Chapter 3

There she was, as cold and as lifeless as the metal table she was lying on. I had mixed emotions, I didn't know what to feel. Yet, that's how I had been feeling for the past few days. Angry, sad, frustrated, confused; all in one package. I ran my hands over her body, never actually touching her. I laid my hand by my side, wishing there were some way to bring her back, just for Josef.

"Hey, glad you're here. I've got the COD for Simone here," Terrance said as he waltzed in, flipping a page on his clip board.

"Alright, let me have it," I responded, looking back down at her.

"Heart attack," he stated, and my head shot up in surprise.

"What, whoa. Heart attack? That doesn't make any sense," I said, shaking my head. He shrugged and nodded, still staring at the clipboard.

"See, that's what I thought. But, it all checks out. She was in perfect health, I don't understand how she could have died like that either," he answered, writing something down. I studied her body again, wishing there was something else she could tell me. I had already tried seeing her point of view, using what Beth tended to call "flashes". It was blank, not a single image of anything. I sighed, that's all I had left. I needed a drink, or two, I hadn't decided yet.

"Thanks. If you figure anything else out, call me," I finally said, turning and walking through the door. I headed down the hallway, wishing for nothing more than to get home. I heard voices, and then watched as Mick and Beth rounded the corner, in deep discussion about something. Beth saw me and stopped, staring at me as I got closer. Mick looked back at her, and then turned in the direction she was gazing. I walked on past, not saying anything to anyone. Really rude of me actually, but like I cared.

"Abby, what! Where are you going?" Beth called, and I heard her footsteps as she jogged to catch up with me.

"Home. It's the only place to go at this point. Seen the body, the crime scene, and a very depressed co-worker. Just a hint, there isn't a single thing to look at on her, Mick. Fair warning," I replied, not slowing. Beth grabbed my wrist, trying to use her body weight to stop me. I could have dragged her all the way back to my apartment and not noticed a thing, though it would not be a pleasant experience for either of us. I rolled my eyes and stopped, turning around and facing her. She stared right back, intent on figuring out what I was doing.

"Don't lie. You're going somewhere, and I want to know where," she demanded, Mick walking up behind her.

"What do you mean there's nothing on her?" Mick asked, Beth jumping a little.

"There's nothing to see. She's blank," I answered, looking over Beth's shoulder at him.

"Hey! I'm trying to make a point here!" Beth said playfully, still watching me. I rolled my eyes again, turning on my heel. Josef turned the corner, and I nearly stopped dead. Except for the fact that I'm a super sexy vampire, and nothing phases me. Nothing is supposed to, anyway. I kept on walking, right past him and to the corner, turning it with ease. Now, believe it or not, that took talent. I headed to the main entrance, Josef suddenly flooding my thoughts. Great, he's probably going to be there for a while, I thought. It had been a few days since the incident at Mick's, and I hadn't actually talked to anyone. I'd get through my day and review everything about Simone's case in my mind during my shift. Simple, no time for unneeded thoughts.

"Where are you going?" I slowed to a stop, trying to fight the urge to let my flight instinct kick in and whisk me away. I shrugged, not turning to face him.

"I'm sure you've heard, but I'm going home," I replied simply, and heard his footsteps as he approached me from behind.

"Really?" Josef asked genuinely, and I nodded. Sure was, at least that was my plan...

"Yes." He stopped and I felt his breath on my neck, which was pleasantly warm.

"Why don't we talk?" he whispered, a small chill running up and down my spine. Yes, God, did I want to talk. Thought I really didn't want to discuss what had happened between us, which is what he meant.

"I've got some good reasons," I murmured, and he chuckled quietly.

"Still finding those loop holes?" Okay, that's just rude. You don't tell someone that they're avoiding something, they obviously know or they wouldn't be doing it.

"So what if I am?" I retorted. I heard his suit wrinkle slightly as he shrugged, his body a little closer to mine.

"Not much I can do, except hope you'll decide to drop whatever plans you've got and come with me," he replied quietly, and I sighed.

"What plans?" I asked, and he laughed again. He stepped up beside me, holding out his arm. I looped mine through his, praying the heel of my shoe would break off so he might carry me. We stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, Josef shielding his eyes from the bright rays. I would die before I let that light be taken away from me, and I'm being literal.

"I guess I'll follow you over there?" I asked, looking towards my car. He nodded, walking me across the street. I reached into my purse and grabbed my keys, the vehicle beeping softly when I unlocked it. It was a nice car, a Koenigsegg CCX. So, maybe it was an amazingly sexy beast of the road. But hey, just details, right? He reached down and opened the door for me, but the door did most of the work as it lifted up slowly. I sat down lightly, letting him close the door. I placed the key in the ignition and listened as it purred to life, I rolled down my window, staring up at Josef.

"It's all you, then," I said, and he smiled. I waited after I had buckled up, looking for him. He pulled up next to me a few minutes later, sporting a red Ferrari. I shrugged, letting him pull ahead so I could follow. I knew where he lived, but I thought I might give him the comfort of thinking that I didn't stalk him from time to time.

"Where do you think she was going?" Beth asked Mick as they headed down the hall to the morgue, falling in step with each other.

"She said she was going home, don't you believe her?" he asked back, and she shook her head. She didn't, and that's only because of the way she had been acting ever since the shifts had started for watching Ben.

