Dr. Fredrich Barnes, turned vampire by his lover... dead for his lover- was alone...
He was alone! He was alone! Tears streamed down his face as he leaned over his late night coffee. He sat at a rounded table outside- moonlight caressing his tears. He was not so dead yet as for his ducts to have died yet but he was sure that he would release all his tears tonight. He sipped his coffee- not thirsty- just cold- so cold....

Fredrich pulled his brown overcoat around his body. His tan hands looked paler now... so pale. He shook his head and let out an inaudible moan. "Pru..." he whispered. His Indian heritage was slipping as his hands grew lighter before his eyes. And now- now he foudn that damned note- saying she found something better! She had killed him- loved him- left him for what? Something else? Did she even think about him? Did she? No! Anger raged inside of him and with that rage came the familiar hunger. His dark eyes grew even darker. He growled and gripped his coffee cup with resistance- resistance to that awful awful hunger- breaking it- hot liquid stinging his arm.

"Shit" he said, standing abruptly. He shook off the pain and watched the burns dissappear from his arms- turning away from the other people at the coffee shop. There were only two of them tonight- both workers. He was alone.
Alone. Dead. Unable to cope. He closed his eyes and sat back down- burying his face in strong hands.
"She's gone... She's gone..." Depression cut through him like a knife- if only it would kill him.

Night fell on Helen like a sun would a flower. She was awake from her deep slumber, and happy to be out. Happy to be awake, away from her ever-haunting nightmares. She decided to wander into the prestiged coffee shop she'd heard so much about since she'd arrived in this forsaken town, overrun with vampires. She opened the door slowly, and eyed the staff. Though, they held her attention only briefly as she noticed a man who'd just spilled coffee on him. Apparently it was hot.

She walked to the accodaments bar, picked up a handful of napkins, and wandered over to him without saying a word. She set the napkins on the table. She could tell by his rapidly paling composure that he wasn't taking his turning well. Unfortunately for Helen, she was unconscious for the majority of hers. She sat down, and watched the man, waiting for him to wipe off his arm. Despite the healed burns, there was still coffee on it.

Helen turned her head towards the workers, and stared at them. Using her mesmerism, they were compelled to stop looking at the two 'customers'. She then turned her attention back to the unidentified man, and raised an eyebow. Despite his dying features, he looked blue. Something seemed to slice him right to the core. She couldn't help but mentally smile. Welcome to the world of troubled vampries.

Helen herself still hadn't come to terms of her vampirism, despite the some odd hundred years she'd been alive. She wasn't sure if she liked being a vampire, or thought that she needed to be one. It prolonged her stolen life, but did she want to live forever, rather than just dying on that street so many years ago? What was there in life for a broken person like herself?

Fredrich's ears perked up as he heard her walk over to him. She smelled- like Pru- like Vampirism. This disease- this ailment would always remind him of her. He winced- eyes still closed. If he could've- he would've counted the steps Pru took as she left- He just wanted her- wanted the second love of his life... and now she was gone! Maybe he wasn't meant to be loved- maybe nothing was meant to go right- maybe he waqs supposed to be trapped on this earth forever- because right now.... he wanted to die.

His gruff voice spoke to the woman. "What are you looking at?" he asked, not angrily- but with a wave of sorrow.

Helen motioned towards the napkins. He couldn't have coffee dripping from his unburned arm all night could he? No, he couldn't. That would be silly, and suspicious. Though she looked at him, and he probably didn't care. His eyes showed that he wanted to die... And he would soon enough. It seemed to be mere chance that she visited this coffee shop on this night.

"What are you looking at?"

She tilted her head slightly, and she wasn't sure if she should be understanding, bitter, or frank with this man. Though she figured the latter of the two would cause him to do something irratibly stupid. "Your grief," she whispered. "You wear it plainly on your face. Your eyes show you want to die..." Her voice trailed off, and her lips upturned slightly. "And you will, by the looks of your skin. Though I'd suggest you doing it somewhere besides a coffee shop." She wondered about young vampires these days... Dying in a coffee shop wasn't exactly poetic, or publicly desirable.

