Dhampir in Disguise

by gempire

As usual the summary is inside to avoid spoilers of previous stories.

16. Chapter 15

Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Noble, Fadewind, Bibika94, Jaboo101, Lsb123, Alphabloodwolf, Alexsandra, Skys the Limit 7507 and BellaNessieCullen

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I drifted in a blessedly dreamless sleep and I would have remained there longer had voices not awoken me.

"…look, so cute." I heard someone observe.

"They're older than us." Someone else replied.

"Liza's not." The first, the woman stated.

I thought I recognised the voices and I opened my eyes to find two familiar faces watching me over the side of the bunk. They were both vampires, both had been teenagers when they'd been changed, both by a vampire who wished to spread discord among our kind, in order to claim America as his own. But there the similarity ended for these two were as different as two people could be.

"You cheating on me?" Noah joked.

"We were never an item." I observed, too groggy to play along for the moment as Jodelle glowered at him in reproach for teasing me.

"I guess. So who's this?" He said, indicating Mal who was starting to stir.

"This is my good friend Mal." I stated.

"He's a dhampir." Jodelle stated authoritively since she had spent time forging relations between the Coalition and the dhampir with Carlisle and Esme.

"Yes." I confirmed.

"Oh! Is this Malachite?" Jodelle asked excitedly.

"Yes." Mal replied. "A very grumpy Malachite who just got waked from a very nice dream."

"Sorry." Jodelle gasped.

"I'm teasing." Mal said, sitting up, although he couldn't sit all the way in the little space the bunk offered. "Yeah, I'm Malachite, but you can call me Mal. Both of you. Whoever you are."

"Oh, how rude of me." I gasped. "This is Jodelle who is travelling with Carlisle and Esme and this is Noah, the newest member of the Denali clan."

"I guess there's a hell of a lot you need to fill me in on." Mal stated.

"Yes." I stated.

"But that will have to wait." Noah stated. "We were told to wait here until you woke up then bring you inside."

"Inside?" I asked, feeling frightful. "Where are we?"

"Tregarran." Jodelle stated.

"Already?" I gasped.

"Yeah. Your dad broke I don't know how many speed laws, plus I guess you needed to really catch up on your sleep." She said with a shrug.

"We did." Mal stated. "Are you gonna show us in then?"

"Yeah. Of course. Not that we're supposed to bring you inside like you're criminals or something, I just thought I'd clarify that cause of how Noah said it. We were supposed to wait here so you know what's going on." Jodelle stated.

"What is going on?" I asked as I lowered myself from the bunk.

"I have no idea." Jodelle said with the shrug. "I think your parents are spending time with Tony and Billie since they haven't see them in a week and you were sleeping anyway. Well I guess it's time for the big family reunion."

I froze and felt my heart skip a beat. Meeting Mother and Father under such dire circumstances had left little room for anything other than relief that I was saved, now I had to face Tony with no distractions. I had to face him and see how much I had hurt him. And what of Billie? What valid explanation could I give for being so unreasonable? This was going to be bad.

"I'm here if you need me to be." Mal said as he took my hand.

"Thank you Mal." I said, giving his hand a squeeze. "However I owe my family the courtesy of meeting them alone. I chose to leave them on my own, I must apologise alone."

"Ok. I guess I could talk to some of the others. Or maybe have a shower, or maybe a nice bath. That would be nice to just unwind after all that running." He mused.

"Perhaps Noah you would be so kind as to show Mal up to my room. I believe it is the only one not in use at the moment. You will not be disturbed there." I assured him.

"You'll let me in your room like that?" Mal asked, sounding touched by my offer.

"It is the only one I can think is free with the wolves here too." I stated, not specifying that I would have offered him my room regardless for he was kind enough to share his private space with me, it was only right that I return the favour. "There is the spa of course, but that is downstairs and one can hardly relax in the bath if there are people talking outside the door." I expanded to further bury my desire to know what he thinks of my room.

"I guess." He conceded, although the look he gave me was questioning and intense. "And you really don't mind?"

"Not at all." I assured him.

"Have you got any bubble bath?" He asked, back to his old playful self.

"A whole selection, try any you wish." I stated.

"Got any good reading material? The police impounded all my books."

"Noah, could you take Mal via the library?" I asked.

"Sure thing Miss Liza." Noah said, "I'll take Mal to your room through the library. Jodelle can take you to your parents, I think everyone else is meeting in the rec room."

"They can't decide what to do with Alec just yet." Jodelle added. "It's difficult cause he's Volturi."

"Ex Volturi." I corrected. "Although still it is a delicate matter with the Volturi. Even if Alec left under bad terms, to raise a hand against him without the Brothers' permission may prove bothersome. And we must also take into account the fact that regardless of what he has done; he is Jane's twin. She will feel conflicted over this, I can assure you."

"I guess there is a lot to take in." Jodelle conceded. "So shall we get going?"

"Yes." I agreed.

Although I had said to Mal we should separate, I still took comfort from his presence while I could and I kept hold of his hand as we left the RV. We emerged into the garage and I thought it best to enter through the kitchen door.

Mal let out a whistle.

"Now I can see why you complained about my little kitchen." He observed. "I feel like I'm in the back of a restaurant."

"Is it not the most perfect place to create culinary delights?" I asked.

"Definitely." Mal agreed.

"Now we must separate." I stated although I felt truly opposed to the idea. "I wish to meet with my parents before anyone else and I will have more success doing this if I use the south staircase. However to go via the library you will have to use the back stairs."

"Ok. I'll be in your room if you need me." He stated as he let my hand go.

"Goodbye Malachite." I whispered.

"Don't say that like we're never gonna see each other again." He said softly as he brushed my cheek momentarily with his fingers. "You're going for a reunion with your family. It's not something that will kill you. It's something that will help you, and help your family. I think you've learned that you need them over the last couple of days."

"Most definitely." I agreed.

"Then stop worrying and I'll see you later." He said and kissed my head. "So Noah, you'll show me the way but?"

"But what?" Noah asked with a frown.

"Oh it's just like friend." Mal explained as Noah led him toward the back stairs.

"Oh right…"

Their conversation continued on up the stairs.

"I can go alone from here Jodelle." I stated once I was sure the boys were in the library. "I know where Mother and Father is, and I know where Tony is, it is Tony I shall seek out first. Something, which he already knows." I explained as I felt his mind fully after so long.

Brother dear, how could I have left you so? I have been lost without you. It was not thoughts, merely a truth my heart knew as surely as my head knew Tony was up in the playroom and he wanted a meeting in the Secrets Fort.

"Thank you for your help Jodelle, but now I must go on alone." I stated.

"Yeah. Well I hope everything goes well Miss Liza, I know how close you and Tony are." She stated.

"Thank you Jodelle." I said and hugged her, "And how many times do I have to ask you to call me Liza?"

"I know, but that's what I always hear people call you, Miss Liza." She stated.

"Only those who do not know me. But you are family; you do not need to be formal. And I am stalling, I really must go." I stated.

I left the kitchen without further ado, up the north staircase as opposed to the south as I'd originally planned. The north staircase led onto the end of the first floor corridor that contained Tony's room and my room on the right and the playroom on the left. This meant that I had to walk through the laundry room and on doing so I was glad for I remembered that I was wearing nothing more than Mother's t-shirt and it would be highly improper to conduct important conversation dressed thusly. Folded on top of the dryer ready for ironing was the cargo-pants I had worn during my sojourn in the desert. Already washed and dried they were exactly what I needed to be more decent whilst talking to my brother and parents.

Once I had pulled on the pants, I climbed the stairs, every creak familiar and welcoming. I could have moved up here with my eyes closed and still known when I reached the first floor. I stepped out and walked toward the playroom.

I paused at the door a moment, tapped it gently, and then stepped in.

Tony was sat in the Secrets Fort; he registered my presence although he didn't look up. I closed the door and approached him slowly, it was clear he would not open the conversation, and since I was the prodigal returned I should be the one to make the effort. As I drew nearer I caught the hint of what Tony intended me to do, it was as if we had never been apart as our minds flowed together once more. They were swirling, combining, becoming whole again.

I sat beside him on his left and I placed my hand in his.

So? He asked.

I am an idiot. I stated.

Yep. He agreed.

A fool. The biggest brat one could ever imagine. I should not have behaved so. How could I think that Mother wished to replace me? The timing was wrong yes, but I should have known better. I should have stopped to think instead of riding my wave of anger. I stated.

All that is bad yeah, but it's Mom and Dad you have to apologise for that. As for me, well you owe me an apology too. But it's not for your brattish behaviour. It was the fact you didn't trust me Sis. All you had to do was look into my mind and you'd know I wasn't betraying you. It hurt big time you could think that of me. Tony said solemnly, and I felt a new wave of self-disgust that I hurt my brother so.

I'm sorry Tony. I thought as I looked to him. I am sorry for not trusting you and putting myself beyond your reach when you needed me most. I am sorry that I put myself beyond your reach when you needed my comfort when Grace was ill.

You phoned to check. That counted for a lot. Tony stated. Mom said that it would have taken a lot of effort on your part to swallow your pride and phone home because you were worried about me. Mom understands your anger, even when it's irrational.

