You know the disclaimer.

I must have rewritten this at least three times, it just wasn't flowing like I wanted. It seems I'm not that prolific at writing happiness, it figures. Hopefully the result is good enough and enjoyable for you, please be kind and let me know your thoughts.

It was surprisingly really enjoyable to write more of George's and Nina's thoughts, I hope that you enjoy it as well.

And I promise there are more developments and conflicts coming. The next one is half written, it was part of this chapter but it was getting kilometric, so I split it in two. I'll try to update faster than I did this one.

It wouldn't be absolutely horrible if you encourage me with your comments.

The last time George woke up at a hospital he had long red puckered scars running down his shoulder, a terrible memory of the dead body of his hiking mate and the realization that brilliant polyglot engaged George had died in Scotland.

This time, however, he came to the familiar face of his Nina who'd forever hold her own puckered scars on her wrist.

He couldn't understand those who found his Nina harsh, and he was man enough to admit they were many.

His sweet Nina was an acquired taste.

Rumour through the hospital was that nurse Pickering had that geeky porter whipped, but he knew better. After all he was the one the head sister, dragon lady of the nurses, had chosen for her own.

And he had even found a scrap of paper where she had practised writing his last name with her first.

His Nina of the many hidden scars.

The same scars he had learned to identify in the dark, the ones he revered like an ancient map. Scars left behind by faceless lovers and tormentors before him. Scars he had given her after his fervent promise never to hurt her himself.

George had failed, and yet she loved him with all her fire and sarcasm.

He had woken to her elfish face, a sweet smile kept only for him and fresh tears over weeklong roads of salt water on her cheeks.

Death had granted a reprieve.

A couple days later he was being released to the astonishment of doctors and nurses at the fact that his body didn't show any real consequence of his gruesome attack.

So back it was to his little pink house with mismatched wallpaper and tenants.

He limped a bit as he walked to the entrance door aided by Mitchell, followed closely by Nina carrying the bag of his personal effects. Before his best friend even had time to look for the keys in the pockets of his worn leather jacket the door opened suddenly to reveal an overexcited Annie.

"George! You're home!" She said launching herself to hug him.

"Ouch! Ouch! Annie, still sore, I'm happy to see you too sweetie, but mind the ribs."

"Oh, sorry. Come in, come in." She said beaming.

Just like before Annie had been posting messages on the wall, George thought. This time though it wasn't an angry paint-as-blood-substitute message.

"That is lovely Annie, much better than 'Get out'."

"Will you ever let that go?"

"You know I'm just teasing. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about it."

"Oh yeah. I'm the one who should be embarrassed and not the werewolf and the vampire who came valiantly to fight the intruder holding a cricket bat and an umbrella? Seriously?"

Nina witness the exchange in silence, slightly irritated at being the third wheel in a very sick threesome. She cared deeply for Annie; after all she had been there to ease her into her new supernatural life. She couldn't quite say the same thing for the vampire, (sorry Mitchell, but when you've been burned badly you learn to be wary of fire.) But she understood the deep bond he shared with George.

If she had to admit it under duress she'd had to say that she knew that although George would probably choose her over his friends if her life depended on it, there would always be a part of George's heart impenetrable to her.

"Are you both done reminiscing? George, you're not exactly light mate, where do you want to be for now, your bed? Kitchen? Sofa?" Mitchell asked mildly irritated.

"Sofa. I can't lie down on a bed for another minute."

"Remember you need to rest though." Nina reminded him.

"I'm going to make you the very best cup of tea you have ever tasted." Annie announced teleporting to the kitchen.

"Nina my love, why don't you lie down, you look very tired." George said as he was sitting down on the sofa looking up to his girlfriend, who despite being relieved to have him back was looking rather weary.

"I don't want to leave you." Nina was pleading now on her knees holding his hand.

"I'm okay. I'm home. Just go upstairs and rest okay?"

Mitchell witnessed the exchange while he pretended to rearrange knickknacks on the mantle. He thought that despite George being a comrade in arms, a fellow countryman of him and Annie, the lover's intimate dialogue convinced him that indeed his friend had to be from the more affluent parts of the supernatural motherland, while he and Annie seemed to be natives of the Siberia equivalent, for the scene before his eyes was wonderfully mundane and alien nonetheless.

