Friends In Low Places (Alek)

[Abigail Sykes]

It was close to three in the morning and Abby’s shift was finally over. Somehow she had managed to roll her ankle on her last set. It wasn’t bad, wasn’t even swollen, but it was a bit tender to walk on. It would be fine by the morning though. She’d rolled it once or twice before and cursed the damn heels. It had taken her forever to learn to dance in those things and they were very uncomfortable.

Abby left out the back door of the Wolf’s Den. One of the bouncers had wanted to escort Abby to her truck, but she assured them she’d be fine. After some protests she finally managed to sneak away. Even in a tank top and jeans the night was humid and hot. She threw her jacket over her shoulder, pulled her keys from her pocket and headed for the truck.

For a moment, Abby thought she heard echoing footsteps behind her, but when she turned to look there was nothing there. Her gut clenched telling her something was not right and she quickened her pace towards her vehicle. Switching the key around in her hand,
Abby held it in a way she’d be able to stab someone if need be.

Unfortunately when she got to her truck she had to swing it back around to fit it in the slot. Her truck was an older model and didn’t have one of those fancy alarm systems. She glanced over her shoulder again, but saw only cars and shadows looming over the parking lot. Abby knew all too well how easy it was for people to hide in those shadows. They rarely had good intentions.

As she turned back to unlock the door someone slammed her from behind. Abby managed to brace herself enough to keep her head from smashing into the window. She quickly turned around only to come face to face with a group of junkies. They both wreaked of piss, alcohol, and body odor. It was enough to make her eyes tear and set her gag reflex into motion. Their mouths were covered in sores and she knew, hanging out behind a strip joint they wanted money or sex. Maybe both. Either way they picked the wrong place to do it.

“Hey, hey pretty lady,” The first one said smiling. Half of his teeth were green or missing.

Abby’s face wrinkled up in disgust. “Walk away right now and you won’t end up dead.”

She suddenly wished she had let the bouncer walk her out, but then again if she had, these idiots would just be preying on someone else. Maybe someone who wouldn’t fight back. While it was true she wouldn’t kill them, they were both entirely too thin, and probably had no strength between the two of them. She would hopefully be able to get back to the Den to get some help.

The second one laughed and reached out to touch her hair. She smacked it away and all hell broke loose. The first one charged her, and Abby was quick to sidestep it, but the second one grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms to her side and lifting her off her feet.

Abby gave out a yell and threw her legs out kicking the first one square in the chest. It sent a searing pain through her ankle that she ignored and at the same time she threw her head back and felt a satisfying crunch under her skull. The second druggy squealed in pain and threw Abby. She went rolling across the parking lot, falling off the curb and into the street.

Dazed, she lifted her head and saw two headlights coming right for her. There was no way she was going to be able to get out of the way in time.

“Oh shit.”

[Alek Romanov]

Black as night.
Cold as ice.
Warm as home.
Ready to live.
Stars they shoot.
In a clear.
Across the sky.
As does my time.
Waiting, wanting, feeling, emotion.
Crying, breaking, loving, nothing.

Clouds swallow the moon, and I'm alone,
Thinking good times, and why'd they go?

[/i]



Ah, the sight and smell of New Orleans at night. It was just so…ethereal, he thought with a smile. The ivy covered buildings, the rowdy, suspicious clientele, the acrid smell of the river somewhere off in the distance…beautiful. If it were colder and less liberal, he would have become quite homesick for his beloved Russia.

Not that he’d been there since he’d been turned into a monster. Oh, he didn’t like thinking of those nights in the sewers, feeding on rats…rats didn’t taste very good, nor were they nutritious. Not to mention that their fur smelled really bad when one bit into them…and claws at one’s cheek is never a good experience.

But what was he thinking about? Darn, now he couldn’t remember. He really did hate the fact that his mind was so jumbled all the time; it really made having a true, philosophical thought such a hard feat. Now…where was he going again? Ah yes, he was going home to see his dear sister, that’s right.

Just one problem; none of these buildings looked familiar. Oh drat…he was lost.

With a sigh, Alek stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, glancing around with a growing frown. Ever since he and AJ had come to the States to find their creator, he’d been working at the local supernatural sanctuary, Mama’s Roadhouse. The wolf shifter had promised his sister that she and the other would look out for him; give him something to do and keep him out of trouble, while Anya was out hunting. He would work from sundown to about two hours before sun up, and meet his sister in the extravagant suite that they’d rented for the month. He would be escorted to the bar by Anya, then walked back by one of the staff, ensuring that he returned safely.

