 
Blood Shadow: Book of Hartwell

by

Phil Wohl

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2017 Phil Wohl

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INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE

Calvin Brewster stood in the hallway of his family's house and revealed himself as a survivor, a conqueror. His 15-year absence seemed to be painful for just about everyone, except Hartwell and his trusted protector Garrison.

Emily Brewster ran up the stairs and virtually attacked her twin brother. She had felt so distant and incomplete without him. Cal then walked down the two stairs, with Emily attached to him, and kissed and hugged his dad, Thaddeus Brewster.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

(Broke the hug) Calvin, there's someone I want you to...

Cal started crying when he saw his nephew, Andrew Brewster, cast on his broken leg and all.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Drew.

They hug. Andrew finally felt the kinship and loyalty in a father figure that he had sought since Cal disappeared.

Andrew then introduced Cal to Carla, and the warm part of the reunion ended abruptly. Cal's wounds were still too fresh to welcome the enemy into the house of Brewster. He looked at Sharon Phillips – actually looked through her – with eyes as lethal as laser beams. After all, she had left him to rot on the bottom of the ocean.

Sharon wasn't sure how Cal would react once he finished greeting his family. She nervously held her daughter Nicole's hand and waited until it was her time.

But the only 'time' that Sharon was assured of was that it was time for her and her family to leave. Sharon's father, Garrison, was instrumental in helping bury Cal.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(Walks by Cal and nods) Calvin.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Nods back in respect) Garrison.

Sharon, Nicole, and her new-found father Blake, followed Gary out the front door, ending the day's question-and-answer session. Cal walked toward the door to close it, and Sharon looked back as he stoically slammed it in her face.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE - DAWN

The sun was rising the next morning and Daniel had fallen asleep on the floor with a game controller dangling in his left hand. The rays filtered through Hartwell's house, which had a decidedly Eastern exposure, and started to go to work on Hartwell, who was sitting on the couch above Daniel 'cashed out,' with a baseball hat cocked to the side of his head.

The vampire had just been killed the previous day for the 100th time, an event that signified his rebirth and return to mortality. The killer was none other than Cal Brewster, who he had been buried in a watery tomb some 15 years earlier. (Accelerated flashback of Cal emerging from the ocean and then zooming across the town to kill Hartwell by extracting his heart from his chest)

The light blanketed the room, moving across the floor, past a sleeping Daniel and then encompassing Hartwell. Normally the dawn would help restore his full powers as a vampire after a kill, much as it had done over the past century, but this proved to be a different kind of healing process.

Daniel used his vampirical powers to thrust the former Prince of Darkness' heart back into his chest, and now Hartwell chest was being fused together and his ticker reattached to the various blood vessels, arteries, and veins on the inside.

Hartwell experienced a few involuntary reflexes, and one random knee-jerk smacked Daniel in the back of his head.

Just about anyone else would have received an instant beat-down from the now-alert vampire, but Daniel stood up and flicked the baseball hat off Hartwell's head without ever touching it. Besides, he had already taken a picture of the pose and posted it on Facebook the previous night.

The 10-second mortal restoration of Hartwell's soul was a fraction of the time it usually took to for him to become whole as a vampire. The vampire usually woke up calm and relaxed, but he instantly gasped for air and grabbed his chest in pain once his eyes flashed open.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Are you okay? (Rubs his back) Let me get you some water.

Daniel popped into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water before Hartwell could even blink.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Puts his hand on his head) My head hurts.

Daniel flashes back to the previous day and an ill-fated baseball catch he had with his dead father.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Looks into the camera) I was just trying to get in some father-son activities that we missed.

Hartwell wasn't the complaining type, at least as an all-powerful vampire. But transitioning from a dead creature, to a person that was very much alive was proving difficult. He tried to stand up, but quickly sat back down due to light-headedness.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Are you sure you're all right?

The truth had sunk into Hartwell's less-capable brain as he dropped his head to his chest, almost in defeat. He knew Daniel had to be told the truth, so he scraped himself off the floor and spoke from his mended heart.

THOMAS HARTWELL

My son, I am what I used to be. Now we can truly be father and son.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Let the words filter down in an attempt to uncover its true meaning) Oh, so are you saying that you reached 100 yesterday?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Rolls his eyes) You really must develop a flare for the

dramatic, dear boy. That is, if you're still a 'skilled' one?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(It took Daniel a few more seconds to break down his mentor's code) Do you want to know if I'm still a vampire? Don't you want to get up

and walk around a bit before you get to the tough stuff?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Amused) See, you can be dramatic and suspenseful.

Daniel extended his impressive fangs and wings to the delight of Hartwell.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Smiles) Good. Very good. But you have to do me one favor.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Anything, dad.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You have to keep your status between us. Nobody must know that you are still a vampire. Now go out and see if anyone else still has their powers.

Daniel was the obedient son – albeit an upgraded version of his now-mortal predecessor – so he went out to his girlfriend Nicole's house before checking in on the Brewster family.

He texted Nicole – his mind to her iPhone – and asked he if she felt better, and what was going on in her house?

She replied:

"We all lost our powers. The Brewster's are all out, too. BTW, how did I get home yesterday?"

Daniel answered back:

"Flew you home before I passed out," paving the way for the first of a string of white lies and related deceptions to come.

He told her that he would stop by later in the day, and then moved on at faster than the speed of light to see what was going on with his cousin and the rest of the Brewster family.

Daniel sensed nothing when he arrived at their house, but quickly tracked them driving at a rapid pace in the direction of the hospital. He flew above the car, undetected to the human eye, and listened in on their conversation.

Cal was not with Andrew, Carla, Emily and Thaddeus, as he went to play golf earlier in the morning and did not have a cell phone. He was a pro-caliber golfer when he had abilities, but without his mojo he was at best an average golfer.

EXT. GOLF COURSE

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Shanks a ball into a cluster of trees in the deep right rough) Man, do I suck! I'm glad I didn't take the game up before my 18th birthday!

EXT. BREWSTER's audi sedan

ANDREW BREWSTER

(From the back seat) Do you think Aunt Belinda's gonna' make it mom?

Daniel tapped into Emily's brain to view the story of what had happened. After the Phillips family left the previous night and things calmed down a bit, Emily decided to text Belinda to tell her about the major revelation.

She simply typed, "Cal is back."

Belinda Thompson was Daniel's mother in his latest life and she was also married to Cal Brewster when he disappeared. She had become disoriented when Daniel recently awoke from his two-week hibernation toward becoming a vampire. Hartwell made her believe, through his mental-vampire influence, that Daniel had a severe case of mononucleosis and should not be bothered.

She had been driving around all day, moving deeper and deeper into the cerebral abyss, when the text message came through and she reached for her phone after hearing the alert tone.

Message from Emily: "Cal is back."

Belinda read the message and everything in her world went black. Her brain shut down like a computer infested with an insipid virus. Hartwell's years of mentally manipulating Belinda so he could gain unabated access to Daniel, had finally put her down for the count.

Belinda's hands dropped off the steering wheel and down past her lap as she sped through a red light and into a busy, four-way intersection.

"CAPOW!!!"

A trucker asleep at the wheel at 11:00 p.m., sideswiped Belinda's Honda Civic and wrapped it around a light post like a crushed soda can.

It took a few hours to extract her from the vehicle with the 'jaws of life,' and local police and fire officials said she would have died instantly if her seat hadn't malfunctioned and reclined upon impact.

Somehow, she hung on through the night in the Intensive Care Unit of Beach Haven Hospital, as she was hooked up to life support machines. But the doctors were extremely doubtful that she would make it through the day.

The Brewster's were notified only moments earlier, once hospital staff found their number in Belinda's purse. They were frantically trying to locate 'next of kin' to deal with her inevitable passing.

Daniel almost flew into a traffic light because he became distraught on so many levels. He needed to jet back to Hartwell's to ask him what should be done. In seconds, he was in front of Hartwell, who had just walked out of the shower and was drying off.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Yelling) My mom was in an accident and she is going to die!

Hartwell, even as a mortal, was still unflappable.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Desperate) What should I do? I can't let her die!

Hartwell held the fate of people's lives in his fangs for over a century and was debating the pros and cons of Belinda's survival.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Thinks) On the one hand, she raised Daniel and was his mother. But, on the other hand, she was Daniel's mother. His annoying, over- protective, smothering mother.

Hartwell looked into Daniel's concerned eyes and felt something he hadn't experienced in some time: empathy. He figured that it was one of the drawbacks of having a soul again.

THOMAS HARTWELL

All right. You can keep her. (Says as if he was letting his son keep a stray animal)

DANIEL THOMPSON

Thanks! (Was barely audible because Daniel zipped out of the room so fast)

INT. BEACH haven hospital

Daniel glided past the Brewster family in the hallway leading up to his mother's room, and decided to put a healthy Belinda in their minds. The four of them stopped before entering Belinda's room, where she was only a few feet away on a life support system.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Smiles) I'm so glad Aunt Belinda is going to be all right!

CARLA PERKINS

(Andrew's girlfriend) This must be a great hospital. (Even though she was just there the previous day to get a cast on her arm)

EMILY BREWSTER

(Unusually chipper) You guys want to get some lunch?

THADDEUS BREWSTER

Sounds like a plan.

Daniel swept into his mother's temporary room and had her unhooked and back to Hartwell's house within seconds. Daniel usually wasn't a show-off – except for his volleyball days as part of 'The Three Slamigo's' – but he managed to make his mother's bed up with fresh linens and thoroughly cleaned the entire area, as the trademark fastidiousness of a vampire set in.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

Hartwell was in his robe when Daniel placed his mother on a bed in one of the guest bedrooms. Hartwell's robe is slightly open.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Catches a glimpse) Can you close that up a bit? It's my mom. (Hartwell complies) So, what do I do?

THOMAS HARTWELL

First you drain most of her blood.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Inexperienced) From her neck?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Leans over so he can whisper) Either you do this quick or it's going to be too late. Her breathing is already shallow.

Daniel looked at his mom and then got up the courage from his desperation to immediately act. His brow turned a shade of evil as razor-sharp fangs protruded from his gums. He dove into his mother's neck and drained most of her blood in seconds, with almost no reaction from her.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Coaching) Now feed her your blood from your wrist.

Daniel bit into his wrist and then let the blood flow into his mother's mouth. Once she started swallowing the supercharged blood, her strength improved and she was breathing normally.

And a few minutes later, Belinda opened her eyes and Daniel helped her sit up.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Danny, what happened? (She looks at Hartwell) Hey, I know you...

Hartwell nodded at Daniel, who then snapped his mother's neck as easily as breaking a foot-long pretzel log. Daniel picked up his mother even though he could have moved her with his mind, because the situation called for a more personal touch.

Hartwell pulled back the cover and Daniel placed Belinda down on the bed, and tucked her in so she could begin the transformation into his world.

Daniel closed the door to the guest bedroom and let nature, or the powers of the unnatural, take its course.

DANIEL THOMPSON

That was crazy!

THOMAS HARTWELL

Sorry to say, that was fairly routine for me. (Realizes he needs to more sensitive) Except, of course, when I turned you.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Smirks) Of course.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Let me go change into something less airy. While you're waiting can you do me a favor and send out a signal to the cosmos, keeping this place a secret? If anybody knew that our home really wasn't an abandoned warehouse, it could cost us a bundle and we might get evicted.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Nods) I'll do my best.

Hartwell disappeared into his master suite and Daniel sat on the floor with his back against the couch and crossed his legs in meditation. Hartwell came back a few minutes later, buttoning his shirt.

THOMAS HARTWELL

It's a lot harder to get dressed when you have to use your hands.

Hartwell looked straight ahead and Daniel was floating in the air, in the lotus position with his eyes closed.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Well I'll be... I never floated like that.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Sensed his father's presence) Only people that should be in our house will see our home.

Daniel opened his eyes and floated over to sit on the couch so he could talk to Hartwell, who had walked over and sat in his chair. He had been a full-fledged vampire for such a short time, but it seemed that he was gaining more control of his extensive abilities with each passing moment.

DANIEL THOMPSON

So, you failed to tell me about your hundredth kill.

Hartwell wanted to reassume control of the conversation immediately.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Do you mean the significance of it?

Daniel didn't even bother to open his mouth in response to such a feeble response.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Let's try that again. (Internal, mind to mind)

THOMAS HARTWELL

About who killed me? (Is a bit confused)

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Flashes an okay sign with his right hand) Yeah, can you tell me a little bit about that?

THOMAS HARTWELL

What would you like to know? (Sounds more like a politician not wanting to reveal the truth)

Daniel again felt that speaking out loud would be an affront to the spoken word.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Internal) We both know that I can make you tell me anything I want to know, but I'd rather have a direct conversation with you.

Hartwell finally understood the gravity of the situation.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Sorry, I'm just used to being the one that controls everything.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Calm) No problem. (Exasperated) Well it's a little confusing to me that a man that was supposedly dead

– a man... (Tries to hold back his angst) my father! Killed you for the hundredth time. All I want to know is how that is possible?

Hartwell was starting to get used to Daniel calling him "dad," and knew any mention of Cal Brewster – his arch nemesis – would put a crimp on his plans to become Daniel's true father.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Well...

Hartwell looked at Daniel and noticed that it probably wasn't the best time to be indirect. He was losing patience and it was just a matter of time before the information would be extracted from Hartwell, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Hartwell surmised that Daniel would lose more respect for him if his admission was involuntary, so he quickly gave up the goods.

THOMAS HARTWELL

I buried him at the bottom of the ocean.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Shocked) You did what?

Daniel stood up and was about to explode, so Hartwell knew he had to be careful with a young vampire who what not completely in control of his powers yet.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Let me explain. (Tries to stand up)

DANIEL THOMPSON

Don't stand up! (Filters into Hartwell's mind as he sits back down) (Out loud) All of this time we spent together was because you put a hole in my heart so wide that I would need you! You manipulated me, and you left me alone without a father!

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Grunts) He's a hunter!

DANIEL THOMPSON

Did you ever think that I was destined to be a hunter?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Shakes his head back and forth) No. I looked inside of you. You had the recessive gene for it, but it wasn't active.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Was it really for you to decide? (In a tone of voice that suggests the conversation would cease to exist in short order) I need some time to think. (Glides toward the front door) I'll be back for my mom in a few days.

The front door opened and Brandon Justice stepped in before Daniel left.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Looks Justice over) Who is this? Another one of your 'special' turns? (He then took one more shot at Hartwell, but talking internally) I'm going to see my dad.

Daniel moved past Justice, who never saw him leave.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Who was that and where did he disappear to?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Yells) I am your father!

Justice stood in the doorway even more confused than he was moments earlier.

Daniel had no more time to waste, so he immediately located Cal, who was just coming off the golf course after a forgettable 95, and had no further use for the game if it meant that he had to play sans-abilities.

Daniel preferred a one-on-one conversation for the first time – as opposed to trying to bond with him with the whole family around – so he tapped into Cal's thoughts to see where he was headed next. If it was straight home then he would confront him in the parking lot, but that proved to not be the case.

INT. BEACH HAVEN DINER

Cal planned on stopping to get a bite to eat at the Beach Haven Diner, where the soup of the day was split pea. Upon arrival, he was ushered to a window booth by a young Greek woman with tight clothing and loose hair. Trixie the waitress dropped a shot-glass-sized water on the table along with assorted munchables, which had surely past their freshness date.

He looked over the dictionary of food, commonly referred to as a diner menu, and would have usually ordered enough to fill the whole table. But he opted for a simple hamburger platter, instead. Thoughts of an expanding waistline had him looking at salads for a minute, but in the end he needed something that would stick to his ribs.

Before Cal could order, Daniel walked in and caught his eye. Of course, the vampire didn't need to dress like a teen or even use his feet anymore. For some reason, he wanted to make a memorable first impression on his dad. Probably because Hartwell messed his mind up real good a few hours earlier.

Cal gave the menu a last look-over, and then closed it and picked up his head, so that the waitress would be alerted of his readiness. Daniel walked through the front doors and looked around, even though he knew exactly where Cal was sitting. He swiveled his head and then did a double- take when he saw Cal.

Cal picked up his head and noticed a tall, lean young man walk in. Daniel was every bit the teenager, wearing a t-shirt, long basketball shorts, Nike flip-flops, and fitted royal blue Chicago Cubs hat that he wore backwards. Cal had two quick flashbacks – one of him as an 18 year old, and another of Daniel as a little boy.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Edges toward the end of the booth and calls in an excited but insure voice) Daniel?

Daniel acted as if he didn't hear Cal at first, but he heard everything – from his accelerated heartbeat, to a voice that was familiar again.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Looks at Cal) Dad?

The young vampire was not only extremely powerful he also could have been nominated for an Academy Award on the spot. The two men ran at each other and met in a thunderous hug. Daniel acted speechless and even had a few tears rolling down his cheeks, courtesy of the water glass on the table.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(They break the hug) Come and join me for lunch.

Trixie came by and asked for their orders, so Cal – in typical Cal, take-charge fashion – did the ordering.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Two hamburger platters. I'll have mine medium well.

TRIXIE

How about you, Danny? Your usual, well done?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Nods, and then transmits to Trixie internally) Make mine blood red.

Once the euphoria of reestablishing the initial connection subsided, the conversation took an unexpected turn.

CALVIN BREWSTER

So, 15 years.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I know. (Is waiting for the opportunity to come clean)

Now that Cal was no longer a hunter, and was no threat to him as a vampire, Daniel decided that honesty would indeed be the best policy. That he would reveal his true identity to the world, despite Hartwell's request to the contrary.

The small-talk went back and forth for the next few minutes.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Tender) I always wondered what you were doing.

Trixie came by with two big plates filled with meat, bread, French fries, union rings, Cole slaw, and a pickle slice.

TRIXIE

Here you go, boys! (She slid the plates in front of them and pulled a bottle of ketchup from her apron) Will there be anything else?

CALVIN BREWSTER

No, we're fine.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Thanks.

Trixie walks away with her white orthopedic shoes and tends to other tables.

Daniel's burger was an uncooked sphere of meat.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Thinks, but never got the opportunity to say it) You know, he turned me into a vampire.

Cal stuffed one of each food from his plate in his mouth and then spoke.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Drew told me that you got turned.

Daniel decided not to talk with a face-full of moo, so he just nodded in affirmation. Cal, the cold-blooded killer and apparent sociopath, hadn't changed much despite the loss of his powers.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Delivers the message with the flippancy of a cold-blooded killer) Good thing we all lost our powers, because I would have killed you myself.

Daniel was pretty quiet the next few minutes, as he valiantly suppressed the urge to lunge at his father's neck and drain him of all of his blood.

Near the end of the meal, Cal capped an otherwise waste of a cow with some amusement.

CALVIN BREWSTER

So, has your mother said anything about me?

Daniel thought of his mother resting in Hartwell's guest bedroom, just waiting to wake up and take a shot at Cal.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Ignores the question) Did you and mom have a good marriage?

Cal got pissed as he vigorously used a tooth pick on his teeth.

CALVIN BREWSTER

I don't think that's any of your business, Daniel. What we had was between us.

Daniel could take no more. He shut down Cal and everyone else in the restaurant for a moment.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Yells) Bullcrap!

He unfroze everyone and then thought about extracting whatever information he wanted from Cal, but decided against it.

CALVIN BREWSTER

How did you get here?

DANIEL THOMPSON

I walked.

CALVIN BREWSTER

You want a lift home? (Trying to get access to Belinda)

DANIEL THOMPSON

I'd rather come home with you and see Drew.

Daniel wasn't going to set foot in Cal's car, so he made him believe he was there, while he took care of a few odds and ends.

He texted Nicole, drank 10 pints of blood at Beach Haven Hospital, made sure everything was okay at his house, punched Hartwell in the arm for being right, and then stood on the side of the car as Cal pulled into the Brewster's driveway.

Hartwell was on the floor from the painful blow, but then got up with a smile when he realized the source and intent of the love tap.

Daniel was eager to show his cousins that his powers had also been drained. Although his initial instinct after speaking to Hartwell was to tell everyone that he was not mortal, he came to his senses after his own father challenged him.

EXT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - bACKYARD

Emily Brewster was relieved to see her nephew looking normal. She watched Daniel and Andrew playing basketball in the backyard, and saw no high-flying theatrics or sudden bursts of speed on display.

The truth was that the first time that Drew threw Daniel and alley-oop near the rim, Daniel nearly jumped out of his flip-flops. Instead of acting, he waited for the ball to come down and then awkwardly flipped an errant shot that clanked off the rim.

EMILY BREWSTER

So much for the 'Three Slamigo's' (Referring to days as high school volleyball royalty)

Daniel planned to wait a few days before venturing back to Hartwell's, but he decided that he should be by his mother's side. Besides, there was no game system at his house, because his mother wouldn't allow it.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

It was close to midnight and Daniel was feeling like the day was just starting. He glided into Hartwell's house and the man of the house was fast asleep on the couch with the TV on. Brandon Justice was already sleeping in the second guest bedroom, so Daniel hovered over the couch and

flipped the game system on with his mind.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I know you're awake. (Looks straight ahead) Where's your boy?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Sits up and opens his eyes) He's asleep in the second bedroom. So, how is Cal?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Trying to control his temper) I wanted to rip his vocal chords out!

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Playfully backhands Daniel on his arm) Right! I told you he was annoying.

DANIEL THOMPSON

He said he would kill me if I was still a vampire.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Wow. That's heavy.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I think he meant it. He didn't seem to have much of a sense of humor... unlike you.

THOMAS HARTWELL

That's because I've killed him more times than he's killed me.

DANIEL THOMPSON

He flipped out when I asked him about his relationship with my mom.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Turn that off for a second. (Playful) I'll kick your butt later.

Daniel turns toward Hartwell as the TV goes black.

THOMAS HARTWELL

It's really hard to maintain a relationship in our line of work. So hard that we all sort of grew to expect that the sides would interchange every now and then.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Hesitant) You and my mom?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Smiles) She wasn't on a side, or I might have taken a crack at her.

Daniel's face drops.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(realizes his mistake) Or not.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Who?

THOMAS HARTWELL

There were two people.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Repulsed) I'll make pretend I didn't hear that. Change the subject... so, why did you bury him in the ocean? Must have been over a girl.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Nicole's mom.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Gasps) Sharon and my dad?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Yes, times two.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Again, I'll ignore that comment. And you're saying that my dad was having an affair with Sharon?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Yes, and it was starting to interfere with her duties as a protector.

Daniel was speechless as Hartwell continued.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Cal was becoming unstoppable because she wasn't fighting to her full potential. He was also a great warrior. He doesn't see boundaries when he's fighting.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Like killing his own son?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Puts his hand on Daniel's shoulder) Like killing his own son.

INT. BEACH HAVEN DINER

Earlier that day, Hartwell had taken Maggie out to lunch and it extended into dinner. Maggie was the new Beach Haven High School librarian, and she also happened to be the first iteration of Hartwell's wife who died in the early 1900's.