"No, not today," she replied as they walked into the cold room, Terrance standing over Simone's lifeless form. She looked perfectly fine, except for the dead part.

"Do you have the COD?" Mick asked Terrance, and he nodded.

"Yeah. She died of a heart attack," he answered, and Beth blinked in shock. Heart attack? Simone was Beth's age, how was that possible? Maybe Beth needed to eat more Cheerios, jeez.

"But, how?" Beth asked openly, looking up from Simone to Terrance.

"I don't know, she was in perfect health when it happened," he replied, and Mick closed his eyes. He was doing that "flash" thing again that Beth never really understood, but she knew to stay quiet while he was doing it. He opened his eyes, sooner than usual.

"There's nothing on her," he murmured, and Terrance nodded once more.

"I know, but I figured you'd want to test that for yourself," he stated and Mick nodded.

"Figure out what happened, alright? Call me when you have something," Mick said and the Hispanic nodded in agreement. Beth took one last look at Simone, leaving more confused than she had come in.

"How is that possible?" Beth asked Mick in a quiet voice once they were out in the hall. He shook his head, probably just as confused as she was.

"I don't know," he said, his voice quiet with thought. She looped her arm in his, leaning on him as they walked down the long hall to the main entrance. She was tired and bewildered, which only made her want to get into bed that much more. She worried, about Abigail and Josef. She was hoping they would talk, but it didn't seem like they would any time soon. She sighed, letting Mick hold the door open for her as she stepped outside. Mick shaded his face from the sunlight, touching the small of Beth's back as they walked to his car. Like a true gentleman, Mick opened her door and helped her in, shutting it lightly behind her. He got in and buckled after she had, looking at her for a moment.

"What?" He shrugged, starting the car and pulling out on to the road.

"Nothing," he replied, and she narrowed her eyes.

"What?" she repeated and he glanced over at her with a smile as they came to a stop at an intersection.

"Nothing, I was just admiring the scenery," he answered, and she smiled at the compliment. They drove in silence after that, and Beth eventually scooted over and laid her head on Mick's shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, just enjoying her touch.

Beth sat up and screamed, her breath seemly caught in her chest. She was in her room, under the covers of her bed. She didn't know how she had gotten there, which scared her. Mick was suddenly there, holding her face in his hands.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft with concern. She nodded, gasping again. There was Abigail, standing in a corner of her room. Her eyes got big when Beth gasped, raising her eyebrows. Mick turned to see was she was looking at, a scowl forming on his gorgeous face.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned, his voice low. She laughed, running a hand through her pretty brunette hair.

"Well, I was coming to visit her and I heard a deafening shriek. I thought it would be smart to come in here and see what was going on," she snapped, crossing her arms. She glanced at Beth, as if to say are you okay, because that was not normal.

"I'm fine," Beth murmured to Abigail, and she nodded. Mick turned from Abigail back to Beth, rubbing his thumb on her cheek.

"I'm going, this is too awkward for me," Abigail stated, walking out the door. Beth grabbed Mick's wrist, looking past him.

"Wait! What were you doing here?" Beth called, knowing that she probably didn't drop by for a friendly visit. Abby poked her head back in the doorway, a smile on her face.

"I figured out why Simone had the heart attack." Mick let go of Beth and turned, waiting for her to continue. "She was scared to death, literally," she finished. Beth's mouth slowly dropped open, and Abigail nodded.

"That's crazy," Beth whispered, and Abigail chuckled.

"Yeah, well so is believing that vampires exist. So, in truth it's entirely believable," Abby responded, making Beth smile. She seemed to know how to make Beth smile in a bad situation, and this was one of the top three.

"I guess you're right," Beth replied, and Abigail's smile faded.

"You guess? How about you know? Jeez, you'd think I'd get a least a pat on the back for this one," she said, her voice fading as she walked into the living room. Beth sighed, and Mick looked at her.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Mick asked again, and she nodded.

"I just don't know how I got in here," she murmured, and Abigail laughed from the other room.

"One guess! You fell asleep in the car, he carried you in all sweet like because he didn't want to wake you up!" Abigail called, and Beth stared at Mick. He smiled and shrugged, and she giggled.

"Okay, I have a request! Don't do anything until I leave! I don't want to hear any of it!" Beth laughed, and Mick just shook his head.

"But, that's the best part!" Beth responded, Mick looking horrified.

"You disgust me," Abigail said, standing at the foot of the bed. Beth fell back on to her pillows, a huge smile on her face.

"I tend to do that a lot," she replied, and Abigail nodded.

"Yes, regretfully. So many damn fantasies," Abigail grumbled, Mick glancing down at Beth, making her laugh out loud.

"She was just kidding, oh my God," Beth gasped, and Mick just stared at her.

"I'm gone! I'm leaving! Enjoy your passionate sex!" Abby called from the entry.

"I'll be sure to give you a blow by blow tomorrow!" Beth yelled back, and Mick's eyes got big.

"Sure, I doubt that!" Beth heard the front door close as Abby left, making her sadden a little. Beth patted the bed, and Mick laid down beside her. She knew he couldn't sleep, but she liked cuddling in his arms. She let Mick's slow breathing lull her to sleep, the rest of her dreams that night pleasant.