Chapter Twelve

Note: I know it seems like every chapter ends in some sort of character falling asleep but it's really me! It's a great way to wrap anything up: take a nap. Story of my life.

Please enjoy this chapter! Sorry it's taken a couple of days. Much is coming :-)

Erin made it through her 12-hour shift and was driving home. It was drizzling and the methodical sound of her windshield wipers was soothing. Erin was thankful that was her last shift until she got called in again.

She thought about the patient who had passed away that day. She had seen his coming end. There had been no other deaths but she knew two others who would be passing if not later tonight then early tomorrow morning. Those weren't psychic flashes. They had just been the last two patients she had checked on and you could smell death around them. The other nurses agreed and the one coming in to relieve Erin, she told her what she had last documented and to just be prepared.

But the man who had passed away in a near-future flash and then her touching him showed that he had not been ready to go. He was tormented inside. It was only an abyss of black and suffocation and abject fear. She hated the ones who had to go that way. The feeling would haunt her all day and follow her home. It gave her crushing anxiety that she couldn't have relieved him of his inner suffering. No one should ever have to feel alone. She would guarantee that for Larten. This thought had surprised her when she finally had her lunch break that day but it came into her head so naturally. It was now a duty of hers.

It was around 10:30 P.M. when she finally pulled into her garage. She walked into the kitchen throwing her purse, lunch box, and keys onto the kitchen bar. She walked into the laundry room and removed her shoes and scrubs, tossing them into the dirty clothes bin. She made it a habit to not walk around the house in her hospital shoes and scrubs. You never knew what you were bringing home with you.

Walking to the foot of the stairs, Erin stopped and listened for signs of life. She was only wearing her tank-top and panties. (Wearing a t-shirt of some sort under your scrub top was one of the first things you learned to do.) Usually she could just waltz upstairs but there was a vampire in the house and she was certain he would never be able to look her in the eyes again from embarrassment. And that would be a long time because she was not going to let him go while hardly healed whatsoever and end up dying at the hands of Murlough with Brigid and her next. Larten was not going to be alone as long as he was under her care. There was an inkling of some sort in the back of her mind concerning his stay with them. But she would stuff it aside to take care of issues in the present time...like getting upstairs without possibly waking up Larten or Brigid; but she knew Brigid and Brigid should be awake and making noise but there was just silence.

She was just going to have to make a dash for Brigid's room so she could shower and put clean clothes on. Erin exhaled shaking her arms.

"Okay, okay, okay...just go..NOW!" she said under her breath.

Erin grabbed the banister and threw herself up the first few steps before taking them two at a time. Did she know Larten could hear her? Definitely. Would it irritate him to be awoken by the sound of her hurtling up the stairs? Didn't matter!

"Yes, going to make it, going to make it!" Erin repeated in her head as she made it to Brigid's door. She stopped. There was a note on it: "Went to Ellie's. May spend night. Text when you're home and get this. Spider-guy still asleep, I think. Love, sis."

Erin removed the note and slowly opened the door knob as she read it. She didn't hear or notice that her bedroom door had been opened quietly and an orange-head peeked around looking with grumpy eyes, looking for what must have been Brigid, who had woken him up a few times throughout the day as he tried to sleep. He had a lot to catch up on, his tossing and turning was causing him immense pain, and he had finally had it and was going to tell her, in so many words, to be quiet!

But it wasn't Brigid. It was Erin reading a small note as she slowly entered Brigid's room and shut the door behind her softly; most likely to try and not disturb him. However, as he slowly closed his door, too, and was submerged into the cool, pitch-dark room, she had disturbed him; but not in the way she, in which, was trying to avoid.

Larten walked over to the bed and lay down on top of the comforter staring straight up at the ceiling from his pillow. He scrunched his eyes and opened them again. The image was still there. He would just have to face it, process it, and then tuck it away. It was not a big deal. He shifted himself on the bed, his hand holding his wound as it twinged in pain from the movement, and began processing.

What had he seen? He had seen Erin reading a note and quietly entering Brigid's room.

Larten could feel a warm blush spreading up his neck. Okay, yes, he had seen that BUT what was making his skin so unduly warm? He closed his eyes.

He had seen Erin in a white tank-top that showed the...definition of a certain region. The tank-top also lead the eyes to the small of the back area in the middle of soft hips that then resulted in viewing delicate women's undergarments partly covering a firm, feminine derriere, that lead the eyes straight down long shapely legs. Being high-waisted gave her a supple silhouette, distinctively womanly. He liked how her hair was in a messy up-do that allowed him to view the suave curvature of her neck and down between her shoulder blades.

Larten's eyes shot open. He could feel his pulse had quickened and there was a very warm pressure throughout his body. Larten took deep breaths and closed his eyes again. His side twinged. Yes, focus on the pain. He slowly opened his eyes as he regained his composure. He poked himself on his wounded side and gave a muffled 'mmph' in pain. That helped to clear his head. He didn't want to clear his head but...he poked himself again.

"Ah!" he grimaced. He really might need something for the pain tonight.

