Author's Note: this will be a feels-oriented chapter and may contain some inappropriate behavior near the end.

Bela chewed her lip nervously as their small motorboat crossed the distance to the island, eight of the Duke's armsmen sharing the vessel with her. They didn't bother with subterfuge this time and the boat was directed right at the facility's docks. The blonde woman couldn't stop worrying about her sisters.

I was supposed to protect them… Instead I put them in danger. Some elder sister I am… What would mother say?

Even though the whole trip took mere minutes, it felt like an eternity to Bela. As soon as the boat got close enough to the pier, the woman shifted to her swarm shape, no doubt unsettling the armsmen, but she couldn't give less of a damn about their comfort now. Flying high above the facility, her human form still partially visible through the swarm, she was quick to spot both Ethan's and Daniela's downed forms. The redhead's skin was raw red and blistered. She appeared to be unconscious.

My poor sister… she never asked for any of this... all she ever wanted was for everyone to be happy... I should never have allowed her to come to this place.

Quickly soaring down to her younger sister's side, Bela fully coalesced back into her human form. Not wasting a second, she checked the redhead's vitals. The blonde released a breath of relief as everything looked to be within acceptable range. Daniela would be fine. Ethan's first aid did the trick, but Cassandra was still unaccounted for. Bela's piercing, desperate cry was heard by everyone in the facility.

"CASSANDRA! Where are you!?"

Ethan, who just sat on the ground, giving off a thousand-yards stare in the direction of the power-armor husk stood up swiftly as the shriek took him from his own dark musings, but could do nothing to assist the woman. The whole place was a mess of rubble and craters, with fresh bodies all over.

At hearing no response, tears started to glisten in the elder sister's molten gold eyes. Even though there were a great many things the two sisters disagreed on, she loved the brunette deeply and would not hesitate to lay her own life on the line for Cassandra.

I am so sorry for all the fights we had, sister! Please...just be alive! I can't lose you!

Bela frantically looked around the facility, looking for any sign of her beloved sibling. The Duke's armsmen were already sweeping the area, checking for any non-combatants who hid in the buildings during the fight that took place here. A dozen of the facility workers were escorted from the barracks and put against the hangar's wall shortly. A couple of clerks and a man in a rich black suit from the administrative building soon joined them.

Watching the lined up humans, Bela felt bile coming up to her mouth.

Suddenly, an uncharacteristic hatred ignited within her. The normally calm and peaceful woman wanted nothing more than to tear these men and women apart with her bare hands, right now. To watch them squirm in agony as she ended their miserable, worthless lives.

We just wanted to be left alone! To start over! But this vermin had to come for us... They would show us no mercy. Why should I show them any?

Bela's grip on her sickle tightened. Her normally serene eyes were narrowed to vicious slits that promised nothing but death to the targets of their ire. An armsman tried to approach her to inquire something but upon seeing her hate-twisted visage immediately retreated back to his comrades. Bela didn't even glance at him - her gaze was firmly locked at the lined-up facility workers. She was perfectly fine with letting these humans go before...but now?

If Cassandra is not leaving this accursed island, so won't they.

Gripped by revenge-fueled rage, she was prepared to march towards the humans that took so much from her and claim her own blood price. Before she could do so, a single spark of rationality pierced through the haze of grief and rage that has enveloped her mind almost completely.

What am I even thinking...who cares about the humans...Cassandra is still out here, somewhere!

During the battle, she saw her sister's body, much like a ragdoll, flung beyond the scope of the device she used to observe the fight. But Bela knew the direction. Cursing herself for her stupidity, the blonde was quick to extrapolate the likely landing destination. Her yellow eyes locked onto a collapsed watch-tower. Not missing a beat, the woman was on top of it in seconds, using her bare hands to sift through the rubble. A familiar lock of brunette hair made Bela double her efforts, even as she called out in a high-pitched yell.

"I need help, here!"