MAGGIE

You seem different. Calmer.

THOMAS HARTWELL

I have seen the future.

MAGGIE

And what does it look like?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Looks out the window and then back at Maggie) A lot like this.

She smiled and blushed because her clear view of the future looked the same.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - KITCHEN

The old pack of hunters wanted to make sure that Hartwell was truly down for the count.

CALVIN BREWSTER

I'm going into town to see if I can find him.

Since Andrew was basically immobile for the next six weeks, Cal knew he had a captive audience to tell the tales of Hartwell.

CALVIN BREWSTER

That bastard buried me because I was getting to him! He couldn't stop me anymore.

Drew was itching his leg under his cast with a hanger.

Of course, Cal failed to tell Drew that he was literally sleeping with the enemy in the form of Sharon Phillips. The Phillips family was Hartwell's protectors – at least Sharon and Garrison Phillips were. Sharon's daughter and Garrison's granddaughter, Nicole, was also Daniel's protector and his girlfriend.

EXT. Beach haven town

Cal ventured out into town and spotted Hartwell within 10 minutes of arrival, showing that his tracking 'hand' was still strong. Hartwell appeared to be by himself, but he was actually meeting Maggie for lunch.

The former vampire greeted his girl with a peck on the cheek, once inside of a quaint establishment in the middle of town called Arturo's Bistro. They sat down and engaged in small talk until Hartwell spotted Cal peering at him, and basically calling him out, on the other side of the front window.

Hartwell waiting like a lion perched in the tall grass, until Maggie noticed the obviously disturbed man looking at them.

MAGGIE

Do you know him?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Excuse me. (He graciously removed the napkin from his lap, placed it on the table, and then slowly walked out of the restaurant)

Daniel was always tuned into 'radio Hartwell,' and was particularly interested to see how his mentor would handle the potentially violent situation.

Hartwell saw Daniel standing across the street, because he was the only one who had full access to him. Cal walked past the door and into an adjacent alley, where Hartwell was more than happy to follow him. The hunter had his back to Hartwell, but quickly spun around and struck Hartwell with his right fist in the corner of his eye.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Infuriated) You buried me in the bottom of the ocean! (Steps up to a fallen Hartwell and kicks him in the stomach) I can't believe you turned my son! (Props Hartwell up and knocks him down again)

Cal's right knuckle was bleeding and he was so hopped up on with adrenaline that he didn't even realize it.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Internally to Daniel) Do you think he's had enough?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Laughs) Let him get one more shot in.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You're going to mask the cuts on my face? I don't want Maggie to see me this way. She won't be with me if she knows I fight.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Would she be with you if she knew you were a vampire?

Cal got in another kick.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Hold that thought.

Hartwell unfolded his 6'3" frame and struck Cal with a mighty bolo punch to his kidneys. Cal dropped down to his knees and was now face-to-face with Hartwell, who quickly stood up and swung for the fences with his right arm, connecting with Cal's jaw and sending him flying on his back.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Next time you come at me, you better bring that pretty sister of yours.

Hartwell pulled a handkerchief from his right pants pocket and wiped away the blood from his mouth and the corner of his left eye.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Looks at Daniel, who is giddy from the action) Why don't you go home and raid the fridge. I have to get back to your mother, and you've had enough of my blood already.

Daniel flew away and Hartwell walked back inside the restaurant. The hostess greeted him as if she saw no blood on his face and gravel in his hair.

MAGGIE

Is everything all right?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Momentarily doubts if Daniel had shrouded his wounds. Then he smiled knowing no matter what he did, Maggie would love him for the rest of their days) Yes, it's great.

Andrew and Carla were the other teenage power couple in town besides Daniel and Nicole. Carla Perkins and Drew Brewster met at camp between their sophomore and junior years of high school. There wasn't much book studying done after that, because going to college wasn't much of an option.

Andrew was Daniel's hunter and Carla was Brandon Justice's hunter, living in Portland, Oregon. Hartwell sired Brandon Justice at the ripe age of 16 when he saw Justice being bullied by a group of teenagers. Once they smacked him around a bit and smashed his glasses, Hartwell moved in.

EXT. PORTLAND, OREgon

Brandon was sitting on the ground and was crying.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Wouldn't you like to be a little stronger, son?

Justice was in no mood to get another beatdown.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Just leave me alone!

Hartwell picked Justice off the ground without even touching him, and the two were face-to-face.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Whining) What? How are you doing that?

THOMAS HARTWELL

First of all, lower your voice. Take that tone of voice with me again and it will be the end of you. Understand?

Justice stopped crying and was now an observant minion.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Are you happy with your life? (He realizes that teenagers never reply with concise answers) Yes, or no, I don;t have time to listen to a book.

BRANDON JUSTICE

No, I...

THOMAS HARTWELL

That's two words. I'll just accept the first one. You ready for question two?

Justice nodded in affirmation.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Would you like to have cool powers like me?

Hartwell morphed into a vampire and Justice got scared and

screamed, so Hartwell changed back into his mortal form. He completed the transformations a few more times, and the boy's reaction was the same. This back-and-forth could have gone on all night, so Hartwell entered his young recruits' crowded brain after the amusement waned.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Internal) You will feel no pain. You will keep your eyes closed. You will not make another sound.

He dove into Justice's neck and drained the pure blood source. Seconds later, Hartwell opened the vein in his wrist and let the expiring Justin drink from the tainted fountain of youth.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Wow! I feel better!

THOMAS HARTWELL

Yeah. About that.

Hartwell wrapped his long arms around the upper part of Justice's body.

THOMAS HARTWELL

See you on the other side. (He forcefully snaps the teenager's neck)

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - ANDREW's room

ANDREW BREWSTER

You think Justice is powerless?

CARLA PERKINS

(Sly grin, as she was a long way away from being tormented by the ex-vampire) If he is, then he's prime for another beating! You know that kid is younger than us.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I'd say he's 15 or 16. Not much to deal with without his powers.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

It was morning and Daniel was floating in the middle of the main room, sleeping on his version of an air mattress. Hartwell was in the shower and a groggy Brandon Justice staggered out into the room, his hair looking like he stuck his finger in an electric socket.

Justice looked over at Daniel, but instead of seeing him horizontal and floating, he saw him fast asleep on the couch.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Good morning.

Daniel was already awake when Justice's foot hit the floor in the room. Daniel leveled off and his feet never touched the ground. Although Justice had lived 34 years to Daniel's 18, he was still a 16 year-old in incubation. So Daniel took the lead.

Before Justice could open the fridge, there was a full breakfast spread of eggs, pancakes, and assorted meats and breads on the table.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Who?

DANIEL THOMPSON

No coffee for you, Mister. (Daniel replaces the coffee cup with a tall glass of milk)

Daniel read a cookbook, prepared breakfast, and cleaned all of the pans, by the time Justice walked past the couch and toward the kitchen.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I'm Daniel. (Extends his long right arm in greeting)

BRANDON JUSTICE

Brandon. Brandon Justice. You must be Hartwell's son. He's told me all about you.

Instead of engaging in meaningless conversation and attempting to find out who Justice was, Daniel tapped into his brain and searched for his vampire memories. He saw various iterations of him torturing Carla, and then a scene of Carla and Drew getting revenge, George Washington Carver style, all before Justice could get a piece of buttered toast in his mouth.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Inward) Did he do your parents, too?

Hartwell walked into the room and was still very much in control.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Never touched his parents.

Daniel couldn't believe that Hartwell was still one step ahead of him.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You'll have to ask the boy about that one.

It was a few days after Hartwell turned Brandon, and he was itching to show his parents. It had been a difficult 16 years for a kid desperately seeking to fit in anywhere.

Gregory and Julie Justice were married just after being named King and Queen of the Senior Prom, which coincidentally was the night he was conceived. Brandon proved to be nothing like his teenage A-list parents, and they both resented him and each other because of it.

Greg was a janitor at Beaver Lake High School, and he was also assistant coach of the football, wrestling and lacrosse teams. His wife Julie was the bread-winner of the family, as she was a successful pharmaceutical sales representative.

INT. Justice residence - portland, oregon

Brandon walked in the morning after he was fully turned, and he felt confident in his home for the first time. However, there were no bags of blood in the fridge for this turn, and the newbie was getting hungry.

JULIE JUSTICE

Where have you been, BJ?

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Whiny) Mom! I asked you not to call me BJ! And, I was turned into a vampire. See...

Unfurls his wings and exposes his sharp teeth.

JULIE JUSTICE

(Not impressed) That's really cute, honey, but you've got a while before Halloween. Aren't you getting a bit 'long in the tooth' to be still dressing up in a costume?

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Exasperated) It's not a costume! It's real!

Julie Justice ignores her son and looks over the mail. Brandon's father walks through the garage and into the kitchen, where she was instantly mocked by his mother, who was never happy when her husband stopped at some gentlemen's clubs on the way home.

JULIE JUSTICE

Had to clear a few extra toilets before you left, Greg? You should have asked one of your skanky lady friends for a little help with your plunger.

Greg Justice had absorbed just about every insult thrown his way, and wasn't even denying his indiscretions anymore.

GREGORY JUSTICE

At least they're nice to me.

JULIE JUSTICE

It will cost a lot more than a few crumpled singles to get me anywhere near you!

Greg was about to come back at her but noticed Brandon standing there.

GREGORY JUSTICE

What is **he** doing here? (He notices his son's teeth and wings) And why is this fairy wearing a Halloween costume?

BRANDON JUSTICE

I am a vampire! (Trying to maintain a shred of credibility)

Greg started to laugh out loud, and then his wife joined in.

GREGORY JUSTICE

If you're a vampire, then I'm King freakin' Kong!

Brandon took crap for the better part of five minutes until his stomach started growling.

GREGORY JUSTICE

I don't like this anymore. You can't come and go as you please!

JULIE JUSTICE

Yeah! We're gonna' need your keys. (Extends her right hand while still looking at the mail)

Something snapped deep within Brandon's core and he was no longer the dysfunctional couple's estranged 16 year-old son. Instead, he was now a completely famished vampire with nothing but blood on his brain.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Laughs in a much deeper voice) You're kicking **me** out of the house?

GREGORY JUSTICE

(Looks at Julie and she looks back) Yeah.

Within seconds, his mom's lifeless, bloodless body dropped to the floor while he slowly ended his father's miserable existence. Brandon was so angry and filled with rage that he scooped up their bodies, picked up a huge rock in the front of their house that was inscribed "JUSTICE," tied a thick rope around the whole mess, and then flew to the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

BRANDON JUSTICE

This is your home now. (Drops them in the ocean)

He flew back home and cleaned up the mess so that no vampire would have the urge to clean, and no policeman could find a shred of DNA evidence. He also put thoughts out into the universe, so no one would question the whereabouts of his parents.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

DANIEL THOMPSON

That was some story, Brandon. (Looks at Hartwell)

THOMAS HARTWELL

This kid is a born... (Hartwell pulled up short of saying the word killer, because of Brandon's sensitivity; he looks to Daniel for help)

DANIEL THOMPSON

Brother.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Excited) Brother?

Daniel again looked at Hartwell, who wanted him to back up his statement.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Confident) Brother. I always wanted a little brother. (The 6'4" Daniel glided over and put his arm around Brandon, who snuggled up to his chest.

Daniel motioned with his head for Hartwell to seal the deal, so he came over and embraced both of them in a group, bro' hug.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Like one happy family.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Smiles and accepts the love) Can I go on your computer, dad?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Plays along) Sure, son. Just make sure you go on acceptable sites only.

Brandon left the room glowing and the two men breathed a collective sigh of relief.

THOMAS HARTWELL

That kid's been through enough.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I guess this means that I'll have to drive him everywhere and protect him, even though he annoys me.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Nods in agreement) Yes, but we have something more important than that to discuss. Your mom should be waking up soon.

Hartwell knew Belinda Thompson would be out and about within hours, and that she would be disoriented and fairly angry. Potential targets for revenge would include Cal Brewster and, secondarily, himself.

With no lives left to spare, the man of the house was feeling the limits of his mortality. He headed to the treadmill to relieve some anxiety over the prospect of this potentially being his last day on earth.

THOMAS HARTWELL

There's a good chance that she's going to come after me. And if she does, this will be the last conversation we ever have.

Belinda's arrival into the dark world was choreographed – at least her first few minutes were. She opened her eyes and her body transitioned from horizontal to vertical without her feet touching the ground. She glided out of her room and was handed a pint of blood with a sippy straw by Brandon Justice, who was waiting outside of her room.

She contently sipped the chilled blood until flashes of disturbing images scanned through he upgraded brain. A nasty image of Cal and Sharon fighting preceded another of the pair squaring off in a more intimate battle in the woods.

Belinda roared as she envisioned Hartwell giving his blood intravenously to Daniel in the hospital when he was a boy, and then Cal staking Hartwell for the 100th time. The final image was of Hartwell introducing Daniel as a vampire.

The cylinders in Belinda's brain tumbled until she locked on a target, and then all that was left to do was react. The blood box dropped to the floor as she sped toward the sun room and the target on the treadmill.

Papers that were neatly stacked on the coffee table scattered everywhere from the breeze created by Belinda's speed. Daniel senses his mother's awareness and tapped into her thoughts the minute she awoke.

He was standing next to the treadmill as his mother exposed her talon-like fingernails and swiped at Hartwell's neck, cutting his head clean off. She looked down at the head and was enraged when she saw that this image was made of cardboard.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Screams) Where is he?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Mom. Mom! It's me, Daniel.

Belinda was so focused that she didn't hear her son at first.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Daniel? Danny? Is that you?

Daniel moved closer and the two hugged.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Bewildered) I've been looking for you everywhere.

They hugged for a minute or so, as Daniel reassured Belinda that everything was going to be all right. She looked down at the floor and noticed that her feet were not touching the ground.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Then why am I floating off the ground?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Why does that have to be a bad thing? (Belinda was still confused) Mr. Hartwell and I will explain everything.

She was agitated as the severed cardboard head floated up to her hand.

BELINDA THOMPSON

I know this man! Why do I know him?And why did I just chop is head off?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Puts his arm around his mother) Come into the next room and let's sit down and talk about it.

She complied and then sat down on the couch in the big room and had a flash of being in a car crash.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Gasps) I was in the hospital and the doctors were talking about me dying and that I wasn't going to make it through the day... (She then flashed on her phone and the text from Emily Brewster that simply read, "Cal is back") Your father is back? He killed that man... that man whose head I chopped off.

Hartwell was waiting for the right vibe – a situation that he would be allowed to live – to make his entrance, and figured the pronouncement of his death would be as good a time as any. Belinda was spooked as she saw Hartwell enter the room.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Ahhh! What is he doing here?

Hartwell was about to speak and making everything okay, but Belinda remembered seeing Hartwell injected his own blood into Daniel.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Why did you do that to my son?

Belinda imagined lunging and strangling Hartwell.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Stay. (Stopped Belinda before she could move a muscle) (To Brandon) Can you please get her another sippy bag?

Brandon walked to the fridge and returned with the pint of blood, taking a sharp straw and puncturing the bag before handing it to Belinda.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To Belinda) I don't want to have to detain you, but I can't have you killing anybody. At least, not just yet.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Frozen) How?

Daniel let his hold over his mother go and she breathed a sigh out from the tension relief. Hartwell looked at Daniel, giving him that fatherly look that it was time to come clean.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Internally to Daniel) Be direct.

Daniel sat on the couch next to his mother.

DANIEL THOMPSON

We are vampires. (He could see his mom was having trouble forming a response) (Internally) Think before you respond, mom.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Ready to explode, but heard Daniel's thoughts) Can they hear us, Danny?

DANIEL THOMPSON

No mom, it's just you and me.

Daniel nodded to Hartwell and Brandon, and the two ex- vampires left the room.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Out loud) I still want to kill that guy.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Joking) I heard that!

Daniel and Belinda sat on the couch as Hartwell and Brandon went into town to meet Maggie for lunch.

After Daniel downloaded the images of the car crash and subsequent events to his mother, he floated the early 20th century picture of his family between them.

DANIEL THOMPSON

This is going to be hard for you to grasp, but you have to know the whole story.

She grabbed the picture and viewed it in disbelief.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Shocked) Danny, that's you! And that man! And the new school librarian!

He explained that they were a family during the early 1900's in San Francisco, before the plague darkened the sky and he and his mother died. And the only way that Hartwell could ever see his family again was to die and then be reborn again as a vampire, much in the way they both transformed.

BELINDA THOMPSON

He's been following you ever since I gave birth to you?

DANIEL THOMPSON

I think so.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Reluctant) So, I'm not your mother?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Smiles) Of course you're my mother! I guess I have two mothers now.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Are we still allowed to hug?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yes! (They met in a warm embrace) Unless, of course, we both have our wings out.

BELINDA THOMPSON

I have one important question to ask. Can I kill your father?

DANIEL THOMPSON

You mean, Cal?

BELINDA THOMPSON

Yes.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Put his arm around his mother as they floated toward the fridge to get some more blood) We'll get to that.

Hartwell took his recently-adopted son, Brandon, into town for a little lunch.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(To Maggie) This is the friend of the family.

Brandon went to the bathroom and Maggie seized the opportunity to ask the big guy a question.

MAGGIE

I have two tickets to the Shakespeare Festival in Massachusetts this weekend. A fellow librarian cancelled last minute.

Hartwell was so head-over-heels in love that if Maggie asked him to light his butt on fire, he probably would have asked the waitress for a match. He didn't respond at first because he was stunned)

MAGGIE

The hotel is paid for.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Sorry, I would love to go!

The neophyte, Justice, returned to the table.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Clumsy) Where are we going?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Quickly corrected him) We (motioning to the three of them) are not going anywhere, but we (motions to he and Maggie) are going away for a wonderful weekend.

Justice was about to put up a stink and make a scene, but Hartwell stuck his right elbow into the kids' ribs, temporarily taking the wind out of his sails.

Hartwell knew that lesser accommodations paid for by the school would not do, so he subsequently obtained the confirmation information from Maggie and then upgraded them, on his dime, to the best hotel in the area. It was time for the multi-millionaire to come out of the walk-in closet.

After lunch, Brandon walked ahead and Hartwell finally sealed the deal with the couple's first real kiss in more than a century. The world spun on its axis a little faster, flowers bloomed to perfection, the birds were singing, and life had finally resumed for Thomas Hartwell.

Moments after Maggie pealed herself off her new boyfriend, Hartwell's head was light as he looked for Brandon. He didn't have a care in the world during the first few minutes, but soon became concerned when there was no sign of the helpless chicken.

Hartwell's first thought was to summon Daniel, who was always a stone's throw away, but he knew this time with his mother was crucial.

The Brewster family must have had a thing for remote alleys, because Hartwell eventually found Brandon being worked over by Andrew and his girlfriend Carla, who was tormented by Justice when he was her vampire.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Hey! (Runs down the alley)

Brandon looked up, squinting without his crushed glasses.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Trying to wave Hartwell away) No!

Cal Brewster's master beat-down plan had worked to perfection.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(To Carla and a laughing Andrew) Hold him up!

It seemed that his nephew had as much of a propensity for gratuitous violence as Cal did. Cal struck Hartwell in the jaw and guts until he felt the message was satisfactorily delivered. He removed his handkerchief from his pocket and threw it toward Hartwell, as Carla and Drew let him go and he fell to the ground.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Clean yourself up, and remember that you're one stake away from being off this planet.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Before he passes out, whispers) Daniel.

The trio of aggressors walked away and Brandon Justice scampered over to aid Hartwell.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

Daniel was having a nice chat with his mother when he heard his name being uttered.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To his mom) We have to go. Follow me.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN TOWN

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Stands over Hartwell) Wow.

Daniel moved in real close to Hartwell, who looked at him through a battered face.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Cal?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Nods) Cal. (Holds Daniel's arm) His day will come, my son, but I would like to be the one.

DANIEL THOMPSON

It doesn't matter who ends up with him. We all have our reasons to take him out.

Hartwell looked around at Brandon and Belinda, who nodded in dedicated affirmation. Daniel, the new leader of the group, looked down at Hartwell, who painfully smiled and also nodded in acquiescence.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Hartwell rested for the next day or two while Daniel, Belinda and Brandon attended to some business. Daniel and Belinda are hovering in the kitchen drinking blood out of wine glasses.

DANIEL THOMPSON

What are you going to do with our house?

BELINDA THOMPSON

I don't know. This is a really tough market. I don't think we can even get what we paid for it.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Smirks) Do you realize that only a few people can see what this place really looks like? (Motions to the beauty that surrounds him)

BELINDA THOMPSON

What do you mean?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Snaps his fingers and the two were no longer standing in the top-of-the-line modern kitchen, but an abandoned warehouse with broken windows and dust and dirt everywhere) I really didn't have to snap my fingers, but I thought it looked cool.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Smiles and then it quickly disappears) Yes, and don't do that again. I'll have to go on a cleaning binge.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Emerges from his bedroom, squinting) What was that? (His glasses had been crushed by Carla and Andrew) I think I saw something that wasn't right?

DANIEL THOMPSON

You didn't wear glasses when you were a vampire, right?

BRANDON JUSTICE

No, I had perfect vision.

Daniel's unbounded brain pried its way inside Justice's eyes and altered the makeup of his eye enough to correct his blurred vision.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Close your eyes.

Brandon complied.

DANIEL THOMPSON

What would you do if I was able to correct your vision?

BRANDON JUSTICE

I would kiss you!

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Rolls his eyes and looks at his mom) What else?

BRANDON JUSTICE

I would listen to everything my big brother tells me to do.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Like cleaning your room?

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Internally to Daniel) You know I'm going to clean his room anyway.

Daniel nods at his mother as Justice enthusiastically agreed to it.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Eager) Can I open my eyes?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yes.

BRANDON JUSTICE

I can see! I can see! No more broken glasses! (He jumps around and then kisses Daniel on the cheek)

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Says to his mom) You know, I could have avoided that.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Gushes) You liked it!

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Realizes he was yelling) Do you think I woke Hartwell? He's grumpy when you wake him up.

DANIEL THOMPSON

No, he'll be fine. (Daniel had cloaked Hartwell's room with a silencer)

Belinda then went back to their house and cleaned it from attic to basement. She never listed the house or even put it up for sale, yet a wealthy middle-aged man with no prior interest in the area knocked on the door and paid her double what she paid for it ten years prior.

Half of the $700,000 sale price was accounting for in a conventional way, and the other half was transmitted through an electronic deposit into Belinda's bank account. She had quit her job days before and did not owe her agency one dime for the sale. Not that it mattered anyway, because she could have made people believe just about anything she wanted.

Daniel was doing an excellent job of distracting his mother.The tremendous real estate win – courtesy of the mysterious and wealth gentleman – was now paramount in Belinda's thoughts, although thoughts of draining Cal were still lingering in the shadows.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

BELINDA THOMPSON

You know, I haven't forgotten about your father.

