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Archiving: Any DP and Mel, all others please ask first
Note: Oh, this is from Tracy's POV, first person
Sleeping Beauty
By: Cousin Mary (Jenkins)
I know I'm in trouble the second I open my eyes. My blinds are drawn
and I never close them all the way. Now I know that compared to rivers
of blood and the like closed blinds seem like a pretty lack-luster bad
omen. But trust me, after getting a first hand introduction to what goes
bump in the night, anytime you wake up in pitch blackness... you know
it's going to be bad.
You see, my alarm is going off, and that means it's noon. High noon and
the only light in my room is coming from the digital clock face. Of
course, knowing it's going to be bad doesn't actually help much. I still
have to get up. I groan and roll over in the general direction of the
bathroom door. And I hit something. Actually... I hit someone.
"Damn."
I just stare at the sleeping man in my bed for the longest time. Slowly
bits and pieces of the previous night start to present themselves. I'd
been at a club, the Neurolux, with Jody and a couple of other gals from
the precinct. Two for one margarita night. I groan and shut my eyes.
We'd been complaining about the men, or lack there of, in our lives. And
then... Miklos. I can't believe I actually picked up a guy at a bar and
brought him home. God, I -never- do that. Well... once, but I'd that
had been my Freshman year in college and I ended up dating him for 4
months so that doesn't count, not really. Oh who am I kidding? Of
course it does! I'm such a slut!
So I scramble past... Miklos, I don't even know his last name, God
that's bad. And slink into the bathroom, trying not to wake him. I
close the door, not all the way since it always gets stuck when I do.
I've had this apartment 9 months and have been complaining since the day
I moved in but still the Super hasn't done a thing. I may have to break
his kneecaps. God I hate mornings. Turning on the water, I open the
medicine cabinet and grab my toothbrush and paste. I'm half-way through
my morning rituals before I happen to look up and catch myself in the
mirror. I see something, my eyes go wide, and I spit a mouth full of
Aquafresh out all over the mirror.
Wiping away the blue and white foam, I look at my reflection again.
Dead center on the side of my neck is a hickey from hell. And I don't
mean a big bruise, I mean two little holes that declare loud and proud
that 'yes I met a vampire, and yes I had a good time!'
"Damn."
I look at bite mark, then look at the bedroom door. I lean on it and it
shuts with a click. Not that a stuck door is going to be much of a
barrier... even if I -could- have locked it (something else to take up
with the Super) that still wouldn't stop a vampire.
"Damn."
I usually don't swear so much, actually I rarely do at all, but for some
reason that's the only word that seems to sum up my feelings this
morning. For a lack of better ideas, I finish brushing my teeth. Then
just go for it and finish everything else too. I shower, put on enough
make-up to hide the dark circles under my eyes and get dressed. Black
jeans and a loose cable-knit turtleneck, periwinkle. Well, why not? I
throw on some socks, boots, my lucky earrings. And when all is said and
done, it's 2 in the afternoon, I'm fully dressed and still very much
trapped in my own bathroom.
"This isn't going well," I mumble, sitting on the sink counter and
fiddling with some imported shell-shaped soaps Jody got me for my last
birthday. They had given me hives. It had been Jody's idea to go to
Neurolux last night too. Two for two that girl.
I give myself ten more minutes of cowering before deciding to square my
shoulders and face Miklos. The door, however, has other ideas. When I
said it gets stuck I was -not- kidding. We're talking a tug-of-war
against the starting line of the Leafs. Anyway, eventually I'm
successful and the door opens... sending me tumbling backwards to crack
my tailbone hard against the tiled floor. Have I mentioned I hate
mornings?
I peek around the door and see that, despite the WWF racket I'd made,
Miklos is still sound asleep. He must be a relatively young vampire. I
don't really know too much about it, but I know that the younger they are
the more sleep they need. Technically I could stake him now, just plunge
a wooden soupspoon into his chest and rid the world of a denizen of the
night. Oh boy, that's a homicidal little musing isn't it? Well, I know
I'm not going to do it. He hadn't killed me had he? I figure the least I
can do is return the favor.
I stare at him for awhile. He looks... sensual. That's not a word I
would usually use to describe a person. People do sensual things, a
touch, a look, but I wouldn't normally just describe a person as just
-being- sensual, like they embody it. But he does. He's got the kind of
face you see in a crowd and later kick yourself for not tracking down.
Straight nose, high cheekbones, strong jaw, hair like black silk ... this
mouth that... wow. I can see why the girls let me go off with him last
night. I keep staring. If this was TV he'd wake up and either a) smile
sleepily and invite me back into bed or b) snarl savagely and try to kill
me. This isn't TV. He's out cold... I can't say I'm not disappointed.