"Only because I have a shift tonight. But you wake me up if you need anything." She finally acquiesced.

"I love you too." George said warming up Nina's tough exterior. She just nodded pursing her lips and nodding in agreement.

Soon enough Annie was back in the room handing him a cup of tea as Mitchell was placing a stool in front of George for him to put one of his legs up.

"So… How long?" George asked finally once Nina had disappeared from sight.

"How long what?" Mitchell asked with a confused look, the same one that gave his strong brow a grave air.

"How long were you in hospital?" Annie suggested.

"A week. I know that." George explained. "And I don't mean that. Come on. Spit it out. How long?"

"What?" They both asked looking at each other for answers.

"How long have you been together?" George asked lifting his arms to point at them both. "Together?" He emphasised lifting his eyebrows at the implication.

Mitchell looked horrified while Annie covered her mouth with her hands.

"How? You've been here what? Five minutes?" Mitchell's voice was significantly higher than usual.

"I'm perceptive and not as oblivious as you two think I am."

"We don't think that George." Mitchell added.

"And still you haven't denied it so I must be right. I… still have it!" He said quite theatrically.

"Do you disapprove?" Annie ventured worriedly.

"Do I mind that you two were playing house while I was dancing with the Grim Reaper? Of course I do. Do I mind you two got together? I say it was bloody time."

"We were worried about you! And we weren't playing house… much…almost at all… we were thinking of you… all the time… well, almost, obviously…"

"Annie!" Mitchell had cringed at every word until it was too painful to let her continue. "And what do you mean it was time?" He asked turning back to George.

"You've been starry-eyed since you met…"

"I have not!" Annie interrupted.

"I meant Mitchell." George said to Mitchell's horror as Annie was looking down and back at him making the face he had come to recognize as her ghost answer to blushing.

"George!" The vampire yelled.

"Fine, you can both remain in primary school. I'm really glad you got together. I honestly am. If the worst had happened, I would have liked to know you had each other…" George said in all honesty.

Suddenly the light mood became sombre and Annie could feel the heavy weight of Mitchell's burden filling the room.

"George… I'm… oh George… It's all my fault." Mitchell declared looking down.

"It's not… Come on." It hadn't been George's purpose to make his friend feel guilty.

"I'll give you both some space." Annie said disappearing before they had time to complain.

"I should have done more." Mitchell said avoiding his stare.

"You can't honestly think this is all on your shoulders. I've always been a target. If anything you delayed it. Two years ago it should have been much worse." He was shaking his head as he spoke. "Back then I was too confused, and I was a bloody mess… Disgustingly weak… You saw it; I couldn't have moved a muscle to save myself… This time I put up a fight. I would have gotten away if I hadn't been for that bloody bloodsucker on my back."

"I'm going to find those who did this to you."

"You know who they are?"

"I know two. An old acquaintance and a female vampire he recruited recently. Do you remember anyone else?"

"I noticed a couple behind me when I was walking… Soon after they pounced and they were taunting me. You know the usual names: mutt, dog, fido… I stood my ground with the male and the girl was just egging him on. I had the upper hand but then someone else jumped me from behind. I couldn't see him, but I know it was a male… Soon after my glasses were broken and I was on the ground… That's it."

"His name is Arthur… Coward little bastard… He never attacked if he didn't have numbers advantage. Last I heard Arthur and Holly left town, but I have people looking for them."

"Thank you. I don't want you to blame yourself for this. We need you here, present and not spiralling down in despair…" George was silent for a few seconds. "She needs you." He said pointing to the ceiling.

"You both give me more credit than I deserve…"

"We're both here because of you. You haven't let us down… Don't forget that… And I guess this is when I should be telling you that you better be good to her… I'll kick your arse if you make her cry."

Mitchell smiled at the cliché but loved George even more for it.

"Are you done playing the protective brother?"

"Yes I think I am." George said smiling. He leaned back on the sofa and placed his hands behind his head with a smug. "You want to split a pizza and watch the telly?"

