AN:  I'm back, with a nice new chapter no less.  I expect emails since I received none 
while I was away.  At least one anyway.  :)

inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com  


********************* Curiosity Killed: Chapter Nineteen ***********************



I really wish that Kevin isn't draped across a chair, staring at me with chilling eyes, 
but as soon as Stephen picks up it doesn't matter.  "Hello?"  

"Sweetie..." I croon into the phone, wrapping myself in the sound of his rich voice and 
memories of a friendship that has sustained us both.  

"Oh Cat, darling, I've missed you, how are you?"  

"I'm fine baby; I have to stay vague and unassuming for your own good but I'm fine."  

"Tortured?"  

"Nope."

"Maimed?"  

"Does a broken nail count?"  

His relieved laughter is music to my ears.  "Warm and clothed?"  

I groan.  "Don't ask about clothing."  

"What, are you trapped in some nudist colony?"  

I snort with laughter and shake my head.  "I wish Stephen, let's just say I've been into 
more Gap and Victoria's Secret stores than I can count as of late."  

"Getting something lacey to wear home?"  Kevin growls as he overhears that and I flip him 
off because I can hear the very real concern underlying Stephen's flippant remarks.  I 
don't have a real long list of people who bother to worry about me.  I treasure Stephen 
because he's cared longer than anyone else.  

"I'm coming home baby," I reassure firmly, ignoring the pragmatic side of me that whispers 
that the only way this will end is with me dead.  Isn't my pragmatic side just fun and 
cheerful?  Nothing like a good funeral to get a party started.      

"You better."    

"I'll try my hardest.  You have my ring?"  

"Over my heart, where it belongs."  

"Take care of it for me."  

"Take care of yourself!" he lectures sternly and I flush as I remember my string of 
recently missed meals.  

"Love you."  

"Love you too."  

And then there is a dial tone, and one seemingly jealous Vampire.  "Can I help you?" I 
demand crossly, annoyed with being separated from my best friend and only true ally.  

Kevin regards me with cool disdain and quiet contemplation.  "Why don't you wear your 
fiancée's ring?"

I glare and throw his cell phone at his head.  He catches it and I glower.  "None of your 
damn business Richardson."  

Kevin stands to his full and somewhat intimidating height.  "Wrong Catherine, it is my 
business.  You are my business.  You are my chance at our power and continued survival 
in this world of Vampire.  I want to know about Stephen and I want to know NOW!"  

And hello retractable fangs.  Someone is getting all worked up.  

I stand to my somewhat less intimidating height and cross my arms stubbornly across my 
chest.  "Go screw yourself."  

He looms a step closer but I hold my ground.  "What are you gonna do, slap me around?  
Brian isn't here to protect me and its not like I could stop you."  

The muscles in his jaw clench and throb in time to his pulse.  "Don't tempt me child."  

I bat my eyelashes and pout.  "But Kevin, I'm just a little frail mortal.  It'd be ever 
so easy to beat me into my place.  It'd only take a fist or two and I'd learn my lesson."  

The veins in his neck bulge.  "I'm NOT hitting you!" he roars.  

"Humm, well, in that case, I'm going to bed."  And with that I brush by him and climb 
resolutely into 'my' side as his jaw hangs open, pulling the covers up to my chin as I 
settle in.  

"You know," he remarks conversationally enough as I listen to him turning off the light 
and straightening up a bit, "sometimes I really, really do want to hit you."  

I grin in the darkness, my teeth a flash of white.  "Doesn't everybody?"  

The bed shifts as he climbs in next to me and I shiver despite myself.  "Has anyone ever 
hit you in anger?"  The question is delicately asked in the silence of the night.

I roll so that my back is to him before I answer softly.  "You're one of the few that 
haven't so far."  

I hear his deep intake of breath but it isn't as satisfying as it should be.  I just feel 
sad and tired and older than I am.  "How's your thigh?" Kevin demands, uncomfortable, 
embarrassed, and angry by my response.  

"Fine," I snap shortly.  

A moment later and I feel his hesitant hand on my shoulder, warm and comforting, but the 
comfort was illusionary.  "Just go to sleep Kevin."

"But..." he begins to protest.  

"Drop it!  You're Vampire.  It doesn't matter; I don't matter.  Just leave it alone."

"You should matter."  

I swallow my bitter tears and clutch the comforter closer to my chin.  "No I shouldn't.  
You are Vampire Kevin, all of you; you're not human.  Compassion will kill you."

"Indifference will kill you."  

"I can take care of myself," I reply heatedly.  

His fingers trace a trail of sensation down the back of my neck, through my fine blonde 
hair and I shiver again.  "I can take care of you."  

Damn him.  

"You're my responsibility Catherine."  

"No, I'm not."  My voice sounds high and almost afraid.  I can feel him smile next to me.  
Arrogant prick.  

"You will be.  After I've taken you from Dracula, you'll be my responsibility."  

"No," I whisper.  

"Stop lying to yourself."

I dash tears from my cheeks.  "Go to hell Richardson!"  

His large, capable hands drag me closer to his side and I don't bother to protest.  
There's not a whole lot you can do against superhuman strength and he promised, no 
seduction, at least not for a while.

"Go to sleep Cat."  One hand smoothes my brow and I practice hating him in determined 
silence until I fall asleep, cradled against the illusionary comfort of his broad chest.