Chapter 3: New Case

Danielle made a few notes as she finished her exam of Lisa and gave her a smile. "All seems well. I'll see you next week."

Lisa rolled down the sleeve of her shirt and headed towards the door. Danielle took her results from both Lisa and Travis and headed into her office to log everything. Josef had agreed for them to be released under the condition they stay in constant contact and come in for weekly follow-ups. The subjects showed no new side effects and were still holding up strong to the sun being in it too long as with any human made them tired but nothing like before.

After finishing logging their blood samples and putting everything in order Danielle sits there and contemplates things. Needing a different prospective than her own she leans over and catches one of the guards eyes, "Would you mind coming in here for a moment?"

The guard came into her office and stood before her desk, "Do you need assistance with anything?"

Danielle smiled, "No I'd just like to talk to you if that's okay. Jacobs right?"

"You can call me Warren," he stood completely still but on full alert.

"Okay Warren please have a seat I was hoping to get your thoughts on some things and it'd be a whole lot easier if you weren't so tense."

He cracked a smile, "That's my job."

"Well I don't have any test subjects here right now and the ferals we tested on in the beginning are locked up securely and one of your co-workers is there with them now."

Warren looked around then took a seat on the small couch in her office facing the door, "What is it you'd like to discuss?"

"What do you think about the work I'm doing here?" Danielle asked earnestly.

Warren thought for a moment before he responded, "I think what you are doing for your friends and family is a wonderful thing but…"

"But…" she wanted to know what he thought.

"I think there are bad vampires in this world just as there are bad humans and they shouldn't be allowed to walk so easily among humans in the day."

Danielle considered his words and nodded, "I had thought the same thing. I can assure you though this isn't to be sold to the highest bidder but a secret, Josef assured me."

"Then it is a fine thing you are doing to help your friends."

"I want to tell them how well it's going, tell them the great news but I'm scared. I don't want anyone to get hurt with this and it's been working well with little side effects for months…but I don't want my friends to be hurt should something happen. How long should I keep it in testing before I allow them to try it?"

Warren looked around the room probably making sure everything was still clear before he responded. "I think its hard for you because they are your friends. Just remember they are vampires so time is something they have plenty of. Perhaps you should treat it as though it were a drug going through the normal stages of trial in the human world."

Danielle smiled at him, "That's about 8 years. I want to give them this gift sooner than that."

Warren smiled, "Then maybe you should ask them. They are responsible for their own choices, give them the risks and benefits and let them make their own choice."

"I might do that," Danielle liked the idea. "Would you take it?"

Warren looked out the window and into the sunny day, "I would. But I have no one to consider but myself. Your friends have loved ones to consider and may be more cautious."

Happy with all he had given her to think about Danielle smiled, "Thank you Warren. I'm getting ready to head out for the day."

He stood from the couch to his full height and gave her a nod before heading out of Danielle's office. After collecting her things Danielle was ready to head home and see the men in her life and maybe get up the courage to talk to Coop about something very important.

After leaving the wedding reception both parties stopped at the loft being close enough so Jean could talk with them about whatever was on her mind. Inside Mick offered everyone a drink as they sat around in the outdoor area under the moon and city lights.

"You said you wanted to talk about a patient," Beth got things started.

"Her name is Grace, Grace Poole. She's a sweet woman who's in an abusive relationship. She's been coming to the clinic at least once a week for the past two months always with a new bruise she tries to hide. She's tried to leave him before but it didn't end well and she's too afraid to try again."

"That's horrible," Beth shivered at the thought unsure how Jean could listen to this constantly. Sure she and Mick dealt with some bath things but it was broken up by cheating spouses and fraud. Mick wrapped his arm around her waist protectively sensing her unease.

"What can we do to help?" Mick offered.

"She comes in mostly for someone to talk to so she doesn't break down in front of him but she won't tell me too much about him. Grace has told me his name is Nolan Poole, he is a fine upstanding and respectable man which is why no one would believe her claims and why she left him back when they lived in Arizona a year ago."

Beth drew in a soft breath before she asked, "What happened when she left before? What made her go back to him?"

"He tracked her down here in LA and put her in the hospital. He was there in the hospital with her after she woke up from her 'mugging' and he had everyone fooled. She had no choice but to stay with him, she was scared."

"You want us to find out what we can on the scum bag. See why her claims wouldn't stick to him?"

Jean nodded at Beth, "Yes please. I'm trying to convince her to leave him again that we can protect her but she's scared."

"Do you have her phone number or address?" Beth asked but seeing Jean shake her head no Beth smiled at her, "It's okay we can track her down."

"Thank you both so much. I'll call you if I learn anything more."

Josef stood up and helped Jean to stand, "I think we should head home." Jean nodded and leaned into him as he encircled her in his arms.

"We'll get started on it first thing tomorrow and call you with anything we find," Beth assured.

Mick and Beth walked Josef and Jean out dropping the glasses in the sink on the way. As Josef and Jean left Beth turned to Mick, "I love you."

Mick grinned, "I love you more."

Beth began unbuttoning his shirt slowly, "I was thinking that with Kayla staying the night with Alice and us already being here we could just stay put."

"That sounds like a brilliant idea…but I think we should move up stairs before I have you pinned against the door," he purred.

Beth felt her body flush at the idea, "Wouldn't mind one bit."

To Be Continued…

Evilous