Mother knows me well, but not as well as you. You are right Tony, I should have spoken with you that day, but it was… I was… It was the last thing I was expecting Mother and Father to announce. I stated as I tried to reason out my thoughts at that time.

Why? Didn't you think they'd never want another kid? Tony asked, perplexed.

Do you remember that day? I asked instead.

Course I do. It was the day before our eighteenth birthday. Tony observed.

Yes. While you were busy wondering when was the best time to inform Grace, I had other things on my mind. And… I will show you…

"Look Sis, I've had a bad experience on the dreamscape of late. I don't want to go there just yet." Tony said and his fear was genuine.

"Fear not Tony, I will show you in the manner we used to share memories before learned of the dreamscape." I stated.

"So you'll just think it at me?" Tony asked.

"Yes." I assured him, and then proceeded to do so.

That day before our birthday was hot, so very hot. It would not have merited a mention in other locations for it was late August, but for us in that clouded land it was worth the remark. I was finding the heat more unbearable for it was that certain time. You know how I am during that week.

The heat so unbearable and that imminent moment was fast approaching when I would have to tell Kaimana we were not to be. I would say goodbye to him, and then I would say goodbye to my family for at least three months. Yes we would have contact, but I would be so far away. I would not have the connection.

I was reconsidering my decision to go so far, but I took it as part of growing up. I could bear it for I knew my family would be there for me should I have need of them.

I was feeling so low that day, and the prospect of Mother's news cheered me. It got me through that day as I tried not to think of the future ahead. What could Mother possibly tell us? That her and Father were going on a true honeymoon since they have never had one? That they had signed up to Riverside and would accompany me? Or Mother in the very least for I realised such a thing would be impossible for Father. There were so many things I considered, but they were all of Mother and Father finally living the life stolen from them by the Volturi. That they would be that young couple in college, or setting up in a career. If babies factored in it was in the future, after they had experienced the twenty something lifestyle.

I was feeling down, so very hot, my only relief were these imaginings. I was in no frame of mind for the news. Although I did not react at first, surely you remember that?

Mother and Father met us in Rose Cottage and we sat down side by side as we do now. As we always have. Mother was sprightly with her nerves, yet ensuring she kept a firm hold on both her own and Father's thoughts.

"The reason we brought you here." Mother announced. "Is because of a promise I made you years ago Liza."

It did not even register to me what promise she referred to. I had clean forgotten that time I had begged of her to give me prior knowledge that she planned another child. When I requested it I was worried that now back, Mother would wish for a baby to make up for the time she missed with us. I was unable at that time to consider sharing our parents' love with another child when we hadn't long had them back for ourselves.

"Do you remember Lamb? You said that if I ever planned to have another kid I should warn you to get used to the idea?" Mother prompted when my confusion was evident, but I recalled it in that moment and I felt the first suspicion take me.

"You are pregnant?" I asked.

"Not yet." Mother stated. "We wanted to tell you both first to keep the promise I made."

"I really don't need to know about that." You replied. "To think of my parents… Just get on with it, we don't need the details."

And Mother laughed at your reaction while I started to fear.

"When do you plan this babe? Next summer?" I ventured. "It will give me ample time to adjust."

"We were thinking a little sooner." Mother replied. "As soon as."

"But… Are you sure you're not already with child?" I demanded for I could hardly be angered if this was the case.

"No Liza, we have kept our word to you." Father stated. "We are informing you of our intentions ahead of time."

"And you will set about this immediately?" I asked.

"Well not right this second." Mother joked, but none of you seemed to understand what I found upsetting.

To be honest, in that moment I was unsure myself of why I felt saddened by such news. It would be nice for Mother and Father to have the experience of rearing a child from the get go, but there were so many objections I felt. Yet I could not name them in that moment, I was too shocked by the news. I could not explain the hurt I felt.

All I recall for the rest of that conversation was muttering along in agreement and then we left to stay at the house that night in order to celebrate our birthday as usual. As I settled that night the thoughts whirred in my head, settling into a pattern that seemed so rational at the time.

They began to build in my mind. Mostly it was one question that seemed to demand being answered. Why now?

Why did Mother choose now? Why now when I would not be at Tregarran, or even close enough to run home in an emergency? Why now when I was embarking on something I would not be able to get out of? Why now that I would be away and unable to be with Mother and Father and you through all of it?

I would be stuck in California, not part of the family, I felt, I felt then that I was being replaced. I was being excluded, to be replaced. That was how my mind seemed to make sense of the situation. Why else would Mother choose to rush into this rather than wait until I was able to be present? Even if Mother had promised to wait to time the birth to take place during Christmas it would have been something, but she had said as soon as possible. What was the rush unless she was already with child? The rush was to exclude me and to replace me.

I know it makes no sense, but at the time it did and it grew within my mind all through the day of our birthday. Into the next when I overheard Mother and Father planning to redecorate the nursery. To decorate Tony! That is my forte is it not? I would have decorated that room and made all new soft furnishings. I would have had you carve any wood I should need. I would have made a perfect place for our sibling, but even that I could not do. For there was no time before my departure and if Mother and Father went ahead with their plan then our sibling would be here before I returned for Christmas, possibly even Thanksgiving.

I lost my temper and stormed away, vowing to never speak to my family again. Who knows how long I would have kept up that silly show if I had not sensed your distress, and possibly if Mal had not been there slowly eroding my conviction without my knowing. Or if I had not needed rescuing because of my own folly.

"It was folly." Tony stated. "You were a fool not to talk to me Sis, I could have set your mind right. You know how much better off we are when our minds are working together."

"I know, but at the time you had Grace on your mind, I didn't wish to intrude on that at first, then started to resent you for not seeing my pain." I gave my brother an apologetic look. "I'm sorry to have thought so badly of you."

Tony gave me a level look for a long moment before he smiled minimally.

"You were irrational at the time, and I guess I was a little preoccupied. Let's say we both dropped the ball in our twinship that day. But you more than made up for it, feeling my agony over Grace all them miles away." He stated.

"Not as much as your sending your spirit form all those miles to save me. It is true!" I gasped in wonder. "You went beyond what you thought your powers were to save me! Oh brother, I owe you more than I could ever possibly give." I declared as I embraced him.

You don't owe me anything Sis. He said as he returned my embrace. As long as you promise me one thing.

Anything. I exclaimed.

Then please don't put us through anything like this again. He pleaded. I'm not talking about the trouble with Alec; that probably would have happened anyway since there's only so much we can do over that distance. I'm talking about those months of worry where there wasn't a single word from you. Where we only knew you were alive by tugging on my end of the twin bond and feeling it's still taut.

This will never happen again brother. I promise. I said as I hugged him closer. If this time has taught me anything it's that I am only half a person without you. I do not think as clearly as I can when I am bonded to you. My mind will not think right.

Same here Sis. I panic a lot more than usual cause I haven't got your mind to dip into.

"Do you wonder if perhaps our symbiosis may hinder us if we are to live separate lives?" I asked, a little perturbed by the idea that Tony and I may never live autonomously from each other.

"I think it's more to do with the fact that you were pushing me away in your mind. You were wilfully trying to keep me out of your mind. I think that might have been the destabilising factor." Tony stated.

"That could be it." I mused. "Plus there is something I have learned." I added excitedly, ready to share my news with my twin.

"Learned?" He asked, and he had not been informed of what Mal had divulged.

"About me." I said, pulling away from Tony to look up at him. "Something we have never considered, although it makes such sense now. Even as children did you not note the fact that you lost some control of your power when we were apart?"

Tony frowned for a moment, then his eyes widened in wonder.

"You boost powers." He stated.

"Mal thinks I do." I replied.

"And whatever he says must be true?" Tony asked, scrutinising my face and mind.

"What he said makes sense." I said firmly. "I allowed him to walk through solid rock."

"How do you know he couldn't before?"

"Because it was not part of his power." I snapped somewhat. "It is beyond his normal capability, but it is a logical advance on his powers don't you think?"

"Yeah, but what are you saying exactly? You're some kind of powerhouse? That you boost people's powers?" He asked and I wondered if he had heard me correctly the first time.

"That's exactly what I'm saying." I stated.

"So how come nobody else has ever noticed?" He demanded.

"That was my question, but your power has always fluctuated, and none of our family have ever had to push their power beyond their capability in my presence." I explained.

"Ok. So say all that was possible, how come Eleazar never noticed you had a power?"

"That would be interesting to find out." I mused. "But I trust Mal when he says I enhance power. Tell me Brother, what would he gain if what he told me was a lie?"

"Well I know you've always secretly liked to have a power, but it's more a passing regret that you haven't got one." Tony conceded. "You're not really jealous of powers so it's not a way someone would curry favour with you. I guess he wouldn't really gain anything from it. In fact he'd more likely lose your respect if he lied to you in such a way."

"Exactly." I said with a smile.

"I guess it does explain why my powers are more stable when I'm around you, after all, I have more control when I got more juice." Tony mused, and then gasped. "When I was spirit walking to try and save you, it was really hard for me to pull away from my body over that distance. But when I got nearer you I suddenly found that extra something. I put it down to being on the other end of the twin bond so I gravitated to your body instead of my own, but that doesn't explain why I slingshot back into my mind so fast I ended up in Volterra."

