Cat looked at Cash, studying him for a few minutes, she didn’t like the way he was moving, or his mannerisms. She walked up next to him and took him by the arm “Cash, sweetie, what’s wrong with you?” she asked, as she steered him towards an empty classroom.

“Nothin, I’m fine” he said bruskly, avoiding Cat’s searching eyes.

“Cash, .... do I even need to tell you how pointless it is to lie to me?” Cat said softly as she placed her hand on his cheek, trying to get him to look at her. She noticed immediately how cold he was, and his skin seemed dull, almost chalky. She knew in an instant what was wrong, with a panicked edge in her voice she asked “When was the last time you fed?” Cash got up and tried to walk away from her, but she held on to him tightly. “Cash,.... Cash” Cat wasn’t going to let him go, he was a danger to himself and to others like this. He had been letting the others feed, instead of taking any for himself, it was so like him, a guardian to the end.

Cash turned and looked at her, soft and warm and full of life, he reached out to touch her cheek, she felt so good to him “Its been awhile,... don’t worry I’m okay sweet.” he lied, not wanting her to worry, she had enough on her mind as it was. The future of their entire clan was in her hands now, and in her womb. One or the other would be hard enough to endure, but for someone so young, so kind, to have to bear the burden of both. . .it was beyond the pale.

“Liar” she didn’t sound angry or accusing, just worried. “Cash why..... you know you can always come to me” Cat reminded him “your family, blood family, our mothers,... you and Tris both” her voice was so soothing to him, she had dropped that phoney English accent of hers and was talking in her natural voice, it reminded him of the brook that they used to play at when she was young, lilting and soft. He was startled by the touch of her hands on his face “Cash.....” he finally turned to look her at her soft eyes. He knew she was right, he needed blood, but he hated to ask her, family or not, it made him feel shameful to feed off his own clan.

Cat looked into his eyes, she understood how he felt, he had told her many times, he would rather hunt and kill than drink from his own bloodline. But she knew it was necessary for his survival, and the survival of the clan as a whole, besides it never bothered her, it didn’t hurt, and part of her enjoyed the intimacy it created between the giver and the receiver. He had drunk from her once or twice in the past, as had other Gangrels, they were clan, they had a responsibility for each other, to protect and aid. And when those Gangrel were also blood family, it was more than a responsibility, it was a duty, one to be carried out with love and compassion on both sides. After all, that’s what had happened to Tris, she was dying, no one could save her, Cash offered her a choice, she could either let her life slip away and join her ancestors in the cauldron, or he would embrace her, bring her into his life as a Grangrel. There was no ultimatum, no threats or tears, it was an offer made of love and duty, it was one that had been repeated time after time throughout the history of their clans, in fact it was very difficult to tell sometimes where one clan left off and the other began.

“Cash, please” Cat said softly, caressing his cold cheek, “I don’t mind,... and you're so cold” the tears were welling in her eyes.

Cash wanted to walk away, he tried to tell himself he could find someone else, but he knew that was a lie, he had let himself become too weak, and there was nothing but children and teachers here, the same people he had sworn to protect, he couldn’t go feeding off them, not now, he was to dangerous to them and he knew it. But Angel was different, she was his descendant, his great-great-great-grand-niece, the blood that they shared would never allow him to harm her, even accidentally. “But you're already so pale Angel” Cash sighed “I doubt you can spare any as it is.”

Cat put her arm around him and walked him to the door, “I’m always pale.... hells bells, you have a better chance of getting a tan than *I* do” she told him rolling her eyes.

Cash laughed weakly, she was probably right about the tan, took after their side of the family “At least you didn’t get the freckles” he joked as they walked towards her room.

“I happen to like your freckles" she teased back as she led him towards her room.

