A/N: Takes place before and after Guy Talk chapter 13, A Little Less Conversation.

Josef was increasingly dissatisfied in his relationship with Sandrina. Not because it wasn't going well, it was great. But it wasn't enough. The irony did not escape him that two months earlier he would have been thankful for any relationship with her. Now he already wanted more. They had known each other only four months but they seemed to have fast-forwarded through the usual ups and downs of a normal relationship. Another irony since they, unlike humans, had all the time in the world. But this was right. It was different with Sandrina. He was different with Sandrina.

Josef was ready for the next step except for one thing: Sarah. As he and Sandrina grew closer he regretted more and more the limbo he had placed Sarah in. At first it had seemed logical. She would wake up on her own or some way would be discovered to help her. It would happen next week, next month, next year. He no longer believed that was possible. And even if it was, it couldn't be the same between them. He still loved Sarah but it was a different love than he felt before. If he got a call from New York that Sarah was awake, he would go there immediately. He would do what he could to make the situation right. He would take care of her forever if necessary, but from a distance. Because he would choose to be with Sandrina now.

And how would Sarah feel about him and what he had done? He was becoming more critical of the impulse that led to maintaining her all these decades. Too much money and no Mick to stop him. The decision was suddenly there in Josef's mind that it was time to take Mick up on the offer he made six months ago. Josef knew it wasn't as sudden as it seemed. He had probably considered it when Mick first mentioned it, and had been thinking of it since meeting Sandrina. Subconsciously of course.

When should it happen? "If 'twere done, 'twere best done quickly." The words from The Scottish Play were appropriate. Josef was 15 when he met Shakespeare. The Bard died a year later but his work had endured.

Josef called Mick.


Four days later Josef was back in L.A. and everything was different. He called Sandrina that first night and went to see her the next night. He asked her to come to the house two days later, then spent his time planning the evening.

They had talked about Sarah and New York and they might talk about it again someday but he didn't want to rehash it so soon. Best to have some something to do in case it was a little awkward being together again. He didn't think it would be but he wanted to do something Sandrina would like anyway. Dinner and a movie, the classic date. The freshies would provide one and he would provide the other. Josef thought a movie they had seen before would be better than taking a chance on something new. He settled on 'Love Actually.' He had heard Sandrina and Beth talking about it but Sandy hadn't seen it recently. It was a chick flick but also funny. Josef could sit through it again.

When it ended, Sandrina kissed him. "You remembered it's one of my favorites. Thank you, Josef."

He took her hand and raised it to his lips. Strange that such a formal gesture back in the day was so intimate. Centuries ago, that was often as good as it got. "You know I enjoy a little drama and danger in life. It's why I like my work so much. But I didn't know until we met that I need a break from that. I need your calm. I need you."

"My life has been too quiet and orderly," Sandrina replied. "You provide just enough chaos to make things interesting."

He carried her up the stairs to the room freezer. There was a new depth when they made love that made Josef decide not to put off what he wanted to ask. He had thought it might be too soon after Sarah but, like most things with Sandrina, this was right.

"Come live with me and be my love and we will all the pleasures prove," Josef said.

"Christopher Marlowe."

"I'm glad you recognize the poet but it's a question, not just a quote."

"Why do you want us to live together?"

"Is this a test?"

"No. I should have said right away that the answer is yes. But I would like to know why, if you can tell me."

Josef knew instinctively but he hadn't articulated it even to himself. He closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "I don't want to be alone knowing you're out there and we could be together." He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Remember the airport at the end of the movie with the Beach Boys playing? That's me. God only knows what I'd be without you. And I don't want to find out."

Sandrina was a little misty-eyed. "Okay, you passed."

"I knew it was a test," Josef grumbled. "Do I get to know why you want to live with me?"

"You're rich and good in bed."

"I need more."

"You're very rich and extremely good in bed."

"Too obvious. Keep going."

Sandrina got serious. "You are a 400 year old vampire. You can be ruthless and cruel and vicious ..."

"I changed my mind. You had me at 'Good in bed'."

"You have to hear the whole thing. You can be ruthless and cruel and vicious if circumstances require it. In the past you were probably all those things regardless of the circumstances. But now you aren't. Vampires don't usually change much. It's our nature to remain the same. And when we do change, it's rarely for the better. Our worst traits tend to dominate over time. But not you. Your best traits have dominated."

"I'm flattered but I also feel a little wimpy. You won't tell anyone else?"

"It's just between us."

"We're going to have a good life together."

"If you don't screw it up."

"I'll never have the last word again, will I?

"I think that would be best, don't you?"

"If I say 'Yes' then I'll have the last word."

"Agreeing with me is the exception."