Disclaimer: The characters of Power Rangers are owned by Saban Entertainment. Alex and Sierra- and any other characters you don't recognize- belong to Stacey and Capri and should not be used without permission. This story isn't really a story about the rangers- it just has some of the characters. (It's a little something to hold you off until we can finish the sequel to "Double Trouble") Special thanks to Willow Blessing for editing.

Note: This story contians some foul language, violence and references to sexual situations, but don't worry we left most of the good stuff out. The uncut version of this story can be found at The Basement.

Centuries had passed and the two mysterious and dark young men remained unchanged. They are vampires and possess eternal youth, beauty and life. The only thing that differed was their lifestyle. They no longer killed for sport, but for necessity. And rarely killed for that. They took what they needed to survive and nothing more. They traded in their deviousness and evil ways for new lives.

They now had friends. They were a part of a group of people who loved and cared for each other. They are teenagers living the lives that were denied them because of the curse that rested over them. The curse that they kept hidden from everyone they held dear…Until now.

All of the gang was at their favorite hangout, enjoying what life had to offer to teenagers these days. Rocky and Tommy were working out on the mat when Alex Peterson walked in. Rocky stopped dead in his tracks, allowing Tommy to nail him with a roundhouse kick. Rocky wasn't phased as he fell onto his back, never missing a glance at the lovely Alex.

Tommy followed his gaze and was reminded of a time when he was in that position. He was crazy about Kim and wanted to ask her out, but he was afraid that she would turn him down. It did terrible things to his concentration until he asked her out. The last thing the Rangers needed was a lovesick fool. "Rocky, man, why don't you just ask her out?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"It's obvious that you like her, so why not just ask her out?"

"I don't know. She's so beautiful. There's no way she'd wanna go out with me."

"Why not?"

Rocky doesn't respond to his friend, he is remembering another place, another time….

Spain- 1595

Emillio Ricardo Evangelista returns home from his military service. He's returning to his beloved wife to whom he has remained ever-faithful. He loved his Maria with all of his heart. She was a plain woman- not as attractive or well built as other girls in his village, but that didn't matter to him. She was so innocent and wonderfully naive. Or so he had thought. Maria had never loved Emillio. She married him because no one else wanted her. He was a good man and was breathtakingly handsome. He could have had his pick of girls, but he chose her. He was too nice of a person for her- too foolish.

Emillio comes home to an astonishing sight. His Maria was no longer the plain little girl he had left. She was now a beautiful, voluptuous, provocative woman. Her hair is long and shiny and her skin is a prefect creamy white complexion. Her slender unflattering shape was replaced by more curves than he had ever imagined. Her attitude had changed as well. She was no longer the sweet thing he had known.

"My God! You look beautiful!"

"I know; isn't it great?"

"I liked you just fine the way you were, but this is nice."

"Well, come to bed lover and find out what else has improved while you were gone." She said in a low seductive voice.

"I was always with a pretty woman." He said as he went to her. Maria stripped him of his clothes and threw him to the bed. She climbed on top of him and began to kiss her way up his stomach and chest. Her tongue leaves a fiery trail along his skin. Emillio's head was spinning as she kissed her way up his neck. Suddenly he was in excruciating pain. He screamed.

"What did you do?!"

"You are such a fool, a little country bumpkin. Do you really think any woman would really love you? But you were always good to me, so I leave you with an eternal gift."

"A gift! You bit me!"

"Yes, a gift of eternal life. Now you will have forever to be conscious of the beautiful women you could have, for you no longer have me. May this gift of darkness bring you the woman you wished me to be." She said with an evil cackle, then was gone in a mist.

"…Rocky? Man, are you gonna ask her out or what?"

"Yeah. I think I will."

"Alex?"

She looked up at him and smiled. "Yes?"

"Um, hi. I'm Rocky."

"I know. You sit three rows over from me in Biology."

"Well I was sort of wondering if you would like to go out sometime?"

"I'd love to. When?"

"When are you free?"

"Tomorrow."

"How about I pick you up at 8:00?"

"Sure, sounds great."

Adam's head was buried in a book while making his way to the Juice Bar. He suddenly found himself on the ground. He looked over to see a very pretty and petite girl who was also on the ground. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I should have been looking where I was going." He said as he picked up her fallen books. "My name is Adam." He offered her a hand.

She accepted it with a smile. "Sierra. Thanks."

Adam wasn't a boisterous person, nor did he have a lot of confidence, but he just had the feeling that he needed to ask this girl out. "This is going to sound kind of forward-" < Especially coming from me.> He added silently. "- but are you busy tomorrow?"

"No."

"Would you like to go out with me?"

"I'd love to." They made their plans and said good-bye.

Dark was approaching. It was time for the Rangers to disband for the night. "Come on Rocky, let's go home." Said Adam.

"Okay. We'll see y'all tomorrow." The other Rangers said their good-byes.

Around midnight Adam and Rocky were patrolling downtown Angel Grove. "Hungry, Adam?"

"Starved."

"How about that one over there- the brunette- she looks like she may have something sweet." Both boys went over to her and began a conversation with her.

"You boys interested in my services?"

"You could say that."

"You boys can't be over 16." Both boys looked at each other with a knowing smile. They walked with the prostitute and then they went to an old motel and rented a room. They both laid her down on the bed.

"Wow, two young ones. This doesn't happen often." Adam and Rocky looked at one another and smiled, fangs glistening in the dim light of the room. They both bit simultaneously, and drank the blood of the girl, the only thing that gave them life.

Six months later

The four teens are on a double date. Since the beginning of each relationship, the four have grown to be very good friends. The boys asked them to the movies- as usual. In return, the girls attempted something new and took them out to a late dinner -or early breakfast- depending on whom you asked. The girls ordered dinner while their dates insisted that they weren't the least bit hungry.

Toward the end of the meal the boys excused themselves from the table. Alex used this break as a prime opportunity to talk to Sierra. "Sie, I think there's something weird about those two."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you ever seen Adam eat? I mean, has he ever taken you anywhere where there's food involved -besides popcorn at the movies?"

"Actually, no. In the six months that we've been dating I've never seen Adam take a bite of anything -not even popcorn. He never has a drink either."

"I remember one night I asked Rocky to take me out for ice cream. He seemed like he didn't want to take me and when he did he only bought me a cone. It's not like theses guys aren't loaded, so I know their not just being cheap."

"And they always dress to cover themselves. "

"Yeah and they never wanna go swimming."

"Maybe we are over reacting. Maybe they're just shy about eating and taking their clothes off in front of us. I know plenty of girls who have that same problem."

"Yeah, I guess you're right Sie."

In the back of the restaurant the guys have heard the entire conversation. "Rocky, I think it's time."

"I don't know, Adam. I don't think they're ready for the truth."

"The longer we keep it from them the harder it will be to tell them."

"Why don't we keep working on the cure. We've found the girls-"

"But we don't know how the break the curse. It could be sex or a profession of love or anything. Has Alex told you that she loved you? Have you two made love?"

"No."

"Then we have to tell them. Maybe that's the cure."

"What if we tell them and it's not the cure? What if we never find the damn cure?"

"That's a risk we have to take if we truly love them. And if we ever want to be normal again."

"Adam, I'm 400 years old -you're even older. We'll never be normal again."

"Rocky, if you think like that, you'll stay this way. I love her and I hope to God-"

"God? God doesn't want anything to do with us Adam. We're devils. God doesn't like the devil." Rocky added to himself.

"Rocky, I am not the devil and neither are you. We are still God's creatures. I think Sierra loves me as much as I love her and I'm willing to risk everything for her; I think she's willing to give herself for me. And if Alex doesn't feel the same way, then I'm sorry man, I truly am." Adam walked out of the restroom and went to Sierra. "Hey, hon."

"Hey." She smiled sweetly. Adam looked into her green eyes and saw a sparkle that he had never seen in any of his concubines. It was always there when she looked at him and she always smiled the same bright smile. That sparkle gave him confidence and he whispered into her ear, "Come to my house tomorrow evening…I have a romantic weekend planned." She smiled in response.

Rocky got Alex alone later that night. "Alex, would you be willing to stay with me for the weekend?" Alex smiled, thinking of all the things that they could do together all weekend

"I'd love to."

It took some doing, but the girls convinced their parents to let them spend an unchaperoned weekend with their boyfriends. It took the promise that no sex and nothing resembling sex would go on while they were there.

They followed the directions given to them by their hosts and found themselves in front of a magnificent old mansion on the outskirts of town. Alex climbed out of the car amazed by the sight. The boys were there, waiting for them.

"Wow! This is where you guys live?" Asked an excited Alex.

"Yup. Home sweet home."

"Um, it's really cool, but it kinda gives me the creeps." said Sierra.

"Don't worry Hon, nothing will happen to you as long as I'm here." Adam said sweetly and placed a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"So, show us around." Said Alex.

