wo weeks later...

Robby hesitated at the open doorway. He dreaded this evening, but everyone expected him to be here. No one ever missed the Christmas Ball at Romatech Industries. The partitions from eight large meeting rooms had been pulled back to make one huge ballroom. The band, the High Voltage Vamps, was onstage, playing a waltz. Normally, he would enjoy the lyrical music, but tonight it was just noise.

Shanna Draganesti had outdone herself this year. Instead of the usual fifteen-foot Christmas tree, there were four of them, one in each corner of the ballroom. Giant ice sculptures in the shape of reindeer adorned the buffet tables. By the looks of their shrinking antlers, they'd been in place for several hours.

The party usually started at four in the afternoon, with tons of mortal food and a mortal band for the unsuspecting human employees who worked at Romatech during the day. By six-thirty the last of them were shooed away, and a subtle change came over the ballroom.

All the buffet tables but one were cleared of mortal food. Huge tubs of ice were hauled in, each one containing bottles of Vampire Fusion Cuisine. Roman Draganesti had used his scientific genius to mix synthetic blood with beer, whiskey, chocolate, and champagne, resulting in Bleer, Blissky, Chocolood, and Bubbly Blood. For those who overindulged, there was Blood Lite, synthetic blood with low cholesterol and blood sugar.

Robby watched the couples happily twirling about the dance floor and decided to partake liberally of the Blissky. It would be the best way to survive the night. Hell, it was the only way.

As he trudged to the Blissky table, he spotted Howard Barr dressed as Santa Claus and sitting on a throne. Howard had a baby in his lap, a little girl with curly black hair. That had to be Sofia, the youngest Draganesti child. Her older brother, Constantine, was dressed as an elf, and he bounced around the throne, trying to make the bells on his pointed shoes jingle. Shanna had chosen well, having Howard look after her children. The were-bear would be ferocious if anyone threatened his charges.

Two little girls ran up to join Constantine. Robby recognized them as Bethany, Jean-Luc's stepdaughter, and Lucy, Maggie's stepdaughter. That could only mean that Jean-Luc and his wife Heather were in attendance, along with Maggie and her husband, Pierce O'Callahan.

Robby groaned inwardly. Just what he needed, an evening surrounded by happily married couples. He yanked a bottle of Blissky out of a tub of ice. There were glasses on the table, but he didn't bother with them. He unscrewed the top and jammed the bottle into the microwave.

Why didn't she call? Olivia should have received the package by now. He'd double-checked the tracking information, so he knew her jumper had arrived at the FBI office in Kansas City. He'd included a note, telling her how much he missed her and wanted to see her again. He'd written his cell phone number down so she could call him.

She never called. How could he interpret that except that she didn't feel the same way he did? He'd returned to New York two nights ago, his prison term over. If Angus and Emma had expected him to return all cheerful and full of energy, they were in for a big disappointment.

If anything, he felt worse. At least before, when he was consumed with anger, he'd had a purpose. His quest for revenge had motivated him and filled him with passion. Now, he just felt like an empty shell, quietly enduring each night, doing his duties and trying not to check his cell phone every five minutes for missed calls.

He opened the microwave and burned his fingers on the hot bottle. "Bugger." He'd left it in too long.

Some giggles sounded behind him, and he turned to find Constantine, Bethany, and Lucy watching him.

Bethany lifted her chin with a prissy look. "You said a naughty word."

"Aye, that I did." Robby inclined his head. "My apologies."

"You're wearing a kilt," Constantine announced.

"Ye're verra observant." Robby swallowed some hot Blissky. It sizzled painfully down his throat, and he liked it.

"Go ahead," Constantine whispered to Bethany, nudging her with an elbow. "I dare you."

"Eew!" Bethany made a face and ran back to Howard, followed by a giggling Lucy.

"Tino." Robby arched a brow. "What are ye up to, lad?"

Constantine assumed an angelic look, easily done with his blond curls and big blue eyes. "I was just wondering if you do like Uncle Angus. I heard he doesn't wear any underwear. So I dared Bethany to look under your kilt."

Robby took another swig from his bottle. "First, ye shouldna be frightening the young lassies. Ye could end up old and alone." Like me. He gulped down more Blissky. "And second, ye shouldna be spending all yer time thinking about a man's private parts."

Tino's mouth dropped open. "I�CI don't. I was just teasing Bethany. Really."

Robby nodded. "Ye're a good lad. And I know what to get you for Christmas now."

Tino grinned and bounced, causing his shoes to jingle. "What? What will you get me?"

"A kilt."

A look of horror flashed over the boy's face before his training in etiquette kicked in. He attempted a wobbly smile. "Thank you, Robby." He ran away, his shoes jangling. "Mom, Mom!" He dashed around, looking for his mother.

Robby guzzled down the last of the Blissky. A comforting warmth spread through his chest and fizzled up to his brain. He stuffed a new bottle into the microwave just as Tino located his mother. With his superior hearing, Robby caught the conversation.

"Tino, what's wrong?" Shanna leaned over her son.