"Volterra?" I asked, but there was no need for Tony to answer for we were still connected and I saw the nightmare land to which he had been subjected.

It was such a horrible world, one where we had all succumbed to something or other. Father had succumbed to death. Mother had succumbed to Esther-Marie. Tony had succumbed to despair, when he wasn't 'dreaming' of our true reality. I…I had succumbed to Alec's charm and to all the glory of evil. What a cold, heartless person I was in that world. Was it possible that person was in me? I was so cold and delighting in the despair of others.

I would not be that person! I had to avoid becoming her at all costs. The first step was to earn my family's forgiveness, to prove to them that I can be a loyal member again. This little excursion had been a moment of teenage rebellion and I would not allow my temper to take me to such extremes again. It was time for a more positive Liza, a Liza who had a more serene attitude to life. I should be more like Tony, able to take a step back and think of the trivial, only losing my temper over something worthwhile. Such as if Mother had Alphaed me.

"Mother Alphaed you?" I asked aghast.

Tony did not want to admit it, but he couldn't hide the fact from me.

"Oh dear! It is all because of me!" I exclaimed.

"Mom just wanted to keep me safe." Tony insisted.

"But that want would not have been there had it not been for me. If I had just asked you all to help me when the police first started questioning me. But I was innocent and there was no proof to link me to Malcolm's murder." I protested. "Then that video was sent to them anonymously…"

"Oh god, that is incriminating." Tony observed as he saw the video in my mind. "And the cop knew what you were?"

"Not exactly." I stated, and I replayed the moment Hickman had confronted me to Tony.

"He found out cause his girlfriend was killed by the Chiang Shih?" Tony asked.

"He became suspicious enough to start investigating any strange death and he seems to know a little about vampires. Enough to get him killed. I think it is time he had a full education."

"You can't just go tell him Eliza, you'd be breaking so many laws, not to mention what it might do to his mind." Tony warned me needlessly.

"Detective Marvin Hickman is a tough old cookie, he has seen every type of monster you care to name, but he has no true knowledge of vampires." I stated. "Only enough to be a danger. I will petition the Coalition Council, possibly bend Jane's ear beforehand."

"That's a good way to get him killed." Tony remarked.

"On the contrary, I wish to save his life by making him an ally."

"What do you mean?"

"I have heard them speak of a desire to try and integrate our people into law enforcement in order to intercept vampire crimes. Here is a detective, well respected within the LAPD and has some knowledge of vampires. We'll have no need to convince him of our existence, only that we are working for the good of mankind and he could be a big help to us by sending any cases of interest our way." I explained.

"I guess it could work." Tony conceded. "It all depends on how much Hickman will believe you. He might be pissed that you set someone else up for the fall."

"We set Gobbo up for only one crime, everything else he has confessed to is his own doing. He would have gone on killing if it had not been for us." I stated.

"He really was a murderer?" Tony asked in astonishment.

"Yes." I confirmed.

"But you didn't know that before you picked him as your scapegoat." Tony said pointedly.

"He had attempted to murder Mal and I." I replied as I showed Tony the image of the night Gobbo and Trick attacked us.

Tony laughed.

"That was not a funny moment." I stated.

"Sorry, I was just thinking, you know, small girl who doesn't look like much, wipes the floor with those two ass-holes. Maybe you should start using Buffy. I mean you're already using Summers."

I laughed too, realising the joke.

"Oh but that would give the game away." I said with a grin.

"Probably." Tony replied, grinning also.

Then my grin turned into a genuine smile as I realised something.

"I am home." I declared. "I am finally home and back in the place I belong. I am whole again."

"Yeah. I know what you mean Sis; it is like being a whole person again. And since we're back on an even keel I think it's time to introduce a new element."

"I don't think I'm quite ready." I said, feeling my stomach clench as I tried to think up valid explanations.

"She's been anxious to see you ever since you got back but I wanted to talk to you first." Tony continued.

"I need more time." I protested.

"No time like the present, and she's just in the nursery waiting."

"But what do I say?" I gasped.

"I'm sure you'll think of something." Tony said with a reassuring smile as he tapped my hand. "You can come in now." He called.

I heard the door that connected to the nursery open and I turned around slowly, but even before I saw her I knew it wasn't Billie, I had felt that in Tony's mind. He had been teasing me somewhat, making up a little for the hurt I had caused him. And generally being my annoying brother. It was good to be home.

It was strange to look upon Grace as I stood to my feet, drifting toward her as she came into the room. I looked up at her, into her blue eyes, enhanced more than they had been, which seemed beyond possibility for they had always been such a vivid sky blue. Even hidden behind her glasses her eye colour had always stood out, but now they were more than striking, like blue topaz caught in bright sunlight. Her eyes may not have changed colour, but there was definitely change there, one I was sure humans would notice. She had always been pretty, but now there was a change that had left her beautiful, almost exquisitely so. As beautiful as a vampire and I would have liked to know what humans thought of her transformation.

"It is good to see you again Grace." I said.

"It's good to see you too." Grace replied in flat tones. "How could you do that to everyone?"

"I was being a selfish brat." I said humbly as I dropped my head. "I know that now, possibly I knew it at the time, but I am a prideful selfish brat and I could not admit that I had over reacted. It was so very wrong of me and I cannot stress how sorry I am."

"Ok." Grace said, giving me a careful look. "Why did you send me your phone number?"

I frowned, wondering what significance this had. Then a scenario occurred to me and I felt a little sick of myself.

"Perhaps you think it was some attempt on my part to bring you and Tony back together. As though I hoped that my telling you not to give it to Tony you would contact him to find out why I had asked you not to give it to him. Had that been true how easier our reunion would be, but the truth is that I took some delight in the thought that I could correspond with you when Tony could not. I felt betrayed by him at the time and drew some comfort from the fact that I could communicate with his beloved when he could not. But my feelings of betrayal are no excuse, it was a nasty wicked thing I did."

"It was a very horrible thing." Grace said coldly. "But, you admit it and you didn't try to cover it up with some half baked scheme to get me talking to Tony again. I admire your honesty, and that's a big step in the right direction."

I nodded.

"Welcome home sister." Grace said warmly as she pulled me into a hug.

I went to comment on if she was feeling ill at first for she felt warmer than usual, then I remembered that she should feel warmer. She was dhampir now and it was evident in the pace of her heart, the warmth of her skin and her scent. Her scent was so similar to how it was, but there was something extra about it now, something I couldn't quite place.

"Of course this does bring my behaviour into scrutiny." Grace observed.

"How so?" I asked as I pulled away and we went to sit back by Tony, although I sat opposite them now.

"Why didn't I get in touch with Tony after I got your e-mail?" She asked. "I thought it was weird that you'd tell me not to give it to Tony since you're so close, why didn't I contact Tony to find out why?"

"I think." I said carefully as Tony frowned slightly. "That you are certain of the bond Tony and I share and there would never be a time we wouldn't wish to communicate with each other. I believe that deep down there was a part of you that thought it was a ploy to have you speak to Tony again and so you dismissed it."

"That could be it." Grace conceded. "I really didn't want to get in touch with Tony because it was so hard to just read an e-mail from him without thinking about what we were missing out on. It was hard to find him in my inbox when I wanted to find him in my…" Grace broke off abruptly and cleared her throat nervously. "Probably not something his twin sister wants to hear." She conceded.

"No. Tony and I agreed long ago that we would keep that part of our lives hidden from each other. It would not do for me to know the ins and outs of my brother's love life. No thank you." I said with a shake of my head. "Now tell me sister, how are you settling into your new skin?"

"Oh, it's interesting." Grace stated. "A lot different from what I imagined, mostly because what I imagined was being cold stone and not warm-blooded and with a beating heart. And when I did imagine it happening it would have been when I was maybe thirty five, we'd had two beautiful kids, possibly a set of twins, but two none-the-less, and I'd be ready to live in eternity with Tony. I would be subjected to the change lying in a nice bed and feeling comfortable and completely ready, and then I'd go through the change and spend eternity with Tony, even if it meant that I could never sleep again."

"But now you have eternity together, but can share your bed in sleep whilst you dream together. You do not have to rush into having children to ensure that there is progeny to appease the wolf for that can come in the future. You have eternity, but you are still warm. Is that not the best outcome we could have wanted from this situation?" I declared.

"Yes." Grace and Tony said as one, but I felt there was some underlying worry, but I couldn't quite follow it and I realised the worry was from Grace and not Tony. I decided I would have to ask her about it, possibly when Tony was not around.

Silence had befallen us in that moment. There was more to say between us, but everything seemed on track with Tony and Grace now. It was time to go and speak with Mother and Father.

"I think I should go face Mother and Father now." I stated. "There wasn't much time to truly talk during everything that happened in Arizona and California, now I must face the music."

"They're not gonna be too hard on you, you got to know that Eliza." Tony said sympathetically as he put his hand on mine.

"I know. But I cannot expect them to throw me a parade either. Some chastisement is in order and I am sure I will receive it." I said solemnly.

"I guess there will be something, but I think Mom and Dad are relieved you're safe and well." Tony stated.

