continued. "Emily, went to cheek on Julia, and she screamed. I came running, and saw a crazed man, with White skin, long silver hair, and crazed red eyes holding my baby. He cut her throat with his…finger, and then dove at Emily before I could blink…he…ripped her apart, then threw her eye at me. And then…then he turned me. I lived with him for, oh some 200 years, all the while being tortured…physically and mentally…"Jack seemed unable to continue and just stared at the ground while I stare at him in horror. His Sire had destroyed his life, and tortured him!

Jack seemed to pull himself together enough to finish. "You, have her eyes Jill. Not the color…but the same.. shape…" Jack said slowly, gazing into her eyes for what seemed like hours. After pulling himself together Jack continued. " He, knew why I choose you, and I told him the circumstances of mine turning of you. He was, curious to why I gave you a choice, and questioned if I would have let you die if you had wished it so. I said…yes, I would, because, then you need not have met him, which would be no bad thing…I don't know how that came out, and Orlock did not take it lightly…." Jack shivered with his memories and Jill was horrified. Her eyes? And Orlock, what would he do to her? And Jack?

"Jack?" Jill questioned softly, placing a hand on his cheek lightly, still afraid for him and herself. Looking up at her, Jack gave her one of his smirks, which at the moment didn't irritate her, in fact, she felt comforted by it.

"Don't worry Jill, I refuse to let him touch one hair on your head." Jill smilied up at Jack though her tears, although she was still worried for his well being and her own..

"But…won't he kill you if you do that?" Jill asked with confusion. Placing a hand on her cheek again, Jack slowly bent down, and kissed her lightly. Jill was certain she felt fireworks go off as Jack's soft warm lips touched hers. His lips touched lightly at first, but soon became firmer. Jill felt like this was the most wonderful thing she had ever felt before, and it never occurred to her to slap him for being so forward. After a moment or two, Jack pulled back, a grin still on his face. After grinning for a few moments, he spoke.

"I don't care." He said simply, and after a few confused moments, Jill realized he was answering her question. Also realizing that he would sacrifice himself for her, and that he had just kissed her, Jill felt her face quickly becoming very hot.

"But…why?" Was all Jill was able to get out, her eyes searching Jack's soft red eyes for any answers.

"Because, You are my fledgling, I won't let Orlock do to you, what he did to me. And…I care for you." Jack seemed embarrassed at his last words, and turned to look across the room. Jill felt her heart flutter, and realized that she had indeed, fell in love with Jack over the last 5 days, over her sleepless days.

Smiling softly Jill settled herself in his arms and laid her head gently against his strong chest. Tilting her head to look at him, she saw Jack looking down at her, his face mingled with curiosity, mirth, and, hope?

After the conversation, Jill suddenly felt light, and terribly tired, after the weight of her worries of her chest, and the nerves, and Jack's sad tale, and the newfound knowledge that he cared for her. Jill suddenly felt comforted and safe, and her sleepless days choose then to leap upon her. Jill closed her eyes, and fell into the deep sleep that comes with being a vampire.

After she drifted off, Jack looked down at the lovely women in his arms, and standing up slowly, carried her into her room, and gently tucked her in. Planting a light soft kiss on her forehead, he left her room, closing the door gently behind him. Never being troubled with nightmares or sleepless nights since some 50 odd yeas of living with Orlock, Jack fell asleep as soon as his head hit his soft pillow, dreaming of Jill, while she was dreaming of him.