Welcome to chapter Two Messieurs et Mesdames.

This one's slightly longer than it's predecessor.

I would like to thank trickstersink and Isabeau Jones for reviewing the last chapter- this one goes out to you two.

And now, on with the show...

Whispers

"That you Billie?" came the voice of her friend and roommate Lucy Westenra from the kitchen.

"Who else would I be Lu?" she laughed entering the kitchen and pulling her mud splattered jumper over her head; she dropped it on the pile of dirties that Lucy was just about to push into the drum. "I'm going for a shower"

Warm water felt wonderful against her skin as she scrubbed the shower gel into it. She closed her eyes she repeated the procedure with the shampoo and her scalp.

…Mina…

Her eyes snapped open again and a shiver ran down her spine.

"Remember me my Mina, remember our love"

The connection was still there. It was weak certainly, but the fact that it was still, partially intact gave him hope. He wondered how much of what he'd told her she had heard. How much she had understood.

Upon leaving her at the door of her home Vladimir had promptly taken himself to his own dwelling- a place that he had kept to remind himself of her. He was now lying upon the bed they had shared inhaling the lingering scent of his Mina.

During his walk with Wilhelmina he had fancied her unsightly trousers and jumper had metamorphosed into the dry-blood red gown of crushed velvet that his Mina had favoured- her blonde hair pulled away from her pale face and curling loosely down to her shoulders and flowing into her black cloak.

The humans had a saying. 'Third time lucky' he sincerely hoped that it was true for them as well.

First had been his Beloved Elizabeta- losing her had been the catalyst that started his decent into the darkness. Secondly had been innocent little Mina. Mina didn't deserve what happened to her all she had done was break a vow which shouldn't have been made in the first place.

She heard the doorbell ring downstairs just as she was leaving the bathroom, wrapped in a large warm and fluffy towel. She heard Lucy's surprised gasp. Then, moments later the door clicked shut.

"Billie! Come and see this!"

"Give us a minute Lu" she called back and shot into her room to dress.

When she entered the kitchen five minutes later dressed in her favourite flannel pyjamas and a pair of fluffy socks she found Lucy staring awestruck at a bouquet of blood red roses wrapped in silver paper tied with a rather tasteful small ribbon.

"That's it?" Billie scowled turning to make herself some cocoa. "You called me to see some stupid bouquet you got sent"

She wasn't feeling inclined to admire the blooms- despite the fact that they were a favourite of hers.

"You got sent" Lucy corrected. "They were addressed to you, Bill"

Billie's jaw dropped. She wasn't the kind of girl that got admirers- that was for pretty girls like Lucy. She'd only once had a boyfriend and that hadn't ended brilliantly.

"There's a card too" Lucy held a small silver envelope between her index and middle fingers. Written on the back in fancy calligraphic black was Wilhelmina Murray.

Billie took the card, her hand trembling- no one used her full name, apart from on formal documents, of course.

"Who delivered these?" she asked as she gently tore open the envelope.

"I have no idea- they were just left sitting on the door step." Lucy shrugged.

The card was plain and made of thick ivory paper; the script inside read.

'Dear Wilhelmina,

I know that this sounds very forward

given that we have only just met and all

but I would be honoured if you would join

me for a meal tomorrow night. There

is a lovely little restaurant not far from

Covent Garden- please meet me there at six PM

Yours

Vladimir'

Under the signature was written the name of the restaurant in question. The place was really expensive. There was a joke circulating the campus that that place made the 'Ritz' look like a greasy spoon price wise.

"So who's your admirer?" Lucy was itching for a little gossip. "Is he a student?"

"No" Billie felt her cheeks heat up. "He's a bit older than us; I met him on my way home- I slipped and he came to my rescue and walked me home- I missed the bus and got wet"

"Ooh" Lucy smiled dreamily, her hazel eyes sparkling. "A knight in Shining Armour- how romantic; what's his name?"

"Vladimir" the heat became a burn

"Ooh sounds foreign- where's he from?"

"How the hell should I know- but I guess I can find out for you. He asked me out for a meal, tomorrow" She showed Lucy the card.

"Your first date in three years… and its there?" Lucy was practically swooning and Vladimir wasn't even in the room; recovering swiftly Lucy asked with a wry smile. "What are you going to wear?"

There we go. Chapter 2. Let me know what you think of this one... The name of the restaurant will be revealed in the next chapter.

Until next time.

Myra