Once his sweep was done, she set all her stuff at the foot of the bed. She lazily and somewhat tiredly pulled up her laptop, a text document,and after what seemed like only about half the clicks that marl's email should have taken-because she was quite fast at typing- she set it close to Connor. She peeked over his shoulder briefly at the site, smiling a bit.

"Seems to be more than what you thought it was."

But she couldn't dwell on that right now. She should probably sleep and let him do his business. Besides, she got the feeling he'd start getting worried for her if she didn't seep daily...even though she's told him before that it wasn't absolutely necessary. She quickly, and in a way so as to flash as little skin as possible, changed into more comfortable clothes before slipping under the covers.

Connor nodded, "just his way of trying to spread the word, I guess" He said "Although some people will call him a nut case, but then, its true" He said with a laugh, closing the site. He was glad Elizabeth was willing to sleep, even though she had told him sleep wasn't necessary. But He thought it was best to keep themselves alert. He looked over at her as she went to change, but averted his eyes when she did change, respecting her privacy.

He turned his attention back to his laptop, looking over when she was under the covers, and smiled, before writing a few notes. He then began to copy and paste Marl's information, thinking that one day, it might prove useful to have that all on hand and Connor saved it, sending it to his email so he could access it everywhere.

It was slowly becoming late afternoon, and Connor tensed suddenly, rising slowly and going over to the door, hand on his gun, and picking up the stake on the fridge.

A vampire was near. He looked over at Elizabeth wondering if he should wake her

Elizabeth turned over under the covers, indicating that her sleep had lightened and was not so heavy. Still, she was technically asleep.

( v.v; )

Connor still hesitated even though he saw that her sleep had lightened, he didn't go over and wake her, thinking that might be dangerous for her. It would be better for him to go out there and see if he could see where the vampire was. He shifted the bullets out of the gun, and put silver bullets in, and had two stakes at the ready, another in the waist band of his jeans, and the gun in one hand, ready to shoot as he stepped aside.

He tensed, expecting an attack, but none came, and he looked about, scanning roof tops and rooms, looking for a flicker of the curtain, a shutting of the door, or any sound that might indicate that he was being watched, or any clue. He held his breath, listening for a moment, glancing over the the car in the shade. He closed his eyes, letting his sense roam, and then his eyes snapped open, looking over towards the reception area.

He licked his lips, walking over there, and picking up a paper as if he was going to buy it, looking over the customers there. He doubted it was the old man, with a walking cane, and he was right. Nor the little boy sucking on a lollipop, but he inhaled sharply as he looked towards the young man there, who was accpeting a key. A greasy looking appearance to the sun, pale, and dark shadows around his eyes. Connor didn't need that to know, his senses telling him that it was something in the supernatural.

He went over to the counter, taking out the change for the paper, and as the receptionist turned away, Connor said softly to the vampire, knowing he could hear, "Leave us alone he pressed the wooden stake against the vampire's skin, before stepping out the building. He knew it wasn't over. He just wanted to get the vampire away from the innocent human beings.

He walked away, and turned when he felt the vampire following. Connor smiled slightly, feeling better about this, knowing he could handle it.

And that was probably his downfall.

As he turned to face the vampire, his eyes widened as he felt the presence of another one. He spun about with the stake in hand, but then a searing pain in his hand made him fall to the ground. he lost the stake, and went for the gun in his jeans, pulling it out and firing twice at the vampire that had just bit him.

He managed to slow the vampire down, and he rolled away, springing up, and going for the second stake, spinning about, and stabbing the first vampire in the heart, panting slightly, his own blood running down his arm. He ducked and dodged to the side avoiding the second, but tripped, twisting his ankle. He went down with a cry of pain, but reached for the fallen stake all the same, firing his gun again, aiming for the heart, really drawing the vampire close, and then as the vampire went to bite him again, he stabbed it through the heart. He lay there for a minute, panting, and wriggled away, standing.

He looked about, wincing at the mess, but also knowing the vampire's bodies would disappear into dust soon. He looked down at his hand, seeing the bite mark, the torn skin, the blood. it stung, burned as only a vampire bite could. He looked back to their room, and knew he couldn't be foolish enough to clean himself up there, so he made his way to the public toilets by the pool the inn had, and cleaned the wound, rinsing it good. He bound it up tight, grimacing at the fact that he now had both of his hands injured. He let out a soft sigh, heading back to the room when he was sure it would be safe to do so, and slipping in.

Her sleep had lightened enough to the point that she awoke when she heard the door closing behind him. She could tell right away that something was wrong, but it took a moment for it to register what it was that she was seeing. Even when it did, she found herself strangely calm about it.

"They have medicine."