He knew he wouldn't be going back to sleep so it was time to get up for the night. He eased himself to a seated position placing his feet on the floor. He could hear the shower in the other room. The image started to return. No. Not happening. He knew she didn't know that he had seen her and so he was going to respect that and keep things perfectly normal. In fact, he decided he would beat her downstairs and have something prepared and ready for her to eat. Larten stood with a grimace but moved determinedly into the bathroom.

Once Larten was finished showering and had shaken his hair dry like a dog, he dressed and listened. The other shower was still going. Well, he had only taken 3 minutes, which was the complete point of it all. He looked himself over in the mirror as habit: white shirt, black pants. He straightened his collar and opened the bedroom door wide and headed downstairs. He would make the right amount of noise so she would know he was awake.

Entering the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator and pulled out the pot of stew from last night and sat it on the stove looking to see which burner to turn on. He opened the drawers nearest him before finding a plastic ladle to stir with. As the stew warmed up, he pulled out the leftover bread, and bowl of salad. He noticed some of the leaves were browning. He would make sure to pick them out so she wouldn't have to eat them. He opened a couple of cabinet doors to find plates and bowls. The stew was starting to bubble finally. He stirred it and turned down the heat. He placed the one plate of leftover bread into the microwave above. He stared at the numbers and buttons figuring out what to press. Finally deducing the order to press, with a little trouble from his long nails, he had the bread warming up. Above the sound of the microwave he heard movement upstairs. He smiled to himself, eager to see her surprise.

As he was filling the bowls with stew and had already removed the bread from the microwave, he heard her steps coming down the stairs. She walked into the kitchen confused. She was wearing a short-sleeved dark blue shirt and soft grey shorts. Her wet hair was pushed over to one shoulder. She was fresh-faced and smelled slightly of freesia.

"Why, Miss Erin, I had no idea you were home." He said feigning surprise, giving a small bow. "I was hoping I'd have everything hot and waiting for you when you did arrive."

Erin took in the scene before looking at him, smiling, surprise evident in her eyes. Larten smiled triumphantly.

"I don't know what to say!" she said throwing up her hands, laughing.

"The only thing you need to say is what you would like to drink." Larten opened the refrigerator door.

"Let's see, do I have any iced-tea made? Ah, yes! Would you like some?" she asked pulling out the jug.

Larten gave her a credulous look. "Iced-tea?"

"Yes, it is out of the norm but Brigid and I got hooked." She stood up and sat the jug onto the kitchen island. "Here, try it and let me know what you think."

She poured a small amount into Larten's glass. He smelled it. It was tea but tea wasn't meant to be iced. That was pure nonsense. He drank the portion and sat the glass down turning his head towards her.

"As a rule, vampires are very set in their ways, and while iced-tea is a bizarre new experience, I will have some more." He held his glass out. Erin poured until his glass was full and filled her own.

"Let's sit in the dining room. I'm not ready for you to see how uncultured and improper I am by eating in front of the t.v." She said grabbing her bowl and glass.

"I could never bring myself to believe such a thing." Larten said sitting across from her, bringing in the salad and bread. Erin noticed he had to slowly ease himself down to sit.

"You're hurting." She said. "I completely forgot to ask. I am so sorry, Larten. What's your pain level? I'm going to get you something. Wait here." Erin put her napkin on the table going to get up out of her chair. Larten shot his arm across the table grabbing her wrist.

"I do not need anything. And you would have remembered to ask. I understand from Brigid that your occupation is extremely demanding. Please, sit back down."

"That doesn't mean I shouldn't have asked right away. Let me get you something and then we can eat." She turned and Larten kept ahold of her firmly.

"No. We will eat first. I will be your patient afterwards. For now, let me be the vampire that wanted to give you a warm breakfast to come home to." He tugged her wrist making her sit back down.

Erin sat back down unsure. Larten resituated himself in his chair and tugged at the cuffs of his shirt before breaking himself a piece of bread. He took a bite and could feel her eyes on him. He saw her place her napkin over her lap slowly. He had won that round.

"So it is breakfast then?" She said.

"I beg pardon?" He looked up at her quizzically.

"You said breakfast. Vampires call their first meals of the night breakfast, too. I'll try to remember that." She smiled eating a spoonful of stew.

"Yes. I will be sure to remember to tell Brigid, as well. Although I'm sure if she were here presently it would be a practical course in vampire facts vs. myths already." Larten said taking a drink.

"I have questions, too, but breakfast is no time to be bombarded with them. I'll show you mercy." She laughed and winked at him.

Larten and Erin made small talk throughout the meal enjoying each other's company. And yet again, Larten marveled that he was still here with his guard down. He would feel his typical, serious behavior surface and he would confirm his decision that he would exit their lives as soon as he was able to; but in moments like this, none of it mattered or crossed his mind. He was truly present in the moment and immersed himself in it without even thinking. He could admit that he was lonely, the life of a vampire was fraught with loneliness. Even though he knew this would come to an end, he was soaking up as much as he could. He hadn't realized how long he had been so desperately lonely. It was these times in his life that made the loneliness bearable. That was just life: moments of brilliance to carry with him to be remembered and brighten the life of being a creature of the night when it became too dark.

"What are you thinking?"