And didn’t make any unnecessary stops. Nobody wanted the insane vampire to go on a killing spree, did they? Nobody wanted to deal with hiding bodies, covering up bite marks, wiping the blood from previously white walls…

Blood…God, he was hungry. Hungry, hungry, hungry—

With a growl, he cut the thought off before it could stick in his brain. Grabbing a clump of his hair, he gave it a good yank, relishing the pain that brought tears to his eyes. Tonight was the first night that Tony, one of Mama’s bouncers, hadn’t walked him home, and he wasn’t going to disappoint them. He’d fed just that morning from a willing donor, and he didn’t need anymore. His hands weren’t shaking with a lack of blood, his eyes weren’t tinged with yellow, and his eyeteeth were not growing. He wasn’t hungry! He would make it home!

A hollow laugh escaped him as he pushed on. Yes, he would make it home. He would see the look of despair on AJ’s face before she closed herself off, as she left to find him another source of sustenance. And then, he would go into the little room at the back of the suite and lose his mind.

If it wasn’t lost already. Seriously, he could already hear the poor girl’s screams as he bit into her neck! Wait…were those in his head, or outside? Rounding a corner, he got his answer as he watched a woman roll onto the road. A car approached and slammed on its breaks as the owner caught sight of her, but it would stop too late.

…And waste all that good blood. Well, he couldn’t let that happen, could he?

AJ was going to be very angry with him; the thought flitted through his head as he darted out into the street, moving a bit too quickly to be deemed normal. As the car’s tires squealed in protest, he scooped up the fallen woman and let inertia push them both out of danger. The car careened down the road for another couple miles before finally stopping, and Alek shook his head.

These great metal beasts were actually thought to be safe, he mentally scoffed. Give him a horse and buggy any day.

For a moment, he forgot about the human in his arms as he watched a few gaping men across the street run away, and the driver of the car stick his head out and yell at them. The low thud of a heartbeat had his head turning and his eyes going down to the hollow of her throat, where her pulse beat so quickly. Then, feeling a puff of breath on his neck, he looked higher and met her eyes with his amber ones.

“That car almost hit you,” He informed her, as if she hadn’t noticed. “But you’re okay now. Here, I’ll put you down.”

Bending, he set her down onto her feet. Once he was sure that she wasn’t about to topple over, he gave her an absent little smile, tugged his jacket back in place and turned to go. “Have a good night, now!”




[/center]

[Abigail Sykes]

When Abby heard the car breaks hit, she knew it wasn’t going to stop in time. She tried to scramble back to the sidewalk, but then something slammed into her and she was flying through the air again, only this time someone had their arms wrapped around her. She expected to hit the pavement in a roll, but instead she found herself clinging tightly to her savior’s shoulders and his feet planted firmly on the sidewalk.

The adrenaline was still coursing through her veins, her heart pounding wildly as she turned to look at where her attackers were. All she could see were there asses as they fled into the night. Guess they were more interested in a victim that wouldn’t fight. She still had all her limbs and all her money, not to mention the fact she was still breathing so it was a win.

She looked back up at the man who she was clinging to as he stated the obvious to her and set her down. Abby let go of his shoulders and tested her weight on the ankle. There was a bit more strain on it, but it still wasn’t anything bad. Abby was still a bit shell shocked by the entire situation and it took her a minute to register what he was saying.

He just saved my life and now he’s walking away?

It took a second for her brain to realize what was going on, but when it did she quickly caught up with him, wincing a bit from her ankle. “Hey!” She gently grabbed his arm and turned him towards her. “You save my life and then go to run off? What are you a super hero?” She gave him a small smile. “Don’t I even get to say thank you?”

Abby looked up at him, for the first time getting to see his face. His face was chiseled with dark, almost sad eyes. Almost instantly she wanted to run her fingers through his thick, black hair, but she refrained. Instead she just kept smiling up at him, hoping the gratitude she was feeling showed on her face.

With shaky hands Abby pushed her hair out of her face and shook her head. “Sorry, I’m not good at his.” She laughed nervously and held out her hand. “I’m Abby. Thanks for saving my life. Mind if I buy you a drink to make up for it?”

There she laid it all for him. Emotions were the bane of her existence. She didn’t deal well with them, but the guy had saved her life. She’d owed him a little gratitude and a shot of whiskey or two. Rubbing her face again she looked up at him with the same smile. “I mean, you just saved my life. The least I could do is buy you a drink, or pay for a cab or something…”

[Alek Romanov]

But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

No one knows what its like
To feel these feelings
Like i do, and i blame you!
No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through

[/i]




He really needed to get back to the hotel; the thought drifted through his mind as the woman’s voice caught his attention. 3am in the morning meant that the sun was liable to rise in a few hours, and Anya didn’t like him staying out so late. But one of the regular bartenders had had to study, and it wasn’t like he had anything else to do that night, but deal with the voices in his head and watch late night tv.

He’d once heard some of the staff complain that they never got to watch the stuff, he mused absently. He would just love to hear what they’d say if they watched as much as he did, in an attempt to push his hunger down. He’d gotten so used to drowning out the painful cramping in his stomach under the ‘frightened’ screams of scantily clad coeds as they were chased by serial killers.