"Yes." I agreed. "I will go see them now. They are in their room." I smiled. "It is wonderful to know where people are without having to search for them again. I had forgotten how useful such a skill is." I mused. "Well I'd best be off. See you on the other side."

"It's not gonna be that bad Sis." Tony said with a smile. "I promise."

"Then I will take your optimism and hope for the best." I conceded. "Goodbye both."

"Bye Liza." They said in return.

I stood, nodded to them, and left the playroom.

I crossed the landing, past all those old portraits, I paused a moment at Father's picture, and looked up into his face. I knew it was Father who would be most disappointed with me for the simple fact that I had hurt Mother badly by running away and I was an adult so I should know better. I was responsible for my actions, and there was nothing I could do, but to own up to them now and face the consequences.

"I will weather any punishment you care to mete out to me Father, provided I am allowed to be a member of this family once more." I stated to the portrait.

"I see no problem with that, provided that you are truly repentant for your crimes." Father said behind me, and I jumped in fright before I turned.

"What can I do to make up for the heartache I caused?" I asked,

"For a start you can come speak with Mother, she is expecting you." Father replied as he motioned toward their bedroom.

I nodded and walked ahead of him across the top of the stairs and along the little walkway that led to the master bedroom at the front of the house. I reached the door and suddenly I knew why Father was behind me.

"You must meet her eventually." He said softly and pushed the door open.

There was nowhere to turn, no excuses left, no way out, I would have to meet Billie now and I had no choice.

Mother was sat on the floor of her bedroom doing a jigsaw. The picture on the box was a map of the United States, which appeared to be very detailed. The outside edges were already done and now she was working her way inwards. However she was not working alone, she had a little helper. A little girl who was hard to place in age other than the fact that she was a toddler. She had hair the same colour as Mother's and it was long and messy, falling out of the elastic that bound it. She was dressed in red dungarees with a white top beneath.

She looked up and her eyes were so very dark, they appeared to look right into my soul.

"You are Liza." She said. "I talked to you on the phone."

"Yes. Yes you did." I said as I managed to find my voice. "And you are Billie, my sister."

"Your hair is not that curly." She observed. "Can you do jigsaws? Mommy brought me one back from the trip. This is where we live. It's called America."

"I can do jigsaws." I replied.

"Then come and help." She said, and tugged at my hand and pulled me down to the floor beside her. "You need to pick up a piece and look at it and then if you see a bit that is similar then you put them together like this."

"Very good." I observed.

"Now it's your turn. That's what I learnt in school. We take turns. Devon said that's how we play properly. Naughty kids don't take turns." Billie announced.

"Devon sounds wise indeed." I stated as I picked up a jigsaw piece while I wondered how Billie had gone to school.

Tony and Grace took Billie to the park in Olympia to try and distract her from the fact me and Tobias weren't here. They ran into a toddlers' group there, and the organiser asked if Billie wanted to join them for the day. Mother explained quickly.

"Devon is very wise." Billie said firmly as she placed another piece in place. "He knows all about bugs and let me hold a ladybug, but I couldn't hurt her cause I had my gloves on. I can't hurt anything when I got my gloves on."

"Of course." I replied. "Do you like insects?"

"They are very interesting. Devon gave me one. Look." She said and pulled a clear block from the front pocket of her dungarees. The block contained an enormous beetle. "It's Devon's favourite bug. It's called a golden stag beetle, or Lamprina aurata."

I asked Billie if she spoke Latin in Latin, but she merely frowned at me.

"You don't speak Latin?" I asked, reverting to English.

"No. I can read the names of the animals, but I haven't learned it properly." She explained.

"I see." I replied. "Would you like to learn it?"

Billie thought about it, and then shrugged. It was clear that she held the same apathy as Tony did to learning new languages. It was fun to be able to name an animal in Latin, but there was no need to learn the whole language. Perhaps I could convince her to learn it, I would have time over the next few weeks before I returned to Riverside.

"Are you going to put that piece down? Cause I know where it goes." Billie stated.

"Oh, thank you." I said as I gave the piece to her.

She placed it down in the jigsaw, and then peered up at me.

"You're not very good at puzzles are you?" She observed.

"I am dreadful." I stated.

"You're not really." Billie countered. "You're just pretending. You are humouring me. I learnt that word yesterday. Isn't it a good word? It means when you pretend to someone to keep them happy and stop them from tantruming."

"That is a very good word." I agreed. "And I was humouring you a little, but only because I want you to like me."

"Why wouldn't I like you? You are my sister Liza, of course I like you. And I am happy to see you now. To see you with my eyes and not in my head cause Tony or Mommy put you there."

"It is good to finally meet you Little Sister." I said with a smile.

"And you are my big sister." Billie cooed and suddenly she was hugging me tight about my neck, her little cheek pressed to mine. "That is what Tony said. Liza is our big sister."

"Tony said I was his big sister?" I asked with a grin.

"Yes. On the day I was born he told me. But you are not that big." She said, pulling away from me and frowning. "You're like Auntie Alice."

"I know. But I am older than Tony; that is what he meant by big sister. Although it is rather amusing don't you think? That Tony would call me big?" I asked.

"Yes. Because you're small." Billie pulled away from me. "Mommy I must go tell Tony all of this."

"Ok Baby. Straight to the playroom now, you know there's a lot of people in the house at the moment." Mother stated.

"I know Mommy. See you soon. I won't be gone long." Billie said in a rush and kissed Mother's cheek.

Billie also spared a kiss for me, and then Father, before she left the room.

"Now may I speak my mind?" Father asked.

"Ok. But you got to admit it's given you time to calm down." Mother replied.

"On seeing our daughters interact I will admit that I'm not as angry as I was, however, Liza, you still acted in a manner most unbecoming." He chastised and I could not disagree.

"I did Father." I said, bowing my head. "I was a horrible person and what I said to Mother and to you is unforgivable. I understand if you wish me to go now."

"Vela, you know I would not ask that of you. And it is not because it would hurt Essie, although it would. I would not banish you because you are my daughter, and you may have had a flight of fancy these last couple of months, but I am not angry because of that. My anger stems from the fear I had that you would be truly lost to us." Father said sadly as he brushed his hand over my crown. "Something that very nearly happened. We would have been most aggrieved if you had died. It is the worry of a parent that causes my anger."

"I know I have done wrong and I hurt you both more than I realised." I stated as I rose to my feet. "Name my punishment Father and I will gladly serve it to show how truly sorry I am." I stated, bowing my head in supplication.

"Now what would be a fitting punishment?" Father mused.

I felt Mother's warning to Father, although I couldn't hear the words used. Father held up a hand as if to ward off Mother's words.

"Now Miss Esther, I allow you to have your way over most matters, but when our children err we must correct them. When they behave in a way as to cause disharmony within the family then they must be punished." Father stated.

Mother went to protest, but fell silent and folded her arms. Her look seemed to suggest that she would tell Father exactly what she thought of his philosophy on punishment once I was elsewhere.

"Elizabeth Black." Father announced in his most formal of voices. "You have caused great heartache amongst our family and you now admit that you overreacted and acted in a most unbecoming manner. You are ready to make amends and this calls for some proof on your part that you are serious about doing so. Therefore I charge you with the duty of cleaning the house from top to bottom."

"When shall I start?" I asked, thinking it a minor punishment all things considered.

"Once our guests have departed." Father stated.

"Yes Father." I replied dutifully.

"And I think something else on top of that." Father expanded. "Something more immediate."

"I will do anything to prove my repentance." I stated.

"Then I forthwith ban you from using the kitchen…" Father began.

"Tobias!" Mother snapped, cutting him off as I felt my heart plummet.

"For the entire duration…" Father continued.

"Tobias!" Mother growled, but he ignored her.

"Of… The… Day." Father said so deliberately slow that I almost missed the last word.

"The day?" I questioned carefully.

"The entire day." Father confirmed. "From now until midnight the kitchen is out of bounds to you."

"Oh Father thank you." I gasped and hugged him. "Thank you for your leniency, and I'm sorry. So very sorry."

"I know Vela." Father said softly as he returned my embrace.

"Well you sure hid that one well Fang Boy." Mother observed.

"You would have given the game away had I told you earlier, Miss Esther." Father replied as he stepped away from me and turned to Mother.

"You had me so convinced that you were gonna tear her a new one." Mother said with a chuckle as she placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Hence using Billie as a buffer?" Father questioned as he placed his hands to her hips.

"I guess you know me too well." Mother said with a laugh.

"Of course I do." He observed before they kissed.

I looked away to give them a moment's privacy.

"So Lamb." Mother said, recalling my attention. "Now that your father has finished 'punishing' you." She added, and using air-quotes around the word 'punishing'. "Why don't we all sit down and you can tell us about your first term at college."

"What would you like to know?" I asked as we three sat down on the floor.

"All about your studies." Mother replied, her face alight with excitement. "And your friends. Dove seemed very fond of you and you said she's your best friend. Was that a 'for human ears' thing, or do you really think that? I want to know what you've been up to over the last three months."

I told my parents everything that occurred, although I made a few minor adjustments. I noticed that they all appeared to surround my affection for Mal. Or at least the extent of my affection for Mal. As I spoke of my friendship with him I felt a reluctance to admit that I would like it to be more, and that we had kissed, on numerous occasions. That I had dreamt of him. It was inappropriate to talk of such things with my parents, but was it wrong to admit I had some feelings for him? I could not speak the words lest he overhear.

