Only after Cassian finally lay still did Ly turn away from him. He stood there with Rome in his arms and thought that, once again, he had been robbed of his only chance to avenge his brothers murder.

But this time his thirst for revenge didn't burn as strongly as it had when he'd found Matthew Scott's body. Somehow it felt fitting, it felt right, that it should be Tricia that pulled the trigger and ended Cassian's life. For better or for worse, it was over now and, at the very least, this way Tristan would be proud Ly didn't break the promise he had made so long ago.

Slowly Ly came back to himself and that's when it hit him. The pain in his leg and arm flared up and he finally began to realise just how much blood he had lost in his fight with Cassian. He started to feel his need for blood rising and Rome was right there in his arms. Warm and trembling, her heart beating quickly, thought slowing now that the danger was over. Or so she thought.

“Rome...Rome I...,” Ly chocked out, trying to keep his grip on the girl gentle so he didn't crush her. She looked up at him with wide eyes and he closed his so he wouldn't have to see the emotion in her. He could already feel it, feel how concerned she was and how relieved that he was safe. “You've go to get out of her...you have to go before...”

“You're bleeding,” Rome interrupted, her voice holding a calm Ly knew she didn't feel. She was trying to hide her emotions from him, trying to be calm so he would calm down too. It was already obvious to her that Ly was craving blood and that he was a danger to any human close by. “I know what you want,” she whispered, bringing her mouth close to his ear so the others in the room wouldn't hear her. “I know that you need blood, but you have to hold on. You have to fight it. It's dangerous for you to be here. As soon as we leave I'll find you some blood.”

“I'm trying to...to fight it but I don't know if I...if I can,” the vampire hissed back, trying to keep his voice low while ignoring Rome's warm breath on his ear. “You have to get away from me... before I do something I regret.”

When Ly opened his eyes too look down at her Rome saw the same fear she had seen after the first time he had taken her blood. He was afraid for her, afraid that he would do something to hurt her and trying with everything he had to prevent from doing so.

She only wanted to make sure that he didn't hurt any of the others in the room.

It was a while before Milo was able to tear his eyes away from Cassian's body. There was blood everywhere, covering the wall and soaking into the carpet. The air around them was starting to fill with its metallic scent. So far they hadn't been discovered, but he didn't think their luck would hold out for much longer.

The inspector, thinking quickly, flipped open his mobile phone and called his office. He gave instructions for the officer who answered to send some men up to Jacobson's private residence, giving them no more information than that there had been a fight and there were at least two casualties. Then he turned to Tricia. The blond was standing very still, blue eyes fixed on Cassian's lifeless body.

It was certainly true that Milo hadn't known Tricia for very long, but for the entire time they had been together, she'd been calm and collected. Unemotional even though they had been dealing with her fiancée's murderer. He'd come to think of her as someone who could handle anything. It seemed as though he was wrong.

“Miss Anqustias,” Milo said soothingly, placing a hand on Tricia's shoulder. “I strongly suggest you take Mr Aleron and Miss Armida and get out of here. I've just called in some men and I'll deal with this...mess, but I think it would be better if you weren't here. I'll cover this over for you, but you have to leave now.”

“You would lie for us inspector?” Tricia said, her blank eyes never leaving Cassian's body. “Why would you risk your job for us? Vampires who you hardly know and have committed a very serious crime, under human law. Why would you do that?”

“Let's just say that this would be much simpler if you weren't involved,” Milo replied. “It would probably be a lot better in the long run if I didn't try to arrest a high ranking aristocrat and the Jarlan for what happened here. I don't want to start a war.”

“I understand completely,” Tricia said, but she still didn't make any move to leave. She felt empty now. The man that killed Tristan was dead, but that didn't change anything. Tristan was gone and nothing she could do would bring him back.

Milo shook his head, thinking that it was probably useless to try and get through to Tricia now. She was probably in shock, if vampires could experience shock. He would just have to try something else.