Silence of the Lambs was one of his favorites. He saw a lot of Plato in it…and himself, in the face of Mr. Lector.

But no, he wasn’t to think about Hannibal Lector right then! Shaking his head, Alek fought to return back to the present. He wasn’t an overweight cannibal and this woman wasn’t Agent Starling…though she was just as alluring. Were those eyes really so innocent as they seemed? What an attractive little human; so willing to trust that he wasn’t as bad as the men running away across the street.

Little did she know that he was worse. Much, much worse. Where was Anya when he needed her? He didn’t know how long he could last, with such a beautiful, alluring...deliciously alive human so close to him. He could just taste that bronzed skin in his mouth as he pierced her vein with his teeth—

He shook his head again, a bit harder this time, his shaggy hair falling over his eyes. At the rate he was going, she’d probably find him crazy and would leave soon anyway. He would just continue with the hated ‘small talk’ and make his getaway before the sun came up. Yes, perfect plan.

Turning, the vampire tilted his head curiously as he processed her offer. A drink? Anya didn’t let him have liquor, because it went to his head so fast…and made him hungry. Then again, everything made him hungry…but no, he would have to decline.

Even though her choice of words made his stomach practically roar in his midsection. Mortified, one hand went straight down to the protesting abdomen as if to stifle the sound.
”Ah, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t,” He replied, voice slightly accented by his native tongue. “I have to be somewhere, you see. But…ah.” He looked down at her hand for a moment, forgetting what he was supposed to do. Back in his day, men bowed and women courtsied, and it had been such a long time since he’d been out in public without his sister. But he recovered.

He wiped his hand on his jacket before offering it to her, just in case he had a bit of grime from the bar coating his palm. He shook her hand briefly, then took a step back. ”Your thanks really is not necessary, mademoiselle,” He was about to follow with an ‘I must go now,’ but he noticed a slight lean to her stance, and lines of discomfort on her face. Was she hurt? Oh God, had he hurt her? It must have happened when he scooped her up! He was so bad when it came to measuring his strength to others!

Instantly, he forgot about the oncoming sun and his probably worried sister back at the hotel. Taking a step toward her, he looked down at her ankle. ”Are you wounded, mademoiselle?”


[/center]

[Abigail Sykes]

Abby watched as he shook his head several times, her eyes squinting in curiosity. She wondered what was guying on in his mind. It was like he was arguing mentally with himself. Abby knew all about that, though she didn’t do it as physically. She had learned a long time ago to keep things inside of her. If she showed emotion, resistance, doubt, anything it just lead to more or worse beatings. Sometimes both.

Her heart began to sink when he started to say no. He had just saved her life and she didn’t even know his name. She really was beginning to feel like some damsel in distress and that irritated her.

Abby didn’t like being indebted to anyone, and while a drink wouldn’t make up for it, she’d at least hoped it would be a start. Besides he called her mademoiselle, his accent was definitely working for him. and maybe they’re shared intense situation would lead to a night of passion. That would definitely help to make them even, and Abby really couldn’t see a flaw in it.

When his concerned turned towards her ankle she looked down and waved him off. “Oh, I’m fine. I just rolled my ankle earlier when I was dancing, and then when that guy grabbed me I kicked the other guy, it just irritated it a little.” She laughed a bit. “High heels could kill a girl if she’s not careful.”

Rolling her shoulders a bit, Abby shifted her weight so she didn’t put any more pressure on her ankle. She hadn’t really been thinking about it, but the adrenaline was starting to wear off and the shakes were coming in worse. She needed a drink and liquor would supply that. She hoped Alek would come with her. Even if he didn’t though she would just wind up getting a drink anyways before finding a safe place to park and falling asleep in her truck. She made good money at the Den, but she was trying to save up to get a place and putting the expense to a motel just wasn’t a good investment at the moment.

“I’m fine,” She reassured him waving it off again. "You just saved me from getting hit by a car! I can’t in good conscious let you go off into the night without getting your name and at least buying you a drink!”

It sounded corny as hell, even to her, but what was she supposed to do. Abby was grateful. “Look,” She told him exasperated by his resistance. “I’m not lying in an ICU bed because of you. I’m breathing because of you!” She laughed a bit. “You could have just watched, but you risked your life for a total stranger! You can’t just disappear into the night and let me wake up tomorrow thinking it was some romantic dream. Let me buy you a drink…please?"

Abby knew that she sounded like some crazy woman in the midst of a B rated chick flick, but what was she supposed to do? No one she had ever met, let alone some stranger off the street had done for her what this man had. It wasn’t what she expected, she didn’t understand it, but it sure as hell wasn’t anything she could turn away from.