"Sounds like you had a good time in between all the excitement." Mother observed.

"I did." I agreed with a smile, for other than the darkness of my own creating I had much enjoyed college.

"And you have made some nice friends after an initial setback." Father stated.

I nodded my head.

"And Mal has proven a worthy confidante?" Father ventured, and I worried about the discretion of his choice of words and the tone with which he used to deploy them.

"Yes." I replied, for Mal was a worthy confidante if he could be nothing else to me. "He protected me when I needed protecting and in his way he was urging me to come home. He even threatened that he would not be my friend but my custodian if I failed to return home for Christmas. I think that was when I realised that I was being a stupid brat. Well I had realised it before, but losing someone else for my foolish pride seemed too much of a burden to bear."

"His opinion is very important to you." Father observed with disturbing insight.

"He is my very good friend, of course his opinion is important." I snapped defensively.

"More important than that of your family?" Father asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

"I was angry with all of you so I was determined to be contrary." I stated, trying hard not to sound confrontational. "Even after I acknowledged that I was in the wrong I could not admit it to you for that would mean admitting I'd acted in an unbecoming manner. It was only through an outsider claiming my behaviour to be reprehensible was I able to take stock."

"Someone who was disconnected from the situation?" Father suggested.

"Yes." I agreed.

"I can see how that would work." Mother conceded.

I nodded.

"And what of you?" I asked. "What has happened in my absence?"

"Three births and a death." Mother summed up.

"Billie. Ebony's son Maurice." I counted, frowned a moment, then smiled as I realised. "And in a poetic sense Grace died and was born once more as a dhampir."

Mother nodded. "Oh yeah, and Tony got outed as Brody to Dannan who works in the store, and I got to schmooze a literary agent."

"I must hear of this." I declared in excitement.

Mother went on to recount the tale of having to pretend to be Tony's sister to give her a reason to stay at the Stables when Grace was still unsure of her control around humans, for her agent had invited himself to stay for the night. It sounded as if it had been immense fun and I wished I had been available to hear of this tale when it was fresh. In Mother's narrative something occurred to me.

"Tony has moved in with Grace?" I asked in a mixture of awe and shock.

"Well they are imprints and they've waited long enough." Mother stated. "And it was gonna happen sooner or later."

"Yes. I just didn't think of them living together. Even though they are clearly a pair now." I stated. "It is clearly a sign that we are adults and can no longer hide behind the mantle of true age."

"You moved out when you were fourteen." Mother reminded me.

"That was more like boarding school." I suggested. "I may have resided in Grandpa Charlie's house during the week, but this was still my home. But now for Tony the Stables is his home. He will come back to visit his parents of course, but there is that shift in dynamic. One I will have to consider soon."

"Well there's no rush." Mother stated. "You can live with us forever if you want."

"That would be nice." I mused. "Although inconvenient when I finally settle upon a mate."

"So you haven't got in touch with Simon then?" Mother asked casually and I had to pause for a moment to think to whom she referred, when I recalled whom Simon was it caused me to feel a nasty little start.

"Oh not yet." I said levelly. "I think it was not meant to be. How can I possibly compete with all the nymphs of Hollywood ready to lay themselves at his feet?"

"I know it can seem a little scary, but if you love him you should go let him know." Mother stated and I knew she was watching my reactions carefully, both facial and mental.

"Yes." I replied, for that was true. "However, I am not ready for him. I'm not ready for anybody." I added the latter as it became apparent that my words suggested there maybe another I deemed worthy.

"Ok." Mother said and she shared communication with Father again.

"I think we have reached an end point in our conversation for now." Father said swiftly. "I am sure you would like to bathe before dinner."

"Yes." I agreed, well aware that I had no other choice.

"Then we shall allow you to do so." Father said as he rose to his feet and offered his hand to me. "Dinner will be served at eight."

I nodded and allowed myself to be swiftly escorted from the room.

I had no idea why the sudden rush and I did not wish to dwell on it. I thought instead of how much I would enjoy a bath. So occupied was my mind that I forgot I had told Mal he could use my bathroom until I was standing in swirling steam and the scent of oriental blossoms.

I paused for a moment in embarrassment, but then I felt curiosity take the place of anything else and I peered through the steam, perhaps I would catch a glimpse of him? Would he be shy? Would I? Perhaps he would invite me to join him? That would be most divine indeed. To slip into the water, knowing we were both naked, where would it lead?

I stepped up to the side of the bath, my excuse at the ready, but the bath was empty. There was water and there were bubbles, but there was no sign of Mal. I frowned, wondering where he was, I was sure I had not passed him in my room and that is where he said he would wait for me.

"Damia! You spoiled the surprise." He said behind me.

I jumped and turned around.

"Surprise?" I questioned, feeling agitated that he might question my being in the bathroom when I thought he would be there.

"Yeah. I thought about how yucky you might be feeling now after sleeping so long. Thought you'd like a bath too once you'd done talking to your family, so I thought I'd run it ready. And to give it that extra bit of sparkle I went to get some candles. That makes it more relaxing right?" He questioned, but I was sure he knew, he was babbling slightly.

"It does Mal. And thank you my friend." I said and hugged him tight around the waist.

"No problems." Mal replied. "But you spoiled it by walking in here. Were you hoping to get a sneaky peek?"

"No!" I said aghast, caught in a hail of embarrassment for although that had not been my original intention, I had intended once I was in here. "I was merely preoccupied and walked in without thinking."

"So I don't register in your thoughts then." Mal said sadly.

"Of course you do, but I have so much to think of at present." I said quickly, surmising that an explanation at this point would sound like an excuse.

"I know bach. I was just teasing." He said, sounding apologetic. "I know you got a lot on your mind right now, that's why I wanted to make things a little easier. And ease the tension with a little humour. Fell flat didn't it?"

"Just a bit." I remarked as still hugged him, listening to the air as it filled and left his lungs.

"Ah well, if my humour's not up to the challenge then my bath running is." He said firmly. "Of course I'm gonna need my body back if I'm to set this up for you."

"Oh. Of course." I said, releasing him, and I dropped my head in embarrassment again.

I heard Mal place the candles down, and then he was in front of me, and his hand was beneath my chin. He guided my chin gently up so that I had to look up into his green eyes that seemed so mystical amongst the steam. I could almost imagine him leaning forward as I rose to meet him in a kiss, how sweet would that be? Please, please kiss me!

"What's wrong?" He asked, his thumb stroking against my cheek and I felt a thrill though my body at this simple gesture.

Just kiss me. I thought, but could not articulate it.

Then I felt the invasion of minds. No, it was not an invasion, merely my being more aware of the others around me since I had been out of this environment for a while. My family surrounded me and it would not do to indulge in Mal at this moment in time. It would be inappropriate.

"My mind is a mass of confusion and I need space to think. I…" I shut my mouth abruptly before I said too much. "I need at least another sleep and a good long hunt before I will become my normal functioning self."

"Then I'll talk to you tomorrow after we hunt." He said and kissed my forehead.

"We?" I asked, mesmerised by the thought of Mal and I as a 'we'.

"Oh, so I'm not good enough to hunt with now you're back home?" Mal asked with a pout that made his lips look oh so kissable.

"I was merely…" I broke off, my voice caught for a moment in my tangle of lustful thoughts. "I would have nothing to do with me if I was you." I added sadly.

"Why?" He asked, his green eyes boring into mine and as his fingers continued to caress my cheek I knew I would rather them caress elsewhere that would be entirely inappropriate in my parents' home.

"Because of all the lies I have told you since we met." I said aghast.

Mal looked at me for a moment, then he sank to his knees so that he was now on my eyelevel.

"You are a lot of hard work, I know that, but I like you Liza." He said earnestly and I admired his truthfulness. "I like you a lot, and yeah you lied, but you thought you had good reason. I know how much your pride means to you. So what I was thinking, now I know all your secrets anyway, that come January we hit the reset button and forget that you kept anything about your family from me and that we were one hundred percent honest with each other."

"One hundred percent?" I asked in alarm, imagining the moment I admitted the extent of my feelings for him in our quest to be one hundred percent truthful with each other. "You would wish to know everything? And you would tell me everything within you?"

"Ok. Well maybe not one hundred percent then. I guess that is pushing the bounds even if we were imprinted like your brother and Grace." Mal said with a laugh I would consider as being nervous. "Maybe eighty five percent honest? I think that's about the right quotient amongst friends."

"Yes. Friends." I agreed. "I will be as honest as I can be with you from now on Malachite. I will promise you that."

"Well as honest as you can be is better than nothing at all." He observed as he rose back to his feet.

"In that case we should seal this arrangement with a kiss." I said softly.

Mal looked down at me for a moment, then the corner of his mouth went up.

"That we should." He stated, and I loved the way his eyebrows darted upwards briefly as he said it.

"Yes." I whispered as I tilted my head, better to align myself to his mouth.

