Disclaimer: I do not own or make any inference that I own Being Human UK or any of its characters.

"No, Annie, I can't go home with you. I have to leave."

George stood and zipped his jacket. "Oh believe me Michael, if Annie wants you home with us, then you are coming home with us."

"Listen, I know you and Annie want to help me, but no offense; Wyndham doesn't seem the type to run in fear of unexpected and sudden indoor weather phenomena."

"I'm really sorry about that." Annie replied sheepishly.

"That may be so, George said, but Wyndham's got eyes everywhere, now that he knows you exist, believe me, there won't be a plane, train or auto you could hire or borrow that he wouldn't know about and put a stop too. Like it or not, you're one of us now."

"One of you…?" Michael asked confusedly.

"Well, George clarified, not one of us as in supernatural, but one of us as in…"

"As in, he's the big bad boogey man and you're as scared of him as I am…" Michael supplied.

"Yeah, George acquiesced, we are afraid, there's no point in me lying about that. Edgar Wyndham is a 1000 year old vampire. He's very…very old and he's very…very powerful. He can enter homes without invitation…"

"He can what?"

"Yes, Michael, he can enter homes without invitations, but Annie's working on some way of keeping him out. After Mitchell was staked, he's pretty much left us alone."

"Until, you lead him to me." Michael said.

"Well, technically, George said with quiet defiance, that was Annie."

"George!" Annie sucked in her breath and punched him in the arm.

"It's true, Annie, if you hadn't of gone following Michael here, Wyndham probably wouldn't have known anything about him. He could have been living on a sheep farm in New Zealand for all anyone would have known…"

"New Zealand, Michael interrupted, that was on my list of places to run away too, New Zealand, Antarctica, a deserted island in the middle of the Caribbean, anywhere but here, and certainly not a bed and breakfast in Barry."

"Awww, George, paused momentarily; you know where we live…."

"The entire bank knows where Annie lives…"

Annie smiled and shrugged her shoulders at George, "I may have told one or two people…"

"Annie…"George shrieked

"George, Annie huffed, I'm sure, we've all been followed, not only me…"

George squinted his eyes at Annie again before turning back to Michael, "Michael, I can't sugar-coat this situation, that wouldn't be fair to you. Wyndham's a very bad man, but we figure as long as we stick together and join up with other supernaturals, who reveal them-selves, then we can develop some strategy or some plan for ways to keep more humans, like you, safe."

"I appreciate the help you're both trying to give me. I suppose I should stay with you, at least until I can figure out some way to help myself. I just need to pick up a few items from my apartment…"

"No, we have to leave now, right now actually... I'm getting more and more worried we've been in this office too long as it is… Just tell Annie what it is you need and she'll pop on over to your place and bring whatever back with her."

Annie knew where all of Michael's clothing was kept; she wouldn't have any trouble packing a suitcase of his essentials.

"Annie, Michael spoke out, there is a leather satchel that I keep on the top of my wardrobe, the contents inside of it are worth more than anything I own."

"Sounds expensive…"George said.

Michael fixed his eyes on George and responded, "My sister began noticing as my nephew grew older, just how much he looked like me. He turned 16 this year. In my satchel, there's an envelope from their last known address, she included a card and his picture."

"Oh, I see….their last known address?"

"Yeah, they move around a lot which is why she hasn't been down here, I don't even think she knows mum has died and been buried. I posted a letter, but I haven't had a response. I will gladly give myself over to Wyndham, if that would keep that picture out of his hands and my nephew safe. Annie, please do not forget that satchel."

"So, he's the spitting image, is he..."George asked with dread.

"On my last visit, some of her friends thought we looked like twins, 10 years or so removed."

While Annie hastily went to retrieve Michael's personal items, Michael, typed up a resignation letter, expressing his sorrow for leaving so abruptly and slid it under his manager's door. He and George then made their way to the relative safety of Barry Island. Once the pleasantries were gotten out the way, Michael had a moment to sit in silence as George hugged his family close to him and whispered most of the previous conversation to Nina and Tom in the Kitchen. After everyone had an hour to decompress, Nina took Michael on a tour of the lovely Honolulu Heights.

"This is Mitchell's room. I can't show you around in there as the door stays locked. It's pretty much dark wall-paper and heavy drapes, that sort of thing. Moving just a bit further up the hall, they arrived at Annie's room. Annie used to spend a lot of time popping back and forth between the two rooms until she began hanging out at your place."

Michael, smiled as he looked around Annie's room, "When I first began seeing Annie, she was so faint, but then as the weeks have gone by she's gotten clearer and clearer. I thought I was the only one who could see her until Sam, our security guard, mentioned seeing her as well. He didn't want to approach me, but she began speaking to him and he found it very difficult not to respond."

"He should have, Annie would have loved that..."

"Well, he didn't want to appear crazy, you know, security guard with a gun, talking to himself…"

"Oh, too right…" Nina replied.