“Mr Aleron,” the inspector said, now turning to Ly. “Will you please take the ladies out of here, get them somewhere safe. In a few minutes this place will be filled with police officers and...” he trailed off when he realised Ly wasn't paying him any attention.

“Miss Armida,” he tried, now feeling agitated. The young woman ignored him also. “Miss Armida? Rome!?”

Her eyes flicked quickly to Milo and them back to Ly. She held up her hand slowly, behind the vampires back, as if telling him to wait.

“There is no time for this,” Milo began taking a step towards where Rome and Ly stood. He was getting nervous thinking about what would happen if anyone came up here and found them all. Before Tricia, Nicator, Rome and himself had entered the building, he had persuaded Jacobson's guards to stay downstairs, telling them that he was there on official police business, but it was only a matter of time before one of them got suspicious and decided to find out what was going on. Adding to that was the extreme agitation caused by the fact that none of the others in the room seemed to care that he was trying to help. “You all have to get out of here before...”

Ly growled softly. “Get away from me human,” he spat, his voice low and dangerous. He could hear Milo's heart beating steadily and feel Rome's pounding rapidly. It was all he could do to stop himself from ripping someone's throat out. Rome gave Milo a frantic, pleading look from over Ly's shoulder.

Milo hesitated. Now that he was closer he could see how tightly Ly held on to Rome and how much the vampire was shaking. He had lost a lot of blood and was probably having a hard time, especially when the person he was linked to was so close. But Milo couldn't let Ly drink from the girl, not while there was still a chance they could be uncovered at the crime scene. Not to mention that, in his current state, Ly could possibly kill Rome if he fed off her.

“Miss Armida I need you to step away from him,” Milo said in his best negotiator voice. “Step away slowly and...”

“No,” the girl whispered back. Her green eyes were once again fixed on Ly's face, but her voice was strong and determined. “No, I need you to step away inspector. Ly won't hurt me, I know it, but he might hurt you and if you don't move away soon I'm not sure I'll be able to stop him.”

Ly was so lost now that he could hardly even hear the words Rome was saying. All he knew was that his thirst for blood felt like red hot wires under his skin, he couldn't see or hear properly, everything was muffled and foggy, and his throat and skin burned. There were three humans very close by who would not be able to fight him off if he decided he couldn't hold on any longer.

Rome was in his arms, she was safe, he knew he could probably stop himself from taking her blood. The human policeman was a different story, and then there was Marcus Jacobson, still unconscious and an easy target. He would be doing the world a favour if he killed Jacobson now.

As if reading his thoughts, Rome reached up and took Ly's face in her hands before the young vampire had even realised he was turning towards the politician. Her beautiful deep green eyes trapped him and he found that he couldn't look away. This was a gift given to her by their link. If she wanted to she could hold him there until he became so blood crazed that he lost all knowledge of who he was.

“Ly,” Rome said soothingly, knowing that if he chose to, Ly would be able to kill everyone in the room. If he lost control completely there would be nothing anyone could do to stop him. “Everything is all right now. If you can just hold on, if you can fight it for a little longer...”

It was useless and they both knew it. His eyes were deep gold now and filled with pain. Blood from his left arm and fingers was staining Rome's clothes and his grip on her was getting tighter and tighter. She could feel him shaking.

“Inspector,” the young woman said softly. “Could you please take Mr Jacobson and Tricia out of the room. It would be better if no-one else was around for this.”

“No,” Milo replied harshly. “I know what you're going to do and I can't let you. He could kill you and I'm not going to let that happen.”

“I knew I was risking my life coming here,” Rome said. This statement made Ly lift his head from her shoulder and giver her an angry look. “And now I know I would do anything, anything, to keep Ly safe. So please let me do this. It's the only thing I can do for him.”

It seemed to Ly, even through the haze of blood lust, that Rome's words were meant more for him that for Milo. She had disobeyed her family and risked her life for him, and now she was going to stop him from hurting others. But did she really mean that she would do anything for him?

