The coolness of the lab room and the aroma of hot coffee seemed so normal and so good, totally incongruous with the recent events of her life.  Dr. Rolf came bustling in and the scene seemed so conventional and peaceful that she felt a tear leak out of one eye.

"Oh, Eliza!  It's so good to see you again, sitting there where you belong.  I was worried.  You almost never miss any time and I tried to call you and got a disconnect message.  You did scare me!  I had to come over to make sure you were ok."

"Oh," Eliza groaned.  "I had the number changed because of some brain dead fax machine that kept calling me.  I figured I'd make it unpublished to get rid of some of the telemarketing calls.  Sorry . . . I forgot the change it for personnel."

He grinned.  "Sounds like something I might do.  You feeling ok, now?"

"I am feeling much better and I'm glad you came over.  I was feeling sort of down. I had a touch of bug, I think, and I really needed some time in bed resting.  I'm feeling good now, almost normal."

He came forward and put his hand on her forehead.  "Hmm, you feel ok, but you look so pale.  Are you sure you feel ok?"

Eliza reached up and took his hand in her's.  "I'm really feeling ok.  I'm not quite a hundred percent, but work is better than lying in bed doing nothing.  I think the paleness is more due to working at night than being sick.  I almost never seen the sun."  She smiled.  "I like it that way.  I think I look better this way, anyway.  I was sort of drab and I can do things, now, that I couldn't do with my old color."  She squeezed his hand and smiled.

He pulled a chair close to her and sat.  Then he shot up like he'd sat on a bee.  "You wait!  I have got to show you this.  You're not going to believe it."  He rushed to his office and returned carrying a newspaper. He pointed to a bold article on page two: "VAMPIRE HUNTERS FOUND SLAIN"

"This hit the streets this morning.  By noon the I had a call from our project controller.  We've got six months more funding!: He dropped the paper and hugged her.  "We're employed again!"

She enthusiastically hugged him back and couldn't control her grin.  The anonymous phone call she'd made last night after he'd left sure had created an effect.

        . . . . . . .

"Yes, please.  I'd like to talk to Mr. Jack Roternan.  I've read some of his articles and I think I've found something that may be of interest to him."  She waited and could hear the buzz of newspaper office.  She heard someone call to Mr. Roternan and ask if he wanted to talk to a lady with tip.  She heard his gruff voice but couldn't make out the words. She heard the voice say that yes, she was beautiful, now do you want to take the damn call or not?

"Jack Roternan here.  How can I help you," you she heard a gruff voice say.

Eliza took a deep breath and said, "Off Old Clyde Road, about two miles past down tree, take the logging road, use your nose.  You'll smell burning and you'll find bodies and a sort of dungeon in the basement.  It's a good story and no one else has it yet."

"Yea, right," she heard him respond.  "And if I believed you what would make it worth my while to make the trip out there."

She wondered what to say to make him willing to investigate.  "They caught and tried to kill a vampire," she blurted out.

"Oh, Yea.  Right!" she heard him say as she slammed the pay phone back into its cradle with a shaking hand.

        . . . . . . .

John was tapping the photo of the burned cabin with his finger, excitedly.  "I went out there and the police let me through because of my research credentials, I've got a press pass, you know, and this guy is writing it straight.  He glamorizes it, but he's absolutely accurate about what was there.  It was a blood bath.  I'm not sure what happened but these guys sure as hell took on more than they could handle.  The violence was incredible.  It had to be an old powerful one to take on four hunters and these guys really were hunters!  You should have seen the stuff there.  Something straightened a hardened steel link in a manacle like it was putty.  You should have seen it!"

He hesitated for breath and Eliza carefully controlled her urge to grin.  She thought that Jack Roternan was not going to follow up, but he sure had.  A page two spread was great!

"You know," John enthused, "a celebration is in order.  In one day, we have funding for another six months, some real attention is focused on the nature of our research, and I'm hoping that when the police let me go through the area, I'll find some good solid evidence."  He paused for breath again.  "This is as close to the real thing that I've come . . ."  Eliza ducked her head so John wouldn't see the grin she could not control. "and I'm going to chew this evidence like an old dog chews a bone!"  Eliza put her hand on his arm and started to speak.  "Let's celebrate," John continued.  "Let's have a decent meal at The House of Magura.  Don't you think that seems fitting?"

Eliza giggled and nodded.  "Couldn't be better, John.  Let's do it.  We'll call the newspaper article our research results for the night an bug out early.  We've earned it!"

"Yes!  We have.  Let's go."

The plum brandy glistened like fresh blood in the crystal goblet.  She took a long slow sip and enjoyed the magical flavor.  The brandy Jerry had given her was better but this was almost as good.  Another long sip and she heard her fangs clink on the rim of the glass.  She quickly set it down and raised her napkin to cover her mouth.  She carefully felt her fangs and could feel them receding now that she was aware of them.  She exhaled through pursed lips.  She had to be more careful.  She had some limited control over them but they mostly acted as a reflex.  They were usually there when she needed them, and usually, when she didn't need them they weren't there.

"Ah that was good, really good," John commented.  "But the waiter was really strange.  The way he suggested things for you.  He almost took over."

"Oh, John, but everything he suggested was perfect.  I'm glad I listened to him."

It had been strange.  Their waiter had been a tall thin older man, elegantly dressed and very soft spoken with a slight accent.  Just a hint of an origin other than local could be detected in his speech.  John laughed.  "He could have been an uncle or something.  There almost seemed to be a family resemblance between you."

