The French Quarter

Theodore blinked his green eyes as he scanned the bar. He kept smelling something. Something sweet like honeysuckle. He wanted whatEver was producing that smell.

"Theo..." His best friend, and the co-owner of the bar, whispered as he nodded towards two women. They shared the same striking blue eye color. One had long and curly black hair. This was the one Theo smelled.

Theo motioned at someone and he retired to his office. The female was brought to him.

"Good evening Theo." The woman said softly. Her voice tickled his ears.

"How do you know me?" He replied as he stared her down, willing her to answer. She looked at him indifferently.

"I'm Vanessa Bradford." She said sweetly. Theo looked slightly take aback. She was royalty. Not of the human world, or even of his own vampire kind. She was a fairy.

"Why are you in my bar?" He asked bluntly. Vanessa grinned.

"Because I wanted to meet the infamous Mr. Runyan. Also, I want your blood." She winked at him, "only joking. I don't know WHY I'm here. This is where we were 'drawn' tonight."

Theo nodded, "This is a dangerous place for fairies. Every vampire in this bar wants to eat you. Literally."

"I assure you we will be fine." She stood and walked closer to him. He stood abruptly. She was driving him crazy. He led her back to the bar and kept a close eye on her.

"Can I help you miss?" Blake said as he worked the bar, without even looking at up at the woman before him. Her scent was delicious, he wondered why she was here. When he didn't hear a response he looked up from what he was doing and was met by ice blue eyes.

Theo sat down in one of the booths and closed his eyes. Something was bothering him.

"'"

Vanessa walked over to her sister. She placed her hand on Belle's shoulder,

The owner, Theo, knows we're fairies.

Belle turned toward her sister, "how?" Vanessa shrugged so Belle turned her eyes back to Blake. He seem entranced with her.

Theo rubbed his temples and took a deep breath.

*&*

"Since you're not looking for a bottle of true blood..." Blake chuckled and pushed her a vodka and cranberry juice.

Theo decided to take his mind off the fairy. He glanced around the club and noticed a few vampires he didn't know. He listened into their thoughts.

"'"

Vanessa sighed. She ordered a coke and Blake handed it over before he turned back to Belle.

He scowled as he heard the two girls come up in many of their thoughts.

*&*

Belle sipped the vodka drink then looked up at Blake, their eyes met for a moment. It was then that Blake realized, she was a fairy.

Theo stood abruptly and stalked over to Vanessa, "we're leaving. Now." Her eyes pierced him.

"Why?" He grabbed her arm and pulled her close.

Blake noticed Theo's action and his eyes widened, "that means you too."

"Watch the bar, Nate." Blake called to a bartender. "Come on..." He took Belle's arm and led her out as well. His eyes shifted to the vampires Theo had been looking at.

Vanessa stopped in the alleway, "what?"

Theo rolled his eyes and stopped, "Do you know how humans get addicted to vampire blood? Some vampires get addicted to fairy blood. Those vampires were going to drain you."

The answer suited Vanessa and she kept walking, "how did you know to watch them?"

Theo sighed, "Most of any race will not recognize a fairy. Not unless they are privleged to know of certain fairies. Or unless they have known several fairies."

Belle frowned, "We could have taken care of them. You'd be surprised."

"Didn't want to risk it." Blake sighed, "Have you two lived in the area long?"

Belle shrugged, "We have always been around these parts."

Theo grinned, "way to be mysterious."

"We stay at the old Carlyle estate." Vanessa said, sensing she could trust them.

Theo nodded, "how'd you manahe that?"

Belle smiled, "Our Gran inherited it."

Blake nodded, "We best just take you two home."

Vanessa and Belle shared a look that clearly said "they'd be surprised at what we can do".

Theo led them to his house (a short walk from the bar) and they got into one of his vehicles.

As they drove Blake glanced at Belle, he couldn't get over the pull he was feeling towards her.

Theo frowned, "I can't hear your thoughts. I can literally hear anyone except you and your sister."

"We're witches and fairies. Lots of walls in our minds." Vanessa grinned.

';'

Belle turned and looked at Blake.

"That's rather frustrating." He grumbled, half joking.

*&*

"Sorry." Blake said softly and looked away.

"It's okay, Blake." Belle smiled.

"I didn't tell you my name." He observed.

She shrugged, "Well, it just came to me."

"Maybe I'll let the walls down someday." Vanessa said softly.

Theo glanced at her, "Do you think we'll see each other again?"

Vanessa smiled, "how'd you know who I am?"

Theo shrugged. Vanessa stared at him so he finally answered, " I am something like your protector. I know your father. It was a favor to him."

"My father? Hm. I didn't expect he cared much."

;:;

Blake chuckled, "what else has came to you about me?"

"And Blake?" Vanessa asked.

"Your sister's." Theo nodded.

*&*

Belle thought for a moment and sensed the conversation in front of the car. "I know why you're so drawn to me."

Vanessa grinned, "To answer your question then, yes. I expect you'll be seeing a lot of me."

&*&*

"Why's that?" Blake responded, trying not to sound too curious.

"I hope so." Theo smiled as he turned onto the long drive way of the estate.

*&*

Belle paused, "You're here to protect me."

6 Months Later...

Vanessa opened her eyes abruptly when she sensed someone in the room, "I am trying to work!" She hissed at Theo. He rolled his eyes.

"You're in your circle thingy. Have some concentration." He replied as he laid down on her bed. She glared at him and grabbed her spell book. She'd recently come out as a witch and was getting paid to do spells for people.

*&*

Belle smiled as she heard her sister arguing with Theo. They were a cute unofficial couple.

This 'protector' thing was getting old for both the girls.

*&*

Belle jumped when a hand touched her, it was only Blake.

"Jesus woman...don't you have better senses than that. You're a fairy!" He laughed.

"I was tuned into my sister and Theo." Belle explained, "Why are you here?"

"You know..just doing my manly brave protector duty." Blake joked.

"Look at this!" She exclaimed, "I could make your manly parts shrivel up."

Theo sat up and rolled his eyes, "No. That's awful." She winked at him and then stood up, clapping her hands as she did. The circle disappeared and she went to him. He opened his arms and she fell into them. The two were rather close after he'd saved her life. She'd been kidnapped and couldn't escape the people. She'd been almost dead.

(*(

"Can't you find someone else to protect?" She said with a half-smile.