Disclaimer: I do not own Young Dracula. All rights reserved for BBC. This story is an AU from Season 3. What would have happened if Erin had reacted differently when Vlad bit her and turned her into a vampire? Thank you everyone who has read my work and reviewed. I read all comments and hope you continue to enjoy my work.

What the hell am I going to do with Erin? Vlad's thoughts tormented him. This is my fault. Ingrid warned me.

Becky curled in Vlad's arms as he ran through the night. Her heartbeat was steady against his chest, despite not being able to hear it or smell her human scent. The tang of dried blood no longer temped him in face of the crisp night air. Becky was asleep and seemed to wrap herself into a ball in Vlad's arms against the cold night air. The light fabric of her school uniform provided little to no protection from the elements. The memory of when Vlad's darker half had tried to seduce Becky, feed on her just to spite Erin, came back in a wash. Looking down at Becky's face, Vlad had to admit she was beautiful. Garlic spiked soda had been the only thing that had saved her that day. The memory of that moment had haunted Vlad, but tonight was far worse. Vlad wrapped his cloak tighter against Becky's skin to shield her from the cutting wind but he did not slow his pace.

The anger churned inside with each step. Vlad clenched his jaw feeling fangs cutting into his lips but he didn't care. All he could think about was Erin the vampire. At first Vlad had thought that things could work out, Erin still seemed to love him, but she was a vampire now. All pretense that Erin was anything like the breather she had been was cast aside after the events of last hour. The Erin that Vlad had known wouldn't have tried to change another human into a vampire. Erin, when she was human was so passionate about coexistence and not choosing one race over another, but this wasn't the old Erin. This creature was something new. And as much as Vlad hated to admit it, the half fang was bringing out in him something new, dark, and Vlad feared he could not stop it. I'm not sure if I am strong enough to stay away.

Vlad stopped just outside the sphere of the porch light that illuminated the front porch of Becky's house. Prior to fleeing the school Vlad had pulled the information from Becky. Taking a moment he stood her upright and shook her to bring her to wakefulness.

"Vlad?" Becky asked blinking into the dark. "What is going on?"

"I brought you home, now look at me." Vlad gently took her chin between his forefinger and thumb and guided her to look into his eyes again. "You don't remember what happened, but you had a fight with Erin, she hurt you. You hate her, hate that school and never want to go back. No matter what. You will forget I brought you home, that you ever knew me."

"I will forget," Becky whispered.

Then Vlad was gone. Becky shook herself and suddenly wrapped her arms around her chest. Looking down at her clothing which was crumpled and torn. There were buttons missing from her shirt and as she pressed her wrist to her chest a shocking pain screamed down her arm as she stumbled back into the light and was able to exam the cut. Her arm was a mix of greenish yellow and darkening purple around a single cut. Becky's breath began to come out in pants as fear gripped her. Her mind raced trying to remember how she had gotten home, how she had gotten hurt and all she could remember was a blank wall after receiving a text from Erin. Realizing that all she had on was the barest hints of her school uniform, her shoes, socks, jumper, and bag were all missing. Becky began to shake and sweat beaded on her forehead as she looked out into the darkness. Someone must have brought her here. How else did she get home?

"What the hell?" Becky cursed as tears began to stream down her face. Becky bolted for the door and pounded on the door. Quickly it opened and her mother stood there. From the shadows Vlad watched as Becky threw herself into her mother's arms sobbing and begging not to return to school. With the door shut against the breather's tears Vlad turned and vanished into the night to deal with his own heartbreak.

Even now Vlad felt as if he was rushing back to Erin, not to stop her from doing something else terrible or unforgivable but because he was drawn to her, the moth to the flame. Realizing that, Vlad forced himself to slow his pace and take firm even steps, slow like a human, paced with care and force to echo his turbulent emotions. But his thoughts were only of her. What have I done?

