Two weeks. Two weeks, and nothing from Gray. Tara didn't know whether she was frustrated or angry. But, in truth, she had to admit she wasn't surprised.

It was his own fault they'd arrived at this crossroads. His own damned fault for having been a vampire hunter in a previous life. His fault for refusing to believe the truth of his dreams, his visions, his memories. His fault for forcing the issue with Daniel.

Then again . . . maybe it wasn't anyone's fault. Maybe it was destined. She'd thought for a while that they'd been fated to meet and find each other again, and for love to blossom between them as it had between Liam and Felicity. But things didn't seem to be shaping up that way. It was looking more like, boy meets girl, boy meets girl's vampire friends, boy runs off screaming into the night.

She should just forget him. Which would be a lot easier if she could quit having those damned dreams. Nighttime had become a regular sex-with-Gray fest. He didn't even have the decency to appear as Liam anymore. He was just Gray. Big and sexy and solid, gorgeous, devoted, and very, very skilled.

Luckily, she'd gotten used to sleeping during the day, to make up for what she missed during the night.

Besides, at night she also had Daniel to occupy her now.

He was mortal, having undergone the same procedure that had transformed Rafael. She had stayed with him throughout, helping him deal with the pain of the dialysis. The transformation had left him weak for a few days, disoriented, barely able to eat. He'd stayed in the Underground until he felt better, and Rafael had offered assistance. Having recently undergone the procedure himself, Rafael provided more insight than she could have, Tara knew, although she'd stayed close by, if only to reassure Daniel and to keep him company.

"So you haven't heard from Gray at all?" Daniel asked on day fifteen, when he had graduated from clear broth to noodles and white bread. He was eating at the kitchen table, blinking at the noon sunlight.

"No. I've left a few messages, but nothing." She went to the window to close the blinds, afraid the sunlight might hurt Daniel's newly changed skin.

"He's a creep," said Daniel matter-of-factly. "Is it too soon for pizza? Rafael said pizza is the best stuff ever."

"No pizza yet, hon. Give it some time."

"I'm just sick of this broth. The same thing over and over, every day, every meal."

She gave him a dry look. "And what kind of variety did you have before?"

"I guess that's a point." He paused, poking at his soup. "Could you not call me 'hon?' I mean, I'm, like, five hundred years old."

"From here on out, you're a ten-year-old boy. That means you get schoolwork, you go to bed at a reasonable hour, and as long as you're living in this house, I get to call you sweetheart, honey, pumpkin, or whatever nickname I feel is appropriate."

He made a face. "Gross."

"And that's exactly how a normal ten-year-old boy should react."

He finished his soup, frowning reflectively. Finally he looked up at her and said, "If you're going to call me all those things, could I call you 'Mom?'"

She smiled, touched. "That would be fine."

He was there, in a misty darkness, strong and solid, and she was drawn to him. She went to him and his arms closed around her, until her face was pillowed against his broad chest. He was warm and beautiful, and he bent her backward over his arm and caught her breast in his mouth, drawing at her, making fire pool between her thighs. She wanted him inside And he was there, deep inside her, and she was pulsing around him, the fire flying through her veins, through her heart, up to shimmer over her skin Tara woke abruptly. It was nearly sunrise. From the living room, she heard the television. Daniel was watching his usual Japanese fare, and had likely been up much of the night. She was never going to get him on a regular schedule, so she could send him to school. Maybe she should home school him. Julian certainly wouldn't be likely to protest.

She'd had a feeling one of his biggest concerns about Daniel's change was how to assimilate him into regular culture. Easing him into a version less mainstream than he'd be exposed to at a public school might be the way to go.

And thinking in long-winded, excruciating detail about the pros and cons of home schooling Daniel just might drive that dream out of her head.

Wishful thinking. It was hopeless.

She got up and dressed, then joined Daniel in the living room.

"Good show?" she asked. To her, it looked the same as the other shows he watched-bright colors, fast movement, and characters with big eyes and irritating voices.

"It's a new one. It's the middle of the series, and I'm not sure what's going on." He shrugged. "Lots of action, though."

"That's good. What do you want for breakfast?"

"Eggs. Could I try eggs?"

Tara nodded. "Sure. Boiled eggs should be a good step up for you."

She went to the kitchen and put water on to boil. "When that show's over, could you turn to the news?"

"Sure."

It was so domestic, she thought. Just her and her little boy. She could devote her attention to him because Julian was footing the bill.

And, based on her last discussion with Julian, he might be sending her a few more kids to take care of. At least three had decided to look into the change. It would be a while, though, before any of them were ready. With the loss of Gray's services, Julian had decided to let Dr.

Greene take over the psychologist's duties. The doctor had agreed but had insisted on taking some classes first, afraid his amateur efforts might do more harm than good.