Ethan was at her side in seconds. A couple of armsmen joined them soon and together they managed to quickly gain access to Cassandra's broken body. Tears of joy now freely flowed down Bela's face as she discovered a spark of life still lurking in her beloved little sister's mortal shell. Not wasting a second, she swiftly opened a bag that was at her side, grabbing a spray of first aid as well as a large bottle of dark red liquid. Passing the spray to Ethan, she didn't take her eyes away from Cassandra's body as she asked, quietly.

"Address her open wounds...please."

Ethan just nodded and did as told, not hesitating even for a moment to aid the woman that tortured him. In any other situation the blonde woman would've been left flabbergasted at the man's incredible ability to forgive, but now she just silently thanked him for his assistance. Pushing Cassandra's torso up, she uncorked her bottle, before forcing the contents down the unconscious brunette's throat.

Dimitrescu sibling's unnatural bodies were also their most potent source of healing, all she had to do was provide the resources needed.

You will be alright Cass…

Bela hoped this would be enough to stabilize her condition, but Cassandra's human body was mutilated, with bones clearly sticking out from her bloodied frame, in multiple places. Severe, deep burns were visible on her skin. Her own dark, mold-infused blood was covering the ground. Even though their cadou-based physiology granted them truly inhuman feats of resilience and regeneration, this kind of trauma would still need proper medical aid to be fixed.

Bela herself had an important job to do here, and time was ticking. Despite being in the middle of the ocean, a distress call was surely sounded by someone during or after the battle. It was only a matter of hours until their enemies sent reinforcements here. The Dimitrescu's eldest planned to be far away from this facility, when they arrived. Gently kissing her little sister's forehead, the woman stood up.

"Ethan...I would appreciate it if you helped bring my sisters back to the ship. I still have some business to attend to here, myself."

"Of course, Bela."

The lone standing Dimitrescu smiled at the man kindly. She trusted him to see that vital task done. Giving both the man and her sibling one last fond glance, she turned around and marched towards the still lined-up humans, her sickle left behind. She wasn't going to need it. As she approached the workers briskly, she couldn't help but be horrified at herself for what she wanted to do to them, mere minutes ago.

Is this truly who I am, after all? Just a monster, who is happy to murder defenseless people whose biggest crime was likely just moving some crates around for the wrong employer. How am I any better than the vile scum who had abducted my mother, if I have no reservations about taking my own pain on random people, who barely had anything to do with our plight. Perhaps it is fitting, then. It takes a monster to stop a monster.

Ignoring the workers, she stomped right towards the somewhat rotund administrator in a suit, who was clearly terrified of her, as he visibly shuddered in his expensive pants at her approach. Bela beamed down at the slightly shorter person - it was not a kind smile, this time. This man was going to tell her everything she needed to know, one way or another. She couldn't keep malice out of her voice, as she spoke a polite greeting.

"I hope this beautiful night finds you in good health, my good sir. I do believe we have some things to discuss."

The night wasn't over for Ethan, yet. The highlights included the nurse's and the doctor's shocked faces as he carried Cassandra's broken form into the medbay, bridal style. Daniela was carried along by a burly armsman. As he left the professionals to their work, he couldn't help but note the twist of fate. Just yesterday, their situations were reversed, with him crippled in the hospital bed and Cassandra roaming the corridors. Somehow that fact didn't bring him as much joy and amusement as he thought it would.

Approaching his own room, he found Tom snoozing on a folding chair outside. His little angel was sleeping peacefully in her own bed, thankfully unaware of all the horror that transpired in the last hour. Giving the tiny girl a loving smile, the father walked back from the room, knowing that he couldn't possibly fall asleep just yet.

Procuring a bottle of whiskey, the blonde man found himself a nice solitary spot with a good view of the island. Soon a motorboat cut through the waves to reach their ship, Bela and the armsmen were likely on it, though in the darkness of the night Winters couldn't see them himself. The island facility's own little supply ship was seen in the distance, drifting away from the doomed base. Ethan gave a sigh of relief at that. Bela's piercing call to Cassandra radiated so much anguish the man wasn't sure she would stick to her original plan to spare the workers. Despite her normally calm and pleasant exterior, the woman was quite fearsome and ruthless, when provoked.