Mal leaned down; his hand once more upon my cheek as his lips touched mine. Oh but to move my lips slightly, to turn this into a true kiss rather than a lingering peck, but I could not summon the courage to do such a thing. I allowed the kiss to linger, willing him to make more of it, but sadly he pulled away. His hand remained on my cheek and as he looked into my eyes I could have sworn that for a moment I saw it. I saw want. I was sure of it, but it was gone in such a flash that I questioned my own perception.

"Let's sort your bath out." He said, his voice somewhat unsteady.

I placed my hand to his that held my cheek, 'why don't you join me?', go on say it, I urged myself, but I couldn't form the words.

"I think it is time." Were the only words I could manage, but I meant it was time for me to declare my undying love for him, but without the context of my internal monologue Mal took it to mean that I was ready for my bath and he set about creating the perfect ambience for the most relaxing bath.

"The only thing I haven't got ready is clothes. I didn't know what you'd want to dress into." He stated.

"I will dress in my robe until I have done my hair." I stated.

"Then I'll just light the candles and leave you to it." Mal announced.

"Yes." I agreed as I tried to force myself to say 'please join me' but there was a constriction in my throat.

I waited as Mal lit the candles and he stood before me.

"I guess I'll see you later." He said, running his hand through his hair, mussing it in a rather fetching way that made me wish that I were the one to muss it.

"Yes. Although I would ask one favour of you." I stated, to try and cover the distraction of my waking fantasies.

"Anything." He said in such eager tones that I was almost compelled to extend my secret invitation.

"If I am not out by seven, will you knock upon the door and inform me of the time?" I requested as I cursed myself for not asking anything more of him. "Dinner will be served at eight and I do not wish to be late since Father was so lenient with my punishment."

"I can do that." Mal agreed.

"Then I will see you." I said, feeling as if I were seeing my lover off on a six-month sea voyage where there was no guarantee he would return to me.

"Yeah." He said, and his whole body language said that he was reluctant to leave me.

"You can stay in my room if you feel more comfortable." Was the closest I could offer to him sharing my bath.

"Thanks." He said. "I was a little worried with their being so many vamps here that I don't know. I'll read more of my book."

"Yes." I agreed, searching for something to linger here.

"The water won't stay hot forever." Mal observed.

"You are right of course." I stated.

"Then I'll just stay in by here." He said and stepped back into my room.

"And I will see you later." I promised as I stepped further into the bathroom and closed the door.

I applied the lock and fell against the door, my forehead leaning against the wood. It took a moment for me to regain my composure before I was able to straighten up. I moved to the bath and tested the water; it was the perfect temperature to soak in. However I was averse to soaking in my own filth and I therefore had a shower first, thus taking care of my primary ablution needs. Thus the bath was truly a luxury, somewhere to relax and nothing more.

In the warmth of the water and the glow of the candles and the scent of the bubble bath I relaxed considerably and I found my mind wandering into fantasy. I stopped it for a moment, took a deep breath and submerged beneath the water. With little effort I managed to become secluded in my own mind and I could allow my fantasy to unwind within my head.

Mal is in the bath when I enter the bathroom and the water is such that I cant see much of his body, just his head and shoulders and the bend of his knees, but all the better. It adds to the thrill of the unknown, of building on the anticipation. He says to me about trying to catch a sneaky peek and I reply that I am hoping for more than a peek as I remove my bathrobe and he holds out his hand to me to help me into the bath. He sits me in front of him first as he washes my hair by pouring water from a jug, his hand moving over my hair, following the trail of the water until he begins to move light fingers up and down the line of my neck and shoulder. Until he can resist it no longer and his lips alight on my skin, causing me to melt into him with a sigh. For a moment I am lost as he drops the jug so that his other hand can embark on its own exploration of my body. Then I have the sudden need to feel his lips on mine and I twist in his arms, lying against him as I entwine my arms about his neck and my lips meet his. And we kiss, so deep and so long, our bodies slowly heating as we succumb to the passion. My fingers work into his brown hair, all wet and clinging to my skin and then we stop our games and finally declare our love for one another.

Suddenly I saw Alec in my peripheral vision and felt a wave of abject fear…

I jumped up out of the water. I thrashed for a moment as I tried to settle back, scattering a number of candles and a lot of water onto the floor. Luckily the water extinguished the candles before they could set anything alight. I sat up in the water that was decidedly more tepid than it had been, as I tried to regain my breath, cursing Alec for ruining my perfect fantasy.

Why did he have to turn up?

As a reminder that there were things to worry about at the moment and I had no time to indulge in fantasy. That was the only conclusion I could form.

There was a knock on the bathroom door.

"Are you ok?" Mal called.

"Yes." I said. "I arose too quickly and displaced some water. I am getting out now."

"Ok." Mal said and moved away from the door.

I leapt out of the bath and moved quickly to pick up the candles. I placed them into a basket that I used for clean flannels. I blew out the rest of the candles and added them too, ready to be taken down to the kitchen. Although that would have to wait until morning since I was banned for the duration of the day. I stored them for now in the corner cupboard from which I pulled the sponge mop. I lifted up the mat and rang that out into the sink before placing it into my laundry hamper. After washing my hands I mopped up the water from the floor, ringing it out into the toilet bowl. Once the water was cleared away I went over it with some clean water to be sure it was up to standard before putting the mop away.

I then retrieved the spare mat and placed it down. It was only as I pulled the plug from the bath and reached for my towel that I realised I had done all this naked. Such a thought was mortifying, yet I had been more concerned with making the bathroom presentable. I cursed myself for allowing that old compulsion to take me. I had no need to fall into those patterns, I had to remember that I was in control of my life, I didn't need to organise it into a rigid structure to achieve this.

I managed to realign my thoughts by the time I had wiped and pulled on my underwear and dressing gown. I wrapped my hair in a towel before placing everything I had discarded into the laundry basket. As I noted how full it was I wondered if my ban extended to the laundry room too. It could wait until morning; it wouldn't grow during the night. I told myself firmly.

I took a breath and left the bathroom to find Mal slouched on my bed, his back resting against the wall as he read a book from the library. Actually it wasn't from the library, it was from the shelf by my bed.

"I would not have thought of you as a reader of chick lit." I observed.

Mal gave a start as he looked up at me guiltily, but he shrugged it away.

"Well I thought I should get to know Darktide a little since I'm sharing a house with its author. I've never met a best selling author before." He observed. "You never told me that your Grace was Grace Pearson."

"Would it have made a difference?" I asked. "I thought you had no interest in her books so it seemed hardly worth mentioning to you."

"I guess it could have been construed as showing off." He conceded.

"And I do like showing off." I said with a grin.

"I did not say that and you know it." Mal retorted.

"I know." I said reassuringly as I tapped his hand in comfort.

"Talking of showing off, you didn't mind that I played down your role in our escape, to that vamp in the ambulance, what's her name now? Rea?" He asked; looking worried that I did mind.

"I did wonder a little at why you did so, not that I was offended, I merely wondered." I assured him.

"Yeah. Well I didn't want the word getting out before you have chance to speak to your family." He explained. "There are some bad vamps out there and can you imagine the prize they'd make you if they knew you could enhance their powers? No friend of mine will be enslaved." He added with a growl.

"Thank you for your quick thinking." I said and took his hand and kissed it. "I would have blurted out my secret to all and sundry, and who knows where that would lead?"

"It's not that I think Rea might be a gossip, or even if she might be bad, but years wandering alone taught me to treat all vampires as hostile unless they prove otherwise. I guess you could call that prejudice, but for me that's survival." He stated in firm tones, although it was clear he worried I would think ill of him.

"What did happen to you in all your years of wandering?" I asked gently, unable to stop myself from touching his cheek lightly.

"It'll give you nightmares." He stated.

"Mal, I already have nightmares, a few more won't make a difference." I stated. "And as much as you want to know my story, I want to know yours."

"I…" He trailed off with a frown.

"I think we agreed upon eighty five percent honesty." I prompted.

"Yes we did." He said seeming somewhat preoccupied.

He looked…he looked afraid.

I climbed up onto the bed and placed my hands to his cheeks, I caught his eye and gave him a solemn look.

"Would it help for you to write it down for me to read later?" I suggested. "Or perhaps you simply need time to compose the words in your mind. I care not how you tell me, only that you do. For I wish to know everything about you Malachite, in the same way you wish to know everything there is to know about me."

"What could possibly intrigue you about me." He said with a laugh.

"Please, don't do that." I sighed as I stroked his cheek.

"Do what?" He asked in a breath.

"Sell yourself short." I replied. "Sometimes you act as if you do not matter, well you matter to me Mal and I will not have you think less of yourself. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir." Mal said with a salute.

"And stop hiding behind humour when you feel uncomfortable. It is hard to know when you are serious."

"I'm sorry." He murmured as he dropped his head.

"I just don't want you to feel lonely and unworthy anymore." I whispered as I hugged him. "You have a place in this world and there are those who would miss you greatly should you disappear. And that is no joking matter."

"And you would miss me?" He asked.

"More than you give me credit for." I said dryly.

"Now who's trying to be funny?" He stated.

"Would I miss you if you were gone?" I demanded in more serious tones. "Of course I would. Now that I have you in my life, to lose you… It doesn't bear thinking about."

"You'd miss me that much?" He asked, still not accepting it.

