He considered not answering. She stood there for about a minute, and then walked forward. Did she remember his lack of conversation when he wasn't willing to share?

He decided to stay. He would break the rules once again for this woman, and he knew he would let her walk out once again.

He walked away from the tree, as if he was casually walking through the park. He feigned to show extremely little interest; though he could almost feel his heart rate increase to six beats per minute.

"Lurking in the shadows, Ethan?" asked Kerry. He knew Kerry was being cautious, no doubt she remembered when he felt her a nuisance and he would tease her into following silently.

"Perfect place when I have time to kill," he said, grinning when he saw her face expression. "Besides, I came to see what you told the police. They still are trying to find me you know," he said innocently.

"I told them Marsala killed you. I told them exactly what you told me to tell them," she said. She wasn't lying. But he knew she knew he was. "And," she continued, "I doubt you would have returned and risked being caught just to see that I told them everything you wanted me to."

"We're a cautious lot," he reminded her. He needlessly added: "And I would have seen them way before they saw me."

Kerry kept looking at him, and he looked behind her, and saw Nelle getting out of the car. She recognized him the second he came out of the trees.

"Kerry! You know Anthony?" asked Nelle incredulously.

Kerry gave Michel a significant look.

"We went out a few years ago," intervened Michel. "But then I had to leave quiet unexpectedly, and our relationship was cut short," he said, hurt.

Nelle stared at Michel, while Kerry gave him a disgruntled look. She mouthed the words: You liar. You'll—but stopped short when Nelle turned to look at her.

"You never told me this," Nelle whispered to Kerry indignantly. "Realization" came into her eyes, remembering when Kerry told her to wait in the car.

"So, Kerry," he said breezily, "Will you tell me if you'll give us another chance?" he asked, knowing Kerry would rather die –no pun intended—than explain to Nelle who he really was.

"Uhmm…fine," she exasperated. "Let's go now Nelle," she said, grabbing her best friend's arm, and towing her to the car.

He grinned wickedly, as Kerry looked back to him, and Nelle said "I can't believe you didn't tell me you went out with him! What kept him a secret for Pete's sake?"

"It was an incredibly short time we spent together. And I very much doubt you would have ever seen him any other time than on weekends," said Kerry. He wondered when she became a decent liar.

Did he have anything to do with it?

"Well, you know I have shared my hotties. But I guess I can see why you would keep that one a secret. Are you going to go back with him?" asked Nelle. She was obviously the talker, and Kerry was obviously the listener.

Kerry sighed loud enough to show her frustration. But she kept silent.

"Don't waste a good one," said Nelle, as she turned back to see if he was still there.

He gave her a smile, and she quickly turned around, blushing.

She had no idea Michel would take her advice.

Whether or not the advice was intended for him. Which it wasn't.

"I won't," Kerry promised. She turned around. She gave him a significant look. She would play his game once again, knowing that at least this time her family wasn't in danger, and she can at least fall back upon someone human.

He walked towards her, smiling his subtly wicked smile. She rolled her eyes, but smiled at the last moment.

He wasn't going to stay too long. He had a plan.

He would only stay long enough so that this time –one hundred percent guaranteed—she would be his eternal companion of the night. And like last time, she would decide. But as sure as Kerry meant something to Michel, Michel still meant something to Kerry.

He saw it in her eyes, as well as felt it in the quick, gentle kiss he dared to give her.

And in a very long time –two years—his what-he-thought-was-blood-lust lust subsided.

It has...grown out of what I had in mind. But hopefully, you all enjoy it :)