Hartwell was now awake and moving around freely, thanks to Dr. Daniel. He had scanned Hartwell's entire body and fused broken ribs and repaired damaged facial bones and skin. Hartwell looked in the mirror and his face was basically healed, just in time for the big weekend with Maggie.

He walked into the main room and noticed that Brandon was able to see him without his glasses.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Who gave the kid a new set of eyes?

Daniel raised his hand as if he was a student taking credit for his action.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(With all of the seriousness of a focused mother) Enough of this banter! We have to talk about school.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Still sarcastic) I don't think I can find my birth certificate.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Was about to get mad until she saw Hartwell's smile. She turns to Daniel and Brandon) He's good. (Undeterred, to Daniel) You have a volleyball scholarship mister, and school starts in a little over a month.

Daniel wanted so badly to talk to Hartwell on an internal basis, so Hartwell started the conversation.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You should go to school. I learned that the hard way – you never know when you'll need an education.

DANIEL THOMPSON

But I could be a millionaire without ever stepping foot into college.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Looks at Daniel) You can download four years of information in less than a day. Then you can get a graduate degree, a doctorate, a law degree, and pass the bar exam by the end of September.

DANIEL THOMPSON

What about volleyball?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Not impressed) What about volleyball?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Agrees) Exactly.

While Daniel and Hartwell were exchanging ideas, Belinda went to work on her new child, Brandon.

BELINDA THOMPSON

What about you, eagle eyes? You haven't been to school in 18 years. It looks like they put you ahead and you had only one year left to graduate.

BRANDON JUSTICE

How did you know that?

BELINDA THOMPSON

I downloaded your student files from your high school in Portland. And while we were standing here I also updated and transferred your files to the Beach Haven High School database, and the registered you for classes in the honors tract. It's time you used that huge brain of yours, Einstein.

Belinda was never known to 'crack' on anyone, let alone 16 year-olds with a blatant lack of confidence and self-worth. But she felt empowered to say whatever she wanted whenever she wanted, whenever it flashed into her mind, no mind about the consequences.

INT. PHILLIPS residence

SHARON PHILLIPS

(To her daughter Nicole) You got a letter from your volleyball coach that practice is going to start in a few weeks.

The letter had been sitting on the kitchen counter for almost a week, and Nicole was too distraught and nervous to open it.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Whines) I can't go.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Going to play volleyball, or going to school?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Both!

SHARON PHILLIPS

What? Is Daniel going?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Snaps) We have no abilities – or haven't you noticed?

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Unhappy with her daughter's tone) Oh, I have noticed! This little pity party you have going on is quite convincing, but you got good grades even before those whole thing started.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

What, in second grade? We both know that anything I've done from third grade until now has enhanced my abilities.

SHARON PHILLIPS

So, instead of being an 'A' student you will be a 'B' student. And, instead of being one of the three best volleyball players on the planet, you will be an above-average player worthy of a scholarship.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Thinks about it) I'll talk to Daniel about it.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE

EMILY BREWSTER

(Disturbed, asks her son) What are you going to do, Drew?

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Answers his mom and looks at Carla) We thought we would do some traveling.

Thaddeus Brewster, Andrew's grandfather and Emily's father, was sitting nearby reading the newspaper in his worn leather recliner.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

I tried to find myself once, but I got lost somewhere in Vancouver, Canada and had to hitch my way back to the states.

Emily rolled her eyes, tired of the insane ranting's of her father, while also getting a bit of 'cabin fever' despite Daniel's smoke-screen created to impart family harmony.

Cal and Emily were twins and remained connected in every sense of the word. They were warriors and the void left by their vacated powers was noticeable.

ANDREW BREWSTER

You've become very snippy since Cal came back.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Defiant) Snippy? Snippy!

THADDEUS BREWSTER

(Puts his paper down and mutters) This should be good.

EMILY BREWSTER

That still doesn't change the fact that someone has to tell you two

the cold, hard truth.

ANDREW BREWSTER

What is that, mom?

Emily channeled her inner-samurai and delivered the death null.

EMILY BREWSTER

You two did nothing in high school and now you have to pay for it.

I'm not giving you another dime until you both sign up for classes at Island Community College! And just signing up won't be good enough, because any drooling fool can walk in and sign up. You must get a 'B' or better to stay on my payroll. Got it?

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Looks at Carla and she reluctantly nods) Okay.

INT. PHILLIPS RESIDENCE - NICOLE's room

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Sitting on her bed) We have to get in shape dad!

She assumed that her FBI dad still had bugs all over the house as part of his ongoing investigation. Agent Blake Wallace failed to inform his central office that all of the people he was watching in the 'Hartwell Control Group' were now powerless.

Blake happened to be in the house, and walked down the hall and into Nicole's room.

BLAKE WALLACE

(Charming) You don't have to say it so loud, I can hear you. (Enters her room)

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Wow! That works really well! Were you in a van in front of the house?

Blake walked in and kissed his daughter.

BLAKE WALLACE

You'll be happy to know that I've taken down all of the bugs in this house.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Still curious) What about Andrew Brewster's house?

Blake internally debated on whether he should let Nicole in on matters of national security.

BLAKE WALLACE

Are you crazy? Those people are still dangerous, especially with Cal back.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Laughs) You have to let me listen sometime.

Blake was putty in his daughter's hands – he had a lot of lost time to make up with daddy's grown-up girl.

BLAKE WALLACE

So what is this working out thing all about? (Removes a white headband from his pocket and slid it onto his head)

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I have to get in shape for volleyball practice.

BLAKE WALLACE

You're gonna' go to school?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Yeah, mom convinced me.

Nicole angled her long, lean frame out of the bed and extracted a pair of socks from her dresser, and then went into her closet and removed a pair of pink-striped Adidas running shoes.

While she was lacing her sneakers, Blake flashed back to his morning 10-mile runs along the beach when he was a life-god.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Mom showed me some pictures of you back in the day when you were a lifeguard.

She stood up and was a few inches shorter than her father. Nicole then slapped his stomach with the back of her hand.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

You sure you're up to this?

Of course Blake wasn't, but his ego replied.

BLAKE WALLACE

I can handle it. How long?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

We'll start with a gentle five-miler and then we'll build from there.

They walked out of Nicole's room and into the hallway.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Mom, we're going for a run!

Sharon Phillips expected to see Nicole and Daniel in front of her when she walked through the kitchen. She laughed when she spotted Blake in a tight pair of shorts, and overmatched t-shirt, an old pair of running shoes, and the snow-white headband.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Are you sure you're ready for this, Wallace?

BLAKE WALLACE

As ready as I'm gonna' be, Phillips.

Blake and Nicole walked out of the front door and did some stretching on the front lawn. He was careful not to stretch too much, in fear of creating a huge draft in the back of his shorts.

Garrison and Sharon stood at the front door looking out.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Ten bucks says he runs out of gas before a mile.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

You're on! That guy has incredible lung capacity for a mortal.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Yeah, but it's filled with cheeseburgers and chicken wings.

EXT. STREET

Nicole started out on a leisurely pace, both to get herself loose and give her dad a better chance at survival.

For his part, Blake was working it. It had been a number of years since he had donned the gym shorts and strapped on a pair of running shoes, and even longer since he dared to 'get physical' by wearing a headband.

Blake was sweating profusely and the peak of his running existence was now a few strides behind. He huffed and puffed, and he probably could have blown the first couple of little pigs' houses down.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Grunts) How long?

Nicole was 18 and was in peak condition.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Barely breathing) About half-a-mile.

Blake's world was shattered. He was hoping to hear "four miles," but instead was reminded again how physically lame he had become.

Nicole looked over at Blake to see if he was going to quit.He saw the look in her eyes and knew that he had been away from her too long, that it was time to gut it out.

BLAKE WALLACE

I don't want to slow you down. I'll be right behind you.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Okay.

She puts the 'pedal to the metal' and leaves Blake in the dust.

Blake, to his credit, hung on while his daughter breezed through the five miles and returned home. She took a quick shower and then walked into the kitchen.

INT. PHILLIPS RESIDENCE

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Asks Sharon and Gary, still looking out the front window) Is he back yet?

Sharon put her hand out toward Gary, but he wasn't willing to concede the 10 bucks just yet.

EXT. STREET

They piled into the car and Nicole guided her grandpa' through her running course.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I made a left her on to Updike.

Garrison drove half-way down the two-hundred yard block and then pulled off to the side of the street and parked the car. He looked at the 'A' odometer, which he had reset to zero when they got into the car, and it read "2.4."

GARRISON PHILLIPS

I told you! (Points to the mileage)

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Whispers) Well, I'll be... (She reaches into her purse and pulled out a crisp 10-dollar bill and handed it to Garrison, who folded it and slid it into the breast pocket of his shirt.

They all exited the car and walked over to Blake, who was fast asleep in the shade leaning against a light post.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

He looks so peaceful.

Blake's shirt was drenched – Sharon walked up to her ex-husband and touched him gently on his wet forehead.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Wake up, sleepy-head. We don't want the neighbors to start talking about the sweaty guy sleeping on someone's lawn.

They helped him get into the back seat of the car – Gary put a beach towel down first – and then drove home in the time it took Blake to bend over and put on his sneakers earlier in the day.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I'm going to Daniel's. (Grabs her bike from the garage and pedals off)

Sharon walked around the car and reached her hand out, helping a creaky Blake get out of the car. She continued to hold his hand as they walked up the stone-flecked path toward the front door.

Garrison knew that three was once again a crowd, so he graciously ducked out.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

I'm going to Home Depot and then to get some lunch in town. (Hinting that he would be gone for a few hours)

Blake wasn't thinking about anything but his next painful step as he and his ex-wife entered the house.

Conversely, Sharon was all worked-up at the sight of her hunky ex- beau exerting himself physically. Before Blake even knew what was happening, Sharon came at him like a linebacker in pursuit of an immobile quarterback.

The power of love numbed Blake's pain and transitioned his focus solely to Sharon. Eighteen years of absence and wonder were bridged in the matter of 20 minutes.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Sweaty) Why did we break up?

BLAKE WALLACE

(Actually feeling better) I have no idea.

INT. DOCTor's office

It was finally the day that Carla and Drew's casts were to be removed. Days and nights of itching and scratching – at least under the casts – were about to come to a welcomed end.

Drew walked out of the exam room and raised his bare fists to the sky in victory as he stepped into the waiting room. He and Carla hugged.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I can't wait for you to get your cast off.

Drew took Carla's warm seat in the empty waiting room and

continued to flex his healed leg. Cal was sitting next to him, and wasted little time in stoking the flames. Moments earlier he had incited Carla to keep her hate of Brandon Justice alive.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Did I ever tell you about how I escaped from my grave at the bottom of the ocean?

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Thought about it as he continued to flex) No, I don't think you have. I mean, I know you escaped and I know you killed Hartwell and then came home, but I don't think I've ever heard your story about how you got out?

CALVIN BREWSTER

I've never told the story because there is no story.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Stopped moving and is miffed) What do you mean there is no story?

CALVIN BREWSTER

One minute I'm comatose and trapped in hell and the next minute I'm being rammed by some shark!

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Mutters) Huh? (Out loud) Did you say that you were rammed by a shark?

CALVIN BREWSTER

Yeah, a shark. Why?

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Freaked out) No reason. (His eyes reveal another story)

Cal listened to the response but saw the confused expression on Drew's face. He let it go for a few minutes, but that was all the grace period he would afford his nephew.

Carla came out with a pale arm, which in no way matched her other tanned arm, but at least it worked again.

EXT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - driveway

Drew was still getting used to his renewed mobility as they exited the car and walked toward the front door. He was being trailed by a persistent Cal, who was rigorously questioning Andrew about his reaction.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Why did you react that way, Drew?

Andrew was trying to get as far away from his uncle as possible.

ANDREW BREWSTER

It doesn't matter anymore! (Walks into the house)

That wasn't the uplifting homecoming Emily Brewster was expecting. She headed toward the front door and stopped her brother, who was in hot pursuit.

EMILY BREWSTER

Whoa! What's going on here?

CARLA PERKINS

(Moved by the twins and was polite) Excuse me. (Headed toward Drew)

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Yells) He knows more than he's saying, Em!

Carla followed Drew into the backyard and tried to be supportive.

EXT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - BACKYARD

CARLA PERKINS

What's wrong with him?

ANDREW BREWSTER

He's a lot more like me than I thought.

CARLA PERKINS

What is he talking about, Drew?

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Ready to spill) When Daniel came to me and told me that he was a vampire, I was really angry and upset.

He burned a hole in the concrete patio with his eyes, as he looked for the words to present themselves.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I jumped in the air and changed into a hawk and kept climbing until I couldn't breathe anymore. And then I plunged into the ocean, picking speed as I bulleted downward, wanting to crash my head into any unforgiving surface.

Drew then picked up his head and looked into Carla's big brown eyes.

ANDREW BREWSTER

When I hit the water I did something that I had never done before.

CARLA PERKINS

What's that?

ANDREW BREWSTER

I turned into a shark.

Emily and Cal gasped in unison in stunned disbelief.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(From the top step of the back patio) I knew it!

He then walked onto the patio and confronted Drew, and Emily followed.

CALVIN BREWSTER

What the f...

Emily elbowed him in the ribs to be more supportive.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Why have you been holding out on us?

Drew was confused by all of the sudden attention.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I didn't realize it until you talked about a shark ramming into the rocks.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Looks at Cal) Evolutionary tract.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Mulls it over) Evolutionary tract.

A familiar visitor was standing next to Drew on the patio, yet was completely undetected. Daniel was back at Hartwell's a split-second later.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Evolutionary tract.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Where do you come from?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Brewster's.

THOMAS HARTWELL

I thought you made it so they couldn't start any trouble?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Ignores the comment) What does evolutionary tract have to do with Cal getting free?

THOMAS HARTWELL

I don't know? You tell me.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Can hunter's swim?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Quips) Not very well, I'll tell you.

He could see that Daniel was losing patience, and that wasn't necessarily a good thing. At least not this time.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Tries to jumpstart his slow brain) Evolutionary tract. Evolutionary tract. Ah! It is possible for us – and by 'us' I mean vampires, protectors and hunters – to develop a new iteration, or evoke a new skill over time, over subsequent generations. Why? Who? What has Andrew gotten himself into?

Before Daniel could ask Hartwell if he wanted to see the image, it was playing in his head. Once Hartwell had viewed the particulars, he looked at Daniel in amazement.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You see, I can't... couldn't do that. A perfect example of evolutionary tract. So, Drew is a shark? I could have told you that.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Nods) Evolutionary tract.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Nods) Evolutionary tract.

Aside from the teenagers going to college, the reality of aging had sunk in to the minds and bodies of all the adults. Beach Haven Fitness was about experience some increased activity of the competitive kind.

INT. Beach haven fitness club - MORNING

STEVE BARBARA

(Jacked up) We have free weights in the back, treadmills, bikes and ellipticals in the front, and circuit-training weights in the middle.

The muscular trainer was giving Hartwell, Belinda, Sharon, Blake and Garrison a tour after joining the health club one Saturday morning.

It had been a few days since Hartwell invited Sharon and Gary over to informally introduce them to the new Belinda.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

THOMAS HARTWELL

Belinda, this is... excuse me, were my protectors, Garrison and his daughter Sharon.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Confused) I was under the impression that we had already met.

She shakes both of their hands and then zooms into the kitchen to use a disinfectant wipe.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(To Sharon and Gary) She's trying to get used to the whole cleanliness thing.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(To Belinda) We had to protect our identities for obvious reasons.

INT. BEACH HAVEN FITNESS CLUB - MORNING

STEVE BARBARA

I like to hit up a 30-minute circuit, go to my bag for a protein bar, and then hit up another 20 minutes of free weights to really make my pec's burn.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Looks at Hartwell) Feel the burn!

STEVE BARBARA

(Excited) That's right, Sylvia! Feel the burn! Live the burn!

GARRISON PHILLIPS

Do you have a pool here?

Hartwell looked at Gary and smiled, knowing that his death-long protector missed swimming in the deep end of the ocean.

STEVE BARBARA

Glad you asked, Randy! Follow me to the aquatic center. Although I'm not a lover of water, it has cardiovascular benefits for people of an advanced age.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Jokes under his breath) Like your mother?

The group snickers.

STEVE BARBARA

(Undaunted) As a matter of fact, my mother has been known to get wet and enjoy playing enjoy playing with some water toys.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Couldn't take it) That's what she said.

STEVE BARBARA

That is correct, Blair! That is for sure what she said. Let's go back into the gym and I'll show you our basketball and racquetball courts.

The group walked out of the chlorine-laden cesspool of germs and back into the main workout area.

Sharon was still watching Hartwell's back, primarily out of habit and partly because he had a fuzzy-doodle hanging from his shirt. Once she removed the fuzzy-doodle, she spotted a familiar foe coming at them. She then reacted the only way she knew how, by securing the premises and hunkering down.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Brewster at three o'clock.

Sharon tripped over her father's size 13 shoes and wound up grabbing Stevie B.'s waist and forcing him to the ground. Stevie's body, however, never touched the ground and Sharon was on his back.

STEVE BARBARA

Yes, Samantha, it's an excellent time for a resistance-assisted, push-up demonstration.

She held on to the top-heavy Adonis like he was a mechanical bull and was about to get some airtime. Cal Brewster witnessed the snafu, and his initial scorn at the site of

Hartwell quickly turned into pure concern for his lost love, Sharon.

For her part, Sharon held on for a good eight seconds, which was some sort of unofficial record at the club. As she tried to hold on for the ninth second, Sharon went flying into the air as Stevie B. exploded from the down position to the up position.

Cal was no longer explosively fast but he did have a very quick first step. He ran the 20 feet over to the spot where he anticipated Sharon would land, but he went from hero to zero in the blink of an eye.

Sharon was about to land on her feet but Cal knocked into her and she spun around and was headed for a back-to-floor crash.Hartwell, Blake and Gary ran over to Sharon to see if she was all right, and Belinda took her time getting over there.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

Are you okay?

Sharon sat up and winked at Belinda, who had managed to cushion her spinning body just before she hit the floor.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Plays along) My neck.

The clueless trainer transitioned into a handstand. In his steroid-infused haze, building muscle upon muscle was a pursuit the one-dimensional flexor gladly pursued.

Blake looked over at Belinda and she knowingly smiled as he smirked back. He felt good being part of a team for a change, instead of always going it alone.

Thaddeus, Emily, Drew and Carla sped over to help Cal get up, but he wouldn't accept the assistance. He never accepted assistance.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Gruff) I'm all right. Let me get up!

Cal then tried to walk over to Sharon but Blake blocked his path.

BLAKE WALLACE

(Extends his forearm into Cal's chest) We got this, Brewster.

Cal only liked contact if he could reciprocate.

CALVIN BREWSTER

You better watch it, fat boy. Never know when my foot will go up your...

BLAKE WALLACE

(Leans in and says in a stern voice to Cal) Wouldn't want to wake you up in the middle of the night and stick you in a jail cell for the rest of your life with a roommate named Bubba. Would you, Calvin?

Cal backed up to see if Blake was for real. Blake cut to the chase and flashed his FBI credentials.

BLAKE WALLACE

Sir, are you making a threat against the U.S. government? (Moves in closer to Cal, as testosterone shoots through his body) Stay away from her, Brewster. She's mine. She's always been mine.

Cal wanted nothing more than to lunge at Blake and take his head off, and he would have tried it if Drew and Thaddeus hadn't hauled his short-tempered butt out of the club.

Blake winked at Cal and then blew him a kiss, as Brewster had his 'killer eyes' on once again.

Sharon watched the machismo show from the carpeted floor, and counted it as the single greatest moment of her life. Nicole's birth would have obviously been in the top spot if Blake had been there. The arrival of her beautiful girl was definitely bittersweet.

The botched rescue attempt and subsequent confrontation made Cal want to be with Sharon even more.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - KITCHEN

EMILY BREWSTER

Why are you so hooked on that boney beyotch?

Call rolled his eyes because getting in touch with his sensitive side was definitely an expensive long-distance call.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Don't make me say it! You know why I did it!

Drew and Carla sat down at the kitchen table, joining Emily and Thaddeus. Cal remained standing. They all waited for Cal to speak and he delivered.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Yells) I love her!

Sound waves traveled through the atmosphere and penetrated the keen senses of Belinda Thompson, who was sitting in the center of Hartwell's main room meditating with her eyes closed. Belinda opened her eyes violently and was in the Brewster's kitchen alongside Cal, undetected, before the next word was spoken.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Shocked and in disbelief) What do you mean you love her? When did this happen?

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Reluctant) A few days before **he** buried me.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

What about Belinda?

The question was also on the tip of Andrew's tongue, but he slammed on the breaks when thoughts of cheating on Carla with Nicole danced through his head.

Belinda waited anxiously for Cal's reply - as if she was watching the juicy part of a soap opera - only she was being mentioned in all of the drama.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Turns cold) What about Belinda?

He said it as if Belinda wasn't even worth mentioning in the same breath as Sharon.

Belinda was furious! She also happened to be a powerful vampire that could end Cal with one swipe of her extended claws. Her face turned veiny and her teeth extended as she reached her right arm back and was about to literally wipe that stupid look off his face.

Good thing that Daniel was faster than his mother, because he grabbed her and whisked her away before anyone in the kitchen realized they were there.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - LATER that day

Cal wasn't satisfied with anything, let alone his embarrassing effort at the health club and then being questioned by his family about his feelings for Sharon. He is walking toward the front door.

EMILY BREWSTER

Where are you going? (She really knows where he is headed)

Cal stopped in his tracks and stood two feet in front of his sister.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Have we lost this thing? (Points to his eyes and then her eyes)

EMILY BREWSTER

(Immediately takes down her emotional walls) No, of course not.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Then you're gonna' stop asking me questions you already know the answer to.

EMILY BREWSTER

Yes. (They hug)

Emily watched Cal walk out of the front door even though she knew that dating the enemy – even in times of mortality – was never a good or lasting thing.

If anyone knew about dating the other side it was Emily Brewster. Her contentious relationship with Hartwell landed her in hot water with her father many times, and Hartwell knew it and used it to his advantage.

Their relationship was passionate but was based more on Hartwell's desire to manipulate and control, rather than his unending desire to be with her. His heart had only one destination in all his years as a vampire, and that was with his wife Maggie. The rest of his liaisons were about filling time and covering a fraction of the huge void left by her death.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN TOWN

Cal was initially frustrated with his lack of tracking skills, because under 'normal' conditions he could smell Sharon's scent – even in the faintest of zephyrs.

But he decided to let his natural instincts take over, and when that failed he went into Beach Haven Bagel to get some lunch. Cal took his everything bagel with cream cheese - hold the lox because he abhorred anything that came from water, except Sharon - and sat outside on Sunset Drive on a bench in the shade.