Vlad could picture the way Erin had given him that first blood soaked kiss. The pleasure of that moment was like a painful memory that he could not help relive over and over again. In that moment, it was all Vlad had been able to do, to walk away. Vlad remained torn as his darker side relished the dark need that rose to the surface. His vampire nature was betraying him, destroying his heart piece by piece. Anger came next and as if to manifest some sort of outlet small balls of flame took flight around him burning off the energy of his rage. Why is it like this? Why didn't I know what to expect? But even Vlad had to admit to his naiveté. His father had been biting breathers for centuries but Vlad had never seen any, let alone met any of the half fangs his father had no doubt produced. The division in vampire society was beginning to make more sense to Vlad. Half fangs were cast offs from feeding. To love one was to change them. Was this why his father never gone a bitten Mrs. McCauley? Because he cared for the breather and knew how that bite would change her? Turn the head mistress into a heartless monster similar to the creature Erin had become? Vlad ground his teeth. Slayers were needed, as much as Vlad hated to admit it right now. Vampires were not going to simply go out and start trying to save the half fangs. Left to their own devices it was no wonder that the newly bitten would lash out and attack breathers without a care. Slayers had to be there to cull the masses, to stop them, or how many innocents would be lost? The rage continued to build in Vlad. Now I am just as much a part of the problem.

"Dam nit." Vlad snarled and the flames jumped and sputtered out as he came to a stop. "What have I done?"

Vlad hated that his feelings for Erin right now. The memory of their love had chained him to her. The ache in his chest was killing him that he was not by her side, but at the same moment he was at least able to think, not clearly but to think. Memories of their blood soaked passion and the way Erin had looked into him had made him shudder as he stepped up to the gate that marked the entrance to the school grounds. Vlad stood holding onto the wrought iron letting the metal bit into his skin as he clenched the bar not willing to open the lock but knowing he had to. The old memory where Vlad had played the hero to save Erin from a dawn that would not harm her brought him to his knees. Vlad let himself slump down and fall against the stone wall. The simple surrender to sit and think was all Vlad permitted himself. He hated being a teenager, hated the need for someone to love, to touch and this morning, when they had been together, the release of so much pent up need, ugh, in that moment he would have done anything she asked. Even the horror of the morning and that dark realization of their actions had not lessened the power of that moment when they joined with one another in every way as if their souls had touched. Even now it was hard to choose between the pleasure and the pain. But Vlad had chosen. When Erin had offered Becky to him, it was clearly written on her face that she wanted more, to relive and revel in actions that would have made their morning mild in comparison. Vlad had chosen. He could still remember the rage that had welled up within him to squelch the need and desire with raw dark power. Vlad had hurt Erin with that power, just as he had hurt his father. Holding her like some rag doll as he lashed out with his words made him able to ignore how much pain she was in. Banishment. Vlad regretted his words even now. Granted in the moment, fueled by anger he had meant every word. Had Erin been able to stand, to fight, to taunt him in any way, Vlad could not say if we would have dusted her in his rage. The carefully controlled mask had almost crumbled. Still Vlad had held onto his sense of self. His self-righteous words had cut both ways. Looking back, Vlad had given Erin such an ultimatum in the past and then ignored it, saving both their lives. How is this any different?

Darkness whispered, allow the heart would overrule the mind. Vlad could not let that happen. He was the Chosen One, he had to be in control, to be better than this. Anger took over and Vlad lashed out smashing his hand into the nearest stone wall. I'm not strong enough to stay away. What am I going to do? Vlad looked at the dent in the stone. His hand hurt. He was bleeding. Good. Pain gave him something else to focus on, and cleared his mind. How much pain will I have to endure to be strong enough to resist her? Erin was his creation; the good, the bad, the beautiful, and that darkness that she called up within him was something Vlad knew he would have to fight for both of them. He had to be better, not for himself, but for her. Vlad had to remind Erin about who she was and who she had been. How could he show her? If she could salvage some part of her that once knew love, was it even possible? Vlad again cursed the dark gods of the night for taking Ryan away. There had been potential, the half fang had been changing, repairing his relationship with Erin when she had been human. Vlad remembered the stage and how Erin's pride and love had been renewed for her brother only to witness his being murdered before her eyes. Ryan might have been the only tie to Erin's humanity. Vlad was going to have to be the reminder.

