He was so beautiful. His eyes were warm and such a rich dark brown they almost seemed golden like molasses running off a spoon. His face was rather angular with high cheekbones and strong even features but it was softened by the fall of thick wavy deep brown hair. Abby wanted to run her fingers through his hair. It was the color of a beautiful worn mahogany banister rail that had been run smooth by a thousand hands. With shots of gold, red and different shades of brown Abby knew his hair would shine wondrously if he ever went out into the sun.

Which she knew he would never do.

Lyric.

Abby sighed. Even his name was marvelous. He was pale and tall and perfect with skin like porcelain, perfect teeth and puppy dog eyes. Abby smiled as she looked at her white roses. They had turned up in her lab as they always had. At first she had been frightened. Who the hell was getting through security and leaving them on her bench before she even came into work? Her history with men hadn't been great and she didn't particularly like people messing with her lab.

When security had claimed no one had delivered them with their knowledge she became even more worried. She set to work on the flowers wanting an answer to the mystery. The blooms were large and seemed to slowly open during the day releasing a rich old world fragrance reminding her of both roses and expensive masculine spices. The petals were perfect ice white without a hint of another color. They were the most exquisite roses she had ever seen. The stems though were covered in large thick sharp curved thorns. Where the stems would normally be tied together with ribbon they were wrapped around with thin silver wire making a sort of interwoven pattern.

Knowing forensics had answered many of her questions she set to work with a vengeance taking samples of everything for her babies to test.

But after running every test she could think of she had nothing. Not a fingerprint, not a squashed bug, no sprays or fertilizers were used on the blooms. There was no card to check for writing or water print marks, no security camera footage. It was as if the roses had simply been created out of thin air and appeared on her bench top.

That night he had come to her in her sleep. He had simply watched her from a distance. The first time she had been frightened. He was a vampire, just like with Dante she knew instantly. This was no dream or nightmare of someone else's she was feeling. This was someone wide awake seeking her out. Visiting her in the one place she considered completely private. Her mind.

"Who are you?' She had whispered afraid of the answer but knowing she must have it. She had a feeling she had see him before. Had he been watching her?

Do not be afraid. You called for me

And then he had faded from her sight with a smile that made her stomach flip. She had seen that look of delight and desire on Dante's perfect face but it had never been directed at her. It was a powerful thing and she wondered how Tim didn't just buckle at the knees from it

Abby had sat bolt upright in the dark blinking as she wondered what he had meant. She had called for him? What the hell was he talking about? Abby thought back and remembered her questioning as she stood alone in the car park watching Dante and Tim leave her after the fancy dress party.

Why couldn't she find someone like Dante? Someone who would understand that she was different and love her anyway. Someone who could keep up with her bursts of energy and frantic razor sharp mind? She had been at that party too when McGee and Dante had met for the first time. Why hadn't he picked her?

Abby lay back on her bed, her mind racing. Is that what he meant? She had called for him? She couldn't have Dante but there was another who would wish to make her his companion?

Abby tried to deny the excitement she had felt as she considered his handsome face and teasing smile. Could she be as happy as Tim was? Could she have a partner who challenged her mind and satisfied her body?

The next night after spending the day trying not to look at the perfect roses and trying not to imagine his scent in the spices she had gone to bed early in the hope that he might contact her again.

You called my Lady?

His handsome face appeared before her with a soft mischievous smile. She wanted to push his hair back so she could see his warm soft eyes.

"What is your name?"

Lyric

His voice burned in her ear and she felt a thrill of desire. Why was it she always wanted what she couldn't have? What was dangerous?

"Why haven't you come to me in person?"

I wasn't sure if you would want me…..

There was hurt deep beneath his words that spoke of a great pain and Abby's generous heart wanted to sooth him.

"How could you doubt that anyone wouldn't want you? You are perfect."

She could feel his smile playing against her throat and he kissed her gently, a whisper in her mind. And then he was gone.

The next day more roses turned up and she found her head swimming with the scent. The scent of roses for her and his scent of fresh masculine spices for him all mixed together in a perfect luscious blend that had her toes tingling. Abby found herself comparing the roses pure paleness to Lyrics chiseled perfection and found the roses lacking. She rushed home as soon as work was done and climbed into bed and tried to make herself fall asleep. She tossed and turned both excited and impatient.

"Come to me! Lyric? Please"

I am here

And again he touched her with a tiny gentle kiss as if he couldn't help himself and Abby sighed in pleasure.

"Will you come and see me? In person I mean"

Abby could feel his hesitation and his…fear?