INT. BEAch haven bagel

Cal opened his brown bag and pulled out a plastic bottle of water and placed it on the green bench made completely out of recycled materials. Then he removed the almost Frisbee-sized bagel, which was wrapped tightly in thin white paper. He reached deep into the bag and extracted a few napkins because he knew that eating such a cream cheese bomb would be messy.

Cal dove into the bagel and left a huge smear of cream cheese on his left cheek. The plate-less form of dining was difficult but he managed to maintain a firm grip on the edible planet.

Sharon happened to be in town with Nicole, as she hoped to perk her sleepy daughter up with a hair styling at the Beach Haven Beauty Salon. Of course, complete beautifying took in excess of an hour, which gave Sharon plenty of time to walk around and shop.

She perused some of her favorite local shops including Beach Haven Resale, Antiques, Organics and Tennis, and worked up quite an appetite spending Hartwell's money, so she headed to the bagel place.

Sharon was going to find a table and read a local paper while eating lunch, but she noticed a familiar face on the way in.

BAGEL PETER

What can I get you, Mrs. Phillips?

The kid was one of Nicole's classmates and Sharon felt old and thought for a moment about saying, "You can call me Sharon," but pulled up in the nick of time.

SHARON PHILLIPS

I'll have the usual, Peter.

Pete smiled as he spread whitefish salad on a pumpernickel bagel and then topped it off with lox cream cheese. Sharon grabbed a water from the glass fridge.

BAGEL PETER

Is that for here, or to go, Mrs. P?

SHARON PHILLIPS

I think I'll get that to go.

Sharon grabbed the brown paper bag off the counter and said goodbye to Peter.

The one pure thing about Cal and Sharon's short, yet intense relationship was the directness. In contrast, she was never able to tell Blake the truth when they were married, even though he had a wide range of suspicions about her activity. Cal and Sharon obviously knew that the hunter-protector relationship was taboo in the vampire world, yet their resilient bond still shattered all of the unwritten rules.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Is this seat taken?

Cal looked up and was about to say "Yes," so he could be alone, but he did an inspire double-take at the sight of her. He half stood-up and fumbled to keep a grasp on both the English language and his food. Sharon sat down and Cal settled in as she took her bagel out of the bag.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Whitefish and lox cream cheese on pumpernickel?

Not another word was spoken for the next five minutes. Cal and Sharon sat two feet apart on the bench like a couple of shy, inexperienced teenagers.

Cal turned to say something to Sharon but the words never came out. She had a mouthful of bagel and tried to get his attention by motioning to the smear of cream cheese on his left cheek.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Notices her motioning) What?

It took Sharon more than a few chews to get the glob of food down her gullet. She kept pointing to his face and Cal kept wiping every part of his face except for the white streak of cream cheese.

He became frustrated and Sharon couldn't watch his finger dance anymore, so she inched closer to him and grabbed his head with both of her hands to get him to calm down. All of Cal's anxiety melted away when Sharon took her right thumb and sweept it gently – but deeply – over the errant cheese spread.

What happened next was pure instinct – and it also blew Cal's mind. She removed the cream cheese from the now-clean cheek and then disposed of it as only a heat-seeking missile would. Cal was about to offer a napkin, but Sharon had other ideas. She retracted her right arm and had this devilish look on her face as her thumb approached her mouth. Sharon's lips parted as she surrounded the thumb and then seductively licked the cream cheese clean off.

It wouldn't have mattered if every hunter and protector in the free world was watching. Nothing was going to stop the tsunami of emotions that had been building up for the past 15 years.

Their lips crashed into each other and they were going at it – almost on the street – until they decided to take the party to Cal's favorite location for violent contact, a nearby alley. Five-to-seven minutes later, Cal and Sharon were re-adjusting their clothes.

SHARON PHILLIPS

We have to keep this on the down-low.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Agreed.

They kissed and then tried to play if cool as they went their separate ways.

Cal happily strolled home and a disheveled Sharon walked over to the beauty salon to pick up Nicole.

She walked in and then paid the woman with the mountain of hair at the front desk, who was going to suggest a little work to Sharon's crushed hair with a few leaves and a twig thrown in for good measure.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(To Nicole) You look beautiful!

Nicole looked over her mother and then removed some of the birds' nest items from her hair.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

What happened to you?

Sharon beamed but didn't verbally reply, not that words were necessary. They walked out of the front entrance and Nicole glanced at her mother.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Gasps) No! No, you didn't!

Nicole pulls Sharon to the side of the building to avoid making a scene.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

You're with both of them now, aren't you?

Sharon's euphoria was tempered by her daughter's pattern in the not- too-distant past. She spoke as a mother putting her daughter in her place.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Like you're one to talk.

Nicole couldn't argue with that observation, being that she had been with Daniel and Andrew, as they started walked down the block toward their car.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Oh, and by the way. I was talking to Tabatha as she was shampooing my hair...

SHARON PHILLIPS

Hasn't she been married four times? You know that it also means that she has been divorced three times.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Anyway... she noticed I was a little sluggish and I started telling her about my symptoms.

They got into the car.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Symptoms?

They both put their seat belts on.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Yeah, you know, I've been tired and haven't had a normal cycle for a few months.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Mutters) Oh, no. How long has it been?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Smirks uneasily) June.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Goes numb) What did Tabatha think?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Looks straight ahead as Sharon pulls out of the parking spot) She thinks I'm pregnant.

Sharon wasted no time as she found the nearest drug store and then walked out with a pregnancy test, or two. The number actually ballooned to three by the time she got to the counter and spied another test that was slight more effective, but blood had to be drawn.

They walked through the door of the house and Garrison was there to greet them, as only Gary could.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(Trying to lift Nicole's spirits) Honey, you look so beautiful!

And then the pendulum swung the other way.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(To Sharon) What the hell happened to you? (Jokes) Did a wild animal drag you into the bushes and have his way with you?

Nicole snickered after kissing her grandpa', but Sharon wasn't amused - although she couldn't refute his account of her encounter with Cal.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Hey, keep laughing pregnant girl!

Nicole went to the bathroom as Sharon kept talking to her father.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

Daniel knocked her up?

SHARON PHILLIPS

Well, that's another story.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(Shocked and horrified) The father's not Danny?

SHARON PHILLIPS

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. We haven't taken the tests yet.

While Gary paced nervously in the kitchen like an expectant great-grandfather, Nicole and Sharon were in the bathroom trying to shed some more light on the situation.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Are you sure you don't know who the father is?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Peeing on a stick) I mean, it could one of two people. Either Danny or Drew. How long does this take?

SHARON PHILLIPS

When were you with Drew?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Remember that day that Danny broke up with me?

SHARON PHILLIPS

And you were crying so much that I had to go out and get you more tissues.

Nicole smiled.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Half-kidding) You little tramp! Only that one time?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Her face is flush with the truth) Yes, only that one time.

SHARON PHILLIPS

All right. Let's do this blood test. (She removes a small silver contraption from the box after reading the instructions) That other test will take a few minutes to reveal either a pink dot or nothing.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Pink dot means pregnant?

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Looks at the box) Yes. Now give me your left index finger.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Why the left one?

SHARON PHILLIPS

Because you just peed on the right one. Now, you'll feel a little prick.

SHARON AND NICOLE

(They look at each other and say simultaneously) That's what he said.

Sharon smiled as she pricked Nicole's finger and the drop of blood collected in the testing receptacle.

Daniel was half-way through a graduate degree in kinesiology when the download was halted. Blood of his soul match was airborne and Daniel was inside of the Phillips house before it hit the testing kit well. He was there undetected.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Standing in the shower) Why am I here?

Sharon had another test in the plastic bag, but decided to utilize it if the results were split and there was a need for a tiebreaker.

They spied the first test, a simple stick that started to turn subtly pink and then darkened to a positive over the next minute or two. Test number two was billed as "the same test used by doctors," and was the first of its kind being offered over-the-counter.

Daniel was initially thinking, or hoping, that the tests were for Sharon. Being 18 and recently vampired probably wasn't the ideal time to become a father, he thought.

The women waited for the digital readout on test number two, as the meter blinked for - what seemed like forever – until the abbreviation "POS" fixed on the LED screen.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Well, it's official, you're pregnant!

Daniel floated in the air after he half-passed out from the excitement. He was in a state of euphoria until he heard Sharon say.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Who are you going to call first?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Thinks) That's a strange question to ask? Who else would she want to contact but me?

Nicole didn't have an answer.

SHARON PHILLIPS

You have to call Danny first.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

You know, all I have to do is call his name and he will be here.

SHARON PHILLIPS

What do you mean?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Daniel. I need you.

Daniel was still in the shower, but he zipped into the hallway and then peaked his head through the bathroom door.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yes, love.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Wow! That's impressive. I want one of those.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Hugs Daniel) She needs you, Danny.

She then exited and he looked down at the tests, as if seeing them for the first time.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I'm pregnant.

Their relationship had become so straightforward that deception and withholding information had no place.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I know. I was standing in the shower.

Nicole looked down at her slightly-bloody finger and offered it to him as a peace gesture. Daniel savored the taste and then returned the glistening clean finger and the rest of her hand back to his girlfriend.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Do you know everything?

DANIEL THOMPSON

What else is there to know?

Daniel put his hand on her shoulder, triggering a three-second reel of Drew with Nicole.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Surprised) Drew? Is it his?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I don't know? It could be either of you.

DANIEL THOMPSON

When were you with him?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

The day you broke up with me. I was out of my mind!

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Nods in understanding) So was I. I never should have done that to you. And you know that no one is 'better than you.'

Nicole smiled and then they hugged.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Let's hope for the best, Nic.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I already have the best.

The next day, Nicole had to break the news to Drew. Surely she knew there would be repercussions – Carla wouldn't be pleased but that actually brought Nicole some level of comfort amidst a sea of confusion.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Texts to Drew) Need to talk. Come alone.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(To Carla as they lay in bed) I'm going for a run.

It was 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning and Carla wanted nothing to do with physical activity, so she rolled over and went back to sleep. She would have been much more curious if she had been awake, though.

EXT. Beach haven park

Andrew jogged over to Beach Haven Park and saw Nicole anxiously pacing in the grassy open field. He pulled up when he was about 50 yards from her and walked the remainder of the gap so he could catch his breath.

Drew's first instinct was to kiss Nicole on the cheek, but he thought better of it. The last time she had texted him he wound up in a compromising situation.

Nicole wasn't sure how angry Drew had become and was content in letting him make the first move.

ANDREW BREWSTER

Hey.

She was originally going to start with some light small talk and then move on to the heavy lifting, but that went by the board real fast.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I'm pregnant.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Was still quite a distance away emotionally) That's great, Nicole!

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(She turned more serious) No, I'm pregnant!

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Catches on and then is overtaken by his emotions) What?

Nicole looked down toward the ground as Drew pressed on.

ANDREW BREWSTER

What does that mean, Nicole?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Softly) I don't know who the father is.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Agitated) What? Speak up! What did you say?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Yells) I don;t know who the father is, Drew!

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Started to get a grip) Me or Danny?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Nods) You or Danny.

Drew walked away without looking at her or speaking another word. After all these years he was still stuck in a pain triangle between he, Nicole and his cousin Daniel, and this time he was determined to come out on top.

Drew took his time getting home that day and Carla knew something was up. Her man was never irresponsible or out of touch - or so she thought.

There was so much to think about for young Andrew Brewster. His brief encounter with Nicole was something he figured was buried deep in the not-too-distant past. But he did the crime – the crime of falling back on an old habit and betraying someone he loved – and now he had to do the time.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Thinks out loud) Why had Nicole been able to reach me? Was I still in love with my childhood sweetheart, even though my best friend was going out with her? What about Carla? Is she my true love, or someone that came along on the rebound from his disappointment from losing Nicole?

All of Drew's questions were answered when he walked through the door of his house and he locked eyes with Carla Perkins. She saw the bewildered look in Drew's eyes – it was the same look he had when they first met that summer a few years earlier.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE

She ran to him and they met in the kind of hug that tells you you're home.

CARLA PERKINS

Whatever it is, we'll get through it. (Although she knew the look in her man's eyes could mean only one thing: that Nicole Phillips was involved somehow)

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Interprets her words as a green light) Nicole's pregnant and I might be the father.

Carla backed up and pushed Drew hard with both hands.

CARLA PERKINS

Except for that!

She lunged at Drew and started beating him down. She jumped on him and the landing made a huge thud. Emily Brewster heard the noise from her second home in the basement and ran upstairs.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Screams) Dad! Cal! (She closes the gap on the Carla/Drew pile.

CARLA PERKINS

(Yells) You slept with her? How man times were you with that tramp?

Emily tried to pull Carla off but wasn't able to do anything until Thaddeus ran in from his bedroom to aid the effort. Cal was out undoubtedly scouting locations – from his choice of darkened, remote alleys – to meet Sharon that night.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

What's going on here?

CARLA PERKINS

Nothing, we're good.

Emily and Thad relaxed for a second and Carla hauled off and slapped Andrew clean across the face, sending him back toward the ground.

EMILY BREWSTER

Whoa! What did he do?

CARLA PERKINS

(Disgusted and out of breath) He slept with Phillips!

EMILY BREWSTER

(Appalled) Oh, then he hasn't had enough! (She backhands Drew on the top of the head, and then looks at Thaddeus) You want to get a shot in?

THADDEUS BREWSTER

(Angry) No, he's had enough. For now!

CARLA PERKINS

(Grunts) I have to get out of here! (Gets her purse from the kitchen and then walks over Drew on her way out of the house)

Drew started to get up to chase after her, but his mother grabbed him by the shoulder.

EMILY BREWSTER

No, not a good idea! Give the girl some space.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

Daniel returned home and looked less-than-confident for the first time as a vampire.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Sitting on the couch playing video games) What's up, D?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Shouldn't you be doing your homework?

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Was about to reply) Already done. (But he knew Daniel would scan his books) After this game.

Daniel then focused his attention on locating Hartwell and his mother. Hartwell was driving back from his glorious weekend with Maggie and Belinda was at the hospital making a blood withdrawal.

So, Daniel focused his attention on his dad. The couple was about 60 miles from home and Daniel couldn't wait to talk. He extracted Maggie and her luggage from the vehicle and brought her home, filling her head with glowing memories of the final leg of the trip, including a passionate goodbye kiss.

EXT./INT. Hartwell's car

In a matter of two seconds, Daniel placed himself back in the passenger seat, as Hartwell just noticed the seat was empty.

THOMAS HARTWELL

What the?

DANIEL THOMPSON

I really need to talk to you.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Maggie's home safe?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Shot him an 'of course' look) Nicole's pregnant, but she doesn't know who the father is.

Hartwell started laughing until he saw that Daniel wasn't smiling.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Are you serious? You're not serious.

Daniel again let his stoic face do the talking for him.

DANIEL THOMPSON

She was with Drew after I broke up with her.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Prideful) Just once.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yeah, that's what she said.

THOMAS HARTWELL

How many months is she?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Didn't know the answer to the question, so he scans Nicole's body) Three months.

THOMAS HARTWELL

So, it could be either one of you?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Dejected) Yeah.

Hartwell wouldn't allow his son to be down. He put his hand on his boy's shoulder.

THOMAS HARTWELL

But it's going to be you, son. She's one of us.

Belinda drank her fill at the hospital's blood bank and could sense that her son was in distress, once the platelet buzz wore off.

She popped into the back seat of Hartwell's car as he jumped when he looked into the rear-view mirror.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You scared me! What is with you people and the car pop-ins?

BELINDA THOMPSON

I'm sorry, Thomas. What did I miss?

Hartwell looked over at Daniel and the son deferred to the father.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Nicole is pregnant.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Mazel tov!

DANIEL THOMPSON

Mom, we're not Jewish.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Must have gone through Temple Shalom's blood drive donations. I'm still a little off from the buzz.

DANIEL AND HARTWELL

The buzzzzzz! (Bang fists in solidarity)

BELINDA THOMPSON

You guys are a little young, but I'm sure you must be excited, Danny!

DANIEL THOMPSON

She's not sure if it's mine.

Belinda tapped her ears to make sure her hearing wasn't going.

BELINDA THOMPSON

I'm sorry. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?

Daniel was in no mood to repeat himself, so he reached back and grabbed his mother's hand and replayed the PG-rated version of the series of events.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Andrew Brewster, you sly dog! That kid's been waiting to pounce on her ever since that dance your sophomore year.

Daniel again touched his mother's hand, but also gave Hartwell viewing privileges while keeping the car in lane.

The scene replayed of the tenth-grade dance and Nicole being accompanies by both of her guys. She had always been partial to Daniel as a love interest and Drew as a buddy, but the ball could have been dropped on either side that night.

Fast music turned slow and the moment of truth was upon the trio. As fate would have it, Andrew stepped up and asked Nicole to dance while Daniel held only his silence and regrets.

Just as they were going to walk out on to the gym floor, Drew was overcome by an explosion that was brewing in the back of his dress pants. Slo-motion video of vampire Hartwell slipping some liquid laxative into Drew's punch only moments before, revealed the source of the urgency.

Andrew excused himself and 'penguined' his way into the locker room, while Daniel took advantage of the opportunity and then love blossomed.

Ten minutes later, Drew emerged from the locker room and eventually found Daniel and Nicole in the middle of their first kiss right outside of the gymnasium.

Drew bounded off as a pit bull and then a huge fight ensued on the front lawn of the Brewster's house. Drew changed into a ram and speared Daniel, while Hartwell let Emily end one of his lives to save his then-mortal son.

Daniel flipped 3-D glasses on everyone and the proceeded to play back his first fight.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Wow! I missed out on all of this stuff!

THOMAS HARTWELL

I love what you've done with the slo-motion sequences. They're so realistic.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Still a little loopy) Again! Play it again!

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Nods) Okay.

BELINDA THOMPSON

It's your baby, Danny.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - KITCHEN

The families were well versed in the pregnancy and the possibilities there were for fatherhood. Everyone knew except Agent Blake and the alley cat known as Calvin Brewster.

It was late Sunday night and Andrew couldn't sleep. Actually, Carla had returned earlier in the evening and kicked him out of the room. She wanted nothing to do with him, at least for the time being.

Drew was sitting in the kitchen drowning his sorrows in a jar of chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk, when another dog with fleas slinked in through the back door.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Picks up his head) Uncle Cal!

Cal put his right index finger up to his lips for the boy wonder to lower the volume.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Set me up with one of those. I'm famished.

He indeed had worked up quite an appetite during a late-night workout with Sharon Phillips.

Drew was usually very boisterous around Cal, because he was excited to be with a male role model closer to his age – the stories he heard about the great Cal Brewster imprinted him as a legend in Drew's mind.

Cal sat down and Drew placed a tall glass of milk in front of him.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Picks up a cookie) Did your mom make these?

ANDREW BREWSTER

Yeah, after dinner.

CALVIN BREWSTER

What's going on, baby brother?

ANDREW BREWSTER

I found out that Nicole is pregnant, everyone here beat me down, and I might be the father.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Nearly chokes on the cookie, and then needs a few back slaps and a drink to make the cookie go down; he wipes away the tears from his eyes) Holy crap, Drew! You might have to give me some advanced notice next time you drop something that heavy on me.

ANDREW BREWSTER

Sorry.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Sorry? What are you sorry about? There is nothing sorry about you, my friend! (He slaps Drew's hand in congratulations) You were with Sharon's daughter?

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Sheepish) Yeah.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Macho) Own that, Drew! Wear it like a gold medal!

Drew didn't know what to think, especially with a volcano named Carla sleeping in his room.

Cal understood his nephew because he, too, was always toeing the line.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Face-full of cookie) I'm in that, too.

Drew searched his mind for 'in that' but his mental search engine came up with no hits. Then Cal raised his eyebrows a few times and the cylinders in Drew's mind finally clicked.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Shocked) You and Nicole's mom?

Cal again implored Drew to keep it down.

CALVIN BREWSTER

We had a thing before I got buried. Jealous vampire – that's probably the reason he buried me in the first place.

The two men went back and forth, sharing their experiences about the Phillips' women, until the bragging came to an abrupt halt.

Emily Brewster, half-asleep and hair all over the place, shuttled into the kitchen.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Smirks) Go to sleep, doggies! (And then she went back to sleep)

EXT. BEACH HAVEN TOWN - MIDDAY

Nicole Phillips met her dad for lunch the next day in town. He could sense that she had something heavy on her mind the minute he kissed her hello.

BLAKE WALLACE

What's wrong, Nicky?

There was no easy way to tell your father – even if he was absent for most of your life – that you were 18 and pregnant. So, she just came out with it.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I'm pregnant.

Blake thought there would be many years for he and his daughter to make up for lost time, before he became a grandpa'. He knew that Nicole had been active with at least two boys – Daniel and Andrew – from his FBI surveillance feeds.

BLAKE WALLACE

(Takes a shot) Daniel or Drew? (He expects to hear Daniel's name)

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I don't know?

Saying that you don't know who your child's father is, is like telling your father that you are becoming a stripper full-time instead of going to college. Not good. Blake's pale face turned beet red as he was at a loss for words.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

But, you knew about Drew and Danny.

BLAKE WALLACE

(Strokes his the three-day growth of his beard) Yeah, but I just thought there wouldn't be a question of who you would be with the rest of your life.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Drops her head and then picked it up) Me, neither.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN TOWN

Carla had more than enough hearing about the Nicole pregnancy, so she headed out by herself into town. It had been a few days since Drew broke the news to her and she hadn't talked to him since, despite his continued pleadings.

She had spent most of her life trying to avoid her vampire, the one- and-only Brandon Justice, who used just about every opportunity to make her otherwise simple life a living hell.

Carla was sitting outside of Beach Haven Coffee when she spotted her old friend Brandon walking out of Beach Haven Games.

CARLA PERKINS

(Yells) Brandon!

The 16 year-old Justice looked around to see if anyone was really calling him. It wasn't often – actually never – when someone would call his name. Although his senior year of high school was going well, it wasn't going that well.

He spotted Carla sitting down the block outside the coffee house and viewed his perfect vision as a curse for the first time. Brandon's first reaction was to run, so he did. He wasn't a very swift runner.

CARLA PERKINS

(Yells) You know I can catch you!

She waved him over, feeling empowered that she now controlled their relationship.

He figured that Drew was waiting in the wings, so he took his time walking over. Brandon even thought about calling for Daniel, but decided to wait to see what happened first.

CARLA PERKINS

What are you drinking, Justice?

A teenage waitress with wearing glasses and a smile stood next to Brandon.

VALERIE WINTERS

The usual, Brandon?

BRANDON JUSTICE

That would be dandy, Valerie.

Carla mouthed the word "dandy," as Valerie walked away.

CARLA PERKINS

She likes you. (Slugs Brandon playfully in his arm like two old friends)

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Mouths) Ow!