"A few of the staff noticed that Annie was attached to me, she came in with me in the mornings, and left with me at the end of the day. I didn't think I'd be working in this office for long, so I hadn't made too many acquaintances…"

"Yes, Annie mentioned how you weren't too cordial with your employees."

"Mum's hospital stay was a bit longer than the Doctors originally thought, so a two week transfer became a six month stay so far. My work stopped me from thinking about the pain she was in every day and how little time she had remaining. I didn't want to know anyone and so I kept my head down and worked until I could fall asleep exhausted."

"And now you're stuck with us…"

"Or, you're stuck with me," Michael responded.

"I think we'll all survive living together, as long as you remember to let the seat down in the bath, after you've spent a penny. It's not always easy being the only living girl in a house full of men."

Michael got up from Annie's over-sized chair and walked around the rest of the room.

"It's been really nice for me having Annie around. I had the biggest laugh when I mentioned my favorite meal to my land-lady…"

"Gammon steak with honey and peas or carrots or something…" Nina jumped in and acknowledged.

"Oh God, that was the funniest thing. Annie had begun cooking and I have to admit I was a bit freaked out to see pots and pans bubbling away on my stove. I always looked away or left and went into some other room, so she wouldn't know I could see her. Well, I thought to have some fun at her expense, no sooner had I mentioned this incredible supposed Irish meal, within 2 nights there was a plate on the table, food smelling so good, I didn't know what it was at first until I remembered the magazine article…"

"What do you mean, magazine article…that was meant to be your favorite meal that you were missing so much since your mum died."

"Nina, I've never had Gammon steak in my life. My mum was never a cook. I remembered it from a magazine I read once while I was waiting to be seen by my doctor."

"Oh my God, you sneak…" Nina said with a smile in her voice.

"I know, as soon as Annie left, I laughed so much. I hadn't laughed like that since before my mum got sick. How in the world did she even know where to find that pork much less have money to buy it?"

"Oh, Annie's not a thief, God forbid, Nina said, if she can find what we're looking for, she'll pop round to the store, pick it up and leave money at the register. She may not have the full amount but she does her best to leave what she thinks will cover it."

"No, no, I would never think she was a thief. Well, anyway, as far as employees and co-workers at the bank, I began to notice people speaking to me more. Margaret, one of the clerks made an appointment to see me, just so she could ask me to thank, "my friend" for sorting out her cash drawer. Do you know they made her Head Clerk?"

"Yeah, George said as he joined them, Annie told us about that. She was so proud."

"Margaret and a few of the ladies got her a badge with the lettering, Head Clerk, written on it, they didn't know her name, and unfortunately, I'm sure they were too afraid to ask me, but they put it on the stool that only she sits on. Annie brought it up to my office and as I was pretending to work, she danced around, so happy; she wondered out loud, if she should carry a clip-board and pen so she could note any future discrepancies."

As they moved from Annie's room to the one Michael would be sleeping in, Michael continued to tell them about Annie and how she'd brightened up many of his days and nights. He had already told them that she often watched him while he slept, but he thought he wouldn't mention that she, sometimes, would wait until she thought he was firmly asleep before she'd life his arm and cuddle with him.

"Got it…"Annie said excitedly, as she popped back into the B & B.

"Annie, said Nina, you're back."

"Thank the Lord," said Michael.

"Finally…"said George.

"Oh did you miss me?" Annie asked George sarcastically.

"Mitchell did but you took so long I had to give him his bath myself and put him to bed."

"Awww, George, you know how much I love that."

"I know…" George said sweetly as he hugged her.

No matter how much they snipped at one another, they each knew it wasn't malicious in any way. Mitchell, their Mitchell, wouldn't like it if George was ever really mean to Annie, but they'd developed a routine over all this time together, and it helped them each keep the sadness away. It's only with each other that they can sit in the dark and share a cry. Nina truly loves George and Annie but she never liked much less loved Mitchell.

In those early days after Mitchell's death, George and Annie would avoid one another, not wanting to make the other sadder, but as time went on they knew it was them who could totally understand the depths involved with missing their friend. George had no idea that if they stopped snipping and taking the piss with one another, Nina would actually worry.

"Well, you've got your bag, thank God…" George said as Michael was emptying the contents on his newly appointed bed.

"Yes, Michael, said as he clutched an envelope to his chest. I would have gone crazy if Wyndham or his men had gotten their hands on this picture."

"There's a place in the attic that would be the perfect hiding spot for that. With Tom up there now, I don't think you'll have to worry at all that it will ever be taken without your knowledge."

Nina and George left Michael in peace and went to their bed-room so they could finally have a lie down.

"I am so knackered." George said to Nina.

"It's been a very long day." Nina sympathized.

