Alone

Henry sat in his chair thinking about what had happened in the park. Tonight Vicki had to feed and left him alone for the first time since that night. Vampire still remained hidden, but at least he was aware it existed. Mike had given as much information as he could to Jamus and Lana. They were even now tracking down all the recent rumors about the park. Vicki had spent every minute of the past few nights doing Internet research on the history of the park and the area. She found old legends and back tracked the way Coreen had. But there was nothing so far to give a clue as to what had happened or why. Henry had contacted Augustus to see if someone in Europe had the names of the oldest vampires that would talk with him. He tried to reach is old friend Dr. Sagara but she had not returned his call. He was a little less tired but everything else remained the same. Vicki's unconditional love left him speechless. She gave with her entire being and asked nothing in return. She helped him bathe, she helped him dress, and walked with him to the chair where he spent his nights. Every hour she gave him drops of her blood and sips of water. She did everything in her power to make him comfortable. He had no strength to give anything in return. She said it wasn't necessary. She could feel his vampire and that was more than enough to give her hope.

He pushed himself up from the chair and made his way to the nearest mirror to study his face. He thanked God that he did not see his father's aged diseased bloated face staring back. He never saw his father again after his own 'death' but read detailed histories of Henry VIII and his last days. He got himself back to his chair. He fell back, out of breath, joints aching, and heart pounding. This is what it felt like to be old. Betrayed by your own body. He hated it and wished it would end. Another lesson in life to be learned. It took 500 years coming, but it was valuable non the less. Growing old was not for the weak. It took courage to face it. Love was even sweeter for the old. He never understood that, when he watched his lovers age. Seeing him young, while their bodies ached, they still gave their hearts to him. He saw Vicki's love for him. His prayed that he was as kind to those long gone as she was to him now.

Vicki allowed her self to cry now that she was alone. She had not cried from the moment she helped Henry into the apartment. But now the tears were given free reign as they poured down her cheeks. A few seconds more, then she would wipe them away and hunt. Tonight would be filled with all the vampire needed to live. Giving sex and taking blood to recharge herself so that she could feed Henry. She walked the streets looking for someone special. There would be an aura about the one that had passion to spare and a liberal attitude about sex. Tonight was about blood, passion and hot sex. There he was, angry over being rejected, marching down the street toward her. She pulled up vampire power and purred the words he wanted to hear. Handsome, desirable, a stud waiting to prove his manhood. She led him to the alley and let him have her body. When he was in a frenzy of movement she took his blood. He lay there panting as she walked from the darkness holding the torn blouse closed over her breasts. She needed one more this night. Back alleys behind bars were great hunting grounds if you didn't mind the smell of urine or vomit. Her vampire didn't mind. Vampire also didn't mind it's food having one drink to many. Drunks were easy to handle. The second meal didn't even demand sex. All he wanted was a shoulder to cry on. She held him and offered soothing words, then took her fill. She left him with a feeling of hope that tomorrow would be better.

As she walked back to the apartment her cell phone rang. Lana was excited. The man that helped , the one she thought of as Royce, in the park, had been found. He was willing to talk. Vicki asked Lana to send the full report by e-mail, and schedule an appointment in the office tomorrow night. Vicki made a mental note to give both Jamus and Lana extra in their paychecks. They hadn't questioned her changes in work assignments nor the unexplained illness of Royce that needed investigation.

Vicki opened the apartment door and was relieved to see Henry in the chair awake with a hint of a smile. His eyes were brighter and the tremors had stopped. She walked over to him and kissed him gently on the lips, "you're going to feed deeply tonight. Don't even try to argue." He saw the torn blouse and knew she gave herself for blood to feed them both. He hated the vampire for what it made her do. What he felt now was what human Vicki had felt every time she knew Henry had fed. He was feeling human, weak and vulnerable. He was not being spared any emotion. He wondered how could anyone have lived with him knowing what he had to do to survive. He felt the pain of everyone of his human lovers in that moment. Henry shook off the weight of his thoughts and said, "Has anyone ever told you you're a bossy woman?" He pushed himself up from the chair and announced, "I'm hungry." Vicki offered a helping hand. He pushed it away, "No let me try on my own." He used the back of the chair then the wall to brace himself as he walked to their room. "See I am getting stronger." His voice still wavered and his gait slow, but even last night he could not do this much.

She blinked a few times as she watched his painful progress, "Yes you are. Let me help you. I want you strong enough for some loving after you feed."

He rested his forehead on hers for just a moment before sitting on the bed, "You'll have to be on top. I'm going to have to be a passive partner."

"Partner is what I want. Can you bite my wrist or shall I use the knife?"

Henry's eyes darkened, "No fangs. I want to feed from your breast." He placed a finger on a blue vein near the nipple, "Here." She handed him the knife so that he could open the vein. He very carefully made a shallow nick, and watched the blood well up. He placed his lips to her breast and suckled like a greedy newborn. He looked up into her eyes as his tongue milked the breast. She smiled down at him as she felt her life giving fluid passing from her to him. She stroked the back of his head and thought again how much she loved him. Finished, he sighed in satisfaction as he lay flat on the bed. Vicki felt his erection in her hand and positioned herself and guided him into place. With slow rhythmic movements she brought them both to climax. Fed and loved, Henry greeted dawn with hope in his heart. Vicki greeted the same dawn with the determination of a woman that would fight even death for the man she loved.

She woke first. Kept her eyes closed and listened for Henry. His breathing was easier and his heart strong. Feeling relief she opened her eyes and turned her face toward him. He was so still. Not awake yet. She studied him closely from head to toe and made note of all the changes. Everything about him looked better. Skin smoother and more supple. Age spots fading. Wrinkles starting to smooth out. His hair was still white, and his facial features not as sharply defined as before. But she could see her Henry coming back. She was looking at his feet when she heard him ask, "Do I pass inspection Sargent?"

"Detective not Sargent. Yes you pass minimum standards. More work to do yet, but you're improving." Getting dressed she told him about Lana's call and the possible appointment with the man from the park.

"I'll listen from up stairs. I don't want to be seen."

Vicki sat cross legged beside Henry's chair with his laptop working on the latest question. The e-mail from Lana stated the man would not leave his shelter, but he would talk to Vicki on the phone, tonight about 10 PM. When the cell started ringing at 8:45 she was a bit surprised but answered, "Nelson investigations."She shook her head no in Henry's direction as she heard Mike's voice. "Yes, come over. No don't bring Chinese. I've eaten. So has Henry. Yes he is." She broke the connection and Henry said, "I got most of it. He's coming now?"

"Yes love. You want to stay here or go to our room?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "Stay. He's seen the worst."

The buzzer sounded and Vicki pushed the door release. Mike came up the steps with measured pace dreading what he might see. Vicki standing in the door way block his immediate view of Henry, but as she stepped aside he saw the vampire standing straight, head at an arrogant tilt with one eyebrow raised. The hair was still white, and the face looked well worn, but Henry was back. Mike rushed forward and wrapped his arms around a startled Henry. "You bastard. I still hate you." Henry returned the hug and said, "I know. I trust your hate more than people's mouthing words of friendship. I'm glad to see you honored enemy."

Vicki joined the two in an embarrassingly tender group hug. "I love both of you. Now break it up before this gets sloppy." They each let their eyes focus in a different direction as controls slipped back in place.

Don't give up on me just yet. I working on the ending of this longer than usual short story.

RealTears

"Crap and Damn today's my birthday. Growing old is a bitch and a privilege."