Two more chapters to go guys, so hit that review button and let me know what you think. Fingers crossed for the 200 review goal.

By the way, movin' up the rating for this chapter.

3 Months Later

Jade watched from her spot sitting atop the brick wall that surrounded the large park where a gazebo stood. The citizens of The Dome were still coming and going since that morning. According to Tori, who helped set up the event, most of the citizens showed up early. They were given the vaccination which had already been tested multiple times and approved. To show their appreciation; Andre, Beck, and Sikowitz had been one of the first to receive it. Jade ventured out to see the last few take their turn. Soon they would all be immune to the virus that ran rampant in her. She glanced down at her pale skin and traced a finger over a slightly visible vein in her arm. The cure was still out of reach. Every vampire they tried it on, no matter how slowly it was administered, eventually died after starting the treatment. It was always right when they began to show positive signs. Their temperature would rise, a flush appearing on their skin. They would lose certain physical traits or even crave food.

It looked like it was going to work until they dropped dead. She was starting to think that there was no possibility of a cure. In a way, she didn't mind. She had been a vampire for so long she had gotten used to it. She reached a form of closure knowing that Tori would live just as long as her. She would be there as she always was. But the idea of being human again was still a concept that haunted her. Jade sucked in an unneeded breath then let it out as she hopped off the wall to start heading to the housing unit she shared with her hybrid mate. She passed Andre and Beck who were still helping with the vaccine distribution. Tyrell was off to the side playing soccer with a group of kids. She didn't see Tori but figured she was around helping in some way. She would see her whenever she retired for the night. Jade was almost out of the park when she heard the pattering of small feet. She smiled and stopped to wait for the little girl to catch up.

"Hello, Olivia," she greeted, crouching down once the girl stood in front of her. She and her brother, Maximillian, or Max as he preferred, had become a fixed part of her daily routine. The twins never failed to obtain some of her time, be it talking about their day or what they did, telling stories, or playing games. Jade knew Tori loved seeing her interact with them, and although she never thought she would be good with kids, she found that she enjoyed the time spent with them. Especially since they looked at her like she was some kind of superhero instead of a monster. It was a nice change of pace. Because they took a liking to Jade, Tori was also included in their activities. In Jade's opinion, Tori was far better with them. She joked around and let them play fight with her. She was even a good nurse when one of the kids got hurt. She would make them feel better with soft spoken words and gentle hands tending to their injuries. Jade didn't trust herself enough to get that close. Not after taking care of her brother for so long then losing him. She was forever afraid of that outcome even if it wasn't likely to happen again.

"Hi! I picked these for you because they're pretty and remind me of you," Olivia said, holding out a few pure white flowers. Jade took them from her, already smelling their aroma without having to stick her nose in them.

"Thank you. I'll go put them in water as soon as I get home," Jade told her, standing to continue on her way.

"You're going so soon? You just got here," Olivia said, a sad note to her voice.

"I know, but I'll see you tomorrow. Go have fun before you have to go to bed," Jade replied, offering a small smile. The little girl pouted but nodded and grabbed Jade around the waist for a quick hug before running off. As always, the affection caught her off guard. She started doing that some time ago, hugging both her and Tori almost every time they saw each other as well as when they parted. Max had taken to kissing their cheek ever since Jade teased him for being shy. Tori got him to kiss her cheek, then he gained confidence and did the same to Jade who had no choice but to stop teasing him. He proved her wrong. Tori never tired of the minor shocked expression on the vampire's face every time the twins showed her affection. The hybrid thought it was cute and sweet and all those words Jade didn't want to be applied to her.

She sighed at the memories and couldn't help but smile. She followed the road to the laboratory building located towards the back of the city and walked into the resident entrance to travel through the hall and up the stairs which she climbed quickly. She cruised down to the correct door and entered, quietly shutting it behind her. She kicked off her shoes before making her way to the kitchen for a cup she filled with water. She set it on the counter with the flowers placed inside then headed to the bedroom, all her senses picking up on her hybrid. Tori had just been there or she was still around with the way her scent clung to the air around her. When she walked into their room she stopped at the threshold, seeing Tori sitting at the edge of the bed staring straight ahead at the doorway with a steady gaze. She seemed to have been waiting for Jade.

