Ruby stood in the hallway, mind reeling. Her head hurt; too much new information to process all at once. She felt David's hand on her arm, leading her down the hall. They reached the door in the middle of the hall, right at the top of the stairs. David walked right on in.

"This is my room." Ruby's throat was dry.

David looked at her. "Yeah. I know." He moved to the bay window that jutted out over the backyard, giving a clear view of the woods. Ruby looked at him, feeling almost a jumble of emotion on his side of the bond.

"I remember seeing your face in the trees… I don't know why I didn't remember that all these years. At the time I thought it was just my eyes playing tricks…" Sitting down hard on the bed Ruby stared past David though the window at the pines and firs that blew in a gentle breeze brought in from the Pacific.

"I got sloppy towards the end." She saw David's hands ball into fists. His customary gloves had been removed and it was almost startling to see his pale hands bare. Normally they were always covered unless they were in bed. "I got weak and stupid and wanted you so bad I risked it. You're lucky this window doesn't open; all I could think about was…" his voice trailed off. Looking over his shoulder at Ruby, his face was solemn and serious. "It wasn't that long after you saw me that night I left. I forced myself, to save you from my own greed and stupidity driven by blood lust."

Ruby's eyes met David's. "That's why you were so cold when we met in Los Angeles."

"You thought I was cold?"

"I wouldn't have described you as warm and friendly, especially after you brought up Jeremy on the hillside." Ruby smoothed her fingers over the old quit that covered the twin bed she'd grown up sleeping in. "You were restrained and at the time I didn't understand. Now I do."

Rising to her feet she joined David, who was staring at her, at the window. Their gazes still locked she stepped so close to him, mouth practically on his. The air hung heavy and electric between them. After a long moment, David took a half step back and swallowed hard.

"You practically bring me to my knees when you do that, Ruby," his face turned quickly back to the window. Ruby felt him open up more through the blood bond and knew she'd just stoked the proper fires. She didn't care either; it had been her intent. "Not here, though. I'm not up to explaining why we tore your old room apart in a mad rush of sex." Ruby smiled at his words, saw his reflection grinning at her in the window glass.

"Would you have turned me, if you'd let yourself? Back then?"

"I can't say for sure. It'd been a long while since I'd had decent blood, so I might have killed you, without realizing, in need. Austin had never come after you by that point. It was time for me to go."

Ruby left David's side, knew he was watching her, and went to the old dresser. Digging in various drawers, she finally found what she was looking for. Padding back to David she took up his wrist in her hands.

"What Rube?" David dipped his head to see Ruby fasten a small chain around his wrist. Sliding it around to make sure it was properly tight, David realized it the long, flat piece of metal in the center of the chain had been engraved with Ruby's name.

"Jeremy gave it to me. When I turned 12." Satisfied, she squeezed David's hand. He nodded, free arm pulling her close in a tight hug. They kissed sweetly, tenderly; David's bare hand dug into Ruby's hair holding the back of her head, Ruby's arms around his waist tightly. For a long moment after Ruby leaned into him, her face half hidden against his chest. David's cheek rested against the crow of her head, holding her tightly in his arms. It seemed to have all come full circle now.

"I hate to do this baby, but we need to go." His voice was gentle in her ear.

"I know."

"Just want to make sure you have time to say your goodbyes properly." Ruby nodded against his chest, sighing softly. "I love you." He kissed her forehead lovingly, leading her out of the bedroom of her childhood, hand holding hers tightly. They descended the stairs quietly, finding Ruby's parents sitting in the small family room.

"Have a nice tour, David?" Ruth smiled, looking up from the sweater she was knitting.

"You have a lovely home, ma'am. Fantastic scenery up here." David smiled sincerely.

"We're glad little Ruby brought you home for a visit." Charles piped up, folding his newspaper away.

"I'm glad she did, too." David risked it and kissed Ruby's cheek. Ruby blushed again, feeling the blood left in her veins heat from the effort. She teasingly elbowed David's ribs. Both her parents beamed; their daughter had obviously made a loving match.

"We have to get going, mom." Ruby smiled sadly at David before looking at her parents. Ruth's face showed disappointment, but she nodded. "We have to get up early and head back to L.A." Ruby had never told her parents she'd left L.A. with the Boys, had moved to Santa Cruz years ago. All the mail her parents sent, the care packages and occasional checks, were always addressed to the post office box in L.A. she kept rented. They were forwarded to a second box in Santa Cruz, her parents never the wiser.

"Can't keep you from the bright lights of Hollywood I suppose!" Charles rose from his easy chair; hand out to shake David's once more. Both vampires nodded and smiled as Ruby's parents ushered them to the front door. Ruth grabbed Ruby in a tight motherly hug.

"Be careful on the roads, sweetheart." She cautioned, hugging the living stuffing out of her only living child.

"We will, mom." Ruby felt the tears in her voice, though none were in her eyes. Suddenly she didn't want to leave, didn't want to go back to California, wanted to stay here and settle down with David and be happy. The nagging in the back of her mind warned her, urged her to stay here and be safe, to escape the trouble that was coming for her and the Lost Boys.

Ruth kissed her daughter's cheek before grabbing David in the same motherly hug. David looked a bit surprised but hugged Ruby's mom back. "Take care of my daughter, David!" she ordered him, wiping the tears away from under her glasses.

Charles pulled Ruby back a bit, looking down at her. "He's a good man, David?" his voice was low, fatherly. Protective of his daughter.

"Yes, dad. He is." Ruby looked at David, and Charles could see the love in her blue eyes for the blond in the black trench coat.

"That's all I needed to know." He grabbed his little girl in a customary bear hug and squeezed her tight. "Be happy, little girl."

"Thanks dad. Love you." Ruby hastily brushed the tears from her eyes, hugging her father back tight.

"Now don't stay away so long!" Ruth chided as the vampires stepped out into the cool night air. Crickets were chirping in the distance, moths crowded around the porch light fluttering madly. Ruby and David descended the stairs and returned to David's bike. Ruby waved as David pulled her on behind himself, turning the engine over.

Charles and Ruth waved back as David and Ruby rode down the drive and disappeared into the tree-lined road back into town.