A/N: Relatively short, but don't worry! Not all well be this length, I just didn't feel it appropriate to make this any longer.

I don't own Mina and The Count!

Vlad didn't come visit on Friday or Saturday night.

Not that it wasn't unusual for him to skip a night or two on occasion, but on a weekend it was somewhat worrisome. The ancient vampire had made it clear to Mina that if he were to take a night off on their endeavors, it would be during the week. This way she could either study for school or go to bed earlier so she can stay awake for classes the next day.

But on a weekend, though?

Weekends were free game. She and Vlad could go to Timbuktu and back so long as it was on a weekend (which they have done before, but that's a whole different story).

Despite the current MIA status of her best friend, Mina normally wouldn't worry as much as she did now, and she has a few reasons to thank for that.

First: It's obviously abnormal for her…abnormal best friend.

Second: She has no idea what had happened at the council meeting The Count had to leave her to attend last she saw him.

Third, and most important: Mina had been chained to her bed since Friday night, and therefor couldn't go visit her friend herself to see what was up.

Okay, well maybe not literally chained to the bed…

However it's more than likely that Lucy had physically chained the door to her room closed and glued the window shut. Even if she didn't do these things Mina was sure she wouldn't be able to get out of bed anyway. She was currently physically unable due to the terrible cold she had randomly come down with. Needless to say, she was very frustrated. No one would know that just by looking at her, though. If Lucy's statement were correct, she looked expressionless or dead regardless of how many times Mina tried to convey her emotions wordlessly.

Talking was much worse.

She sounded hoarse and dry. Her throat felt like it was on fire and simply breathing was painful. It felt like pins and needles were poking her everywhere but nothing, not even her throat hurt as much as her pounding head did.

At least that's how it had felt on Friday…

Being the slight drama queen she is, Mina would readily tell anyone that it still felt the same tonight as it did on Friday, but all the pain had gradually subsided over the past two days to a dull ache. Mina still couldn't simply get up and walk anywhere, nor did she dare to, but it was a bit more manageable.

But laying around like this is so boring!

Lucy had spent the whole weekend doing what she could for her sister, helping her sibling survive off of ice water and various soups that would hopefully soothe her throat. She changed the cold rag on Mina's forehead every few hours and propped her pillows on occasion. Sometimes their father would sub in when Lucy was unavailable, staying a bit longer than the blonde to keep his second daughter company. Mina appreciated both their efforts, but was more grateful that the illness had kept her asleep through most of it. By Sunday she was starting to feel too restless to simply go back to sleep, and now that she could sit up on her own she was becoming incredibly bored.

Until she remembered Vlad's disappearance, in which boredom transformed into heart wrenching anticipation and worry.

Would he come by tonight?

Will there be any news on the council?

Many more questions began forming in her mind one after the other. What on earth was going on?

"Hey."

Lucy's blonde head peaked into the doorway, fresh pitcher of ice water also peering in just below her. It took a moment for Mina to understand her sister was holding it, but she kept that to herself and responded with a hoarse "Hi…"

"How are you feeling?"

You're really going to ask me that?

Mina didn't respond, doing what she could to give Lucy her best dead-panned expression. It probably looked just dead, though.

Lucy coughed awkwardly and stepped in the rest of the way. She crossed the distance between herself and her sister to reach the nightstand next to Mina's bed. The redhead watched as her older sibling refilled the glass already occupying her nightstand. For a moment it was just the sound of water filling the glass and ice clinking against it between them.

"I'm going to take your temperature again," Lucy broke the silence. Mina didn't even notice that she was holding the thermometer in the first place until it was already stuck in her mouth.

Another awkwardly silent moment ticked by. It was during this time Mina tried to think of the last time Lucy had been so nice to her. This past weekend almost seemed like the blonde were trying to redeem herself for the 14 years of hell she had put Mina through… As if there were any chance of redeeming that. Regardless, the adolescent was thankful for the help and so Lucy's presence was welcome…for now.

BeepBeep!

Lucy removed the small device and inspected the numbers on its small screen.

"It's going down at least," she half smiled. Mina didn't intend to respond, but Lucy's expectant gaze earned a half-hearted groan. Satisfied with that answer, Lucy left the room, leaving the pitcher of ice water next to the glass.

And she was left alone to her devices once more.