CARLA PERKINS

Don't be such a softie! Remember those days when you tortured me until I wanted to be anything but alive? You know, I even considered

ending it all a few weeks before I met Andrew. Now that's the furthest thing from my mind.

Brandon wasn't sure how to respond to such a strong statement, but he was glad she was talking instead of beating him to a pulp.

BRANDON JUSTICE

I'm sorry. I wish I could take it all back and make it up to you.

CARLA PERKINS

(Smiles for the first time in days) Well Brando, this is your lucky day! I have a lot on my mind and I need to dump it on someone. Better you than someone I actually care about.

Valerie the waitress walked back outside and put Brandon's cup on the table.

VALERIE WINTERS

One large pumpkin-spiced iced latte with soy milk. Will there be anything else? (Leans over toward Brandon) Would you like one of those gluten-free scones to go with that?

CARLA PERKINS

(Laughs) Pay the girl.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Hands Valerie a $20 bill) Sure, that would be great! (Awkward) Would you like to go to the science museum some time? They have an arachnid exhibit coming next week.

VALERIE WINTERS

(Gasps) Yes! (Walks away excited and flushed)

Valerie came back with a pumpkin scone and

something a bit different.

VALERIE WINTERS

I took the liberty of whipping up some lactose-free Crème fraiche with some pumpkin shavings on top.

Brandon was amazed.

VALERIE WINTERS

(Gushes) It's my own recipe. (She puts the scone down and then hands him money) Here's your change.

He quickly pulled out five-dollar bill to give her as a tip.

VALERIE WINTERS

(She waves him off) Save it for the gift shop when we go to the science museum.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Next Saturday at 10 a.m.?

VALERIE WINTERS

Let's make it 9:30. I want to be in the front of the line when the exhibit opens.

While Carla was enjoying the brainiac banter, it was time to focus on more important things like her life.

CARLA PERKINS

It's a date!

Valerie smiles and walks away.

CARLA PERKINS

You are quite the ladies' man, Justice. Arachnids are spiders, right?

Brandon nodded and was about to go into a full description –

including correct her and talking about other forms – before Carla stepped on his words and squashed his knowledge.

CARLA PERKINS

Ew! That's gross! You two are freaky! I always knew there was something wrong with you.

Brandon started eating his scone and was quite pleased with the taste. He looked back through the window at Valerie, who was watching to see if he enjoyed it, and gave her a thumb up.

CARLA PERKINS

(Impatient) Okay, enough with the dating game. I have some things I need to get off my chest.

BRANDON JUSTICE

So hostile.

CARLA PERKINS

So hostile? Weren't you the guy that tortured me all those years?

BRANDON JUSTICE

I'm different now.

CARLA PERKINS

(Calms down) Maybe so, but you're gonna' make it up to me. Just sit there and play therapist while I talk. Okay?

BRANDON JUSTICE

Okay.

CARLA PERKINS

You've heard about Nicole being pregnant and not knowing who the father is.

He nodded as he continued to eat and drink.

The usually-composed Carla dropped her head and started to cry. Brandon didn't notice at first because he was elsewhere, strolling in a pumpkin patch. When he finally heard her crying, he fumbled to offer her a few Beach Haven Coffee napkins.

CARLA PERKINS

The doctor said I should wait two weeks, but I was so excited...

Brandon really wasn't that interested at first, but then he became intrigued.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Doctor? What doctor?

CARLA PERKINS

My GYNOB.

Justice was a walking dictionary of facts and useless figures, but he wasn't as well versed in the more intimate of sciences.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Thinks to himself) What's a gynob? Is it some kind of creature from a dark cave or a toxic lagoon?

She could see the confusion in his inexperienced face – even through her tears.

CARLA PERKINS

I'm on the pill.

Again, it took Justice a few seconds to process the information.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Loud) Oh, the pill!

CARLA PERKINS

Why don't you say that a little louder? I think there was a kid in the toy store down the block that didn't hear you.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Whimpers) Sorry.

Carla wasn't sure how to air the next part of her story. It had been more than three months since she left the doctor's office in Portland with her mother, who was happy to support her daughter's transition into womanhood.

Her silence created an opportunity for a question from Brandon.

BRANDON JUSTICE

So, why are you so upset talking about the pill?

Carla tried to keep her emotions in check and finally free herself from the weighty truth.

CARLA PERKINS

Because it didn't work.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Mumbles) It didn't work? (Then he understands) It didn't work. That means you're pregnant.

She pointed at him that he had finally hit on the issue.

CARLA PERKINS

I think so.

BRANDON JUSTICE

You don't know for sure?

CARLA PERKINS

I was afraid to take a test. At least, until **she** announced her pregnancy.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Nicole isn't so bad.

Carla initially had the look that she was going to stand up and smack him on the side of the head, or something else involving unbridled aggression – but she rethought her strategy.

CARLA PERKINS

Look, I might have a kid in here. (Rubs hers stomach) That really wasn't the smartest thing to say to me when I just found out that my boyfriend – and potentially the father of my child – was with **her!**

Brandon had finished the scone and slurped down the last of his iced Latte.

CARLA PERKINS

Do you have time to go with me somewhere? It will just take a few minutes.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Wary) Are you going to drag me into an alley again?

CARLA PERKINS

(Playful) No, unless you want me to.

Justice agreed and then turned back to wave goodbye to Valerie, who was smiling and waving in the front window. He turned to walk with Carla, who was much more of a woman than school-aged Valerie.

Valerie's smile turned to scowl as she watched them walk down the street. She wiped a wood table down so hard that she nearly stripped the varnish off the surface.

Carla walked quickly down the block and Brandon followed close by.

CARLA PERKINS

Let's make this quick.

She turned toward the entrance of Beach Haven Drugs and walked through the sliding glass door to the pharmacy area.

INT. Beach haven drugs

CARLA PERKINS

(Locates the pregnancy tests) You pick one and I'll pick one.

Brandon quickly scanned over three or four boxes and selected the one he thought had the best statistical probability of producing an accurate prediction.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Confident) This one.

CARLA PERKINS

I'm too nervous to even read these things. Maybe I'll get the pink box... I like pink.

BRANDON JUSTICE

This one was second best.

She grabbed it out of his hand and walked over to the pharmacy register, and then dropped the boxes on the counter.

OLDER MALE PHARMACIST

Will that be all?

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Spots another test behind the man) Can I look at that box behind you?

Carla was even more confused, as all that was behind the man was shelf after shelf of boxes of all colors, shapes and sizes.

Of course, the pharmacist had narrowed down the selection universe to include only pregnancy tests, and the only the only test that customers had been repeatedly asking for.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Bingo! You have to have this one. Blood is a much more accurate predictor than urine.

CARLA PERKINS

How much is that?

OLDER MALE PHARMACIST

One hundred dollars.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Interjects) I got this! (Picks up the pink test and hands it back to Carla) You can put this one back.

He whips out his debt card, which was backed by the bank of Hartwell, and paid for both of the tests before handed the bag over to Carla.

Carla was a nice person – at least to the people that were nice to her and didn't torture her – but she wasn't sure how to act around Brandon.

They walk out of the store.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN TOWN

CARLA PERKINS

Thank you, Brandon. (Throws her arms around him and hugs him, much to his surprise and uncomfortability)

Valerie was on a break and was hiding behind a tree across the street. She was so angry from jealousy at the sight of seeing her man with another woman, that her heat from her body almost burned the 15-foot tree to the ground.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - NIGHT INTO DAY

It wasn't easy to do anything in secret inside the walls of the Brewster's house. Carla had every intention of going straight home and taking the pregnancy tests that night, but she was too nervous. She tossed and turned all night, and even thought about doing the test in the middle of the night, but Cal came home and was banging into things as usual.

One-by-one people filtered out of the house the next day. Emily went grocery shopping, Thaddeus met his friends for lunch, Cal went to the gym, and Andrew – not that she cared what he was doing – was in the backyard hanging out with Daniel.

In reality, Daniel was busy at home adding a few rooms onto the house with his mother, under the decorating and architectural guidance of the wonder they called Hartwell. Drew thought Daniel was there with him and, even better, Carla felt secure that Drew was occupied. So, she went into the bathroom to see what was going on.

Daniel was zipping around the house, but took occasional moments to scan his virtual interaction with Drew, and to see what else was happening. He and Drew were having a baseball catch and the rest of the house was vacant until Daniel tripped on some activity in Drew's bathroom.

Daniel usually respected the privacy of others, but once he sensed and elevated female heart rate, the situation called for further inspection.

Daniela again found himself standing in the shower, watching an 18 year-old girl taking a pregnancy test. He scanned her thoughts and discovered that she had not given the pill adequate time to take hold.

Test number one, the narrow white stick with the small preview window, turned pink as a Peeps marshmallow bunny on Easter. Daniel waited anxiously for test number two because it meant that a line of fresh blood would be opened.

Carla pricked her finger and the drop of blood collected into the testing reservoir. She was sitting on the toilet with the lid cover down and he was on that bloody finger and draining two pints of blood out of her in a matter of seconds.

The test flashed "POS" just as it had done for Nicole, and Daniel sent the imagery to Carla's brain as she passed out. He rested her comfortably against the shower tub basin and then gave her an hour to regenerate, while keeping everyone away from her.

Daniel didn't like to see his 'brother' in so much pain - even though he had been with his girl - so he implanted a wicked pee urge in his head, sending Drew inside for some relief.

Drew nearly hopped into his bathroom and noticed Carla sitting on the floor with her eyes closed. Daniel removed the bathroom urgency so Drew could focus on Carla.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Worried) Carla! (He dropped down to the floor and cradled her in his arms, kissing her cheek) You'll be all right, pookie bear. (Looks around as sees the pregnancy tests) What's going on?

CARLA PERKINS

(Opens her eyes) I'm pregnant.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Awkwardly jokes) You didn't sleep with Daniel, did you?

CARLA PERKINS

(Regains her senses) I wish!

Daniel was still in the shower and cocked his head to the side to suggest that he didn't expect that response.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

It was 7:30 a.m. and both Hartwell and Belinda were enjoying their morning brew. Hartwell preferred chai tea, while Belinda went old-school with the Beach Haven Retirement Community pint samples.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Swooshes into the room) We have to talk.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Loud) Speak up, sonny!

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Looks at Hartwell)

THOMAS HARTWELL

It appears that she temporarily takes on the characteristics of the people - the group - that gave blood.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Let me guess... the retirement community?

THOMAS HARTWELL

You're getting good at this. We'll be able to devise a drinking game

in a few years once you hit 21.

Daniel again looked at Hartwell like he was the big beast, and he could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted to do it.

BELINDA THOMPSON

What are you two youngsters talking about?

THOMAS HARTWELL

I sort of liked her better when she was part of that temple group.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I don't know. She's pretty cute right now. How long do you think it will last?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Another five or 10 minutes.

Hartwell sat down at the breakfast bar reading his paper and drinking tea while Belinda fell asleep.

Seven and-a-half minutes later, Daniel zipped back into the room.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I just built a glass-enclosed Florida room with an Olympic-sized pool, a lap pool, a Jacuzzi, and a eucalyptus sauna

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Gushes) Ooh! You know I wanted that lap pool and sauna.

DANIEL THOMPSON

It also has a retractable screened roof so we can keep those pesky mosquitoes out.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Was that all you did?

DANIEL THOMPSON

No, I also installed solar panels on the roof. We are all solar now!

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Wakes up) Solar?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Mom, are you back?

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Rubs her eyes and stretches) This blood thing is weird, but I'm back now.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Good, because we have to have a little family meeting.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Without Brandon?

DANIEL THOMPSON

It's about Brandon.

INT. PHILLIPS RESIDENCE

BLAKE WALLACE

(Questions his ex-wife) What's the deal with you and Brewster?

SHARON PHILLIPS

What do you mean?

BLAKE WALLACE

Are you trying to be like your daughter?

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Thinks about what she has in common with her daughter) Let's see... good looks, solid bone structure, love of all things chocolate, dating two guys at the same time. (To Blake) Our love of chocolate?

Blake had heard every possible alibi and excuse as an FBI agent. Although he had missed interacting with his daughter during her formative years, he knew a smokescreen when he saw it.

BLAKE WALLACE

Why do you find it necessary to date Cal Brewster when you're with me?

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Instead of admitting her indiscretion she goes on the attack) With you? I'm not with you. We were together a few times. That doesn't mean we're back together!

Blake was hurt once again by Sharon, just as he was some 18 years earlier.

BLAKE WALLACE

You go have fun with your hunter. I don't want to be part of this anymore.

Blake then walked away from the front of Sharon's house, got back on his bike and peddled away without another word spoken. Sharon was indignant to the charge, and believed her relationship with Cal would only get better.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - DREW's room

CARLA PERKINS

I got the pills before graduation.

ANDREW BREWSTER

So why didn't they work?

CARLA PERKINS

Because you're supposed to give it two weeks to take hold. I was so excited I couldn't wait.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I was, too.

CARLA PERKINS

What's going to happen if you have two babies?

Drew was so confused that his answer was having trouble routing from his brain to his mouth.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I don't know.

CARLA PERKINS

I don't know if I can stick around if that baby is yours.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I can't lose you, Carla. What can I do to make this right?

CARLA PERKINS

(Emphatic) Pray! Pray, Drew that her baby doesn't look like you. Pray that I can forgive you! Pray, Drew! Pray...

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

DANIEL THOMPSON

Brandon and Carla!

THOMAS HARTWELL

What about them?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Worried) They're getting close.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Chimes in) Oh, that's nice!

THOMAS HARTWELL

Maybe not.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Why?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Not the best idea for vampire and hunter to be friends. You never know when one side will snap.

Belinda nodded in understanding, and then Daniel coughed to get attention.

THOMAS HARTWELL

What?

DANIEL THOMPSON

And she's pregnant.

Hartwell never missed an opportunity for a good joke.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Don't tell me that she doesn't know who the father is. Daniel, are you not telling me something?

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Takes the bait) Yeah Danny, are you not telling us something?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Annoyed) No! I never went near Carla. The baby is Drew's.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Intrigued) So Drew could be the father of two babies?

BELINDA THOMPSON

Wow! That kid is potent.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Let's hope not.

Belinda looked at Hartwell and they realized that the all-powerful Daniel still had some semblance of an 18 year-old psyche.

BELINDA THOMPSON

We know so. (She glides over to Daniel and gives him a hug)

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Follows Belinda's lead and moves in close) We're all behind you, Daniel.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE - lATER THAT DAY

Daniel missed having Hartwell as both a life mentor and a guide into the vampire world. It was a much lonelier world without Hartwell steering the ship.

Hartwell, for his part, was completely focused on reinforcing his love for Maggie, but he knew the truth would have to eventually be told. A truth that would likely rock his love to the core, but would hopefully be overcome through a genuine belief that love can truly conquer all obstacles.

DANIEL THOMPSON

You gonna' ask her to marry you?

Hartwell knew the answer, but had difficulty mapping the journey.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You know I will, but I have to tell her about 'us' first.

DANIEL THOMPSON

So, you want me to come along while you show her the picture?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Nods) I want you to come along and show her the picture.

DANIEL THOMPSON

When are you going to do this?

THOMAS HARTWELL

When is Nicole due?

DANIEL THOMPSON

March.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Smiles) Then just before that. Maybe the first nice day just before winter is on its way out and spring signals its arrival.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I didn't know you were such a poet.

THOMAS HARTWELL

There are a lot of things you don;t know about me.

Daniel reached over and clasped Hartwell's hand and downloaded him.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Not anymore. What happens if spring is late this year?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Then take our chances we will.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Jokes) I didn't know you were so into crocheting rugs.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Embarrassed) Yeah, that was before I met your mom. It was the thing to do in the mid-1880's.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Whatever you say, dad.

Hartwell took the jab in stride knowing that his son finally felt as if he was home.

INT. PHILLIPS RESIDENCE

It was the beginning of the year and things had become clearer for Daniel. He experienced a personal breakthrough one afternoon following another visit from Drew, who apparently had gained some sort of frequent visitation rights to Nicole's stomach.

The baby started kicking as Drew was walked out of the room and the house. Daniel walked into the room.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(In pain) The baby is kicking hard!

Daniel placed his hand on her stomach and closed his eyes, sending him on a journey inside of her.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Internal) It's going to be all right, son.

BABY

(Stops kicking) Dad, can you stop him from coming by?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Smiles) I'll see what I can do, Max.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

The baby just stopped kicking and you look really happy. Do you want to share your sudden joy with the rest of the class?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Smile widens) Everything's going to be all right. (Reaches over and warmly holds Nicole and whispers in her ear) Everything's going to be all right.

INT. BEACH HAVEN FITNESS CLUB - MORNING

Daniel watched on a daily basis as his protagonists and antagonists waged their own personal war at the health club. Spin classes became a virtual Tour de France and kick boxing sessions turned into extreme cage fighting.

DANIEL THOMPSON

This is intense.

Daniel was battling Drew in a game of basketball at the club's gym. Drew was talking smack to virtual Daniel as the actual vampire hovered under the basket in meditation.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Drives to the basket) I'm gonna' take you to the hole, D!

Daniel debated whether he should send Drew's shot out of the gym, or let him score to boost his confidence. But Drew didn't need anymore confidence, being that he had thoughts in his head about fathering two children. So he smacked the shot away and the ball at such a high velocity crashed against the wall and instantly deflated. A shocked Drew looked at Daniel, in both shock and awe, until Daniel wiped his memory clean and replaced it with a winning shot.

ANDREW BREWSTER

In your face! (Stomps off the court in an ugly dance)

The virtual Daniel looked at hovering vampire Daniel and shook his head in disgust.

DANIEL THOMPSON

You should have let me flatten him.

VIRTUAL DANIEL

Your time will come.

INT. Beach haven boxing club

Cal took Andrew over to one of his favorite spots one afternoon after school, the Beach Haven Boxing Club. They walked through the door of the dimly-lit, stale-smelling yet full-of-life gym.

You would think that the greatest fighter of all time just walked in, seeing the greeting Cal was given.

BOXER ON THE SPEED BAG

Hey, champ!

A few more "champ" references had Andrew wondering what all of these people were talking about.

Cal looked toward the wall to their left and then nodded for Drew to look at it. Cal Brewster had been the light heavyweight champion of the world some 20 years earlier.

MORTIE ZUCKER

Looking good, champ.

Mortie is an aged figure with a gruff voice. His face had been weathered by too many whiskeys, fast dames and most of all, ring beatings.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Hey, Mortie. I brought my nephew in to spar with me. (He reaches in close and hugs his old trainer, while clasping a thick roll of one-hundred dollar bills into the proud man's wrinkled hand)

MORTIE ZUCKER

(Tears is his eyes) Thanks, champ. Thought we lost you for a while.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Never too late for a comeback, is it Mort?

MORTIE ZUCKER

I don't know, this kid looks like a real killer to me.

Drew had always been proud of his Uncle Cal, but this display of respect and generosity went beyond his expectations.

MORTIE ZUCKER

Clear the ring for the champ and the kid!

Cal made sure both of them had the proper headgear, gloves, cups and mouthpieces. Drew could barely feel his legs from nerves as he stepped through the ropes and into the ring. They start to move around.

CALVIN BREWSTER

I know what you're thinking. (He throws a left jab that grazed the left side of Drew's well-cushioned head) But, I boxed well before I got my powers. Your grandpa' taught me when I was nine.

Drew thought his uncle would spin him around the ring and put on a good show for the locals, and that's exactly what he did.

MORTIE ZUCKER

Combo, champ!

Two left jabs to the side of the head and then a right cross that connected with his nose, sent Drew reeling against the ropes. Cal was no longer Drew's uncle, but a highly-trained fighter who had the look of finishing what he started.

Drew was a few inches taller than Cal and outweighed him by at least 20 pounds, most of that muscle, which helped him absorb the initial punishment. He leaned back against the loose ropes as Cal tried to land a haymaker for the knockout. Drew ducked and avoided the punch and then countered with a furious left hook to the body.

MORTIE ZUCKER

Ohhh! Looks like your dad has been showing him a thing or two.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Blood trickled from his nose as he wiped it away with his right glove) Since I was nine.

They went on to beat each other into sweaty pulps – someone even got out a video phone and then posted the 15-round brawl on the Internet. Each fighter had nothing left in the tank but would not quit. They had to be pulled off each other when Mortie finally deemed that it was enough.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Till the death. (He huffs as they were clenched together)

ANDREW BREWSTER

Hartwell.

The name of their common enemy snapped Cal out of his killer daze and realize it was enough for the day.

INT. BEACH haven nail salon

While Drew was off playing with Cal, Carla would journey into town each week to the Beach Haven Nail Salon for a manicure and pedicure. It was the middle of winter and she was in her third trimester, so she elicited a new driver to shuttle her back and forth.

It had been quite a transformation for Brandon Justice from the world of control, to a place where he was finally starting to blend with mainstream society. The most radical change in his life had to be his relationship with Carla. Carla was as forgiving and she was positive, and she was also ruggedly beautiful. She would never grace the cover of a fashion magazine in a swanky dress, but if you put her in a pair of tight workout shorts and a cut-off tank top, she would sell a bundle of fitness magazines – even as a pregnant girl. She worked out every day and had gained only 12 pounds going into the last few months of her pregnancy.

BRANDON JUSTICE

You must have a baby treadmill in there, because you look great. (He sat next to Carla at the hydra foot-bath station.

CARLA PERKINS

Thanks! This kid's gonna' hit the ground running.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Any idea what it is? Besides being Homosapien, of course.

CARLA PERKINS

(Smirks) Yeah, I know what it is, but I'm not going to tell anyone. There's too much drama with all of these babies already.

BRANDON JUSTICE

What are you getting done today?

CARLA PERKINS

The works. You gonna' take the plunge and get some polish today?

Brandon was reluctant to get clear polish applied on his toes, thinking that it would be an emasculating experience. He and Carla were getting along so well, and it was so hard to say 'no' to a pregnant woman.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Okay.

She was delighted. She put her fist out and he gently banged his fist against it. It was official, they were now friends – if not girlfriends – but Brandon still had a lot to repent for.

INT. Hartwell's house - next morning

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Glides into the kitchen, as Brandon is sitting eating cereal at the table) Is that polish on your toenails?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Zips into the kitchen) Did you say something about polish?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Walks into the room) I went through a pedicure phase. (He moves in closer) Let me take a look at those bad boys.

Brandon extended his right, thonged foot – like a woman extended her engagement ring – and then the picture-show ensued. Daniel was upgrading his video capability almost daily and was now showing home movies in the middle of the room.

THOMAS HARTWELL

When did we get the 3-D set?

DANIEL THOMPSON

It just came in.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Sarcastic) This isn't hot, is it?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Oh, it's hot all right.

The playback of Brandon and Carla's nail appointment was rolling and the viewers were free to comment.

THOMAS HARTWELL

So, you're driving her to and from her appointments now?

