She sat alone on the porchswing. One foot set the swing rocking idly back and forth. Her dark eyes were fastened on the eastern sky, waiting for the dawn.

She wondered if she had the strength to do what must be done.

She'd heard it was a painful death. From her own experience, she knew the power of the sun's rays; had worn a scar for years until it had finally healed.

But she couldn't go on...not anymore. Rumors of salvation were just that, rumor. She'd heard the stories of how love could give her back her soul. She laughed bitterly. Impossible now.

She wondered if he'd mourn her. He had been unlike anyone she'd ever known. If she'd had a heart, it would've belonged to him. She would've died for him. She'd already killed for him.

That's why she had to wait for the dawn.

She leaned back on the porch swing and stared up into the ebony sky. Stars glittered, winking down at her even as the moon slowly started to set.

It had been on a night like this that they'd met. Dark and clear and cool. Early autumn. She'd found him, called to him, prepared to feast on him. In a way, she had. True, she'd taken his blood, but only a sip. She hadn't expected the bond that formed; the access to his thoughts ... his heart. He loved her even as he feared what he knew she was. The love won out, and he'd planned to leave his wife for her ... once the twins were born. Impatient, she'd lured his wife away.

"Oh, Jack," she whispered softly. His name conjured his image in her mind; thick dark hair that begged for her fingers to run through, golden eyes that bathed her in warmth, in need.

Eyes that would surely look on her with condemnation when they next met.

Tears trickled down her cheeks, leaving pale pink streaks in their wake. She remembered well brushing aside the wealth of blonde hair, and sinking her teeth in the tender flesh of her neck. Oh, the taste of her blood, how it had flowed over her tongue, revitalizing her. She'd had to force herself to pull away. One drop of her blood had sealed the wounds she'd made on her neck, and she'd left her on the emergency room doorstep.

Through the bond she shared with him, she knew the twins had been born safely ... but she hadn't survived. Too much blood loss and not enough time to replenish her.

And he knew who had been responsible.

She sighed, leaned her head back on the swing. She'd killed many in her time; had let others live. Never before had she felt such an intense need to take a life, drain it dry of blood and experience.

"Poor Kathryn."

She knew the voice and bit back a groan. "Go away, Lestat."

The blond vampire dropped down next to her on the porch swing. "All this emotion for the loss of one human." He shook his head sadly. "Ah, what some will do for love."

His voice dripped sarcasm at the last, and her dark eyes glared at him. "Go suck plasma, you ghoul, and leave me be."

He leaned over, and using the pad of his thumb, wiped away another bloody tear. "No human ... no ... man, is worth your tears." He licked her tear from his thumb as he straightened. "Wait for the dawn if you must," he said, straightening his black leather jacket. "But we'll be waiting for you, in case you change your mind."

She watched him take a few steps then leap up. His form slowly disappeared from sight.

Join the others, she thought, or wait for the dawn.

She could hear him in her mind, knew he was waiting for her, knew he wanted her in spite of what she'd done.

She sat on the porch swing, debating what to do.

* from the song Bring Me to Life by Evanescence