Turning back towards the school, Vlad pulled himself to his feet, his hand already healed, and forced himself to go through the motions of taking a deep breath and then put one foot in front of the other. Vlad used every technique Bertrand had taught him to compose himself, stay calm, in control, as he came closer to the woman he loved. Vlad had no doubt that due to her injuries Erin was still on the school grounds, perhaps still in his room fighting to heal from the very punishment he had given out. Last time they had parted in anger, Vlad needed distance from the feelings and emotions, back then it had taken days to get control. Now things were different and the lesson of the past, to detach from the chaos of emotions was still difficult but Vlad found he could with an ease that could only come from experience. Entering the courtyard Vlad paused to hide in the shadows. Focusing Vlad tried to step outside himself to examine the events of the last few hours. Starting with the first blood soaked kiss to the next, and finally to Erin's dark offering. The half fangs behaviors had been so out of character that Vlad had to think. Had Erin been daring him to give in to his own vampire nature? Or merely to see if he would stop her? Or could it have been something else? Was she forcing him to take a stand for what he truly believed in despite temptation? Was this her way of reminding him of how strong he really was? Was it something more?

Vlad frowned, closing his eyes to hone in on the memory and the look in Erin's eyes. There had been sadness there, under the mask of desire. Vlad had to admit his actions were just that, his actions. Erin could only offer the choice, he had been the one to make them. For once Vlad did not regret those choices, but turned to look at what those choices revealed about himself and his own dark desires. It had been so freeing not to worry about hurting Erin, biting her, and sharing with her every aspect of himself. No more hiding. In his arms she was just as strong as he. The damage she took was mirrored back on him with a rapaciousness that lingered in violence that was delectable. Vlad tongue caressed his fangs at with the memory of it all.

Looking back as much as Erin had pursued him, offered Vlad his darkest desires, there was something there, behind her eyes; life, a reflection almost begging him to stop, to be stronger. Still Erin had taken his love and his pain. She had kissed away his shame at being what he was by chance of birth. Being with Erin as she was now, was something Vlad could use, it was up to him; to be weak or make him strong. Vlad realized how he had been holding Erin's humanity on a pedestal, something to be coveted and strive to. Had she felt the same? Was this bloody seductive display her own self-hatred brought to life? Or was Vlad merely projecting his feeling onto her? Vlad shook his head. It was a mess. Vlad pinched the bridge of his nose and kept moving forward.

Vlad arrived at the front door to the school and held onto the knob pausing for a moment. This was his home. But Vlad had had many homes. None had felt like a place he wanted to stay until he met Erin. Even with his father, his family, as long as he could find them, Vlad had known any place could be a home. But this school, this place, held a new spot in Vlad's heart because it was where he had met Erin. Am I strong enough? Still there was a part of Vlad that ached to run away, to see the world, to gain a better understanding of what this earth offered with its beauty and its humanity. Maybe get some perspective on this tangled web he had created. Maybe I am just a coward.

Granted leaving could be the death of him. Could I ever leave Erin? Could she leave me? Bertrand had been educating Vlad on the nature of Vampire politics and history, but the more Vlad studied, the more he realized the books and the Council only cared about those who were born, not bitten. Even Vlad's own experiment with the orphans, had been a challenge and in the end ...a failure. Vlad realized that until this moment, his own arrogance had been the same as all other vampires born not bitten. The half fangs were expendable and easily disposed of. Hadn't Vlad dusted one by his own will power as the Chosen One when they dared to challenge him? Hell, Ingrid had made a whole army of half fangs to kill him only to have most dusted either by stupid accidents or by the monster who came out of that damn book. Throughout all the histories, hundreds if not thousands of years, that Vlad had studied, the half fangs were always expendable and not worth taking the time to cultivate. No wonder the slayers hated vampires. It had been the slayers job for centuries to clean up the outcasts of vampire society. Vlad knew that if he turned his back on Erin now, he was just as guilty as the rest. Waiting just to dust and cast off his mistake. Vlad growled. Erin is not a mistake! Vlad opened the door, and a voice inside whispered maybe she is, and then he stepped inside.