I pulled away from him and looked into his eyes.

"Why is that so hard for you to believe?"

"I…" He groaned and flopped down on my bed, before turning on his back and looking up at the ceiling. "I guess it's because I haven't had anyone care about me for a very long time. I'm just waiting for someone to come snatch you away."

"Oh…" I said, as I thought about his life history and how it would make this fear very real for him. "But I have already been snatched away." I pointed out.

Mal looked up at me in confusion.

I leant over him and smiled.

"Alec stole me away, but you accompanied me and kept me safe. You saw me through the desert and the cave. You protected me." I explained.

"We protected each other." Mal countered.

"And that is what we will always do." I promised.

I felt a sudden pull in my stomach as I realised I was declaring my desire to remain with him always. A kiss was in order now. I was knelt beside him, my hand placed on his forehead, my fingers brushing lightly at his hair. I placed my other hand to his chin as I leant forward and kissed his lips sideways. It was the most erotic moment of my limited experience, to kiss him so askew. I would linger this kiss, make it last, he would finally know my feelings for him…

There was a knock at the door and I would have ignored it were it not for the fact that I was still on probation where my family was concerned. Besides the knock had come from low down and I knew whom it was. It was Billie and it would not do to keep her waiting.

I grudgingly raised my head and jumped down off my bed. I ensured my dressing gown was straight before I opened the door to find Billie standing there with her hands behind her back, humming while she waited.

"Liza! You are in your room." She declared happily as she leapt into my arms and hugged me.

"Yes I am Billie." I said, hugging her in return and bringing her into my room so I could shut the door.

"I wanted to come and see you! You had a bath!" She observed in exclamations.

"Yes. I wanted to wash before dinner." I informed her.

Billie nodded as she looked around my room and then her eyes fell on Mal. She wriggled from my arms and ran over to the bed.

"Are you Malachite?" She asked.

"Yes." Mal replied.

"Can you really move things with your mind?" She demanded.

"Yeah. Like this." He said and he levitated Billie up onto the bed.

She jumped up and down and I forced myself not to pass comment on the fact that she was wearing shoes upon my bed. Or the fact that she was jumping on my bed, but I had to concede that it wasn't hurting me. The bed was strong enough and as a dhampir Billie was more than sturdy enough.

"Can you do it again?" She asked.

"Only if you promise not to jump on the bed." Mal said in firm tones.

Billie considered this for a moment.

"Ok." She said. "I won't jump on the bed. I shouldn't have anyway. Daddy told me it was a naughty thing to do because I could break the bed, or hurt myself. I should always remember the ten little monkeys."

"Ok. Well now we got that sorted, what should I levitate?" Mal asked conspiratorially.

Billie considered for a moment, and then grinned.

"Liza!" She said excitedly as she pointed at me.

"What? You mean like this?" Mal asked and I felt my feet leave the floor.

"Liza, you're flying." Billie cooed.

"Yes, very amusing." I said with a smile. "However I really must start on with my hair. Perhaps there is something else you would care to levitate for the time being?"

Mal lowered me back to the floor.

As I made my way to my dressing table he got up off the bed and went to sit in my desk chair, swivelling around to look at Billie.

"Now what can we make fly?" He asked.

Billie sat on the edge of my bed and looked across at him.

"I don't know. How about my beetle?" She asked, pulling the block from her pocket once more.

"Put it flat on your palm like this." Mal said, holding his one palm flat to demonstrate.

Billie obeyed, and I watched in the mirror while I brushed my hair, as Mal levitated the block over to him. I smiled as I watched him levitate it back. Billie plucked it out of the air, looking impressed as she placed it into her pocket.

"Something else." She called excitedly as I began to dry my hair.

When I lifted my head after I had finished drying my hair I thought I saw the universe in the mirror. I turned to find my room filled with swirling dancing stars as Mal conducted them and Billie giggled, trying to catch them. I managed to pluck a star from the air and found it to be one of the paper ones from my craft box. There were also butterflies and jewel flowers.

It was a beautiful sight, but I sadly saw beyond it to my still finding little stars in the carpet years from now. I would not spoil this moment for either Billie or Mal. I would merely make Mal gather every last decoration once Billie had left the room. For now I would take my mind off it by putting the curling iron through my hair to ensure my curls were just right.

I was just moving onto the left side of my head when I was aware of someone near me. Billie was sat up on my dressing table watching me intently.

"That is how you make your hair curly?" She asked, reaching out for the wand.

"Careful! It is very hot." I warned as I pulled the wand away from her. "And yes, that is one way to get curls. I know my hair is naturally curly, but I like to enhance them now and again."

"Does your hair have to be curly for it to work?" She asked.

"No." I replied as I carried on with enhancing my curls. "Provided you use the right products the curls will hold in the straightest of hair."

Billie nodded, looking thoughtful as I finished off my hair. She was thoughtful enough that I wrapped up the curling iron and locked it in the drawer of my dressing table once I had finished with it. I would curl Billie's hair if she asked me to do it for her, but I should feel aghast should she attempt to do it herself and be injured.

"I have finished my hair now, would you like me to brush yours out?" I offered.

Billie looked at me for a moment before she shook her head firmly.

"Very well. Then I will go and dress." I stated.

I stood and went to my wardrobe, sorting through my clothes until I came to a dress that was an old favourite of mine. It was soft satin, following the empire-line and was a shimmering silver-blue. I held it against me and twirled for a moment, remembering how light it fell against my body and how the simplest movement made it dance.

There were two gasps.

"Pretty!" Billie remarked.

"Yeah." Mal agreed.

"I will just go slip it on." I stated, since I felt momentarily bashful.

I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door.

I was smiling as I slipped out of my dressing gown and pulled on my dress. This was something I was looking forward to, something that would truly mark my return home. I pulled the dress over my head and allowed the satin to glide down my body, and as it settled in place I felt like Liza Black again.

I felt truly remarkable, elated beyond words, and this feeling bolstered me. It was with an air of whimsy that I left the bathroom on quick light feet before I pirouetted and curtsied like a prima ballerina to Billie. She giggled and clapped her hands.

"You look like a princess." She announced. "Only not all pink and frilly and horrible. You look pretty."

"Thank you." I said, bowing this time. "And you look pretty too." I added, kissing her head before sitting down in my makeup chair, although now I faced out into the room to include Mal who was still sat in my desk chair.

"But you look really nice. Are you going to a party?" Billie asked.

"No. I merely wish to dress nice for dinner." I explained.

"Why?"

"I always try to look my best for dinner. I know not why, it is merely something I have always done." I stated.

"No one else dresses like that for dinner." Billie stated emphatically. "Except maybe Daddy."

Mal suddenly burst out laughing.

"Something funny?" I asked.

"No. It's just…I just had this picture of Tobias in a dress." Mal sniggered.

"Daddy doesn't wear dresses." Billie said firmly. "He is a boy."

"I know. That's why it's funny to think of him wearing one." Mal explained. "I won't say anymore on it bach."

"Ok." Billie said with a nod as if she had won an argument.

Just then Mother called Billie's name.

"I must go. Mommy wants to make me ready for dinner." Billie said, making a face. "I will see you later."

"Yes." I agreed.

Billie kissed my cheek before she jumped down from the desk. She paused by Mal on the way out and shook his hand, before she left my room. I let out a contented sigh before I turned to Mal.

"I hope you placed all those stars back in their rightful place." I stated. "I had them organised by colour."

"They're back in their tub Liza, and not even you are that bad." He replied.

"I suppose not." I conceded as I got to my feet and went to retrieve my shoes from my wardrobe. "And I am glad you made Billie happy. It really was a magnificent display." I stated as I sat back on my chair and pulled on my shoes.

"Thanks." He said. "And talking off magnificent displays, what is with the fancy getup?"

"I always dress formally for dinner." I observed.

"You never did at college." He pointed out.

"Yes, but when was the last time we ate our food at a proper table in college?" I asked.

"I'm not sure of the exact time ago, but it was about a week before Malcolm's body was found. But I guess half a pizza isn't something to get dressed up about." Mal mused. "And I wish I'd dressed more formal now."

"Trust me Mal, if anyone will be the odd one out at the table tonight, it will not be you." I assured him. "You heard what Billie said about my attire being different from everyone else."

"I guess." Mal replied, and then frowned. "When she says everyone else, how many people will it be exactly?"

"I have no idea." I stated. "Perhaps enough to fill the dining room table for once."

"Right." Mal said, still looking worried.

"I am sure the only vampire to attend will be Father." I stated. "The numbers will be made up by dhampir and Quileute."

"Right." Mal repeated, seeming happier with this prospect.

"Shall we make our way down?" I asked, rising to my feet.

"Yeah." Mal agreed. "I can't believe how starved I feel."

"We have not eaten in many hours." I stated.

"That's true." Mal replied as we stepped out of my room and almost into Tony and Grace.

It took a moment, but I saw that Grace was wearing a silk dress in a brushed silver colour that suited her skin tone and brought out her eyes even more vividly than ever. It was cut to her hourglass figure and she was truly alluring. Tony had also dressed up, in suit trousers and a dark shirt, although he had forgone the tie and wore the top button undone. He had also cut his hair since earlier giving him a more trimmed, debonair look.