"If Robby gives me a kilt, do I have to wear it?"

Shanna grinned. "I think you would look adorable in a kilt."

"Agh!" Tino scurried back to Howard to tell him the terrible news.

Robby sighed as he removed the bottle from the microwave. He was certainly doing his share of spreading Christmas cheer. He saluted the dripping reindeer sculpture and took a long drink.

"Is it true, Robby?" a female voice asked behind him.

He spun around and saw double for a moment. Two Shanna Draganestis wearing matching red gowns. "Och, Shanna. A lovely party, as always." He bowed and watched her four feet transform into two.

"I heard some disturbing news," she said, thankfully with one voice. "I hope I can change your mind."

He straightened, and the room swirled around him. "I willna buy the lad a kilt if it fashes him."

"Not about that." Shanna waved a hand. "I heard you took your name off the Secret Santa list. You don't intend to deliver presents this Christmas eve?"

"I'm no' feeling verra celebratory this year."

"That's exactly why you should do it," she insisted. "It'll make you feel better."

He groaned. Why did every woman want to fix him? Correction, every woman except the one he wanted. He guzzled down more Blissky.

Shanna planted her hands on her hips. "Getting drunk is not going to solve your problems."

"Aye, but 'twill make me no' give a damn." He upended the bottle and finished it.

"Robby, please, you need to see a therapist. Emma and I were discussing it last night, and you're clearly - "

"No' another therapist. The last one nearly killed me."

Shanna's eyes widened. "You saw a therapist? When? Where?"

"On Patmos. But she ran away." He yanked a third bottle from the tub of ice.

"She?"

"Aye."

Shanna gasped. "Then it's true."

He stiffened. "I'm no' crazy. I never was."

"No, I mean Carlos was right. He told us you were lovesick, but we didn't think you'd met anyone..."

"That damned Carlos," Robby muttered. "I told him to keep his trap shut."

"Well, who is she?" Shanna asked.

"A Greek goddess." He gestured dramatically with his bottle. "To know her is to worship her. To love her is to spout bad poetry till the end of time."

Shanna's mouth twitched. "That sounds very promising."

"Nay." He pressed the bottle against his chest. "She's no' interested in me."

"Oh dear," Shanna murmured.

"Oh bloody fucking hell," he corrected her.

She winced. "Try not to pass out under the table. It might scare the children."

"As ye wish, madam." He unscrewed the bottle and drank the Blissky cold.

"Oh, look." Shanna's face brightened. "Darcy and Austin have arrived. Did you hear their good news?"

"Nay, but I have a terrible feeling I will - "

"You know how Darcy's eggs all died when she was a vampire?"

"I wasna personally acquainted with her eggs."

Shanna snorted. "She borrowed some eggs from her sister, and Roman used Austin's sperm to fertilize them. And it worked! They're pregnant!"

Robby slanted a bleary look at Austin. "He doesna look verra pregnant." When Shanna slapped his shoulder, he stumbled to the side.

She shook her head disapprovingly. "At least you know about Jean-Luc and Heather, don't you?"

"Nay. I was shuffled off to a remote island for four months. I believe that's what mortals do with their unwanted Christmas fruitcakes."

"We all came to visit you," Shanna protested. "Anyway, when Jean-Luc and Heather came back from Patmos, they told Roman they wanted to have children. So he did his little magic trick, and it worked!"

"Och, that's good." Robby was truly happy for Jean-Luc. Roman had found a way to use live human sperm, but erase the donor's DNA and replace it with a Vamp's. Thanks to Roman's procedure, Jean-Luc's child would actually be his. Just like Constantine and Sofia were really Roman's children. They weren't quite human, though.

Maybe it was just as well that Olivia hadn't called. He doubted she'd want to marry a vampire and give birth to half-vampire children.

"Well, guess what?" Shanna's excited voice interrupted his thoughts. "They're going to have twins! Isn't that exciting!"

Robby nodded. "Aye. I can barely contain myself."

She gave him a wry look. "You should try to be happy for your friends."

"I am. I'm delighted that everyone but me is happily married and multiplying like bloody rabbits."

"Not everyone here is married. Lady Pamela and Cora Lee are over there at the Chocolood table. They'd probably love for someone to ask them to dance."

"No thanks." They weren't Olivia.

"How about the famous models, Simone and Inga?" Shanna motioned toward the Blood Lite table. "You know them, don't you, from your days in Paris?"

"Aye. That's the problem. I know them. If vanity and shallowness were virtues, they'd be named saints."

Shanna grinned as she peered around the room.

"Ye doona need to play matchmaker," Robby told her. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" She gave him a dubious look.

"Aye. Go on. Enjoy yer party."

Shanna patted him on the shoulder. "Merry Christmas, Robby." She headed in the direction of her children.

From what Robby could hear, Constantine was getting a lecture from Angus on the benefits of wearing a kilt, while Roman listened with an amused expression. Shanna drew Emma aside to whisper to her.