She sighed quietly, taking a closer look at him. He was ruffed up a bit, his hand injured. But she also saw that he had already dressed the wound. She gestured for him to sit down as she rummaged through her stuff. "I'm glad that you took care of your hand. It shows me that you're being careful again....but you forgot to take a look at your other hand while you were at it. I can take care of that without biting you."

She pulled out some of her own wound treating stuff - hey, even a vampire needs to deal with their wounds.

"Maybe we should contact Marl again. He'll probably be ornery about it, but he shouldn't be back at the city yet....and it might be good to make a team to adjust to..."she paused, "....to our situation."

Connor nodded, and looked up, "Well, at least those two did, but they won't be troubling us anymore though" He said, looking down at his other hand, and sighing. he went over to her, but stopped over at his duffel taking out some painkillers, he swallowed two dry, hoping they'd help with the pain and the sting in his bitten hand.

He then went over to Elizabeth, sitting down, letting her look at his other hand. He shook his head, "Marl needs to be at the city. Not only because of the increase of supernatural activity and most likely the influx of hunters" He said as she tended to him, "I forgot how much the bitting stings"

He thought for a few moments, "We can still tell him, probably will be best to, but I think its wiser to have him in the city" Plus, Connor didn't want to bring Marl into trouble, and he would feel horrible, and never forgive himself if Marl got hurt, or killed for his own mission.

With slow, graceful hands, she peeled off the bandages on his older wounded hand. Once they were off, she gently tended to the wounds, making sure they were clean. She nodded, listening but seemed thoughtful and somewhat somber. "If you think so." She replied quietly, starting to replace what she had taken off.

"We can both contact him. I need to practice the internet still, and I can ask him questions....I am worried for my human friends." she added on. It was true, she had occasionally wondered and worried for the church and those working at the soup kitchen. Surely, any vampire uprising would find a way to rid themselves of the church at least...but there was more to it. Something she needed to talk to Marl about - before she returned to human.

She stopped moving all together for a second. Maybe now wasn't the right time to turn back, after all.

Pushing the thought aside, she finished up tending to Connor. "There you go, finished and bandaged. Anymore injuries though, and I'll tell the local museum that I've found a new mummy."

She picked up the old stuff and threw it away, grabbing a bloodpacket for herself. Breakfast would be a good start to what she felt like was going to be a long day.

Connor sighed "I don't want Marl to die because of me" he said softly, "having vampires follow us just proves that it's going to be dangerous, and I don't want him being in danger because of me" he nodded about contacting Marl, "marls a good hunting. He will stop anything happening, and if you tell him who these friends are, he will make sure they are safe" Connor said, frowning as she seemed to freeze, but then she continued in as if nothing had happened, and Connor decided not to press.

He chuckled, "I'll try not to get injured anymore" he promised, "next time I won't be so stupid as to think the next tail is alone." He said, rising and going to wash up the stakes as best he could, and reloaded his gun, changing into a jacket with hidden pockets in the lining, putting the stakes in it, and sliding a knife into a holder by one ankle. He would make sure he was armed at all times. He also grabbed a vial of holy water, sticking it in a pocket.

Satisfied, he went over to his laptop, emailing Marl, telling him of the attack and that everything was okay. Then he rose to make himself a cup of coffee, returning to the laptop, he contacted a few other hunters, asking how everything was

Elizabeth warmed up her blood as usual and watched him s he geared up, looking almost like he was going straight into a vampire den. She smiled, nah, even he would need more gear if he were to do that. She frowned slightly as she wondered how many more there would be in the next tail..because she was sure of two things right now. They were after him for a reason, and there would definitely be more.

Sipping at her breakfast, she went over to her laptop and turned it on. After a surprisingly quick log in, she opened up her email account and started an email to Marl. Then she sighed and drug it over to her bed and sat with it there. This was more comfortable, but a more important perk, Connor wasn't going to see what she was writing.

"Tell me about those other vampire cures you've researched." she said quietly, distractedly, and she continued making her email.

---

Marl, this is Elizabeth.
I have regained myself. I know about the dreams, too. There is much I feel I must talk to you about but I am uncomfortable letting Connor know any of it.

First off. I hope you are doing well...I know you're probably not back into the city yet but I'm sure things will be hectic there with all of the new vampires and increase in hunters, most of whom are there looking for me. I apologize for my part in it, though I of course wasn't putting much thought into what I was doing. I was only trying to keep my humanity and not get noticed so much as to have you come after me.

As I'm sure you've gathered from Connor's message, he has been followed and attacked. I'm growing concerned with what this may mean, and why you needed to get to him as much as you did.

At first, I just thought it was you taking responsibility for letting him live but now I'm getting a new picture. He's a hunter trained to be above normal skills so that he may be on par with the supernatural and superhuman. If he were to be turned, his strength and abilities would only get better, and if its whomever is creating all those new vampires, they could force him to use his skills and knowledge to create much damage to humanity and your cause.