Mina rolled over to lay on her right side, facing away from the door as if doing so would be facing away from all previous thoughts as well. Said thoughts were persistent, however, and it seemed that no matter which way Mina faced in her bed she could not turn her back on them. So after much fussing, Mina settled on her right side again and stared at the wall several feet before her. Slightly to the left, almost adjacent to the foot of her bed stood the tall mirror she used every day to check her appearance. Although looking at it now she wasn't exactly thinking about all the times she's stood in it to make sure she looked okay. Staring at the mirror at night with the lights off or the small warm glow of her nightstand lamp filled her with unease. It was different, looking at the world on the other side of the mirror rather than at herself before going to school or to Vlad's or just…anywhere really. So in response to the uncomfortable feeling creeping up on her she shifted her gaze further down the room, to the window several feet across from the foot of her bed.

It's probably safe to assume that he won't be visiting tonight…

Mina let out a disappointed sigh, snuggling into her blanket for comfort as a newfound drowsiness settled over her. She closed her eyes and relaxed, waiting for sleep to take over.

…Thump!

She opened one eye, staring straight ahead from the shock of the unexpected sound.

"Vhat the hell?" said a muffled voice just outside her window.

A voice she knew all too well.

Mina sat up, ignoring the protest of her body screaming at her to just lie down and sleep.

"Vlad?" she whispered hoarsely. Currently in her window was the dark silhouette of the vampire in question, still attempting to open the window from the outside. Mina sat quietly for a moment or two listening to the strained groans he was making. It didn't take him very long to give up.

It hurt to giggle when his shoulders slumped in defeat, looking at her from outside like a cat that wanted in.

I swear if he starts pawing at the window…

Mina shoved the thought to the back of her mind and pointed down at the vent on her wall. Vlad's glowing eyes followed her finger, and looked back up at her after registering her meaning.

He did not look happy.

"Come open the vindow!" he growled harshly. Mina's expression didn't change, instead raising a brow and attempted to point at the vent harder.

"Mina you know I hate coming through the vent, it's filthy."

She didn't budge.

Vlad turned away with a sigh, looking half defeated. He leaned forward as if to jump off her roof, and then swiftly slumped back face first into the window, eyes glowing a shade of red.

"You vill come open the window" he said rhythmetically, his fingers dancing as if he were playing an instrument.

Mina's expression grew slightly annoyed, her arm falling back down to her side and shoulders rolling up as if to say 'Try to hypnotize me an I'll shove a stake in your foot.'

At least he tried.

Vlad let out a frustrated grunt and faded into a cloud of mist. The sight still awed Mina as she watched the clearly aggravated cloud float away from her window. To this day she still found the different forms The Count could take fascinating. Minutes later said cloud came in through the air vent, solidifying into a vampire once completely through.

Mina expected a lot of things to happen the first time Vlad had come to visit her after his disappearance. She figured he'd first start by showing his obvious frustration at being unable to use the window, or how he'd go straight into the details of the council and what happened, maybe even ask her how she'd been doing to make sure she took his absence okay. It was not expected that he'd immediately cover his nose dry heave as if he just smelled something horrid.

"Ugh! Vhat on earth?"

He probably would pick up on the fact that she hadn't showered since she became ill, that and the stench of sick human isn't one of his favorites. Mina sighed, slightly embarrassed at the state she put her friend in and tried to not outwardly show it—not that it wasn't hard to hide or anything. She mumbled an apology from under her blanket, avoiding his gaze when he looked at her incredulously.

Vlad didn't need much explanation at all to understand that this hasn't been a good weekend for his dearest friend. He suddenly felt guilty for his surprised outburst and hardened his expression, lowering his hands from his face and trying to hide his disgust.

Nope, definitely didn't like the smell of sick human.

"What have you been-"

"What happened with-"

They both started and stopped at the same time, unsure of who should go first. Vlad gestured for Mina to continue, deciding he could wait.

"What happened with the council?" Mina finished. Vlad visibly winced at how raspy she sounded. The girl waited patiently for the vampire's response; obviously it wasn't exactly an easy question to answer. The Count rolled his claw-like hands uneasily while fishing for the best wording. After what felt like the better half of an hour he sighed with defeat, unable to find an efficient answer.

"There's…something…"

Silence, the ancient creature's mouth still open while searching for words.

Mina started to grow impatient.

