A/N yes, it's true, I'm finally updating so I hope you enjoy! Now, where was I…?

Chapter 14: Pale

Van Helsing didn't go back to the library that night, preferring to watch over Anna, who soon fell asleep on top of him. He too had dozed off eventually.

He now woke to find himself and Anna covered in a large eiderdown. No doubt Carl was responsible. He chuckled to himself, remembering Carl's very un-friar encounter with the girl in the village whom he had saved from Dracula's children. Carl was more of a romantic that he thought. And a loyal friend, his mind reminded him. Carl had stuck by him ever since he first arrived at the Order, making weapons and cracking jokes. It wasn't until now that Van Helsing fully realised just how endeared he was to the friar. If Carl hadn't come with Gabriel to Transylvania, then Anna would surely be dead. It was Carl who had helped piece together her broken ribs, and Carl who had stopped him from choking her and it was now Carl who had covered the couple with a blanket, like a concerned parent.

Van Helsing looked down at Anna. She was sleeping peacefully now, her head resting in the crook of his arm. Van Helsing's heart flushed with a warm security. Just being with Anna eased the aching pain he lived with; he didn't know where it came from – his forgotten past perhaps?- but it had made his every day feel less than what it should -empty. Until he met Anna. He didn't fully know what it was about her; she just seemed to radiate strength and warmth – a beacon of hope for a ship lost at sea. And he loved it, loved her. From her crimson lips and chocolate hair to her stubbornness and, sometimes, her weakness, well hidden as it was. He wanted to protect her from the world, love her more than she ever could be. He wanted to be with her forever, Hunter and Princess…together.

"Together," Gabriel repeated the word absent-mindedly, still lost in his thoughts.

"What?" a sleepy voice mumbled.

"Huh?" Van Helsing was shaken out of his thoughts. He looked down. Anna's eyes were sleepy, as she frowned up at him.

"What did you say?" she repeated, wincing as she tried to sit up. Gabriel put a hand behind her back to support her and sat up as well and leaned against the headboard. He saw Anna tense in pain, and helped her to lie back against him.

"Thanks," she smiled and twisted her head up for a kiss. Gabriel's lips tingled as they touched hers, craving more. Anna broke away and nuzzled into Gabriel's neck.

"So what did you say, Mr Van Helsing?" her rich accent rolled.

"I was thinking about us. About what will happen to us." Gabriel said. The memory of Anna's empty eyes in his nightmare flashed in his mind. "I don't think I can live without you."

"Or I you," Anna said sincerely, smiling up at him before snuggling further into him. Gabriel put his arms around her.

"I love you Anna, so much. You scared me last night –what happened?" Gabriel felt Anna's body tense. She paused for a moment, unsure and reluctant to remember her nightmare. Eventually, she took a deep breath and began to explain.

"I had a dream. No, a nightmare," Anna said. In his mind, Gabriel cursed Dracula. He knew it was him who was responsible - his dream a few nights before was proof.

"I was back in Dracula's fortress. He wanted to make me his bride and I was too weak – powerless to stop him. And you weren't there. I had this horrible feeling that you were gone, that you weren't going to come for me. I was just so…scared."

"But it was only a dream. You're safe. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." Gabriel comforted her.

"Promise?" her eyes searched his.

"Promise."

Anna closed her eyes and relaxed against Gabriel. For a few minutes, the two said nothing, content to lie with their own comfort that the other would never leave them. Anna felt as if she was finally safe. The burden of the Valerious curse to kill Dracula suddenly felt lighter. Gabriel was here, he would always be. Anna's eyes roamed her room. No, not it was not just her room anymore; it was their room.

Anna's eyes fell on a long parcel, covered in gold paper.

"Gabriel?"

"Hmmm?"

"What is that?" Anna gritted her teeth against the inevitable pain and pushed herself up.

"What?"

Anna pointed to the parcel.

"Oh, that!" Gabriel sat up behind her. "Why don't you find out?" he grinned at her mischievously.

Anna gave him a questioning look and reached for the parcel.

"Aah!" she cried out, recoiling to ease the pain that dashed across her torso.

"Careful. You're not a vampire – you don't heal that fast." Gabriel chuckled.

Anna glared at him, pretending not to find his comment funny.

"Here, let me get it for you." Gabriel was still smiling as he moved out from behind her and piled up some pillows for her to lie against before reaching for the parcel.

Anna settled back into the soft comfort Gabriel had made for her, breathing a contented sigh as the pain began to ease. Gabriel handed the parcel to her and she set it on her lap and pulled a small tag off.

To Anna

With love

Anna blinked up at Gabriel with questions in her eyes.

Gabriel smiled warmly, "Open it."

Anna's mind raced as she began to pull at the gold paper. What could Van Helsing have found to give her? So many 'suitors' had brought her gifts, but none of them had had any real appeal to Anna. She thought of what she would like to receive from Gabriel. But this was much too big to be a ring – pity, she thought, not fully realising what her last thought implied.

Finally Anna pulled the lid off the long, rectangular box. She gasped.