“Are you sure about this Rome?” Milo said moving closer to the couple, which earned him another growl from Ly. “You realise what you're doing is against the law and highly dangerous. Once he starts I won't be able to stop him.”

“You won't have to,” Rome said steadily, not a hint of doubt in her voice. She believed in Ly's ability to control himself and she trusted him completely. She realised then that she had always felt safe with him, even when he was mad from the thirst and now was no different.

With a large sigh, Milo walked over to Jacobson and, with some difficulty, picked up the unconscious politician. He then ushered Tricia out of the room, closing the door behind the three of them.

Now that they were alone Rome could feel Ly relax slightly. The only person in the room that he could hurt was the only person he new he could stop himself from hurting. But he still needed her blood.

“Take my blood Ly,” Rome said as the vampire rested his head on her shoulder. She could feel his breath slowing and his heart rate returning to normal. He had expected her to say that, expected her to offer the only thing she felt she could give him.

He could already taste it. Her exquisite, unique, perfect blood. He could already feel the high it would give him. It would be even better this time because now she was his. Now they were linked her blood would be even sweeter. He shook at the thought of it. But then he closed his eyes and the moment past.

“I don't want it,” Ly groaned, now leaning heavily on the girl. “I don't want to tie you any closer to me. I want you to be able to live your life free of me, I want to be able to live free of you, because when you're around me you're in danger and you...you won't change for me. You chose your family over me. Your blood belongs to me Rome, you belong to me, but I can't have you.”

At the mention of her family Rome felt tears well up in her eyes but she held them back. “Do you think I would be here if I had chosen my family?” she asked softly. “I disobeyed them, I chose you. Take my blood Ly, please. Prove to me that I didn't disappoint them for no reason. Take it and everything will be all right.”

“No! No it won't!” Ly growled, angry now. His eyes were glowing with a strange and dangerous light. “Nothing will be all right because I can't have you. You won't let me! I've told you before Rome, I'm a very selfish person. I want you, all of you, not just your blood and not just for now. I would die for you, I almost did, but you won't change for me. That means you chose humans, you chose them over me.”

“I risked my life to come here and save you,” Rome said. “I broke my mothers heart for you and I destroyed any trust my father had in me. I did that for you Ly. Now take my blood, because I may not be willing to change now, but who knows what will happen in the future.”

Ly stiffened and for a few moment's Rome couldn't feel or hear him breathing. It was as if her words had frozen him in place. Then, as if all of his willpower had been destroyed, he began to shake and his grip on her tightened once again.

“You better not be joking Rome,” Ly said in his dark whisper that sent shivers through the young woman's body. She felt his breath on her neck, followed quickly by his tongue. “Things can get pretty bad when I don't get what I want.”

Before Rome could answer she felt Ly bite down on her neck, hard.

Months Later

Val sat at his desk in the blood bank, working his way through piles of paperwork. The old human doctor who use to run the place had quit after the mess with Jacobson and that left Val in charge. Something that had made his wife rather angry.

Just as he was putting the finishing touches on the last of the forms he heard the sound of the elevator and sighed. I should have locked the doors upstairs, he thought. Moments later he heard the elevator doors open and someone step out.

“We're closed,” he said without looking up. “If you want to donate blood I suggest you come back tomorrow. Our opening times are...”

“I'm not sure I'm still allowed to donate blood,” a familiar voice said nervously. The doctor lifted his eyes from the papers in front of him to see Rome across the other side of the room. “I think that would make Ly pretty angry. I'm actually here to talk to you.”

Val smiled and gestured to the seat on the other side of his desk. It had been some time since he'd seen Rome, having spent a lot of time away from the city on Ly's orders, and he was curious to see what she had been up to. He had to admit that she'd turned out to be a lot tougher than he had initially thought her to be.