Fredrich frowned at how blunt she was. "I don't want to feed- I can't do it without killing someone... my "sire" is gone... and- fine... I'll go die someplace else." He was bitter now. He took the napkins and wiped the coffee from his arm.

"Thanks" He had no blood with which to heal the burn so it stayed- bright red as the fire that consumed him- the hunger.

His tears fell away and he no longer was crying as he stood and looked at the other- young- pointless- He had once thought his life had a point. Now- he wasn't so sure. He groaned and started to walk away, not caring about the girl or anything else. If he could live- have something to live for besides killing every night- he would fight for his life... but he saw no reason now. Pathetic. He used to be so much stronger.

Helen saw so many similarities in this man and what he was going through. Of course, details were different, but being abandoned as you thought you had no reason for living... She had to discover the ways of vampirism alone, and everything about her new life... completely, and utterly alone. For centuries.

She made the mortals turn their heads as she faded into shadow, disappearing on the blink of an eye. She followed this man, however. For some reason, she was intrigued by him, and if anything, she wanted to help him. It was odd, for someone like her, who didn't really much care for others, especially after her long history for losing everyone that could ever have meant anything to her. Though she couldn't just sit back and allow another one turn into a vampire, and suffer as she did. It just wasn't fair. Nor the polite thing to do.

"I too was abandoned..." Her voice rang in his ear as if she whispered into it. "I understand what your going through. Confusion... Helplessness... Yes... It's a road I know well, sometimes I think I know it too well." Though he could not see her, her voice was whispered into his ear as she followed close behind him, in shadow.

Fred groaned. "You whisper you understand woman but you aren't helping- can you help me?" he asked out loud- not able to do the mind thing. He wasn't even aware that vampires could do that shit. He looked around- spinning.

"Where are you?" he called out. "Help me- don't tell me you understand and not help me-!" he pleaded, crumbling to the ground as the hunger gripped his body and tortured him- taking away all strength- all movement- He tried to fight the pain, tried to stand- only to fall over- gripping his stomach.

Helen watched the man as he started to panic. Her face was expressionless, as she continued to watch over him curiously. His mind seemed to be completely breaking down, unable to comprehend what was going on, plus whatever tramatic event that was previously haunting him. Too bad he was conscious through the whole thing. He collapsed on the ground.

She kneeled in front of him, and appeared. Her stern eyes seemed to relax gently, as she cupped her hands around his face. Yes, he was dying, and he was hungry. She could smell it. Helen leaned in, her lips by his ear. "I can help you if you let me. As your body dies you need blood to replentish yourself. There are more ways to aquire blood than killing people." She backed away from him, and stood, offering him her hand. Though he would probably need his own strength to stand for the most part. Helen's small frame would barely be able to help him, despite her vampiric strength.

Fredrich needed no more instruction. He grabbed her wrist and kissed it first before sinking his teeth into her flesh. He was a bit messy- but he was desperate. He drank the warmth down hungrily but it wasn't enough- dead blood- yeah he could drink it but he needed something warm. He let go- stable now- breathing hard. "What? Why did you do that for me-?" he stood and took her hand- staring at it. "I did that- God I'm sorry..."

Fredrich felt the twinge of hunger and had to lick his lips. "I'm still hungry. I must find food- could you- make sure--- I don't kill the victim- please... I want your help- I need it- I know I sound crazy- but I'll have a sound mind and can explain my psychotic disposition later- please..." he met her eyes and pleaded with her- assuming she'd say yes since she had already helped him.

Helen grimaced slightly as the man bit into her wrist, but as he continued to feed, she relaxed. He removed his fangs from her wrist, and she looked at him like a mother might look at a child. He seemed bewildered that he would do such a thing. It would come in time that he would understand the vampiric urge for feeding. It had taken her long to understand it in her solitude. She didn’t know why she was helping him really, so she ignored his questions.