The mansion was grand. The rooms were large and lush -the boys had good taste. You could see who decorated each room. One room would be filled with old kimonos and such from Korea and the next room would be done in antique Spanish artifacts. The main room had a fire going. It was beautiful and romantic, colorful and simple. The girls liked the main room very much.

Somewhere along the way the boys had separated the girls, maneuvering them each into his bedroom. Alex was with Rocky in his room. She smiled and walked seductively over to him, taking off her jacket to reveal a spaghetti strapped tank top. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He knew that he shouldn't do this, and that he should tell her the secret he was keeping. But he couldn't. His mind wouldn't let him and neither would Alex.

She began kissing and nibbling on his neck. Her mouth was driving him crazy. The feel of her body pressed against his felt so right. Alex slid her hands down to his behind and rubbed it gently. The strap of her shirt slid down her arm. He wanted to kiss her neck and let his lips follow the path the strap took. He just wanted to pursue the moment and take it for all it was worth. Suddenly a loud noise and pounding on the door pulled the two apart.

"Rocky, what is that?!"

"Get in here." Rocky shoved her into a closet. "Don't leave unless I tell you to!"

"Rocky?" He shut the door before she could protest further. Rocky ran out of the bedroom. Adam was right there with him. "They've come for us."

"Alex secure?"

"Yes, Sierra?"

"Of course. Let's go save ourselves."

Hysterical people from all over Stone Canyon and Angel Grove were outside of the door trying to get in to destroy the two evil vampires that lived within. They started to ransack the house. Rocky and Adam held them off. Out of the corner of his eye, Rocky caught someone going up the stairs. "Handle them. I'm gonna take the ones that are headed upstairs."

"Go!"

Rocky raced up the staircase. He heard a door close, but couldn't tell where it was from. Then he heard a shriek. "Alex!"

Rocky rushed into his room and saw a man struggling with Alex. He had a wooden stake and was prepared to drive it through her heart. At the sight of his beloved being attacked, Rocky lost control. He transformed before their eyes and charged at her assailant. Rocky grabbed the man and viciously attacked him. He ripped out his throat with his fangs and tore his limbs from his body. There were no coherent thoughts in Rocky's mind. All he could think was "Kill!" to protect the woman he loved.

Alex, after breaking out of her state of shock, screamed. Her boyfriend was not her boyfriend any longer. He was fierce and unstoppable like an animal. His fangs and elongated fingernails were dripping with the blood of the man that had been trying to kill her. The eyes that were usually a beautiful, soft brown were big and yellow, fierce with anger. Rocky stood over the decapitated corpse and looked at Alex, who fainted from the gruesome sight.

Rocky went to her and scooped her up in his strong arms. He took her to his bed and stripped off her blood-stained clothes. After cleaning the blood that had sprayed onto her beautiful skin, he covered her with a thick comforter. Rocky then went to help his friend with the rest of the would-be vampire slayers.

Later that evening, after cleaning the house with a bit of their dark magic, Adam and Rocky cleaned themselves and went back to their rooms. Adam opened the door to find Sierra in the corner crouched into a ball. "Sierra?" he said softly, not wanting to startle her.

"Oh, Adam!" she cried and ran into his arms.

"Honey, it's alright now." He soothed.

"What happened out there?"

"Some people were after Rocky and me."

"Why?"

"That's the real reason I invited you over this weekend." Adam slowly transformed into his vampire self. Sierra's eyes grew wide; she screamed and ran to the door. Adam pointed a hand at the door, causing it to slam shut. She tugged feverishly at it, but to no avail. She turned and looked at Adam, trying to find another way out. He could see the fear in her eyes and wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything was all right, but he didn't. He moved toward her slowly, trying not to frighten her any more than she already was.

"Wh-what are you?"

"A vampire."

"Are you going to kill me?"

"No."

"Are you going to make me like you?"

"No."

"Then what do you want with me?"

"To love you." He said matter-of-factly. "I just want to love you and to have you love me. But in order for that to happen you have to love me as I am. So I had to tell you the truth about what I am.

"I don't want to harm you -I could never hurt you. I love you…so much. And I don't want to curse you with this awful thing that has plagued me for centuries. I just wanted to love you." Adam just stood there and said nothing more. Sierra came to him slowly and gently touched his hand.

"That's why you're always so cold."

"I'm dead." Sierra looked into his eyes. < He's still Adam.> She felt. < He won't hurt me.> She thought with more conviction than she knew she had. Sierra slowly lifted her hand and began to trace the skin around his yellow eyes, then moved down and touched his mouth. It was the same mouth that she had kissed so many times, only now it was frightening. He had long, fang-like teeth and his lips had no color. His mouth was open slightly and she suddenly became brave. She touched a fang. Adam jumped slightly as an explosion of sensations rippled through his body. No one had ever touched his fangs before! His reaction caused her to pull her hand back and step away.

"Tell me how this happened to you." She said softly.

"Sit down and I'll tell you everything." Sierra sat down on the bed Indian style. Adam smiled slightly. He knew that she still trusted him or she wouldn't be sitting in such a position. He sat down next to her. "Well it was 1399 . . ."

1399 Korea

Jeung Shang Tsung lounged in his royal bed. His concubines were all about him, touching every part of his body, each hoping that they would be the one to create a sensation in him that would make her special to him. Shang Tsung enjoyed being touched and pleasured a little too much. He had a wife, but she was much too plain looking, so he never slept with her except on the ordered nights which were her nights of fertility. He was always thankful when she became pregnant for it meant he didn't have to have sex with her for at least 12 months.

At the moment, she was pregnant for the ninth time. Shang Tsung was proud of that, and the fact that he had managed to get every concubine pregnant at least once. He was very meticulous about taking a concubine. She had to be beautiful beyond belief to satisfy the ego of this narcissistic Lord.

"You are very handsome my lord." said one of his concubines one night while they were alone.

"I know. It is wise of you to recognizing such beauty." She unbraided his queue and played with his hair a moment. "Such shiny hair. And such a wonderfully sculpted body. The gods were smiling down upon your parents when you were born. How would you like to… preserve all of this beauty and excellence."

"I would love to."

"I can give you the gift of eternal beauty and youth."

"What can you, a whore, do for me that would give me eternal youth and beauty."

"Just let me."

Shang Tsung laughed. "Go ahead my beauty."

Without a word Aie-Young bit him on the neck. "How dare you bite me! I am the emperor!" She only smiled.

"You'll see."

Days passed and the emperor became more and more uneasy. One night just before going to bed, he looked at himself in the mirror and he noticed that his rich dark eyes had become yellow. He thought that it was just the illness, which had been plaguing him for the last few nights. He was sure that in the morning, his reflection would return to normal.

The next morning came and he looked at himself again. He was pale, his teeth had begun to resemble fangs, and his nails had grown considerably overnight. And his eyes remained yellow. The concubine, who was standing in the door, laughed.

"Now you are a creature of the night. You will only survive on blood. That is the price of immortality." She laughed and vanished.

" . . . That is how I came to be this." Adam's head fell and he started to sob. "If I hadn't been so hung up on beauty and my ego I would have been better off." Sierra hugged him and soothed him.

"That's not true. If you hadn't become what you are, you would have never met me. I'm not frightened of you Adam. Nothing will change between us. I will just understand you better and I am grateful that you gave me a chance to love you -all of you. I love you Adam Park/Jeung Shang Tsung."

Adam simply smiled. "I love you too." He hugged her.

Alex awoke with a start. She found herself in a king sized canopy bed and was resting on a big, fluffy pillow. She recalled her dream, then quickly remembered that she hadn't been dreaming. She bolted upright and looked around. On the other side of the room, Rocky sat watching her, waiting for her to regain consciousness, worrying what would happen when she did.

When he saw her sit up, he rose from his chair and started towards her. She scooted to the edge of the bed when she saw him coming. "Stay away from me!" she screamed.

"I'm not gonna hurt you."

"You're- you're a vampire?!" she said clapping her hand to her neck, not sure if she was checking for bite marks or protecting herself from them.

"Yes."

"But you come out in the sunlight and garlic doesn't bother you." she said, almost hysterical, and not knowing if she was going to laugh at what she just said or cry.

"Those are just old wives tales. The sunlight hurts us, but it doesn't kill us; if we don't get too much of it at a time and we have to stay out of it from high noon until early evening. And garlic doesn't bother us. Only silver has a bad effect on us."

"And you kill people?"

"No! I only take what I need to survive. We don't kill unless we have to. Until today I hadn't killed anyone for several centuries."

"But what about that man? You-You..." she couldn't finish her sentence; the memory of what happened still fresh in her head. Her stomach began to feel queasy and she felt as if she would throw up at any second. "Oh God, I'm gonna be sick."

In an instant Rocky was there, holding a basin under her mouth as she emptied her stomach into it. When she was done he produced a towel for her to wipe her mouth with. She managed a shaky thank you.

