Ruechari had gone over the plan. It was evident by the faces of the men who traveled with her that none were very keen on her strategy but they all reluctantly agreed it was their best option.

Doc did not like the idea of becoming the wolf again.

"I don't want to lose myself to him again, Rue."

"You won't I promise. I'll keep you safe."

"How can you keep me safe and yourself at the same time. No! Worry about yourself. I'll find a way."

Rue nodded.

"So, we're supposed to be dead," Jujube said, "And you're going in... alone?"

"Not alone. You will be there and so will Van Helsing just not at my side. If he believes you dead you'll have the advantage and if he thinks he won and I'm alone, he will be that much off his guard. Please Jujube, I need to know I can count on you to do this for me."

Jujube touched Ruechari's shoulder. "You know you can always count on me."

Ruechari smiled.

"I know he can't..." she used air quotes " 'die' but keep him alive for me will you," she said, to Van Helsing.

Van Helsing grinned and Jujube frowned...

"You're confidence in me is inspiring," he pouted. Rue laughed. "Okay. So, we are agreed?"

Doc transformed, and Van Helsing and Jujube nodded.

"Ready when you are Doc."

They were close to Crimson City now. Rue laid down on the ground and Doc grabbed her by the scruff of her leather coat and began dragging her towards town. They were on the main street when Drake stepped out of the saloon.

"You've done well," Drake said clapping, as he strode out into the street. Doc dragged Rue to his feet.

"Go!" he ordered and the dog slunk away with his tail between his legs. Drake knelt on the road and picked up Ruechari. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

"It would be so easy to make you my bride, right here and now..." Ruechari felt the sharpness of his teeth glide over the smooth skin of her neck and her body shivered in response. "So easy," he whispered in her ear.

"LET HER GO!"

Drake let out a long sigh and pulled away. "Or perhaps not as easy as I had hoped."

Ruechari knew that voice and it was neither Jujube nor Van Helsing's.

"William McCarty Jr. I believe."

"That's right and if you want to see another day... I suggest seeing things my way and let the girl go."

Drake tapped the side of Ruechari's cheek. "Wakie, Wakie, Ruechari. There is someone here to see you."

Ruechari pretended to awaken, and slowly opened her eyes. Billy here? Now? Why? Or was this another of Drake's mind tricks?

"There you are Bright Eyes," Drake lowered her to her feet. "Let's get this over with shall we? Before the festivities begin?"

Rue acted disoriented. "Where am I? Billy? Is that you?"

"Rue? You okay? This bastard didn't hurt you, did he?"

"Now why would I harm my future bride?" Drake asked, pulling Rue to his side.

"Let go of me!" Ruechari said, and found Drake to be surprisingly strong.

"Now love, I know you believe yourself in love with this... I can't quite say I know what to call you. You're not a man, nor ghost, you're ..."

"the end of you," Billy said cocking his gun, but Ruechari was too close to shoot. He couldn't risk hitting her.

"Oh no, William, not today. In fact, I'm happy you're here. You are exactly what I need to convince Ruechari that she is better off with me."

Rue watched as the wolves took up the perimeter. She knew by now Van Helsing and Jujube should be near by. "I would never be with you. I will never belong to you. You have no power over me."

"You sound so certain. I remember a particular interlude in the desert that would say otherwise."

Being reminded of her weakness, Ruechari reddened but she knew she was weak no longer.

"Want to try that again?" she dared with a confidant grin.

"No need for tricks. You see I want you, Ruechari. I want you to be my partner in all of this. Together we can make this world, shape it to however we wish it to be. After all what do we owe them? What have they done for us? We didn't ask to be made? Yet here we are."

Billy took a step forward. "I won't let you do this?"

"Not only can't you stop me... you're going to help me," Drake said, with a rather sinister grin.

"Like I would ever help the likes of you," Billy said, slowly inching forward. He also took note of the wolves slowly closing in. His options were limiting themselves quickly.

"Yes. You see my sweet Ruechari here is under the delusion that you love her."

"I DO love her," Billy said and the truth of his words rung out.

"Really?" Drake asked determined, "Is that why while she is here, willing to risk her life, you've been with another?"

"What are you talking about?!" Billy said coming closer still, but even Ruechari had seen his hesitation.

Drake smiled, his canines now clearly visible.

"Vampire!" Billy said his guns trained on him although he now knew they'd be useless against him. However, that didn't mean he couldn't cause Drake some damage.

"No, so much more that, William. You care to come clean or would you rather I set the record straight? Either way, by doing so, she will finally be set free."

"Billy?"

The questioning look on Ruechari's face nearly done Billy in. "Rue, it's not..."

"He's been unfaithful. This man you'd die for. This man you think you love. That supposedly loves you. Don't believe me? It's there in his mind. Go. Look for yourself," Drake challenged.

Billy thought of Lou and wondered how did Drake know... how did this vamp get in his head?

"Rue! She... doesn't mean anything to me. She found out the truth and ..."

Drake laughed and Billy pulled the trigger. The shot went through Drake's shoulder. He cringed and winced from the pain but then just shrugged it off.

"Temper, Temper, William." Drake looked at Rue. "You needn't take my word for it, Ruechari. Look. See for yourself."

Rue didn't want to know, but before she was even aware of what was happening her eyes met with Billy's and the connection between them was opened. It was all there in Billy's mind. Ruechari came crashing to her knees and Drake stood there looking pleased.

"Rue!" Putting his guns away he rushed to her, and slid in the dirt before her and grabbed her, holding her at arms length. "Rue, please let me explain?"

Rue looked up at him with tear-streaked cheeks. She pushed Billy away, his gun now in her hand. "Get away from me!" She demanded, as she struggled to get to her feet.

"Rue?!"

"You heard the lady," Drake said. "It is time for you to leave."

Drake looked at his wolves and one leapt forward, tackling Billy and started to drag him way.

"Rue! Wait! Please! I'm begging you!"

"You won't be needing this anymore," Drake said taking the gun from Ruechari's hand and dropping it on the ground. "I'm here to protect you. I will always protect you." He slowly turned her around and held her close to him before leading her away.