As the booming explosion lit up the night, Ethan couldn't help but admire the enormous fireball that engulfed a good portion of the island. Many died on that tiny patch of land, even some of the Duke's own people. Now everyone who was left behind there was cremated in an uncaring inferno. Finishing his drink as he observed the once-in-a-lifetime firework, the man scoffed in frustration. This was their first strike against their foe, and they barely managed to escape alive. His new allies counted on him to do better. Mia and Rose counted on him to do better.

If I'd only noticed that damn cable sooner… the Duke's men would've been alive. Cassandra wouldn't have been on the brink of death.

The next day passed in a blur. Getting what sleep he could, the man discovered their yacht as a hive of activity.

Apparently, the man 'interrogated' by Bela was a treasure trove of information about their opponents. Before she could even make a threat, he immediately offered up everything he had: all the harddrives, documents, coordinates of known facilities, as well as directions the plane with Lady Dimitrescu onboard took. All of this was done in direct breach of the protocol The Connections had established, which clearly stated that if a facility was to be lost - all such information was to be destroyed. The cowardly administrator, seeing his prime guardian defeated, panicked, and in a desperate bid to survive, gave up everything. Bela was gracious enough to let him, and everyone else who worked there and took no arms against them - escape unharmed. Ethan somehow doubted the employees' own bosses would be quite as merciful, but there was nothing to be done about that.

On the same night, they were almost annihilated by the superior firepower of the enemy, and also blessed by their people's incompetence. Now, everyone was sifting through the documents and drives, looking for anything of use. Most of the stuff was outdated or worthless, but there were already a couple of gems found.

Ethan took the time to visit the two sisters in the medical wing of the ship. Through the open door, he spotted the still beaten shape of Cassandra, as well as Bela and Daniela, sitting next to her bed, talking to each other quietly. The man was relieved to see at least the redhead back on her feet. Her arms were still bandaged however, showing little skin. Not wanting to intrude on what seemed like a private family moment, Ethan took his leave without disturbing the three Dimitrescu siblings.

The father spent a good portion of the day with Rose, just watching her draw with Tom's crayons. Such simple activity, yet it brought him so much joy, just observing his little girl. Remembering his own stick-like drawing at that age, he grinned in pride at her own, more impressive shapes. Perhaps, she would have a bright future as an artist. If they can ever escape the shadow that now looms over them, that is. At some point, in complete tranquility and still tired from the events of the night, the man fell asleep, right in his armchair.

When Ethan woke up again, it was already two after midnight. Still in his armchair, he found himself covered by a blanket. Smiling with fatherly love at his precious angel, already sleeping in her own bed, the man was touched by the concern and care his little Rose could show, even at such a young age.

Feeling completely refreshed and full of energy once again, the man decided to explore the ship a bit. Thinking that just a bit of whiskey and some light meal would do him well, he headed for the upper-deck bar, the same one where he had collapsed before. On his way there, he was greeted only by a skeleton night-crew, the majority of men and women serving aboard were likely fast-asleep in their own beds.

Entering the establishment, the man was surprised to see nobody inside. Even at this ungodly hour, Ethan was sure someone would be here, eager to drink the sorrows and hardships of the day away. The place was lit by a soft reddish light, not too dark or too bright. A smooth, unintrusive jazz was running in the background, giving the saloon a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere.

As he approached the counter, suspiciously bereft of a barman that typically stood behind it, a single, cheerfully spoken name stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Ethan!"

The voice was unmistakably Bela's but it had a bit more high-pitched tone than usual. Turning around to face her, Ethan was flabbergasted to see the blonde woman seated in a large sofa in a corner, not visible from the entrance, a couple of wine bottles and several empty glasses arrayed on a table in front of her. She was pouring herself another glass, even as she eyed him with clear mirth in her amber orbs.

"Come join me for a drink, will you?"

Even though some annoying voice in the back of his head told the man in question that this was, perhaps, not the wisest idea, he still eagerly approached Bela, genuinely surprised and pleased to bump into her here, after not seeing her for a whole day. His energized brown-gray orbs were quick to note that her long blonde locks were once again freely cascading down her head. He also couldn't possibly miss a slight pinkish tint to her rounded cheeks.

