Status: Stressed

Listening To: You're Gonna Go Far, Kid- The Offspring

Reading: The Nature of Monsters

Eating: Nothing

Drinking: Kiwi- Strawberry Propel

Watching: The moniter of this stupid computer...I got highspeed finally btw...hehe.

A/N: Sorry I haven't been updating lately...I've been busy with school and all. It's almost over!!! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I liked writing this one the best :]

Disclaimer: I do not own any song by Shinedown, any character in the movie Van Helsing, but Ekaterina and Stela are mine.

Ch. 3

Second Chance

Stela didn't listen to Ekaterina about going overboard. She appeared beyond breath-taking.

The doors to the ball room loomed menacingly above Ekaterina and she pressed her diminutive hands to them and gave an impressive push, and the doors seemed to be being pulled by an invisible force as they opened.

Dracula stood in the center of the ball room dressed in his customary black attire but with a cloak a shade of cerulean draped around his strong shoulders. When he saw Ekaterina, his mouth plummeted. She looked like an angel, no a goddess.

As Ekaterina fretfully sauntered towards Dracula, she observed his mouth drop, which made her go red and look towards her feet.

"Welcome to my ball room." Said Dracula quietly, knowing Ekaterina was still scared of him.

She didn't say anything so Dracula tried to make conversation.

"How was your second day at Castle Dracula?"

She surprised Dracula with an answer.

"My eyes are open wide, and by the way, I made it through the day. I watch the world outside, but I guess that's it." She said soberly.

"I just saw Hayley's comet and she waved at me. She was wondering why you're always running in place. Even the man in the moon disappeared somewhere in the stratosphere." Said Dracula in a lightheartedly way.

"Count, have you ever wanted to kill yourself? Have you ever been in situations where all you could hope for was to see your corpse lying in a pool of blood on the floor?

"Well I have, so if you could tell my mother, and tell my father I've done the best I can to make them realize this is my life. I hope they understand I'm not angry. I'm just saying, 'Sometimes goodbye is a second chance.'"

Ekaterina had always kept a knife with her ever since she was raped as a little girl, so she produced that same knife and held it over her wrist as tears began their descent down her face, "The tears running down my face are for you, Count. I am weeping because I couldn't tolerate living alone; to not experience love, and to live a life of immortality. I am sorry but I have to do this."

For the first time in Dracula's 587 years of living, he was afraid. He was experiencing a whole new level of terror, so bad he dropped to one knee, pleading to Ekaterina.

"Please don't cry one tear for me. I'm not afraid of what I have to say. This is my one and only voice so listen close, it's only for today. I am in love with someone. I have felt love. Believe me. I wouldn't be alone if you stayed with me, Ekaterina. Please, don't do this." Dracula then leaped forward with inhuman speed, snatched the knife from Ekaterina, and threw it so hard; it hit the wall and exploded into millions of shimmering, little pieces. Ekaterina fell forward and Dracula caught her in his arms and crumpled with her as she sobbed into his chest.

"Let it all out, Ekaterina. Shh…It's alright," he whispered words of comfort into her ears and simply held her.

"Mmm…nm…s…At!" Ekaterina's voice was muffled by Dracula's clothing.

"You have to lift your head up if you want me to hear you." Dracula said gently.

So she did as she was told, "Please, just call me Kat."

"Kat," he said considerately, "It's an appealing name."

Kat didn't understand why she felt so at ease with Dracula. She couldn't help but grin when she was with him.

"So I guess we're not dancing tonight? She asked from her spot against his chest.

"That depends. Do you want to? We could do it another night if you desire it."

"I think we should wait," she said looking towards the shards of metal on the floor.

"About this incident, I think you'll be staying with me tonight."

A look of terror washed over Kat's face.

"You won't be sleeping with me, asinine child! On my bed, but I will rest in my coffin."

"Please! I won't try suicide again, Vlad! I won't!"

"What did you call me?" he asked in the softest voice she'd ever heard someone speak with. She wouldn't have heard him if it wasn't dead silent.

"Count…" she lied.

"No…you called me Vlad."

"I'm sorry! I studied you in school, so I knew your name. I won't—"

"Shh…You may call me Vlad. I like it, actually" Blue eyes met emerald ones for a moment.

Kat found herself in a sort of trance. She was lost in his piercing, blue eyes.

"Okay," she said distantly, as if she was in the most delightful dream and she didn't want to leave.

"Alright, I shall usher you to my chambers then."

Kat was then jolted out of her trance by a chilly hand lightly tugging on her wrist.