Connor is a liability, isn't he?

Taking no pleasure in my thoughts,
Elizabeth

Connor typed out a few emails to other hunters, and replies when and if they replied. He researched what he could, and was slowly finishing off the vampire hierarchy he had been working on for three and a half years. He sent what new data he had to Marl, knowing he would get it where it needed to go, and then he rang up about Bessie, but there was no answer, so Connor sighed, and looked up as Elizabeth moved over to a bed. He turned back to his computer, sipping at his coffee, then biting into an apple. He tapped his fingers on the table, thinking.

He looked up at Elizabetus question, and shrugged "there's a number of things, all theories, but none be backed up" he said, his voice soft, appearing troubled. Connor knew the vampires had been here for him, and not Elizabeth. He was putting her in danger being with her, and he should have the courage and the ability to leave her.

But he didn't know if he could.

He also didn't know why, other then to give him their blood, the vampires seemed interested in him. It had to be something more then that, didn't it?

He didn't know.

---

There was almost an instant reply to Elizabeth's email. It read:

Connors strength and abilities will continue to grow, no matter what. I have a theory. They don't want to turn Connor.

They want his blood.

You see, Vampiresim is a disease. And his blood holds the cure-a human nearly turned, had vampire blood in him. He has antibodies against it, I would think.

He is the cure for all vampire kind.

That was it, short and simple. A man of few words.

She wasn't pleased to hear that there was no real reason to hope for another cure, but she only seemed mildly disappointed as she was still distracted by her computer at the time. A silent nod would have to do.

When the email came back, however, her response was more pronounced. Her eyes widened a bit, and she quickly stole a glance back up at Connor, and then back down. A moment went by as she registered what it all could mean. Soon enough her fingers were flying as she typed back as response with all of her practiced typing skills.

If she had a heartbeat it would be flying off the charts right now. A sudden mix of nervousness and hope flooded her.

---

Would it be alright for me to test your theory? I mean, it is just a theory, and knowing their intentions for sure would be a great help. Also, I've had my breakfast, so it shouldn't pose any danger to him. If I'm human by this time tomorrow, we'll know how to cure vampirism without the need of old magical items that may or may not work only once.

Connor looked up, as if in response to her quick typing, frowning, wondering what could have enticed such a response. He watched her, almost on the verge of asking what had got her worked up, but then sighed, going over to the window and risking a peek outside, seeing the sun slowly sinking, and the bodies gone, dust on the window. More newer vampires would just stay corpses, but the older ones poofed into dust, as of that one mortal blow brought all the years onto them.

He returned to his laptop, but found he didn't have the patience for it, and he shut it down, leaning into the table, dropping his head into his hands. He should leave, he knew that. But he wasn't strong enough to do so, and he hated himself for that.

He sighed, and packed his laptop away, looking to see what else he could put away, before asking Elizabeth "what's got you so worked up? I'm surprised the keys aren't smoking" he said, managing half a smile.

---

He doesn't know. If he did, he'd want to give it all. I don't know. Ask.

Elizabeth shut her laptop shut suddenly, the wave of nervousness and hope growing to almost overcome her as her eyes travels back up to Connor. But another sensation was also there. Determination.

She smiled sort of nervously at him in return for his attempted half-smile. "Just a talk. " she said, 'I wanted to ask some things about the uprising and confirm a theory of mine. And then he gave me his own theories."

She swallowed, setting aside her laptop and going over to him. "Connor...he has a most interesting theory, and I'm really the only one who can test it right now." she sighed, motioning that she wanted to sit on is lap. "I have his permission to ask you about it..." she looked down at his newly bitten hand and took it gently in hers.

"...why do you suppose they bit you, if they want to turn you?"

Connor frowned at the nervousness, at the hope and the determination. What had happened? What had Marl said to her? For he was sure that's who she had been talking with. Connor felt uneasy, and he squirmed slightly.

Connor watched her come over, listening as she spoke, shifting his chair as she sat. He frowned, looking down at his injuried hand in her grasp. "The vampire bit to drink my blood, and then they would have made me drink theirs" he said, slightly unsure. That was how it worked, he was more then sure. That was how it had been for him, or so Marl had told him.

He frowned, disturbed at this, and he looked to her for the answer she wanted, for her to say what she wanted him to figure out, for he had no idea, although he wasn't sure if he would like it. What had Marl not told him?

She sighed slightly and pat him, "Connor...you don't need to be bitten though. besides, if a vampire wanted to bite you for the purpose of turning you, they'd get up close and cling onto your torso so you couldn't shake them off." she said that last part sort of flatly. That was how vampires did it alright, a very good reason they went for the neck despite there being a few other places with easy access.