"Hey. I was looking for you," Jade commented easily, moving forward. Tori allowed a smile but made no other move. Jade went to the drawer to look for clean clothes. Her current ones were covered in dirt from the sparring match with Tyrell. She never thought she would feel comfortable with anyone besides Tori. But he was surprisingly easy to get along with when he wasn't agitating her with his somewhat overconfident behavior and jokes about Tori running off with him. She had just gotten her shirt off when she heard Tori wander over, her hot hand running down Jade's back. She paused and glanced over her shoulder at the hybrid.

"These scars…I haven't noticed them before," Tori remarked, tracing each one as they curved around Jade's side.

"Or these ones," she continued to point out, fingers gracing the vampire's right shoulder and the slope of her neck. Jade turned around to face Tori.

"It happened back when I was bitten. I was stabbed with my scissors right here, but I guess I was already infected enough to heal without a blemish," she replied, moving Tori's hand to the spot where a wound should have marred her skin. Tori left her hand there then dragged it around to rest at the small of Jade's back. She looked up and their eyes met. Something fleeting yet prominent passed between them before Jade leaned in to kiss Tori while her hands played with the hem of her shirt. Tori allowed her to peel it off so that they both stood topless. Jade brought her hands down Tori's arms, stopping at the crease of her elbows. She took a closer look at Tori's own scars, circular marks that were also along her forearms. Tori took her hand and brought it around to her back where Jade ran her fingers down her spine to feel similar marks.

"The needles," she realized. She hadn't really paid much attention to them before. Tori only nodded. For something to leave such marks, they must not have been small. Jade dragged her hands back around Tori's slender torso and trailed them down to her navel where she hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her pants. Tori was already breathing heavily with anticipation at Jade's touch. Jade could hear her heart beating rapidly. The hybrid pulled her vampire mate into a deep kiss before trailing her lips to her pointed ear.

"I can feel it. I haven't said anything because I wanted to see if I could hold out. But it's so hard, Jade. Especially when I see you daily and feel you against me in bed. There's no danger to distract me this time. You're everywhere and all I can think about is wanting you," Tori panted, her warm breath ghosting across cool skin. The level of desire and need in her sultry voice sent a shudder down Jade's spine. She buried her nose in Tori's neck and inhaled her heady scent. It was so familiar, so intoxicating.

"You're in heat," she mumbled, finally recognizing the unique scent. In response, Tori took a step closer so that they were pressed together. Jade held her close, stilling when Tori's hand stroked over her stomach tauntingly.

"I promised I would give back what you gave me," Tori told her.

"And I promised I would give you more than I had before," Jade replied with a smirk. Tori chuckled.

"You did," she accepted. Jade carefully tugged at Tori's pants, silently asking permission. Her mouth moved to her neck as she waited. Tori snickered at Jade's eagerness to start even though she felt the same and guided the vampire to take them off. Once they hit the floor she began sliding Jade's pants off too. Their arms tightened on each other as they stumbled back towards the bed. Before reaching it their sport bras were tossed to the floor, joining their shirts. Tori fell back first and Jade allowed her to shift higher on the bed before joining her. Her cool body draped over Tori's, soothing the heat radiating from her. Jade's lips went back to Tori's neck, but this time, she nipped every once in a while.

"Tori, I…Ever since that first time together, I've wanted to bite you. Not to hurt you, but to…I don't even known. Claim you? I never felt that way before," she mumbled, confessing her own need. She pulled back to see Tori's reaction. She looked a bit surprised but also thoughtful.

"Whatever you want to do, do it. Don't hold back," Tori finally decided after they stared at each other for several tense seconds. Now Jade was the surprised one, but she was also relieved. Tori smirked. That, paired with the molten desire in her golden irises, caused Jade to groan at the sexy expression. She kissed the hybrid hard and rocked into her once. Tori gasped, breaking the kiss. The heat pooling ever lower made Tori desperate. She quickly forced Jade under her, hands swift and sure as they caressed over her body, pausing to squeeze gently. Jade growled lowly and raised her hips, nails digging into the tan skin of Tori's back. The hybrid moaned and brought their lower halves together, grinding too slowly to handle for much longer.

"Dammit, Tor," Jade moaned, moving in time with her mate. Tori laughed breathlessly and trailed a finger down Jade's contracting torso to toy with her panties.