After what had happened at Marcus Jacobson's house Ly had basically ordered Rome to stay away from any vampires, including himself. He didn't want her involved in the investigation in any way. And she had refused. She said that she wouldn't leave his side under any circumstances. The vampire community was in an uproar, having found out that vampires were being used to help one of the biggest anti-vampire parties in the country and the humans were outraged that Marcus Jacobson would turn to murder to further his career. When suspicions were turned the the vampire government Rome was there to defend and support Ly.

Everything was slowly calming down again, but the girl sitting across from Val didn't look calm. After everything they had been through over the past few months Val had to wonder what could possibly have her worried.

“So how have you been?” the vampire asked concerned, thinking that something serious must have happened to her. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, everything is fine,” Rome replied with a small smile. From the look on her face Val could tell that she wasn't being completely truthful. “How are you? I wanted to come and see you earlier, but Ly said he sent you and your family away, he said you needed some time to recover. I heard that you were badly injured when you refused to tell Cassian where Ly had gone. ”

“Oh yes,” Val said cringing slightly. It was very hard to scar vampires, as their wounds healed quickly, but Cassian had found a way. The doctors back and shoulders were now covered in thin scars that would never fade. “I'm completely recovered now, thank you for asking. But I'm sure you didn't come here to find out how I was.”

“Well I...” Rome hesitated, looking uncomfortable. “I...I wanted to...I was wondering if I...if I could talk to your wife.”

Val frowned, confused. Rome had never even met his wife before so he didn't understand why the young woman would want to talk to her. Before he could respond Rome continued.

“I know it seems strange, but she's the only person I know of who...”

The sound of the elevator moving cut off the rest of the sentence and Rome turned in her seat to see who was about to enter. The doors opened on a woman who looked to be in about her late twenties. Her light brown hair fell to her shoulders in soft waves and her amber eyes were narrowed in annoyance. When she saw Rome she looked a little shocked.

“Oh I'm sorry,” the newcomer said, slightly embarrassed. “I didn't realise you still had customers. I'll come back later.”

“No that's fine Clare,” Val said looking rather nervous himself now. “Rome's not a customer. Rome I would like you to meet Clare, my wife. Clare, this is Rome Armida, Lord Aleron's...um...”

“Girlfriend,” Rome finished for him as she stood up to shake Clare's hand.

Clare smiled. “So you're the famous Rome I've heard so much about,” she said, ignoring Rome's hand and hugging her instead. “Val speaks most highly of you and Asta, our daughter, is dying to meet you.” Rome blushed bright red.

Val smiled as he stood up. “Clare, not that it's not wonderful to see you, but what are you doing here and where's Asta.”

Clare put her hands on her hips. “What do you think I'm doing here? I'm here to find out why my husband feels the need to work into the early hours of the morning. I left Asta with Damon. Who, by the way, sees her more often than you do these days.”

The doctor looked highly embarrassed. “I'm really sorry,” he said. “It's just that there's so much work to do and now that the other doctors gone I have to do it all myself.”

“Only because you refuse to hire someone to help you,” Clare scolded. “I know you Val, when it comes to your job nothings ever good enough. Now I'm going to chat to Rome while you get your things together.”

It was hard for Rome to keep from laughing as she watched the vampires wife bully him. Val only smiled and began to pack away his things. Clare nodded as her orders were carried out. When Rome looked at the female vampire her smile faded, remembering why she was here.

“Excuse me Clare.” Rome said, hardly knowing where to begin. How did you go about asking someone what it was like to give up their humanity? Val's wife was the only person she knew who had been changed from a human to a vampire, so if anyone could tell her it was worth it Clare could. “I was wondering if...”

Clare smiled at the younger woman. “I thought the day would come when we could finally meet Rome,” the vampire said. “I've been thinking a lot about you and Ly and it's occurred to me that you might be after some advice.”

At this last statement Rome breathed a sigh of relief. Clare put a comforting arm around her shoulder and led her over to the corner where they could talk without Val overhearing.