Bugger. Maybe the Blissky hadn't been such a great idea after all. It had loosened his mouth too much. Now everyone would know about his sad love life.

He turned to look at the dance floor. The band was playing a slow tune, and couples were swaying with their arms around each other. Bloody hell. Would the night never end? He took a long swig of Blissky.

"Robby, my lad." Angus strode up to him and slapped him on the back.

He stumbled forward and caught himself on the table. He looked to his left and saw Emma eyeing him with a frown. He looked to his right and found Angus scowling at him. He checked the left again, but the room swirled, so he widened his stance to keep from swaying. Emma's frown deepened.

He sighed. "Och, to what do I owe the pleasure of yer cheerful companionship?"

Emma yanked the Blissky bottle out of his hand. "Shanna told me you were getting drunk."

"She's wrong," Robby said. "I'm already drunk. I'm feeling a verra nice buzz right here." He attempted to tap his temple with a finger, but missed and hit himself on the nose. "I'm no' on duty tonight, so it shouldna fash you."

Angus's scowl softened. "I'm no' vexed with you. I'm worried about you."

Emma touched his shoulder. "Do you need to talk about it?"

"Nay."

"What's her name?" Emma pressed.

"What's the latest news on Casimir?" Robby asked, attempting to change the topic.

Angus took the bait. "We have a lead that he's hiding in Bulgaria. Zoltan and Mikhail are checking it out."

"Why is it taking so long?" Robby asked. "Casimir and his followers like to kill after feeding. Ye should be able to track them down by following the trail of dead bodies."

"Aye, normally that would work," Angus agreed. "But apparently he's hiding alone right now. He doesna trust anyone. And we believe he's cut back on the killing in order to stay hidden."

"Must be hard on the bastard," Robby muttered.

"Right now, we're more concerned about you, lad," Angus said.

"Is there anything we can do?" Emma asked.

"Ye can give me the bottle back." Robby reached for it.

Emma plunked it on the table. "What's her name?"

"Olivia." Robby grabbed the bottle. He started to drink, but set the bottle down. The thrill was gone, and the pain was still there. "I'll be all right. Go, dance, have fun."

"We'll be in New York through Christmas if ye need us," Angus said.

Emma patted him on the shoulder. "Merry Christmas, Robby. May all your dreams come true."

"Merry Christmas." He watched them wander off to the dance floor.

May all your dreams come true. His dream would be Olivia calling on his phone. Nay, Olivia lying in his bed. He might as well dream big. Her hair would be loose, and the black curls would fan out across his pillow. Her arms would reach for him, her legs would wrap around him, and he would plunge inside -

"What's so funny, bro?"

Robby was ripped back to the present. "Funny?" He glared at Phineas.

"Yeah, you were standing there with a big grin on your face." Phineas yanked a bottle of Blissky from a tub of ice. "Don't tell me. You were thinking about a woman."

Robby groaned. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to me, bro. I'm supersensitized to all matters involving love and the fairer sex." Phineas shoved his bottle into the microwave. "And Carlos mentioned in passing that you're lovesick over a hot babe."

"That damned cat."

"Chillax, bro. This is your lucky night. The Love Doctor is in the house and at your service. Feel free to partake of my expertise by directing all your romantic queries in my general direction."

Robby snorted, then thought, Why not? "She dinna call."

"You asked her to call you?" When Robby nodded, Phineas continued, "How many times?"

"Once. I wrote her a note."

Phineas scoffed. "Once? Dude, you're barely getting started. After you've asked about twenty times, then you can get worried."

"Twenty times? That wouldna be a wee bit like stalking?"

Phineas shrugged. "Take my situation. I'm madly in love with LaToya Lafayette. I know she's the one for me."

"But is she no' the one who tried to poison you with hot sauce?"

"A minor speed bump on the road to love, bro." Phineas removed his bottle from the microwave. "You can't expect true love to be easy. Afterward, she said she was sorry and that she didn't mean for it to hurt that bad. So you see, she really does care."

"So she's going out with you now?" Robby asked.

"Well, no. All of a sudden, she moved back to New Orleans."

"That sounds like a no."

"Dude, that sounds like a challenge. Only wimps give up." Phineas gulped down some Blissky. "So guess where I'm going for Christmas?"

"New Orleans?"

"You got it. I'm gonna surprise LaToya." Phineas took another swallow of Blissky. "Hot damn. It's gonna be good!"

Robby had his doubts that LaToya would ever accept Phineas. Still, the Love Doctor was making a valid point. True love was worth fighting for.

One note wasn't enough. Robby had sent the package to Kansas City, but Olivia could still be in Houston. "She might no' have received the note."

"Right. It could have ended up in Timbuktu." Phineas held up his bottle of Blissky. "You see this, bro. You gotta say the bottle is half full. You gotta believe there's hope."

Robby nodded. He needed to trust Olivia, trust that she'd come through for him. "Ye're right. I'm going to write her again. I love her. I willna give up."

"That's the ticket!" Phineas grinned. "All in a day's work for the Love Doctor."