Met with silence in the halls, he listened for some sound, some trace of Erin. The place always smelled of rot and decay even with the septic cleaning supplies that was used on the lower floors. Closing his eyes, Vlad cast out his senses and found ...nothing. No trace of Erin, but of Couse there were others. Ingrid, his father, even Renfield and Bertand Vlad could sense. Vlad's stomach twisted in a knot. Why did I expect her to still be here when I sent her away? Was this the end of their story? Vlad knew the histories from his studies seem to repeat the same story over and over again. The old laws that governed the ancient vampire families and their interactions with humans had been such a paradox to Vlad. Bertrand and his father had taught Vlad that falling in love with breather was a folly and the vampire council had forbidden that vampires dare to breed with breathers. Just considering such a thing could carry a death sentence or worse not only for the offender but also for the clan. Or so Vlad suspected after reading some of the more convoluted ancient laws. Vlad knew that his dalliance with Erin had been permitted due to his status as the Chosen One, but even then, as his family liked to point out Vlad would either bite the breather (which he did) or simply out live her (which he did as well). What vexed Vlad most was not that they were right but that he had been so naive to think things could or would have turned out differently. Vlad knew he had to face the consequences of his actions but not his simple idealistic plan of co-existence had to change, to evolve, because he had been a fool to think that he could change centuries of arrogance, bigotry, ignorance and foolishness. Striding into his home Vlad cast out his senses looking for Erin as he entered the throne room to the city beyond. The sound of silence echoed back at him. Erin, it seemed had, chosen for him.

Ingrid stood there daring Vlad to do something, say something. Vlad had always tolerated his sister's petty games for power and mischief. Their childhood had not been an easy thing and it made sense that she wanted to have something that he was merely given by nature of his birth. Vlad added the need to re-exam how female vampires were treated in his society to the check list of things to correct. Ingrid just as much as he should have been able to inherit the title and hell this was the 21st century she should have been the chosen one. Now Vlad just had to face her, because from the way she stood and smirked at him, he knew she had more jabs to give.

"She wants you to leave her be, brother."

And there it was. No doubt his sister and father were well aware of the drama that had unfolded between him and Erin. Still Vlad had to ask. He had to know where Erin had gone.

"What do you know?" Vlad asked. "I need to find her. I made a mistake."

Ingrid's face seemed to soften. "She is doing this for you." Then Ingrid straighten and smiled wickedly. "It's for the best, you know. Forget her. She's not worth it."

"What do you know?" Vlad snarled with more vehemence. Ingrid only lifted her eyebrows in disdain, unafraid.

"What is it to you?" Ingrid asked.

Vlad clenched his teeth. Just another game. Another way to manipulate for what she wants. "I don't have time for this Ingrid. Tell me what you know."

"But we have all the time in the world, brother of mine." Ingrid mocked as if she was thinking deeply. "And you know what, thanks to you, now so do Erin."

Vlad was on her, closing the space between them so he glower at her. "WHERE. IS. SHE?"

"Leave it." Ingrid snarled back. "You will thank me."

Vlad was on her, holding her wrists in both his hands as he pulled her face towards him. "Tell me! Where is she?"

The whole room began to grow dark as Vlad's power began to manifest, his eyes dark, fangs barred, and Ingrid could feel her strength being sapped as if he was pulling the very blood from her veins. Ingrid only then did look afraid, but in an instant that fear was replaced by anger as she glared at him. "That is no way to ask for help."

"Ingrid, I need to find her, before she does something..."

"Like a vampire would?" Ingrid asked. "I've been watching you Vlad, and she is more a vampire than you will ever be." Ingrid paused and turned to look her brother up and down with a coy smile on her lips. "And I will say, that little half fang is really bringing out the vamp in you."

"I know." Vlad said sounding tired as he threw himself into the nearest chair at the table.

"What does it feel like to let go of all you silly morals for some girl?" Ingrid asked.

Vlad winced. "She is more than that."

Ingrid rolled her eyes, "Please. I know she is the first breather you ever bit, but honestly, you can't get so attached to them."

"Like you were attached to Will?" Vlad snapped back.

Ingrid felt as if Vlad had punched her in stomach. Will had been her first love, the first half fang she had actually cared for. He had died to protect her, and in therapy the memory of him had become her rock, the foundation to rebuild her power and self-esteem. Ingrid hated to admit it but Will's death would be a hurt in her heart that she would savor for all eternity with a bitter longing. Ingrid throughout her life knew not to look for love. Will had been the first crack in her armor of indifference. Once that had been Vlad, when he was a baby and small child for her to protect, but once Vlad began to get ...ideas of his own, about how he hated vampires, hated her, Ingrid had cut that tie. There was a small whimper in the far side of the room. The next tool to break her hid there in the shadows. Wolfie was still asleep in his den, but her little half-brother had reminded Ingrid back when Erin was dying. Reminded her how important love was. Ingrid had tried to warn Vlad. Tried to get him to see. Even when she had confronted Will, in that dark movie theatre watching the crass B movie about vampires, telling him the truth, the look on his face haunted her. When her love, had seen her true face, there was only fear and Ingrid had bitten him to chase away that fear and tie him to her. Ingrid was reminded that in that moment that Will's love for her had not been enough. That only once Will had been turned, only then did will fully show the love she wanted him to show. Deep inside it still hurt. Erin had been different, yes, she was a vampire now, but she did still love Vlad and accepted him even when he could not accept her. That echoed Ingrid's own pain, her own dreams for love, however unlikely. So Ingrid decided that was going to do something, something she might regret later, but at the same time, knowing that if she did not, then there was no way Ingrid could live with herself.