Larten looked up. "I apologize. I was just thinking about the leftover custard pies." He gave a smile. He knew she knew he wasn't telling the truth and he knew she would not press him.

"I was actually thinking about the very same thing." She said standing up and picking up her bowl. "Let's hope Brigid didn't devour them during the day. She eats everything without consideration for anyone else."

Larten also stood. He cleared the table as Erin quickly washed the dishes and pot setting them to dry on a towel.

Erin opened the refrigerator and peeked inside. "Ha, we are in luck!" She pulled out a single half of a pie. "We both get a piece." She set it onto the counter. "If you don't mind, would you cut it? It's time for you to be my patient."

"I can assure you-"

"Larten, please. I'm a professional and you're good at hiding things but I can still discern some things." She patted his arm. "I'll be right back."

Larten watched her leave and picked up the knife to cut the pie into quarters. Why did she have to be...Larten closed his eyes painfully as he had a sudden flash of his past. He opened them and swallowed. He straightened his shoulders and placed the slices of pie on their plates. He heard her enter the kitchen again and set a plastic box onto the kitchen island. He turned around with the plates and gave a distant smile as he saw her set things out. All for him and his needs.

"So the last time I gave you anything was the second day right after the incident. You were moaning terribly while you were asleep so I gave you a full dose. It helped you for a while. I gave you another later. Then you woke up the following night. I kept you from dying on my kitchen floor but I also wanted to keep you from dying in my bed or suffering so much." A hint of sadness shifted behind her dark eyes before turning clinical. "But now that you're awake and aware, I would like to see how much really does help you and how often you may need it. I know your metabolism is different from ours but since you are moving around more, which maybe I should tell you not to, it will hurt more. Let's see what works. I'm sure you've endured worse but you're under my care and so what I say goes and that way the wound won't bother you years down the road because I took such good care of you." She smiled at him and gave a joking laugh.

"I will be the envy of the vampire world." Larten returned.

She was sliding gloves on and pulled out a syringe filling it from the vial. She tapped her finger against it and pushed on the plunger to make it drip a couple of times. She took his left arm, swiped it with an alcohol pad, touched for a vein, and injected him. She held her thumb down on the needle's entrance to keep it from bleeding as she tossed the syringe into the used sharps part of the medical kit.

"How does that feel?" She stripped off her gloves and tossed them in the trash. She grabbed a small light to check his pupils.

Larten shut his eyes tightly. "Ah! Do not do that!" He barked.

"I know, I'm sorry." She put her kit back together before taking him by the arm and putting her other arm across his back to lead him to sit down on the couch. She sat on the very edge of the coffee table in front of him. "How do you feel?"

Larten gave a small shake of his head and opened his eyes grumpily. "Besides being almost blinded, I feel fine." He said in a low growl.

"Other than that, define 'fine' for me. Do you have a slight feeling of warmth spreading through your body, any chest discomfort, any pain in your abdomen?"

"Yes, the discomfort is gone." He snapped.

"Larten, did I help you or not?" she asked softly.

Larten looked up at her, meeting her eyes. He had been rude. Again, he felt ashamed of himself.

"Yes, you have helped me. The pain is certainly not as severe as before. Thank you." He said hoping the honesty in his voice was evident.

She exhaled relieved. "Good, good. You stay here. I'll bring you your pie."

Larten watched her stand up. He leaned his head back against the couch. It had taken the edge off of the pain though it would by no means have the total effects such a dose would do to a human; but, yes, he did feel much better.

He felt the cushion lower beside him and raised his head to a plate of pie in front of him. He took it from her hands and the fork.

"I'm glad I got you feeling better. Do you want the t.v. on? Or music?" She asked taking a bite of her pie. She sat right next to him, her legs pulled up against her chest, waiting for a reply.

"Whatever you wish." He replied with a mouthful.

"It's way too late for the news to be on. Right now it'll be nothing but infomercials since it's the early hours of the morning. Music? Do you like blues? I have some 1920's big band music. Debussy, Schumann." she looked over her shoulder at him.

"Again, whatever you wish." Larten replied setting his plate onto the coffee table. He was full and relaxed and his pain was almost unnoticeable. He stretched his arms across the back of the couch.

"Schumann." Erin turned on the stereo function of the t.v. and popped in the CD. She kept it down and walked back over to the couch to finish her pie. She sat her empty plate onto the coffee table, too, and could feel her exhaustion hit her like a bus. Taking care of Larten and then her shifts, her body was at its limit. She looked at Larten next to her. He had his head back and was breathing evenly. She was glad to see him like that, at ease and comfortable enough in her home that he could let his guard down. She almost had a full picture of him: how he was, who he was, and why from small blips. But she wanted to know more than just blips. She wanted to hear him from his own lips about who he was, to tell her of his own free will.

Her eyes began to slowly close. She turned her body to lay down against the arm rest with a pillow. She curled up not wanting to disturb Larten. The music played and she couldn't fight her body any longer. The last thing she noticed before drifting off was the movement of an arm and the sudden pressure of a resting hand on her calf shifting her legs haphazardly to lay across a lap rather than digging into the side of a thigh. The music lulled the two figures into a peaceful slumber.