Annie, for her part, was nearly floating on air, now that Michael was safely under their roof. As she left Michael's room, she stopped mid-stride as she thought she heard a sound coming from Mitchell's room. She twisted the door handle expecting it to open, Annie was prepared to give whoever was snooping in his room the full raft of her anger, but the knob didn't turn. The door was locked. Annie immediately popped into the room, only to discover it was dark as usual. She twisted the knob from this side, but it was still locked. She turned back to the room only to see Michael standing there. There was something strange though, Michael was fading in and out, he appeared to be calling her name, but she couldn't hear a word. Annie walked closer…

"Mitchell…"she whispered.

The closer Annie got the further Mitchell retreated. She looked around herself, but she was still in the bedroom, not purgatory. He was fading. Annie began to feel frantic. She called out to him again, "Mitchell!"… still nothing, she couldn't tell if he could really see her, because he was looking as if she was the one who was very far off.

"Mitchell!" she called out louder. Annie didn't want to shout and wake the entire house up, but she couldn't help herself, she wanted his attention. She wanted him to focus his eyes on her, "Mitchell, look at me!" With that last phrase, Mitchell began to fade in earnest, "Mitchell….Mitchell….Mitchell, Annie said each time louder and with more panic in her voice. She had no idea she was screaming, she had no idea, George, Nina, Tom, and Michael were all on the other side of the bedroom door screaming her name just as loudly. They were terrified. Annie's high pitched voice was blood-curdling, it was full of pain, and it sounded as if her throat was clogged with tears.

"George, where is the Key? Nina yelled.

"I can't find it. I hung it with the other keys, George screamed as he was rifling through the keys hanging on the wall. It should be here, I just re-hung it last week."

Now, they could hear Annie crying, deep sobs mixed in with extended moans. Don't go she was saying over and over, please don't go…

"We've got to break the door down George." Tom said. He tried to stay as much in the background as possible, but he now considered Annie as much a friend as George and Nina, and he was so afraid for her. He knows the pain and suffering she is going through. Annie had sat up one night talking to him, calming him when he was calling out for his own father. She never shared his secret and he felt closer to her for it…

"Yes, yes, please Tom, do you think you can do it?"

"I'll help him," Michael spoke up, as that was his friend as well in there. He had to help Annie.

Nina stopped shaking the knob and was prepared to move out of the way, so that Tom and Michael could do their best to break into the room, but although she had been holding onto the door very tightly, as soon as she released her grip, the door popped open on its own.

There in a heap on the floor was Annie, she was crying, but when she looked up and fastened her eyes on George, her face relaxed into a very crooked, but very beautiful smile.

"George, he was here. Mitchell, she said as she reached out her hand to him, Mitchell was here."

George slunk to the floor and held Annie as tightly as he had ever held anyone before. He was so relieved to have her in his arms, he was crying, he was smiling, and he was scared out of his mind.

Nina and Tom both fell to the floor when they thought George had had enough time to comfort Annie. They all were laughing and crying, as they held on to whatever part of Annie they could reach, there was so much emotion running through their veins. The only one who was left standing was Michael, he wasn't a very emotional guy, so he wasn't crying, but he did need to take a few deep breaths to encourage his heart rate to go a bit slower, now that he could see for himself that Annie was safe.

Annie smiled up at Michael, George, and Tom, and they helped her off the floor.

"Wow, I can finally touch you."

"Can you?" asked Annie.

"Yeah Annie, and I can see you so clearly." Michael said as he finally moved towards her to give her a hug.

"You're so beautiful."

Annie hugged Michael tight, she wished he had been able to see Mitchell, but she felt positive that he would have an opportunity in the very near future.

"Will you stay visible Annie?"

"I don't know. I certainly hope so, but we'll have to wait and see. I've been so happy lately and then tonight, seeing Mitchell, all that ghost adrenaline rushing through my dead veins, maybe that's what's helped me to finally become visible again." Annie was attempting to lighten everyone's mood with a small joke, after the incredible amount of drama and tension they'd been through, just a few moments ago.

"Maybe Annie… maybe…" Nina spoke up.

Annie took George's hand again and squeezed it as she looked her friends in their faces, "I'm so sorry guys for screaming the house down."

Before she could rightfully finish Nina, George, Tom, and Michael all shushed her and told her not to apologize.

"Well, I want you all to go back to bed. I promise that I won't cause anymore commotions again tonight."

"Annie, George spoke up, please, for me, don't go wandering out tonight, stay home, will you?"

"No, I promise that I won't. I'm not leaving this room."

Michael wanted to stay with her, but he felt that would be highly inappropriate, and he definitely didn't want Mitchell returning and finding him sleeping in his bed.

Annie let George's hand go, and gave each of her friends a hug. Michael was the last; he was a bit more awkward now that he could see her grey and white clothed body

"I know he'll be back Michael, and then you'll finally be able to see your grand-mother's cousin."

"Yes, I'll finally be able to see my night-mare. I hope he doesn't mind if I give him a right punch in the nose."

To be continued….