A Time for Too Much Fun!
Detective Olivia Benson had just woken up from a horrific dream. She dreamt that C had lost her mind in bloodlust and was attempting to kill her. But no matter what she did or say, C wouldn't be dissuaded. The woman shot up from her bed, covered in cold sweat. Once she realized it was a dream, Olivia took a moment to contain herself and look at the clock. Five minutes after six in the morning. Deciding that it was time to get up, she stretched and started for the bathroom. Yet the details of her dream didn't leave her. She remembered about what Dracula said to her team about C loosing herself to the madness of bloodlust and that only made things worse.
The dream was a sign. An event that will happen if C doesn't get over her hatred for the Count and get help! Look what she almost did to her partner! Twice she had sent him flying without breaking a sweat and twice she had saved them both from certain death. The woman can take a man's head off without blinking a red eye for Christ sake! C was strong. Too strong to let her live on her own! And living as some vigilante wasn't helping her in the least. If anything; from what Olivia has witnessed of the Dampire so far, being alone just didn't suit her. Sure she can take care of herself, but she needed others (like her) to keep her together. Well, close to being like her.
After having a bit of breakfast and some 'on the go' coffee, Olivia headed out for her job in the SVU Department. Though, once she had gotten to her Captain's office (like he had asked all of them too) the vampire; Dracula, had not appeared. Not surprising, yet still irritating the others had to take jabs at why the famous King did not show up.
"You think he went to confront C?" Munch asked as he and Tutuola sat at the left side of Cragen's desk.
"If he did, then he's bound to get his ass kicked by her," Odafin sighed as Olivia sat next to Elliot in an awkward silence.
"Or that C managed to kill him somehow, and then got killed herself," Elliot pointed out which they all shot warning glares at him. "What? Didn't Dracula say that if he dies so does C?"
"That's likely, but still not possible at this time," The Captain breathed out as he rubbed his temples together. It was not a good sign that the Count hadn't showed up when he asked him to, but that still didn't rule them out as being both killed by each other. "Until we get a sighting on either one of them, keep an eye out for any people losing a suspicious amount of blood and bit marks too. But, I'm willing to bet that Tutuola is right about that damn idiot facing C. Although, C would have gotten far, she still would have received a lot of damage after a fight like that."
"Are you saying that C would be the one to get her ass handed to her?!" Munch asked in a calm yet surprised tone.
"Dracula is a five century old bat, while C is only half," Their Captain pointed out bluntly. "I'll let you all do the math. Until we know what happened between this time and last night's meeting, I suggest you all keep me posted on their whereabouts. Let alone what zombies would do to this city; a couple of supernatural beings having a 'lovers spout' is not something I want to have continuing for very long! Go! And if you find C, convince her to come to my office ASAP! Understood?"
"Yes Sir!" The men replied and they all took that as a dismiss. As they filed out of the office, the Captain noticed how Olivia had remained quiet the whole time. "Liv? A word?" He stopped her just before she could step through the threshold. She turned to him with a confused look and then nodded as she closed the door, leaving her partner in a half curious position.
"I know you're worried about C," Her Captain confirmed coolly yet in a soothing tone. She just stood there silently which confirmed his statement. "But I don't want your feelings in the way of your judgment. This is going to take a lot of tactful work, Liv. If we are going to prevent mass hysteria in the city by getting C to comply with Dracula's pleas then she needs to regain our trust. And I know she will see you as being the first to do so. I'm counting you on keeping a level head here, and not just for her sake."
"I understand Sir," She started very carefully. "But – with all due respect – she's only going to see us all as a liability to him! Even if I tell her a dozen times that she needs the Count's help she's still not going to listen to reason! I was with her one day when she broke down and told me the guy only used her as a tool! Nothing else is going to change her mind from that!"
"I know. And she's not a rape victim either. Just a woman with a broken heart; which can be worse," Cragen said before taking a deep breath and wrote something down on paper, then handed it to Olivia. "When you find her, give her this message from me. She'll understand what it means."
Olivia took the folded piece of paper and set it into her jacket pocket. Though she was curious to what it contained, she respected her Captain's privacy and obeyed his orders. With that, she left the office and met her partner so they can go out into the city and look for C.
It took hours of driving, walking and helping other people out while they were in the area, but Tutuola was the first to catch a clue on where C was. An elderly man said that the Dampire helped him unload his heavy boxes from the truck before she walked off west towards Madison Square Park. He was currently separated from his partner (which he thought it was for the best) as he started down towards the Park.
It was a beautiful day too. The sky was a clear blue as green grass was rich in color and smells as the trees were growing leafs. Wide marble sidewalks sketched the area with brisk sceneries of the city as a pond was constructed for viewing pleasures and coin tossing for wishes. One of the most famous statues at the Park was a forty-four foot tall sculpture of a girl's head (The Jaume Plensa's Echo) with an expression of a pure peace of mind. It was here he found C sitting under a tree while a few couples exchanged in sweet conversations to saliva.
Detective Tutuola casually approached the Dampire, for she was currently staring into the face of the huge statue and probably thinking of whatever to obtain that expression. Tutuola just took a seat on a large enough tree root to her right, for she still hadn't responded to his appearance. The girl's eyes were hidden behind her dark sunglasses, but he could tell she was hiding them on purpose, for he noticed the faint blood stain from the corner of her eye. Being careful of his words; so as not to set her off in another freak-tantrum, he took a deep breath and examined their surroundings.
"Nice day," He started casually. "It's a shame you can't see it.