BRANDON JUSTICE

Yes. She's pregnant and Andrew is always running around with his uncle.

Hartwell turned and looked at Daniel, as both men knew the young Brewster was now under Cal's 'dirty' wing.

BELINDA THOMPSON

I think that's so nice of you! (She takes a drink of her sippy bag of blood)

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Transmits his thoughts to Daniel) That boy better watch his back. If there's one thing I've learned after all of the years, it's that those Brewster's never stop coming – especially Cal.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Drew is just as intense.

The vampire then supplied a separate feed for Hartwell of Cal and Drew fighting. While Belinda and Brandon chit-chatted about clear nail polish and the advantages of using a clean soaking basin.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Can you hear what they're saying?

Daniel synthesized the information, thus equipping himself with the knowledge of their mutual loathing for Hartwell. He then played a remastered version of the exchange.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Ain't gonna' be no rematch.

ANDREW BREWSTER

Don't want one.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Shook his head in understanding) That was from the movie 'Rocky'.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Comes clean) Yes, it was.

In reality, they both knew that Hartwell's days were numbered, and – by the smiles on both of their faces – they were both all right with that.

INT. BEACH HAVEN BOXING CLUB - MORNING

Hartwell couldn't resist the opportunity to stroll into the Beach Haven Boxing Club one late February morning. Although his picture hadn't been hung on the wall of the club, he had seen his share of fights during the 19th century gold rush and beyond.

The overwhelming temptation to get in the ring and bash Cal Brewster's head in was unavoidable. Daniel tagged along to make sure that his father didn't do damage to his dad. Belinda also hovered outside the ring to see her ex-husband get his head handed to him.

Belinda never actually filed for divorce because she had already received the insurance proceeds from Cal's death a year after he disappeared. She also had the ability to make people believe just about anything she wanted, so a full divorce is what she desired – besides seeing him get what he had coming.

MORTIE ZUCKER

You here to work out, buddy?

The long and lean Hartwell looked down at the diminutive Zucker.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Cal Brewster.

Not quite the answer that Mort Zucker expected. In fact, he had been in the fight game for 60 years and was usually not surprised by the machismo always hovering around the gym. But this 'admission of stupidity' was different.

MORTIE ZUCKER

Did you say, Cal Brewster?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Confident) Yep.

MORTIE ZUCKER

What would you want with a champion like that? If you want his autograph I think I have a few signed pictures back in the office.

Hartwell again looked down at Mortie and then gazed into the ring.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Cal Brewster.

MORTIE ZUCKER

Okay, buddy. That's your funeral. (He starts walking and then stops in his tracks) Didn't catch the name?

Hartwell barely interrupted his focus on the ring.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Hartwell.

Mortie's mind was a little jumbled and he was going to ask if 'Hartwell' was his first or last name, but he shook his head, waved off the question, and then walked back into the office to call Cal from his landline phone.

Cal felt his cell phone vibrate in his shorts and noticed on his caller ID that the call was coming from the gym.

CALVIN BREWSTER

How come you're not using that cell phone I got you?

Mortie reached into the kangaroo pocket of his hooded sweatshirt and felt the phone.

MORTIE ZUCKER

Damn! I forgot about that!

CALVIN BREWSTER

That's all right. What's going on, Mort?

MORTIE ZUCKER

There's this guy names Hartwell...

That was all Mortie could get off before Cal hung up the phone and was already in motion. He was sitting in the coffee shop down the street from the gym and was through the door

just as Mortie hung up the phone and waddled confusingly out of the office.

As Mortie reached for his cell phone, Cal burst through the door of the boxing gym.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Incensed) Clear the ring!

BELINDA THOMPSON

This is going to be good! (She is hovering in a vacant spot next to Daniel across from the ring.

Daniel disappeared for a blink and returned with two big bags of popcorn and a few sippy bags.

BELINDA THOMPSON

The only thing that could make this better is if he flattened him with the first punch!

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Analyzes the measurables of both fighters and concludes) This might take a while.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Do you already know who's going to win? Oh please, don't ruin it for me! Unless, he's going to win.

It was a few weeks since Cal and Drew went at it in the ring, and Cal was itching to fight again. Mortality was definitely wearing on him, and he was an adventure junkie in need of an adrenaline fix.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Good morning, Calvin.

Cal's first psychotic instinct was to spin around and punch Hartwell in the face, but Daniel suppressed that urge.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To Hartwell) You know he was going to punch you.

Hartwell took off his New York Yankees baseball cap and tipped it to Daniel. He was the only guy in the gym who could see Belinda and Daniel, and he felt calmer knowing that Daniel would never let anything bad happen to him.

I wasn't the first time that Hartwell desired to be a vampire again. There was a certain freedom that came with the feeling of weightlessness.

"Floating on a cloud" was the way that Hartwell described it. He had so many dreams over the years that were focused on floating with Daniel.

Daniel was always tapped into Hartwell's thoughts, and he knew the future was now set in stone. There would be no stopping destiny from steamrolling mortality and restoring the full balance of power.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To Hartwell) I look forward to it.

Hartwell was back to feeling like a god again.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(After the fight, she asks Daniel) Can you do anything for his face?

It was another fight that Mortie had to stop because death was on the horizon.

Daniel got inside of Hartwell's body and accelerated his blood flow after introducing some of his suped-up stem cells. Hartwell was slumped over on the bench in the corner of the gym – white towel draped over his head and nearly collapsed from the broken bones he had suffered from the brick hands of Cal Brewster.

Within seconds, Hartwell straightened up and when he removed the blood-soakened towel, there wasn't a mark on his face.

He looked at Daniel in awe because he never thought to use his powers as a vampire for good, to heal people. Hartwell stood up and walked out of the gym, shaking hands and exchanging positive words with some boxers, who still saw the cuts and bruises on his face.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Internally to Daniel) If you can heal people that fast, then the battles will be much more interesting.

Cal Brewster, conversely, wasn't as fortunate. Broken ribs and massive internal bleeding sent him to the hospital for a week. He nearly died when first admitted, but a helping hand guided him out of certain doom.

MORTIE ZUCKER

You have to get yourself checked out, champ. (20 minutes after the fight)

Cal smirked and then collapsed on the gym floor, prompting his trainer to pull out his cell phone and dial 9-1-1. He looked at the phone the way a caveman viewed the first fire or a stick used as a weapon, or a rock shaped like a wheel.

Brewster was actually a few seconds away from death when Daniel swooped in and gave him a 'jump' by extracting some of Cal's mortal blood and replacing it with his own.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

BELINDA THOMPSON

(The next day) Was that a tough decision?

Daniel wasn't sure how to answer that question, being that he had bypassed thinking for simply reacting.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I don't think so. Would you have done it?

Belinda had changed. She would have taken offense to the loaded question in her prior life, because she would have unquestionably saved him. But her life as a vampire was different, in a good way.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Straight, emotionless face) No.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Prods) Really? You hate him that much?

While Daniel had been teaching his mom all of the vampire lessons – much in the way Hartwell did with him – it was now time for his mom to be, well, his mom.

BELINDA THOMPSON

It's not a matter of love of hate anymore, Danny. I stood by your father even when he could care less about me. (Changes direction) A better question might be, why did you save him? Is it because you're confused?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Confused about what? He's not my father. My blood.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Then why did you do it?

DANIEL THOMPSON

As a favor.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Thinks and then smiles in understanding) To Hartwell?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Laughs) To Hartwell.

INT. BEACH HAVEN HOSPITAL

Sharon ran to Cal in the hospital once he alerted her to the fact that he was there. While Daniel's blood helped heal Cal's internal injuries, it did little to make him look any prettier.

Cal was half-asleep as Sharon made her way past the nurse's station and cleared the doorway of room 575. He was hooked up to a bunch of machines and his face was badly cut and bruised, making it look more like he was hit by a cross-town bus than Hartwell's fists.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Oh my god!

She raced to his bedside. They had planned to meet a few nights earlier, but Cal never showed up.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Mutters under her breath when he didn't show up) He better be in the hospital.

Of course, she never checked Beach Haven Hospital because – at the time – it was just a figure of speech. A simple way to rationalize his absence.

He jumped as she nervously touched his arm.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Pumpkin?

That was his name for her since she gave him a pumpkin one Halloween years earlier.

Sharon sat on the bed for the better part of a half-hour until someone she thought was the nurse came in. She had her back to the door and was all-too-willing to give the medical professional some time to look over the patient.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Okay. (Kisses Cal gently on the forehead)

She turned to face the nurse but the only thing she was greeted by was a fist speeding toward her nose.

Emily Brewster didn't like her twin brother dating the enemy. Although she had 'met' Hartwell on a few occasions, she was never in love with him, just the idea of doing something forbidden.

Emily hauled off and struck Sharon with all of her sisterly might. She looked down at Sharon Phillips – unconscious with blood streaming out of her broken nose – and felt her head clear for the first time in months. She went to open the door to the room with the right hand she used to knock her rival out, and winced in pain.

Emily went down to the emergency room and texted a new friend, while waiting to get her hand x-rayed.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Texts) In the emergency room.

It wasn't long before Sharon Phillips was wheeled into the Emergency Room so the nurses could stop the bleeding before the doctors re-set her nose.

Emily already had her x-rays taken, and it would be a few more minutes before someone would tell her that her right hand was broken. Sharon was sitting in a chair with two huge cotton swabs firmly planted in her nostrils, but it didn't inhibit her from seeing Emily Brewster walking around the curtain.

The area around Sharon's eyes was bruised, but she saw enough of Emily's face to hit her square between the eyes – something her father, Garrison Phillips, taught her.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(Hazy flashback) When in doubt, strike between the eyes. (He said to his young daughter trying to find her way in the world as vampire protector)

Sharon connected firmly across Emily's nose, sending the stunned Brewster falling backwards to the cold, tiled floor. The punch produced matching broken noses and right hands for both women, and gave Sharon some time to think about her impossible relationship with Cal Brewster.

Not surprisingly in the world of vampires, the man that showed up to check on Emily was the same guy who bought Belinda's house. Aaron Driscoll also happened to be Belinda's hunter-in-waiting.

EXT./INT. DRISCOLL Residence

About a month after Driscoll bought the house, Emily stopped by even though Daniel had taken the suspicion of the sale away. The house was still familiar to her and she was curious to see who lived there, proving the strength of the hunter connection.

She knocked on the door.

Driscoll is a 40-something widower with no children.

AARON DRISCOLL

Who is it?

EMILY BREWSTER

It's Emily Brewster.

He opened the door, all 6' 4" of him, and she instantly liked the new owner over the old one.

For some odd reason – perhaps common neighborly courtesy – she stopped at the Beach Haven Bakery before she went to the house and snagged the last chocolate crumb cake.

AARON DRISCOLL

(Looks at the white box) Is that for me?

Emily stood motionless and didn't speak for a few seconds.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Snaps out of it) Oh, I'm sorry! I picked up the last chocolate crumb cake at the bakery on the way.

AARON DRISCOLL

(She hands him the box) Thanks! Would you like to sit with me and have a piece?

EMILY BREWSTER

Sure.

AARON DRISCOLL

(They walk from the front door to the kitchen) Decaf, tea or milk?

She was feeling more and more comfortable around him with each passing second.

EMILY BREWSTER

Surprise me.

She walked into the kitchen and sat down as he placed a few plates and forks down, and then hit her up with a tall glass of iced chai tea.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Takes a sip) What brand is this? It's delicious.

Aaron obviously had too much time on his hands.

AARON DRISCOLL

I made it myself.

INT. BEACH HAVEN DINER

It was lunchtime at the Beach Haven Diner, although you wouldn't know it by the variety of food being served. Table 12 was eating pancakes and a cheeseburger deluxe; Table six, southern fried chicken and a tuna salad sandwich on toasted rye; and table 15, Greek chopped salad and chicken parmesan.

Belinda Thompson was growing tired of drinking bags of blood, so she went out and looked for something rare. A few minutes behind her was Agent Blake Wallace, who had just completed his workout at the health club, showered, and was looking to replenish.

GREEK HOSTESS

(30-something woman in tight-fitting clothes, a full kit of make-up and three-inch pumps) Would you like a booth or a table?

BLAKE WALLACE

(Looks around the restaurant like an FBI agent casing the joint) I think I'll sit at the counter.

The seating decision was largely based on the quicker service at the counter, but had something to do with spotting Belinda sitting by herself. He sat a few seats away from her and they made eye contact when he swiveling on the stool.

BLAKE WALLACE

(Energetic) Morning!

She didn't need a watch to know that it was indeed afternoon.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Points to her wrist) You might be a little slow.

BLAKE WALLACE

(Smiles and resets) Then good afternoon, Belinda.

She was so preoccupied with watching the Hispanic cook preparing her steak that she had trouble initially focusing on the conversation.

Belinda was also debating whether to forego the snack for her first 'live' meal.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Do I know you?

Belinda's last fleeting memory of Blake was a quick hello just after she was turned. She couldn't focus at all back then because of her insatiable yearning for blood. Like a true addict, she was solely-focused on the next blood sippy bag, not making small-talk with the local mortals.

Blake was a bit offended at first, but quickly shook it off.

BLAKE WALLACE

I'm Blake Wallace.

Still nothing came up on her radar, so he broke it down further.

BLAKE WALLACE

I'm Nicole's father.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Light comes on) Oh! Nicole's father! (She looks him over and thinks) I don't remember Nicole's father looking that good.

Blake had dropped 15 pounds and replaced all of his baby fat with lean muscle. He was swimming again, and much of the stress he endured from being away from Nicole all of those years had melted away.

The elderly waitress with the pencil in her firm, Aqua-Net hairdo, came out of the kitchen with the rarest steak Blake had ever seen. He acted like he didn't know she was a vampire at first.

The waitress was ready to take Blake's order.

BLAKE WALLACE

That is one rare steak. I'll have a turkey sandwich on toasted whole wheat and a baked potato, please.

The waitress named Gina walked into the kitchen and Blake went on the offensive.

BLAKE WALLACE

Getting tired of those sippy bags, eh?

Nobody except her three men at home knew about her transformation into a vampire, or so she thought.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Glides over to Blake) You know, I could drain you before you take another breath.

Belinda was only inches away from Blake's face.

BLAKE WALLACE

Yeah, I know.

BELINDA THOMPSON

And you're not scared?

BLAKE WALLACE

No, I think it's hot. I think you're hot.

Gina walked out of the swinging kitchen doors to see Blake and Belinda passionately kissing in front of her. The sight of this public display of affection spun her around back into the kitchen.

INT. BEACH HAVEN HOSPITAL

Sharon wheeled herself into Cal's room fully expecting to tell her beaten man that their relationship was over. The wheelchair squeaked as she pushed with her left arm – the good one – through the doorway.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Awakes from a half-sleep and mutters) Sharon? Shar is that you?

If she could have operated the chair effectively, she probably would have backed on out of the room and never stopped rolling. But she quickly turned spastic from the emotional pressure and the chair proved useless as a getaway vehicle.

Cal could barely move, but he grunted and huffed his way to sit up. Most mortals would have passed out from the sheer pain of the act.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Groggy, but laughs) You broke her nose, didn't you?

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Takes her soft guard down) She had it coming! What is it her business what we do?

At that moment Sharon had finally reached the kind of clarity in her life that had always been missing.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Thinks) Yeah! Who's business is it anyway? I'm a grown-ass-woman for god's sake! If I want to spend the rest of my life with this man, then I will!

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Tries to sit up) That's why I love you.

SHARON PHILLIPS

Don't do that! (She exits her wheelchair and races to stop him from falling)

CALVIN BREWSTER

(They hug) I'm going to marry you, Sharon Phillips.

Cal then fell asleep on her shoulder and she gently set him back into bed before he broke into a full drool on her shoulder.

SHARON PHILLIPS

So much for breaking up with him. (Walks toward the door)

CALVIN BREWSTER

I heard that.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Smiles and turns around) Yeah, I knew that.

She walks past the annoying wheelchair and out of the room.

EXT. DOCTOR's office

Nicole and Carla's pregnancies had reached month number nine as February transitioned into March.

Nicole was miserable with a baby that never seemed to sleep, leading her to believe that it was Andrew's kid because he was always in motion. Conversely, Carla's pregnancy was basically uneventful and she barely adjusted her lifestyle. The only thing she varied was taking naps – she never took naps before the baby, but how she loved those quiet afternoon snoozes!

CARLA PERKINS

(Walking into the parking lot after a doctor's visit) I hope she has her baby first, so you can concentrate on me.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I was thinking just the opposite. If you have your baby first, then it will be unique. I want to experience everything together.

While Carla was touched with Drew's thoughtfulness, she knew all hell would break loose regardless of the outcome. If Nicole's baby was his, then she would lose part of her man to a girl she despised. But, if the baby wasn't Drew's, then someone would have to pay for his loss.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

THOMAS HARTWELL

(To Daniel) We have to talk to Maggie.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I thought you were going to wait for the first nice day of spring?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Yes, but I can't wait. I want to ask her to marry me.

Daniel scanned Hartwell before he could even detect it, and discovered that his dad and mentor were about to discover one of life's toughest lessons: you can't run through a brick wall... at least, not on the first try.

Daniel continued to appear apprehensive, and it wasn't difficult for Hartwell to pick up on the stop signals he was emitting.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Frustrated) What? You don't think I should marry your mom?

DANIEL THOMPSON

No, of course not! I mean, of course you should marry her. It's just that... she might have a problem digesting that much information.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Pauses to think) But she's going to have to hear the truth at some point. Better now than three years down the road when we're already married. The vampire in me

wants to trick and deceive, but I've never known Maggie as a vampire. Our relationship has been purely mortal. She has to know the truth now, Daniel.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I guess you're right. But it's gonna' take some time before she comes around.

THOMAS HARTWELL

How much time?

Daniel scanned Maggie and was not surprised to see that her ability to forgive measured off the charts.

DANIEL THOMPSON

It won't be too bad.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Then we go tomorrow.

Tomorrow came and so did the two-inch deluge of rain, prompting Hartwell to postpone the picture-show for another day. Besides, he wanted to go to her on a Saturday when her mind was clear from work pressures and thoughts.

EXT. FLASHBACK Of maggie's life IN SAN FRANCISCO

Maggie's life had been fairly stress-free until she decided to pick up and move from her roots in Portland, Maine. At the time she had a great library job and was about to buy her first house when her parents were killed in a freak skiing accident.

Instead of staying in Maine and putting down roots, she sold her parents' house and got the job in Beach Haven. The New York community was her second choice to a job she was offered in – of all places – San Francisco.

Maggie was all set to take the job. She even went out to the West Coast and spent a long weekend in the area, meeting with school personnel and looking around with a realtor to find a place to live.

Everything was in place until she walked around by herself on

Sunday morning. Maggie turned a corner and was hit with a Golden Gate Bridge-sized flashback.

She was holding a little boy's hand and he was saying, "Did you see that mom and dad?"

The flashback continued as the boy – wearing a white dress shirt, a cap, wool pants, and shoes – ran up the long flight of stairs to what was presumably their house. She turned and kissed a man, but his face was blurry and she couldn't make him out.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Maggie was holding the little boy's hand) Did you see that mom and dad?

The flashback continued as the boy – wearing a white dress shirt, a cap, wool pants, and shoes – ran up the long flight of stairs to what was presumably their house. She turned and kissed a man, but his face was blurry and she couldn't make him out.

The flashback stopped and she was standing in front of the very house she lived in with Hartwell and Daniel, at least when Daniel was named Nathanial. Something was telling her at that moment that this wasn't the place she was supposed to be.

Maggie looked in awe at the house as her cell phone buzzed, alerting her that she had an e-mail. She pulled her phone out of her purse and opened the e-mail, which was from the Beach Haven School District. They wanted to interview Maggie for their soon-to-be-open librarian position.

She was a firm believer in signs. The combination of the flashback with the eerily-timed e-mail convinced her where her next step in life would likely occur. Maggie woke up the day her parents died and walked out to fetch the newspaper. A blue-jay raced past her - flapping furiously - and slammed beak-long into the front window of the house. She then tried to get in touch with her parents but the Vermont area was engulfed by an avalanche and all phone communication was down. It wasn't until the next morning that she got the dreaded call.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

Hartwell staggered into the shower and then walked out toward the main room of the house in his white bathrobe. Daniel sped around and handed him a mug of coffee and then returned into the room wearing a suit and a tie.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Too much?

He returned wearing multiple outfits, from a blue pinstripe sailor suit to a winter coat with a fur hood, in a fashion show that was meant to amuse Hartwell and break the ice on what would be a tough day ahead.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Smiles) Why don't you just wear what you're comfortable in.

Daniel came back in a pair of black boxer shorts with hearts all over it and a black fish-net tank top.

THOMAS HARTWELL

To go outside.

Daniel came back wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Perfecto! (Makes an okay sign with his right hand)

Belinda then zipped in and was floating and singing in the most heinous voice. The glass-breaking octaves woke Brandon Justice up and he shuffled into the kitchen from his bedroom.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Yawns) When did we get a cat, and who stepped on it? (And then he saw that Belinda was the source of his unrest) (Raspy) What's going on?

BELINDA THOMPSON

I think I met someone. I mean, I know I met someone... Blake.

It had been some time since Belinda dated another man besides Cal, and she was obviously out of practice.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Agent Blake?

Hartwell and Blake chuckle.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Blissfully indignant) Yes, Agent Blake! Have you seen him lately? That man is hot!

All three guys made the gag and turn-away gesture as they thought of Blake Wallace – Nicole's dad – as beefcake.

BELINDA THOMPSON

What's the problem? What are you guys doing today?

Hartwell looked at Daniel and he looked at Brandon, who took the lead.

BRANDON JUSTICE

Going out with Valerie.

BELINDA THOMPSON

You two guys are quite the item. Have you asked her to prom yet?

BRANDON JUSTICE

Tickets go on sale...

As the internal conversation between Hartwell and Daniel commenced.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Do we tell them where we're going?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Do you think it's necessary?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Analyzes his mom and then Justice) I say we tell mom and not Justice. There's no telling what he could do with that kind of information.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Nods) Agreed.

Daniel waited for a quiet moment and then approached his mom through her mind.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Mom, I have to talk to you.

Belinda picked up her head and was going to glide over.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Just keep doing what you're doing. This is between you and me and, well, him. (Looks at Hartwell) We're going to talk to Maggie today.

Belinda searched through her mental directory for a Maggie and the came up with the old black-and-white picture of Daniel and Hartwell with Maggie in their past life together.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Oh, Maggie! You two and Maggie... that's great. (Although she was disappointed she couldn't participate)

Hartwell's focus was definitely not on Belinda this day, but he noticed that her mental balloon had been deflated.

THOMAS HARTWELL

You will always be Daniel's mother and I appreciate you bringing him back to us.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Angry) So all I am to you is a conduit? A vessel to bring your son back to you?