"You're a genius George."

Nina woke up to the image of a rather plump red-hatted gnome. 'What are you smiling at you idiot?' she thought. She hated the wallpaper and she hated George's narrow bed, but she couldn't help but smile at being back there and knowing her goofy looking boyfriend was back, in that moment she decided she could put up with that horrible room and his peculiar best friends if it made her love happy.

What she was not happy about was having to go to work, but she had already taken enough time off while George was in hospital. At least she had just had the best sleep since before her boyfriend was attacked, if even for a couple of hours.

Only George knew how vulnerable she could be and she'd make sure no one else could, so she put on her strict nurse's face and headed downstairs.

She wasn't ready for the sight that greeted her.

Mitchell was slumped on the sofa watching the telly with Annie sitting on his lap and reading a book. George got up from the armchair and limped towards her with a wide smile.

He held her hand and gently pulled her towards the kitchen. Nina offered her shoulder for him to lean on until he had reach a chair.

"What… is… that all about?" Asked Nina pointing towards the vampire and the ghost on the sofa. "How long was a I asleep?" Her bewilderment quite evident.

"Ah, that is the newest development in house dynamics." George said still proud as he sat down on the chair.

"Are you serious?" She asked frowning.

"Yeah."

"Oh." She was making a face.

"What is that for? You don't approve?" George asked frowning.

"Well, it just feels wrong, doesn't it?" She replied crinkling her nose.

"Really? I think it's more than convenient. It's meant to be."

"How could you think that?"

"Well, they're both dead, and Mitchell can take care of Annie after I … you know…"

"That's what fairy tales are made of, right? Convenience."

Nina knew she was exaggerating but she felt herself being pulled towards her common place.

"I really don't understand why you're so opposed to the idea."

"Well, she's so innocent and nice… And Mitchell…" Her arms were moving on the air unable to find a nice euphemism for mass murderer.

"You've never been crazy about him." George stated bluntly.

"I'm partial. I know it… But I've been burned too much by his kind."

"Vampires?"

"No! Don't be daft… By the too good looking rebel for his own good who seems to be waiting only for the right girl to end his broodiness and angst… You know the kind, the ones that say things like 'I just need someone to help me be better' and after they've done a number on you they leave you saying 'You couldn't love me the way I am.' "

Nina stopped suddenly afraid she had revealed more than she had intended for George to know about her past.

More than she herself wanted to remember.

"So it's not the vampire thing."

Fortunately or unfortunately her boyfriend could be so bloody dense, she thought as George managed to miss how transparent she was.

"Oh, the vampire thing is just the cherry on top."

"He's my best friend Nina." She sighed knowingly.

"I know. And I'll try not to be so prejudiced against him… She's just so cheerful and naïve and he's… he's… lethal sex on legs…"

"She seems to be able to handle him." George pointed out.

"It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?" She said almost as a whispered joke that only she'd understand.

Maybe Mitchell wasn't so different than her, she thought, and maybe her contempt for him was not too far from her own self-loath.

Christ, they could be two tortured peas in the same pod.

"Just give him a chance."

"I'll try."

"Come here and give us a kiss." He asked with open arms.

"I have to go to work." She said reluctantly.

"Then give me two."

She just couldn't say no to that bargain.

Everyday George woke up feeling stronger than the prior day. He could feel his body strengthening with the power of the Moon Goddess. 'What a waste.' He thought. To solder broken bones and close wounds when in just a few days time said bones would break once more. He thought of himself as a Humpty Dumpty of sorts, broken and put together again monthly, but one who'd never be whole again, not properly.

Without the curse he would have died from his attack. Though the attack came solely from the curse. It was just a moot paradox akin to the chicken and the egg. But at last the wolf and him were becoming one and the same.

No one goes through what he did unscathed. And he felt closer to Mitchell and Annie because of it.

He smiled at the irony. He was closer to the sombre world his mates inhabited and in turn they were blissfully immersing themselves in the normalcy of their relationship.