Raising an eyebrow at his awkward statement, I turned my head silently towards him. Really? All I asked for today was to be left alone and dwell in my own sorrows and he has to come along and tell me how to see the weather? What's his play? I mean I got up this morning, helped a few needy people; even an old citizen that needed extra help with a few boxes, and saved some kid's from being run over because they were playing ball in the street, and now I wanted to take some me time by relaxing and thinking over stuff, by myself, in this area! Of course the couple's that were here, smooching, didn't help anything!
"Why would you assume that, Detective?" I asked coolly with a glare, but with my sunglasses on, he probably wouldn't notice it.
"Because you're here pouting about shit that you shouldn't be bothered about," He commented, which made me raise both my brows at his boldness. Okay. Now he's going to insult me? I've always admired this guy's 'get to the point' attitude, but now he goes and says that? I just had to give him a small grin.
"If you're trying to cheer me up, you're doing a good job. Just don't be surprise when I lung for you for the next insult you throw at me," I casually pointed out as I lazily examined my nails, for some of the black I had on was starting to peel off.
"Might be better than getting those grass stains off of your black pants," He said calmly, but returned my smirk with his own. "Besides, you gotta get over him. There's more to life than heartache. Right?"
"Cut the crap, Detective," I sighed as the man remained impassive towards my cool demeanor. "I know you're here just to convince me to go and talk to him. Why else would you be here?"
"How about helping out a friend?" He replied as his warm, dark eyes didn't betray the truth behind them. He really was here to keep me from feeling lonely! How sweet.
"Since when do you people consider me a friend?" I had to ask, for something just wasn't adding up right about this 'chance of meeting' him in Madison Square Park. "You're forgetting what I am, Detective. That's not very smart of you."
"Course I didn't forget. You're a hard-ass, that's what," He said, making me turn my full attention to him. "And being a hard-ass is pretty lonely. I know. I was one too at your age. Course I didn't have the problems of being a half-vampire either."
"I wonder…," I breathed out, but still held a look of annoyance towards him.
"You know what you need now?" He asked with a little more enthusiasm.
"What's that?" A need to kick you across the Park? I thought too as I turned my gaze back at the giant head.
"A walk," He stated and stood back up and started down some concreate path. When he was about ten paces from me, he turned to see that I wasn't following him. "Unless you want to stay and turn your clothes green! I suggested you follow me!"
I frowned at his directness, but he knew as well as I did that he had struck my curiosity. Why the sudden need for a walk? Was he going to continue to bait me until I bit or what? But still, my curiosity was caught and so I decided to stand up, brush the dirt and grass from me and follow, rather slowly, behind the ever persistent Detective.
He didn't complain about my pace, rather he slowed down to walk beside me. Yet I kept my sight forward and my hands in my pockets; looking rather depressed as Tutuola continued to look somewhat more cheerful than usual. When we started to walk around a pond, that's when he started to make conversations with me again.
"You know, I was once in a fallout with love," He said, surprisingly calm.
Oh God. Please tell me he's not going to give me some lifelong lessons on how to mend a broken heart? Because that's just sad! I thought with dread as I sighed and decided to play along. "Really? I take it you were really into this girl?"
"Not really," He said and I couldn't help but be a little surprised at that answer. "It was she who was into me. But I tried to warn her about me and say that I wasn't the best man for her, but she wanted to give us a try. So, I did."
"How long did that last?" I couldn't help but ask with a small smirk showing.
"About two to three months," He said rather smoothly yet still not sounding too happy about recalling the event. "The first month was fine, until I noticed how needy she was." In other words; she was a kiss ass and do anything you want just so she could latch onto you forever type. Yikes. "So one day, I tried to break up with her. Naturally you could only imagine her reaction."
"Don't think I want to," I stated rather sourly.
"Bawled her eyes out and kept asking what she did was wrong to make me hate her," He huffed out as he picked up a rock and tossed it into the manmade pond. "I told her otherwise but you know girls like that. Took me forever to make her stop crying, but only so I could give her a second chance. Well, after two more weeks she started to get better and I started to think; this girl maybe the one, but…"
"But?" I finally asked as he seemed to be making a dramatic pause just to get a rise out of me.
"But – I was drunk one day with a bunch of friends," He said and I sighed when I started putting the pieces of the puzzle together myself, "Started bad mouthing behind her back. She was there that day and overheard every word I said. She didn't say anything about it because she knew I was just out of it, but then one week before we broke up, she did ask me if I really meant what I said."
"What did you tell her?" I asked, only half interested now, for I knew what was coming next.
"Told her I did and that I was sorry," He said and took a deep breath as a cool breeze whipped by. "But by that time, I was… growing tired of her. She and I needed to be apart because I felt it was for the better. After she left… well, I was starting to miss that needy girl. For one; she knew how to cook." I couldn't help but snort in amusement and he smirked back. "And two; she was never afraid to speak her mind. Loved all the stories she told me about her day, because she could be funny too."
"Is there a moral to this sad story?" I said as I spit out a wad of saliva to the ground.
"Ya," He smirked at me as if I should know it. "Never take a guy at their word about what they say about you. Because sometimes, their just being a hard-ass."
"And you're telling me this because you believe it will bring some sort of sentimental bonding between us?" I scoffed at him and shook my head in dismay. This is just too cute! To think he can bribe me with something of his past and compare it to mine! Yet, if I think about it; he seems to be comparing his actions to that of Dracula's! Oh boy! Somebody kill me!
