It had been years since it happened, it couldn't still look that bad.

At least that’s Vincent VamWham told himself as he started into the dresser mirror in his and Charley's bed room. His white furred fingers trailed the edges of the metal that covered the side of his face, hiding the damage the pulktains had caused. Maybe it was just a form of self-torture, they way he pulled the mask off once every year to see if it had healed any.

It never did, but he always hoped. He always prayed. But it never did.

Vinnie closed his eyes tightly, as he slid the mask from his face. Not daring to open them until the mask had fallen to the floor with a thud. Slowly…very slowly he opened his eyes, and cried out his anguish.

Nothing had changed. Not a single scar, not a single burn. It was as if no time had passed since it had happened. A tear ran down his face, as he leaned his hands heavily on the dresser top. Why did he do this to himself?

He'd never be anything else but a horrible scared freak. If Charley knew what he really looked like she'd never come near him again. How could she do anything but retreat in disgusted from him? He didn't deserve her, she should have someone prefect...and he was anything but prefect.

Vinnie was so lost in self-disgust that he didn't hear the front door shut and little footsteps running up stairs, until a small voice called out.

"DADDY! We're home!"

Vinnie heart froze, they were back already? Mars no. No. He had to get him mask back on. Things seemed to move in slow motion as he picked up the mask. It was barely in his hands, when the three year old he loved more than life ran into the room.

And screamed.

The mask slid from his fingers. "Zoey…baby.."

Charley was up the stairs in record time the moment she heard her baby scream, and got into the hall in time, to see Zoey running from the room.

"Zoey baby, what's wrong?" Charley asked picking up the little girl.

"Daddy…daddy's face…it…" The little girls green eyes were wide and a bit frightened.

Charley chest constricted at the thought that something horrible had happened to her mate. "Zoey, sweety..why don't you go play in your room. I'll go see daddy okay?"

Zoey sniffed and nodded. "Kay mommy." She whispered nodded, as her mother sat her down, and went to her room.

Taking a deep breath, Charley entered the room she shared with Vinnie. "Vincent?" she called softly.

Vinnie sat on the floor in front of the dresser, his face hidden in his hands. His shoulders were slumped and he looked defeated. By his feet sat the metal mask.

"Go away Charlene." He said curtly, his voice toneless.

Charley moved closer to him, her heart hurting at the thought of what Zoey's scream must have done to him. "Vinnie, love…"

Vinnie lifted his head and looked at her, and Charley couldn't help but gasp and involuntarily take a step backwards. "Now you know how ugly I am." Vinnie almost growled, the pain and anguish evident in his eyes. "Run away before I scare you and Zoey more."

"Vinnie…she's just a baby. Zoey's never seen scars like that before…" Charley tried to explain, taking a few steps towards him. Reaching out to touch his arm.

Vinnie jerked away from her touch, getting to his feet and stalking into the bathroom. "And what will she see now, when she see me? Not her father, not anyone to love or be proud of…just a horrible scared freak. And so will you."

"Stop it!" Charley almost yelled at him, grabbing his arm. "You listen to me Vincent VamWham! You think seeing what was hidden under that mask will change what I feel for you?! I love you for who you are Vinnie…not for what you look like!"

Vinnie started at her hope and disbelief warring across his features. "Charley-girl…you…you deserve more than half a mouse." He whispered.

"Don't tell me what I deserve, Vinnie. I love you, don’t you understand. Your part of me, I don't want to live my life without you." Charley told him, sliding her arms around him.

Vinnie trembled fighting the need to hold her, but finally the dam broke and he wrapped his arms around her, a single tear running down his face. "Charley-girl...oh mars Charley…I love you so much…"

"You'd better, big ears. " Charley teased softly, running a hand down his back in a soothing motion.

Vinnie held her tightly, as if he was sure she would disappear at any moment. His thoughts went down the hall to his young daughter and his heart hurt again. Nothing the pulktain had done to him had hurt as much as seeing fear and terror in Zoey's eyes. Fear and terror of him. Of him.

Vincent VamWham clung tighter to the woman he loved.

To be continued?