"Why don't you lie down until you're feeling better." He said and helped to pull the covers over her shaking form.

"What happened to my clothes?"

"They were…bloody. I had to take them off."

"Oh God!" she groaned as her stomach began to heave again. Rocky put it back under her mouth just as another wave of sickness hit her. Her body convulsed and she regurgitated again.

"God, Alex I'm so sorry. He was gonna hurt you. I guess I lost control."

After she had nothing left in her stomach and the dry heaves ceased, Rocky laid her back on the pillows and placed a cool wash cloth on her forehead. "You did that for me?"

"When I saw him with that stake aimed at your heart I almost died. All I could think was that I was going to lose you and it would've been my fault. I couldn't let you get hurt…I love you. I didn't mean for it to happen, but no one messes with my Alex. I'm just sorry you had to find out like this -to see my like that. I never meant to frighten you. You never need to fear me. I love you Alex. And I would do anything to keep you safe." Alex only listened, unsure of what to say.

Rocky began explaining everything to Alex -how he became a vampire and how he spent his life until he and Adam came to Angel Grove. She listening intently, clutching the blanket to her almost naked body. He paced the floor as he related his extremely long life story to her. Alex, still wary of the whole situation, remained silent, but felt his pain. It was on his face and in his voice. She wanted to be understanding, but is afraid of what might happen if she loves him.

"Let me see you. I want to see what you're like when you aren't so angry, so scary."

"No! You should never have to see me like that. I don't want you to see me like that." He turned away from her. "I should never have brought you here. Then you would have no reason to be afraid of me." < I wouldn't be hurting so badly.> he added silently.

Rocky felt the pang of hunger flow through him. < It's been too long since I last ate.> He thought to himself. He knew that he wouldn't be able to hold out much longer and the pains of hunger were getting stronger. He had to think of a way to leave without alarming Alex. Suddenly a stabbing pain ripped through his body. Rocky clutched his midsection and fell to his knees, moaning in agony.

Forgetting her fear, and her state of undress, Alex left the bed and was at his side immediately. "Are you all right?" she said placing a loving hand on his shoulder.

"I'm okay. Get back to bed- Ahhh!" he screamed.

"You're hurting, what 's the matter?" He didn't answer. "Tell me!"

"I need to feed, Alex." He said through clenched teeth. The smell of her blood was strong and it was paining him more. As if sensing his thoughts, "If you need to..." she let the sentence hang in the air.

"No, Alex. I won't hurt you."

"Will it make me like you?"

"Not if I just drink from you. It would only happen if I mix my blood with yours."

"Then don't mix, just drink." He shook his head. "Rocky, you're hurting. Please do it."

"I can't. Not to you." he said and pulled away from her. Rocky transformed into a bat and flew out the window.

Adam pulled his coffin out from beneath the huge queen sized bed. Sierra looked at him for a moment and then began to laugh. "What?"

"You are going to sleep in that cramped little thing?"

"I do every night."

"Good grief! No wonder you aren't a morning person." Adam smiled and then tackled her to the bed and kissed her. Then he realized that he was in a position that would more than likely get his hormones in an uproar and got off of her. He pulled down the comforter and patted the bed indicating that she was to get in. She did so and he tucked the covers under her chin.

Sierra smiled when he placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Good night, my angel."

"Good night, my black knight." Adam smiled slightly. He didn't much care for the dark knight reference, but it was still sweet coming from her lips.

She listened as he climbed into his coffin and grinned. < Only I would have a boyfriend that sleeps in a coffin.> she thought.

A few hours later she awoke with a start, bolting upright in bed, trying to remember where she was. She had had a nightmare. She was in bed dying and alone. Someone had killed her Adam by impaling him with a stake through the heart.

Sierra quickly got out of bed and knocked on Adam's coffin lid. The top raised slowly and Adam, blinking, looked at her. "What's wrong sweetie?"

"I had a nightmare. Can I sleep with you?"

"Sure. Come on in, get comfy. I won't let anything hurt you." Sierra, without thinking twice, got into the coffin and he closed the lid. The inside was black, thick, and it smelled of Adam; sweet and lovely. She felt his arm wrap around her and she snuggled deep into his chest as he stroked her hair until she fell fast asleep.

The next morning Sierra was pulled from blissful slumber by an ear-piercing scream. She attempted to sit right up, and hit her head on the lid of the coffin in the process. Adam laughed, recalling the first few times he had done that same thing. "Lid," he said affectionately.

Sierra poked her head out of the coffin. "What are you screaming about, Alexius?"

"I saw your hair sticking out of the coffin… What the Hell are you doing in a coffin?!" Alex moved farther away from the lacquered box, not sure she really wanted to hear the answer.

Sierra got out and looked back. "I guess I slept there all night. Go fig."

"Did he make you one of them?"

"No." Adam arose and held onto Sierra's arms like a loving boyfriend, not like a vicious creature of the night that Alex had seen the day before.

"I just had a bad dream and the only place I wanted to be was in Adam's arms and the only way I could be there was to get into his "bed"." She said making quotation signs with her hands when she the word bed.

Sierra went to her sister, noting that she still seemed wary of the whole situation. "I'm alright." Sierra moved her long black hair away from both sides of her neck, "See, no bite marks."

"I couldn't do that to the woman I loved." Adam ran his hands through Sierra's hair. Alex hurried out of the room. Sierra started after her but Adam stopped her. "Don't."

"I have to."

"She needs time to think. There isn't anything either of us can say to help her deal with this." Sierra nodded her head in agreement.

That next week Alex distanced herself as much as possible from Rocky. It was obviously killing him, but Alex just couldn't face him knowing what she knew. She wanted to run away. In the back of her mind, her love still shone for Rocky, only her rational mind wouldn't let it go any further than her subconscious. Alex dreamed of Rocky each night. She dreamed of their love and the fun they once had. The fun they could still be having together if only if she would allow herself to feel the love she had for him.

On the other hand, Adam and Sierra had grown closer. Sierra felt that she was special because he had chosen her to tell this great secret to. Between classes, she grabbed him and pulled him into another empty hallway. It had scared him to death the first time she had done it.

"Jesus, Sierra! I thought you were one of those stupid hunters that won't leave me and Rocky be."

"Sorry," she kissed him, "Had to. You just looked so perfect standing there." She kissed him again. Adam felt a rush of blood to his 'head'.

Sierra was enjoying herself. She usually wasn't this forward, but with Adam she just had no control. She broke the long passionate kiss for a simple, whispered phrase. "Let me see your fangs."

He obliged her by bearing them. She kissed him again and let her tongue run over them. Adam felt suddenly light-headed, as if she were stroking him other places. < It's just teeth, Adam.> But the more she tickled them with her tongue the more the sensation took hold.

Rocky was beside them when she broke the kiss. Adam held his mouth until he could get himself back under control.

"I'll see you later Adam." She ran off. Adam looked at Rocky.

"What ever you did, please do it to Alex so she can love me like that." Before Adam could say a word, Rocky was gone. < Poor guy. Somebody's gonna have to have a talk with Alex. I just hope it doesn't have to be me.> He said to himself, then headed for class.

Rocky walked through the halls in a funk. All he could think about was Alex. She had been so in love with him before she found out what he was. They probably would have made love if there hadn't been an attack on the mansion that day. Now she was going out on dates with other guys -jerks at that. He guessed that it was her way of dealing with the hurt. If only he could get the chance to make it up to her. Perhaps if her told her there was a cure…but they still hadn't figured out what the cure was. < But just the knowledge that there is one might help me to win her back.> He thought. And for the first time in weeks, he smiled.

During lunch he approached her, and much to his surprise, she said yes when he asked her out. He picked her up at six. Her parents were happy to see him. They had liked Rocky and Adam from the beginning, and really hated the guys that Alex had been dating of late.

She looked like the girl he had fallen in love with. Dressed in jeans, combat boots, and a tiny top, she looked like her old self. And she acted like it as well. They had a wonderful time together. They went to a movie and he took her out for ice cream afterwards. "I had a great time tonight, Alex."

"Me too." She smiled.

Oh, how he had missed her smile. "I've missed you." He said looking down at the ground.

Alex looked at him. She felt the walls around her feelings coming down. She still loved him no matter how hard she tried not to. She probably always would love him. Alex slipped her free hand into his. "I missed you, too."

"Really?" he looked up at her with surprise.

She nodded, then moved forward and kissed him softly. Untangling her fingers from his, Alex slipped her arm around his shoulder and kissed him again. Rocky wrapped his arms around her waist, deepening the kiss. She let the ice cream cone drop from her hand and twined her fingers in his soft brown locks.

"Mmm." She sighed, loving the feel of his arms around her, his lips kissing hers. The last time she felt this good…. Flashes from the last time she had been in Rocky's arms went through her brain. She watched as the crazed man prepared to kill her, then how Rocky…

"No!" she screamed and pushed him away.

"What's wrong?"