"what if...instead of biting you to turn you...they were planning to bite you for your blood? Look here." she peeled back the bandage a little bit for him to get a peek, "If this was just a little lower...it would be on your vein, where humans cut themselves to die via exsanguination. Blood loss. You being a hunter, it would have been an excellent way to get a few drops, since you guard your neck more than your hands." She paused, replacing the bandage and letting his hand go if he should want to. "Marl thinks you have anti-bodies to fight off the vampire infection." she said quietly, looking at him more directly, "That you're a living...breathing...walking...cure."

Connor frowned as he listened to her talk. Marl had always told him that you needed to be bitten, and then given blood, which is why it was so dangerous for him around vampires and their blood. It didn't make sense. He watched her lift his hand, take the bandages off, showing the injury, nasty, some of the skin torn, and the two puncture marks.

Connor hasn't been paying attention in the fight to where he had been bitten, more simply, he had just wanted to survive, and kill the two vampires. He never thought to rotext his hands, always vampires went for the neck, not the hands. He frowned, looking up when she let his hand go.

And then he froze, and it would have been amusing if the situation wasn't so serious, like a statue. He didn't know how to reply as his throughts flew wildly, until his chest began to burn and he realized he had been holding his breath. He took a few deep, slow breaths, and he could feel his heart beating in his chest as if he had just ran a marathon.

"You lean all this time we have been chasing a rumor, and I might be the cure?" He asked slowly, as if trying to make sense of the situation. "You want me to give you my blood"

He would gladly do so.

His racing heart entranced her slightly, being able to hear it and feel it everywhere she was touching him. intoxicating for her really...and then -

"You want me to give you my blood"

"Yes." she said earnestly before blinking back to trying to be able to think beyond her persistently loud thoughts of just wanting his blood. She swallowed again, willing her fangs not to come out from excitement alone. "It would not be much, but if you are the cure...and if that's why you're being stalked, I want to find out...and..." she looked away...kinda...she tried to look away but her eyes just plastered themselves to his neck instead. So many reasons to bite him...it was a good thing he loved her or this would be difficult...as in she might be dead already for asking level difficult.

Finally she smiled a bit sadly, "You know how obsessed I am with feeling heartbeats...and wanting my own back."

Connor didn't know if it would work, if it would hurt her, harm her, make things worse or not, and he sat there silent for a few minutes, unaware of the struggle she seemed to be going through to not bite him. "I just thought you liked feeling my hert beat" He said, with a small smile, and a shrug.

He debated what to do from here, but of course he wouldn't deny her, and he shifted away from her, rising to go ovr to the bench, leaning into it. He swallowed, and said softly, "Then how do we do this without driving you crazy?"

He knew if he tried to draw out too much blood, it would be over intoxicating. He frowned, looking down at his hands. There was the wounds there. And then he remembered that he had needles and syringes, always good if you could get holy water injected into veins. He went over t his duffel, and took out a needle and syrgine.

He went into the bathroom, and draw the blood from a vein, using his belt as a tourniquet, and filled the syringe up, before trotting out the bathroom. He set the blood down.

She had watched him, quietly confused about what he was doing. Finally she followed him from his duffle bag to the bathroom. By the time she pieced all of his intentions together, she realized he completely missed what her intentions were. She looked down at the syringe on the desk/table. yes, she was sure that would be plenty for her experiments but...she imagined dosing herself through her veins, or sucking on the needle....no, she didn't want to do it that way.

As he was going to withdraw his hand from the syringe, she grabbed it lightly. "Thank you...I appreciate that you are so willing to do that...but if your blood is the cure...that's not how I want to end my vampire days.' she looked up at him, "I was hoping to be a bit more intimate...I've lived many years by not feeding enough to kill someone...but if it makes you feel better, I will drink another packet. I wouldn't mind, really." she paused for a moment, "you can even have some reassurance in hand...if you need it..." she said the last part quietly. He had said he trusted her...she had refused to bite him even when she was on the edge of her mind...so, she personally hoped hee wouldn't feel like he needed that much to feel safe with her...but she left it as an option anyways..

Connor blinked when she grabbed his hand, looking to her as she spoke. He had realised that the syringe was a cold, clinical way of doing this, but he had thought it would be easier on Elizabeth. He new she could drink without killing, that didn't mean it was easy on her. He swallowed as she spoke, looking to her. Intimate struck his head as if there was a bell there, and he ran a hand through his hair.

He intertwined his fingers with hers, and shook his head. "I don't need any 'reassurance'. I trust you" He said softly, giving her an almost shy smile. "I just thought it would be easier on you...but intimate is good too" He said, thinking he would send the syringe to Marl, and see what Marl could find out. But that could be done later. For now, he didn't know what the blood would do to Elizabeth, so he would stay with her.

But he knew it would still be dangerous for her to be around him, if his blood was the cure...and then he didn't know what to do there, so he pushed those thoughts away, for another time.

He licked his lips, suddenly nervous, "So, blood?"