Cash’s mind wandered to his making as Cat led him to her room “Blood to Blood, Life to life, Time to Time, Endless we live, We kindred, Fortunate and Damned, Outcast and Protected. We are hunters in the night.. From Fuil we arrived, In his bloodlines we have followed, parted in clans. We wander the night and stalk the darkness.. We are vampyres, Born to Darkness and Embraced by the blood. Our destiny is in the kill and in the embrace. Our lifeline is eternal... Nobody knows who we are.. and we are destined to immortality...” the words still rang in his mind, even to this day, how many years had it been? Cash shuddered as the thought of time swept through him, 2000, 3000, how many years had it been, how many friends had he made and lost through the passage of time........ He paused as he realized they were already at Angel’s room, she had opened the door and was guiding him to her bed.

Cash sat heavily on her bed, he was far weaker than he was willing to admit, to himself or to anyone else. The fire felt good to him, he warmed his hands as he looked around the room, some of the items were very familiar to him, especially the photos. He rolled his eyes as he saw the photo of he Tris and Angel, they had wove flowers into his hair..they had been teasing him about his name... was it any wonder he shortened it to Cash. Part of him sorely regretted allowing the snapshot to be taken the other part was grateful for the memories it stirred within him. he thought fondly as he gazed at the photo. There was one of her poppa, chieftain of Clan MacLeod, and it showed. His thick silver hair grazed his shoulders as he stood proudly next to his little girl, she had just finished her training with the De Dannan. And the one with three of her brothers..Duncan, Luke and Shane. Cash rolled his eyes as he thought of Shane, talk about over protective.. He was worse than all of her brothers put together. Although not very suprising, considering they were twins.

Cash’s attention was drawn to one of the wizard’s photos, he stared for a moment before he could make out the image with his dry eyes. It was Lily and Angel with two dark haired boys. He smiled as he squinted at the picture, Lily was kissing one of the boys, and Angel was resting her head against the other’s chest as he held her. Cash noticed the look of joy on Angel’s face long before he realized who the boy was.... Sirius. Cash rubbed his eyes and looked again.. Sure enough it was Sirius and they were holding onto each other, both smiling happily, obviously in love.......

Cash grimaced as Angel touched his face, the warmth coming off of her was almost overpowering to his senses, he wanted to share in her warmth, in her blood, but he knew he must be careful. He looked at her with bleary eyes as she unfastened her robes, he had wanted to tell her how nice she looked in them, so very pretty, like the wild flowers growing by the brook. He felt the blood lust rising within him, the urge to take her and feed was almost overwhelming him. He could smell the scent of her skin and her blood as she climbed up onto the bed. He reached out for her, he was amazed that she never flinched from his touch, even now as cold as he was. Cash hesitated when he noticed the curve of her breasts, he kept forgetting she was a woman now, no longer a child. He felt the echo of his mortal life playing with his memories as he wrapped his arms around her, cradling her lovingly as the heat of her body enveloped him.

Cash pulled her against him as gently as he could, she kissed him sweetly on his cheek, stroking his hair as he pushed aside her robes exposing her neck, he paused at the sight. He could feel her heart beating against his chest, the pounding of her heart mixed with the rushing flow of her blood. As much as he detested drinking from his own family, he loved the affection that came with it, he smiled as he pictured the scene. They were kneeling on her bed, he had her held closely but gently in his arms, her head was resting on his shoulder. Her robes were opened, exposing her shoulder and the rise of her bosom; she was stroking his hair waiting for the inevitable penetration of her flesh. Cash sighed as he placed his cheek against hers, she was so unafraid and so giving, he kissed her cheek gently, moving his lips over her chin and down her neck as he felt her heart begin to race. He let his cold lips rest against her warm neck as he felt the pulsing of her blood through her skin. He paused for only a moment as he bared his teeth and sank them deeply into her neck, he heard her gasp and arch her back as he cradled her in his strong arms. His mind was lost in ecstacy as her blood began to fill his mouth....

