Christian tossed the old mans body away in disgust. He preyed on the sick and dying. Not being one to stick around, he walked out of the run down, sour smelling house, and got on his motorcycle. He felt the blood make his heart pump faster, satisfying the eternal hunger, at least for one night. He rode back to the house without his helmet. The wind in his face almost made him forget who he was, where he was. Christian arrived at the house just as Edge was parking his bike, with Gabrielle sitting behind him. She was still dazed from her first ‘meal’.

"How did it go?" Christian asked Edge when they were off.

"Good, but she’s still a bit out of it." Gabrielle stood quietly next to Edge, not moving.

"You remember your first though? It’s natural. She’ll be fine." Christian told his brother, even though he knew Edge was thinking about the same thing. Christian turned, and walked into the house. Edge took Gabrielle’s hand and led her in, up the stairs, and into her room. She still looked dazed. He sat her down on the bed, and pulled a chair over, so he could sit in front of her. Christian moved into the doorway, watching.

"Gabrielle? You okay?" Edge took both her hands in his.

"Yea…. I think so…but I feel so…. different." Her voice was small, and almost scared.

"Its just the new blood working its way though you. It’ll be done soon. I promise. Then you’ll feel more like yourself." He looked at Christian, who came over, and kissed Gabrielle’s forehead.

"Hi Christian…." She said weakly.

"Hello, Gabrielle." He sat down beside her. As her face paled slightly, and her eyes became clear again, Edge sighed with relief. It was over.

"Wow…. what a trip." She said, looking at Edge, then over at Christian, who sighed with relief as well.

"It’s over now. You must be tired. I’ll leave you two to rest." Christian kissed Gabrielle on the forehead again, and left the room.

"Is it like that every time?" she asked, wincing with memory. He chuckled.

"No, it gets shorter, and a lot less incapacitating. Don’t worry. That will hold you until tomorrow, maybe longer." He suddenly leaned forward, and kissed her. She drew back in surprise.

"I’m tired, angel. I’m going to go and rest. If you need anything, I’ll be in my room. Sweet dreams." He rose, and kissed her again, softly. She heard the door close, and suddenly felt alone. She shrugged off the feeling, and wondered where the piles of clothes she had left on her bed had gone. Oh well she thought, best not to question these things. She found her pajamas, and climbed under the cold sheets. But in the huge room, the huge bed, she felt alone. So she sat up and did the only thing she could. She crept out of her room, and walked down the hall to Edge’s. She opened the door, and stood in the doorway. He sat up.

"What’s wrong?" he asked her with concern.

"I couldn’t sleep…. It’s so alone in my room…."

"Come here…" she walked to stand beside the bed. "Well, get in" he said, pulling the sheets aside. She slowly climbed in. he kissed her hair, and lay down with her. She fell into a peaceful sleep almost as soon as she was settled in his arms. He stayed awake for a little while, and watched her, before drifting off to sleep himself.

And in the room across the hall, Christian had dreams about the past, with Gabrielle. But when he woke, he remembered nothing but her face. Sighing, he forced himself back into a fitful sleep, with tortured dreams.