"Take them off," Jade demanded, raising her hips so that Tori's hand splayed over the fabric. When Tori hesitated to do as she was commanded, Jade flipped them. She held Tori down and kissed her fervently. Her tongue slipped in and trailed over every surface of Tori's mouth, circling the sharp teeth taking shape. When she retreated she smirked at the flustered hybrid. Her hand circled her chest teasingly before kneading the sensitive flesh, rough yet deliberate. Tori whined and gasped out a light sigh when Jade's mouth took in the other. Her tongue swirled before she began to nip. Just being close to the wound up hybrid was causing her hips to stir, rubbing herself against Tori's strong thigh. Jade kissed across her collarbone and up to her neck.

"Please," Tori begged, needing Jade to touch her. Jade grabbed at her panties and tore them off her with a sharp yank. Her hand caressed Tori's smooth thigh, tracing over more scars she found along the outside. Her hand then slid around to her inner thigh before moving up. The moist heat she brushed with her fingers made both her and Tori groan longingly. Jade stroked her once, eliciting a desperate moan from Tori.

"Finally," she whimpered, legs spreading to further entice the vampire. Jade began at a steady pace, pressing just a little more at the apex of the stroke before sliding back down. Tori's hips jerked with the motion, and any thought that managed to make its way into her head promptly turned into a series of tangled words.

JademoreyesfasterharderJadeohgodJade!

"Jade," she growled out loud, her hand gripping at the nape of Jade's neck, bringing her down to slam their mouths together, tongues meeting. Jade bucked against Tori's leg, moaning into her mouth as her hand sped up. She bit at Tori's lip then ducked down to sink her teeth in her shoulder with a fierce snarl, two fingers plunging deep within her at the same time. Tori cried out, the sound twisting into a pleasured growl that reverberated from deep in her chest. Her nails dug in and then dragged down Jade's back, leaving behind bloody furrows. Jade's jaws tightened on her before releasing, fighting the urge to lick at the spilled blood. The small amount of it on her teeth and tongue wasn't enough to put her off so that she was able to continue to pull out and slide back into her mate, pumping fast and hard.

Tori's hips met each thrust and her back arched. Jade own hips rolled at witnessing Tori lost in the pleasure she gave her. Her arousal burned deep and she had to concentrate to stay focused enough to bring Tori over the edge. The hybrid was panting hard now, cries piercing the air intermittently with moans of Jade's name. She almost missed the moment when Tori finally came, her hips giving one last jerk to take Jade's fingers in deep, hitting that special spot that froze her body in place. Her mouth fell open in a silent scream of bared teeth, her body shuddering as she spilled onto Jade's hand. The vampire continued to enter her over and over at a slow pace to work her through her orgasm before removing her now slick hand. Tori's body relaxed under her, happily spent. Her head fell to the side as she breathed heavily. Jade caressed Tori's thigh and smirked when she shivered.

"You're so hot when you come," Jade stated gruffly in her ear, grabbing Tori by the chin to kiss her. Tori responded weakly at first before getting lost in the ardent way Jade controlled her lips and tongue. She pulled away and Tori's hand buried in Jade's hair to guide her head back at a tilt. Jade submitted, letting Tori lick and suck dark marks into her neck. She scraped her teeth over pale skin and Jade jerked into her with a long groan, her arousal building.

"You like that?" Tori whispered, voice husky. Jade could only manage a nod. Tori smiled and ran a hot hand over Jade's ample bosom. She pressed her chest into Tori's teasing hand and sighed when she got the attention she craved. Tori spent some time there, her mouth peppering kisses down the valley between. She licked at each of them once then lightly dragged her fingers down Jade's stomach. She hissed at the teasing gesture, baring her teeth as she hunched over Tori, desperate for her. Her hands dug in the mattress under them. Tori's hand darted lower to cup Jade but pulled away a moment later. She gasped and pressed forward.

"Touch me," she ordered, yet it came out as a purr, her voice so unlike anything Tori had ever heard before. She swiped a finger through the wetness gathered below and received a whimper. She began torturous and slow strokes, enjoying the way Jade began thrusting in an effort to make her speed up. Tori pressed at her straining nerves then slid down swiftly to enter her. The vampire let out a low groan and tried to get Tori to move within her but the hybrid remained still. She smirked when Jade shot her a frustrated glare. The eye contact was just what she wanted. She slipped out and thrust in again with two fingers, using just enough force to make her jump at the sensation it caused. Her angry features flicked to pure ecstasy so quickly Tori thought even Jade couldn't have kept track. She slowly pulled out and pressed back in, marveling at the clench of muscles around her fingers and Jade's demands for more. She rolled them over and leaned above Jade, fingers still deep inside her. She made sure their eyes locked before pumping into her at a quicker pace.