The blessed blood, he felt faint as its power flooded through him, he felt it moving quickly through his body reviving his flesh and clearing his eyes. He became keenly aware of everything all at once, the feel of the velvet quilt under him, the roaring of the fire, and of course the scent of Angel, who he held affectionately in his arms. Gently he pulled more blood from her as she sighed, her memories had begun to flow along with her blood, Cash relived her experiences; her love, her pain, her confusion. He felt the bittersweet longing in her for her past life, even as he felt her joy for her new role as Harry’s mother. As the blood reached into the crevices of his soul, he found her love, her heart. In all the years he had been with her, she had never allowed this much of herself to be given to anyone, not event o him. Cash shuddered with ecstacy as her heart unfolded before his minds eye, the intensity of her emotions becoming more and more profound as each petal dropped from her heart. Cash felt as if he would explode if she didn't reveal the core of her heart soon, imagine his surprise when the last petal fell away, only to reveal the face of his newest friend, Sirius. Cash sighed contentedly as the vision faded from his mind. The experience was beyond luxurious, her life was like walking into a fire, the layering of emotions were like so many flames lapping against him. Of course the depths of her passion had always astounded him, but this was pure euphoria. Greedily he took more of her blood, hoping to relive the experience, only to hear her moan softly. She was beginning to lose consciousness and he knew he had to stop, regretfully he pulled away. He gazed at her lovingly as he stroked her smooth skin softly, she was his family, blood of his blood. He licked the trickle of blood from her neck as he ran his tongue over his teeth cutting it just enough to heal her wounds with his own blood.

Gently Cash laid her down on the bed as he ran his fingers across her cheeks, he was warm again. He stared at her for a long time, she seemed so frail compared to his vampyric strength, but she had more courage and faith than any being he had ever met in his life. It was her belief in him that had seen him through so much over the years. Sighing softly he kissed her on her forehead and covered her with the quilt. Lately it seemed that she and Tristessa had been his whole life, not that he minded, he needed something to fight for, he always had. Even as a human he needed to be able to protect someone, then it had been his family, he had literally died to protect them. He laughed softly, died, what a misnomer that was, but now he had a new family, his sister had survived and had a large family of her own, and through her children she had given him Tris and Angel, and now Angel had given him Harry, and with any luck Sirius would be joining them as well. Cash smiled brightly, it would be so nice to have some guys around, as much as he loved his nieces, he was tired of being outnumbered by them.....

Before he left, Cash had some work to do. He had seen into her heart today, he knew who it was she truly loved, and he approved of Sirius completely, they would make wonderful parents, and loving spouses. Making sure Cat was sound asleep, he took the photo of her and Sirius, replacing it with the letter Dimitri had written for him. “Lets just see what this does for you my sweet” Cash said softly as he placed the photo inside his shirt “and lets see what this does for Sirius” he smiled warmly as he gave Angel one last kiss goodnight and quickly left her room....

Sometime later that night, a shadowy figure entered Cat’s room. It paused at the foot of her bed, watching and listening to her sleep. Silently the figure walked around the bed and stood next to her, looming over the unconscious divination teacher. Hesitantly the dark figure stretched its hand towards Cat and tenderly caressed her face. The figure produced a yellow rose from the folds of his robes and softly placed it on the pillow next to Cat’s head. His fingers trailed along the material of the pillow, towards Miss MacLeod, only to stop suddenly at a single drop of blood. The figure pulled back for a moment, as if in shock. Only to return both hands to Cat’s face. Gently, so not to wake her, he placed a hand on either side of her face and carefully turned her head so he could study her neck. He ran his fingers across her neck and over her jugular. Not a mark anywhere. Slowly his fingers continued to trace their way over her body, pushing the quilt out of the way as they went. Hands now trembling, his fingers approached her breasts where they hovered for a few moments with indecision. Her robes were opened to the point that her lacey, light pink camisole was easily visible, as were the fullness of her breasts. The figured trembled as his fingers continued their journey over her body, slowly winding their way over the rounded mounds of her bosoms. The dark figure was breathing deeply as his fingertips came to rest over her nipples, which were readily visible through her silkly camisole. A soft groan escaped his lips as he felt her nipples growing firmer under his whispery touches. Cat's lips parted as she moaned softly and ground her hips under the quilt beguilingly.