[Alek Romanov]

I can't escape this hell
So many times i've tried
But i'm still caged inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself

So what if you can see the darkest side of me?
No one will ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal

[/i]



Well, wasn’t she the persistent one? Alek was torn between frustration and amusement, as he watched the play of emotion across the woman’s face. Was she really so grateful that she’d go with him, a complete stranger, down a dark street toward a bar? What if he were a serial killer, and she’d become his next mark? An alleyway would make a perfect killing ground; just add a touch of garbage bags, use the stench of rotting food to hide the sweet smell of lacerated flesh, and muffle her screams with plastic wrap. Her body wouldn’t be found for hours, and by then, he would be long gone; back to his normal life, with that angelic face a distant memory.

All it would take was a little nod and off they’d go. How innocent these women were; how innocent they always had been. Did no one heed the warnings passed down through the generations about strangers and hidden agendas? Hero or no, it was never a good idea to become too attached to an unfamiliar man with blood on the mind.

And God, he wanted to taste hers. Would it be as sweet as she seemed? Like candy on his tongue, while she soothed the ache in his belly and the clouds in his head? He’d bet she’d taste just like sweets…with an added touch of spice. Perfect.

…But not to be. Damn her, for looking at him like he was so damn good. She should be running from him, not thanking him! Don’t invite the wolf to your door, unless you had a shotgun on hand, damn her eyes!

The temptation was so much, that the vampire had to take a moment to collect himself. Just one little nod, one little okay to the voices in his head, and he would be set free. That beautiful calm would come to him, and he would take her to some dark little place, dirty and damp, and kill her. Drain her dry…and mourn her death.

No, no, he couldn’t. Anastasia’s voice rang in his head, momentarily drowning out the ones calling for blood, and he hung onto it like a lifeline. No emotion would show on his face, but inside, he was screaming under her command to come home. An absent expression took to his eyes as he looked down at the woman, and his head tilted in that normal, curious way.

”I’m afraid that I really can’t join you for a drink,” He said with a formal little bow of his upper body. Ever the Old World soul; that was him. ”I apologize if it seems rude, but I have a…condition, concerning the sunlight. It’s very rare and very painful, you see, so staying out so late would be a mistake.”

Clasping his hands behind his back, he looked at her from under his shaggy bangs, a far away smile on his face. He had to hide from the voices, so he slid into that white walled room in his head. He didn’t want to kill her. It was a sin to kill an angel.

”And as for the car; it is nothing. I am glad that you are safe. If you would like, I could walk you to your vehicle, or to wherever you were headed, but then, I must depart.”


[/center]

[Abigail Sykes]

Abby realized she must have been sounding like some desperate little twit practically begging him to come out and have a drink with her. Honestly she couldn’t blame him for saying no. When he mentioned having a condition concerning sunlight Abby eyed him curiously. Working at the Wolf’s Den Abby knew that there were things other than humans out there. Technically she was human, but she was also a Shaman who could heal others, but unfortunately not herself.

The man, who may be human or not, that saved her life was awfully secretive. It hadn’t gone past her that he had yet to tell Abby his name. Did he not want to tell her? Or was he afraid? Abby knew what it was like to be afraid, but she had long ago decided that fear would not run her life. Sure, Abby knew that in some ways that wasn’t exactly true, but there were some things she wasn’t ready to face yet.

Shifting her weight off her bad ankle, Abby continued to stare up into his eyes as he offered to walk her to her car or wherever she was going. The truck was where she was going, since at the moment it was her home. Not wanting to push him though, Abby nodded and turned back towards the parking lot and began limping towards her truck.

“Thank you,” Abby said again. “For saving my life. It’s a good thing you’re quick or you would have been hit too you know.”

That’s what was boggling Abby’s mind. Strangers this day in age did not stick their neck out for other people. At least not in her experience. Abby had been on her own a long time, traveled through several different states. She’d seen muggings, random attacks, people getting hit by cars and it was rare if ever that someone a person didn’t know intervened. Sure they’d gather round and gawk, but other than calling 911, most people just stood on the sidelines.

No one wanted to get involved. No one wanted to risk getting caught up in the problem or potentially becoming a witness. It was a hassle to them, not worth their time. Unless of course it was someone they knew. Then they were abhorred by the lack of help from people around them.

Abby knew why she did it, or at least tried when she could. Using her powers to much would cause her to sleep for days at a time. If the person was too close to death she wouldn’t be able to heal them anyways. Still, she had to try. Cheveyo kept telling her that if she’d just work with him, her powers would grow. It wouldn’t be so draining, and she wouldn’t even have to deeply meditate to contact him. It would be easier.

So many times he had told her that, but Abby didn’t want it to be easier. She didn’t deserve it. Maybe she was punishing herself. It had crossed her mind once or twice. Maybe she was still angry at Cheveyo for saving her life when she didn’t want it to be saved. Yet she went around, healing those she could, not knowing if they even wanted it. She was as bad as he was.