"Something…" she deadpanned, finding it hard to simply wait for a response. Vlad's expression quickly became one of slight frustration, mostly at himself for being unable to quickly answer her question. If anything he could thank Mina at least, for her impatience was somewhat like a mental slap in the face. Suddenly back on track, the vampire cleared his throat and continued to answer.

"Yes. Something. The werewolves residing in the swamp started acting out, so in order to keep them and the others safe they locked them up. One of the resident sorceresses is convinced that a new presence in the region has them on high alert, so while they're locked away she wants us to start searching the area at night."

Well…she certainly wasn't expecting that.

"Wait, what about me? They think I'm a werewolf too, don't they?"

"Someone brought that up later on in the meeting," he wasn't about to let her know it was Mummy of all monsters, "The council came to the conclusion that the humans would notice your disappearance, so they are willing to allow you to stay free so long as you don't show signs of aggression.

"One more thing," he cut Mina off before she could say anything else, "I have to join the searches."

She blinked once…twice…before fully registering what he meant by that.

"So we can't hang out for a little while, can we?"

"Not as often at least," he responded, "But I will still come by when I can."

Despite her earlier inability to show emotion her disappointment twisted her features in a deep frown. Holding back the urge to sigh dramatically, the redhead nodded.

"But enough on that," Vlad dismissed, his gaze softening while considering his friend, "You've been ill."

She nodded.

"How long?"

"Since Friday night," she answered. All this talking was straining her throat. The soreness had never quite left but it was becoming more noticeable now. Mina reached for the glass on her nightstand to take a sip, as if the refreshing cool water could soothe the burn of her throat. The count watched her carefully.

Something was off.

"How are you feeling now?"

Mina gave the answer some though, eventually settling on "Like crap."

Vlad considered her for maybe three breaths before giving her a small smile.

"Well," he started, "you should probably rest up then," he held up a hand to cut off Mina's response. Her protests faded into a small 'hmph'. "It is getting late, and if I'm late for tonight's search Mona is going to force-feed me garlic."

What?

"Who's Mona?"

"Nobody-"

"And you can't leave just yet," the sickly girl cut him off, "You just got here! I haven't seen you in days, and you've hardly explained anything," she pouted. Mina sat up, suddenly ready to pounce out of bed to cling to Vlad's feet in order to keep him stationary. Yes, she still did that on occasion; it was the most effective way to keep the shape-shifting bloodsucker in place for interrogations. She may have been bedridden for the past three days but Mina was not about to let her reunion be cut so short.

"Mina, I do not have time for this. You don't understand this predicament-"

"And you don't understand mine!" she furiously spat, shoving the embarrassing thought of her first visit from Aunt Flo to the back of her mind

That's not what I mean right now…

"Listen, I'm sorry, but I do have to go," his accent thickened as it usually did when he became frustrated, "I promise we will talk more tomorrow. It's almost midnight. If you end up going to school tomorrow you're going to have a rough day."

Groaaan.

Mina held her breath for a moment or two before sighing in defeat, knowing that he was right. Who knew vampires were so responsible? She'd ask for a hug but the girl was all too aware of how much the stench was getting to him. Instead she flopped back into the pillows on her bed and huffed as the Count stood to leave. Vlad rolled his eyes, only turning halfway around before he paused and said, "Oh, and one more thing."

"Hm?"

"Why is your window stuck?"

Oh..right…

Come to think of it, Mina hadn't even told Vlad that Lucy was back yet. Although that is a whole different conversation, and the girl was not sure she wanted to dive into it just yet. Suddenly weighted down with more fatigue than a woman babysitting eight toddlers, she settled for a half-truth: "It was glued shut to keep me from sneaking out while I'm sick."

The look on his face was priceless; somewhere between 'why would your father do that?' and 'it's definitely time for bed!'. Clearly unsure of whether or not he should ask, the Count decided that it may be a topic for another day.

"Good night, Mina," he said tiredly before fading into mist to leave the same way he came in.

Mina doubted that he could hear her at this point, but she responded anyway with a fatigued "Goodnight, Vlad."

And then she yawned.

And it really hurt.

The girl winced until the pain subsided, attempting to get comfortable once more. Vlad's reasoning echoed again in her mind as she was beginning to drift to sleep.

Heh…

At this rate, I highly doubt I'll go to school tomorrow…