Chapter 10: Romance Novel

Author's Note: I had an eventful December, so that's half the reason this took a month. The other half is because I'm a procrastinator to the extreme with an on and off cold/flu! Yay! Enjoy

"And here's the Fenton Thermos, Specter Deflector, and scarf." Irene handed me the items as I eyed the scarf.

"There's a Fenton Scarf?" I wrapped it around my neck as Irene adjusted the Specter Deflector on my waist.

"Nah. It's for the bruises, or did you forget?" She glared at me.

I swallowed hard as I tightened the green scarf. I told her about my 'little' incident at work that happened to involve a ghost, but I didn't exactly tell her what ghost did it. If I did, who knows what could happen. It's not like I'm Clockwork.

If I did tell Irene, she could reveal Vlad's counterpath and he could be locked up for good, or he could go on a rampage and destroy everything. Including Irene. I just couldn't risk losing my best friend...even if we don't talk to each other as much.

"Look," Irene snapped me out of my thoughts, "just tell me what ghost did this and I'll sock them." She punched thin air as she pretended to fight someone. "Or," she smirked, "better yet, you could do it. Just let me gear you up." She held up a duffel bag with 'Fenton' on the side.

I laughed. "Yeah sure, let me show up at work, where I almost got fired for running out, covered head to toe in Fenton weaponry."

Irene scruffed. "Not everything looks like a weapon." She pulled out a tube of lipstick. "Behold, the Fenton Laser Balm!"

"Don't you mean 'Lip Balm'?" I uncapped the top and pressed a button.

"Careful!" She screeched as the lip balm blasted a hole in the roof.

"Holy crap!" I gapped. "Do you seriously think I'm bring that to work?"

"Yeah, as long as you don't touch that button, it's harmless lip balm." She applied some on her lips demonstrating how 'harmless' it was.

Handing her the thermos, I turned on the belt. "The belt will do just fine Irene. Besides, Vlad has a strict 'no ghost weapon' policy and you know why."

"Yeah, but doesn't the belt count as a weapon, too?" She stuffed the thermos into a duffle bag. "I brought a ton of other-"

"Look Irene," I cut her, "thanks for trying to help me out, but I'm gonna be late for work."

Irene closed her duffle bag and threw it over her shoulder. "Yeah, sure." She pulled over her mask and headed for the door. "Hey, Jeanette," she opened the door, "I'm gonna start the bike, so if you need a ride..." I nodded. Smiling, she closed the door behind her.

I tugged at the belt, sighing. I only hoped that it was enough to keep him away.

Walking into the building, K and O were nudging each and Lilith looked like she was going to pull out a dagger.

"Hey, Jeanette, is it true-"

"Let's have a chat in the bathroom." Lilith cut off O. She walked up to me and pulled me to the bathroom. Locking the door she pulled the scarf off my neck, her eyes widening. "I, did Vlad do this?"

"No." I snatched the scarf back and felt my face flush as I lied.

"Look girlie," she pointed at me, "I know you used to like him, but that ain't no excuse to defend him. He's a ghost, and for all we know, he could be a person being possessed by a ghost. And if I learned anything after the ghost infestation, it's this: Ghost are not meant to be trusted." She reasoned.

"What about Phantom?" I squeaked, putting on the scarf back.

Lilith stared at me, opened her mouth, but closed it again. "Girlie," she sighed, "look, if you can go in Vlad's office without flinching, I'll believe you. But," she grabbed my shoulders, "if I see you flinch, even for a second, I'll know." She opened the bathroom door and walked to her desk, I followed her out and closed the door. "I need you to file these in the mayor's office." She handed me a few files.

Taking the papers, I couldn't help but feel my heart rate accelerate. I looked at the door that lead to Vlad's office, but I couldn't walk away. I started moving towards the door, O shouted.

"Why did you stood up K?"

I jumped and cursed at myself. I completely forgot about meeting K's parents. "Ah, crap." I gingerly touched at the scarf hiding my neck. Looking at K, I noticed his shoulders slumped and he was facing the opposite direction with a pout on his face.

"Velia," Lilith snapped, "work first, then solve your boyfriend problem." She pointed at Vlad's door.

I nodded and opened the door with a sigh. He wasn't in his office. Closing the door behind me, I walked towards the file cabinets. Something touching my leg startled me, looking down I saw Maddie bat at my ankles. Sighing in relief, I opened the cabinets and started putting files away. Maddie snorted at me as her attempts to get my attention didn't get her any pets. Closing the drawer, the door clicked opened.

Vlad stood at the entry with a cup of coffee at hand. Closing the door behind him, he opened his mouth to speak.

Maddie groaned loudly as she stretched on her back. Her paws batted up as she glared at me. Sighing I knelt down and picked her up.

"So this is where she's being spoiled." Vlad grumbled.

