Trish had a blank look at her face. "Kimberly? Who's Kimberly?"

Taker sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter. "Dave's former lover. She died a long time ago."

Trish was stunned. "Um…um…"

"It's okay to be shocked, Blondie. I didn't think you knew about her." Taker said. "It's a bit of a sore subject around here."

Trish wanted to press for more questions. Dave has been so secretive about his past, he never mentioned a significant other. Nevertheless, there was a reason why she didn't know. And it's probably better that way. "Um, I should probably meet with London now."

Taker pulled out a chair and motioned for Trish to sit. "I suggest you get really comfortable."

Over the next hour, Taker told Trish the story of Kimberly Woods. A young woman in her mid-twenties, she was the only child of moderately wealthy parents. While she was known as the sweet Girl Next Door, it was no secret that Kimberly had a penchant for the dark side and often volunteered at the local mortuary so she can observe autopsies.

She was virginal but not quite a virgin as she had sexual experience but nothing past oral copulation. She was desired with her enticing blue eyes and bright smile. She was voluptuous with her curvaceous figure and had a sensuous essence to match. She kept her blonde hair trimmed, so that it danced against her shoulders.

Off the bat, Trish spotted numerous similarities between her and Kimberly. She was a medical student with a fascination of the afterlife. She met Dave while she was studying for an upcoming exam at the on-campus library.

She was, indeed, the precursor to Trish.

When she and Dave met, it was magnetic and electric. Dave fell hard and fast in love with her and Kimberly felt the same. She called him "Bear" in reference to his size. He named her "Sweet Baby" in reference to her caring demeanor. They never left each other's sides and spent as much time as possible with each other. Kimberly's parents immediately did not approve of Dave and forbid Kimberly to be around him. But no was not an answer for Dave and encouraged Kimberly to run away and be with him.

Within days of their courtship, Dave turned her and they were the most powerful of vampires. With training from the Queen Mother as well as Taker and Dave, Kimberly was the female vamp that many aspired to become. Taker and Dave often credited her for bringing humanity to the Family.

"She was wonderful." Taker said with a gleam in his eyes. "She was everything the Family needed. She was a strong fighter but she was soft when appropriate. She was perfect." He paused for a second. "She was great."

Trish was astounded by what she heard. Kimberly had a thunderous affect on not only Dave but Taker as well. "How long were her and Dave together?" Trish asked.

"For about 30 years." He replied.

"Do the kids know about her?"

Taker shook his head. "They know of her but they don't know the details. They know it's something that is not spoken of around here."

Trish felt her throat becoming increasingly dry and she really wished she had another glass of water. She needed to relieve her thirst but most importantly to calm her nerves. "I see."

"You're not her replacement if that's what you're thinking, Blondie."

"Well, it's hard not to think that, Taker." Trish shook her head. "I mean we sound like one and the same. We're both students, we're both blonde and petite and we both met Dave in the same manner. And you're telling me that I shouldn't be slightly freaked out by the similarities? Next thing you're going to tell me that she rode a bike as well!" Trish then stared at Taker. "She didn't have a bike, did she?"

"She walked everywhere, Blondie. Does that answer your question?" He replied flatly.

"Oh." Trish became quiet.

"If I wanted to find another Kimberly, I would've found someone else. Finding a petite blonde woman is not that hard, Blondie." He replied. "And for the record, I didn't find you. I chose you."

"But there is a reason why you just told me this story, Taker." Trish said. "You know that Dave was never going to tell me about her."

"Yes and as far as I'm concerned, he won't know that you know about her." He nodded.

"But you still didn't tell me why I know about her." Trish persisted. She hesitated again before she asked her next question. "What happened to her?"

"Edge killed her." Dave finished.