"I'm still hungry. I must find food- could you- make sure--- I don't kill the victim- please... I want your help- I need it- I know I sound crazy- but I'll have a sound mind and can explain my psychotic disposition later- please..."

She pressed her finger against his lips, and told him to shush. “I know, you don’t have to explain. I will stop you when it’s necessary.” She wrapped her arm around his shoulder to try and help him up. She saw the helplessness in his eyes, and was compelled to assist him. It was more than simply helping someone who reminded her of herself as a young vampire. But he truly required assistance. Perhaps her old self was submerging through her iced heart of old.

Fredrich gave the woman a weak smile. "Thanks.." he grunted before letting her help him to his feet. Almost immeadiately after- a young man was walking down the alley- his nose in a book. Must be from the university... Fredrich started to aproach him- wondering what would be the best way to handle this.

"Hello"

"Why hello- wow man.. You're bleeding!" Fredrich smiled. Oops. Blood must still be on his face. Ah well- he always was a blunt man- might as well get to the punch- literally.
Fredrich gave the college student the ol' one two and he was down for the count. It helped having big hands and the knowledge of how to use them. The man was out cold but not dead- Fredrich- made sure- checking the pulse which was driving him so horribly mad.

His fangs drove deep into the other man's neck and he drank- drank down what he hated and what he needed- life- blood- warmth- power- strength- sin- murder----
He let go- astonished by what he was doing. He made to run away but the smell of the open and bleeding wound reached his nostrils and he was unable to resist the becon. He plunged fangs into the man again- blood spilling over his own shirt. Fredrich was a messy eater- Ah- there were worse habits. At least he didn't play with his food.

The hunger drove him to drink more and more and more and... he couldn't stop Good God! Fredrich leaned back and aimed to slash out the man's throat- dying to take that thudding pulse and swallow it- still pulsing into his mouth- though he knew that was impossible.

Helen watched as the man attempted his first feeding. He was messy, and not exactly graceful with his methods. Helen shook her head, and rolled her eyes. Stupid fledgling. She walked beside him, watching the blood seep into his shirt. Great... This was going to be interesting... Walking down the street next to a man with a bloody shirt.

As he leaned back, Helen grabbed his hand, which was about to swipe at the mortal. She leaned down and grinned. "No murdering, remember?" She patted the man on the head, and straightened herself. She shook her head and made a 'tsk tsk' sound. "Look, you've made a mess of yourself, and your still living food." Helen pulled out a hankerchief that she had been carrying with her ever since she was still mortal. Some habits never die... Even after death, she supposed. She handed it to the man, and let him wipe himself up. Afterwards they could wipe up the man, and she could convince him he'd fallen asleep or something when he woke up.

This kid definately needed some work.

Fredrich stepped back as she pulled him away and it was as if a cloud of fog had vanished from sight- allowing him to think clearer than before- he could- think! He sighed with relief and turned to the woman.
"The blood on my shirt is fine" he said, taking it off to reveal a dark torso- not quite chiseled but muscular enough. He worked out- yeah. He placed it in a nearby trashcan as he looked over his shoulder at the victim- thank God for trashcans!

His voice was calm now- collected- the voice of a doctor- a professional. "I can control it if I don't wait so long to feed- but you see- my sire left me and well- I wanted to wait for her- see if she'd come back." he paused and his voice was serious but no emotion was in his eyes now. he was reborn- with the viscious feeding of this man he was reborn to the dead and he knew he had to live with this. He was still new to this but... He could figure it out. He made it through Medical school- also known as hell. He could handle a little blood and teeth now and then. No more sunlight? Who needed a tan?

His eyes now wandered over to the female vampire cleaning up the mess- fixing his mistakes. "I will be better next time. I promise" he said, reproach in his voice.
She was pretty- very beautiful indeed. She looked nothing like Pru- but Pru looked like Marian and that only reminded him of life. He no longer was alive. He was dead. So he best forget the past.