Suddenly pulling his hands back, the figure made a loose fist before allowing his hands to relax once again. Waiting until his trembling stopped completely, he reached towards Cat and played with her long, fiery hair, letting her curls wrap themselves around his fingers. The figure sighed audibly as his shoulder’s slumped, he caressed her face one last time before he turned from her and crossed her room. Stopping in front of her dresser, the dark figure produced a brightly wrapped package and a note, carefully arranging them on her dresser next to the photographs. His attention was drawn to a piece of parchment standing amongst her pictures. Picking it up the figure unrolled the parchment and walked towards the fire to read it. He gripped the parchment tighter and tighter as his hands shook with anger and his knuckles turned white. Folding the parchment into a small square the figure slipped it into his robe as he walked back towards the dresser and reclaimed the package and note. Angrily striding out of the room the figure’s robes billowed out behind him as he strode out of her warm room and into the cold darkness of the corridor, leaving Cat’s door wide open in his wake.....

Cat awoke in the middle of the night, shivering terribly. She sat up as she felt blindly in the darkness for her covers. “Not like Cash to leave me like this” she said aloud to herself “he usually buries me under the covers after feeds, so afraid I’ll catch a chill and get sick” she mused as she finally found her quilt half way down her bed. She shivered again as she felt a breeze play across her exposed shoulder. Looking up she realized her door was wide open to the cold night air “well I know I forget to lock it.... but I don’t ever recall leaving it open....Peeves” she shouted out as she waited to hear his characteristic howl of laughter.

After a minute of complete silence Cat turned on her lamp and crossed the room to close her door. Deciding since she was up she might as well change into her nightgown she walked to her dresser as she unpinned her hair. Placing the wand and hairpins on the dresser Cat noticed one of her pictures was now missing. “Wonder why Cash would want a picture” she said as she yawned, “Can’t imagine what he would need it for......”

Sirius was lying on his cot staring longingly at the photo Cash had just given him. “Won’t be long mate.” Cash had said pushing the photo into Sirius’s hands as he rushed out of Albus’s office. Sirius sighed as he looked at the photo again, he had noticed it in Cat’s room the other night. Tears slipped silently across his face as he watched his best friend kiss his then fiancé, as he and Cat held onto each other lovingly. “She should be with me” Sirius whispered to the darkness that surrounded him as he clutched the photo to his chest. "I will never love anyone the way I love you."

Why, oh why, had he chosen that night to fall asleep, and why didn’t Harry have the good sense to wake him up. Surely Harry had known how important it was to him to talk to Cat, he had been waiting weeks for the opportunity. Sirius sighed heavily as he replayed Harry’s conversation over again in his head.

“But Sirius you should have seen the look on her face, it was so sweet, and she wouldn’t let me wake you up... she said you needed to rest” Harry had said.

“NO Harry.. I needed to see her, to talk to her...it was my one chance” Sirius had told Harry “I don’t even know if she knows whats happened.... does she still think I’m married... does she know about Azkaban.... anything?” he had immediately regretted raising his voice when he saw the look in his godson’s eyes.

“I’m sorry Sirius” Harry had said meekly “I didn’t think about that, I....I just wanted ......”

It had been at that point that he saw the tears forming in Harry’s eyes, he hugged his godson fiercely assuring him everything would work out. It had to, it just had to...