Was she drunk? Could she even get drunk?

As he got to her sofa, the woman patted a spot right next to her with her dainty hand, inviting him to sit close to her. Ethan decided to sit a bit further away, however, making her pink lips morph into a tiny frown. Nevertheless, Bela was quick to pour him a glass of wine, as well. Accepting the drink, Ethan finally greeted her, perhaps a bit lamely.

"Heya Bells...fancy meeting you here. Hard day?"

The woman scoffed in mock annoyance as she answered, seemingly happy to finally lay out her burdens for someone else.

"You have no idea. All the data we collected from that island is going to take days to sift through! The Duke himself is ecstatic. He said that in one night we found more information about The Connections than he did in a year. This would've been such a huge success...if only…"

Quickly the spark of joy in her eyes dimmed and she quieted down, her head turning to face the floor now. Ethan had an inkling about what caused that sudden moodswing. In a gentle tone, he inquired: "How are they? I wanted to visit, but I saw you there and didn't want to intrude..."

Bela focused her molten gold eyes on his own, at that. Her gaze was suddenly sharp and scrutinizing, even as she spoke in a neutral tone.

"Daniela is fine. We can probably add super-heated steam to her already extensive list of phobias, but physically she has already recovered." Ethan winced at that in sympathy. Her heat-induced trauma did look to be particularly painful. Bela continued, not breaking eye-contact. "Cassandra… is going to recover as well, though she still hasn't awoken from her coma. The doctor assured me that her vitals were strong and it was just a question of time, however."

"I am really glad to hear that, Bela. I'll make sure to visit them both, tomorrow. Hopefully she will be as good as new soon."

The woman's keen eyes roamed across his face, looking for signs of dishonesty. It just didn't make any sense whatsoever to her rational mind that this man, sitting at her side, was wishing a swift recovery to someone who was nothing but mean and cruel to him. Yet she could find nothing that would suggest anything other than genuine sympathy and care on his now clearly-shaved face.

Daniela would've been dead if not for Ethan. This man. This stranger who was wronged by us. He took it upon himself to protect her. How can I ever repay something like that?

Bela finished her glass of wine before refilling it. She then inched a bit closer to him and took his right hand into both of hers, gently. The man felt heat coming to his own cheeks at the physical contact. Bela's hands were so warm and soft… Her barely audible voice still betrayed the depthless gratitude she had to Ethan.

"I've reviewed the video footage of the incident, Ethan. You have sustained such a grievous injury yourself… yet your quick thinking and decisive actions won the day, in the end." She held his hand tightly now, but not painfully so. Ethan scoffed at the notion. He sure didn't see himself as a hero.

"It's hardly quick thinking if it was done at the last possible moment, Bells. I could've spotted that damn cable at the start. Duke's men would still be alive and your sisters would not have gotten hurt. I should've done better…"

Her grip on his hand tightened even further, becoming a bit uncomfortable. Bela's face hardened slightly as she spoke.

"What are you even saying, Ethan? Did you design that monstrosity yourself to know its weak points by heart? It's a miracle that you've managed to spot that cable in the pitch-black darkness, at all." Her almost painful grip relaxed and she continued, her voice calm.

"Please... do not be so hasty to dismiss your efforts, Ethan. My sisters are alive because of you. You have no idea what Cassandra and Daniela mean to me. I don't even want to think about what I would've done if I lost them."

Ethan had an inkling about that last part. He didn't want to think about it either, though.

"I am just glad your sisters are gonna be alright. I mean it."

The woman looked at him in astonishment as she saw that he truly did mean it. She felt unwelcome wetness starting to glister in her eyes as she spoke.

"How can you be so kind to us, Ethan? We attacked you when you came to our home, merely looking for Rose. We captured and tortured you. You were to be our next main dish. How can you forgive us for all our atrocious deeds?"

The memories of that fateful day returned to the blonde man with a vengeance. He could still vividly recall Bela's grinning, bloodied face over his downed form, her vicious sickle soon finding its way into his leg; her blood-starved words: "Man-blood!". Then came Cassandra's 'sessions' of unspeakable cruelty. Daniela's cheerful but callous disregard for his life.