"Come along…Kat"

She had no choice but to follow. As they walked through the castle, Kat began to feel exhausted. She started dragging her feet and eventually her eyes kept trying to snap shut.

Soon, her legs gave out and two strong arms caught her. The second time in one day!

Dracula noticed how tired Kat looked in his arms, so he scooped her up bridal style and carried her the rest of the way to his chambers.

When he got there, he cautiously set her down on his bed. He thought she'd be cold, so he pulled the covers over her as well.

She looks like an angel when she sleeps. Dracula thought, absentmindedly stroking Kat's cheek. She seemed to be liking it too because she leaned into his touch.

About an hour later, Dracula had fallen asleep on the chair next to his bed with his hand resting on Kat's cheek.

Kat opened her eyes leisurely and was astounded at the vivid sunlight as it flooded the room. It was stunning.

Something cold but calming all the same rested on Kat's cheek. She rolled over and saw Vlad asleep in a chair next to the bed.

"Vlad?" he jumped at the sound of her voice and took his hand away as if he'd been burned.

"How did you sleep?"

Kat observed Vlad was acting a little eccentric, like he was panicky about something.

"Um, well, considering the conditions, I'm doing better than I would've thought."

Meanwhile, Vlad had millions of questions racing through his head.

Did she notice my hand on her cheek? Why hasn't she reacted? Did she like it?

"Vlad…"

"I DIDN'T MEAN TO FALL ASLEEP WITH MY HAND ON YOUR CHEEK!" he finally screamed, his words coming out much louder than he proposed.

"It's alright. I don't mind that your hand was on my cheek."

Inside, Vlad's heart swelled when she said that. Those words, however, went to his head and he promptly kissed Kat's forehead a couple times.

Kat was rendered speechless at Vlad's actions, and it was by that time Vlad finally knew what his feelings for Kat really were. Love. The word just popped into his head.

"I'm so sorry, Kat. If I alarmed you, I mean. I- I have finally figured something out about myself. Ekaterina Tatarescu, I am in love with you. I love everything about you: your body, mind, fiery spirit. Everything. I understand if you don't return my feelings."

Kat was surprised at what he said.

"I…" Kat couldn't terminate her sentence. She bolted out the door and ran to her chambers. She needed to talk to Stela right away.

"Kat, what's the matter? I heard your thoughts from across the castle!"

"Vlad said he loved me! I don't know what to do."

"Well, how do you feel about him?"

"I originally was repulsed by him. Now, I have strange feelings when I'm around him…feelings I can't explain."

"Are they good feelings or bad?"

"I think they're good, but I'm not sure."

"You're feeling love. Tell him." Stela began to herd Kat out of the room.

Vlad paced his chambers I've probably scarred the poor girl.

He kicked his coffin as hard as he could, knowing it was indestructible.

"Vlad, we need to talk." A tiny voice broke the silence. He needed to set things straight.

Here is my chance. This is my chance.

A/N: I am in dire need of constructive criticism! Also reviewers. I don't have much practice at writing stories like this sooo yeah...anyways, while I was away, I've had to endure a science project, geneology projects, being sick, and that's about it. Next week is my birthday. I'll finally be 14! All my friends are older than me by a couple of months. It really sucks. Also, next year I'll hopefully start to get better at writing because I'll be in Honors English instead of regular English because I'm a smarty pants. lol...so yeah.

Also, a big thanks to these people:

Kasey (mysteryhorse37): my sentence structures are a little off?

htr17: you know...I don't think he slapped her...I'll go back through and edit something. thanks!

veronagrl10: lol! thanks for the threat! It's wonderful getting threats for reviews! Oh yeah, this chapter means you have to update then!

my mother: uh, yeah...thanks mommy.

See? They reviewed! You can be on my nice people list too if you review. ;)

Dracula: Smarty pants?

Miss Drakulya: Yes. Smarty pants. You know, I don't wanna explain this right now. So if you'll excuse me...

Dracula: -steps in front of Miss Drakulya- No, I don't think I will -mischievous smile-

Miss Drakulya: what ever happened to mr charming like in my story?

Dracula: the keyword is story. It's not real! -continues to step forward-

Miss Drakulya: Count...

Dracula: -chases after Miss Drakulya-

Miss Drakulya: I HATE YOU VLADISLAUS FUCKING DRAGULIA!

Dracula: So I guess, I'll continue from here while the mortal keeps running. I think she wants you to review...sooo do that...I know wherre you live...-evil laugh-