"My name is Fredrich Barnes. I'm sorry I caused this- but could I have your name?" he asked, curious about the woman now- he couldn't believe he didn't notice her eyes before. They really struck him- pulled him to her. Maybe it was just the wiles but-- it was alluring. He reluctantly looked away and back to the body. "He'll- be alright?" Fredrich asked- a little nervousness peeking out from behind the doctor facade.

Helen watched him transform from a bloodthirsty beast, to a civil human. Her eyes followed his shirt, and glazed over his muscular form. He must have some cash if he was able to just throw shirts away. No attempt to wash it or anything, just toss it away like that. She shrugged, not exactly going to worry herself over a dirtied shirt. She nodded as he reassured her that it wasn’t that big of a deal. No worries then. Piece of cake.

"I can control it if I don't wait so long to feed- but you see- my sire left me and well- I wanted to wait for her- see if she'd come back."

She bared her teeth, and growled slightly. Sires. Bah. All they did was abandon. That’s what Helen’s had done. Hell, she didn’t even know if the vampire was a male or a female, young or old, what they looked like, anything. Sires meant nothing to her. “They don’t come back.” She hissed bitterly. It was like a parent abandoning its child, bringing it into a new world and leaving it to rot and fend for itself. She guessed only the strong survived that way.

He seemed to be getting better control of himself, and well, Helen was grateful for it. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to handle some crazed vampire fledgling for much longer.

"I will be better next time. I promise."

Helen smirked. “I know. Certain circumstances call for special assistance…” She said, trailing off, not quite really saying anything, her mind started to slightly, trying to remember her first feeding. She killed her mortal, and well, had to learn how to disappear rather quickly after the police enforcement noticed.

"My name is Fredrich Barnes. I'm sorry I caused this- but could I have your name?"

Helen shook her head lightly, and shrugged. “You saved me from another night of mindless wandering. No need to apologize. Helen Gustare.” She looked him over; he seemed to be fine now, despite his previous predicament. “Are you going to be alright?” She asked, ignoring his question about the mortal. Of course he was going to be fine. She had pulled the mortal away from his fangs before any real damage could be done, and wiped away the blood on the neck. The male would awaken confused, but quite physically fine.

Fredrich stared at her. "All sires leave? Do they really?" he asked, curious eyes intent on her. "And yeah- I'm fine thanks to you...."

He didn't comment about the mindless wandering. he knew it too well... But he was glad however- his mindless wanderings only occurred on his off-days. He had a steady job- night shift at the hospital. He got paid. Most vampires- such as Pru- didn't really do much- just living it up- partying, drinking- whatever.... Well- that's what Pru's friends did- and that's what Nikki did.....

He shook his head and forgot the horrible vampiress and looked over to the much more civil vampiress before him. He was sure she would never do what Nikki did.
"Are you with- the covens?" he asked suddenly, remembering something Pru said about covens- some sort of family- Pru was independent- never really ready to rely on anyone but herself. Look where that got her- an ass kicking with quite a few female vamps.

"All sires leave? Do they really?"

Helen grimaced, and shook her head lightly. “Mine did, as well as yours. Though, I’m never one to assume things.” She had read in her books hundreds of times where assuming only brought grief to the protagonist. Though he seemed to really be unaware of everything that it took to be a vampire. How they worked, what they needed to survive, besides the gut instinct of basic hunger. She wondered if she would be able to put up with a fledgling such as him. She needed company sure, but not a clueless dope following her around all the time.

"And yeah- I'm fine thanks to you...."

She silently nodded, looking away from him into the night. Her blue eyes seemed vacant at this point, and her mind wandered away from that alleyway. She’d never saved anyone’s life before… In fact, it was usually her who required saving. Once from her dead parents’ farm, and again where she actually died, thus being ‘saved’, and was turned into a vampire to prolong her life. She looked back at him, her eyes still distant, but closer than before. “Are we going to stay in this alleyway all night, or do you have someplace to stay?”

"Are you with- the covens?"

Raising an eyebrow, Helen tilted her head slightly. A new one such as him already knew of the covens? It took Helen years to discover that there were more vampires than just her and her sire. But then again, she seldom came out of her sanctuary, and watched over her withering grandmother from the shadows, not paying much attention to vampiric activity. Though, despite her lack of involvement, she was apart of a coven. “Nephim.” She whispered.