"Are you sure I shouldn't wear something more formal?" Mal asked.

"We got time if you really need to change." Tony stated. "But everyone else will be casual, Grace just thought we should dress formal for Liza."

"I'll be two-minuets." Mal said as he ducked back into my room and shut the door.

"So that's Mal." Grace observed.

"Yes it is." I replied.

"It's nice to finally have a face to go with the name." She stated.

"Yeah." Tony agreed. "But he's not what I pictured from his messages."

"I know." Grace responded.

"How did you picture him?" I asked curiously.

"What if I said older and younger?" Tony asked.

"I would have to ask you to explain."

"Well from all of Mom's old stories I kept picturing him as a kid, then I was reminding myself that he was older than us so then I was picturing him in his mid thirties. I guess I didn't think to picture him looking the same age as us. That's kinda stupid right, considering he's a half vampire and all, but I just couldn't help it." Tony stated.

"I think it's his texts. He came across as an adult in them." Grace reasoned.

"That could be it." Tony agreed.

"Although I did picture him around my age and he looks younger." Grace said with a grin.

I had to think on that one a moment before I giggled.

"Of course, you are twenty eight. That is hard to believe." I stated.

"Ten years is a long time." Grace observed.

"Yes."

The door of my room opened and Mal stepped out wearing an emerald green shirt and light coloured trousers.

"Hold on." I said with a frown. "I thought you only had your back pack."

"But I always follow James Bond's rule of thumb." Mal stated.

"Which is?" I prompted.

"Always pack something formal, you never know when you might need it." Mal said promptly and Tony laughed.

"Yeah, that does seem to be his code." He stated.

"Most amusing." I remarked. "Now shall we make our way down to dinner?"

"Grace, may I escort you down this evening?" Tony asked as he offered his arm to her.

"It would be an honour Tony dearest." She replied and placed her arm through his.

I noticed that Tony was watching Mal carefully and I could not read why. My brother was deliberately shielding his mind from me and it was very annoying. I decided I would retaliate by thinking of nothing but ballet for the rest of the night. Those dancers light as thistledown would be at the forefront of my mind. If he wished to be so secretive then I could be too.

"Dear Duchess Eliza, I would be honoured if you would allow me to escort you to dinner this evening." Mal said with a low bow.

I giggled before composing myself.

"It would be my pleasure Mister Malachite." I said and curtsied before placing my arm through his.

It was all very playful and highly platonic. I was certain of that and I felt a wave of relief when I realised that is what Tony had been looking out for. He suspected there was something more between Mal and I. As if? If only…

I could not entertain such thoughts near my brother, it would be wrong for him to read something of the sort when there was no hope for them to be fulfilled. I realised that Mal was talking to me as we descended the stairs and I forced myself to listen.

"Like this. But they never let you see any of the good stuff, just the dressed rooms with a rope across to stop you touching any of the old furniture. It must be good to live in such an old house. You get more of an atmosphere than in new houses. New houses always have something missing." Mal was saying.

"Character?" I suggested.

"Yeah." Mal agreed.

"I think I know what you mean." Grace observed. "I was put up in a new building in Portland and there was no feeling there. It's distracting when you're trying to write. That's why I like the Stables. It's the knowledge that other people have been there before you, members of your family dating back further than you can think."

"That's a bit of a grey area where us dhampir are concerned." Mal stated. "Take me for instance. Mam was in her twenties when she had me, whereas Dad had been twenty for a few hundred years before that. The farm I live on, that was his parents' farm. He helped them build the farmhouse when he was still human. He reclaimed it when I was born. It had always been the hands of a member of his family, but it was gonna be auctioned to a stranger, when Dad needed somewhere to hide me it seemed the perfect place."

"I do keep forgetting about that." Grace stated.

"You will grow used to it in time." I assured her. "Perhaps the conversation is best saved until later." I added as we came to the dining room door.

The others agreed before the door was pushed open and we stepped into the dining room. It transpired that we were not the only ones in formal attire, Mother and Father had dressed up too. Billie was still in her dungarees and she had a clear air of victory about her.

Present at the table were a handful of the Quileute, including Ariana and Marie. I left Mal's side to go sit with them and talk with them; it had been an age since I had seen them. Not since the summer. They had been sent along with Ariana's brothers, Marshall and Billy to guard the perimeter of our land when everyone was away looking for me. They were under the leadership of Alex and Twain with Jareth and Joe representing the older members of the pack. They told me of what Carlisle and Esme had witnessed, of the dhampir auctions and it made me feel sick. Something had to be done.

Of course I could not do it immediately for there was procedure, but I would ensure that the Coalition knew full well at the next annual gathering. It was at this point I decided to introduce Mal, only to find he was deep in conversation with Alex. Of course they must have formed a basic acquaintance during the La Push Skirmish. It wasn't often I thought of Mal as old, or even Alex for that matter, but at times I think of the fact that during something that took place before I was even conceived Mal and Alex looked much the same as they do now and for a moment they were so much older to me as to be removed.

Then Mal looked up and he smiled at me, and he was my friend again as I smiled back. My good friend Mal from college. One who I couldn't wait to introduce to my friends, but Father called us to order and we sat. I was placed next to Mal, and I tried not to read too much into this.

Also at dinner were Ebony and Nahuel. Between them in a highchair sat a baby boy with brown skin, a true thatch of thick black hair and blue eyes to rival his mother. He burbled happily, but it was clear he was not advanced as most dhampir at a few days old. It was something of interest to note since he was the first child born to two dhampir. What would it mean in the long run for him? It was something I should take note of for if I choose to settle down with another dhampir it would be something that would apply to my own children.

Dinner went by without incident, and then came the time to retire for the night. All the rooms were taken apart from mine and although I had no problem with sharing a room with Mal, I did wonder what my parents would say. I thought it best to discuss it with Mother since it would mean a less audible discussion. She was unsure at first until I showed her the many times Mal and I had shared a room and nothing had occurred between us.

In the end Mother stated that I was an adult and there was not much she could do should I wish to take Mal to my room. She merely warned me to be careful in a pointed way. I tried not to take it to heart; obviously my family would question my relationship with Mal, as they would any other boy I brought home from college. From Mother's worry I realised it would not be proper to entice Mal into anything whilst at Tregarran. Any seduction I hoped to attempt with Mal would have to take place away from Tregarran. Given the number of telepaths present, not to mention all those ears with their enhanced senses, it was not the best place to indulge in Mal the way I secretly hoped to. I would therefore have to rein myself in until after Christmas and back in Riverside.

Mal seemed to be aware of a slight atmosphere where Mother was concerned, but I assured him it was nothing.

"We are merely friends Mal, and if there was more between us what harm is there in us sharing a bed?" I demanded. "I am over eighteen and Tony has Grace in his bed in the very next room. Why should the rules be stricter with me?"

"I guess you have a point, but aren't parents usually a little more protective of girls. And Grace is your age, more or less. I mean she's an old high school friend and they've had years to get used to the idea. It was inevitable." Mal stated.

"Yes. But the most important point is that we are merely friends. Would you think twice if I were to share a bed with Dove tonight?" I demanded.

Mal opened his mouth to speak, closed it a moment to swallow, before he opened it again.

"I guess we are just friends." He observed. "I'll go get ready for bed."

In a matter of minuets we were both ready and I climbed up into bed first. Mal still seemed a little reluctant.

"Mal. This is a king size bed and I always sleep up against the wall. If it makes you feel better keep to the left hand side and you will be fine."

"Ok." Mal said and I watched as he climbed into bed.

"Can you switch the light off or shall I?" I asked.

He looked toward the light switch and flicked his hand and the light turned off.

"Show off." I teased and hit him with a pillow.

"I thought you said I'd be safe over here." He protested.

"From my amorous advances, I never said anything about pillows." I giggled.

"Oh real mature Liza. So is this gonna turn into a girly sleepover. Do you want to plait my hair?" He mocked.

"Only if you want me to. Perhaps a leg wax is in order." I teased.

"Don't even think about it." He warned and I felt a warning tremor of his telekinesis.

"Sorry." I said, although I must admit I didn't sound very sorry.

"Well whatever. I'm going to be a the grown up here and go to sleep." He said as he lay down on his back and pulled the covers up to his chin. "And if you know what's good for you, you'll go to sleep too. You're still on probation remember, and Tobias is a stickler for keeping to your bedtime."

"I will behave now." I stated as I puffed up my pillow, placed it down and curled into the wall. "Goodnight Malachite."

"Night." He replied.

Good night Tony. I thought as I placed my hand to the wall.

Liza? It's weird having you back here Sis. And yeah. Night. Tony replied.

We will catch up better tomorrow. I promised.

Well not first thing, I start back to work. I've been off a week; Bob's been pulling his hair out. Tony stated.

Then I will leave you sleep now. I stated. Goodnight.

Night night. He replied. Grace says night too.

And I say goodnight to Grace.

Then I felt Tony carefully insert a shield. I tried not to feel offended for I realised that Tony and Grace would wish to have a little privacy before drifting to sleep. Which is what I did myself, safe at home with my family once more. I was Liza Black once more, and for the first time in a very long while I went to sleep feeling truly content.

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