Napoleon forced himself to remain calm as he faced the man who, up until this moment, he had considered his 'late' partner.  "Ben, what are you doing?", he asked, his curiosity honestly peaked.

Kowalski tsked.  "Oh come off it, Solo!  Playing dumb is not one of your strong points.  I've joined the winning team."

"You had your own bond mate killed."

Kowalski smiled, wicked fangs gleaming even in the muted light of the morgue.  "Hey, guys!  I told ya he was smart!", he said to a seemingly empty room.

Napoleon's senses were instantly alert.  The hair stood up on the back of his neck as he heard, more than saw, the telltale scraping of opening drawers, the soft groaning as bodies, though dead, righted themselves. **Of course!** It finally hit him.

"What a perfect place to hide; especially if the Lilim had recruits within the ranks of the Knighthood**

"Very good, Mr.  Solo.  You are indeed most perceptive", a new voice said from directly behind him.

Solo felt a chill travel down his spine.  "Dear God!", he whispered. "Sephran?  One of THRUSH's finest??  A Lilim??"

"Unfortunately not yet of that elite group, however I'm working on it."  He gestured around the morgue to the rest of his following.  "Yes, it was ingenious.  Not even Waverly and Valentine Kuryakin suspect."

"Not for long, Sephran."

Sephran shook his head in mock sadness.  "I am sorry to burst your bubble, dear boy, but there is no hope of rescue this time.  I have 'locked them in' sort to speak.  Also, I might remind you, there is no need for surveillance in a morgue.  Agreed?"

"Agreed.  So, what do you want?"

"Your Prince.  Illya Nikovetch."

"Why?"

"Forgive me.  My reasons are personal."

"Sorry.  Can't help you then."

"A pity.  He will come, however, when he discovers we have you.  He is in love, you see.  An emotion I've always found distasteful.  He will do anything to ensure your safety."

The absurdity of the statement made Solo laugh.  "You never learn, do you, Sephran?  You were petty when you lived, you're worse now."

Sephran bristled.  "Careful, Napoleon Solo.  You are outnumbered at least twenty to one."

"So be it."

For just the briefest moment Sephran felt admiration for the young Knight, it passed quickly.  "Are you saying, in truth, you would give your life to protect the Russian slut?"

Napoleon's dark eyes flashed anger but he kept his voice level.  "Now you be careful, Sephran.  You never know whose listening."

"Not a very good listener, are you, Napoleon.  Waverly and the others cannot help you here."

**Napoleon!?**

Solo stiffened. **Illya....!** he began his warning but was interrupted by Sephran.

**Ah!  The Prince is awake**

**Release him, Sephran** Illya commanded.

**Careful, boy!  Do not presume to give me orders!** hissed Sephran. **If you've been tuned in you know my demand**

**And you know my answer**

**Then Napoleon Solo will become one of us**

**So be it!** Illya replied, inside his heart was breaking. **Napoleon?**

More attuned to this unique vampire than he imagined, Solo let the distress wash over him. **Yes, Illya**

**Goodbye but never farewell.  I will hold you in my heart as I have never held anyone before.  You shall be avenged**

**As I will thee, Illya.  Never give up the fight**

"Enough!", Sephran cried aloud.  "All this love talk sickens me.  Take him!"

"Hold!", a new voice interjected from seemingly out of nowhere.

"Who dares!", hissed Sephran, scanning the room with his heightened vision.

"I dare!", came the reply.

Slowly a form began to materialize between Solo and Kowalski and Sephran and his Lilim.

Solo's eyes went wide with shock as he recognized the gentleman.  "Mr. Giovanni?  You're a vampire?"

Carlo Giovanni, age 75 and definitely of Italian descent,  grinned at Solo.  "Hello, Napoleon", he greeted the younger man, in a heavy Italian accent   "It is good to see you again and to know you still remember me."

Napoleon returned the grin but was still confused as to why the older man was here. 'Besides, he's supposed to be dead!' He did remember indeed.

He had been fifteen and on vacation at an exclusive beach resort. While exploring the beach, he had witnessed an elderly gentlemen being attacked by local bullies.

With blatant disregard for his own safety, he'd entered the fray. Together, for the gentleman seemed quite capable for his age, they had sent the young worthies running.''

The gentleman had introduced himself as 'Carlo Giovanni', a wealthy industrialist, and had thanked his savior with the tradition kiss on each cheek.

Napoleon had blushed, ignoring the praise Giovanni gave his parents, who had also witnessed the attack and their son's heroic act,  upon their arrival.

Giovanni had refused offer of further assistance, bid the family farewell, and continued on his journey down the beach.

Napoleon had watched after him until the figure disappeared.  He then turned back to his family and thought no more about the incident.

Until now.

"I see you do remember and to answer your question.  I am far more than vampire."

Solo frowned.  "I don't understand."

"You had no idea who you truly saved that day.  All you saw was an old man in trouble."  Still seeing the puzzlement on the younger man's face, Giovanni stretched out his hands, fingers pointed toward the Lilim. "Behold!", he commanded.

Giovanni wiggled his fingers.  At the gesture the Lilim began to moan. Giovanni then brought his hands together.  The clap resounded like thunder in the sound proof room.  At that each Lilim's body expanded, then mere dissolved into individual piles of dust.

Solo stood amazed, his gaze traveling from the piles of dust to the old man known as Carlo Giovanni.  "Who are you?", he whispered.

Giovanni smiled now.  "I am the ultimate ending of all things, no matter what they are.  I am Death.  For your rescue of 'Carlo Giovanni' that day, I gave you an advantage."