"Fine, you win." Ingrid said, then disappeared only to reappear with a brown parcel in hand which she gave to Vlad.

Hesitantly Vlad took the parcel and pulled away the brown wrapping. Inside was an image framed about 8x10. Vlad looked down at the picture that Ingrid had done of him and Erin. This was better than the last small painting she had given him. This one, more like a photograph than a painting. Simple, black and white but Vlad felt tears burn on the back of his eyes.

"Why are you giving me this?" Vlad asked.

"I wanted you to remember." Ingrid held out an envelope sealed and walked away. "And so did Erin." Vlad noted the seal was something familiar but he had no idea what it meant. Opening the letter a single page fell out and it looked torn from a book with something scrawled at the bottom. He read.

Picture of Pain

By Bear Peterson

I tried to paint a picture of how I really feel,

But I could not find the colors to make it all seem real.

Not one color was hot enough to show the burning pain.

Not one color bright enough to make me wince again.

Not one was dark enough to show the isolation.

In the end saw one thin line.

Worn, frayed and almost broken.

To my mind that one thin line is a single thread of hope.

Then at the bottom of the page were the words:

And with that line, your name on my heart.

Farewell.

Vlad read those words and stared at the page that had been torn from the book. His mind raced. Everything he knew of Erin, the woman he had loved as a breather, a slayer and now a half fang, told him she was not this poetic, and yet, she still believe in things like kismet; fate. What kind of love note was this? Dread washed over Vlad. Putting the pieces together. This was more than a simple goodbye, this was something deeper, why else use a poem?

"Ingrid, where did she go?" Vlad asked his voice soft and laced with pain.

"She'll be back," Ingrid said.

Vlad shook his head. The moment his sister said those words he knew it wasn't true. "No, she won't. Tell me please."

Ingrid watched her brother. For once she doubted her own cleverness. "She went to kill Adze."

"What?" Vlad was on his feet face a mask of shock. "Why the hell would she do that?"

Ingrid gave him a knowing look. "I think she has her reasons, don't you?" Ingrid was always surprised at how thick Vlad could be. Did she really have to spell it out for him? "Apparently there is some plot to kill you, again. Erin is going to stop it."

"And you just let her go?"

"Like I could stop her?" Ingrid said walking back to sit on the couch and watch as Vlad squirmed with this new information. "You should be thanking me little brother."

"You don't get it Ingrid, this was her goodbye. She is not coming back. Now tell me how to find her!"

Ingrid blinked. "What did that note say?" Vlad handed her the note, which she read and chuckled. "Sappy. Why does this have you so worked up?"

"Trust me. She is not coming back."

"You are making too big a deal out of this, remember she is a trained slayer."

"And Adze has several centuries of practice. Now tell me." Vlad's voice echoed through the house.

"You really need to lay off the dramatics, I was going to help you anyway." Ingrid held out her hand... "Here."

"What's this?" Vlad reached out and took the small bit of metal to exam it.

"What is left of the Ring of the Son." When Vlad looked confused, Ingrid added. "You can use it to find Erin."

"How did you get this?" Vlad's eyes went wide, he understood immediately. He remembered his father's boast about how Malik had used this to track Adze. But Erin had the stone embedded in her skin. He could use this to find her. Quickly he slipped the band around his finger.

"Really? Who do you think you are talking to dear brother, now go. Shoo. Go save your little half fang."

Vlad looked at the ring and then Ingrid.

"Thank you."

"Whatever."

Vlad headed for the door and looked back at his sister who had turned her back on him. She was looking at the table where Vlad had left the drawing that Ingrid had gifted him. Vlad for the first time wondered if Ingrid, despite all her vampiric flaws really was a good person deep down inside. Maybe there was hope for her, which meant hope for him and hope for Erin.