Sirius’s mind drifted back to Harry’s dream, he had never told Harry he was an auror, very few people ever knew about that. Could any of them had told Harry, and what about the house and the pond. Sirius’s face grew soft as he thought about pond, it was one of his fondest memories, one of the first to come back to him after his escape from Azkaban, at first he had thought it was a dream. He and Cat had stayed at her house one weekend, one of her elder cousins was supposed to be keeping an eye on her, but he had left them alone the whole weekend, he had *more important things to do*. Suited them just fine, they had spent their time enjoying each others company, taking walks, dancing, cuddling. For the most part they had behaved themselves quite well, at least until Saturday night, he had convince Cat to have a drink with him, and then another, and another. Before they realized it, they had drunk two whole bottles of sangria between them, Sirius smiled widely as he remembered how tipsy she had become, and to be honest, he wasn’t far behind her. He dared her to go skinny dipping in the pond, never believing she would ever do it........ boy was he wrong...

She had begun giggling madly as she grabbed a hold of the neck of his shirt and began to drag him towards the pond.. “I’m not going alone” she had said, well if she thought he was going to fight with her about it, forget it, he was all for it....... He had already kicked off his shoes and was pulling of his shirt when he saw her smiling at him. Walking up to Cat he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly against him, kissing her deeply as she melted into him. He had let his hands roam freely over her body, as he listened to her sighing and gasping at nearly every touch. He could feel himself growing harder with every passing second, he had been afraid he wouldn't be able to contain himself much longer. It was at that point he picked her up and carried her into the water, laughing deeply as she kicked and screamed at him playfully. “I thought skinny dipping meant you took your clothes off first” she had said as she threw her arms around his neck.

“It does dearest” he had told her “just thought you might need a little encouragement... or a little help...” he winked as he released her from his arms.

“You’re a cad, an absolute cad” she had laughed as he dropped her into the water, luckily it was a mild night and the moon was full and very bright... he pulled her up immediately, she was still laughing as she tried to swat him, but thanks to the drinks, her coordination was off terribly. She only managed to smack his chest once or twice before he began kissing her again as his ran his hand up the back of her thighs. She responded to him immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her dress off of her, letting it float away with the gentle lapping of the ponds currents. Sirius sighed deeply as he remembered the feel of her skin, the softness, the warmth. He felt a shudder go through his body as he heard her crying out his name in her passion. She had always trusted him, he could do anything because she always felt safe with him, he always felt invincible around her. Gods above how he wanted to feel that way again, he wanted to be her hero again, just once, for the rest of his life....

Sirius grabbed his pillow and squeezed it tightly imagining it was Cat.. Why had Cash brought him the picture, what did he know?..

The next afternoon found Harry looking for Cat, he had finally realized something about her, he couldn’t believe he never realized it before. He had already checked her classroom and her office with no luck he was heading towards her bedroom when he ran into Remus.

“Why in such a rush Harry? Is anything wrong?” Remus had asked as he placed his hand on Harry’s shoulder.

“I need to talk to Cat, I have to ask her about something” Harry said as he tried to rush past Professor Lupin “Good luck Harry, she’s not here right now. I just came from her room...” Remus was cut off by Harry

“YOU just came from her room...Remus what exactly is going on between you? ” Harry asked angrily “in between you two dancing, and calling each other pet names, its no wonder Sirius is always upset.”

Remus looked as though he had been stabbed through his heart, Harry’s words were harsh and to the point “Harry, we need to talk...” Remus said as he grabbed Harry’s arm and led him towards Cat’s room.

After they had entered her room and locked the door behind them Remus asked “What did you want to see Cat about Harry? I may be able to help you”

“I can ask her myself, thank you.” Harry replied shortly “But I would like to ask you, what do you think you’re doing with Cat? Don’t get me wrong, I would take you over Snape any day.... but Sirius...” Harry paused as Remus held up his hand.

“First of all Harry” Remus said softly “there is nothing *going on* between Cat and myself, and my friendship with Cat is not what’s been upsetting Sirius and I think you know that.” Remus sat on Cat’s bed and patted the space next to him, signaling Harry to sit down “We need to talk about a few things apparently.”