Isabel stood within Michael's arms staring up at him. He closed his mouth over the long sharp fangs and his eyes turned back to normal. She could not believe what she was seeing. How had this happened to him? When? By whom?

"Isabel." His voice soft as he watched her face, as her expression changed from shock, fear to sadness. He had come back for her, because he could not live without her. None of the others mattered, not really. Maria had been special, his first, but not the one he had loved forever. He felt the hunger inside him; it called for her blood, her essence.

"Michael, who did this to you?"

"She is gone, I don't know where."

"How do we change you back?"

"We would have to kill her. At least that is what I heard from another vampire."

"Oh Michael. I have missed you so much." She hugged him closer again, laying her head on his chest. He put his face into the side of her neck, smelling her shampoo. He could hear her blood rushing through her arteries. It was Metallica to him; he wanted to hear more, drawn to it. He reached up and moved her hair. He wanted to taste it, savor it.

"He lowered his lips to her neck, and she pushed him away. He looked at her, as his tongue touched the sharp end of a fang.

"Michael, are you that hungry?"

"Yes, for you blood. I don't know if I can control myself. I am drawn to you not only because of your blood, but also for love. I never told you Isabel, but I have loved you forever. Nothing can ever change that. I know you don't love me."

Isabel reached out and touched his lips with her fingertips. Her eyes were warm and they glistened. "Michael, I had hoped one day to hear you say that. I waited. I love you too Michael. Always."

"Then join me Isabel. Help me track her down and kill her. I know you don't want to be like me, who would? I am a horrid thing that kills. I offer death not life." He looked up at the ceiling, "even he has abandoned me. I don't know why I came back here, you don't deserve this."

Isabel reached up on tiptoes and with her hands on his shoulders; she kissed him on the lips. "I am here for you Michael, always. We will find that vampire and I will kill her.

He looked into her eyes, and saw the blood tears beginning to run down his face. "Oh Isabel, you make me think I am not lost, that I have a reason to go on living. To find a way to become me again."

Isabel smiled at him. "You are my Michael, either way. I will never abandon you, ever."

Michael pulled her close for a moment, and then he released her and stepped back. "I am so hungry, I am a danger to you, and I should go."

"We can go to the blood bank and get you something. I will go with you. Then you can sleep here." She turned and picked up her car keys off her dresser and her handbag. Then waved her hand over her gown that changed to jeans and sweater. She pointed to the window. "Ready to go?"

Michael followed her out, helping her down to the ground. Then followed her to the car. His Isabel loved him; he could not believe she had said it. When it was too late for them. He wanted what he could not have. Unless he could find the one who turned him, he would have to be careful. He could not turn her, he'd rather die first.

O O O O

Isabel came through the window of her dimly lit room, and Michael followed her in. She put a finger to her lips as Michael started to say something. He nodded, and turned away in shame. She had seen him drink the warm blood, heated in the microwave. Yet he had not seen any horror, or disgust on her fair face.

It was three in the morning, and there were no sounds in the Evan's home. Isabel looked around her room, and then back to Michael. She walked over to him, and took his hand, pulling him over to her bed. She sat down and pulled him down beside her.

"We will find a way, Michael." She whispered softly. "Do you think Max could fix it? Change you back?"

"I don't know Isabel. But if you tell him, he will tell everyone else. I don't want anyone else to know." He reached out and touched a lock of her curly hair. He leaned over and his lips touched hers, then pulled back.

"What's wrong Michael?"

"I shouldn't touch you. Not now, not as I am."

She reached out and pulled his head closer to hers, her mouth seeking his. She pulled him backwards on the bed. Their first real kiss, that seared his soul. He put his hand behind her head, pulling it closer, as they tongues played. He felt his body react to her closeness, and the feelings that were bubbling up inside him. All those feelings he had kept buried for her, because she hadn't felt the same way. Now they were loose, and sought satisfaction.

Isabel lay back with Michael holding her tight. She wanted him so badly, and it frightened her. Afraid of the vampire, but loving the man.

With his large hand he ran it under her sweater, her skin warm as he caressed it. Moving up to her breast, covered in a lacy bra with a front opening. With three fingers he undid it and then filled his hand with one soft mound of flesh.

Isabel ran her hands over his broad chest, and then tweaked his nipples through his shirt. Then her hands moved south and found a bulge, and caressed it through the material. He moaned softly as he lowered his head and began to tongue her nipples, nibbling lightly. A hand going down and touched her lace panties, lightly ran his fingers over the edges and then slipped a finger in the band and felt the heated skin that was wet with need.

He waved his hand and they were both naked. He looked into her eyes, seeing how dark they were, the wanton desire so clear to him. When she touched his rod he arched into her hand, and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel. Her fingers moving gently as though afraid of hurting him. He reached down covering her hand with his, showing her the way. Then he moved his hand back to exploring her, knowing he was the first. He wished he had waited for her also. She closed her legs on him, and he began to do her with his long strong fingers.She was trying to not make a sound as she lost herself in his touch.

Michael smiled and then pushed her legs open. He looked down at her, seeing her flushed face, her half open eyes. "Are you sure Isabel?"

"Yes, oh yes Michael. Make love to me." She whispered with such longing that he lowered his head and kissed her, as he moved to enter her.

O O O O O

Later Michael slept in the dark closet on blankets laid down on the floor for him. His head rested on a pillow that smelled of Isabel. There was a slight smile on his lips.

Isabel moved around her room, getting ready to go out. Max was downstairs fixing breakfast, and her parents were already gone until the evening. Isabel smiled at the girl she saw in the mirror, that girl that was glowing with happiness, and contentment. The girl that was obviously in love…with a vampire. She glanced at the closet doors, and then thought about Max, she needed to get him to help. Maybe he could fix Michael, he could fix most things. She crossed her room, and went downstairs.

"Max?" She called out to him. She entered the kitchen, as Max looked over from the stove where he was cooking pancakes.

"Good morning Izzy. Want some?"

"Yes, I am starved. Max I need you to swear you wont tell anyone what I have to say."

"Well…"

"Promise me Max, it's important to me. I need your help, Michael needs your help. Just you, not the others. If you really love me and Michael you will keep silent."

Max turned off the stove, put the pancakes on the plates and brought them to the table. He sat down and faced his sister. "Okay Isabel, you know I would do anything for either of you. Have you heard from Michael?"

"Yes. Now remember your promise. Michael is back…"