Throwing the thoughts from her mind, Abby looked up at him, her curiousity getting the better of him. If he wouldn’t tell Abby his name, maybe he’d at least answer her question. “Why did you risk getting hit by a car for someone you don’t even know?”

[Alek Romanov]

I don't think that you wanna be a part of me.
I don't think you wanna see the deeper, darker side of me.
I don't think that you're ready for reality.
I don't think you wanna see the deeper, darker side of me.

(Walk away)
Can you trust me?
(Walk away)
I'm empty.
(Walk away)
Cause I might still be here.
Living hell
Might, be, living hell

[/i]



Differences, differences...how did he feel about them again? Did he like change? Did he like it when situations began to contrast with one another? He just couldn't remember, and gave an inner sigh of frustration. This entire situation should have been ended already. There should be no conversations, no thank-you's or innocent invites to the nearest bar, because he should never have intervened in the first place. She was absolutely right in that aspect; he should not have put himself in danger for someone who was going to die in the next blink of his immortal eye. Not to mention that, if he had indeed been hit and lost any of his body's precious blood, well...they really wouldn't have been talking.

Because he'd be latched onto that pretty throat like the starving animal that he was. Gah, he just HAD to go and remind himself of the dark passenger, didn't he? The gnawing in his belly was getting worse...bad for him, bad her for her, and bad for any late night pedestrians.

But really, he couldn't get over her completely noncholance! Most beings, supernatural or innocently human, could just...sense the monster in him and instinctively keep their distance. This girl, however? She just looked at him with those doe eyes and feared nothing.

Did she want to die? Because he could most definitely oblige...no! Damn, he couldn't think of that. If he returned home with another dead body in his arms, Anya would be very angry...and he hated it when his sister was cross at him. He did love her so.

With another small shake of his head, Alek forced his mind back to the present as she spoke again. Whatever absent expression on his face seemed to fade slightly as he met her gaze. Oh, how his skin practically tingued for want of offering his arm as she limped. It was the gentlemanly thing to do, to be sure, but close quarters and physical contact...he didn't want to hurt her. She had a very nice voice.

When they got to the street, Alek held out an arm to block her from moving forward, as if she were a child. When he was satisfied that there was no oncoming traffic, he allowed them to continue on. "I need a reason to help someone?" He asked, brows bunching in confusion. How strange this day and age was! He frowned as he thought of a suitable reply.

"I helped you...because it was in my power to do so." He gave a satisfied nod. Yes, that would do. "And you? How did you end up in the street?"


[/center]

[Abigail Sykes]

When he put an arm in front of her to stop Abby from crossing into traffic she tensed. His arm had whipped out so fast for a moment she thought he meant to strike her and saving her from the car had just been a ruse to get her where he wanted her. Then she realized that if she had stepped out on the road she would once again be in caught in the head lights and possibly wind up as road kill. It was not on the top of her to-do list.

When traffic had past and he dropped his arm so that they could both cross, Abby visibly relaxed and listened as he spoke the answers to her question. It was not what she’d been expecting. He was questioning her logic, and then giving her an alternative answer. An answer that she was unsure of. He had helped her because it was in his power to do so? Well now she was really starting to question whether he was human or not. No one in this day and age spoke like that anymore.

Abby had never met a vampire, but she didn’t doubt their existence. She had been attacked by a skinwalker, and still managed to work in a place run by shifters. Something that unsettled her a bit, but it was bringing in the money she needed to afford an apartment and as long as they didn’t shift around her, she was fine. It wasn’t the fact that they could shift. It was the fact that when they shifted, they had claws. Her shoulder had almost been ripped off by claws, the scars visible to every day passerby's.

Abby was in the habit of wearing tank tops. She wasn’t ashamed of what happened to her, but that didn’t mean that when someone brought out the claws it didn’t scare the hell out of her. Not that she’d admit it out loud.

This man, or not man, had been the one to save her. He was suddenly watching out for traffic, making sure harm didn’t come to her. Even if it was only for the next few minutes. Yet he had to be home before the sun rose. He talked like he was born centuries ago. Maybe he was a vampire, but at the moment that didn’t matter to her. Abby knew all shifters weren’t bad. That had to mean the same for vampire right?

Looking up into his dark, sad eyes as they made their way across the street she believed that was true. He wouldn’t have come out of the shadows and saved her if there wasn’t something good in him. In his own words, he wouldn’t have saved her if it hadn’t been in his power. Yet he’d done it. He didn’t have to. He’d chosen to. That meant something, and that was more than anyone else that Abby had known had done for her.