"No," He said firmly which drew my attention back to him. "I told you because it's the truth. Sometimes when guys talk shit about some girl or another; it doesn't make it true. It just makes the guy an ass because he doesn't know how good he's got it with this woman, until she's gone."
I blinked a few times as we continued on our walk. If I'm solving this little puzzle he's placed in front of me right, then it seems like he's feeling more sorry for Dracula than he is for me! Holy Hell! This is funny!
I couldn't help it, but I had to laugh at him. Though I guess he does present a very good point. Some men just have sooo much ego that they'll just spit out anything to make them seem big! And the only way to knock them down from that pedestal of theirs is to take an Axe of Reality to it!
"Got you to laugh though," Tutuola smirked at me as I started to double over in my fit.
"Oh God! That was a good one!" I grinned as I took off my sunglasses to wipe away a few tears. "Seriously though!" I turned to him, but with a half smirk this time. "What was the point to that story?"
"It is a true story, C," He frowned and glared at my doubtfulness of him. "Not a week goes by do I regret my decision for breaking up with her."
"Sounds more like you miss those home cooked meals," I said as I kept my teeth showing in my amusement.
"That too," He said and started up another path, towards the outer skirts of the Park; I follow just a tad bit behind. "But, you know what else?" He looked behind him with a brow raised up. I rolled my eyes and gave him my reply. "What?"
"I'm not as desperate as the Count is about you, than I am about her," He confessed and I frowned. Noticing my dislike of the change in conversation, Tutuola moved in front of me then stopped; which made me stop in turn. "Seriously though," He repeated my last remark with a cooler tone, "He does want to fix things with you again. Read my mind and prove to me I'm wrong, 'cause I've never seen a man so desperate to get a woman back before."
I lowered my eyes from his gaze for a while to ponder over his words. With my sunglasses well removed, he could see that I was considering the possibilities of speaking with Dracula again. I just don't know how! If the Detective is right (and usually he is) then I might just do just that. But still… Could I risk another heartbreak? Could I put everything on the line again and go on a slim chance of some Detective's word that the Count does want me back for me? I don't know!
If you believe that I do not care, then why have I crossed the ocean just to see you?
Those same words of his still leave me troubled inside! Yet – the way he said them was full of sincerity as if he was feeling… Feeling! For as long as I've known him he has always said that he couldn't feel because of his dead heart! Was he starting to feel? Impossible! Nobody changes just for the sake of saying they were wrong about their said feelings! Right? But still… I do wonder if he could be right.
"Is it really so bad to just go and talk to him?" Tutuola asked after a few moments of my silence had passed.
"I can't forgive him just like that."
"I'm not asking you to," He countered as he held my gaze firmly with his own. "I'm asking you to talk to the man. He may be the greatest pain in the neck to have ever existed, but right now – he needs you to talk to him."
After another few minutes of breathing and awkward silence, I took a deep sigh and let it out before saying, "I'll think about it."
"I know you will," He smirked back as we started walking again. "You're too curious to see what he has in mind."
"I can think of a few things," I lazily replied as I slipped my sunglasses back on.
"That reminds me. Did you kick his ass last night?" He spat out bluntly yet looking interested.
"I tried," I commented with a shrug and was rewarded with his smile. "Why?"
"Because, the Captain and all the rest had a meeting with him last night and he promised to show up this morning; in this case he didn't," He said which earned him my fullest attention now. Dracula had a meeting with the SVU Team!? And their all still alive and themselves?! Whoa! Shut the front door!
"So I assumed that you got into a fight and he ended up limping back to his coffin for a nap," He said honestly.
"Ha," I breathed out at his stunning deductions, yet that is his job after all! "Well, like I said I did try. But I was the one ending up limping home."
"Damn," He spoke drily like he too was disappointed. "Did you at least manage to get a few wining blows to his face?"
"Yes," I smiled and so did he. Ah, I just gotta love this guy! Though he likes to stick his nose into my business, at least he does it with his own style. "At least he knows he can't piss me off without getting away with it anymore."
"No kidding! I sure as Hell don't want to be at the end of one of your bone crushing holds!" He shuttered then stretched his left arm a bit. "By the way; Captain wants to see you ASAP. His orders. Rather it's about Dracula or not that's between you and him. Alright?"
"Fine," I sighed and followed him out of the Park and towards his car. Once we were in, he radioed my presence with him to the others and started down the road towards the house. Once we were at the house, I noticed how the other three where there. I noticed how Detective Stabler made a slight flinch when I moved my left hand to remove a lose string of hair from my face. That's right. I almost forgot what I did to him the other day.
"Sorry for that," I said as I passed him by. He gave me a few blinks of surprise; like he hadn't expect me to apologize at all!
"Don't sweat it," He finally said as he and the rest followed me inside the building. "I know it's a strain, but do try to resist going for the throat. And – other private parts if you don't mind."
"No problem," I breathed out and before I reached the door, Olivia slipped a piece of paper into my hand.
"The Captain wanted me to give you this, though I think it's rather pointless now," She said as her brown orbs observed me while I curiously opened the paper and eyed the lettering.
Something has happened that I need your expertise on. Come and see me as soon as you can.
My expertise? Interesting! I thought as I rolled up the paper and tossed it into the nearest wastebasket. Olivia watched me the whole time but I didn't give her an answer as I just chose to walk through the main office door and closed it behind me, leaving everyone out.
Apparently the Captain had been expecting me, for he didn't flinch at my sudden appearance at all. Though he was still bent over his desk and signing a few papers. "Sit." He said, not even giving me a look up from the papers. Sighing, I walked over a chair right across from him and sat into it. Crossing my leg over my knee I bounced it in boredom as I waited for him to finish his work.