He had been very pale and thin with jet black eyebrows and jet black hair.  His waiters tuxedo was impeccably tailored and he presented a very exotic appearance.  He had quietly taken John's order and then turned to Eliza.  She looked at the menu and hesitated.  "May I suggest, madam," he'd asked lifting one eyebrow.

"But of course," Eliza had responded.  He bent and pointed to various items on the menu, quickly naming them and writing on the order pad without waiting for response.  He'd straightened and left.  "Wow!  That was different," Eliza had commented laughing.

"Honest, John, I've never seen him before but what an absolutely perfect meal.  She finished the last of the plum brandy and closed her eyes to fully enjoy the flavor and the pleasant burn of it to her stomach.  "Perfect!" she said again.

John had gone to settle the bill and Eliza was comfortably drifting.  "Madam," she heard a soft voice say.  She started and saw the waiter standing waiting to be recognized.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was drifting.  What can I do for you?"

He slightly bowed.  "Tomorrow night at 2:30 am, there will a special treat that you may enjoy.  It is invitation only and only for you.  Would you be wanting to attend?"

She started to automatically refuse, but the food had been so good and he seem so concerned about her that she hesitated.  "Young madam would benefit," he softly said.

"Why, thank you.  I'll be here."  He nodded, smiled, bowed and left.  Elias shook her head.  "I wonder what that's about," she mused.  John returned and held out his hand to her to help her up.  She used the help and gave his hand a squeeze before releasing it to put her cape on.  They made eye contact and smiled.

John held the door for her on the way out, slipping his arm around her shoulders once outside.  They headed for his car at a leisurely pace.  She liked the feel of his arms around her.  It had been so long since they’d shared that kiss.  Holding the car door open for her, John squeezed her shoulder as she slid into the passenger seat.  She could tell that he didn’t really want to let her go.  Smiling, she watched him walk around the car and she leaned across and unlocked his door.

They talked a little more about the newspaper article on the short drive to her apartment. They were both interested in it for totally different reasons.  John was still excitedly talking about it as they pulled up in front of he building.

Turning slightly in the seat, she was going to ask if he’d like to come in for a nightcap, but he leaned toward her at the same time and gently kissed her.  Savoring the feel of his lips on hers, she lost all track of what she had been about to say.

John broke the kiss and exited the car.  Coming around to her side, he opened the door and helped her to the sidewalk.  Taking his hand, she led the way to the door and down the stairs to her apartment.  She took her keys out of her purse, handing them to John, he put his hand out to receive them.  He unlocked the door and they entered.

Toby came flying to greet her as usual.  Laughing Eliza told John she’d only be a minute, that she had to feed Toby or they wouldn’t have any peace at all.  Entering the kitchen, she opened a small tin of tuna and mixed it with his regular food.  Grinning, she placed the food on the floor for him.  Speaking softly, she said, “Toby, I don’t think he’s going to leave tonight.”

Calling from the kitchen, she asked if John would like a nightcap. “Help yourself, please. You know where it all is. I’m going to change and I’ll be right back.”

John looked up from his place on the couch, to see her come back into the room, wearing a long, flowing hostess gown.  “Very attractive, Eliza,” he said.  Patting the seat beside him, he moved slightly to make room for her to sit.. “I poured you a brandy too,” he said as he handed it to her.  Sitting beside him, Eliza felt the same tingle that she felt every time they were close to each other.

He put his arm around her shoulders, tugging gently, until she was leaning against him.  Taking her drink from her hands, he leaned in and gave her the most arousing kiss. Without knowing it, she raised her hands and stroked his face.

Slowly, they both rose from the couch and moved toward her bedroom.  Without so much as a word, they looked deep into each others eyes, and started to undress the other.

Wanting nothing more than to rip the buttons from Johns shirt, she made herself move slowly and take care to unbutton each one, until the very last.  Then she just pulled.  The button popped and his shirt pulled free of his belt.  Softly she ran her hands over his chest, up to his shoulders and down his back, loving the feel of his skin beneath her hands.

He let her until he began to tremble and just yanked her gown over her head.  Smiling a wolfish smile, he moved to undo his belt and slacks.  Pushing them to the floor.  As he looked at Eliza, he realized she had finished her own undressing, and was standing there totally nude.  Looking, no staring, at her, he drank in how utterly lovely she was.  Pale of skin, slender to the point of almost being too thin, she was still beautiful.

Moving toward her, they both fell onto the bed.  Running his hands along her body, he again kissed her almost senseless.  Soon the only sounds to be heard were the soft whispers and sighs and gentle moans of them both.

Soon, they both slept, only to awaken and once again make love.

She thought to herself as she drifted to sleep after their last lovemaking, “I didn’t use my powers, this must be love.  I didn’t did I?”   Drifting off to join John in sleep, she slept dreamlessly.

Waking, she went to start the coffee and then headed to the bathroom for a shower.  Standing there, letting the hot water beat down, she felt wonderful.  The shower door opened and John stepped in.  With a smile he took the soap and began to lather it.  Smoothing his hands over her, she felt herself becoming aroused all over again.  Taking the soap from him, she gave him the same attention he had given her.  Knowing what was coming, she gave herself over to all the wonderful feelings he was giving her.

Some time later, they both finished their shower, dressed and smiling at each other moved to the kitchen. Almost too happy, they spoke of little things and smiled.