“So let me guess,” the vampire said, sitting down on one of the hospital beds and gesturing for Rome to sit next to her, “you want to know what it feels like to be turned and what happens after.” Rome nodded. “Well, let me see. Val turned me a few months after we were married, he was reluctant to do it but I forced him into it. You know how it works right?” Rome nodded again. “Well after all the blood is exchanged you kind of start to feel drowsy, like you've taken heavy painkillers, and then it's just like falling asleep. Later I was told I was out for three days, but to me it was like I had only just closed my eyes.”

That doesn't seem so bad, Rome thought, somewhat relieved. At least there's no pain involved.

“Then when you wake up,” Clare continued, “everything seems...sharper, more in focus. I found I could think more clearly, I no longer needed my glasses and the world seemed to be moving slower.”

“What about the blood?” Rome asked nervously, getting down to one of her biggest fears. She had been around Ly long enough now for the sight of blood to become less intimidating, but she still didn't think she could handle drinking it.

“You know I though that would be a huge problem,” Clare said, looking thoughtful, “and in the beginning it was a little bit scary. After you wake up from the change you start to crave blood almost instantly, but after the first glass it fades. I don't even get the cravings now if I drink regularly. I though it would be hard to make myself start drinking blood, but once you're actually a vampire you start to think differently. Surprisingly it wasn't even an issue.”

It was strange, but from the way Clare spoke it seemed like there was no downside to changing into a vampire and this made Rome wonder if she was hiding the worst of it. Surely it couldn't be all good. And even if it wasn't that hard to make the change there was still something Rome was worried about.

“Did you tell your family before you changed?” the red-head asked softly, watching to see how the vampire would react. “Did they mind that you wanted to be with Val so badly that you would do this for him?”

For the first time since they had met the smile left Clare's face. “My family never liked Val,” she admitted, her tone serious and slightly angry now. “When I told them he was a vampire they...well...it wasn't good. They were mad at me for choosing to date a vampire and I was so mad at them because I didn't understand how they couldn't see what a good person Val is, and how much I loved him. I never told them about the change and I haven't spoken a word to them since the day before I got married. They don't even know that Asta exists. As far as I'm concerned the only family I have is Val and Asta.”

Clare sighed deeply and then saw the disappointed look on Rome's face. “I'm not going to lie to you Rome,” she said, patting the red-heads hand, “it's not easy being a vampire. The sun burns like you wouldn't believe and having even the smallest bit of silver anywhere near you makes you feel sick and weak, but worst of all you have to hide yourself away from the rest of the world. Most humans hate us so it's better to keep yourself away from them. That's just how it is. Sometimes, to get what we truly want, we have to make big sacrifices.”

It was a hard decision to make, Rome knew that, which is why she had so much respect for Clare. She had been able to throw herself into a life she knew nothing about, give up everything she had ever known, just for the man she loved. Now there was only one thing left to ask.

“Was it worth it?” Rome said, watching the vampire closely. “Do you ever regret the decision you made?”

As fast as it was gone Clare's smile returned. “It was so worth it,” she answered. “There has never been a day that I've regretted choosing to become a vampire. All I have to do is look at my fantastic husband and my beautiful daughter to know that I made the right choice. I wouldn't be able to live without them.”

Clare looked at Rome then and saw the debate going on inside her. “I can't say that it will be the same for you as it was for me,” she said, placing a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. “But all you really need to think about is if you really love Ly and if he really loves you. Can you live without him? And what are you really willing to give up to be with him?”

Five Years Later

Ly lay on the lounge in his private sitting room, head resting on Rome's lap as she read through a thick, and boring looking, psychology book. Occasionally she would absent-mindedly run her fingers through his hair.

The sky could be seen through the doors that lead out onto the balcony. It was getting lighter now, though the sun hadn't yet risen. It was surprising how fast Rome had adapted to a vampires sleep pattern.