The brutally honest answer was "Yes," although Daniel made sure that wasn't the response. He put a filter around Hartwell's words to ensure the proper delivery.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Of course not! You have raised Daniel far beyond what I was allowed to go with Nathanial. He is where he is today because of all of us, but his mortal development was 90 percent you and about 10 percent Maggie and me.

Belinda glided over and gave Hartwell a hug – their first – and Daniel looked relieved while Hartwell shot him a glance over Belinda's shoulder.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Internal to Daniel) What? Did you think I would say 'yes'?

DANIEL THOMPSON

C'mon! You thought about it!

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Smirks) Yes, I definitely did.

INT. Maggie's house

Two o'clock was the time Hartwell deemed it would be appropriate for such a potentially volatile meeting. Anything involving food that required plates, glasses and utensils would be a hazardous environment that he wanted to resist. After all, he wasn't as fast as he used to be.

Maggie, being the proper hostess, had some food at the ready for her man and a special mystery guest. Hartwell withheld the identity of the guest so he could get through the front door with ease.

It was 1:59 and 56 seconds. Daniel turned to Hartwell in their house

DANIEL THOMPSON

You ready?

THOMAS HARTWELL

As ready as... (they stood in front of Maggie's door after Daniel Zipped them across town) I'm going to be.

Daniel rang the doorbell without even touching it. The bell never actually made an audible sound, only Maggie believed she heard it.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Beams) It's my gift to the environment. (He had reduced both noise pollution and Maggie's carbon footprint)

Maggie swung the door open and she looked extremely relaxed and radiant in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, with no sign of shoes or socks. The 21st century version of Maggie was much "crunchier" than her 19th and 20th century predecessor.

MAGGIE

Daniel Thompson is that you? Come on in here! (She hugs former student Daniel and then moves on to her life mate, Hartwell)

She kisses Hartwell and then they all started walking toward the living room of her ranch house.

MAGGIE

So Thomas, how do you two know each other? I've never heard you mention Daniel before.

Daniel slowed Maggie's heartbeat enough until she was essentially frozen in time.

DANIEL THOMPSON

How are you going to answer that one?

THOMAS HARTWELL

As much as I appreciate you trying to make this one a soft landing, you're going to have to let this one play out naturally. There's really no other way, son.

Daniel became more nervous with each passing second, because those moments went by excruciatingly slow in his frenetic world. Hartwell was ready to answer Maggie's question as directly as possible, or so he thought.

THOMAS HARTWELL

We met a long time ago.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yeah, me and Mr. Hartwell go way back.

Maggie was satisfied with the explanation – for now – but it still didn't explain why her beau had to bring Daniel over her house.

MAGGIE

So Daniel, how is college?

The conversation kept getting murkier, as Daniel had amassed multiple doctorates by the second half of his freshman year and had also completed a full residency.

DANIEL THOMPSON

It's definitely an adjustment. (Turns to Hartwell) Remember I told you that Maggie - I mean - Miss Hollingworth, helped me with that year-end paper I was writing last year.

Maggie wasn't used to her students referring to her by her first name. She was a little curious about how much Daniel and Hartwell had talked about her.

MAGGIE

Yes, Daniel was my favorite student to work with last year. He and I seemed to mesh from the moment he walked up to the library counter. Made my transition into the school so much easier.

Hartwell was already growing impatient. He was never a big proponent of idle chit-chat, either as a mortal or especially as a vampire. There was never a set-up when he fed off humans. Strengthening his base with their fluids had nothing to do with giving people closure at the end of their lives. To Hartwell, he was simply the beneficiary of blood sourcing being at the wrong place at the right time.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Why do you think that is?

Daniel could sense that the conversation shift was coming by Hartwell's elevated heartbeat. He knew that the secret could be contained for only so long.

MAGGIE

I don't know. I guess I just have a better connection with some students.

Hartwell wasn't about to let the flow of the conversation run of his tracks. His head dropped and tears started flowing from his eyes.

Maggie was looking at Daniel and did not immediately notice Hartwell's abrupt change in demeanor. Daniel smiled at Maggie and attempted to hold her attention to give Hartwell a chance to pull himself together, but there was no turning back now.

She was smiling until Hartwell's sorrow became visible.

MAGGIE

Thomas, what's wrong?

Daniel spoke for his father.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Do you believe in destiny, Maggie?

MAGGIE

(Turns to Daniel after comforting Hartwell) Maggie? Why do you keep calling me Maggie?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Because we know each other.

Maggie was confused only because she knew something was happening that was probably beyond mortal comprehension.

MAGGIE

Of course we know each other! Thomas, what's going on?

Hartwell had turned off the waterworks.

THOMAS HARTWELL

We have history.

MAGGIE

Of only a year.

Hartwell picked up his head and looked Maggie in the eyes.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Of more than 100 years.

Maggie stood up and initially felt like running out of the house, but her legs were powerless.

An innocent bystander might have surmised that Maggie's inability to move had something to do with Daniel's influence. She was so frustrated, but her temporary paralysis had nothing to do with the original son.

MAGGIE

That isn't logical! What are you talking about 100 years, Thomas? And what does Daniel have to do with this? No offense Daniel, but why are you here with Thomas?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Would you rather have us answer each question sequentially, or would you rather see a sensory presentation?

MAGGIE

Sensory presentation? What is he talking about, Thomas?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Why don't you sit down, my love.

He guided her to the couch and they both sat down facing the middle of the room.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(To Daniel) You're on.

Life-size 3-D images of the family back in early 20th century San Francisco appeared as they all watched.

MAGGIE

How is he doing this? Is that me?"

Hartwell motioned for Daniel to put the image in her head so she couldn't talk over it.

The men watched the 3-D image while Maggie had the story of their lives played internally. She was walking in San Francisco – much the way she did when she went on her modern-day interview. The action played out again as Maggie saw herself holding a little boy's hand and walking next to a tall, sleek man. In her previous flashback, she had a full view of the young boy but couldn't quite make out the man's face.

MAGGIE

Look at Nathanial, honey. He's so happy!

THOMAS HARTWELL

So am I. (Maggie moved in for a kiss. As she got closer, Hartwell's face finally came out of the shadows)

Maggie's body in the present and sitting on the couch twitched at the sight of Hartwell. Her former self continued.

MAGGIE

I love you, Thomas.

Daniel had cued up another five minutes of highlights, but he could see that Maggie was struggling to get out.

THOMAS HARTWELL

I used to have more flare back then.

DANIEL THOMPSON

That was a nice three-piece suit!

THOMAS HARTWELL

Tweed.

MAGGIE

(Rubs her eyes) Are you two saying that I was married to Thomas in a prior life? (Both men nod in agreement) Daniel was that boy - what was hi name - Nathanial. (To Daniel) Was that you?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yes.

MAGGIE

How is that humanly possible?

THOMAS HARTWELL

How is that humanly possible? That we were together back then?

MAGGIE

(Furiously shakes her head) No! No, I'm willing to accept that we were all together in what appeared to be the late 1800's or early 1900's...

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To Hartwell) She's good.

MAGGIE

What I'm really had a hard time with is how we are all sitting here now? Again, how is that humanly possible?

THOMAS HARTWELL

It's not.

MAGGIE

What do you mean, Thomas?

THOMAS HARTWELL

I mean that it's not humanly possible, dear.

Not only was Maggie agitated, she was also extremely uncomfortable with the thought of the life she knew being in question.

She stood up again as her legs regained their ability to function again.

MAGGIE

Are you saying that you two are not mortal beings?

THOMAS HARTWELL

I am, but he's not.

DANIEL THOMPSON

But there was a time – actually most of the time – when I was and you weren't.

THOMAS HARTWELL

That's true.

MAGGIE

Thomas, you are mortal?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Yes.

MAGGIE

That's a relief. (Smiles and breathes a huge sigh) What are you Daniel? That is, if you're saying you're not human.

Daniel looked at Hartwell and the mentor and father nodded that it was all right to disclose the truth.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I am a vampire. (Moves to the edge of the couch cushion)

MAGGIE

A vampire? (Scared) Thomas, how can this be? How can this wonderful boy be a vampire?

Hartwell looked at Daniel this time, and the vampire nodded that he had to tell her the truth.

THOMAS HARTWELL

I turned him.

MAGGIE

(Shocked, as her maternal instinct kicks in) You turned this boy into a vampire? Why would you do that?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Because he's my son. Because he's your son.

Maggie was starting to unravel.

MAGGIE

Are you going to turn me now?

THOMAS HARTWELL

I can't turn anyone anymore.

MAGGIE

Why is that?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Because I was killed for the 100th time and then became mortal.

MAGGIE

(Continues her straight line of questioning) How long were you a vampire?

THOMAS HARTWELL

For more than 100 years.

Maggie paced back and forth as the information slowly permeated her brain.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I can show you more if that will help?

MAGGIE

There's more? I think I've seen and heard quite enough for one day, wouldn't you say, Thomas?

The question was rhetorical, so it was apparent that Maggie was at the end of her rope.

MAGGIE

Good day, gentlemen.

Hartwell and Daniel stood up, and Hartwell moved toward Maggie, somehow feeling as if intimacy would rule the day.

She looked up at Hartwell, who looked back with his sad puppy-dog eyes.

MAGGIE

I think we're done here, Thomas.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

But Maggie...

MAGGIE

(Puts up her hand for him to stop protesting) No buts, Thomas. It's time for you to go.

THOMAS HARTWELL

If that's your wish.

MAGGIE

That's my wish.

Weeks went by and Hartwell was left to fend for himself and dare to consider a life without Maggie. She, on the other hand, threw herself into work just before the school district was about to go on Spring Break.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

THOMAS HARTWELL

Do you think she'll ever come back to me, Daniel?

Daniel didn't want to be overly-optimistic, but he already knew the answer to the question.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Just give it time. She'll come around.

And come around she did. Later that day – a day shy of a moment when it seemed like the earth stood still in Beach Haven – Maggie was sitting on a bench in Beach Haven Park and her thoughts drifted to Daniel.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN PARK

MAGGIE

(Thinks) I wonder if he was my son? (She takes out her knitting needles and went to work on another sweater) I wonder what size he is?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Internal to Maggie) I'm an extra-large, but you might want to make it a double-x.

MAGGIE

(Out loud) Who said that?

DANIEL THOMPSON

It's Daniel, and you don't have to use your voice to talk to me.

MAGGIE

Can I see you?

Daniel zipped in and sat next to Maggie on the bench.

MAGGIE

(Starts crying) Can it be true that you were my son?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yes, it is true. (They met in a warm embrace) But there is so much more that you need to know.

MAGGIE

(They pull back from the hug) Then show me.

Daniel zipped back to Maggie's apartment to put her things away, and then he was back sitting on the bench just as she realized he was gone.

MAGGIE

Wow, that was fast! Sorry, but I'd like to keep my purse.

Daniel returned with her purse.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Ready to go?

MAGGIE

Where are we...

And then they were standing in front of the stoop of their home in San Francisco.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO

MAGGIE

going? Sort of takes all of the air out of asking a question when you're around. But I like that. I'm not one for mysteries, anyway.

Daniel smiled as they sat down on the bottom two stairs.

DANIEL THOMPSON

You know there was a reason he became a vampire. He never does anything without a reason.

MAGGIE

That I know.

Daniel narrated as he mentally took Maggie inside of their house - it was a time just after they both had passed away from the black plague. Before the scene started, Daniel showed her a montage of how happy they were in turn of the 20th century San Francisco.

Hartwell was so distraught that he was seconds away from ending his own life. He picked up a gun off the table and slowly lifted it toward his head, but was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door.

MAGGIE

(Yells) Don't do it, Thomas!

She and Daniel were standing only a few feet from Hartwell – it was one of Daniel's newest innovations: virtual reality. He could now be in the scene during the flashbacks, but could not affect anything around him – at least not yet.

Hartwell let then man into the house and then was told that if he ever wanted to see his wife and child again, that there was only one way to do it. And that way was to die and be reborn as a vampire.

MAGGIE

Oh my god! (Turns to Daniel) Look what he did for us.

They watch the PG version of him being brutally killed after the vampire, Alexander Lowery, fed off him.

Daniel and Maggie then returned to the stoop and watched a montage of Hartwell's emotional struggles throughout the 100 years he was without his family. All of the times he thought he saw Maggie and his son, only to stare defeat down with each passing day. The loneliness, the heartache, the lingering doubts over whether Lowery was telling the truth.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN BEACH

Of course Daniel left out all of Hartwell's carousing and hedonistic partying – not exactly required viewing for a relationship on the mend.

Maggie and Daniel were back in Beach Haven, sitting on the beach in a couple of beach chairs.

MAGGIE

So, how did you become a vampire? I mean, I assume that Thomas – your father – what's the term? 'Turned' you.

Daniel had a flashback for every question and occasion. He was going to beam them into the hospital.

MAGGIE

Could you do one of those 3-D things in front of us? I like being on the beach. (Wriggles her toes in the sand)

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Narrates) My mom in this life – or the life I led as a mortal – is Belinda Thompson. Before this day she had me running from doctor to hospital to get inoculated for anything and everything. We sure could have used that back when you were my mom.

MAGGIE

Where's your mom now? (Answers her own question) Don't tell me! She's a vampire!

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Laughs) As a matter of fact she is. But only because she got in a car accident. It was either save her or watch her die.

MAGGIE

(Impressed) You two are quite the noble pair of gentlemen, aren't you?

Daniel smiles.

MAGGIE

You can turn this off. Why don't you just give me the super-abridged version?

DANIEL THOMPSON

My father injected his own blood into me and when I turned 18, which was last June, he completed the process by bringing me into the family. There are a lot of other details, and I could feed them into your brain if you want?

MAGGIE

Maybe another time. What is it like?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Being a vampire? Well, it has its ups and downs, but I would never want to be a mortal again.

MAGGIE

And why not?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Because – and you'll appreciate this – I have a never-ending thirst for information, and I've seen and learned things that are way beyond the comprehension of a single mind. It's like having all the world's libraries in your head.

MAGGIE

(Eyebrows raise) Well, that would take the digital age to a whole different level.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I feel at peace.

MAGGIE

Do you think you can take me...

And Daniel zoomed Maggie back to Hartwell's house.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

MAGGIE

And we are here at an old abandoned warehouse...

Daniel took the veil off the house and Maggie was floored.

MAGGIE

That's not an old abandoned warehouse.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Completely solar-powered. I also threw in a few other technologies

that I invented.

MAGGIE

Did you build this house?

MAGGIE

No, this was all dads' brain-child. I just added some rooms and a few personal touches.

Daniel scanned the house and realized that no one was home.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Would you like to take a tour? The house is empty right now.

Maggie agreed and Daniel spent the next 20 minutes showing her around. He ended the tour in Hartwell's bedroom, where a current picture of Daniel, Hartwell and Maggie was proudly displayed on the nightstand.

MAGGIE

When was this taken?

DANIEL THOMPSON

He was feeling bad, so I made it up for him. It's us on the beach, like it would be if we were all together.

MAGGIE

(Looks down at the picture) That's nice, Daniel.

Daniel had replaced himself in the room with Hartwell, who was walking aimlessly in town.

MAGGIE

(Looks up) Thomas!

She jumped in his arms and they hugged like their lives depended on it.

MAGGIE

I never want to be apart from you again.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

I can live with that.

Daniel was watching the reunion from the next room and started to feel for the first time in his life - or death \- that the family was finally coming together.

It started as a rainy lazy Sunday in late March, but it surely didn't end that way. In reality, Nicole was still two days away from giving birth, while Carla was fated to make a trip to Beach Haven Hospital the following day.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE

Carla was going to get her delivery wish on this day, thanks to a vampire with a keen sense of order. She was taking a shower at 11:00 a.m. and felt some different kind of water splash on her feet.

CARLA PERKINS

Drew! My water broke!

INT. PHILLIPS RESIDENCE

Minutes later, an overwhelming feeling of imminent childbirth overcame Nicole.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Daniel!

The pain became severe at first and then quieted down when Daniel came into the room.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

It's time.

Daniel saw his smiling son inside of his girlfriend's stomach.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To his son) What are you so happy about?

BABY

You two should get married before I come out.

DANIEL THOMPSON

You have quite a vocabulary for a fetus.

BABY

Download speeds are a little slower in here, but I can still get the job done.

Daniel smiles.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Confused) What are you smiling about when I'm in so much pain?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Internally, to the baby) Take her pain away, Max.

Nicole felt more comfortable as he loaded her into the car, great grandpa' to be Garrison driving, Sharon in the passenger seat, and Daniel, Nicole and Maxwell Theodore Thompson in the back seat.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To an exhausted Nicole) I think we should get married before you deliver.

Gary shot Sharon a look, because they had been having conversations on the subject for the better part of the last trimester.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I'll take the whole family to Hawaii – or wherever you want – and we'll get married on the beach once you recover. I just think...

MAXWELL THOMPSON

We think.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Right. We think that it would be a good idea to make it official.

SHARON PHILLIPS

We?

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Did you say we?

GARRISON PHILLIPS

He said we.

Daniel was reluctant at first to tell everyone his secret, but he had held it long enough - or so he thought.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Me and Max.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

The bay is talking to you? (Her confusion quickly turns into pure love and warmth) That is so cute!

Sharon looked at Gary, who then viewed Daniel in his rear-view mirror. Daniel smiled and winked back at him.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE

It was frantic at the Brewster house, while Carla calmly got dressed.

EMILY BREWSTER

(Shouts to Drew) Do you have her bag?

ANDREW BREWSTER

It's been in the car for two weeks.

Carla put her index finger up to her lips to tell him to keep his voice down, and then she pointed to a suitcase in the corner of the room.

ANDREW BREWSTER

Must have taken it out when I went fishing last weekend.

CARLA PERKINS

(Rolls her eyes) I hope this kid looks like you and has my hard drive.

ANDREW BREWSTER

Me, too!

He picks up the suitcase and then clasps Carla's hand as they walked out to the car in the driveway.

EXT. FLASHBACK BEACH HAVEN PIER

CALVIN BREWSTER

What are you going to do if both of them are yours?

They are fishing.

ANDREW BREWSTER

You really think that the 'other one' is mine?

MAXWELL THOMPSON

Did you hear what he just said?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yeah, that was pretty harsh. I've been called a lot of things but "other one" is not one of them.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

I don't want him there when I come out. That's a special moment for you and mom.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Scratches his head) I can't imagine what you're going to be like when you get out of diapers?

MAXWELL THOMPSON

I can.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Laughs) I bet you can.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Honestly?

ANDREW BREWSTER

Yeah, hit me with it.

CALVIN BREWSTER

I think you messed up and you're going to pay for it.

ANDREW BREWSTER

What if it's not my kid?

CALVIN BREWSTER

Then we'll shift to Plan B.

ANDREW BREWSTER

Plan B?

CALVIN BREWSTER

Plan B. (Cal runs his index finger across his throat)

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Nods and smirks) Oh, Plan B.

Daniel knew what Plan B meant, but he wasn't sure that dad #2 and his cousin understood what the ramifications would be for such a course of action. With Drew following Cal's every move, it was only a matter of time before someone would "swim with the fishes" and stop breathing.

INT. BEACH HAVEN HOSPITAL - DAY

The Brewster family arrived 20 minutes after the Thompson's and were put in rooms on opposite ends of the long, white hallway. Drew and Daniel were in the birthing rooms with their significant others, when a justice of the peace walked into room 114.

JUDGE ALEXANDER BRANTLEY

We need two witnesses.

Nurse Lori walked into the room.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Okay, we're ready. Our second witness is right here. (Rubs Nicole's swollen stomach, much to the delight of Max)

The two-minute ceremony ended just as Carla started her heavy pushing and was moments away from giving birth.

JUDGE ALEXANDER BRANTLEY

(Shakes Daniel's hand) I wanted to thank you again for that extremely generous campaign contribution.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

It's show time!

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Turns to Nurse Lori) It's time!

The coordination of the two babies births were the masterpiece of a conductor who had many symphonies ahead in his bright future.

As Kayla Bailey Brewster came into the world, Nicole started her heavy pushing. Drew was only thinking of Carla and their daughter and would have no chance to cross over to Nicole – baby Max made sure of that!

DR. ERIN SPALDING

It's a boy! (Max is cleaned off and then handed to Nicole)

MAXWELL THOMPSON

(Internal) Mommy! (Daniel and an exhausted, yet elated, Nicole swaddle their baby.

While the couples were enjoying their newborns, the families were sitting on opposite side of the waiting room until word came of the additions to their families.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Comes out first) Carla had a girl! (He is mobbed by his family)

After a few minutes, members from the Thompson clan came over to offer their congratulations. They were represented by Hartwell and Maggie, Belinda and Blake, Sharon and Garrison, and Brandon and Victoria. The Brewster posse included Cal, Thaddeus, Emily and Carla's crunchy parents, who made the journey from Portland.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(A few minutes later) She had a boy!

Drew walked over and hugged his cousin, in what would be their last embrace before the DNA test results revealed what Daniel and Max already knew.

The process to match DNA samples usually took at least 24 hours in the world of institutionalized medicine, but the process was stepped up in this particular case for obvious reasons.

Daniel and Drew gave samples well in advance, although Daniel altered his gene sequence to match Max's altered gene sequence. Of course, their patterns would have been a match of the DNA had not been altered, but it would have revealed a sequence that 'modern' science could not have explained.

A few hours invariably turns into the next day in most hospitals, and Beach Haven Hospital was no exception to that trend. Daniel could have just sped the process along by himself, but he felt there was a real need to teach his over-exuberant cousin a lesson.

Nicole was sitting in a rocking chair in her room and holding Max. Andrew waited for a quiet moment as Carla dozed off and baby Kayla was in the nursery. So he decided to stop by Nicole's room and see the 'other one.'

Daniel never slept – he only needed to meditate for a short period of time to recharge his self-sustaining battery. He was hovering in the corner with his legs crossed and his eyes closed as Drew walked into the room.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Hi, Drew!

ANDREW BREWSTER

Thought I'd come by to meet the little fellow.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Spoke before Max could voice his displeasure) Handle your business, Maxwell.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Do you want to hold him?

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Sits on the edge of the bed) Sure! (Takes hold of Max) You're a cute, chubby little guy aren't you?

MAXWELL THOMPSON

I have to get this off my chest.

And then Max proceeded to throw up all of the contents of his last bottle all over Andrew. Not a drop got on either Max or the bed.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I think I'll go get cleaned up. (Awkward, as he hands Max back to Nicole) I guess we'll know more tomorrow.

Drew left the room and the large door closed behind him. Baby Max wanted his daddy, so he floated out of a shocked Nicole's arms and made his way across the room to Daniel, who was not visible.

Since a baby floating in the air was not a normal sight...

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Daniel? Daniel, are you over there?

Daniel appeared, floating and holding Max – because Max wanted to be physically held.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Out loud, to Max) No, I haven't told her yet.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Weary, but interested) Are you talking to that baby again?