I walk into my cramped, but functional kitchen and pull the bottle of
bloodwine out of the 'fridge. It's sheer dumb luck that I actually have
it. I stole it from Vachon. Yep, stole it. It was wrong, I know it but
it's not like I make a habit of stealing. I'm not a clepto. It was just
one of those things. I went to the Church, Vachon wasn't there. A pair
of red silk panties were on the couch though... So this is what I
figured, either Vachon is a cross dresser, or he has a girl friend. And
though I got a good chuckle considering the first, I figured the second
was a tad more likely. Anyway, I was mad, and I took revenge by stealing
a bottle of blood. That's pretty pathetic huh? It was that or the
guitar, but I thought he'd probably drain me if I touched his Gibson.
I sigh and go back into the bedroom carrying the bottle. I sit down
next to Miklos and he starts curling against my hip. Have I mentioned
that he's drop dead gorgeous? Drop dead, heh. That's almost funny.
More of last night is starting to come back to me, and not just the juicy
bits. Miklos and I had actually talked for quite awhile at the club.
About a lot of things, but mostly about not having anyone... I reach out
and run my fingers down the side of his face. His skin is cool to the
touch, not unpleasantly so, but it's noticeable. Pure morbid curiosity
makes me check his pulse. He doesn't have one, but he sighs at the feel
of my hand on him, a small smile tilting up the corners of his beautiful
mouth.
I'd told him I was alone. Not in the literal sense, after all, the
other gals from the 96th had been getting sloshed at a table across the
way... But, well, you know how it goes. Mom and Dad are getting a
divorce, it's about time, but getting relegated to referee is not exactly
fun. My partner... lets face it, Nick and I have never actually managed
to have a conversation much beyond casework or the weather. Vachon,
well, I already mentioned the panties didn't I? And the gals from work,
none of us are really close. Even Jody and I have grown apart, people
change, even sorority sisters.
Miklos had listened, really listened, like he was relating to everything
I said. I think I was the one who used the term 'kindred spirits' first,
but he latched on to it pretty quick. He'd told me about his sister and
friends. He'd been pretty vague, and in hindsight I find myself
wondering if all the people he'd talked about weren't his vampire family.
Something had obviously happened, something that would make this
beautiful vampire drink alone at a mortal club. He hadn't been hunting,
at least I'm pretty sure of that. I'm still alive after all.
I don't know how long I sat there watching him sleep, but when I looked
up at the clock it was nearly 4:30... time for me to head off to work. I
thought about calling in sick, but the Dickenson report is due tonight
and if I don't get it done Reese is going to have my head on a platter.
"Hey." I rub Miklos's shoulder, trying to wake him as gently as
possible. The sun won't be down for another hour or so, but I can't just
leave him here to wake up and find me gone... Who knows what he'd think?
He makes a noise halfway between a groan and a growl, and God help me
but I like it. Sorta like a purr, but not quite. "Miklos?"
His dark lashes flutter up and he looks at me with unfocused eyes.
They're deep brown, I think I see a tinge of gold, but it fades so fast I
can't be sure. He sits up and the covers puddle down to his waist.
Chest. Um, let me just say 'wow,' I dare anyone to maintain eye contact
with a guy with a chest like that. I do good though, I only stare at the
smooth muscled expanse for a second... well, three tops. Lucky for me
he's not really awake enough yet to notice.
"Morning," I grin and he smiles back. He looks tousled, very confused
and before I even realize it, I'm leaning forward and kissing that smile.
His lips actually feel warm... maybe that's just in my head though, who
knows.
"Tracy," He sighs out my name and I can tell he's still not completely
awake. Well, at least he remembers my name....
"Here," I hand him the bottle, not really knowing what else to do or
say. He looks at it uncomprehending for a moment, then pulls the cork
and takes a sniff. His eyes widen and then his head snaps up and he
looks at me with this shocked and vaguely alarmed expression. I think I
just scared a vampire...
"You- you know?" He asks.
He's staring at me like I just told him I was Elvis's love child and it
finally clicks that maybe he's scared he broke the code last night and
told me, a mortal, about the 'community.' "Um, for a while now
actually." He doesn't say anything, so I keep going, "I know a couple
of... you guys pretty well..."
"Vachon." He says matter-of-factly.
Now how did he know that? Maybe he saw us at the Raven? "Among
others." I shrug. Since he didn't think I knew about vamps he must also
think Vachon and I weren't a real item... which I guess, considering the
size 4 panties, we weren't. "Though I've, um, never gotten quite as close
to any of them as you and me..."
Well -I- thought I was being pretty suave to bring up what happened last
night like that, kinda poetic. But when he reaches up to the collar of
my turtleneck and gently pulls it down to check exactly how 'close' we
got, I feel myself go beet red. So much for the woman-of-the-world vibe
I was trying for... At least I didn't giggle. I used to do that as a
kid, giggle when I was nervous. Oh God, of course as soon as I think of
it I start to giggle. Damn! He looks at me and I look up at the
ceiling, trying not to burst out laughing. This is -not- funny!