"I have an apartment Helen" he said with a shrug. "I work at the hospital most nights- I'm a doctor." he was pretty perceptive and noted- the doubt in her eyes.
"I'll give you no more trouble tonight Helen- or ever again... why is such doubt in your eyes?" he asked.

Fredrich grumbled at the thought as he began to walk down the alley- in direction of his home. Doubt- why yes he was a bit crazy tonight and honestly- he knew nothing of sires because his sire had never mentioned others- though she had taught him about the covens- really reprimanded them. He could fight- he knew how- he was strong- smart. Why should she doubt him- be weary of him? He made one mistake tonight- are we not all imperfect in some way.

Well- he didn't really need her help now anyways. The dilussion was gone but he was quite sure it would return. He sighed. He would find a way to quench his thirst-feed this awful wonderful hunger. If she left he'd make it- hopefully. But truthfully- he didn't want her to leave- he liked her- thought she was great. She could help him- guide him a bit, but he didn't need a mommy- just someone to be there for him. Why did everyone think that helping him caused such a goddamn burden? Pru had thought the same and now he could see it in the other woman's eyes. Great. Just great. He was never going to get anywhere with women. At this point in time Fredrich consented to bve alone. Maybe he was overanalyzing- but he took doubt seriously- since he had now been walked out on by not one, but two women- both dead in their own way.

He sighed as he turned the corner onto Reed Avenue, homeward bound- not sure and not caring (well maybe a little bit) whether Helen would say any more.

A doctor who lived in an apartment, she was sure he could do better than that… Perhaps being a single doctor currently abandoned by his sire-lover vampiress that’s all one would need. Helen nodded, and then raised an eyebrow as the young vampire started to accuse her of not wanting him around.

"I'll give you no more trouble tonight Helen- or ever again... why is such doubt in your eyes?"

As he walked away, she did not follow him, but merely grinned as she projected her thoughts into his brain. “I’m afraid you misunderstand, Fredrich…For a young woman such as me, whom is used to being protected, it felt strange to protect another. I…” She paused for a moment, almost unbelieving what she was about to say. “I… Don’t want you to leave.” And with that, her grin faded from her face.

Loneliness had finally taken its toll of the cold woman’s heart. No longer would she dare to face the bitterness of the world in solitude, she desired someone, a friend, a lover, a someone, who would help her bear the bad things that would follow her over time. Though, hopefully the young man would be suaded by her words and turn around, or at least invite her to his place.

They both needed the other’s companionship. Helen, with her god forsaken loneliness, and iced heart, needing the help of another’s friendship to melt the barriers and show her what it is like to be in someone company who cared for her. And Fredrich, a lost vampire, whom needed another to show him that not all women were traitors. Funny how they ran into each other, isn’t it? Perhaps in time they would realize how much they needed the other.

That was all he needed to hear. He did not want her to go either....
Fredrich turned around. "Will you come back to my place with me Helen?" he shrugged. "I assure you it's safer than most vampire havens- Pru mentioned sleeping in a closed dumpster once... I would never risk it" he shook his head sadly.

His sire had been young- unable to help and control him. It was- annoying- pathetic- and now- now he found he wanted nothing to with her- or her memory....

He motioned for Helen to come with him with a gentle but strong hand. He sighed. "Let's go--- please? I'm suddenly feeling the need to get into my own bed and just- die..." he couldn't help but hide a small smile. Ha! It was funny- well, he thought it was... Well, not too many enjoyed his humor. Helen probably didn't- but who cared? She wasn't leaving! The beautiful vampiress was staying- staying to help and possibly be helped... woopdie doo. He was quite happy she was staying truthfully- but he didn't want to put too much trust in her.... just in case- in case she left.... left and never returned....

God- death made you a depressing persona. Damn.

