Promise

"So you're a vampire now, huh?" Mel almost deadpanned as she looked up at the tall girl she once loathed so terribly.

"It seems so," the tall girl responded. "A bitter irony, I am aware, but nothing can fix it," she added.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I've gotten the Summer Society to stop hunting benign creatures now," Mel offered.

"Hmmm, yes. Much better," Danny responded sincerely. "You make a good president."

"I know," Mel responded, the tiniest of smirks flashing across her face. Danny chuckled. "You would've been pretty ok yourself," she added.

"Pretty ok," Danny echoed with a laugh. "Well, that's more than I could hope for..." the redhead trailed off, smile turning into a frown.

"Well, it's all behind us now," Mel insisted a moment later, sensing the taller girl's rising sense of guilt again.

"Perhaps for you," Danny allowed. "But nothing will ever be the same for me."

"Well, what are you planning on doing?" Mel asked. "You technically still have another year at Silas..." she trailed off.

"No," Danny replied at once, knowing what Mel was implying. "I appreciate your willingness to allow me to return to the Summers, but we both know it won't happen. No matter what changes, there will forever be a stain of distrust to my name both because of my actions and my species and I wouldn't feel safe with them anymore," Danny trailed off. She looked longingly to the Summer Society building and Mel felt her heart twinge. For all her quirks, Danny had the heart of a true Summer and it wasn't fair to think she was being disowned just because of some past mistakes, but Mel knew she was right. Danny would never be a Summer again.

"Where are you going to go, then?" Mel asked next.

"Ah, I'm afraid I can't tell you that," Danny smiled ruefully. "Just know that I've got some outer-campus things to attend to..."

"Is that why you're here then?" Mel asked. "To say goodbye to me?"

"Yes," Danny answered. "But I also have a last request," she added.

"Oh. Of course," Mel frowned slightly. "Typical. You would only come back to me to ask for my help, not because you actually wanted to say goodbye. You just needed a favor and decided to ask me first," she said.

"No, that's not what I meant," Danny pleaded. She looked so hurt that Mel regretted her poor choice of words and she apologized.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I was just being my snarky self. What did you need?" she tried to express sincerity on her face and slowly, she convinced Danny that she wasn't joking. Danny would be safe to place her request. Seeing this sincerity, Danny nodded and her face grew urgent.

"Mel, my request is both simple and complicated," she began. "But what I need you to do is of vital importance."

"What is it?" the smaller warrior asked, leaning closer to the vampire.

"I need you to look after Kirsch," she said.

"What!" Mel reared back in indignation. "You're joking!"

"No I'm not! I'm being serious! You have to listen, please!" Danny pleaded. The desperation in her voice was enough to win Mel over and Mel nodded, gesturing for Danny to continue. "I know he's a male, and a dumb one at that, but he's so good and pure. He's the only reason I reformed."

"What?" Mel interrupted. She knew that Danny had always held an unnatural fondness for Kirsch, but seriously? Did the girl have no pride?

"He changed me," Danny insisted. "His unwavering faith in me and my goodness saved me. He is so like Laura," Danny trailed off sadly and Mel's frown vanished. Slowly, she started to understand. Kirsch always did seem to have a few screws loose and it was true he practically worshipped Danny. It would make sense for her to see his undying devotion to her and try and change just for his sake.