Disclaimer: I do not own Blood Ties or any of its characters. They are all Tanya Huff's creations.

Characters thoughts are in italics

Thanks to my beta, Lena! Thanks for all the help on dialogue, word choice and mannerisms.

Chapter 2

A gasp signaled Henry's awakening.

First I'll partake in some nourishment. Then onto the hospital to see Vicki.

He slid on a light blue dress shirt and a pair of black slacks before strolling into the living room to retrieve his cell.

One new voicemail.

The message was from Coreen. "Henry, I have good news. Vicki's awake. Mike's in with her now. I'll see you when you get here."

As the message ended, Henry felt as if he was floating on air.

He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.

Vicki smiled when Mike entered the room.

"Hi, partner."

The detective's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Partner?"

"Quit kidding around, Mike. We've been partners for years."

Mike sat down in a chair beside her bed.

"What exactly do you remember?" He asked cautiously.

The PI searched her mind for an answer.

"I don't remember how I ended up in the hospital. It must have something to do with a case we were working. My injury must have affected my vision too. Did the doctor say anything about when my vision will improve?"

Mike wasn't sure how to react to that statement. It was obvious her head injury had caused some memory issues.

The detective rose. "I'll be right back, Vic."

Vicki gave him a puzzled look. "Was it something I said?"

"No, I just want to talk to your doctor." He replied as convincingly as he could.

Mike walked to the nurse's station. A heavyset woman with short blond hair and a little too much eye shadow looked at him as he approached. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, could you page Doctor Lockhart for me?"

"Sure."

Paging Doctor Lockhart was heard over the loudspeaker.

While Mike was awaiting the doctor, Henry stepped off the elevator and headed towards him.

"Detective."

"Henry, I wouldn't go in there until the doctor comes." Mike cautioned immediately.

The vampire's brows elevated. "And why is that?"

His voice echoed concern. "There's something wrong with her memory."

Before Mike could say anything else, Henry was gone.

I guess he'll find out for himself.

Vicki's eyebrows raised in question as a young man with blue eyes, pale skin and shoulder length curly brown hair entered her room. "Who are you?"

Henry could tell from the look on Vicki's face she wasn't joking. His heart fell.

"I'm Henry Fitzroy. Your partner from time to time."

She shook her head. "You must be mistaken. I would never be partnered with some rookie."

Her green eyes glanced around the room. "Wait did Mike put you up to this? Or am I on Candid Camera?"

"No, Victoria. I am telling you the truth."

Henry was about to say something else when Doctor Lockhart came into the room.

"Could you step outside please?"

"Of course." Henry nodded his head and with one last look at Vicki did as the doctor asked.

"Hi, Miss Nelson. I'm Doctor Lockhart."

"So when am I going to be released?"

"You just had major surgery. You'll be here at least a week so I can monitor you. How's your head?"

"Other than feeling like it's been used for batting practice? Fantastic." The PI joked.

"Do you know what year it is, Vicki?"

"That's easy, 2006."

A worried look flashed across the doctor's face.

"What? Was that the wrong answer?" Vicki inquired.

"It's actually 2008. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I remember working on a case with Mike. It had something to do with erotic asphyxiation. I'm sure he'll be able to give you more details."

"I'll order an MRI and CT scan to get a better idea of what's going on."

"Do you have any idea what's wrong with my memory?"

"I'll know more once the tests come back."

Vicki nodded while the doctor left the room.

Henry, Mike and now Coreen surrounded Doctor Lockhart as soon as she stepped into the hallway.

Henry spoke first. "She is suffering from amnesia, isn't she?"

"From what I have observed during my initial examination, she seems to be suffering from retrograde amnesia which is the inability to recall events from the past. In Vicki's case, she has forgotten this past year. She thinks it's 2006."

Mike chimed in. "Is there anything we can do to help her recovery her memory?"

"You can surround her with things she was familiar with before this happened."

Doctor Lockhart started to walk away.

"When will she be released?" The Goth added.

"If there are no complications, in about a week."

"Thanks, doctor."

She walked away.

Mike looked at Coreen. "So now we just need to somehow break it to her, that she is no longer a cop, going blind, she and I are nothing more than friends and the person who she is closest to is a vampire. I'm sure that will go over well. Call me on my cell if you need me."

The detective turned to the vampire and inclined his head.

"Fitzroy."

"Detective."

Henry's blue eyes followed the detective to the elevators before returning to Coreen.

The Goth spoke. "I'm sure her memory loss will be temporary."

Henry remained solemn. "I hope you are right, Coreen. I hope you are right."