"Baron, I need you to come to Ireland, the Check in Desk has your ticket, tell no one where you are going." Talking on the phone was not one of Myles strong suits, when he got through to Baron's answer machine it pleased him. He was sure that Baron would have many questions about this trip, and he was not in the humour to answer them right now.

The file contained a pre-change photo of the girl, Jessica Choir, if she was allowed to remain human she would be forty-six years old now, but because of her transformation she is constantly mid-twenties. The file was brief, just the photo and one sheet of paper, giving her name and crypt location. She was a Dubliner, and took residence in the city. She didn't seem to mingle in the vampire world, and only fed from donor blood. From the short story of her life, Myles felt a closeness with Jessica. It helped that she was a dead ringer for Catherine Zeta-Jones. He threw the file down on the back seat of the car. Lowering his head on the steering wheel, Myles started to feel nervous, Hunters and the Sun, that was all he should be nervous about, but now he was shaking inside because he knew that he was going to stop Jessica from doing what he was planning on doing. But the reason for calling Baron over was to find out the reason why The Council placed such urgency, and why the Warlord was involved.

If Baron came his plane would land with three hours to spare before the dawn. Myles had booked a hotel room for Baron, because one trait that Myles did share with Vampires, apart from the obvious, was that he didn't like intruders, invited or otherwise, in his crypt.

The sun started to fall in the sky, and Myles would start his search. If Jessica was to be found fast, which was The Council's demand, Myles could not wait for Baron, but he would wait to turn her over to them. Every step that Myles would take, he had to be aware of his surroundings, every being that passed him on the street could be on the payroll of The Council. There was also the added threat of the Warlord, and they could always be guaranteed on to turn up when you'd least expect it.

It didn't take long for Myles to find Jessica's crypt, a run down cinema in the centre of the city, used as a large store room for a near by multiplex, Jessica is undisturbed in the basement, the secret auditorium that twenty years ago showed X-rated films, banned films and where Jessica was turned many years ago. As a hat check girl, it was her place to make sure that only invited guests were shown to this room, and one night, she found real darkness. But she was lucky that night, every other guest found death.

Myles walked around the crypt for a while, Jessica was out, maybe to feed, maybe to socialise, it was heard to tell. He looked around at photos of her before turning, objects that she picked up, the crypt was cluttered like a mortals home, as a rule Vampires did not hold many possessions, nothing to tie them down. But Jessica seemed to cling to her mortal life with such passion. Through his searching Myles came across Jessica's diary, a wry smile, but he passed the chance to read any of it. That was one area that Myles beliefs would not allow him to cross. There was a presence felt, he turned quickly, and in the corner of his eye he caught the Warlord leaving. It was now very clear that there was an ulterior motive to bringing Jessica to The Council. And it shuddered in him to think of what it was. Although charged with bringing Jessica to them, Myles was glad that she was not home, and now wanted to find her before the Warlord did.

Knowing that he had only a few hours before the plane landed with Baron, Myles went back to his car. The traffic in Dublin was some of the worst in the world, but at five a.m. there would be no other cars on the road.

Myles liked Airports, the made him think of all the people that he could know, he liked seeing the people come through the arrivals hall and meet up with their loved ones. It made him feel human again, to be around so much anticipation of inevitable love.

Baron, palms sweating and heart beating, got off the plane and worried while waiting for his bags to come through, he didn't have much time to pack, so most of his clothes were straight from the laundry basket, and needed to be washed. He walked through the arrival gates and looked around, at this time he realised that he did not know what Myles looked like, nor did Myles know what he looked like, sweaty palms.

Ease struck him when Myles just smiled at him.

"How did you know it was me" Baron managed to wipe the sweat off his hand as Myles had reached out to shake hands.

"I knew that you'd probably be the most nervous person coming through, and there is also the fact that we have better vision and you've written your name on your bags."

Myles turned and walked towards the exit, or entrance, depending on your point of view. Baron walked behind him, and felt the cold, he had heard of Irish weather but hearing about it and experiencing it are two different things.

Inside the car Myles let Baron read the file, which didn't take long. Baron thought for a while. "It doesn't make any sense, with all the wannabe Hunters out there, this girl could easily get herself whacked if she really wanted to."

"Let me guess, the film was 'Goodfellas'?" Myles smiled, Baron just nodded. "It's easy to find a hunter, and even easier to let him find you. There is something else driving this girl, and the council."

Leaving the Airport ground Baron had something on his mind, and although Myles had no mind reading abilities it was not a effort to translate Baron's body language. "What's on your mind?"

"Don't get me wrong, if ever there's a free trip going spare, I'm there, but why do you want me here, I could trace any problem from across the waters." Baron seemed almost disappointed in himself for even bringing it up. But he needed to know.

Myles drove, and in his mind started to construct an answer. Baron had served him well, and he deserved to know the truth. "There are a couple of reasons, the first, I need to know why this Vampire is so important to the council, why her suicide will be a thorn in their sides. I'm being watched by a Warlord, who is probably following us right now. I need someone I trust to do leg work during the day." The pulled in to the car park of the Best Western, just outside of the city. Myles was quiet.

"Is there any other reasons?" He didn't want to push, but felt if he was going to help he needed to know a lot more than he did.

"I'm planning on taking the Dawn Boat, as soon as I help this girl." They sat in silence for a minute, once again, Baron was wanting to ask a question but didn't, and Myles had to give a look to get him to spit it out. "I can't believe that you are giving away something that I yearn for."

"Get out, I'll be in touch after sun down, see the city. Talk soon" Anger crossed Myles mind, but at the moment Baron was needed. Myles knew that he didn't know what this life was in reality and if he did he would not seek it.

When Baron got to his room, he found that Myles had left a pile of money on the bedside table. There was a note, and after flicking through the money for a while Baron read it.

