Round Robin V

It's my turn to play today! Following up on the last part.

*

With a burst of speed, Sam caught Ken before he hit the floor. Lifting Ken into his arms as easily as he would a child, Sam placed him on a spare gurney. Just as quickly, he ran into the main hall, barking out an order at a passing nurse to go check on Ken. As much as he liked Ken and didn't want anything to happen to him, Sam had to get to Blake.

A hundred images of what he might find in Blake's room flashed before Sam's eyes as he sped down the corridor. However, he found only Blake, unconscious and alive, the machines attached to him still beeping and whirring normally.

There was no sign of the elder vampire, although Sam could feel the vestiges of his great power shimmering in the air. Although the vampire was ancient, he had the face of an angel -- a beautiful young man of no more than 20 years. It was the best disguise a vampire could hope for, and Sam knew he had to be extremely careful not to fall under the elder's sway.

Blake's eyes flickered, and he moaned softly. All thoughts of the ancient one fled Sam's mind as he leaned over his former lover's bed. With another moan, Blake was out again. Sam tenderly brushed Blake's hair back over his forehead and was suddenly blinking back tears.

He hadn't realized just how much he missed him.

It was dangerous, all this damn emotion. He had to get out and get his head together. Without giving a reason, Sam ordered security to guard Blake's room. He ignored the whispers and pointed looks from the nurses' station and hurried to the fourth floor. He really needed to check on Ken, but there was something he had to do first.

Eddie Howell looked up from his Sports Illustrated and nodded to Sam. "What's up, doc?" Eddie laughed at his own joke, which he did a lot. "Need some blood?" He smiled, and the overhead lights reflected off his balding head.

Did he ever. "Yeah, we're running out of O-neg downstairs." Sam smiled and waved a hand. "No, no, don't get up. I need a break from the ER anyway."

"I tell ya, you're the most helpful doc I've ever met at this hospital." Eddie picked up a donut and offered the box to Sam. "Need a sugar boost?"

Pushing the door to the blood bank open, Sam shook his head. "No thanks, I'm watching what I eat."

Inside the cool interior of the refrigerated room, Sam took a deep, unnecessary breath. His senses tingled in the presence of so much blood when he was so hungry, and he quickly went towards the back corner, opening a glass case and taking out a bag of A-pos. His very favorite. His fangs extended, piercing the thick plastic.

As the sweet, sweet nourishment coursed down his throat, Sam closed his eyes. He was going to enjoy this moment. Then he'd deal with whatever else waited for him in the ER.

To be continued...