A/N Please forgive me for not updating for so long. My muse has been stubbornly quiet, and other genres have been trying to take over. I loved the show so much, I didn't want to show disrespect to it by writing what I considered less than my best. I hope that you won't hold it against me.
"And their daughter thinks that you are very cuddly, Vincent."
An amused expression appeared in Vincent's eyes as he shook his head. "I could get to dislike you, Elena. Especially if you keep teasing me like this." They both looked at Father, who couldn't keep his laughter contained.
She chuckled. "Ah, but I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice that I do it only when you and I are alone, or with Father. I'd never do it around anyone else."
"She's got you there, Vincent," Father said as he brought himself under control. "And teasing is a part of sibling life. I think you'd better get used to it. At least you are both more than mature enough to keep it light and easy."
Vincent and Elena looked at each other and smiled. It seemed that Father had fully accepted their blood relationship, and that relieved her. Maybe now he won't be so suspicious of me and my motives, she thought. And I can move on, do more.
"So what will you do now, Elena? What's your next step?"
She looked up at Father's question. "I don't really know. I want to get to know my brother and his family, of course. And I'm feeling the urge to write something." At his look of concern, she added, "Oh, not about any of what's happened, but perhaps based on some of it. I tell you what; when I do have something written up, I'll let you have a look at it first. I can always use constructive criticism."
"I'd be delighted, Elena. And it looks like Vincent would, too."
She turned at Father's words and looked at her brother. She saw the anticipation in his eyes and smiled. "Then it's a deal. I'm not sure how soon I'll have anything ready, but when I do, I'll let you know. Or more likely," her expression became mischievous, "Vincent will know immediately and tell you."
Father chuckled as Vincent gaveher a mock threatening look. "Very likely. But we'll wait until you bring it to us." He noticed her suppressing a yawn and added, "You've had a long, emotionally tiring day. Vincent, why don't you take her home? We'll see you again when the news clippings arrive, if not before."
"Thank you, Father. I might get them on Saturday, but more likely it'll be Monday or Tuesday, depending on how soon Celia sends them out." She paused. "I can't believe it's only Thursday. So much has happened since I arrived; was it really only five days ago? It seems much longer."
"Yes, you've been through a great deal. Well, get some sleep and tomorrow, go do some more sightseeing; I believe you said you had done some. Get to know the city better."
"I may just do that," Elena replied, grinning. "Or perhaps I'll take in a show. It's nice that I have choices. Good night, Father."
"Good night."
Vincent and Elena left the library and silently walked through the tunnels, heading to the entrance to her apartment building. "Father's right, you know," he finally said to her. "You need to get to know the city above, to get more settled. There really isn't any more investigating you can do right now."
She sighed. "I suppose so. But it's still frustrating that there's so much I still can't remember. And I don't know if I ever will."
"If you were meant to, the memories will come in time."
"You're right, of course. I hope, though, that they'll be the ones from before Haskell showed up. I'd like to share them with you, so you could know what our parents were like."
They arrived at the entrance to her building. She turned to Vincent and reached out, hugging him. He reciprocated, saying, "Get a good night's sleep, and in the morning start finding out what your life will be above. I'll see you again soon."
"You too." She held him tightly for a moment longer, then released him and headed for the ladder to the sub-basement. Just before she disappeared, she turned and smiled at him. It warmed him, and made his journey back to his quarters less lonely.