"So?" I started out smoothly, though he was still writing stuff down. "What's the big emergency that you need my help on?"
Seeming to finally notice me, or that he was finally done with his paperwork; he stopped writing and gathered the papers in a pile, all while not leaving his gaze from me. After that, he set his pen to the side and folded his hands over his desk in a very business-like fashion, his gaze gaining in intensity. Returning the stare with my own I waited patiently as a clock tick-tocked in the background.
"Have you been killing lately?" He asked in the most serious yet calming tone that I've ever heard him use.
"No," I said and furrowed my brows in confusion. "Why? Has somebody else?"
"I don't know," He said then pulled out a file and opened it up to reveal a few photo's that held shots of random grounds; like grass to sidewalks and even under bridges, but there was something off about these normal shots. They all held random junk and sleeping bags that were unoccupied along with red tap across it. "These are places where some Homeless people have been living. Frankly, they all have gone missing. Had a Homeless woman coming in one day saying that her boyfriend had been missing for days. We suspect foul play, but we couldn't find a body at all the places she said he could be at; or anywhere else. After that, she went missing too."
Now I was even more confused as I closely looked at the places where Crimes Division had taken their pictures of. "And – you suspect me?"
"Some people do, but I don't," He said as if to try and put my concerns aside. "You at least leave bodies. This person doesn't. Whoever it is, they cover their tracks very well."
"So you want me to hunt down and find out who and what this guy is doing to the Homeless?" I breathed out, feeling more than half interested. Now who kidnaps Homeless? Sickos! I'll find them and make them wish they never existed!
"I take it you're interested?" He asked as he noted the eager look and how my eyes hardened in excitement for the hunt.
"When did the first guy go missing?" I asked, confirming his answer.
"About a week ago," He replied and I raised my eyebrows in surprise for how long he's kept this from me. "I thought the proper authorities would be necessary to handle this," He countered my dubious look with a glare, "But so far, they've found nothing. No hint or even a boot print on the ground to find out where they were last. It's strange. No witnesses as of yet to see who's been doing it, but I feel like you can handle that part."
"Ha," I breathed coolly when I found the pun about 'see' relating to 'C'. So a kidnaper leaves nothing behind only to take out Homeless? And to where? And why? This is getting more interesting by the second! "Alright! I need a distraction after all."
"You mean from your undead ex-lover? Fix it! Because I don't want him popping in and out of here whenever he feels like it!" The Captain scorned at me and I smiled in return. As if I could make him do anything! The guy is a King! He'll do whatever the Hell he wants no matter what I or anybody else will say!
"So I've heard," Was my reply and I stood up and noticed how the man was glaring at me, but I rolled my eyes to reassure to him that somebody else had passed the message along in the most creative way. "Tutuola already got to me. Somewhat."
"Then I suggest you follow his advice as well as mine. Got it?" He said sternly. Boy is he cranky today! Just spit fire already to release that heartburn for crying out loud!
"Yes Sir!" I playfully saluted and hurried out of his office before I could hear any more lip. Damn! He can sure be the tyrant! I guess that's why they made him Captain! "*Whistle!* Who put a bug up his ass?" I asked the four Detectives as I approached them.
"Wasn't me!" Elliot raised both hands up in surrender.
"He's just in a foul mood because you're ex decided not to keep his promise this morning," Munch said coolly.
"From what I hear, he had a very good reason why," Elliot smirked in my direction and I rolled my eyes. Does everyone know about my little brawl with the Count!?
"Leave it be, man!" Tutuola warned him coolly.
"You didn't get hurt badly, did you?" Olivia asked. Typical feminine concern! Luckily I've learned to restrain most of that! But, like Tutuola said; not everyone can be a hard-ass.
"I'm fine," I shrugged her off. "My other half is a little sore, but I'll be okay. Right now, I just got a new assignment. See ya!"
"You mean about the missing Homeless?" Elliot pointedly asked which made me halt in my tracks. "It's all over the news! I'm surprised you found out about it now!"
When all I did was glare, Olivia gave him a small shove to the shoulder; telling him I had my own reasons of why I didn't know! Dealing with your ex that's a King of Vampires does leave your mind rather distracted from everything else!
"Keep us posted if you find anything," Tutuola said and I nodded in return. "And don't forget what I told you either!"
"I'll mail you some French Onion Soup," I smirked when he deadpanned, but lightly smiled at me nonetheless. He knew my joke was all good and took it as a sign of me getting better about my own emotional state. Or so he thinks! But, I'll just let him know that his talk did help a bit.
As the others exchanged curious glances from Tutuola to me, I quickly walked out of the building and started down the nearest alley. If this guy is targeting Homeless then I better get moving! Aside from drunks; the Homeless actually help me by donating a pint or two of their blood in exchange for money or food. Since I've been doing so well at taking 'criminal' money, I'd figure I can use that for the Homeless! Eat my shorts Robin Hood!
Anyway, the day was approaching dusk as I walked, talked to anyone with ideas, and walked some more all throughout Lower and Mid-Manhattan. But – wouldn't you know? I found nothing! A big, fat nothing! This was frustrating! I checked and even triple checked every place that the Captain had told me where to find the missing people! But nothing! There wasn't even a whiff of a scent to track! What the Hell!?
What's even more frustrating is that King Bat will be up and around soon to pester me about taking his helpful hand! Fuck this day! I think I'll just crawl into the nearest theater, watch some crapy movie, and call it a night!