It was strange, Ly thought as he looked up at her. She had stuck by him through the mess he had made of his life. She had been with him when Inspector Milo Perters covered over the fight in Marcus Jacobson's study, clearing his name in the process, and had defended him when suspicions were cast on members of the vampire community. She had openly admitted that she was dating a vampire and had taken all the outrage and ridicule from her peers without once complaining. She never complained and she never once mentioned her parents or the rest of her family.

It wasn't a secret that she missed them. They had barely spoken since she disobeyed them to go looking for Ly. Rome had tried to call them on a few occasions afterwords, but no-one ever answered her calls. She assured Ly, over and over again, that they were just hiding and they would contact her one day soon. For a while hatred for vampires had increased dramatically and her fathers old hunters club had been after him again.

Ly knew, however, that if they had wanted to get in contact with Rome they would have done it. It was strange to him that it wasn't the fact that he was a vampire that made them ignore their daughter, it was simply that she had chosen him over them. Humans were strange creatures.

“Do you regret it?” Ly said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence in the room.

“What are you talking about?” Rome asked, not looking up from her book. She was still going to university, and working towards a doctorate in psychology. All the other students who recognised her and most of the lecturers were terrified of her now.

“Do you regret choosing me?” This time Rome actually looked at Ly. His face was hard to read, but she could feel that he was worried. She closed the book and put it aside.

“Why would you ask me that?” She said, smiling. “You already know the answer.”

“I asked because you have to have thought about it,” the vampire said seriously. “What would have happened if you stayed with your family that night instead of coming after me? Or better yet if you had never met me. You have to have though about how your life would have turned out.”

Rome sighed. “I miss my family Ly,” she said after a short pause. “You already know that. It's been hard for me, with everything that happened after Cassian and Jacobson, and I do sometimes think about how my life would have turned out if I hadn't of chosen you. But nothing I think of could compare to the life I have now. Even without my family.”

Ly was looking so grave that Rome couldn't help but laugh. He was still worried and she knew why. Their pledging period was coming to an end and if she decided to stay human he would never see her again. It was unlikely that, after everything that they had been through together, she would choose to break off their engagement, but it was widely known that the leader of the vampire community was pledged to a human. If her family decided to make one last plea to her, he was worried that she would wouldn't be able to resist the chance of reconciliation.

Truthfully she didn't even have to chose them over him. Maybe she would resent him anyway for cutting her off from her family forever. Pledges had been broken over less then that.

“Ly stop worrying, it's not like you,” the red-head said, reaching over to pick up her book again. “Anyway you're being silly. You know how I feel. If I had any doubts do you think I could hide them from you?”

She was right, of course. Their link had only gotten stronger over time and Ly was sure she aware of him now too. Not in the same way he could feel her, but she knew he was there before he walked into a room and was tuned in to his emotions more than was ordinary.

“I just want to know that...” Ly began, but Rome cut him off by placing a hand over his mouth.

“You have more important things to worry about,” the young woman said smiling again. “Like what you're going to say to the Prime Minister tomorrow. You really should have replied to that invitation straight away.”

The young vampire scowled after Rome took her hand away. “If that sorry excuse for a human being wants a meeting he can come to me. There's no way I'm going to sit in his office like one of his subordinates and explain to him my plans for the future. Parliament's probably crawling with vampire hunters anyway.”

Rome rolled her eyes. “I know you don't like this P.M, but at least it wasn't Marcus Jacobson. Milo really did us a favour when he exposed what he had been doing. I'm surprised he...”

“Uncle Ly, uncle Ly!” The sitting room doors burst open and a child came sprinting in. The small boy dashed around the furniture and came to an abrupt stop in front of Ly and Rome. “Uncle Ly, mother says I have to go to bed now, but it is still dark out. Tell her I can stay up for a little longer, please.”

Sighing Ly sat up and ran his fingers through his messy hair. “You should do as you're mother says,” he told the child sternly. “She's a demon when she's mad.”