But then came the memories of how gentle and kind Bela was, when she patched him up. Offer him food and drink. How she went behind her own family's back to free him, while returning his daughter to him and providing him the tool he needed to ally with Heisenberg and ultimately best Miranda herself. Ethan could only sheepishly run a hand through his mane of dirty blonde hair, before answering the fair inquiry. Rationalizing on behalf of bloodthirsty monsters was a new experience for him.

"You're right, the start to our friendship was...tumultuous. But I was just some intruder who barged into your castle, uninvited. It made sense that you treated me with some...hostility back then. But then you helped. Would I ever even get to Miranda and save Rose without your aid? Would I ever have left that valley alive?"

Bela right hand shot to a full glass of wine at that response, her left one still firmly gripping his own. Gulping it all down in seconds, she poured herself some more, before repeating the process, making Ethan's eyes go wide. He finally helped himself to his own drink at that sight. Despite not being a wine connoisseur, he could still appreciate the fruity taste. Bela let go of his hand as she looked away from him and spoke, her tone suddenly full of misery and regret, even as her words were full of cruelty.

"Don't you get it, Ethan? I didn't help you. I used you. You were my tool to set my own family free. And now you call it friendship? How could I ever call myself your friend after the unspeakable things we put you through? I am just a vile, repulsive monster that deserved every single bit of suffering I went through."

Naturally, Ethan did think about the help Bela provided as not something that was inspired purely by altruism - the woman did say so herself back then, after all. Still, it was something that he was eminently grateful for. Moreover, her harsh self-deprecation just didn't resonate with the man anymore. Bela was no angel, but a monster? Would a monster provide kindness and comfort? Would a monster show such unconditional love like she did towards her sisters and mother? Would a monster hold his daughter so protectively? Would a monster hate herself for her past evil deeds?

The man didn't think twice about scooting closer and embracing the distraught vampire at his side, unheeding of the fact that she could've probably torn him apart with her bare hands, if she wanted to. Not when she was in such an obvious need of comfort, herself. With both of his arms over her slender, slightly quivering frame, the man was once again amazed at just how solid the blowfly woman felt. How human. He could feel something wet dripping down to his arms. Tears… Now matter how strong someone was, there came a time where even they would reach a breaking point.

"There, there… It's okay. You did some bad things. We all did. But you never asked to be born this way, did you?" Bela's blonde head shook slightly as that. "You're trying to do better, I can see that plainly. I can't speak for everyone who ever crossed paths with you, but despite everything, I have nothing but gratitude for what you did for me, Bells. I would be honored to be your friend."

Tears flowed down freely now, as the woman sobbed openly. Ethan kept holding her tightly, in their awkward position. Neither of them spoke a word as Bela let out all the accumulated grief and suffering from her system.

After a few minutes, her frame stilled and her tears subsiding, Ethan let go and moved back to his original spot, to give her some space. They sat like this, in comfortable silence, the gentle music in the background - only sound in the bar. The blonde woman sniffed a couple of times before wiping her tear-stained face with a napkin.

Finally, Bela raised her head back up from the floor and looked at him. Her amber orbs stared at him with affection and undisguised gratitude. Her cheeks were flushed with color now. She scooted a bit closer to him herself and Ethan was suddenly fully aware of how gorgeous the woman truly was. Her face, bathed in the soft red light was inches from his own now.

Ethan felt heat creeping to his own face as he took her striking features in. The long, silky blonde locks of hair, cascading down her head. Her soothing amber orbs that were locked onto his own eyes. The rounded, healthy cheeks. And of course, the full, pink lips that were parted slightly; her warm breath on his nose smelling pleasantly of the fruity wine. Enchanted by her beautiful visage, a single traitorous thought ran through his head.

How would these lips taste?

Before he could comprehend the infidelitous idea, the woman at his side did something he didn't quite expect. Bela leaned deep into him, nudging her head into his neck, her left hand finding its way across his back and her right one grabbing Ethan's own one, once again. Even as he was shocked from the intimate contact, the woman let out a deep breath full of relief and contentment.