"Damn it all!" I hissed through gritted teeth as I walked on top the roofs near Central Park. The place was lit up like a Christmas tree and looking down upon it from a sixty story building made the sight almost romantic. Almost. As I went to sit on the edge, just to lose myself in the moment of thought, a familiar dark presence appeared behind me. I sighed, but I chose to ignore him and kept my eyes on the Park across from us. "I thought you said you would keep your distance from me."
"On occasions, I shall. Yet I can feel you are angry at something," His rich accent spoke smoothly in my ears while I rested my chin in my hand, my arm supporting it as my elbow rested on my leg. "What is wrong?" He asked again after a few minutes of silence had passed.
"None of your business," I growled lowly and glared at him from the corner of my eyes. Those azure eyes only narrowed at me slightly before he let out a tired sigh and slowly approached to stand beside me. I turned my gaze back at the Park, but said nothing else to him. I was too upset about the current case I was in to be putting up with any of his European bull. But – then I remembered Detective Tutuola wanted me to talk to him. Oi vey! This is going to be a long night!
"A beautiful sight," Dracula commented on the lights in Central Park as night air began to thicken. "Have you been there often?" He then asked with a raised brow and a look of interest.
"Sometimes," I admitted coolly. What's with the sudden change of wanting to strike a 'nice' conversation all of a sudden? Yet, judging from his posture, he seemed relaxed and wanted nothing more than to be near me. Granted he was just a few feet away, but that still didn't mean that this wasn't awkward! Okay! Okay! Tutuola! I'll try it your way! I thought as an image of the Detective frowning at me suddenly popped out of nowhere into my brain. Rubbing the headache that was forming, Dracula watched as I silently struggled with myself.
"You have not been sleeping," He pointed out the heavy bags under my eyes as well as how heavy my eyelids where becoming.
"No. I haven't," I agreed miffly and shifted myself a foot away from him. I am sooo not in the mood for this!
"Carolyn," Dracula breathed out my name, like he was fed up with my constant rebellion.
"Ooooh! Stop saying my name!" I growled and stood on my feet; on the edge of the building so I had the height advantage. "You know I hate it! So – why do you have to keep torturing me with it!?"
"It is only a name," He smirked yet folded his arms across his chest while his cape blew some in the wind. "It is your name. Although you give yourself this symbol of a ghost out for revenge to this city; I will always know the true you starts with your name."
"Well ain't that rich coming from you! Especially you!" I pointed a black fingernail at him. "I mean; how many tittles have you gain over the years?"
"True. But I at least remain in control of those tittles," He said with a serious glint in his eyes. "Carolyn, please." He said as calmly as he could while trying to maintain a sense of dignity. "I do not wish to see you lost to your blood lust. Let me help you! You can still be angry with me for the entire world to see, but do not let yourself fall into your own illusion of this freedom! Are you even listening to me!?" He hissed at her when he could see that her attention was diverted with something behind him. Oh, how he hated it whenever her eyes were set on something else other than him! It just drove him (for the lack of a better word) batty! Yet, from her expression, he could tell she was concerned about what she had seen.
"No. But – I think somebody else was!" I narrowed my eyes just over his shoulder. For just two buildings away, I saw a shadow of a man staring at us with reflective binoculars in his grasp. That's not good! Not giving a chance to hear his reply, I zoomed passed the Count and jumped to the building that I had spotted the suspicious character from. Once I landed, I sniffed for anything masculine and kept my ears open for a rouge heartbeat. But, not two seconds that I had started to investigate, Dracula had caught up with me and was starting to butt in. Again.
"I see no one, C!" He growled at me, and then copied my tactics at tracking. With a light sniff, his back stiffened when he caught the same scent I did. A man. Mid thirty's. Probably. He also smelled sweaty, like he was wearing lots of clothing. Plus; he had the faint trace of gunpowder on him. "He is still here."
"I know that!" I hissed back as I slowly pulled out my small automatic handgun. When I could clearly hear a heart beating rather quickly from behind us, I quickly spun around and fired a single shot at the metal trash barrels. A sharp 'yelp' was heard and a man with a three o'clock shave fell to the ground before us. He wasn't injured, but my sudden attack had caught him off guard. Frowning, I strutted forward and reached for the guy's collar and pushed him up against the brick wall, for his binoculars were already swinging around his neck.
"Alright, moron!" I growled as I stared into his widening, brown eyes. "Who the Hell are you to spy on me at this time of night?"
"Carolyn!" Dracula spoke a deep, warning tone at me.
"You stay out of this!" I snapped back at him as my grip on the 'spy' tightened, making him gasp for air. "This is my turf! Remember! My city!"
"Not – not for long!" The man in question choked out with a grin. My frown deepened as I bared my fangs at him.
"Oh really? Just what kind of brass do you have to back up those words with?" I spat at him challengingly. I was definitely not in the mood for this!
"This!" He pulled out his phone and the screen read 'On Speaker'. "I'm not the only one that's out here tonight, Dampire C! The Holy Order has been waiting to collect both your heads for the longest time now!"
"A Paladin!" Dracula hissed at the man as his blue eyes darkened in rage. With a rip from my claws, I removed his left sleeve and found the tell-all tale of his two key crossed tattoos. Shit! Definitely not in the mood for this!
"How'd you know I was here?" I asked a little more quietly, but still tense, for if this guy knew, then that only meant one thing!