DANIEL THOMPSON

He talked to me first!

Max floated across the room toward Nicole.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

When did this happen?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Just after graduation. (He shows Nicole a 10-second clip)

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Why didn't you tell me?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Because I wanted you to focus on Max.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

So, he is yours?

Daniel gave Nicole the ability to hear Max. He then gestured toward a smiling Max.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

I can't believe you were with that guy.

Nicole gasped and put her hand over her mouth in disbelief.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Points to Daniel) It was his fault!

They all burst out into laughter – even Max, who was gurgling.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

Wow! Wait 'till my mother finds out!

Daniel had a sheepish look on his face.

DANIEL THOMPSON

No. She knows about me, not that Max is the most special little boy two married people could ever want.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Looks down at the silver wedding band on her left hand) That's right! We're married!

DANIEL THOMPSON

I think I promised you a Hawaiian beach wedding.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

Isn't that a long flight?

Nicole and Daniel looked at each other and then turned their attention to Max.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Smiles) This one's gonna' be a handful.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

And a diaper-full. (Fills his diaper on cue)

DANIEL THOMPSON

I bet he can change his own diaper. (Places Max in a bassinette in a dark corner of the room)

MAXWELL THOMPSON

Guys. Guys? I can't do that yet. Really!

INT. BEACH HAVEN HOSPITAL - DAY

Dr. Brian Masterson gathered the four new parents into his office to reveal the DNA test results. The drama was all on the Brewster side of the ledger, as Daniel and Nicole had already bonded with Max.

Carla looked down at the rings on the fingers of the people on the other side of the office, and nudged Drew.

ANDREW BREWSTER

You guys got married?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Yeah, just before she gave birth.

The meeting was already started off on an embarrassing note for Drew. His girlfriend immediately wondered why he couldn't have thought of such a romantic gesture. Little did she know that it wasn't Daniel's idea, but a suggestion from a child still in the womb.

It could have been a horrible TV daytime talk-show moment, but Daniel was going to make sure that any reaction from his counterparts was subdued.

DR. MASTERSON

Well, we've processed all of the DNA samples and we can say with full confidence that Daniel Thompson is Maxwell's father.

Daniel and Nicole barely reacted – they gently bumped fists – although Drew and Carla saw then hugging and kissing, thanks to mind control.

Carla breathed a huge sigh of relief and smiled – really smiled – like an unprepared student being told that her final exam was postponed.

However, Drew's reaction was the most interesting because he didn't know what to do.

ANDREW BREWSTER

Wow.

He and Carla walked back to her room.

NICOLE PHILLIPS

(Being wheeled by Daniel back to her room) Never had a doubt.

DANIEL THOMPSON

After last night?

They both chuckle.

Meanwhile, Carla was trying to draw out Drew's elusive feelings.

CARLA PERKINS

Aren't you happy?

ANDREW BREWSTER

Yeah, of course I'm happy.

CARLA PERKINS

You don't sound happy. You sound like you always sound. You're so competitive.

ANDREW BREWSTER

I don't like to lose.

CARLA PERKINS

(Clarifies) But, in this situation, **we** actually won. Now we get to have a life together, and you can put all of that Nicole stuff in the past.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(All he could muster was an unconvincing) Yeah.

This left Carla to believe that her man had some unfinished business he needed to attend to.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

Agent Blake Wallace of the FBI's Aquatic and Other Mammals Division paid a visit to Hartwell's residence the day after Dr. Masterson officially broke the news to the couples. This was also the morning that Nicole was released from the hospital.

He spent the better part of an hour visiting with his daughter, who decided that living at Hartwell's would be the best way to go for her, her son, and he husband. She made the decision upon arriving at the house that day. It was the first time she was allowed to see the house since Daniel had cloaked its beauty to most people. Again, it was Daniel attempting to reduce Nicole's stress levels.

He then sat in the main room with Hartwell, Daniel and Max, who was receiving a bottle from Grandpa' Hartwell.

BLAKE WALLACE

I hear you both got married.

Blake sat down across from Hartwell and a floating Daniel. Nicole was now sleeping, Brandon Justice was at school, and Maggie went out with Belinda to the supermarket.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Yes. Once Justice Brantley finished with Daniel and Nicole he met Maggie and me on the pier and married us, too. We're all planning on going to...

MAXWELL THOMPSON

An island close by.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Yes, Max. An island close by.

Blake asked for the volume to be turned up on Max.

DANIEL THOMPSON

Oh, I'm sorry. Max, this is your Grandpa' Blake.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

So, you're my mommy's father that she didn't know. Hello.

BLAKE WALLACE

(Internal) It's good to meet you, Maxwell! (Then he turns to Hartwell and Daniel) I came over here to see Nicole and Max, of course, but I also wanted to talk to you two. Excuse me, three.

He nods at Max and he smiles while still drinking his bottle.

BLAKE WALLACE

It has come to my attention that your old friends might be up to some of their old tricks.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

Does he mean, Andrew? I told you I didn't like that guy!

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Stern, but soft) Maxwell. We're talking business here. There will be plenty of time to make disparaging comments when we're done.

MAXWELL THOMPSON

Okay, grandpa'.

Daniel knew he could trust Blake, first and foremost because he was Nicole's father. Secondly, and probably more important, he had a long history of disliking the Brewster clan. However, Blake never really completely trusted Hartwell when he was a vampire.

Hartwell had to ask a question, but Daniel nipped his aggressive posturing in the bud.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Internally, to Hartwell) He's with us, dad. He wouldn't be sitting here trying to warn us if he didn't care. Let's see what he has and hopefully it will match what I've heard.

Blake went on to recount details of conversations between Cal and Drew that Daniel had previously informed Hartwell about. He then kissed Max on his way out and hugged Daniel.

BLAKE WALLACE

(To Hartwell as they shake hands) Nice place you have here.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Thank you, Agent Wallace. Glad to see that you're with us.

BLAKE WALLACE

I'm on his side. (Points to Daniel) And I'm willing to look past all of those weekends you made me believe that I should be wearing women's underwear.

Blake was referring to Hartwell's days as a sarcastic vampire, and making a pain-in-the-butt special agent believe he should wear women's underwear on Sundays. Blake then rolled down the front of his jeans to reveal a pair of light blue cotton panties.

BLAKE WALLACE

I wore these special for you today.

There was an awkward moment of silence followed by uproarious laughter, which Daniel muted to protect his resting wife.

Hartwell handed the bottle and his grandson to Daniel and opened his arms.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Welcome to the family, Mr. Lifeguard! (They shake hands and then hug)

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - BACKYARD

Things were not so copacetic on the other side of town, as Cal had been on fire since he learned that Drew was the father of only one child.

CALVIN BREWSTER

I'm telling you, Drew, it's the only way to make this right!

Emily and Thaddeus were at their usual perch behind the kitchen's bay window.

EMILY BREWSTER

That can't be good.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

There's no stopping him once he gets something in his head.

Drew was so confused by the events of the past six months that he barely had enough brain left to make simple decisions, let alone potentially life-altering ones. Add layers of devotion and loyalty to Cal, and you have a recipe for an act immersed in a deep pool of revenge.

ANDREW BREWSTER

If you say so, boss.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

That boy no longer has his own brain.

EMILY BREWSTER

I can identify with that. Cal can be very persuasive.

Cal's plan called for a comprehensive bilateral action to occur at high noon – 12:00 p.m. – the following day. A middle of the week, middle of the day strike seemed to be a stark contrast to a course of action that was anything but middle-of-the-road.

But the Brewster family wasn't the only ones with a plan for the day.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE - LATE MORNING

DANIEL THOMPSON

Are you sure you're ready for this?

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Honest) No, but I can't let her go that quickly again. (Referring to Maggie)

DANIEL THOMPSON

I can have you in and out in a matter of seconds.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Jokes) Do you mean out and in?

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Nods) Out and in it is. (They hug) See you on the other side.

Although Daniel could affect things without touching them, the birth of his son and his need for physical contact taught Daniel a valuable lesson: there was no substitute for touch.

Amidst a virtual world where everything seemed disconnected, Daniel decided to reconnect himself to the world; to unplug a little bit from his virtual existence.

Drew invited Daniel to go shoot some hoops at Beach Haven Park, while Hartwell was meeting Sharon and Gary – his former protectors – across town for lunch. Of course, virtual Daniel would be playing with his cousin while the real deal was watching over his father.

Carla picked up the phone to call Brandon Justice after talking to Drew the previous night.

INT. BREWSTER AND HARTWELL RESIDENCES

BRANDON JUSTICE

Carla! Congratulations!

Carla wanted Brandon to meet her at Beach Haven Park so he could meet Kayla and they could 'stroll' together. She was looking for an excuse to get out, on what was supposed to be the first nice spring day of the New Year.

The previous night.

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE

CARLA PERKINS

Do you think it's a good idea to get together with him so soon? (Referring to Daniel)

ANDREW BREWSTER

(Resolute) Yeah.

Daniel also streaked over to Nicole's house the previous night and scooped up Garrison. Garrison was Hartwell's oldest and most trusted ally – besides his immediate family.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(To Daniel) So, you are a vampire.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(To Hartwell) A really fast one at that.

Hartwell and Daniel spoke to Gary for about 35 minutes about what was about to go down the following day.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

I hope what you're saying isn't true. (Thinking with his heart instead of his head for a change)

THOMAS HARTWELL

Me, too. (They embrace)

Daniel zips Gary back to his house.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

Take care of my little girl. (Referring to Nicole)

DANIEL THOMPSON

Always. (Daniel smiled and then was gone in a flash)

INT. BREWSTER RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - MORNING

Everyone played a part in the drama that was unfolding on, not surprisingly, April 1st, Fool's Day.

EMILY BREWSTER

I don't have half of the energy I used to have.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

You don't know the half of it. I joined A.A.R.P. last week. It's official, Em. I'm one step closer to the grave.

Just as the mood in the kitchen was scraping the floor, Cal walked in and was the sun to everyone's cloud.

CALVIN BREWSTER

(Irish brogue) Top of the morning to you all!

THADDEUS BREWSTER

Who invited Seamus over this morning?

ANDREW BREWSTER

Seamus! Good to see you again, lad! (They hug)

Carla looked at Emily and Thaddeus and shook her head and smiled. She walked past the two happy fools and placed baby Kayla in her new seat around the breakfast table.

EMILY BREWSTER

(She is tingling, because she senses that something is up) So, what are you guys up to today?

CALVIN BREWSTER

Well, I have to go into town to the hardware store and get some stuff to repair the shed in the backyard.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(On cue) I'm meeting Daniel in the park to play some basketball and then I'll meet up with Carla.

Everyone looked at Carla – even Kayla who was sitting next to her.

CARLA PERKINS

Taking Kayla for a stroll and meeting Brandon.

After breakfast the room cleared except for Thaddeus and Emily.

EMILY BREWSTER

You're better in the woods. Why don't you take the park and I'll

follow Cal into town.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

Yes. You've always been better at anticipating what's going on in your brother's wacky mind, anyway.

There were no secrets on this day, only a keen awareness that today would be like yesterday, but nothing like tomorrow.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

NICOLE PHILLIPS

I think I'm going to take Max on a walk through the park today.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Thinks fast) I hear they're spraying the trees at noon. You might want to stroll through town instead.

Hartwell turned slowly and couldn't believe that Daniel had just directed his wife from a quiet park into harm's way in town.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Internally to Hartwell and Maxwell) Something isn't right. I would never choose danger over safety, but that's what my gut told me to do.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(To Max) Keep your eyes open, little one. You might get your first action.

INT. PHILLIPS RESIDENCE

Gary looked at Sharon and wondered what his brave daughter had become. Not that every decision Garrison Phillips made in his life was perfect, but he never lost focus on protecting Hartwell, on making sure that his leader was taken care of – even now.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

You ready?

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Trepidation in her voice) Yeah.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

You sure you want to do this?

But Sharon was too far gone to turn back. Any thoughts of life without Cal receded in her mind months earlier.

SHARON PHILLIPS

(Blankly) No, I'm good. Let's do this.

INT. HARTWELL'S HOUSE

Agent Blake stayed over the night to be with Belinda, but he was placed on high alert when he woke up that Wednesday morning. Daniel had become so focused on Hartwell that it became noticeable to Blake, who wondered what other twists Cal Brewster had planned into the day.

Since Blake knew what the primary plan included, he decided to track a potential secondary plot in the likely event that there was one.

INT. BEACH HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL

BRANDON JUSTICE

(To his girlfriend Valerie) I'm going to take a walk in the park during lunch today.

VALERIE WINTERS

That sounds like a plan.

BRANDON JUSTICE

I'm meeting Carla and her daughter.

VALERIE WINTERS

(Abrupt) I'm out.

BRANDON JUSTICE

That's what I figured.

They kissed and Brandon walked down the hall to his next class. Valerie would be damned if she was going to let Brandon out of her sight. She had waited too long for this day, and was not going to let the opportunity pass her by.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN PARK

Brandon's lunch break was from 11:45 to 12:30 – he was on the right path walking to the West parking lot, where he was supposed to meet Carla and Kayla at 11:55.

Andrew Brewster was also en-route to the basketball courts for his noon hook-up with virtual Daniel. It appeared that Drew's vanity never tired of beating virtual Daniel, but his mind definitely was not on the game on this day. It was the pre-game festivities that he had his mind wrapped around.

Trailing the play was Agent Blake Wallace, who had spent a great deal of the past decade keeping his eyes on Andrew Brewster and his family. Blake knew something life-changing was in the works and felt that, given the opportunity, he would revel in the chance to get off the bench and enter the game.

Belinda Thompson probably could have come in handy, as a two vampire counter-offensive definitely would have proved more effective. Daniel didn't want to bother his mother because she was having too much fun playing with her new best friend Maggie Hartwell. Daniel's two mothers quickly bonded together like a drop of Crazy Glue pinched between thumb and index finger. Belinda was still tuned into Daniel's frequency if she was really needed, though.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN TOWN

In town, Sharon nervously paced outside of the Beach Haven Grill as her father stopped by the drugstore to pick up some arthritis-strength pain pills.

GARRISON PHILLIPS

(Frustrated) There's literally 20 different boxes to choose from.

Sharon was nearly blinded by a shiny object flickering off the sun's reflection, and covered her eyes from the glare. She walked toward the brightness into an adjacent alley and was about to fulfill her part in the well- choreographed melodrama.

Holding that shiny object was Cal Brewster, the veritable emcee for the day's events. Lurking in the shadows and trailing her twin was Emily Brewster, who proved to be something of a mercenary for a change on this day. Her father, Thaddeus, was performing a similar function with Andrew in the park, but all of his teaching appeared to be working against him.

Andrew had learned a great deal over the years about hunting from Grandpa' Thaddeus and mother Emily, and subsequently went to the Cal Brewster Graduate School of Hunting to get his advanced degree. Drew always had the heart of a killer, but now he had both the skill-set and knowledge base that would take him to the next level.

EXT. BEACH HAVEN PARK

Sixty-five degree days in New York in April tend to awaken the spirit and subsequently lower inhibitions – especially in the outdoors. This relaxed attitude held true for Brandon Justice, who spent 18 years as a vampire with a keen sense of awareness.

However, Justice was now a teenager in love at the height of his high school existence. What a radical difference between his before and after life profiles. Before Hartwell turned the forlorn teen, he was visually- challenged, chided and abused by his parents and peers, and generally a sweaty mess.

The post-vampirical Justice could see clearly without the aid of spectacles, lived in a tremendously-supportive home environment and was surrounded by inspiring people, was vice president of his senior class, and didn't sweat nearly as much. The president of his senior class was his girlfriend Valerie Winters.

Brandon was happy and was about to decide on a college between Princeton, Cal Berkeley and Stanford, the last two universities located in California. He was leaning toward Stanford, but the lure of staying closer to his family in Princeton, New Jersey, was starting to gain some traction.

The baby-faced teen didn't have a care in the world as his feet took turns kissing the sun-drenched pavement on his way to the West parking lot. Most of his route from Beach Haven High School to the lot was in open space, except for a quarter-mile stretch where he would be obscured by a heavily-wooded path only a few steps away from his destination.

Blake Wallace was trailing Thaddeus, who was obviously keeping an eye on Andrew. Hunters were expert trackers but they weren't so proficient at picking up what was in the rear-view mirror. The same could be said for Andrew, who was so focused on his target that he had absolutely no idea that there was a trail of people tracking his every move.

Drew knew that if Brandon Justice saw him coming he would run away like an arachnophobe reacting to a nearby spider. So he hid in the bushes and planned to reveal himself only when Brandon had no chance of escape. Justice came whistling by and Andrew jumped him and gagged his mouth, so no one within earshot would hear him struggle. Carla pulled into the parking lot and it took her a few minutes to extract her daughter from the car seat and then set her up in her brand new stroller. Kayla looked cute in her pink and yellow-flowered sun dress and matching hat, and she squinted from the brightness of the sun as Carla opened the passenger door.

Drew spun Brandon around because he wanted the ex-vampire to

see who was behind his predicament. Andrew loved Carla and felt her pain for all of the years that Justice tortured her and made her shutter at the very sight of him.

ANDREW BREWSTER

You made her life a living hell!

Justice struggled to speak until Drew removed the handkerchief from his mouth.

BRANDON JUSTICE

(Tries reasoning) But, we're friends now. She has forgiven me.

Thaddeus lost sight of Drew and then darted behind a nearby bank of trees, where he had an obstructed view of Drew and Brandon.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

(Mutters) Again with that kid?

Agent Blake removed a two-inch tube from his pocket and then extended the device slightly before placing it in front of his left eye. He zoomed in on Thaddeus hiding behind the trees and then followed his sight line until he had a clear view of Drew and Brandon.

ANDREW BREWSTER

(To Brandon) But I haven't.

He removed an object from his pocket and palmed it so Justice couldn't see what he was doing. Drew then thrust the blade upward, just as Cal had showed him, so Brandon's life expectancy would be completely compromised.

Drew pushed Brandon in a row of bushes just behind him and then dropped the knife. Justice fell back into the prickly brush and was then only moments away from taking his last breath as a mortal.

Thaddeus used whatever speed he had left and rushed over to the scene to try to clean up Drew's mess.

THADDEUS BREWSTER

We have to get out of here! (Picks up the knife and smacks Drew in the back of the head) Dumb ass. (He escorts him away from the scene)

Carla had just placed Kayla in the stroller and thought she saw Drew running across the field. She was about to call his name but knew he wouldn't stop if it was really him.

Agent Blake tried to remain professionally detached, but this one obviously took on a more personal meaning.

BLAKE WALLACE

Daniel, we have a problem here.

DANIEL THOMPSON

What's up, Mr. Wallace?

BLAKE WALLACE

Drew just stabbed Brandon in the park.

Daniel knew that Cal and Drew would both be in play, and feared that Brandon would be the victim. But he had to choose between Justice and Hartwell, because he was fast but not fast enough to be in two places at once. His decision was any easy one.

DANIEL THOMPSON

I'm tied up here so I'll send my mother over there.

He watches Hartwell take the bait and follow Sharon into the alley, where Cal held a knife to her neck.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(Continues the internal dialogue) Brandon's in trouble in the park, mom!

Belinda had been Brandon's surrogate mother since he came to live with Hartwell. She was shopping with Maggie.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(To Maggie) Excuse me.

Belinda located Brandon's fading heartbeat somewhere in between Main Street and the secluded path in the park. But she wasn't the only interested party en route to Justice's aid.

Two forces heading toward one object – their arrival separated by a mille-second. Belinda swooped in and sniffed the air when she realized that Brandon was gone. She swiped the ground and then tasted Brandon's blood, which was spilled all over the ground.

She sensed Blake close by and went to him.

BELINDA THOMPSON

What happened?

Blake still had the scope near his eye and then put it away.

BLAKE WALLACE

Drew stabbed Brandon.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Where did he go?

BLAKE WALLACE

Thaddeus shuffled Drew off and I have no idea what happened to Justice. I tried to slow the action down but whoever came before you was way too fast. I only saw you after you finally slowed down.

BELINDA THOMPSON

(Upset and worried) This can't be good.

BLAKE WALLACE

Daniel must be busy with Hartwell.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Why do you say that?

BLAKE WALLACE

Because I just contacted him and then he sent you instead of coming himself.

BLAKE AND BELINDA

(Look at each other) Hartwell.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Hold on.

While Blake and Belinda were trying to hash out what just went down, Hartwell stepped toward his arch nemesis Cal.

THOMAS HARTWELL

Cut the crap, Calvin! It's me you want, not her.

Cal kissed Sharon on the cheek and then aggressively tossed her aside. He hated when Hartwell called him by his given name 'Calvin.'

THOMAS HARTWELL

(To Sharon) You probably should have thought about this a little more.

CALVIN BREWSTER

Don't talk to her!

He rushes at Hartwell and slashed him in the left arm with his blade. Hartwell takes off his long coat and then rolls up the sleeves of his light blue dress shirt. Even when the man was relaxing, he still dressed with purpose.

DANIEL THOMPSON

(To Hartwell) You gonna' let him do that to you?

THOMAS HARTWELL

Aren;t I supposed to lose?

DANIEL THOMPSON

Not like this.

Hartwell wiped the blood of his forearm and then licked it off his finger.

THOMAS HARTWELL

I'm getting a taste for blood again!

Hartwell connected with a series of left jabs and then delivered a thunderous right cross to Cal's chin, sending him back toward the ground.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(Thinks) All night long!

He beat Cal down for the better part of three minutes until Daniel came through with a news flash.

DANIEL THOMPSON

You have to wrap this up. We're running out of time.

Hartwell connected on a left hook and then would have usually

followed with a left cross, but he purposely got sloppy and tried to land a right haymaker to finish Cal off.

Cal saw the big looping punch from a mile away, ducking out of the way and then countering with a forceful knife strike that pierced Thomas Hartwell's heart. Although Cal didn't have to strike Hartwell in that location in order to kill him, it appeared that his knife was also an object of habit.

Hartwell fell to the ground with the knife still sticking out of his chest. Emily Brewster ran into the alley and pulled the knife from Hartwell's chest causing him much additional pain.

EMILY BREWSTER

We have to go!

She grabbed her stunned brother's arm and looked back at Sharon.

THOMAS HARTWELL

(To Sharon) It's not too late.

Hartwell's breathing became shallower and he had only a few moments remaining in this life. Once again, two bodies swooped in toward Hartwell and Belinda once again came up empty.

BELINDA THOMPSON

I have to hit the gym! I'm a step too slow today.

She let go of Blake and bent down to the ground to taste the blood samples left on the pavement.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Hartwell and hunter.

BLAKE WALLACE

Must have been Cal Brewster. Man, I would love to get a shot at that guy.

Belinda senses were tingling from all of the activity that was about to occur.

BELINDA THOMPSON

Somehow I get the feeling that you're going to get your wish.

END