Jade's eyes couldn't stay open as the electric feeling surged throughout her body. With each jolt she felt alive again; completely human at the mercy of the one she loved wholeheartedly. Where Tori felt overwhelming heat, Jade was a live wire. She held Tori close as she entered her repeatedly. Tori's hot breath blew across her ear with every thrust and her hips began to move at the sight of someone, so serious and stern as Jade, losing control in such a carnal way. For not needing to breathe, her breaths were coming out quick. Tori inhaled her scent and moaned in her ear when the very act of taking Jade had her coming once more against her leg. She lost rhythm for a moment as her body shuddered but she recovered just in time to send Jade over the edge with a few more thrusts. She had help reaching her climax when she felt Tori's release drip from her, sliding down her leg. She tensed, nails digging into Tori's shoulder blades as she came hard. She snarled and clenched her teeth, back arching. When she finally came back down, Tori captured her lips in a heated kiss.

"Fucking shit," Jade cursed with a grunt when Tori gently slipped out of her. Tori chuckled and relaxed on top of her, lips at her ear.

"I love you, Jade," she panted, her voice so sincere it made Jade want to cry. She held Tori to her and kissed her jaw.

"And I love you, Tori," she replied, meaning it just as much. Tori grinned and rubbed a thumb against Jade's hipbone where her hand rested, the other tucked under her against Jade's side. She was pinning Jade's right arm but her left fell from Tori's back to brush over her arm. She then pushed back Tori's hair, running her fingers through the chestnut locks until her hand was behind her head. She pulled Tori into a loving kiss. Jade felt like her heart would burst at the feelings coursing through her. Tori smiled and brushed their noses together.

"How long have we been going at it?" Tori whispered.

"Not long enough. Why do you ask?" Jade replied. The hybrid smirked, moving to draw linking circles along the vampire's collarbone.

"Wanna go again?" she suggested impishly. Jade smirked just as devilishly and rolled them over to straddle her mate.

"I thought you'd never ask," she growled, kissing Tori. Their hands wandered and their bodies writhed in sync with each other once more. They didn't stop until the sun began to rise, the only deterrent to Jade's stamina. Tori determinedly kept up with her but was beginning to lose steam just as the sun started to sap energy from Jade. Satisfied, they both fell asleep in each other's arms, having been pleasured multiple times in the past several hours. When the next night came around, Jade was the first to wake up. She smiled at seeing Tori happily snoring away her fatigue and kissed her forehead before extracting herself. Tori was still fast asleep and Jade figured she would sleep in seeing as she had been run ragged in the best way. She liked Tori's scent on her but she still headed to the bathroom to reluctantly wash. When she got out it was barely noticeable but still there. She then prepared food for her lover so that she could earn back more of her energy once she woke up. The hybrid eventually stumbled from the bedroom sleepily to disappear into the bathroom. Jade watched and waited until she came out looking washed and chipper despite the tiredness reflected in her eyes. Jade gave her a sweet kiss when she walked over then presented the food to her.

"Eat. When you're done we'll check in with the doc. Maybe we can make plans with him concerning the vaccine and run the idea of returning to Sanctuary by the guys to see if they want to go back with us," Jade told her. Tori was already busy shoving food in her mouth so she just nodded in agreement. Jade rolled her eyes fondly and went to get a pack of blood for herself. She leaned on the counter and watched Tori eat, her thoughts on the previous night. Their instincts had warred and fought in a different way; a much more acceptable way that brought some pain, but also, a lot of pleasure. Almost like Tori knew what she was thinking about, she looked up to meet Jade's unwavering gaze. They shared a knowing smile before going back to their respective food. Once they were fed and ready to go they ventured out in search of Dr. Cross. They were never hindered when they explored the laboratory, free to go where they pleased as a way to show that nothing was hidden from them. They found him just as he was leaving his office.

"I had a feeling I would be seeing you two soon," he said as he strode down the hall.