“But I want to stay up,” the child protested. “Besides, you are the Jarlan. If you say I can stay up then mother will have to listen to you.” As he spoke he climbed into Rome's lap. The young woman smiled and reached into her pocket, pulling out a lolly, which she handed to the boy.

“If the kid wasn't a vampire he'd be the size of a house by now,” Ly said. Rome stuck her tongue out at him. “Listen kid even I wouldn't argue with you're mother. I'd really like to keep all my limbs.”

The child gave him a wide eyed, confused look and Ly turned away, unable to look the five year old in the face. Rome was about to say something when Tricia burst into the room, looking extremely agitated.

“Tristan,” she huffed, marching over to the child, who buried his face in Rome's shirt. Ly flinched at the sound of his nephews name. “So you think uncle Ly will let you stay up past your bed time,” she glared at Ly as if it had been his idea. “You come with me right now young man.”

“I want to stay with Aunty Rome,” little Tristan said, his voice muffled by Rome's shirt. “Aunty Rome says I can.” At this Rome's eyes widened and she shook her head at Tricia, who had raised an eyebrow at her.

“Well I say no,” Tricia said to her son. “Aunty Rome has a lot of work to do and we have to get up early to visit Dr Val.”

“I don't want to,” Tristan pouted, still gripping Rome like a lifeline. “Asta's mean to me.”

“I'll put him to bed if you want Tricia,” Rome said, hugging the child, who grinned triumphantly. “You look tired and once Tristan realises what we're doing isn't much fun he'll probably want to go to bed.”

Tricia sighed and shook her head in defeat. “Fine,” she said, giving in. “Just make sure he is in bed before the sun is up.”

When the blond left the room Rome ruffled Tristan's hair. “You should really listen to what you're mother tells you,” the told the child softly. “She's a very smart woman. Even Jarlan's listen to her and she's always right.”

Young Tristan frowned for a second. “But,” he said at length, “but mother says that father was the greatest vampire that ever lived. That has to be wrong, because everyone knows that uncle Ly is the greatest vampire.”

Rome looked startled, but Ly snorted. “You're mother's right kid,” the vampire said, still not looking at Tristan. “There will never be a vampire in this world who could even come close to your father. I'm nowhere near that good a person.”

There was silence in the room for a few minutes while Tristan studied his uncles profile. “Well I think you are a good person, uncle Ly. Aunty Rome thinks so too.”

Ly only response was a deep sigh before he got up and walked over to the window.

Rome looked over at Ly. It was hard for him to be around his brothers son. Tristan made him uncomfortable and it was easy to see why.

Little Tristan was the image of his father as a child. Tricia had shown Rome photos of Tristan when he was around his son's age and it was almost impossible to tell the two apart. The child had nothing of his mother in him at all.

There was one difference though, small and easily missed. It was only when you looked deep into the child's eyes that you could see it. His eyes weren't the eyes of his father as a child. They were Tristan's eyes as an adult. The exact same eyes that had looked at Ly the last time he had seen his brother alive.

Ly couldn't look at the child because he felt his brother looking out at him. He couldn't even say his name and because of this he was cold and distant towards his nephew. It was a wonder that the child still wanted to be around him. But, exactly like his father, little Tristan wouldn't give up on Ly. He still thought he was a good person.

“Mother says that uncle Ly has done more for vampires than any other Jarlan that ever lived except for Father,” Tristan said happily to Rome. “She says that uncle Ly made the humans see that we were important too and now they are not allowed to kill us any more. But she never says what father did.”

Rome felt a strong swirl of emotion from Ly, stronger than anything she'd ever felt from him before. They were gone before she could identify any, leaving a emptiness where they had been.

“You're father taught us, all of us, a very important lesson,” Ly said, his voice low and heavy. Rome wanted to get up and go to him, but she knew he would rather she stay with Tristan for the moment.