A dry laugh erupted from the base of Helen’s throat as Fredrich mentioned his sire living in a dumpster. How classy. Helen remembered her stay at the run down church, a safe-haven for those of the Nephim coven. However, she still accepted his offer. Helen nodded, and walked next to him silently. “Well, such is the life of a independent, I’m afraid. Covens offer safe havens that are considerably more acceptable than a dumpster.” Though she felt no pity for sires, Fredrich seemed to sympathize with the woman who had turned him. Perhaps she was more than a sire to him…

"Let's go--- please? I'm suddenly feeling the need to get into my own bed and just- die..."

Helen’s soft face was expressionless as she walked silently next to Fredrich. She brushed against his hand lightly to show him that she would stay with him for however long it took to get him on his new feet. Helen believed that vampire feet were an entirely different world than mortal ones. The transition was difficult for her, and she wouldn’t let Fredrich go through the same thing. “You’ll die soon enough.” She muttered. The night she died was cold, and lonely. The solitude and bareness of the London streets, bleeding on the sidewalk, Helen was completely isolated it seemed. Like everyone else had died around her, and she was invisible; in a whole new world. It was the strangest feeling. Though Helen hoped that if she stayed by Fred’s side… That his death wouldn’t be so frightening.

Then she wondered for a brief moment. Why did she care?

Fredrich looked back to Helen and held out his hand. "Please- " he murmured, his eyes lonely. She was lonely too. He could feel it. Sure- he was young for a vampire but he could feel lonliness- like an icy wind surrounding his lungs and constricting them.....

Lonliness felt like there was a hole in your soul- an emptiness you can never fill.

"I understand... Helen," he whispered. Fredrich waited. All she had to do was pair with him- as friends. They could help each other. Friendship could heal so much hurt. His anger and lust for revenge before had not been the cure. His sadness and suicidal ways had not been the cure. Perhaps- it was people- others- friends- who would cure him. She had already saved him. Could he do the same for her? Could he do more for her?

He'd do anything to erase the emptiness- in the both of them.

He'd do anything......

Helen looked at Fred’s outstretched hand for a moment, unsure if she was comfortable with taking it. After looking into his lonely eyes, realizing it was how her own eyes looked; she took his hand, and squeezed it slightly, welcoming their friendship. She walked beside him, and glanced at his face for a moment, before looking back at her shoes.

The two could relate so well to each other, it was almost spooky. Though they hadn’t realized it yet, they had more in common than the average 19the century woman and a fledgling would have. She tucked a bit of raven hair behind her ear, and obliviously, walked beside the man who’d been just as lonely as she.

Perhaps staying with him could be beneficial to her, and perhaps being a friend of his would help her sorrows, and melancholia. Despite her skeptic overview, she decided if anything, she would stick by him, and if things didn’t work out the way she thought would be best for her, she could leave. Though deep inside she had no intentions of leaving this man.

He squeezed gently back the restraint in his strength recognizable. He stared- confused- had he felt a bit of warmth? No. It was just an illusion. He remembered warmth- the heat of two hands. It seemed fuzzy though.... He had to imagine it. Damn. He was so cold.

Fredrich shivered a bit and smiled with the sensation. "Thanks" he said softly, meeting Helen's eyes. They walked and walked- Fredrich never letting go of her hand. He smiled as they arrived at the Apartment complex. He stopped at the front door and buzzed in before going inside and alighting a staircase.

"I live alone so there's no reason to get a big space- True... I'm a doctor but I feel I'm obligated to give my money to better causes such as charity and the children's ward..." he shrugged. he was too moral for a vampire- though immoral in his own way. He still had a concern for his soul. Well- he was screwed now. Wasn't he?

Fredrich shivered, and Helen looked at him with surprisingly concerned eyes. Something she had not done in quite some time. She raised an eyebrow, and titled her head, some hair falling out from behind her ear. "Are you alright?" He responded with a thank you, so she figured he was fine. Perhaps some kind of vampirism attribute he hadn't gotten used to, or the likes.

