Van Helsing

Hannah tensed for a moment, then relaxed in Edward's arms. She seemed to forget eveything except the feel of his arms around her.

 

"I want to take care of you, you know," Edward began against the top of her head. "That's the only reason I was so angry..."

 

Hannah smiled softly but it faded quickly. "Van Helsing...."

 

"What about him?" Edward asked. "I won't let him hurt you, either."

 

"I shouldn't even be near him.... You heard what he said." Hannah said, not moving.

 

"I didn't," Edward replied. "But it doesn't matter. He needs your help and he can't kill you until we've finished Dracula... even, then I'll stop him, okay?"

 

Hannah sighed quietly, appreciating what Edward was saying, but knowing what would happen. "I'll kill people.... It doesn't matter how much I don't want to...."

 

"That's... that's something I can live with..." Edward began slowly. "I mean, I won't be around you at the full moon each month... but that's the way both of our lives have to be."

 

Hannah pulled gently out of the embrace and put a finger to Edward's lips. "I understand." She said and then kissed him like she never kissed before.

 

Edward started, slightly surprised. He pulled Hannah closer to him, and then inhaled sharply, pulling away from her. "Sorry," he muttered. "It's just... that bride caught my face and my chest..."

 

Jinx, Beatrice, and Van Helsing were getting weary. "How much longer? They can't have gone that far..." Van Helsing sighed.

"They're close," Jinx replied, slightly irritated. "Around the next corner..."

 

Hannah's pale cheeks gained color. "S- sorry."

 

"It's fine... I'll--" he stopped himself, inhaling sharply as his cuts on his cheek stretched and broke, new drops of blood falling and covering the tried tracks. "It just hurts a little..."

 

"I wish I could help." Hannah said averting looking at Edward. She bit her tongue, but she couldn't block the scent.

 

"I'll live," Edward said kindly. "Most of this... nasty stuff isn't even me."

 

"There you are!" Van Helsing cried, rounding the corner to see Edward and Hannah.

They stepped away from each other, and Van Helsing knew exactly what he had missed. "We're in the same damned castle as Dracula and you two are running around like children! What the hell is the matter with you? Put away your personal feelings and problems and help the rest of us or leave, please!"

 

Hannah's blush deepened. "I want to go too.... The man who lived here was killed about five months ago. He wasn't the most sane person either...."

 

"Regardless, I'd love to just kill you right now and save me and Edward a lot of trouble," Van Helsing snapped, pullling out his bow.

 

Edward pulled Hannah behind him, holding her still. He growled low, glaring at Van Helsing. "Let her be and we can do what we came here for," he said dangerously, his eyes flashing red.

 

Hannah didn't dare move. She knew it would happen eventually.