"An anonymize tip! Somebody apparently wants you dead, Dampire! And as long as the illustrious Count Dracula is in town, we might as well take him out too!" He smirked, even though my arm was crushing his windpipe. Without a second thought I brought my gun out to meet his chest and fired, yet when I expected him to go down and drown in his own blood, he didn't! He just went down and out like a light. When I knelt down to feel his chest, I found that my bullet had been stopped by re-enforced fabric.
"God damn it! Bullet proof vest!" I spat as I left the man unconscious at the spot, then I raised my boot and brought it down on his phone. It smashed like a cheap toy. Some sparks shot out but that was it. This was bad! Not only had that creep been spying on us, but he had relayed some crucial information to a few others! Wherever they were at! I didn't even bother finishing off the so called Paladin, but chose instead to turn on the Count. "We have to separate! Now!"
"What? Why?" He stared at me in irritation. "I will not leave you to defend yourself against the Holy Order alone!"
"You don't understand! That guy's cellphone had just overheard everything that was said here! Whoever was listening on the other side will be here any minute now!" I growled out in frustration! Why can't he just listen to me for once!? "We have to split and meet again latter!"
"I already told you that I will not leave you to fight them alone!" Dracula glared at me fiercely and then grabbed me by both my arms. "Don't you understand!?" His teeth were set as his grip was like steel while his eyes desperately tried to hold mine. "I will not lose you again! Not ever!"
"Let me go!" I struggled, but he wouldn't let up. The Hell is wrong with him? Can't he tell that we have to leave NOW!?
"I will not 'let go' until you have accepted my help!" He growled.
"What? You're insane! We have to leave this area now! Can't we talk about this later!?" I struggled even harder but he wouldn't let up! We both froze though when the sound of something big and beating the air was headed right for us.
Looking to the right, I spotted a helicopter, with a HUGE machine gun at the side of its doors. Spotting several heartbeats inside, Dracula and I became blinded when the search lights were turned on to light up the whole roof top. Dracula drew up his cape to shield his eyes some as I only wiped out my sunglasses. Turning to step in front of the Count, I pulled out my other gun and pointed both barrels at them.
"Carolyn! What in Devil's name are you doing!?" Dracula went to pull me behind him, but I held my ground and pushed him off me.
"In the name of the Father, the Sun, and the Holy Scripture! We shall banish all evil abominations back to Hell!" The loud speaker from their chopper echoed around us.
"AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT!?" I shouted at them over the roar of their blades beating the air. "EVERYONE IS GOING TO HEAR THAT GUN YOU GOT STRAPPED ON!"
As if on cue, I saw one of the man inside bring out some sort of remote and showed it to me. He pushed a button and from a distance I heard a loud pop. Dracula and I turned back to the Park and saw lots of rockets being shot straight up and exploding with colorful lights followed by a few more. Damn it! Fireworks! That could easily dismiss the sound of any type of gun going off!
"Oh, SHIT!" I cursed when I heard the machine of their gun being charged up to fire. Pushing Dracula as hard as I can, I flipped the bastards the finger and ran to jump for the next rooftop.
"CAROLYN!" I heard Dracula shout as the chopper started to chase after me. I didn't want Dracula involved in this! Even if he did say that I shouldn't handle these guys alone. I don't need his help!
The lights of the fireworks blinded the area as any human within range would be too distracted to notice my little war with the Knights of the Vatican. Their gun fired off several concrete roof edges, making them fly in my face. I felt a few bullets wiz past my back and nearly scrap my arms, but I kept running, dodging and tried to lead them away from the population. Hopefully somewhere less likely to be spotted by the authorities! That's all I need! The SVU Team hounding me on why I was being chased by a fucking chopper filled with the Holy Knights!
When I heard a loud whistle of something big coming at me, it only took me a second to see part of the roof I was previously on explode. Pieces of stone and tiles flew everywhere as the shock wave nearly made me lose my balance. Are they crazy!? Shooting off fireworks to draw away unwanted attention is one thing, but how are they going to cover up the missiles they were shooting!? I'm probably gonna get the blame for this! Damn it all!
Hearing another missile coming my way, I ran harder and faster to try and avoid it. I may not die from a stab to the heart and such, but I'm willing to bet that missile will leave me immobile for a while! (As in missing an arm, a leg or both! And I'm not willing to test my healing abilities on missing limbs quit yet!)
"Fucking A!" I growled as I made a quick turn and jumped off the nearest chimney. Gaining the height I needed, I pulled out my guns and aimed for the window of the chopper. After firing four rounds, they hit, but didn't break the glass to kill them! Shit! Must be re-enforced glass too! These guys did their research on me pretty well! They knew I was good at using my guns so they took steps to avoid that! God! This isn't my night!
When I landed on some nearby telephone cables, I quickly shimmered to the nearest roof, like some circuses acrobat, and started to avoid that machine gun again! I was starting to get winded! It took a lot to make me tired, but since I wasn't sleeping well and I was scheduled to feed again soon, they had a decent upper hand. Now what am I going to do!? I have at least three Knights on my ass and chasing me in a helicopter with an automatic machine gun and missiles strapped to it! I'm outmatched and outgunned! This is embarrassing as Hell!
Before I could think of a plan, I hear another missile headed straight for my heals! There was little time to avoid the full blast, as I was running out of rooftops too! Deciding to try and jump the large stretch of road to a nearby build board, that held some toothpaste commercial, the missile hit the roof and threw my aim and myself up and above Seventh Avenue. It was like I was jettisoned from a cannon! Fumbling awkwardly in the air as my back and legs tried to straighten themselves while the heavy car infested streets started to come closer to view.
