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

Characters thoughts in italics

Thanks to my story consultant, Lena! You gave my story the jump start that it needed. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Chapter 6

The day finally arrived for Vicki to leave the hospital. As far as she was concerned, that day hadn't come soon enough. Mike had called a couple of times but hadn't been back to visit since the "retinitis pigmentosa" thing. Was he really busy at work or was there some other reason?

After signing the discharge papers, Coreen had offered to take her home. Vicki insisted that she could take a cab but the girl wouldn't take no for an answer so she reluctantly agreed. As soon as the private investigator was wheeled through the sliding doors, a black Volkswagen drove to the curb. Vicki climbed into the passenger's seat and they drove off.

Coreen parked in front of Vicki's apartment building. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you?"

"I'll be fine, Coreen." She hesitated. "I wanted to apologize for what I said."

"It's already forgotten. I'll keep my cell on just in case you change your mind."

Vicki opened the passenger door. "Okay, but don't be surprised if you don't get a call."

The Goth briefly flashed a smile. "I'd be more surprised if you did. You may not remember that yet, but I got to know you a bit, you know. Bye, Vicki."

"Bye, Coreen.

Vicki was resting her eyes for a moment when she heard a knock at the door.

"Just a minute."

She looked through the peephole. Mike. He was dressed in a black suit and a silver tie. His lips curled into a smile as she opened the door. "Hi, Vic."

"Hi, Mike. What brings you by?"

He walked inside and sat on the couch. After closing the door, she joined him.

"I am sorry that I haven't come to see you lately."

Vicki's voice softened. "You know, there is a way you can make it up to me."

She inched closer to him and leaned forward. Mike tried to move away but she grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a kiss. They stayed that way for what seemed like an eternity before Mike pulled away. "I'm sorry Vicki, I can't do this."

"In case you haven't heard, couples do that sort of thing all the time."

"Yeah, but things have changed between us." Mike paused and raked his fingers through his blond hair. "We are no longer together. We're just friends."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I didn't want to hurt you. It was hard enough telling you about your vision. I figured it be easier to explain things as they came up."

"Hurt me?!" Vicki's voice raised an octave. "I'm so sick of people keeping things from me. I can handle more than you give me credit for. Is there anything else you haven't told me? Maybe my father came back with a brand new sister of mine and somehow everyone forgot to tell me as well?"

"I've told you all I possibly can."

"You're the second person I've heard that from. And I wasn't thrilled when they told me then either."

"I really can't tell you more, Vic."

Vicki opened the door. "If that's the story you're sticking with, I think you should leave."

Mike stood and pleaded his case. "C'mon Vicki. You don't mean that."

"Just leave. I won't ask again."

Mike walked past her and stood in the doorway. "Alright…I'll leave but I'll be back once you calm down."

"Don't bother." She slammed the door in his face.

"Just like old times," Mike said to himself before walking away.