Still Abby told herself, she shouldn’t be so quick to trust. Anyone she’d ever trusted had hurt her or left her. Not necessarily in that order. She knew she wasn’t worth it, which is why it boggled her mind so much that this man, or not man had chosen to save her. Even if she’d been hit by the car Cheveyo wouldn’t have let her die. Of course this stranger, who was still hiding his identity, had made sure that wasn’t even a worry.

When he asked Abby how she ended up in the street she gave him a simple shrug. “When I came out of work some junkies attacked me. They thought I’d roll over and let them rob me…or worse.” She gave him a sardonic chuckle. “Bastards didn’t think I had any fight in me I guess. I’m pretty sure I broke one of their noses, but he tossed me aside and I rolled into the street. It’s not a big deal.” She brushed it off casually, thinking of it as just that. Not a big deal.

Abby had encountered worse in her life. She’d had more bruises than the ones she sustained tonight. In the end it wasn’t anything a hot bath couldn’t cure. She didn’t have access to one, but there was a truck stop not far from here that offered hot showers at ten dollars a pop. It would rinse off the grime, and a few beers or maybe something stronger would wash away the memories.

When they made it back to her truck she turned to look at him, a soft smile playing on her lips. “So are you intentionally not telling me your name? Or do you just not have one?”

[Alek Romanov]

Really...to question his motives for helping her! To save a woman from the modern perils of automobiles was a must for a gentleman...but wait, was he still a gentleman? Ah, there it was! She was questioning his intentions because she was instinctively cautious. And that flinch, when he went to stop her from moving too quickly into the street? She must be shying from his touch, as others did when he came too close. Good; this is what he was used to. THIS was what the reaction he deserved and he relaxed under the familiarity. He'd known that she wasn't an angel, just a human. He could snuff out her life in an instant, and deep down, she must know it.

The realization comforted him. He didn't like the unfamiliar; he decided with a little sigh. New territory was too...hard to maneuver, especially when his beloved sister wasn't there. He'd promised Anya that he would try his hardest not to give into the dark passenger in his head and he would. This woman's uncertainty would keep him in chrck.

Or so he hoped.

Once they had succeeded in crossing the street without mishap, he allowed her to lead, clasping his hands behind his back. She really had a very nice voice, he thought as he watched shadows dance under streetlamps in front of them. It was like...bells. Or music. How pretty.

He frowned at her story. Hadn't he seen a group of poorly dressed men fleeing the scene before? His lips curled in disgust as he shook his head. "The men in this...city are repugnant, sometimes. On behalf of my gender, I do sincerely apologize. You should not walk alone at night. It is not safe of late."

Especially with monsters on the prowl, he thought, a sudden zing of excitement going through him Damn dark passenger.

Surprise flashed onto his face suddenly as she demanded to know his name. Before he could remind himself of modern customs, he turned to offer her an Old World bow.
"Ah, how rude. My name is Alek, madmoiselle. What is yours?"

[Abigail Sykes]

A smirk tugged at the corner of Abby’s lip when he apologized for his entire gender. He had such manners. Manners that had long been forgotten and were no longer taught this day in age. At least not in Abby’s experience. It was almost refreshing, but it also supported her thoughts of him not being entirely human. Maybe it wasn’t human at all. Either way, she didn’t dare ask. She’d only just met him and it was none of her business. Besides how rude would it be to out and out ask him, especially after he just saved her life?

Human, vampire, or whatever he may be, it didn’t matter. At least not to Abby. She knew monsters came in all shapes and sizes. She also knew that humans could be monsters and the things they called monsters were often kind, caring people. Despite that logic, Abby never stuck around to find out any different. It had always been the nice ones that scared her the most.

When people showed that they were true monsters she knew what to expect. Abby knew that she was going to get hurt in one way or another. She didn’t like getting hit or kicked, but it was something she had grown accustomed to over the years. It was bound to happen, especially in her line of work. Though Ash and the others the Wolf’s Den did a fairly good job of keeping the idiots out. Better than any other place Abby had worked.

It was the nice ones though, that made her wary. Why were they being nice to her? Her father had always told her that no one could ever love her. That she was worthless, pathetic. He was usually kicking her in the ribs as if cracking each one as he said it would mark it in her mind. Make it memorable. It had. So when someone was nice to Abby she thought it had to be some sort of ploy. There had to be an ulterior motive, a reason and at some point their true colors would show, and once again she would get hurt.

When he finally offered Abby his name she smiled. “Alek?” Looking him up and down from his dark eyes to his strong jaw bone and broad shoulders, she nodded in approval. “I like it.” Reaching out she wiped some left over gravel from his jacket and smiled up at him.

So, why with all her fears was Abby looking up at this man, or not man, and not wanting to run? The answer was simple. He’d saved her life. She owed him. Maybe she was terrified of relationships and people, but she wasn’t a coward. She didn’t run when she owed someone something. Abby made sure her debts were paid, and she owed Alek a huge debt.