"I keep seeing that night and how you-you…I know you did it to protect me. I'm okay with that -I think. I just can't handle people trying to kill me just because I love you. And I couldn't handle you being killed because of what you are.

"I'm sorry Rocky, this is all too much for me. I've been around enough death in this lifetime. I can't deal with any more. Thanks for tonight." She said and placed a soft kiss on his lips before running off.

Sierra and Adam were sitting in the large mansion alone. She was stroking his long curls. "What is it like?"

"What?"

"Being immortal, living on blood."

"Lonely."

"Lonely?"

"Yeah. Rocky is the only person I've had consistently in my life for the past 400 years. I mean, he's fun and all but..."

"I understand." Sierra giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking about earlier today."

"What part?"

"The part where I kissed you and let my tongue caress your fangs. It was priceless."

Adam laughed. "I'm glad I can amuse you. I am so, so, so happy that you understand about everything. I feel for Rocky. Alex was the best thing that ever happened to him."

"She just couldn't handle it."

"Let's not talk about them anymore."

"Okay." Sierra continued to stroke his long black curls.

Several hours later, Rocky came home. Sierra and Adam were by the fire in a passionate embrace when they heard the door slam. Rocky was covered in blood. His eyes bright yellow and wild with anger. Adam recognized the look and didn't like it. "Sierra, go home. I'll talk to you later."

"O-okay." She stammered, and left without question.

"What's wrong, Rocky?" Adam asked calmly.

"I hate you!" Rocky roared and threw Adam against the wall.

Adam, not the least bit hurt, said "Take it easy. What's going on?"

"Why does Sierra love you? What did you do to her? Did you turn her?"

"Come on Rocky, you know how understanding Sierra is. I didn't do anything to her."

"Right! I just spent the evening beating the crap out of some asshole who was trying to rape Alex. And do you know what she did when I came to her rescue? She ran away from me!" He screamed and began beating Adam's head into the wall.

Having endured enough abuse from his friend, Adam turned the tables on Rocky and pinned him to the wall. "Rocky, chill out. Alex will come around -she loves you, but she is having a hard time dealing with everything. Give her time."

Rocky transformed into himself and began to cry. "She doesn't want to be with me Adam! She loves me, but she can't handle the fact that I'm surrounded by death. And I can't say that I blame her for taking off. But why does it have to hurt so terribly? All I want is for her to love me. Adam, I screwed up four hundred years ago and I became this thing because of a girl I thought loved me. Now I know what it is like to truly love and to be loved, and I am to be forever denied it because of this horrible thing inside me." He sobbed, allowing Adam to comfort him.

Sierra decided to go to Adam's to surprise him. She walked into the huge house and called his name. He was nowhere to be seen. She went upstairs and looked into his room. He wasn't there either. She heard the front door open and shut so she walked to the banister and looked down. It was Adam, his eyes were bright yellow. she thought. She watched him walk toward the kitchen. She quickly made for it also.

When she found him he was wetting a washcloth to clean the blood from his face. She put a hand atop his. "Sierra?" He looked at her questioningly.

"Don't."

He put his hand down. She put her lips to his and kissed him passionately. She cleaned all of the blood from his lips and then the inside of his soft mouth. When she cleaned his fangs she felt a shiver run the length of his body. She stopped and looked at him, seduction in her eyes. He started kissing her face and then moved toward her neck. She jumped back a little.

He remembered himself and moved away. "I'm sorry." He turned from her and then turned back, the happy shy Adam.

"Nothing to be sorry for, I'm just a little jumpy. Turn back."

"Why?"

"Because something about you drinking blood and being able to take my very existence excites me."

He closed his eyes briefly and when they reopened, two pulsing golden orbs appeared, staring back at her. She went to the sink and pulled a knife out of the washed dishes. She took the knife, put it into her hand and clamped her fist over the blade. When she opened her hand there was blood on her palm. It caught Adam's nose.

She unbuttoned her blouse part way to reveal the top portion of her chest. Then took her bloody palm and smeared it all over her exposed flesh. Adam went to Sierra and kissed her bloodstained chest, licking it clean. He nibbled on her neck ever so lightly. Sierra's fingers began working on the buttons of his shirt. She was having difficulty undoing them with Adam's kisses driving her so wild.

She pulled away from him abruptly. Before he could find his voice, Sierra ripped his shirt from his body. Buttons flew every which way. "Mmmm . . . you have a beautiful body." She said in a low voice. She began trailing kisses along his chest, lingering at his taut nipples. She flicked one with her tongue then nipped at it with her teeth, teasing him.

Adam lifted her from the floor with little effort and carried her upstairs to his bed as she continued torturing his chest with her teasing kisses. He laid her down and began unbuttoning his pants. She stopped him. "No. Let me." she said and pulled him down next to her. Sierra rose to her knees as she smoothed her hands over his muscled legs. Her hands made quick work of his button fly and she was soon pulling his tight black jeans from his body…

Alex was doing her damnedest to pay attention to Steve's rambling. < Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. God, and I thought Rocky talked too much… Ah, Rocky.> She sighed to herself. < Quit thinking about him.> Her inner-voice scolded.

Alex allowed herself to tune in just in time to hear the corny joke and force out her best phony, air-headed laugh. < Jeez, even Rocky's jokes weren't this cheesy. And at least when he babbled it was about me. Boy, do I miss->

"… But enough about me."

< Thank goodness! But now I actually have to feign interest.>

"I wanna know more about you." He said as his hands closed around her arms, softly but firmly. "Alex, you have to be the most beautiful girl at Angel Grove High." He said as his lips came down on hers in a crushing kiss.

Alex pushed him away. "Take it easy, I'm delicate. You might break me." She declared, pretending to be humorous, but feeling irritated. Rocky had never kissed her like that. He had been gentle, and was always hesitant about taking liberties with her. She was the aggressor of the couple.

"I'm sorry, but you're so fine. I can't believe you were actually going steady with a guy like Rocky DeSantos -what a loser."

"Excuse me, but what exactly is wrong with Rocky?!" she asked, becoming more annoyed by the second.

"Well, look at him. He's funny looking and puny and he hangs out with all of those other losers."

"Yeah, all of whom happen to be the most popular group of kids in school. Jealous much?!" she mumbled and began to walk back toward his jeep.

"Wait," He called out, grabbing her arm, "I didn't mean anything against you or anyone else. Tommy and his friends are really cool and anyone would be lucky to hang with them. It's just that Rocky is, well… Rocky. I mean what does he have that I don't?"

"Apparently a whole lot. I'd like to go home now, if you don't mind." She shrugged off his hand and started for the parked vehicle again. Alex felt herself being tackled to the ground. Steve flipped her over and pinned her arms down.

"I did happen to notice something about Rocky while in the locker room. Tell me Alex, did you take every inch of him when he fucked you? Or better yet, did you choke on it when he rammed it down your throat?" He laughed evilly.

"With a mouth as big as hers I'd say she took it all and then some." Came a strange voice from above her.

"Jack, buddy, glad you could make it to our little party." Steve greeted his partner in crime. "Alex and me were just discussing her midnight fucking sessions with big man DeSantos."

Alex could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes. With just Steve she had a chance for a fight. Rocky had taught her enough to defend herself if need be. Now that there was an accomplice, she was as good as raped. But she'd get her licks in before they got the best of her. "Let me go before you do something you'll regret." Alex growled. (Maybe she did have enough fire in her to beat them both off.)

Without warning, Steve forced his lips upon hers in a fierce and hurtful kiss. Alex tried with all her might to pull away.

"Ew, God! Please don't do this to me!" She cried. Not only did she fear rape; she feared what would happen to her once they were finished. If they let her live she would be humiliated. How would she ever look at herself, let alone anyone else? And she didn't want to die, not yet, not without telling-

"I think the lady said no!" Came a familiar voice. It had sounded that way when the crazed townsperson had tried to impale her with a wooden stake.

"Rocky." Came out as barely a whisper.

"Well, well, if it isn't little Rocky DeSantos." said Jack in an amused voice.

"Hey Rocky, your ex was just about to show us what you taught her. Maybe you'd like to watch." Chuckled Steve.

That was the last thing Alex remembered. There was a growl and screams and all Alex could think to do was get herself out of there. She didn't want to see what Rocky did to them; she didn't want him to see her like that. Alex stumbled to her feet and half-ran half-limped her way home. And she never looked back.

Sierra got home very tired because of blood loss. She walked through her and Alex's room to their private bathroom and wet a washcloth. Sex with Adam had been great "All of those concubines really paid off." She giggled to herself. She heard the window open, so she went into the main room, turned on the lights, and found Alex, clad in black leather, coming in through it. "What are you doing, Alex?"

"Va-va- vampire." Stammered Alex. Sierra looked around and saw no one.

"They guys aren't here."

"They turned you."

"No, Adam and I just had a little fun. I'm fine." Alex ran to Sierra and checked her from head to toe, finding the cut on Sierra's hand.