"We wanted to share an idea with you," Jade told him.

"Oh?" he questioned, glancing at her.

"You want to distribute the vaccine to other colonies and groups of survivors, right?" the vampire began. Deidrick nodded with a hum.

"As you know, Tori and I came from a place called Sanctuary. It's been our home until we began traveling to find The Dome. Now that we're here and sort of found what we were looking for, it's only fair that we go back with the vaccine," Jade finished.

"I can respect that," he agreed.

"If you want, we could also go with the planned dispatched soldiers to help distribute the vaccine to other places too. We would be an invaluable asset to any team should we be split up, although we would prefer to travel with our own team," Tori added. Deidrick stopped and turned to them.

"You don't want to stay in Sanctuary?" he inquired. Tori looked to Jade who frowned.

"I wasn't exactly accepted there. They never trusted me. I want to help them, to repay them for not throwing me out, but that's all. They have others who are just as capable of defending them. They don't need us," Jade answered truthfully.

"Well, you're always welcome here should you want to settle down," he offered. Tori and Jade thanked him and then they began walking again.

"So you want to help distribute the vaccine? Will Andre and Beck join you or have you not spoken with them yet?" Deidrick asked.

"We haven't talked to them but we planned to once we're done here," Jade responded.

"You told me Sanctuary was roughly the size of our fields, right?" he recounted.

"Yes," Tori confirmed.

"I'll have the vaccine prepared for you plus an addition of fifteen just in case. Come back here once you're ready to depart. Your friend Sikowitz has his own boat now. I hear he wants to take it out to sea," Deidrick remarked pointedly. Jade groaned her reluctance and Tori patted her arm. Deidrick laughed, having met Sikowitz and knew how Jade felt about him. He was a bit irritating but also entertaining.

"Then we'll see you later," Tori said, taking Jade by the hand. They backtracked to the exit and practically ran the whole way to Andre and Beck's shared apartment. The door opened after the first two knocks to a sleepy Beck.

"You were sleeping this early? It just got dark," Jade teased him as she pushed her way inside. He ran a hand through his messy hair and shrugged, moving aside to let Tori follow Jade in.

"Hey muchachas," Andre greeted from his place in the open kitchen.

"And you're up eating," Jade commented.

"So I take it you guys are way too comfortable to go on another journey?" Tori questioned them. Andre dropped the food he held and Beck straightened up at the news.

"Where? Sanctuary?" he asked, fully awake now.

"Yes. But I also wanted to check in on Sasha and extend another invitation to join us," Jade suggested.

"Really?" Tori asked her, smiling. She hadn't known that the vampire had considered asking the Australian born hybrid again. Jade shrugged and waved away everyone's shock.

"Yeah, well, if we want to turn things around we should start by sticking together. That includes gathering any allies available to us. Plus, another hybrid wouldn't hurt," she explained.

"So, are we heading there first then going to Sanctuary or will that be a stop on the way back here?" Andre inquired, highly interested as he ran around collecting supplies they would need. Jade smirked at his excitement and noted that Beck had already left to get ready too.

"I think we should deal with our main priority first. We'll get the vaccine to Sanctuary, see if anyone wants to tag along, pick up Sasha, and come back here," Jade planned.

"Are we staying there or here? You know, after everything is said and done," Beck chimed in as soon as he entered the room.

"Do you want to stay here?" Tori questioned. Both Andre and Beck took a moment to think it over.

"It's nice here," Andre began.

"And we could do a lot for the people here," Beck added. Even though both were fine where they were, there was a hint to their voice that showed their hesitance.

"If you want to stay in Sanctuary, then stay there. Jade and I decided that we're most needed here. After we take the trip to Sanctuary we're going to help distribute the vaccine to other colonies. After that, we're settling here," Tori informed them. They stared at the two non-humans of the team for a moment with mixed expressions before walking over.

"Then it makes sense that we should stay here too, right?" Andre pointed out. Tori smiled.

"Right," the hybrid agreed. Like the family and team they had always been, they stuck together. When everything was packed in the duffel bag, including a short stop by Jade and Tori's place to add more, the guys left to find Sikowitz where they would wait while Tori and Jade picked up the vaccine from Dr. Cross. It seemed like their last mission together, but really, it was a start to even more. It meant the beginning of a better future for more than just one colony. It was a mission that would eventually save the whole world.