The next several minutes were, once again, spent in silence and stillness, with Ethan relaxing his muscles and even caressing the woman's blonde locks gently. Bela let out a tiny purr at the affectionate gesture and nudged her head even deeper into his neck. Her body was now pressed firmly against his own.

The man couldn't help but grin at how insane the situation was. Here he was, almost entangled with a vampire that could bite deep into his jugular without even needing to move her own neck. Yet he had no fear, for the very idea that Bela could hurt him was laughable to the man now. The trust he held into this woman was almost absolute by this point, and he couldn't even explain it rationally. He just felt completely safe with her.

The universe clearly had a strange sense of humor as Bela's next, slightly slurred words made his every hair stand straight and his previous thoughts about trust put to the test.

"Ethan... you smell delicious."

She is a vampire after all, and all other Dimitrescu girls made it clear that they loved my blood, for some fucking reason. Jesus fucking Christ.

Instead of biting into him, like he half-expected her to, the woman pulled back and gazed at him. She still held his hand as her amber orbs gave him the most pleading expression he ever saw in them. She was asking his permission, even if she was too ashamed to put it into words. Not being able to resist the puppy eyes of the ethereal beauty still clutching his hand, the man just nodded, resigned. He could only hope she wouldn't take too much of his vital fluid.

Her eyes immediately widened at his non-verbal acceptance before she brought him into her own full embrace. She took her feet off the floor and knelt on the sofa, to gain better access to his neck. Her tranquil whisper in his ear made a shiver run throughout his body. His own hands rushed to hold themselves over her own back, by their own volition.

"Just relax, Ethan… This won't hurt at all, I promise you…"

Obeying the woman, the father thought of his daughter's smiling face and immediately his muscles relaxed. As if on cue, he felt a pair of pinpricks stinging into his neck, much like a doctor's needle.

Bela's hold on his body tightened as she started sucking out his blood greedily, making sure not to spill a single precious drop of the red liquid.

Ethan was enchanted by the sight of her own throat moving, gulping down his life-giving fluid. Since the wound she made was so small, the process went slowly, with the woman not letting go even for a second, grasping him possessively, almost painfully now.

In between the gulps, Bela would release an occasional quiet but guttural moan of pleasure that sounded hot to Ethan's ears. Somehow he no longer felt like he was being drained dry of blood by a murderous vampire and instead was in a sensual embrace with a beautiful woman, who also happened to be smart, kind and loving. He couldn't help but ponder about how well his palms would fit over her perfectly-sized breasts, that were pushing against him so roughly right now.

As he felt his traitorous body betray him, he dearly hoped Bela would not look down there. Flushed red now, Ethan found himself really glad that Mia was not on this ship at the moment. What would she think if she saw them like this? Before he could think too much on that deeply uncomfortable and troubling topic, the man started to feel dizziness creeping in. As much as he hated interrupting the vampiric girl that looked to be in pure ecstasy right now, death by exsanguination was not on his schedule today.

"Bells… Stop…"

She obeyed immediately, not hesitating for even a second. Clearly, even when disinhibited by alcohol and entranced by his tasty red liquid, the woman had an eminent respect for his wishes. Ethan could only admire a trait like that, especially since it kept that much more blood in his veins.

The awkwardness returned with a vengeance, as even though the woman stopped sucking on his wound, her mouth remained on his skin. Her hot, wet mouth. Bela still held him tightly, as if her own life depended on it. Instead of letting go, she readjusted her legs around, catching his torso in their grasp, as well, now. Ethan could see her bloodied lips widen in a mischievous grin as her thigh brushed against his...hardness.

Oh God…

"What naughty thoughts are running through your blonde head, Mister Winters...hmmm?"

Her mouth left his skin just long enough for the words to be purred out, before returning right back to it. Her even wetter and warmer tongue was now licking his neck sensually, as well, even as her thighs started to rub against him. Ethan would have never guessed it from their interactions from before, but the woman clutching to him now could be unbelievably seductive. He wasn't sure his own mental fortitude would last long against this sensual onslaught. Loyalty to your partner could only last so long when she was God knows where and when you were clutched by an unspeakably charming vampire you yourself held much affection towards…

Focusing his willpower in a fist, the man feebly tried talking the woman off him. Her hot breath followed by a lick of an even hotter tongue on his neck wasn't helping… Neither was her sizable chest pressing hard against him. Or her long, shapely legs around him.