"Oh Gabriel, it's beautiful!" Anna slid her hand along the cool metal. He had done it. He had given her the unique gift that no other ever had. It was unusual, but to Anna, it was perfect.

The sword lay on a bed of soft velvet, glinting in the soft morning sunlight. The hilt caught Anna's attention the most. It was a rich gold shade, but a series of small rubies spiralled around it. Anna looked at the end of the sword. A large, curly A had been carved in the base, making it firmly hers.

Gabriel watched her with fascination, loving the way her eyes lit up when she opened the box. She ran her fingers along the rubies.

"They remind me of you," he explained. Anna smiled up at him and picked up the sword, carefully touching the blade.

"It's so light," she said, amazed.

"The blade is a silver alloy that Carl developed – light as a feather but deadly – especially to vampire. Your speciality." Gabriel explained, smiling.

"When did you do this?" Anna looked up at him, her eyes full of gratitude.

"I picked it up yesterday. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up."

Anna said nothing but waved a finger at him, beckoning him to come closer to her. He leaned forward towards her and she pulled him into a passionate kiss. Gabriel channelled all the worry he had felt into it and the kiss deepened. Anna pushed the box off her lap and pulled Gabriel towards her, running her hands down his back to his butt. Gabriel's hands also began to wonder-

A knock on the door. The two broke apart quickly.

Carl poked his head around the door.

"Good, you're awake," he smiled and pushed the door open all the way.

Gabriel looked at Anna longingly, annoyed at his friend's interruption, but she just smiled back. Carl stepped in carrying a tray laden with mugs of tea and bacon on crisp bread. He put it down on the bed between the two of them.

"It's good to see you looking better princess," said Carl.

"Thank you Carl, and thank you for the food," Anna smiled and Gabriel handed her a cup of tea, still feeling annoyed.

"To what do we owe this visit from the Great Friar?" he said sarcastically.

Carl didn't catch the joke and, looking serious, said, " I need to contact the Order again so I was thinking we might visit the town today. Perhaps try to find out who the vampires used as a sacrifice."

Anna choked and spat some of her tea back into the cup. "Excuse me? What did you say?"

Carl rolled his eyes and looked accusingly at Gabriel. "You haven't told her yet, have you?"

Gabriel glared at Carl. "I've hardly had a chance. You might as well do it now that you're here."

Carl looked at Anna, "We know how Dracula was resurrected."

Anna's eyes grew wide. "How?"

Carl explained the Gisleaya Ritual, enjoying the 'smart' feeling it gave him.

As Anna listened to Carl, the safe world that had been created only minutes before began to fall to pieces. Dracula was immortal once again. Gabriel was no longer a werewolf and, even if he was able to become one again, there was no cure. Cold fire began to burn away at her joy as her mind raced.

Gabriel noticed Anna becoming pale as a look of absolute horror crossed her face. She looked like an abused child – bewildered and forlorn.

"Anna? Are you ok?"

Anna heard Gabriel's words, but said nothing. Suck it up Anna! Her mind screamed at her.

"Yes, I'm fine. But I must let the people know that they are still in danger. If Dracula is immortal once more, we shall have to devise a totally new plan of attack." She said wearily, like a battle worn soldier returning to the front lines.

"So be it," said Carl.

XXX

When Jacob re-entered Dracula's chambers, Dracula could sense his change in manner. He was calm, satisfied – almost smug.

"My Lord," he bowed, approaching the large chair Dracula was sitting on.

"Jacob." Dracula acknowledged. "I sense you are satisfied."

"Indeed, my Lord, your power is great. I was wrong to question it. But I am grateful, the princess suffered much." Jacob said.

"Tell me what you saw Jacob," Dracula pressed his fingertips together, listening intently.

"The curtains were closed and the window was locked, my Lord, so I could not see anything. But what I heard was evidence enough." Jacob said. "The princess was screaming, in pain – both emotional and physical. She didn't stop until Van Helsing entered the room."

"Van Helsing?" Dracula's ears pricked up and he leaned forward in his chair. "Tell me what he did."

"I couldn't see, my Lord, but he sounded very distressed, shouting her name. He was fearful, I could hear it in his voice."

Dracula chuckled knowingly.

"If I may, my lord," eased Jacob, "How did you do it?"

"You may, Jacob. I happen to have developed the ability to manipulate dreams. Princess Anna was asleep – I merely contorted her dreams into a nightmare."

Jacob looked on, clearly awed.

"Very good Jacob. Very good." Dracula said, changing the subject "I trust you will not question me again?"

"No, my lord." Jacob said firmly.

"Good. Find yourself a meal and rest. I will call for you," Dracula waved his hand.

"Thank you, my lord." Jacob bowed and left the room.

Sitting back in his chair Dracula was left with his thoughts. So I have finally found a way to quicken the steady heart. The Valerious princess is indeed the winding key to Gabriel Van Helsing's heart. So be it.

A/N Hope you liked it! For those who don't know, an eiderdown is like a blanket (I might have written that in the story (: but figured I should tell you anyway.) There's tons of great stuff coming up in the next chapter so please review – pretty please – bats eyelashes appealingly.