Honestly she was still confused that he had leaped in front of a car to save her, but dwelling on it wouldn’t get her anywhere. It had happened, he had saved her and now it was time to move on and find a way to repay him.

When he asked her name Abby looked up at him, her head tilted to the side watching him curiously. She had been sure she’d given him her name. Had he forgotten? Then again it was possible she hadn’t. Adrenaline does funny things to the body and mind sometimes. Hers had mostly worn off, leaving her feeling drained. “Abby.” She told him again.

It was obvious she wasn’t going to be able to repay him tonight. Dawn was near and Abby needed to make sure she didn’t fall asleep on her way to the truck stop. Those were actually the safest places to stay when sleeping out of her truck. The big rig drivers were usually pretty decent, watching out for each other and anyone else who might be staying there for the night.

As exhausted as she was beginning to feel, Abby knew she couldn’t leave Alek out here, not with dawn close to approaching. “Look, I know that you have a..uh condition, so maybe I could give you a ride to where ever your going? I mean I wouldn’t want you getting caught outside if the sun came up. It’s not even close to repaying you, but it’s a start. Well if you’ll let me?”

[Alek Romanov]

Something was amiss; he could almost smell it in the air, as the woman fell silent. What was she thinking of, he wondered, to make her face go so…serious? He liked it when she was talking to him, and her lips were tilting every so slightly in the semblance of a smile. She wasn’t an angel, he knew that…but she was very pretty. Would she let him sketch her, he wondered absently, clasping his hands behind his back. Probably not. Women didn’t like it when he stared at him…oh no, like he was doing now!

With a little cough, he turned so that he was looking down at his feet. He really didn’t know how to handle most people, as was evident from his work at Mama Jules’. He was supposed to mix the drinks, which were easy enough…but the actual interacting with the humans? He was almost always happy when someone asked him to go clean a table, because then he could keep his head down and his hands busy. People didn’t really look twice at a busboy…but the bartenders? Lord knew how many little slips of paper he had stuffed into his pockets each night!

It seemed that, when liquor was involved, human women became very, very stupid. It was a shame; he would have loved to take some of them up on their offers. He’d bet that they would taste so much sweeter, with the alcohol in their blood…

Damn, there he went again; thinking about blood. The ever-present cramps in his stomach began to clamp down, and he gripped his wrist to keep from groaning. He was practiced at not letting any of his discomfort show in his face, and he was thankful for it. This woman was making him think of things that weren’t safe, and it was almost time for him to leave. What if she became concerned about him? Urged him inside of her place of work to rest?

Anya would not be pleased if he were any later. He didn’t like to make his beloved sister angry. She was disappointed enough; he knew.

With yet another shake of his head, Alek tried his best to return to the present, practically hanging onto her words. He looked a bit surprised when she went to brush some dirt off of his shoulder, looking down at her hand like it was a foreign thing. What would it feel like on his bare skin, he wondered? Would her touch be soft? Would her skin smell like flowers?

See? There were those bad thoughts again. He just couldn’t escape them, while around her!

With a small wince as he realized she was giving him a strange look, he resigned himself to the fact that he’d probably had her repeat her name again. He’d heard her the first time, but he had that tendency; thoughts and memories randomly slipping out of his mind when he needed them the most. Abby…as in Abilene? Abigail? He’d known an Abigail Williams in the early 40’s. She’d been a shoe-maker’s daughter, and she’d had the most wonderful laugh…

When the woman started to speak again, Alek lifted his eyes so that he could look at her. Sometimes, when he watched lips move, he could hold onto the words they were forming. Once again, surprise slid onto his face as he realized that she was offering him a ride. Really…she was too trusting with strangers!

But he could sense the sun slowly rising, and knew that he’d have trouble making it back home on his own. Sure, he could use the speed of his kind, but given that he hadn’t fed since the morning, and his body had already used up most of the nutrients he needed…it would be more beneficial, if he didn’t use his abilities.

After a moment of consideration, the vampire finally nodded. ”If it would not be an imposition, Madmoiselle Abby, I would appreciate a ride. I will give you directions on the way.”

[Abigail Sykes]

Abby nodded and got in the truck leaning over to the passenger side to unlock the door for Alek. The truck was an old model chevy and nothing was electronic. Even the windows had the old roll down bars. She should probably have gotten rid of it long ago, but it was her brothers and she didn’t have the heart to get rid of it.

She didn’t bother with her seat belt. There was no point since she couldn’t die. Getting hurt was a different story, but she would heal. When Alek was in she went to start the truck. It sputtered and coughed, but didn’t start. She frowned. “Aww come on, Blue. Don’t do this to me!” She turned the key again and pressed on the gas getting the same result.