Helen noticed as Fred refused to let go of her hand. She probably would have let go a good deal ago, but he seemed to need her, and despite her unwillingness to admit it, she needed him too. She was grateful for the contact of his skin against hers, though she would never say such a thing aloud. He smiled to her, and if she still had possession of her own blood, she probably would have blushed.

She awaited for his return as he went to turn on the light, and squinted slightly at its brightness. She followed him into his apartment and looked around. He was a very caring individual, from what she could tell, and an abandonment such as his sire had put against him cut one as him deeply. "That's nice of you." She said. "I don't mind its size. I think it's rather quaint, really." She claimed.

Fred smiled and let go of her hand as they walked into the living room. He motioned for her to follow and took her on a tour of the apartment.

The living room had a black couch, a black chair, a cedar coffee table, and a television. The walls were painted a cream colored yellow.
The next room to the right was the bathroom, painted blue and accented with a large white tub and shower.
To the left there was a kitchen, the walls a light green and the floors tiled in hunter green and off white. The counters were black- yes The owner of the apartments wasn't that great at color coordinating but Fredrich made due. he was considering painting the kitchen walls offwhite to match the tile.
Beyond the kitchen was the bedroom- which held one double bed. The comforter was a bright red color- not blood red but bright red. The walls were white and the carpet matched the bedspread. There was a cedar night stand next to the bed and a dresser and closet in the corner.

"Well?" Fredrich asked, "That's it. You hungry or thirsty?" he inguired next, moving towards the kitchen.

Helen followed Fred on his guided tour, and looked around silently. Despite the crazy colors, Helen liked his apartment. It was nicely furnished, and it had a cozy feeling to it. A feeling that had been absent from Helen’s life for a very, very long time. Perhaps it was just because it was Fredrich’s or maybe just because it was a home, not a house, or a living quarter.

"Well?"

At this point, Helen would have blushed at her silence, and she nodded in approval. “It’s a lovely home, Fredrich,” she inquired. She brushed her hand against Fred’s in a thank you, and shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you.” She followed him into the kitchen, and leaned against the countertop, and looked around.

As Helen stood there, in Fredrich’s kitchen, she realized that she had never had a home to fully call home. Even when she lived with her grandmother, it was always hers, and she always felt like a guest, despite her close relationship with her grandmother. It was always very… proper. At least, during that time period, that’s what was expected of you. “Have you lived here long, Fred?”

"Bout a year I've been living here" he toldher with a small smile. He timidly approached her. Fredrich's hand rested on the kitchen counter as he leaned upon it.
"Would you- Do you have a place to stay? You could- stay here? I would enjoy the company... Since Pru left- I'm very alone- I'd like a friend" he said with a hopeful smile. However, his eyes showed a slight fear- the fear of rejection. He did want Helen to stay- be his friend- possibly more than a friend but Fred didn't move that fast. But she was beautiful...

Fredrich went over to the kitchen sink as he waited for her reply and poured himself a glass of water. He drank it quietly, content in his home. yes it was a home- the best home he had ever had. He really did like this city- even if he was now officially deceased.
"So?" he prompted, eager for an answer- though he didn't show it.

Helen listened to Fred, and nodded. She liked his smile, and almost regretted that she was unable to show him hers. She hadn’t smiled in what was probably an eternity. Helen then got the crazy idea that she’d forgotten how to smile. Was it possible that her muscles had lost the ability to even put a sarcastic, bitter smile upon her face? The most she could do now was smirk, and grunt in the hypocrisy of the things around her, but never a smile.

Fred approached her, and she tilted her head slightly, he then invited her into his home. Helen’s eyes went wide, and she sighed. Was that really a good idea? What if she stayed with him, and she found out she didn’t really like him? Or he didn’t really like her? She could be awfully distant, and irate at times, and she wasn’t sure if he’d want to put up with that. Though he seemed hopeful, and the sparkle in his eyes would not allow her to refuse. She nodded slowly, and placed a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him that she wasn’t going to allow him to be alone any longer. “Sure. Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

Sure, it was a favor for the both of them, but she’d express her gratitude nonetheless.