Title: LegacyII
Author: BELOVEDbyWAR
Rating: PG
TV verse: Blood Ties
Disclaimer: Not mine, not making any money.
Summary: How will Mike react? What could have caused his 'condition'?
AN: Thanks to my wonderful beta luvinmike!
WK: 1112

Part II:

Mike didn't know what was happening. One minute he feels a bit odd and the world starts spinning, the next he wakes half-naked and drenched in Vicki's bathtub, being stared at by the trio as if he was sporting another head. What was their problem?

"Ahem, guys? Guys!" he was slowly getting pissed by their lack of reaction.

"Mike! You, you…" Mike had to clasp his hands over his ears, as Coreen, who was the first to fall out of her stupor, screeched his name.

"Jesus, do you have to scream like that?!" he said, slowly lifting his hands from his ears only to have to swiftly reposition them as Vicki said:

"Your ears!"

"Yea, my ears! They hurt when you scream like that!"

Next spoke his Royal Highness, who was at least was so courteous as to speak normally!

"Detective, do you hear me loud and clear?"

"Yea, why shouldn't I?"

"Because he's whispering, Mike," Vicki stated.

"What? No. I hear him just as normal as ever. Don't bullshit me!"

"Mike, listen! You came here burning up and fell unconscious. The fever was so high we had to put you on ice to cool you down and even that did not really help! Then suddenly there was a big flash and boom you are different."

"What are you talking about? I feel great! AND totally normal!"

"Really? Then why is it, detective, that you can hear me whispering, sitting half a room away? And since we are already there…"

Suddenly the vampire was gone and only moments later the light went back on.

"AHHHHHHH!" Mike swiftly closed his eyes. Slowly he tried to reopen them, but even after minutes of trying to adjust he was still blinking frantically.

The vampire smirked.

"Do you see now, Celluci? We are not lying. Your senses seem to have heightened. I bet even your smell has gotten better. Try to focus on something."

And Mike did just that. The vampire was right. He could clearly smell Vicki's shower gel even though the bottle was closed and, yes, even the three people standing on the other side of the admittedly small room. It was not only their perfume or aftershave. Mike could clearly smell that Coreen had had a moccachino or two and ate a chocolate-donut… and under it all her own smell, sweet and feminine. Mike blushed a little when he realized that Coreen seemed to be 'excited' by the situation. He swiftly turned to Vicki. Yes, that smell he knew… Mike drifted a bit until somebody cleared her throat.

"Mike!" Vicki snapped at her ex.

Henry had to suppress a grin at the glassed look the other man had developed. He could well imagine what the blond felt. After all, he too had heightened senses and it could be quite -, let's say - inspiring.

"Sorry?"

Having lain long enough in the tub, Mike slowly stood. He seemed to get used to the light and now noticed his paler skin for the first time. Aghast he looked at Fitzroy. A flashback of falling into the vampire's arms and the sudden blackness lead him to a false conclusion.

"No! No, no, no, no, no, you did not...!"

"No, I did not. You are no vampire, detective. After all, why should I turn you? I can think of far better choices."

"Then what…?" He looked helplessly at Vicki and whispered forlornly, "What is happening to me?"

Vicky quickly ran to his side and led her lost ex into her bedroom, where she searched in her closet for some of his old clothes. Having found a pair of boxer shorts and an old, worn sweater (she loved to wear those in bed during her menstrual phase, not that she would ever admit that to Mike. He would only misunderstand it.) and shoved them in his passive hands. When he did not react she took his head in both hands and spoke emphatically "Change!" before she left the room to give him some privacy.

"How is he?" Coreen asked.

"I think he's in shock, to be honest. How would you feel in his position? And - I mean this is Mike we are talking about!"

"So, not too good… But isn't it exciting? Henry, what do you think this means? Is it a curse? Is it permanent?" she clapped her hands excitedly, eyes wide and aglow.

Henry only shook his head. The exuberance of youth…

"I have a suspicion, but am not sure. If I am right it is permanent and not caused by magical means… Tell me, Vicki. Is today of any importance?"

"Why?"

She looked at him suspiciously before shifting her gaze for a short moment to the coffee table where a carefully wrapped parcel lay.

The vampire followed her glance, as did Coreen.

"Owwww, is it his birthday?" the gothette sniffed.

"How old?"

"Is it important?"

"Humor me. Please!"

"39"

"What?! He doesn't look that old!" Coreen gasped astonished.

"No, he indeed does not," mused the vampire.

"Tell me, Vicki. How well do you know Mike's family?"

"Well, enough. Mike loves them very much. Family has always been important to him. I think it's the Italian blood," She grinned.

"Mmmm, Italian, yes… Has he any siblings?"

"An older sister, why? Henry?"

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking. This sister, is she also of fair coloring?"

"Could you sound any more clinical? But to answer your question, no. She is the poster book Italian female; black hair, warm, brown eyes, quite curvy and more on the smallish side, just as her mother is."

"And the father?" suddenly the vampire was all ears.

Vicki winced. "Not a good topic. They never got along…"

"Vicki! What coloring?"

"Dark."

"The grandparents?"

"Dark, I think," she mouthed "black and white photo" when an inquisitive eyebrow was raised.

"Ok, I sense a theme here." The two females looked at him questioningly.

"Please! Am I the only one to find it strange that all but Mike are of dark hair and eye color?"

"Mmm, you got a point there. Even Dylan, Mike's nephew, has dark brown hair and his father is half Dane.

"So for the record: all members of his close family are of dark coloring and the trait seems to be dominant. Why is Mike so completely different?"

"Not completely. He has his mother's nose and hands… oh yes, and eyebrows!"

"Yes, his mother's."

"You are not trying to say what I think you are trying to say, are you?" she asked almost pleading for it not to be so.

A triumphant smile was her answer.

"Well, it seems the detective and I have something in common after all!"

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