"What in the hell did he do to you?"

"I did that, Alex."

"Why?"

"It's none of your business. I'll tell you when you're older." Sierra laughed. Alex stood there and watched her sister clean the dried blood off herself.

Adam was worried about his friend. After the last time he rescued Alex from a would-be rapist, Rocky went into hiding. He hadn't seen him in school or around the mansion in days. Finally, after seeing how miserable Alex had been since the last time she had seen her ex, Adam figured out that she missed her "black knight" like crazy. It was about time that someone forced them to talk about the problems that they were both having.

Adam went to Rocky's room and attempted to open the door. It was locked by magic. "Go away!" Came a weak, groggy voice from the other side of the door.

"Open up Rocko, I want to talk to you."

"Well I don't want to talk to you."

"It's about Alex."

"And I definitely don't want to talk to you about her."

"Are you going to open the door or shall I do it myself?"

"Go ahead and try!"

"Okay, I will." He said, and with hardly any effort at all Adam used his magic to break Rocky's spell. He thought. Then he remembered not hearing his friend doing anything for days, including leaving the house to feed. "Oh God, no! Rocky!" he called worriedly and began searching for his friend. He found him lying on the bed looking paler than usual and obviously weak.

"Rocky?" He said softly. "When was the last time you fed?"

"Who cares. I don't want to 'live'; if you could even call it that." He said.

"When?!"

"The last time Alex was almost raped." He coughed.

"Jesus Rocky, that was over a week ago. You have to eat or you'll die. Can you go out yourself or do you need help?"

"I don't need anything. I'd rather die than 'live' without Alex."

"But she loves you, you just have to make her accept it."

"How can I get near her to do that when she's so afraid of me?"

"I don't know." < But I'm not gonna let you die.> He added to himself.

Alex sat on her bed with a pint of cookie dough ice cream. She was throwing herself a moping party. She had them often since her break up with Rocky. "Rocky." She sighed as she pictured his gorgeous face. She missed the way his big brown eyes stared at her when he thought she wasn't looking. She missed the way he opened doors for her and bought her little gifts each week.

She missed how he would kiss her hand and she would blush, then quickly get over it and pull him into a passionate, breath-taking kiss. God, how she missed his soft full lips, and his squeezable cheeks (both front and back).

"Just face it Alex, you miss Rocky." She sighed to herself.

"You'd better get used to it." Came a voice from behind her.

Alex spun around and found Adam inside her window looking as though he wanted to do her bodily harm. "A-Adam?" She stammered, her voice breaking as she rose from the bed and took a shaky step back. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Alex, we need to have a talk."

"Really? About what?"

"You know damn well about what!" She flinched at his tone, but he didn't soften. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to him?"

"I-"

"I'm not finished yet!" He growled. "He has done nothing but love, respect and cherish you. He's gone out of his way to be everything you want and more just for you to treat him like he's a piece of filth.

"He loved you enough to tell you the truth. He could have killed you or left you without a word -or worse yet he could have turned you. After you broke it off, he wanted to so badly, but he couldn't. He couldn't do to you what was done to him. No matter how greatly he wanted you, Rocky couldn't take away your life and force you to live like him.

"Now he's given up. He doesn't want to 'live', because he can't, without you. He's killing himself Alex. He hasn't fed in over a week and I can't force him to. If you don't get over your fear he'll be dead soon. Is that what you want? I know you love him, so why not just let it go. Let him love you, and you love him in return. You won't regret it unless you let it end this way." Adam was gone as fast as he had arrived, leaving Alex with unshed tears pooling in her eyes.

Sierra, meanwhile, was in the kitchen making herself hot chocolate, having no idea that Adam had talked to Alex. She went to the refrigerator to grab some whip cream for her cocoa, closed the door, and there was Adam, standing there looking as if he had just killed his best friend. Sierra screamed, dropped her hot chocolate, then glared at Adam.

"I hate it when you sneak up on me." Sierra bent down to clean up the broken glass. She looked up at him. He looked as though he were in pain. Seeing his facial expression, she stood up and moved closer to him.

"What's wrong sweetie?"

"Nothing."

"You don't have a nothing face you have a something face. Come over here and tell me all about it." Adam sat down at the table and just stared off into space. Sierra touched his hand and he looked at her.

"What happened?" Adam explained what he had said to Alex. Sierra watched as a tear rolled down Adam's soft cold cheek. She touched her finger to it. The tear was warm. She smiled. Only a tear from the heart was warm. He was really hurting. She held both of his hands in hers and looked up into his eyes, her own were bright with love for him.

"Alex will get over it. It's a good thing that she knows what she is doing to him. She loves him so much and it would hurt her more if she hadn't known. Especially if he dies." She soothed, catching another tear. "Your tears must be from the heart because they are warm."

Adam smiled and put his hand on top of hers, squeezing it. "I love you, Sierra."

"I love you too. You look beat. Come on up to bed." Sierra took Adam's hand into her own and led him up the stairs. She pulled down the covers. Adam watched her intently. He marveled at the fact that such a glorious creature was his. A demon did not deserve such an angel. She took his hand once again and led him to her bed. "I know it's been a while since you have slept in a bed. But you look like you need the rest." Adam smiled a little as he lay down in her bed. She covered him up and closed the door behind her.

Adam had frightened Alex to death. So much in fact, that she had climbed out of the window in her sleepwear and ran to the mansion. Her floor-length white nightgown had drug most of the way there, allowing the hem to be covered in dirt. Her hair was in shambles from the strong winds. Her face was tear-streaked, for she had cried the whole way. She opened the mansion door and called Rocky's name. There was no answer. She ran up the stairs to his room and touched the door and it opened slightly. Rocky's back was to the door.

"Go away, Alex." Rocky knew that scent. He knew it was Alex before she had called his name downstairs. He had smelled her sweet scent the moment she walked into the house.

"How did you...?"

"Just leave me in peace."

Alex moved to the chair he was sitting in. "I'm sorry."

"For what? For fearing the monster that I am?"

"For thinking that I could live without you. For almost convincing myself that any other man could take your place in my heart."

"Your life would be better if I hadn't come into it because my love is nothing but pain for you." Rocky's last words were almost a whisper.

"Rocky look at me."

"Just leave now and salvage what you can of your life."

"You are my life, Rocky." Alex walked slowly around him and knelt before him. She cast her eyes upward and looked at his face. She gasped. A mere shadow of the man that she had loved sat before her. Rocky looked every day of four hundred. His face was paler than normal, his cheeks were hollow, causing his eyes to become sunken in. Taking one of his hands, she saw that they were nothing but skin and bones. She looked up into his eyes.

"When was the last time you fed?"

"Your last date."

"That was a long time ago. Don't you think that you should eat something?"

"No. Just leave me here to die."

"Nope. Won't do that." Alex pulled her long white satin robe off of her shoulders, tilted her head to one side and leaned closer to him. "Do what you have to do." Rocky looked at her neck and wanted to taste her sweet blood, but resisting the urge.

"No, I will not. Alex, just leave me in peace."

"I will not let you die because of me." Rocky turned his head and closed his eyes, desperately trying to keep control so he wouldn't take her blood and possibly her life.

"Adam wouldn't refuse me. Then again, he also wouldn't be stupid enough to starve himself." Rocky's eyes sprung open. He looked at her with pain and confusion. "It's probably because he is more human than you will ever be."

The last sentence ignited the fire in Rocky's blood. He sprang at her with incredible speed. His eyes aglow, revealing his true nature. Rocky grabbed her by the hair and pulled her neck to one side. "You want it, you got it!" After the initial pain of the bite, Alex relaxed slightly and started petting his hair.

"That's it Rocky, take what you need."

Rocky abruptly stopped drinking, his face contorted with pain. "I didn't want to do that."

"I know you didn't, but I couldn't very well let you die."

"Why not?"

"Because I love you. I know I've been a bit pig headed -okay really stubborn- but I finally came to my senses. Okay, I had a little help, but that doesn't matter right now. All that matters is that I love you and I don't intend to let you go, ever again." She declared and pulled him into a fierce hug.

"Cutting it a bit close ,don't you think?" He said with a slight chuckle.

"Just be glad I know how to make you do whatever I want when it really counts."

"I am glad." He whispered in her ear as he squeezed her. The small amount of blood he had taken from Alex restored most of his strength and what little color he had to begin with.

Alex pulled away just enough to look at his face. "You look better."

"I feel better, but…" He let the sentence drop, not wanting to scare her off.

"It's okay. Go. I'll be here waiting for your return."

"Are you sure? I mean, will you really be here when I get back?"

"Would you like me to go with you?"

"No. I don't think you're quite ready for that just yet. I'll be back shortly." He said. He brushed her lips with a quick kiss and was gone.

Within an hour, he returned fully energized. As promised, Alex was there, awaiting his return. "Hey beautiful." He said as he pulled her into his arms.