Tensing up, I nervously patted Maddie's head. I felt my neck tingle with every step Vlad took. With only a few steps to go, his legs almost gave away.

"What in the the-" He stared at the belt, gaping. "Where on Earth did you get that?"

I flinched at his growling voice. "Irene, my friend, gave it to me." I explained as I put Maddie down. "She works with the Fenton's."

Vlad looked at me in disbelief until he finally noticed my scarf. "Oh, Velia, I-"

"Don't," I choked out, "just," I cupped my neck as I felt myself break down. "Just don't."

Vlad's hand brushed away the tears covering my cheeks. I didn't even notice he stepped any closer. "Oh, Velia," he looked so pale and weak, I was starting to consider to turn off the Specter Deflector. "I don't deserve forgiveness for what I did." He tugged at the scarf and I felt all the color leave my face. Vlad let the scarf fall as he traced the bruises. "You're not the ghost I'm looking for. These bruises would have vanished instantly if you were, even a halfa like myself wouldn't have any remaining injuries."

When he pressed too hard, I finally pushed him away. "What are talking about?" I covered my neck with my hands. "Why did you think I was a ghost."

"It seems you've forgotten what I've informed you." He walked at his desk and sat his coffee down. Maddie purred as she rubbed herself against her owner. "Before I foolishly attacked you, I was made aware that my ghost half advanced in power. I spoke to another like myself and he,oh so graciously, led me to a tribe of ghosts that could explain the situation."

I smiled as I thought about Danny leading Vlad to Frostbite and Frostbite beating him to a pulp before Danny could explain anything. I mean, what other 'tribe of ghost' did Danny know?

"Apparently, a ghost could have hidden abilities that can be unlocked if a much powerful ghost with a similar properties is engaged. That said ghost would have to use their power on the other ghost, which would trigger their hidden abilities."

"That's good and all, but why are you tell me this?" I cautiously bent down to pick up my scarf.

"If I remember correctly, you didn't burn when my fire abilities came about." Raising a hand, he set it on fire. As he walked up to me the flame died out. "Remove that infernal contraption." He snarled.

I took a step back, scarf in my hand. Tenderly touching my neck, I noticed his eyes droop in regret. I felt my back hit the wall.

"Velia," he started, "let me try something. I promise to not hurt you, just deactivate the device."

"No." I whispered.

"Please-"

"No!" I shouted. "You hurt me, you hurt me and left bruises, Vlad!" I gestured to my neck. "Do you honestly think that a simple promise is going to make me trust you? You're the bad guy Vlad, god, I knew this from the beginning,but...but I…" I felt like I was going to break down. "I still liked you." I barely heard my voice, so I really doubted that Vlad heard me.

Sighing, I looked down so I didn't have to look at him. As the seconds went by, I could hear Vlad shuffling. I was hoping he was walking away from me. Then I felt a hand on my chin.

"The feelings mutual." He hushed.

Freezing, I panicked inwardly as he picked my chin up. I saw his half closed eyes as his face moved down towards mine. Feeling as if the world stop, I screamed at myself to pull away, he wasn't in his right mind. Not that he had one. But, I couldn't move, it was as if I was under a spell. As his lips touched mine, I felt a shiver down my spine. His lips felt chapped and his nose was pressed against my cheek. It should have felt like the worst kiss ever, I mean, I was being kissed by a guy the same age as my dad! But, I couldn't help feeling numb in a good way.

Closing my eyes, I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. His arms fell to my waist,not touching the belt. I craned my neck so his nose wouldn't be awkwardly pressing against my cheek. 'Oh fuck.' I thought. 'What am i doing?'

Vlad opened his mouth and his tongue swept across my lips. I grimaced at the feeling, he wasn't very good at this. Then again, there is a huge chance that he's a forty year old virgin. I opened my mouth to let Vlad's tongue clumsy explore it. I felt almost revolted as he rummaged his tongue around, I really didn't see the point why people thought this was hot. Then I left my tongue go into his mouth, when it hit me. This was my first tongue involved kiss!

Right when I was about to pull away to breathe, I heard the door click open and someone gasp.

Vlad was still kissing me, probably oblivious to the fact that the door was opened and someone was watching. I pulled away and turned to face the door. My heart sank.

K stood there with his face contorted in pain. Before I could say anything, Vlad's mouth attached to my neck, then K bolted away. Through the door I could see Lilith and O looking at us. My face would have flushed in embarrassment, but my mind was so focused on how K's face looked. Betrayed.

Finally, Vlad pulled away and looked at the opened door. He started stuttering, as if he was trying to find an explanation.

"Vlad," Lilith's voice rang, "girlie, you got some 'xplaining to do."

"You darn right you do." O growled.

I groaned and let my head rest on Vlad's chest. When did my life turn into a romance novel?