'Get yourself some new clothes, a laptop, and some rest, I'll be here tomorrow at 5pm.'

Baron flicked through the channels on the Television, and then rang room service. Sleep was needed, as the tasks at hand were unknown.

Myles bought his crypt from money from The Council, his last job for them gave him enough to buy a plot of land at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. In six months he had a nice cottage house, to the outsider it was a typical picture house, it's real beauty lay underneath, in what Myles called the Bunker. The architect designed a basement, designed to be a storage unit, waterproof and most of all sun-proof. It was strange to the builders, but when they were told that the owner was agoraphobic, everything was understood. The Council has a number of mortals working for it, to run the day to day business.

Inside and down, Myles did not have a coffin, too morbid, as the Bunker was free from any light what-so-ever there was little need for the wooden overcoat. Instead he preferred a king sized bed. But this night was not a night for sleeping.

Across the city, a hunter prepares for his nights work. He sights a Vampire, and moves in for the kill. Milo Harmen, of the London Harmen's, a famous Vampire hunting family, prefers to kill his prey from a distance, learning from his Mother and Grandfather's mistakes of killing close, both killed, up close.

This Vampire is killed, a nice clean crossbow kill, Milo is 20 feet out. Milo moves in once the ash is settled down, to take his arrow. In the ash Milo comes across the wallet of his victim. A figure comes behind him. He hears the steps come closer and sniffs the air. Calm, and the crossbow is lowered to the ground.

"Is it who you were after?" The nervous feminine voice came to Milo, but he just through the wallet down onto the ground and he turns to see Jessica standing in front of him.

"It's not him, I didn't think that Tobius would come out, and be this easy a kill." Milo's disappointment was evident to Jessica. "So, who was he?" Jessica didn't know what to say, she knows how much it would mean to Milo that he kill Tobius.

"He's a no one, about a year old, brought over when he was 18. One less blood draining monster out on the streets, so, at least something came of it." Looking at Jessica, Milo realises what he just said, his guilt makes him turn his back on her. "I don't kill" Reaching out Jessica touched Milo's arm, something inside made him turn and look into his eyes. "There's something that you should know, surveillance at your place showed that another Vamp, and then a Warlord were poking around." News that Jessica didn't want to hear.

"The Council must know."

"Jessica, they must be getting nervous!" Milo watched Jessica's reaction. "They know that you are helping me. The Warlord is after me, the other Vamp must be sent to take you out." No matter what The Council was feeling Jessica was starting to shake like it was two minutes to sunrise. "I don't want to die Milo, once we kill Tobius we can live in peace." Milo reached out and hugged Jessica. "I won't let any harm come to you, I promise." Looking at his watch, Milo saw that in twenty minutes the first rays of the morning sun would come. "C'mon honey! We've got to get you somewhere safe, I'll stop by your place and pick up some things, you can't go back there, from now on, there is no going back." As the sun came up, Milo drove his van from the city, Jessica lays down in the back, hidden from the rising sun.

The dawn broke into Baron's room and caught him full in the face, if it were his room, his house, he would have the benefit of his extra thick blinds. Although human he preferred the darkness. He rose, and quickly dressed in the same clothes that he wore last night. That would have to be one of the first things that he did, buy new clothes, but first breakfast.

It took about two hours to get from the hotel to the city, although only about 10 miles separated the two places. Dublin traffic.

In the city, Baron spent some time sight seeing, and, like any tourist, had a full breakfast in Bewleys of Grafton Street. He bought and changed clothes in Marks and Spencers, and set off to buy a laptop. Once all purchases had been made he called the number that Myles had given him.

Myles' spent only a short time with Baron on the phone, he gave him instructions to find Jessica's crypt, and how to get in. There was only a padlock for security, the Multiplex didn't view the plastic cups and popcorn boxes in that high regard.

When he reached the crypt, Milo was already there. Baron was a little nervous to say the least. He played scenarios over and over in his mind, if this was a Vampire, would his years of watching 'Buffy' be enough to save his ass. If this was a hunter, which it was, would Baron be killed before the hunter realised that he was a mortal. The superior skills of Milo would make all these thoughts disappear from existence, as Baron was spotted.

"Who are you?" Milo was strong, his years of hunting made him realise that Baron was no Vampire. "Don't kill me, I'm not a Vampire, I'm just… Canadian." He was starting to regret buying changing underwear, if this continued much longer he'd have to change them again. Milo had managed to sneak around behind Baron, and now held his Bowie knife to the young Canadian's throat.

"What business do you have here?"

There were no lies coming to mind so Baron decided he'd be truthful, his upbringing was honourable, and normally he didn't lie, so he managed to get the story straight in his mind and let it all flow out.

Milo lowered the knife from Baron's throat. In peaceful thought he lingered for a while, mulling over what Baron had said to him, about the Dawn Boat, about The Council, and about Myles.

"We should leave here, a Warlord was seen. I propose that since the two camps seem to be working to the same end, that we work together?" To Baron, Milo seemed an agreeable fellow. They arranged a meeting. They did not shake hands, or exchange friendly glances, all that happened was Milo leaving, silently. Baron made his way back the way that he entered. The sun was starting to set in the sky, high enough to keep Vampires inside, but before the door closed behind Baron, a strong hand caught it from the inside, and held it open. Small sparks and smoke came from it's pale skin, and the telling growl of the Warlord was heard.

In The Council Chambers, across the city, Tobius held the phone tight in his hand. His eyes closed.

"Good work old friend. Kill the Humans and bring the Vampires before me."

The phone slid down his hand and onto the receiver. A knowing smile came across his face and Tobius opened his eyes.

Myles left his cottage when the sun had gone. His car roared and he sped towards the city.