Time froze. The room disappeared as Zoë swung her arms around Simon. The world around her dissolved into nothing. Even if there was a dragon breathing fire on her neck, she still wouldn't have noticed.

The warmth of his body was so unreal. His skin was real, his hair had the same Simon smell. This was really Simon!

Nothing mattered in her vampire's embrace, her arms squeezing his body like he would float away if she didn't hold tight enough. Her wish had finally been granted.

Slowly Simon drew back, enough to look into Zoe's face. He just starred and Zoë stared back.

Finally the vampire broke the silence, "Why have you brought me back?" He simply said.

"It's you. It's Simon's voice! It's you!"

"Why? Why did you bring me back?"

For the first time it felt like, Zoë noticed where she was.

"I missed you so much! This life was never worth living after I seen you go! Please don't hate me! I missed you! I wanted-"

Her voice was interrupted with Simon's lips caressing her own. The sensation doubled, no, tripled to what she had felt embraced in Simon's arms. His kisses were so soft, his breath on her face was more than she could handle.

Simon drew back an inch to find tears streaming down the girl's face.

"I could never be happy without you!" Zoë sobbed.

"Neither could I." He said so quietly, Zoë just barely caught the words. They kissed again.

On the other side of the door, stood Nodnu peering at Zoë and Simon through the keyhole.

"You're jealous," said Lady, standing behind him.

Nodnu barely flinched. He turned to Lady and forced a laugh, like it was a joke.

"Don't play games with me," said the witch, "I seen that hurt expression on your face! And look, your eyes are still burning with jealousy."

The vampire turned away and headed up the stairs.

"Stop," Lady ordered and Nodnu did so, "Tell me, why did you grant the girl's one desired wish?"

The vampire didn't answer, but he didn't attempt to leave either.

After a long stretch of silence, Nodnu said, "I have things planned that I shall carry through. This isn't the end. I don't intend them to go on their little merry way, yet."

At this the Witch gave a laugh and walked up the stairs, passing Nodnu and disappearing to the upper level.

Nodnu glanced down at the door and sighed dryly. "No, this isn't the end."

Simon was outside. He walked from tree to tree in the dense forest like he was a child seeing one for the first time. The moonlight gave his bare chest a florescent glow and his hair glowed even brighter.

Zoë sat on a rock, watching Simon in a daze.

"I have almost forgotten what the feeling felt like of the moon on my face!" The vampire lifted his head to the sky.

"What was death like?"

Simon paused a moment in thought, "It felt like hell." Then he added, "There was no time, I was just in nothing and everything all at the same time. But there was something holding me back. Something calling me, like I couldn't move on just yet. . . Now that I think about it. . . It was like a dream and it's slowly fading from my memory. Death. . . was. . ."

Zoë smiled. Then she laughed. The joy to have him back brought tears to her eyes.

The moon glowed brighter than it ever had before.

Morning was soon to come and Simon went up to sleep in the house. Zoë stood alone outside, watching the sunrise. Nodnu became beside her.

"Oh!" the girl gasped, "Nodnu, the sun is coming up! Shouldn't you ought to-"

"Yes, Zoë I know." He sighed, but grinned, "Let me make this quick then."

"What is it?"

He laughed, almost wickedly, "You remember, only half of the bargain was done."

A growing fear welled up inside of Zoë, "An eye for an eye?" She said, her voice showing more fear than she would have liked.

"Not that gruesome, my dear. You are indebted to me. The things I want are simple but will indeed cost you."

The sun was edging closer and closer to the horizon and as Nodnu said these words, he himself edged closer to the house.

"What do you want?" Zoë placed a hand to her face in dismay. The vampire touched the front door.

"Next time." He said and he disappeared in the door, along with the sun hitting the surface of the earth.

Next time, you will be mine.