Shit! This is gonna hurt a lot! I thought as I gritted my teeth to brace for impact. Yet, just as soon as I started to hear the nearest car horn, a loud, inhuman screech deafened my hearing. Time seemed to have slowed as I noticed something huge, and flying fast towards my descending form. The figured resembled that of a muscular gargoyle, but its skin was paler and its sharp teeth were monstrous. It took me a few seconds to realize who it was at the same time that he slammed into my stomach and held me against his muscular shoulder while flying higher.
"Dracula!?" I gasped as his Hell beast's arms held me tightly against his cold form.
Hold on, Carolyn! He spoke into my head as he quickly turned the corner while ascending higher above the streets; trying to avoid any human eyes that would look up. Speaking of looking up; I spotted the helicopter heading straight for us, obviously aware that there were now two targets to knock out of the sky!
Miraculously, I still had my guns in my hands, and knowing that firing at them would be useless while I was being carried like a sack of rice on the Count's shoulder, all I could do was brace myself as I was painfully aware how my upper half had full view of Dracula's dark silver, bare backside! His wide wings beat faster and faster while trying to lose the helicopter's pursuit in us! But, no matter how hard his turns was, the Holy Knight's chopper wasn't letting up anytime soon, and we couldn't hope to wait until they ran low on fuel! Thinking fast, I recognized the street that Dracula was currently flying above.
"Turn right!" I shouted as I tried to balance myself on his back.
What are you talking about? I'm doing everything I can to –."
"JUST DO IT!" I hollered and with a loud growl, he complied and quickly turned, almost taking my head out of its place. Once he was passed a few corners I had him make another left to Ninth Street. "Take this next street to the left! YOU'RE LEFT!"
I can hear you just fine, woman! Dracula hissed into my head as he obeyed and quickly turned, but I can still hear the helicopter's pursuit.
"There's an empty building! Just to the next right! We can hide there for a while! We've already lost them!" I pointed out as the Count started to descend.
I will NOT hide from our enemies! Dracula twisted his demonic head to glare those dark blue eyes at me. And you should have NOT encouraged them to chasing you! Do you realize the lack of sense and responsibility that was in performing such an act!? You should have –!"
"LOOK OUT!" I shouted at how he was going to ram us into a string of power lines! I do NOT wish to be electrocuted! His eyes immediately looked forward again and he dove us to avoid the lines entirely, but he didn't take account at the other set of lines that had tripped one of his wings. He hissed in pain as it threw him off balance and we went tumbling in the sky. Holding on to him as best as I could in this situation, he managed to direct us towards the building I had told him about.
Taking aim, he stumbled into a big enough window and we collided with the stuff inside. More like I was caught up in some dangling ropes; ripping me out of his grasp, while he fell further and landed on a pile of sacks. Heavy dust covered the area he was in while I just hung there like a tangled puppet.
Dracula, transforming back into his more humanoid form, heavily coughed out the dust he was forced to endure, yet the taste wasn't dust at all! Stale flour! Uagh! At least he landed in something soft. Where in this God forsaken city had C driven him into!? Thinking back on C, for she was with him when he entered this place! "Carolyn?" He called out and had to cough out the fowl stuff again. "Carolyn!"
"Shhh!" He heard her quick reply from somewhere and frowned at her sudden directness. Yet, he understood why when he heard the sound of that infernal flying thing, just overhead. He ducked behind the walls of the old building when its bright beam of light roamed around in search for them. For about five minutes it lingered until the sound of that machines odd wings, began to fly away; as if to give up the search.
By the fires of Hell! THAT was a complete disaster! Dracula growled to himself as he climbed out of the mess he was in and onto solid floor, intending to search for his Dampire. He didn't have to look long, for he found her tangled up high in a few thick ropes. Raising an eyebrow at her, he watched as she took a deep sigh of relief that the Knights had finally given up on them. For now.
"That was a close one," I breathed out as I tried to pull myself upright in this tangled mess I was hanging in.
"That was indeed!" Dracula's voice hissed at me from afar and I spotted him walking towards me with a slow pace, like he was ready to pounce on me, but I noticed something shaking off of him like powder. When the smell of flour hit my nose, I couldn't help but fight the smile that grew on my face. He looked ridiculous covered in old flour! But funny as Hell! "Damn, foolish twit of a girl!" He spat the insult on me like it was fowl in his mouth. "What the Devil is wrong with you!? I told you not to engage those Knights alone! But still – you refuse to listen! It is a wonder you're still alive at all! Let alone what I have taught you! You still do not understand the results of what your actions will bring! Must I endure every painful headache that you constantly plague me with!? And I still do not understand myself why I feel so strongly for you…" He trailed off when I started to laugh at him. "What is so funny?!" He demanded angrily.
"YOU!" I pointed at him as I tried to cover my grin with a hand, but I just couldn't help it. The way the flour was covering him and falling around him was sooo cute that I just had to laugh at the irony of it! "You looked like you aged a few centuries!" I threw my head back and laughed louder when he looked himself over for his black hair was now a grayish tint as well as his entire outfit and cloak was stained with white flower. "Oh, boy! I almost forgot how good you looked in white!"
If anything, his bright blue eye's narrowed further at me, but he too couldn't not hide the growing smirk that appeared on his face. She always did have a way of turning a situation from dark to humorous.
"Guess everyone will start calling you the 'Albino Count'!" I laughed even harder, which resulted in me holding my stomach and feeling my dimples burn from the length of my amusement. "Oh God! I wish I had a camera right now! This would be the best photo to post on the internet!"
