For the next two days, Kara kept to herself. She was thankful that Michael hadn't called her to his room. He also hadn't called Kate or Amy. Kate never made an effort to be friends with Kara, but their relationship had grown even edgier since the recent incident.

Kara knew she blamed her for Michael's sudden disinterest in women, but she didn't care. She was settling down for a nap when she suddenly realized she hadn't been to work in three weeks. True, she'd left a message for Grant that she was taking her vacation, but she didn't know if her vacation days were up by now. Plus, she really missed her job.

I need to visit the station, she thought

She trotted down the stairs and headed for the door, but in the foyer, she ran into Michael. His appearance alarmed her. He looked somewhat disheveled, and simply wore a grey tank top and a pair of jeans. While the outfit did show off his lean, muscular body, it was far from his normal ensemble. The strangest part was the dirt on his clothes and the faint smell of flowers.

"You've been avoiding me," he said. He leaned against the doorway, blocking her from leaving.

"Well, you haven't sent for me," she responded, trying to go around him.

While she enjoyed her time away from him, it also annoyed her a little. A hurricane of mixed emotions swirled inside of her, and she tried to keep her expression as blank as possible, but she feared he could read her thoughts.

"Would you look at that? All that paperwork as a detective did come in handy." She attempted to push him aside. The smell of flowers and fresh grass became stronger as she brushed against his clothing. Michael did not strike her as the gardening type. He was far more complicated than she first thought.

Michael allowed her to pass, but as she walked across the yard, he casually followed her. "Where are you going, if I may ask?"

She smirked but didn't look back at him. "To work, if it pleases you, master."

"Ah, the police station. You don't mind if I join you, I hope," he replied, seemingly unaware of Kara's mocking.

Finally, she turned around to face him just as she reached the gate. "You really don't have to."

Michael's only response was his mesmerizing gaze.

"Fine." Kara sighed as she rolled her eyes.

"Wonderful. Let's go then." He smiled at her, and it almost seemed genuine.

She wasn't sure how much longer she could resist his charms: a thought that both amused and scared her. As soon as Kara pulled into the parking lot, she realized bringing Michael was a mistake. How was she supposed to explain him? She considered telling him he couldn't come inside, but she knew that wouldn't work. It was too late to change her mind now, so she gathered her courage and headed inside, the vampire trailing right behind her.

She tried to ignore the gawks from her coworkers, but it was impossible. "Stay here," she told Michael when they passed the booking area.

To her surprise, he nodded and sat down, oblivious to the curious looks from Kara's employees. She hesitated, wondering if it was better to leave him there or take him with her. She decided upon the former and headed toward her chief's office.

When she entered, Grant's smiling face greeted her, and she was glad to see him. The Chief of Police, stood behind his desk, his round belly protruding as usual.

"Kara?" Grant exclaimed.

"Kara! Where the hell have you been?" roared the chief.

"Yeah, I second that," said Grant.

"Did you not get my voicemail?" she questioned her partner.

"You said you had the flu. I went by your apartment to check on you, but you weren't there. Your landlord said you moved out."

Guilt tugged at her heartstrings. Of course, Grant would check on her after she said she was sick. She should have realized her absence would affect him because of how much he cared for her.

"Are you quitting?!"