Soon. My precious one. It is dangerous for me when you are so close to The Other.

"The Other? Do you mean Dante? He is my friend. He wouldn't hurt you"

There was silence and Abby couldn't help but feel her mind fill with the image of Dante. Not as he was at the party, human and laughing and in love. But as he was on the roof of the building all those weeks ago cold, angry and powerful. A creature of snapping blue eyes and incredible strength and power that called down the storm in his desperation. Tony had nearly been killed, as he had rushed to defend McGee against Dante's rage. That Dante had frightened her with his claws and bloodied fangs.

Abby felt Lyric soothing her and stroking her hair.

He is stronger than I am. We are predators by nature and defend what is ours without question. I must be careful if I wish to take what he would consider his. I mean him no harm but he might consider me his enemy, a threat to him and those he cares for so until we can meet under even terms then I wait in the shadows. Soon though I will come to you. Until then you must tell no one of me. Not if you wish to see me again.

And so she hadn't out of fear for her new friend. The time would come when they would meet. Lyric had told her it would be soon. Even then Lyric had advised her she must be careful. She would have to scrub herself down afterwards so Dante didn't pick up his scent.

Perhaps she should try and find out where Dante and Tim would be so that Lyric would be able to avoid them? Where did Dante live anyway?

Abby shuddered as she waited eagerly for the day to finish so she could again visit her dream lover. Just his smile was enough to make her stomach flutter. Soon everything would be perfect. Her and McGee would both have partners they cared for. And they wouldn't have to hide anything from each other. Lyric and Dante would become friends and they could soar through the night together watching over their human Companions. Dante could teach Lyric all the things he knew about Vampires and Lyric wouldn't have to be so lonely and sad anymore. Dante could teach Lyric how to bind them together the way he and McGee were.

Everything was going to be just perfect.

Tim walked into the lab and interrupted her pleasant day dreaming with a panicked look and agitated hands.

"Oh my God Abby. Gibbs wants to meet Dante. He wants me to bring him to drinks after work."

Abby smiled. She had her own reasons for being happy that Gibbs was being so accepting. How could he accept Dante and not Lyric?

"Oh McGee that's great" Abby jumped off her stool and clapped her hands in delight.

Tim found himself distracted and turned to stare at the large bunch of white roses on Abby's bench. He felt his face pale and he reeled as a vision slammed into him full force.

White scattered all over the ground. Snow.

Not snow. Rose petals. Snow white rose petals. Blood. Red blood. Huge puddles of blood spreading, rushing across the ground.

Abby. Abby peering down at him with panicked eyes? Hands. His hands above his face covered in bright red blood. His blood…..????

Dante was screaming his name in anguish and pain…….

"McGee!"

"I was talking to you" Abby snapped her fingers in front of his face wondering what on earth had zoned him out like that.

"Where did you get those roses Abby?" Tim found himself panting and confused, sweat breaking out on his brow. What on earth was that? He had seen things before but never like that.

"Just a friend. A secret admirer." Abby hedged not wanting to lie to her friend. What was up with him today?

"Who Abby? Don't play games with me" Tim couldn't explain it but he was worried and he spoke to her harshly out of fear.

"I don't know. Not really I have never even met him. Why?" Abby felt herself becoming defensive. McGee never yelled at her.

"I just" Tim swallowed "I have a bad feeling about them"

He couldn't explain it and with every minute that passed his concerns seemed more stupid. It was like waking from a vivid dream and not being able to remember why you were screaming.

Abby frowned and found herself becoming angry.

"That's not fair. You turn all weird every time someone sends me flowers. It's not fair. You have someone now and I have never judged you or your choices. You have someone who drinks blood holding you every night. In the meantime I'm alone every night and then I get flowers at work and you assume he's a psycho or something."

Tim could feel the loneliness beneath her hurt and he remembered the long cold nights he would lie awake in his small apartment and wonder when his life would get better. Abby always seemed so strong and enthusiastic he had forgotten that she might get lonely too. He dropped his head in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Abby….I just…Please whoever he is just be careful Ok. I care about you too much to want to see you get hurt again."

Tim looked at her with his big eyes and Abby sighed. It was really hard to stay mad at McGee when he looked at her like that. Abby thought of Lyrics laughing eyes. Perhaps McGee was right and she should be careful with her heart. She had been burnt before. Several times. Perhaps it was time she learnt from the lesson and just took things slowly for once.

Abby pulled McGee into a hug and whispered into his shoulder.

"Don't worry Tim. I will be careful. I promise"