"Bela... you're drunk…"

The woman just giggled cutely, before huskily replying.

"Am I? Just a bit, maybe? You try having two sisters who can't go a day without getting into a mess. Sobriety is overrated anyway. I am feeling so good right now..."

God, this rubbing she does is killing me…

"I am married, Bela. Stop...please…"

Ethan released a sigh of relief as she froze her every teasing movement instantaneously. He was at his wit's end from the want for her. His dizziness from blood loss didn't help with his restraint either. If she hadn't stopped, he wasn't sure he would be able to hold himself back for much longer…

"Can I just hold you like this for a bit? Please…"

The man could do nothing but oblige that peculiar request, made in an almost begging tone. He just hoped nobody would stumble into the bar and see them like this. He wasn't sure he would like Cassandra's reaction to this, if the wind of it ever got back to her.

"Sure, Bells..."

The woman just sighed in contentment and held him tightly, with Ethan's hands starting to draw gentle circles on her back. Just like that, they sat on their sofa, listening to smooth jazz and bathed in soft red light.

Ethan didn't know how long they stayed in this embarrassing position, but at some point he stopped caring. Whatever discomfort he felt was gone, somehow. He just kept caressing her back, sometimes moving one hand to play with her long hair, as he hummed along with the song playing in the background gently. He felt like he wouldn't mind staying like this for a while. It was comfortable. It felt right.

As her grip on him started to slacken, the man realized Bela was asleep. Looking down at her face, still nudging into his neck, he could only smile gently. Her soft, cute snores reached his ears, almost making him laugh out loud from the sheer insanity of the last hour. This sure wasn't how he expected his outing for whiskey to go like.

His thoughts drifted to Mia then, and Ethan could do nothing but feel ashamed. Even though they didn't really do anything, the man was this close to giving in to the enchanting blonde vampire. With a start, he realized that his newfound...affection for Bela will not be going away any time soon, either, not after tonight's experience. Still, just like always, the man could do nothing else but to go forward and hope for the best possible outcome.

Standing up slowly, with Bela's sleeping form still clutching to him, the man carried her all the way back to her own room, almost dying from embarrassment as they were spotted by a couple of men doing their own rounds. There were witnesses to this... fling now. Fumbling a bit with procuring her keys from her pants pocket, Ethan got inside her moderately-sized cabin.

Finally getting her unresisting form off him, the man gently placed Bela on her own bed, making sure to cover her softly-snoring body with a blanket. It could get quite chilly on the ship during the nights here.

Briefly glancing around the sparsely decorated cabin, Ethan's eyes landed on Bela's sickle, lying on her table, near a large stack of documents. Somehow, that simple gardening tool evoked a feeling of existential dread in him once again. He couldn't help but vividly picture Cassandra standing over him with that very item, murder plain in her yellow eyes. The man just knew the fierce brunette would not be happy with what had transpired today - nothing transpired! - and found himself hoping that she would stay in the sickbay for just a couple of more days...

As he left Bela's room, he gave one final glance and a warm smile to her peacefully sleeping form. She had already cuddled around the blanket and Ethan briefly wondered if she dreamed about him now. Closing the door quietly, the man briskly walked down the hallway.

Tomorrow's gonna be fun...

Author's Note:

I do have to note that Bela was NOT thinking straight at the start of the chapter. After losing her mother and faced with the possibility that her sister was dead, she reached a breaking point that induced very violent thoughts and prevented her normally rational mind from instantly realizing where Cassandra likely was.

With the bar scene, I have to admit this was the first time I ever wrote a sensual scene like that, so I hope it was somewhat enjoyable and believable and not cringe-worthy :s

They will be quite awkward around each other for a bit, but at least now I can say that Ethan/Bela ship has finally set sails.

As always, feel free to share your opinions, suggestions or criticisms in the comment section!