"Praise the Devil," Dracula breathed out in mocking relief, but his smirk remained as he stepped closer to me. "And what of you, my darling C? You resemble that of stringed meat hung for a hunter's prize."
"And who are you then? The hunter?" I folded my arms across my chest while managing to remain upright.
"You have no idea," He grinned that devilish grin at me and watched in amusement as I tried to untangle myself. "Do you acquire assistance?"
"Nope! I'm good! You already helped enough tonight, so I'll just get out of this myself, thank you!" I snapped as I tried to get a knot out from around my left ankle. Dracula just smirked the entire time; still dripping with handfuls of flour, as I struggled and cut out of several ropes with my claws.
"It would seem you're in more of a mess than you thought," He smirked and showed a fang as I was flipped upside down and now dangling just inches next to his face.
"I'm fine!" I hissed miffly as I pushed myself up to cut my foot free from the final rope. When I did, I found myself falling to the floor, but was caught by a pair of strong arms, and frankly being covered by some of the flour that decorated him.
"Yes I can see," His smirk grew as he drew me closer to him. I felt my heart race a bit as our faces were now inches apart. "Is there something wrong, darling?"
I frowned at his usual antics, but my heart was still pounding. Choosing a different topic, I flipped a single hair from his face, resulting in some flour spilling from his head and onto my chest. "Yes. You're getting me dirty with that stuff! Let me go already!"
"If you think that I need a bath, then so do you," He grinned and I couldn't help but blushed at his suggestion. Of course he could have meant something else entirely! Yet, with the way he was looking at me, I doubted it!
"You ancient pervert! Let me go already!" I accused and tried to fight out of his grip, but only managed to get my legs out as his arms had suddenly wrapped around my torso, trapping my arms to my side.
"I wasn't suggesting anything perverse, my dear," His eyes lit up with rare humor, but then went darker as he drew me closer than ever, resulting in his for head resting against mine and he lowered his voice till it was raw and husky with desire. "However, I shall not leave you alone again. Despite what we have been through, even after tonight, I cannot let you face them alone. We shall talk more of these events later, yet I've wanted to give you something that would confirm my intentions to you." Even if I wanted to fight, I couldn't, for I was too nervous yet aroused at the same time! Damn! I hate it when he does this! It's just sooo unpredictable, even went he leaned forward and whispered in my ear; I have no idea what he plans to do next! "This is yours, and it shall always be yours."
When I was about to ask him what, he pulled me up against his chest and wrapped an arm around me while his other hand held the back of my skull. He then dipped us slightly and then pressed his lips against mine. I was so shocked I couldn't even move until I felt his tough lick my lips. I grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to pull him away, but my knees were weak and my strength was drained after all the running I had previously done. Yet, his kiss… His hands… His eyes… The way he was holding me was like a long lost lover's embrace. I felt the itch to kiss him back, yet I fought it down. Though I tried to close my eyes and block this old, yet new, sensation that only seemed to increase the moment.
I heard his low groan, but it was more like a desperate plea and I trembled in his embrace. Though I didn't know what came over me, but I gave in. I opened my mouth and let him in as his arms tightened around me, but not hard enough to crush me.
Oh, Carolyn. He whispered into my head with such a velvet voice that I almost went slack. It has been too long since I've felt this kind of intimacy with a man. Let along it being Dracula again! But still it frightened me. It scared me to believe that I would fall under this sooo easily whenever he kissed me, but it was his words that troubled me the most.
Just as soon as I thought to be lost in his arms, he let me go, but not before placing his lips upon my forehead again and taking deep breaths of my scent.
"D-Dracula? Wha-What are you doing?" I managed to sputter out, yet still feeling drained by the sudden experience.
"Enjoying the moment," I felt him smile as his thumb rubbed the back of my skull in a soft caress. Then he stepped away before releasing me entirely. "Just remember, my C. I will be waiting for you. No matter how long it takes or how far you push yourself away from me; you know as well as I do, that I will not give up easily. Do yourself a favor and rest tonight, for you shall need it the next time we meet." He smirked and then teleported to God knows where.
I stood there for a second, feeling all sorts of things! Hot, angry, sad, aroused, confused, and downright violated! The nerve of that guy! I mean does he really believe that he wants me to fall in love with him again just because he believes to be in love with me too!? What! The! Hell!
But, he was right about one thing. I am tired! I need to sleep off this weird night before I start hallucinating! Maybe – that was a hallucination! Or am I dreaming again! Pinching myself, for the pain informed me that I wasn't dreaming I shook off whatever flour I had from this old, abandoned bakery, and started for my hotel room.
Whatever Dracula's true intentions was to me, just blew me out of my freaken skull! That kiss! The way his eyes were locked with mine the whole time! It was like he really wanted to feel things with me again! And… that's just scary! I mean, why me!? There's plenty of women out there that are prettier than me! Why does he have to peruse me despite the fact that he thinks I'm losing control of my other half!
Oh, man! I'm so tired! I might not be able to sleep this off, but I can at least try! And hopefully, I'll face Dracula again and go through a real conversation with the bat before he decides to kiss me again! Damn it all to Hell! This night just keeps getting better!
Alright! Next chapter will be coming just as soon as I'm done! I hope all of you had a great New Year – and left the alcohol out of the car! *wiggles eyebrows*
Well, I don't have much to say except how excited I am to be so close to completing this story! So close yet so far! Don't worry; I'm still planning on making more (even a few crossovers as a gift for my little sis)! Anyway, hope you like it so far and I thank you for all the awesome REVIEWS!
REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! And I'll see you all soon!
Hugs and Kisses; BR2