“Well, let’s just say that it has been part of every successful intervention I have done and it’s been absent in every one that has failed.”

“Uhuh. Well, then I guess I’m going to pay Aiden a visit.”

“Bette, I’m going; not you.”

“No, absolutely not. This is my problem. You don’t need to put yourself in any more danger than you already have.”

“Bette, I appreciate your gallantry but I have to go. You cannot touch the blood.  If you accidently come into contact with it, it will be useless.”

“Tina, are you telling me that you’ve gone to collect these viles of blood before from vampires?”

“Yes, Bette. I’ve done it a few times and I would do it for you in a heartbeat.”  Tina could not believe that she had said what she felt outloud.  She could see the intensity in which the brunette was now looking at her.  Oh boy, she probably thinks I’m crazy.

Bette took her hand and knelt down in front of the blonde. Tina felt the warmth creep up her neck into her cheeks. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me Tina but I don’t think that I can let you do that for me.  Maybe we can proceed without it.” She let go realizing how close she was to Tina. Her vampire senses were usually easy to keep in check even around other beautiful women but Tina did something to her that she couldn’t explain. She shook her thoughts of the tenderness of her neck from her mind. She couldn’t tell if she was having a physical or emotional reaction to the blonde.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea Bette.  We need all the help we can get.  We only have one shot at this, there’s no second chance.  I used some of my contacts and I found out where he lives.  I want to do this tonight, the sooner the better.”

Bette looked at her marveling at her bravery but wondered just how prepared anyone could be for Aiden. 

“Besides, you said he was very kind to you, well as kind as a vampire could be in that situation.  I’m sure I won’t have a problem.  I wanted to come tell you before I went there. I’m going to get going sometimes these negotiations take a while.”