"Are you okay?"
I look at him again, and all I see in his eyes is concern. Of course,
given that I know damn well I'm bright red and on the verge of hysteria I
probably deserve such concern... Oh wait, he's asking about the bite
isn't he? "Um, yeah. I liked... I mean, you didn't hurt me." Oh God,
well, so what, he knows I enjoyed it now. Might as well be honest right?
He reaches out and touches my cheek, and almost without thinking about
it I close my eyes, just feeling. "Beauty..."
Beauty. He called me that last night too... and with his accent... He's
Greek, it's a strange accent that sounds somehow guttural and lilting at
the same time. It's having quite the effect on me. Oops, he's still
talking. Better pay attention to the words and not just the voice huh?
"Beauty, can I-"
He sounds unsure of himself. Uh-oh, it's the big brush off. The
'last-night was great, but-' speech. Ugh, maybe I should have gotten out
that soupspoon after all... I open my eyes and attempt to stare him
down. If I have to hear the speech I'm going to make him squirm while he
gives it dammit!
"Could I... perhaps-"
He doesn't -look- like he's trying to squirm his way out of here,
actually, he looks kind of... hopeful?
"Perhaps I could... see you again?"
Oh God. I hadn't thought about that... See him again? As in a
relationship? He's a -vampire-. A vampire I know next to nothing about.
He has a job, he didn't say where though. He mentioned his sister had
recently left town... I get the feeling they were close. Of course, if
it was a sister in the vampire sense maybe it was also his girlfriend,
which means this could all be a rebound thing. And wait a second here,
maybe -I'm- rebounding. The whole Vachon thing after all. Of course,
Vachon is, well Vachon. Chances are if I still wanted to- Uh-oh, he's
looking at me with this weird expression, like he swallowed a bug. Why?
It's been awhile, he's waiting for an answer. What if he's a killer? I
can't just jump into dating a killer! Hell, it's 5 o'clock, I'm going to
be late! Um, answer, need to- Well, what do I want? "Um, yeah, seeing
you again would be... good."
A smile splits his face, a shock of white teeth flashing across an open
face. "For a moment there I feared you would bolt. You remind me of a
story my grandmother told," His eyes seem to look past me as he
remembers, his smile growing wistful. "Of a beautiful, but wild mare
that would let no one near her. She would gallop off whenever anyone
dare approach."
"What happened?" All right, I admit it, I'm as sucker for a story.
With me 'once upon a time' is the greatest pick-up line ever invented.
But I -so- have to go to work. Nick has never actually beaten me there,
but tonight he's going to.
"She was eventually tamed," If he'd had it in him, he would have been
blushing. He shifts his weight uneasily. "By a wise man with a
stallion..."
I can't help but burst out laughing. He looks so adorable when he's
embarrassed! I guess he hadn't thought the story all the way through
before he brought it up. I lean forward and kiss his cheek. "I have to
go to work. Um, maybe you could, uh, leave your phone number or
something?"
"Work?" He raises a brow, then glances at the clock. He mumbles a few
choice words under his breath, hoping maybe I won't hear. They're in
Greek so I don't understand them anyway. "I too must go."
"Where?" I blurt the question out, he looks startled. Well, if he
wants a relationship he's going to tell me. After the Vachon-fiasco I've
decided honesty is the best policy. Screw the Enforcers.
"I work, as well as live, at the club Raven. Have for many years." He
explains, "I am the bartender."
I have about a million questions, but I -really- need to go to work... I
suppose if it's meant to be I'll see Miklos again, right? "Maybe I'll
stop by after my shift?"
He seems to think about that, weighing the danger maybe, but in the end
he nods slowly. "Your company would be most welcome, my beauty." He
tells me with a small, almost shy smile.
God, does he have any idea how attractive he is? Maybe not handsome in
the GQ cover/James Bond sort of way, but there is something about him.
Something innately appealing. I smile back, "Okay, I'm going to be
incredibly late now. I'll see you in a few hours." And with a small
kiss I get up and head for the door. Behind me I can hear him getting
dressed, and for some reason, despite what we did last night, I don't
sneak a peek until I've grabbed my stuff and am closing the front door
behind me. He's almost dressed, he should be leaving soon himself. I
head to the elevator, overly aware that with traffic I'm going to be at
least 20 minutes late as it is and I can't wait any longer... I can only
hope that I won't come home tonight to a stereoless apartment...
The elevator doors open with a chime just as Miklos comes out behind me.
I jump a bit, for some reason I'd been expecting him to use the window
like Vachon always had. Guess I should learn not to compare the two so
much. "Hi again," I smile somewhat self-consciously.
He smiles, then leans over and presses a kiss against my mouth. Hey,
this is actually the first time he's kissed me since we woke up, the
other two times were me kissing him... Wow, I guess the relationship has
officially started.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Should I continue?
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