"Hey there, yourself." Alex wiped a stain from his jaw line. "You've got blood all over you." She said with a smile.

"So do you." He said, fingering the bloodstain on her flimsy nightdress. "I'm sorry you had to do that for me. And your gown is ruined."

"That's okay, I don't need it." She said, and in a quick movement the satin gown was pooled around her ankles. Rocky took in a deep breath, as well as taking a long hard look at the beautiful, naked body before him.

Rocky remembered how, long ago, he had spied on Alex while she was undressing. She always had the shades closed, except for one particular night. As usual, she began to undress and ready herself for bed after completing her homework. But that night she seemed to be putting on a show. She rolled her thigh-highs down all too seductively; seemingly danced out of her clothes. When she began to remove her undergarments she turned directly to the window. Rocky fled before the straps of her bra slid down her shoulders. He never actually found out if she had known he was there or not, but decided that it was not a good idea to spy on her any longer -just in case. Even in the early stages of their relationship, Rocky knew to steer clear of Alex's temper.

"See something you like?" She asked in an erotically appealing whisper. Rocky only nodded, speechless. "Then come and get it…."

Rocky kissed her passionately as the last of the spasms shook their bodies. "God woman, tú es un fiera!"

Alex giggled. "That was fantástico! Mucho gusto!"

"Stop talking in español. I don't have enough strength to do that again." He panted.

"Who knew speaking your native language would turn you on so much."

"I do now, and I'm wiped."

"Well, rest on me. I'm not going anywhere tonight." She said and pulled his head to her chest.

"I love you."

"I love you, too." She echoed as she drifted off to sleep.

Rocky awoke with a start. A golden fire spread throughout him. He felt as though it would tear him apart. "Alex." He groaned softly as the pain spread though him like wildfire. Rocky clutched his stomach, fell from the bed and screamed. "Alex!"

Alex jumped up and searched for the source of the agonized cry. She found Rocky on the floor writhing in pain. "Rocky?!" she called and hopped from the bed. She pulled him into her arms and tried soothing him, to no avail. He couldn't hear her, for his pain took over all of his sense. She did her best to control her panic. "Rocky, I don't know what to do. Honey you have to tell me what's wrong. Do you need more blood?"

"Fi..re." was all he got out before the crying and writhing ceased. His body went limp in her arms. Everything was silent for what seemed like minutes.

"Rocky?" She said softly, stroking his hair. "Rocky!" She cried when the realization that he was no longer breathing -or whatever it was that he did- hit. "No! No! No! No! Rocky please wake up." She moaned. She held his body close to hers and rocked him gently. "Despertes Emillio, despertes." She sobbed softly in his ear. "I love you." She whispered against his lips and kissed him one last time.

Her eyes flew open. She felt warm breath against her face when she kissed him. "Emillio?" She touched his face to be sure she wasn't imagining it. There was no breath, but his skin was warm. She ran her hands along his bare skin and found that his entire body was becoming warmer by the minute. His skin was losing its pasty complexion; he looked as though he had the beginnings of a really good tan. "Why are you warm?" She questioned.

Suddenly his entire body jerked. It arched upwards and he took in a long breath. His body jerked again and he continued taking in ragged breaths for several moments and then stopped. Alex was frozen. She had no idea what was happening. She warily felt for a pulse, quickly pulling her hand away and screaming when his eyes flew open and locked on to hers.

"Rocky!" She called and pulled him to her chest before he could respond. His warm breath against her ear startled her. "Rocky are you alright?"

"I-I don't know."

"Baby, you're breathing -and you're skin is warm and beautifully brown. Does this mean what I think it does?"

"I…don't know. Lemme try something." He said and his face took on a look of total concentration. "I- I can't do it." He shouted excitedly.

"Can't do what?"

"Alex…I'm human."

"Oh my- Rocky!" was all she could manage as he crushed her to him. Both sat in each other's arms and cried until no more tears of joy would come.

Adam watched Sierra as she quietly removed the black material from the windows. He was careful not to let her know that he was awake. He just wanted to watch her. This woman loved him for him, she paid no mind that if she married him she would have to keep black cloth over windows or have no windows at all. She would live with the fact that he was unable to give her children. He finally decided to give his state of wakefulness away.

"Hey girl." She jumped slightly at the sound. She smiled at him.

"Hi hon." she moved to him, leaned over and kissed him. "How did you sleep?"

"Better than I have in a hundred years."

"Well, beds tend to be slightly more comfortable than coffins." Sierra smiled.

"What time is it?"

"6."

"Wow, that early?"

Sierra giggled. "Yeah." He got up and started to follow her out of the room. Both of them heard someone running up the stairs. Alex, in her blood-stained nightgown, burst into view and hugged Sierra.

"What is up with YOU?"

"Oh, nothing much. Lost my virginity - Rocky's human."

"Really?!" Exclaimed Sierra.

"Yes! My baby is okay." Adam's stomach fell to his feet. Rocky was human and he wasn't. He was going to be alone for the rest of his life. Sure, Sierra would be there, but she would become old and die and there would be nothing left for him.

"That's great, Alex." Sierra said as Alex hugged Adam.

"I'm happy for him." Adam added to Sierra's statement. "I have to go Sie...Can you come by later so we can talk?"

"Yes, of course. See ya later, baby."

"'Bye sweetie." Without another word Adam left.

After that, things went rather badly for Adam. Rocky began sleeping at night and going out in the day. He did all of the things that he had loved to do four centuries ago. He took Alex on afternoon picnics and days at the beach. Rocky even took to getting up especially early to watch the sun rise -a sight that proved most refreshing to him.

The fact that Rocky excluded him from most things didn't bother Adam so much. It was the times when he seemingly forgot that he didn't possess the same freedom as him. Being accidentally invited to a day at the beach only proved to make Adam more dejected. His best friend for the last three hundred years was now treating him as though he didn't exist, as though his feelings weren't important. Adam felt more alone than ever.

Adam sat lonely on the couch, reading. Rocky was asleep; the first time in a couple hundred years that he had actually slept during the night. Adam heard a knock at the door and then it opened. At this point he knew it was Sierra. She walked to the couch, his favorite reading spot. She smiled and sank down next to him.

"Hey. What are you reading?"

"Interview With a Vampire. Anne Rice just has it all wrong, you know." Sierra giggles. He moves his arm and allows her to lay her head on his chest and read with him for a while.

"You know Brad Pitt was a very convincing vampire."

"No he wasn't. You just thought he was cute. I remember, I was there. I watched it with you."

"Well...you are cute and so is he so I think he did a good job of playing a vampire." Adam smiled. "Adam I have a school function that I have to attend for a couple of weeks. Will you be all right without me?"

"I forgot you were leaving." Adam's smile faded.

"Honey." Sierra stroked his cold porcelain skin. "I don't want to leave you. It has got to be hard for you seeing how Rocky isn't exactly thrilled to spend time with you anymore."

"You can say that again. He acts like I have the plague sometimes, and then others he comes home and just starts talking like I can experience it too. God, that hurts more than him ignoring me. He acts as if I have no feelings. I do and they hurt. He came in here telling me that you look like an angel in the afternoon sun. That it looks like you have gold streaks in your hair." Adam strokes her long strands of hair. "And that your green eyes glisten when they are near the water." Tears began welling up in his eyes.

"Oh, my dear Adam. I wish that I knew what Alex did to make Rocky human. If I knew, I would do it right now for you. I love you, I want you to be happy. I promise, the moment I get home I will dedicate my attention to making you human. I love you just that much." Adam smiled and hugged her.

"I am so glad you are mine."

Alex and Rocky met Sierra at the airport. When she saw the pair she smiled, but wished that Adam could have been there as well. She missed him terribly. "Sie!" Screamed Alex. Sierra ran to her sister. "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, but I missed you guys something awful." She said and hugged her sister tightly. They rounded up her luggage from the baggage claim and headed out of the airport. "How's Adam?" Sierra asked Rocky.

"Fine, I guess."

What do you mean, 'you guess'? Haven't you been spending any time with him?"

"Well, he's been keeping to himself lately. And I sleep at night now, so-"

"So what you mean is you've been neglecting him. Have you ignored him the entire time I was gone?"

"No, I talked to him just the other day."

"About what?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes! Now tell me!"

"About…about this great Mexican dish I had tried and-"

"Food?! You talked to him about food? Do you have any idea how bad it makes him feel to know that you're human again and he may never be?"

"I never thought-"

"Exactly Rocky, you didn't think. He's your best friend, do you think you could show him a little compassion?"

"Sierra, take it easy." Alex admonished.

"No Al, she's right. I've been acting like an idiot."

"No Rocky, I'm sorry. I'm just worried about him."

"Well, let's go check on him."

"He won't be up until 8 o'clock."

"I know. I haven't forgotten everything." Rocky stated. "We'll go eat and you can tell us all about your trip and then we'll head over to see Adam."

"Okay, sounds great."

