What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."

Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar...

Part LXXXXIV…

[Note-Naturally we are diverging from the new season storyline into AU territory]

Guillermo to camera, as he stands in tux, pulling at his neck, at the reception in the new residence…Nervously sipping champagne from a large glass in hand…

"Yeah, well…Here I am. Newly resigned from my position as Chief Minion…Though only Nandor knows it yet, so please…" he traces zipper across lips.

"So far, so good…Seems like Count Dr. Dracula…Dr. Acura…And his ole bud/enemy are getting on like a house on fire. Miss Acura seems very nice, which is good, considering she's sort of my boss, I guess. At least, as she's the Slayer and in command of the Vampire Hunters with her dad, I think it's best I follow her lead."

"Hey, honey…" Susan, made up, in gown, hair piled high, coming over, sipping champagne. Offering, then pressing a kiss on his cheek… "Are you gonna talk to these guys all night?"

"No, Susan. They just wanted an interview, hear my opinions on tonight."

"Well…I have opinions, too. I'm not justa slave, ya know. Even if you think it." She tells him, eyeing him narrowly.

"Have you been drinking?" he eyes her. "You… 'Donated'…Just the other day…"

"It'sa party…Camere and gimme one on da lips." She hugs him close. "Get us close up, I want one for our Christ…Ow! Ma tongue. Gui?"

"Christmas?" he asks.

"Yeah…Xmas card." Hmmn… "You know das funny how dat way don' burn ma tongue…Oh, hi." She smiles at the passing Eloise who smiles then eyes Guillermo.

"That's ma friend from da office. She's a black werewolf and there's not a thing wron' wid that." Susan insists to camera.

"I shouldna said it that way. She's a werewolf lady and there's nothin' wrong wid that. Right." Nod.

"Sue…Maybe you should sit down…" Guillermo tries.

"Yeah, lets go downstairs and get in a bed." She nods, pulling at his arm.

"Sue…"

"C'mon, we're engaged."

"Susan…"

"What?" she stops, whirling on him. "You don' believe me…I'ma bitch who wouldna given you a time of day, Ri? Ri?!"

"Sue…" he sighs.

"Anything wrong?" Phyllis, looking quite elegant in her gown.

"You…Cryptwrecker!" Susan lunges at her.

Whoa…Guillermo blinks.

"Okay, Sue…" Phyllis, catching her… "You've had too much champagne and had too much blood took. Leave her with me, Gui. You go help host, Boss. I got her."

"Gui! I love ya truly! I love ya!" Susan cries, twisting in Phyllis' grip.

"I know Sue…" he tells her. "Just go with Phyllis and…"

"I wouldn' kill ya, even if He asked me to…I wouldn'…!" Susan, solemnly.

"That's gotta prove it…Gui?!" she cries.

Several clueless guests looking over as those more familiar with the situation look everywhere possible.

The newly arrived Ginny, in elegant gown with her daughters at her side, looking over nervously from where she'd just stopped to chat with Nadja bouncing on the sofa with Charmaine and just joined by Shawn, who, as he puts it, just can't stay from his Char for more then ten, I'm tellin' ya. Ten at most.

"Come on, Sue." Phyllis tugs gently. "He knows you love him, for real."

"I do…" Susan shaking head. "Guillermo, don't doubt me!"

"It's fine, Sue."

"Save me, Gui!" she pleads, suddenly…A desperate look on her face. "I love you, save me!" She calming a bit.

He staring…Phyllis now patting her. "It's all right, honey."

"I'm ok…Sor'." Susan notes, to room in general. "I'm just dizzy from givin' ma blood."

"Donation…" Phyllis notes, smiling benignly. "She should've rested. Come on Susie. Gui? I'll see ya later."

"You sure you have her…?" he asks, eyeing Susan, twisting a bit in Phyllis' grip.

"Yeah, I got her. Come on, Sue. You need to lie down for a bit."

"Im ok…Gui? I'm yer hostess…!"

"Yes, you are…" he nods.

"Ok, I'm jus' gonna use the powder room and I'll be back. I'll be back. You can save me then." She eyes him. A pleading in her eyes that is nothing to do with drunkenness.

Really, God? He sighs.

I'm ready to die. I'm ready for her and the others to hate me. I know I deserve everything that happens to me…But…

Really?

"It's ok, kiddo." Phyllis notes, leading Susan off.

"Who's that?" Shawn asks Nadja as they and Charmaine watch the hijinks from the bounciness of the sofa.

"Guillermo's girl. She gave blood the other day and I think she's a bit light in the head, you know? Of course, these blonde girls just have no heads for alcohol. Right, Char?!" raising glass of red "wine" to clink with hers.

"You know it, Nadja!" Charmaine beams, taking sip from her own glass of champagne.

"She's his girl?" Shawn blinks at Susan, now docilly letting Phyllis lead her out of the vast living room to the basement elevator, choosing to avoid the stairs.

"Well…I did get my Char here." He notes, beaming at her. "It can happen even to schlubs like us."

"Yes, and Guillermo is good-hearted schlub, I guess…" Nadja nods.

"You gotta elevator in here, Nad?" Charmaine stars. "Oh, we gotta take Laszlo and you up on stayin' here."

"Any time, long as you want, Char!" Nadja beams.

"So, this General Washington lost nearly every battle in the field but lasted out the entire British army in Americas?" Laszlo was asking his professor friend as Ginny reached them.

"Is Susan ok?" she asks Laszlo, carefully omitting her customary "Master", heeding instruction and her own judgment that no cause for suspicion be given tonight. "Hey, Rich." She greets the tall, balding professor who beams at her, offering him her cheek for a kiss.

"You look incredible, Gin." He notes.

"Isn't she?" Laszlo, immediately concerned.

"She was…Looking kinda what's that word you used before…Laszlo? 'Pished'?"

"Oh…I was a bit engaged in conversation with Richard here. Hello?" he eyes the two girls in their gowns. Jacqueta? How are you? Hello, you must be Ellie." He greets Ellie who eyes him.

"Ellie, this is Ma…Mister Cravensworth." Ginny turns to her. "Our host and the man who financed your college education…"

"Oh, hardly. Very nice to meet you at last, Ellie." Laszlo beams. "You know Professor Devers?" introducing the professor who nodded to her slight frown.

"Hey, Prof Rich…" Jacqueta smiles, shaking his hand as Ellie hesitates. "Nice to see you again, Mr. C." to Laszlo who clearly relishes his new nickname. "And thanks for having us."

"A pleasure, dear, a pleasure…"

Whenever Nadja should allow…Of course…He eyes the two lovely young girls. Ellie looking a bit uncomfortable… But her concern not with the old Brit geek but "Prof Rich", Mom's new so…

Guillermo back with camera, holing up in a corner for a moment in the vast room…

"That was a little weird…" he notes, mopping bow with hand.

"I know she meant it." Sigh. "I guess the champagne and blood loss took a bit of the thrall with it. It's not permanent, I know. Thank God, she didn't really break free, all the way I mean."

"That would not have been good, just now." He shakes head. "Though I guess I could've come up with something."

He glances over to Phyllis in gown at the entrance to the living room from the hall to the basement door. She nods, coming to him.

"Is she ok?"

"The young lady is resting well…" Phyllis, a bit formally. He staring at her rather confident, open smile.

Uh-oh.

"Yes, Guillermo, it's me." Van Helsing in Phyllis' body smiles at him. "And aren't you the young rogue, boy." Teasing tone. "What, are all of these beauties in love with you?"