It was comical even to see Mitchell reduced to the novice role. He may have been a masterful lover after years of romancing his prey, but he was definitely a neophyte in a true relationship ground while Annie seemed to have been born to love. It wasn't just that for her the memories of past relationships, even if askew, were fresher; it was that for her loving someone was as easy as breathing.

Mitchell often pondered on this and often he'd end up frightened. Josie had been his last real thing and yet it was completely different from this. Josie and him had been an experiment akin the beauty and the beast. It wasn't a normal human relationship, not that Annie's and his could ever be, but with both of them dead the vampire and the ghost issue was pushed aside.

He was definitely not boyfriend material, not something to write home about.

But she was, and the thought made him smile. She was the kind of girl you tell your mother about.

He'd find himself mesmerised by her feminine mannerisms. He had decades of observations on women's movements and gestures: a finger twirling on hair, the sway of ample hips, that half-turn when walking by a reflective surface… He smiled remembering Josie extend her neck while she put on the heavy eyeliner so in vogue in the sixties.

He had more than a lifetime of memories of girls being feminine and yet none held a torch for the way Annie absentmindedly pushed her hair back baring her neck and shoulder. She had done that without thinking while she read her book. Her grey uniform this night was one of his favourites: a loose top that hung off her shoulder letting her sweet skin out in the open. That point where neck joined shoulder enthralled him, a personal favourite of old though no vein danced under her flesh.

He had approached her from behind with a movement performed ad nauseum in the past, this time though, his fangs were not out and his eyes remained human when his lips met her velvet skin.

Her hand had travelled back to rest on his hair and she had continued reading her novel. His blood would boil just at the thought of her not missing a line of her novel while the deadly predator was inches away from her jugular.

But that was his Annie, and he could feel the pride in his blood when he attached the possessive to her name, even if just in his thoughts.

She had been reading her book sitting on the littered floor of his room leaning on the foot of his bed. He had woken up to see her there. She often did that during the night while he slept. He wasn't happy about her wandering the streets alone after George's attack, and she had let him win that battle.

He slapped the book, with the silly little book light he had bought her at WHSmith, out of her hand and she had turned around annoyed. He didn't let her complain much because soon she had been pulled into the bed on top of him and his hands were trapping her firmly to him.

She had quickly forgotten her irritation when she realised she had the more advantageous position. He let her take the lead as he remembered the first time several weeks prior when he had stalked her like a prey and calmed his demons in her flesh. A wave of self-loath coursed through him for the violent need he had felt to sully her, to destroy everything that was good.

His girl was a phoenix, he thought, a wild orchid that could bloom in the filth.

But the thought was interrupted when he realised that his girl was also quite skilful at what she was doing, which was preventing him from having any rational thought.

Clothes were discarded and words hadn't been needed.

Mitchell felt happiness.

Pure unadulterated happiness.

'Being happy' was what she bashfully called it.

He had sat up unable to stay passive. His strong hand on her lower back keeping her close and the other on the back of her neck as they kissed.

He saw the spark on her face, on heavy lids and half open lips. And he couldn't do anything else but meet her there.

"Mitchell!" His name was called along with knocking on his door.

The voice yelling his name was the wrong one, too deep and muffled from the wrong side of the door.

He groaned in displeasure only to hear his name being called once more.

"One moment George!" He managed to reply.

"Mitchell, it's important." George said knocking on the door.

"This is kind of important as well." He said in return making Annie giggle with her forehead against his chest.

"Mitchell!"

George was obviously not going to get the hint and leave, so he gently turned them both and laid Annie on the bed while he disentangled himself from her.

"Mitchell! Open this door!"

"Bloody hell!" He said as he got up and pulled his pants on him and looked at Annie who had started to dress as well.

Mitchell opened the door slightly ready to punch George for the interruption.

"What is it George?" He asked clearly irritated and keeping the door half closed to stop his friend from looking inside.

"Look, I really don't want to come in. I guess Annie is in there. But there is a real emergency out here."

"What kind of emergency? Jesus George it's the middle of the night."

"Emergency as we have a couple of vampire callers at our front door right now." George said aggravated.

"Just give me a second." Mitchell said changing his demeanour instantly.