“That's all,” Tristan said, looking a little disappointed.

“That lesson was one of the hardest things for us to learn,” Ly continued gruffly. “He taught us that it was fear that drove the conflict between humans and vampires. From the very beginning. Humans feared vampires so they fought them, and vampires feared humans so they fought back. He taught us that war was pointless because it didn't matter who won, nothing would change if everyone was still terrified of each other.”

It all seemed so clear to Ly now and he only wished that Tristan was still alive so he could tell him he finally understood. “If there was a war and vampires win, then what? We keep the humans as slaves? Keep them under perfect control.” It was clear to Rome that Ly was talking more to himself than to Tristan. “What's to stop them from rebelling? We take over and they'll fight back, they're in control and we fight. It's never going to end, not like that.”

He stopped and took a deep breath. “Your father knew that and he tried to tell me so many times, but I didn't understand. I didn't see that vampires and humans are too much alike for a system of dominance and subjugation to work. I didn't see that before, but I do now.”

Little Tristan gave his uncle a bemused look. “Why would people fight if they were scared?” he asked, obviously not understanding most of what his uncle had just said. “When something scars me I hide.”

Without warning Ly burst out laughing. This made Tristan smile even though he didn't know what had made his uncle so happy. Though his laughter sounded genuine, Rome thought it had more to do with pain than amusement. It was a few minutes before Ly was able to talk again.

“You're a lot like you're father kid,” Ly said. “He always thought it was better to hide than fight. But you can't spend your whole life hiding. Now go to bed, before you're mother comes looking for you.”

Rome led the child out of the room, leaving Ly alone. The vampire had to wonder if little Tristan was a punishment for all the horrible things he had done in his life. It seemed as if his brother had come back to life and was watching him through the child's eyes. Little Tristan seemed a lot older than he actually was and sometimes Ly had to remind himself that he wasn't talking to his brother.

One thing Ly was sure of, if he and Rome never had children, if Rome left him for her family or something happened to him or her, he was sure that Tristan would make a great Jarlan. Tricia didn't want him to be Ly heir, but it was easy to see that the boy was a natural born leader. He had the same ability as his father. The ability to make people feel safe and at ease.

The sun was rising and soon Ly would have to meet with the Prime Minister to discus the future. People and Vampires still disliked each other, but at least there hadn't been any murders between the two races since Jacobson's arrest. Things had gone from the brink of war to negotiation, which lasted longer but had a lot less casualties.

Ly sighed and looked up at the early morning sky. “Well Tristan,” he said softly. “The war isn't over, but at least the fightings stopped. I hope you can finally be proud of me.”

Hey everyone. Once again, I'm sorry for the major delay with this chapter. I've been so busy lately I hardly ever get any time to write. Though I won't be busy for much longer as I no longer have a job. The plus is I'll probably have more time to write now, the downside...F&B is finished.

This chapter will probably be the last. I would have liked to make it to an even 40 chapters, but I don't think I'll be able to find anything else to write so I'll end it here. I was thinking of doing a chapter on Ly and Rome's wedding, but I'm not so sure it would be a good idea.

I hope this chapter didn't disappoint anyone. A while ago I asked if people wanted Rome to become a vampire or if she should stay human and I got a very mixed response. Originally I was going to have her change, but after reading some of your reviews I could see how it would be more meaningful if she stayed human. In the end I just couldn't get past the fact that she would age and die and Ly wouldn't. So I left it kind of open ended. She could still choose to stay human.

Thanks to all the people who put me on their favourite/alert lists, all the reviewers and thanks to everyone for reading. I really appreciate all the support, praise, advice and criticism I got. It made F&B better than it would have been if I was writing it alone.

I have another fic I'm going to start soon. The first chapter has already been posted so if anyone's interested please check it out and tell me what you think. The updates will probably be slow (job hunting sucks) but I'll try to make the chapters long to make up for it.

Thanks for everything,

Kwin