Later that night the trio arrived at the mansion. Sierra was the first in the door. She ran into the livingroom calling his name. Sierra didn't know why but she had this nagging panic feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was the matter with Adam. When she didn't hear him call her name back the feeling grew stronger.

She ran toward the kitchen and she smelled the sweet smell of Apple pie, cookies and chocolate cake. All of the things that she herself loved to bake. It hit her like a sack of potatoes. He had asked her one night what her favorite snacks were. Sierra had told him that she had always loved to bake. Since their mother was half-white, their grandmother loved to bake "good ole' American apple pie" that was one thing that the rest of her family didn't appreciate. They usually preferred anything but grandmother's apple pie. Adam had said to her that if he could have one thing for a day he would eat an apple pie -so he could share that with her- and also have her teach him how to bake pies and cookies.

Her panic grew as she moved to the kitchen. She got into the kitchen and was met by the most gruesome sight that she had ever seen. Adam was lying on the ground with a fork in his right hand and a half eaten apple pie on the table. Her hands went to her mouth as she stared at him. He looked dead, as if there was nothing anyone could do to breathe life back into his pale cheeks. She fell to her knees, placed his head into her lap and stroked his hair. There were no tears, only silence. The tears would not come. Not yet -they were for later. Right now she just wanted to hold him close to her.

Sierra was totally oblivious to Rocky and Alex entering the kitchen. She heard her sister's gasp and she looked up at her. Sierra's face looked like that of a child, a child who had just suffered a tremendous loss. "Alex, help him." Her voice was soft and pleading.

Alex knelt down beside her distraught sister. "Alex, please, I'll do anything, just help him. I love him." She cried, a single tear fell from her big black eyes. "You fixed Rocky, you can fix Adam, can't you?"

Deja vu hit Alex. This had happened when Sierra's hamster had died. Alex hadn't been able to do anything for her little sister's loss by 5 minutes. But this time she knew she had to do something.

Alex got up and grabbed a knife. She slit her hand and let it drip into Adam's mouth. She squeezed out as much blood as she thought would help, then waited. When nothing happened she prepared to give him more, but in a sudden burst, Adam's body convulsed with his first breath of life. He sat up slowly, hate in his eyes.

He glared at Alex. "Why didn't you leave me here in peace?"

"Adam...."

"All I wanted was to die! Why couldn't you keep your nose out of my business? I ought to kill you."

Rocky stepped in front of his girlfriend. "You'll have to get by me first, Adam."

Adam laughed evilly. "You? Do you honestly think you could prevent me from killing your precious little Alex? News flash Rocko, you're mortal, or did you forget? You can't stop me."

"That may be true, but I won't let you hurt Alex." Rocky said determinedly.

Adam pushed Rocky, knocking him into the corner. He hit his head against the wall. "Rocky!" Alex cried and ran to him. he was conscious but dazed.

"It was me Adam." Sierra spoke from behind him. "It was me who asked them to help you."

"You?" Adam asked, turning around to stare at her.

"Yes. So if you are going to kill someone, let it be me."

"No. What I should do is make you suffer like me and then we'll see just how much you want to live."

"Do it." Alex's eyes widened at her sister's request.

"You want me to curse you?"

"Yes. Because it will allow me to be close to you and I can love you forever."

"Fine."

"No!" Alex screamed.

"Adam no." Rocky moaned.

In a flash, Adam grabbed Sierra and sunk his teeth into her exposed neck. He tasted her sweet blood and a fire suddenly burned within his chest. He unclamped himself from her flesh and fell to the floor in agony. He went through a wracking transformation. It seemed like forever before it stopped and Adam lay there quiet and unmoving.

"That's what Rocky looked like when he became human."

Sierra, shocked at her sister's statement, looked from Alex, to Rocky to Adam. She ran to Adam when he began to move. She kneeled down and hugged him to her. "Adam, are you all right?"

"Yeah." He looked up at her and saw the marks in her neck. He became nauseous. "Oh, God, what have I done?" With that he got up and scrambled out of the room.

Sierra watched as Adam ran up the stairs. She went to run to him but Rocky and her sister stopped her.

"Don't. He needs to be left alone."

"But I need him." A tear ran down her face. "I can't live without him. I love him."

"I know Sis." Alex enveloped her sister into a hug. Sierra broke the hug abruptly.

"You two have a date, don't you?"

"Sierra, we'll cancel."

"No, go and have fun. Don't not enjoy your time together because of Adam and me. I want you two to go out and have fun...I'll be fine, really. Adam will be too, we are both strong." She pushed the hair out of her face and shooed them off.

She stayed for a while. She cleaned up the kitchen and baked another apple pie for Adam. She wanted him to know that there were no hard feelings, that she understood, but she was still hurt. She finished and tidied the kitchen, then wrote a note and placed it on the table.

My Love,

I can forgive a lot of things in this lifetime, and when you are ready, I will forgive everything that has happened to you -us- in this past year. I regret nothing. I have loved you and still do, always will. I understand that you need time to figure everything out. I would too. But I still am hurt. I will be until you are ready to come back to me. I will be here waiting for you. I love you Adam. I want to spend my life with you. I love you very, very much.

Love,
Sierra

She left the note on the table and left the house.

A few hours later, Adam came out of his meditative state and went downstairs. He hadn't heard Sierra leave. He smelled something sweet and found the pie in the kitchen. He smiled and took a slice and read the note.

It hurt him to read it. It hurt because he knew that it had hurt her to write it and experience it. But he had to figure everything out. He had to go where this all began. He decided as he finished off the pie that he would go to Korea tonight, immediately. And he did just that. With out a word to anyone he packed up everything and was gone.

Months passed and still no word from Adam. Sierra's spirits were down and there was nothing Alex or anyone else could do to help her. One afternoon Alex came home from school and heard her sister's beautiful voice singing. She got closer and watched as Sierra hugged a picture of Adam to her chest and sang:

I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me

Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love

Every little thing that you have said and done
Feels like it is deep within me

Sierra stopped singing from memory there. She looked at her picture and started to cry and repeated "As long as you love me." Alex just wanted to cry. She felt so bad for her sister. There was absolutely nothing she could do for her.

Adam traveled about his homeland for a few months wandering around the gardens -now public- that used to be his. Everything was the same. The tree, the grass, the annual flowers, all of it was the same. He sighed as he entered the palace that he used to occupy on a daily basis. He was amazed at how much had been preserved. He was with a group of tourists, not that he didn't know where he was.

"Now this is the royal bed chamber of Jeung Shang Tsung. Mind you that he was a tyrant. He was obsessed with himself. He had a total of one hundred and three children. Most died of disease by the time they were ten." Adam felt a pang of sadness. Sierra would have given him children. Not quite that many, but she would give him some now that he was able to. It hit him. He needed to go home now. He was ready. He wanted to go back to his girl and live with her for the rest of his life. Make children; make her happy. That was what he wanted to do. With sudden resolve he turned from the tour group and started out the door.

He went back to the hotel and started to pack when all of the sudden he felt a breeze and he spun. A vampire stood in front of him. "What do you want?"

"Come now. It would be way to easy for me just to answer your question. You know how we work. My dear Shang..."

"I'm not that person anymore...I am Adam Park."

"Fine, whatever you are calling yourself these days. I know that you have broken the curse. The elder vampires are terribly unhappy that you and Emillio are now human and happy. It makes us look bad."

"So?"

"Still as cocky as you were 600 years ago, I see. Well let's put it this way… An eye for an eye." With that he disappeared.

Adam pondered his words for a moment. "SIERRA!"

Adam walked into the house for the first time in weeks. It seemed brighter and yet gloomy. He went to Rocky's room hoping to catch him in order to warn him about the threat against his life. He mounted the stairs and started up them slowly. He dreaded facing Rocky after everything that had happened, but he had no choice. Rocky was his friend, and he loved Alex and Sierra, so he had to do his best to protect them. Once he said goodbye to them he would give Overbrook what he was after and leave his friends to live in peace… without him.

Adam entered Rocky's room and found his former companion packing a bag. "Hi Rocky." Rocky jumped at the sound of his name. He was so upset that he had let his guard down and was now cursing himself for it.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't 'Mister Missing-In-Action' himself. So good to see you." Adam could feel the venom of his words.

"Rocky, don't."

"Don't what? Don't be mad at you for almost killing me, attacking my girlfriend -and yours- and then disappearing without so much as a how do you do? Damn it Adam, I worried about you! Sierra's miserable and because of that so is Alex. So don't come in here saying "hi" as if everything is okay, because it isn't!"

"Everything's not okay."

"I know!"

"Emillio listen to me!"

"'Emillio'? You only call me that when there's something wrong. Well I can't help you. I have to go get Alex and Sierra from some maniac named Overbrook." He said as he shoved several wooden stakes into the duffel bag and zipped it up.

"That bastard has the girls?!"

"You know him?"