If only Gray were still in the picture. He'd done a good job with Daniel, after all. But apparently he'd decided to bow out.

Or maybe Julian had killed him-a thought she tried hard to deny but couldn't. Julian had said he hadn't, and Dr. Greene had concurred, but recent events had made her a little wary when it came to trusting Julian.

When Daniel's eggs were done, she peeled them, dropped them into a bowl and put them on the table in front of him. "Eat slowly," she said.

He did. "These are good."

"I'm glad you like them."

"Food is cool." She could tell he wanted to wolf down the eggs, but he restrained himself. "Food is very, very cool. I can't wait to try more of it."

"Do you feel okay? It's not disagreeing with you?"

"It doesn't seem to be."

"Good." She considered. "Will you be okay by yourself for a bit?

I was thinking about running out for some coffee."

"I could come with."

"Would you want to?"

"Sure. Why not? Any chance to see the sun."

"Put on some sunscreen."

He rolled his eyes. "Jeez, Mom."

Tara smiled. She had to admit, she really liked the sound of that.

They went to the coffee shop together, the one where she'd met Gray. Tara hadn't been in it since Gray's ill-fated trip to the Underground.

She wasn't sure why. Maybe she was afraid of seeing him.

And maybe she was afraid of not seeing him, then having to confront Julian about whether or not Gray was even alive.

"It smells really good in here," Daniel said when they got to the counter. "Can I try something?"

"How about some tea? Tea's easy on the stomach."

"I'm game."

They sat together at a table, and Tara looked out the window at the people passing by.

"Do you think he'll show?" Daniel asked after a few minutes.

Surprised, Tara looked at him. "Do I think who will show?" Her voice sounded guilty.

"Santa Claus," said Daniel. "Give me a break." He looked out the window. "Oh, there he is."

"Santa Claus?"

"No, Gray, you big grown-up goof."

She looked where Daniel was pointing. Gray was walking up the sidewalk, hands buried in his pockets, gaze focused glumly on the ground.

"He misses you," said Daniel.

Tara gave him a sharp look but detected no sarcasm in his voice or face.

"I said that because I know you miss him," Daniel went on.

"What's a few vampires compared to the course of true love?"

"You're a nosy little brat."

"I've had five hundred years of practice."

Still, Tara couldn't bring herself to approach Gray directly. If this was meant to be, if the greater powers of the universe really wanted them to have a chance, he would see her, and he would stop, and maybe he would take her in his arms and kiss her, right in the middle of the coffee shop.

He bought his coffee, turned away from the counter, and walked right toward them, still completely oblivious of her presence. So much for the greater powers of the universe. She blinked back tears as he took a seat at another table.

"Just go talk to him," Daniel suggested. "I really don't want to watch you mooning the rest of the week because you didn't."

She considered. He was right. If she didn't go, she would regret it. "All right."

Gray was more than lost in his thoughts. He seemed to be wandering in a separate dimension. He didn't look up or respond to her presence in any way until she actually sat down across from him, touched his hand, and spoke.

"Gray?"

He looked up, blinking himself back to reality. "Tara?"

"Good. You remember. I thought you might have forgotten while you were off in la-la land, there."

He smiled a little. "Sorry. I was just . . . thinking."

"About what?"

"You."

That surprised her. "Why?"

"Because I'm still having dreams."

Desire hit her hard, out of left field, and she had to take a long breath before she could talk again. "You, too, huh?"

His rueful smile faded into smoldering sobriety. "Vampires or no vampires, I don't think I can walk away from this."

"From what, exactly?"

"From you." He looked down at the table, then leaned closer to her, his voice low and barely audible in the rumble of the coffee shop.

"I think I'm in love with you. I think it's more than bleed-over from Liam and Felicity. I think it's just me."

There were those annoying tears again. "I think it's mutual."

"Could we talk? I think I need to talk."

"Sure. Let's go."

"Let me get Daniel."

"Daniel? I thought-"

Tara smiled. "The Blue Fairy granted his wish. He's a real boy now." She waved to Daniel, who picked up his cup and joined them.

"So," he said. "Is the mooning over?"

Tara cocked an eyebrow at him. "I'm going to start giving you an allowance."

Daniel shrugged. "Cool. Why?"

"So I can take it away when you say stuff like that." She rolled her eyes toward Gray. "Let's go."

Gray followed Tara to her apartment, Daniel trailing after them, seemingly absorbed in watching the sunlight. Gray felt intensely awkward, not sure what he was going to say to Tara when they actually sat down to talk.

"It's so bright," Daniel said.

"Which is why you need to stay out of it until you get a little more used to it." She gestured toward the shade of the building. "This way a little?"