"Yes, sort of. He approached me while I was in Korea-"

"You were in Korea?"

"That's not important. What's important is that that bastard wants us to be a part of the 'family' again and he doesn't care what he has to do for that to happen -including turning the girls."

"Let's go!" Said Rocky with more grimness and determination than he had ever exhibited.

The two boys entered the broken down theatre, which was located in the abandoned part of town. The note Overbrook had left said to meet him by the stage area. The two approached the stage slowly and cautiously. "That's far enough" Came a voice from the dark. Neither boy could locate where it had come from. "Jeung, I'm so glad you made it."

"Cut the crap Overbite, where are Alex and Sierra?" Demanded Rocky.

"Temper, temper, Emillio. I'll bring them out in due time."

"Bring them out now!"

"Oh, I see. You want to be sure that I haven't harmed them. Well, they're just the way you left them, see for yourself." He said, raising his hand to the curtain. The curtain fell away revealing the two frightened girls. Their arms were tied and strung up above their heads, they were barely able to stand.

"Alex, are you okay?!" Rocky cried and moved forward.

"Uh, uh, uh." Said Overbrook. He lifted his hand, creating a barrier that Rocky couldn't cross. "Okay, you've see them, now get rid of that bag and we'll cut ourselves a deal."

Reluctantly, Rocky threw the bag. "Okay, now let them go." Called Adam.

"Not until we talk about the terms of their release. You know what I want."

Adam and Rocky looked at one another sadly. They would not only have to give up their humanity once again, but they would be forced to give up their lives and return to the horrible ways of the vampire. "Okay, let them go and we'll return to the fold with you." Said Rocky.

"What? Emillio, no! Don't give up your humanity for me."

"I can't let you die, Alex."

"No! You two get out of here and save yourselves!" Shouted Sierra.

"You two be quiet and let the boys decide for themselves." Ordered Overbrook.

"It's decided," Adam spoke up, stepping forward, "Take me and let the others go."

"What?!" Said Rocky, shocked by his friend's announcement.

"Adam, no!" Shrieked Sierra

"Adam, I can't let you do that." Rocky echoed.

"Rocky, you were so happy when you regained your life. You and Alex were meant to be together. I couldn't stand to see you unhappy."

"Adam, don't. You and Sierra were meant to be, as well. I can't let you do this alone. You don't deserve to go through this."

"And neither do you-"

"You know, this is all very touching, but enough is enough. Can't decide? Well, I'll do it for you." With that, Overbrook went to Alex and grabbed her by the hair. He forced her head to the side to expose her bare neck and moved in to bite her.

Simultaneously:

"Alex!" Cried Adam.

"Ahhh!" Screamed Alex.

"Noooooooooooo!" Screamed Rocky, as he watched Overbrook's teeth sink into Alex's delicate flesh.

The world seemed to be stuck in slow motion. Both Adam and Rocky ran to the stage, but were helpless to stop him from hurting Alex. They both watched as he released the rope binding her and threw her to them. They caught her awkwardly and laid her on the floor. They could hear evil laughter as Rocky placed his love's head gently on the ground. He was crying already, tears blurred his vision. "Alex," He sobbed, "Alex, I'm so sorry I didn't get there in time."

She opened her eyes and smiled up at him weakly. She touched her palm to his face, wiping away his tears with her thumb. "Don't cry, handsome," She said, before a wave of coughing hit her. Blood stained her mouth and teeth. "I love you, muchísimo." She whispered before expelling her final breath. She stopped moving and her eyes fixed in a death stare.

"Alex?" He cried. "Alex no! Oh God, don't leave me! Not now, not yet!" He wailed and held her to his chest.

"Rocky." Adam said softly. "Rocky, she's gone." And pulled him away form Alex's body. "She's gone man. I'm…so sorry," He said as a tear swam down his bronze colored cheek.

"You bastard!" Shouted Rocky as he scrambled to his feet and went after Overbrook, who was still shaking with malicious laughter.

"Rocky no!" Called Adam, but he was too late. Overbrook had caught Rocky by the throat and threw him more than halfway across the theatre.

"Rocky! Adam, no!" Cried Sierra when saw that he was about to do the same thing Rocky had attempted. She struggled to get her hands free. She said to herself. She watched in horror as Adam suffered the same fate as his friend. Rocky had regained his footing, but was still shaking off the doubled vision.

Overbrook had turned his attention to Sierra. "I might as well make both your lives miserable. You two will wish you had never been reborn!" He cackled as he reached for Sierra. He stopped short when a board connected with his back. Overbrook turned his attention to his attacker.

"I'm not gonna let you get her too." Gritted Rocky. Overbrook slapped him, only knocking him back a few feet. He continued his assault, hitting Rocky over and over. "Rocky," Adam moaned unable to regain his footing, unable to save his friend or his girlfriend.

"Time to say goodnight Emillio -Ahhhhhh!" He howled as a splintered piece of board pierced his heart form behind. He turned to see Sierra standing over him with a look of pure hatred in her eyes, then nothing.

They all watched as Overbrook melted into a pile of nothing. "Alex!" Was Rocky's first word after it was over. He jumped from the stage and ran to where she lay, motionless. He took her head into his lap, cradled it gently. He was overcome with sadness and let his tears flow in full force.

Adam saw the look that came over Sierra's face the moment Rocky began to bawl. It had just sunk in that her sister was dead. It took all of his strength, but he got up and went to her. He pulled Sierra into his arms just as the first tear fell. "Noooo." She whimpered. "Alex no!" She cried, releasing all of her anger and sorrow.

Adam held her tightly until the tears and shaking began to ebb. "My sister's gone."

"I know baby, I know. God, Sierra, I'm so sorry." He breathed, trying to hold back his tears, knowing that both she and Rocky needed him to be strong.

"She was so young…she had her entire life ahead of her. Oh God, she was about to become a mother." She said and the tears returned.

Adam looked at Rocky after her words were understood. He continued to cry, while cradling her limp form. < This has got to be killing him, losing the love of all of his lifetimes and their child. He'll never get over this.> He thought to himself and held Sierra a little tighter, thanking God that he still had her in his life and begging for the return of Alex's.

Rocky bent over to kiss her one last time, to kiss her good bye. "I will never love another as I have loved you." He whispered against her lips, "I'm not sure I'll ever love again; and thanks to you, at least I don't get to live an eternity to find out. Thank you Alex, for everything you given me. Thanks for my life, your love, your heart, your body, even if it was only for a short time. I love you Alex." He said as a lone tear slid down his cheek. Rocky pressed his lips against hers, not wanting to pull away.

He didn't pull away for a long time and when he did it wasn't because he wanted to. Alex suddenly sucked in a huge breath of air and blew it out. "Alex?" Rocky questioned hesitantly. She didn't move again for another few seconds. Her eyes flew open and she looked wild-eyed as she sucked her breath in puffs. "Oh my God! Alex!" Rocky cried and pulled her into his arms.

Adam and Sierra turned to comfort their friend. They jumped when they saw Alex's arms wrap around Rocky on their own. Adam caught Sierra as her knees gave out on her. She covered her mouth with her hands and watched as her sister, who was very much alive and breathing, tearfully embraces her boyfriend. "She's alive." Was Sierra's barley audible response.

"Rocky!" Alex cried as she nearly squeezed the life out of him. "Oh God, I was so scared. I couldn't breath. And then there was nothing but blackness and I saw you standing over me, but I wasn't in my body…" She was crying and hardly taking a breath between words. Rocky only hugged her back, reveling in the feel of her warm body against his once more.

"It's okay sweetheart."

"I think he turned me, but then suddenly there was nothing and I knew I was dead. Then I found myself in your arms. Oh, God, I'm alive!" She nearly screamed, "But the baby…" She said as she loosened her grip to look him in the eyes, "I don't think the baby-"

"Shh," he cut her off, "It's okay, as long as I still have you." < There will be other babies,> He thought as he hugged her, then kissed her softly. Before he could deepen the kiss, they were pulled apart by Sierra, who wanted to wrap her arms around her sister and never let go.

"Alex." She sobbed.

"I'm okay Sie, really." Alex assured her sister, who had her in a vise-like grip.

"Oh Alex, I thought I'd lost you."

"I'll always be with you Sierra, no matter what." Rocky placed his arms around both girls and Adam soon followed suit. They embraced like that for a long time, relieved that all of the bad things were behind them, that it was finally over.

The group of lovers left the abandoned theater together arm in arm.

Adam assimilated back into the group slowly. He worked through his guilt over having hurt Sierra then abandoning her and Rocky. It was hard for him to accept how forgiving they were, but they made it harder for him not to. Together the four of them lived the type of lives they had always dreamed of. And because of what they had been through they would remain together…always.

Spanish words and phrases- (my español isn't the best so I apologize if it's incorrect- but atleast I got the accents right!)
tú es un fiera= you're an animal
Mucho gusto= much pleasure
despertes= wake up
muchísimo= very much