Well if this wasn’t all embarrassing. She offered Alek a sheepish smile and continued talking to her truck. “Okay, so I owe you a tune up. We both know this! As soon as I get the cash I promise it’s the first thing on my to-do list!”

As if her words soothed the truck and rumbled and tumbled, but the engine turned over and started. She rubbed the dashboard affectionately before turning to Alek. “Sometimes you have to whisper sweet nothings into Ol’ Blue’s ear before she’ll run for ya.” She offered him another smile before pulling out of the parking lot.

It was almost difficult to concentrate on the street when she had such a lovely man sitting next to her. He was quiet and almost seemed troubled as if he were worried about something. It wasn’t
Abby’s place to intrude on that so she decided for less invasive conversation while he gave her directions to where he needed to go.

“So do you work? I work at the Wolf’s Den. The place we were just at. I’m a dancer there.” She had no shame when it came to what she did. It made money, paid the bills. It was what she did, not who she was and if someone couldn’t understand that, well that wasn’t her problem.

When they stopped at a red light she looked over at him. A street light bounced off his pale skin silhouetting his profile. Alek was so still and unmoving it was like looking at something captured on a camera or in a painting. It was breath taking. “You’re beautiful,” She told him, her eyes unmoving from him. “It’s like looking at a piece of emotional, heartbreaking artwork.” Reaching out she brushed her hand along his cheek just to remind herself that he was indeed real. His skin was cool and smooth beneath her touch. He was most definitely real.

Someone honked at them startling Abby out of her daze. Looking up she realized the light was green and pressed down on the gas. She had no idea what had come over her just then. He just seemed so lost and so sad. Abby knew what it was like to feel those emotions and she didn’t wish it on anyone.

Still she felt like she had just made a fool out of herself. Biting her lip Abby kept her eyes on the road and hoped the shadows kept Alek from seeing the blush was that rising in her cheeks.

[Alek Romanov]

Confused, Alek idly watched as the young woman proceeded to coo at her steering wheel. How odd, how these people seemed so…close to their automobiles. Dealing with a horse and carriage was so much easier in comparison, he thought, mind wandering back to memories of the buggy stage of his life. One didn’t have to deal with stalling engines, or that foul smelling ‘gas’ that one had to constantly pay to put into the car. If one kept their horses well fed and made sure that the spokes on the carriage wheel didn’t fall off, there was nothing to worry about.

But he had to remember that he was in a new age now, or so Tasia constantly told him. It was the World of Technology, and such comforts that he was used to were obsolete, save in some backwater towns and countries. It was enough to make him nostalgic for slower, simpler days.

As she started to promise an oil change- whatever that was- to her car, the vampire idly wondered if he was supposed to offer to help her. Perhaps, if he started to talk to the wheel, it would start? He knew next to nothing about how these things ran, but he could definitely talk to it.

Not that he got the chance. A little shiver of unease slivered up his spine as the truck started and they moved into traffic. He did so hate these contraptions, especially after watching that television show…what was the name? World’s Most Horrible Accidents? It had been quite a slow evening, when Tasia had left him to deal with their superiors, and neither one of them had trusted him to venture out alone. He’d seen all the ways that these ‘cars’ could crash, and he was definitely not its greatest fan.

That didn’t mean that he had to grip the door handle so hard that it cracked under his fingers, however. With a deep breath, he forced his hand to relax.

”Ah, I see,” He said with his trademark absent smile, nodding in agreement to her comment about whispering things to ‘Ol Blue…though he had no idea what she was talking about. One couldn’t be rude, right?

When she mentioned dancing, Alek’s entire face lit up. ”That establishment favors dancing?” He asked, voice tinted with happiness that he couldn’t hide. ”Ah, it has been years since I have danced. What kind of dancing is it? Ballroom, perhaps?”

If it was, he was definitely going to have to drag his sister down to investigate. Oh, how he missed those polite balls and dinner banquets that his parents used to throw! Though it had been so long ago, the whirl of skirts and flirtacious smiles of young women had him smiling at the whizzing scenery outside. Her question brought him back to reality, and he turned to look at her.

Which was a mistake. God, she smelled good…he bet that she would taste good, as well. Just one bite, one glamour, and he could stop the gnawing in his belly—

The door made a soft thump as he forced himself against it, putting as much distance between her and himself as he could. His voice sounded less amused when he spoke next. ”Ah, I work at Mama Jules’ Roadhouse, when she needs me. I am a busboy there, and—“

Whatever else he was about to say was abruptly cut off, as she reached out to touch his face. In a movement that was much too fast for a normal human, he caught her wrist in his hand and jerked her away from him, also starting as a horn honked from behind them. Quickly, he dropped her hand as if he were burned by it, and clamped his mouth shut when his fangs began to grow.

God, she thought he was beautiful? HIM? A monster? What a strange, strange little woman she was! Grasping his hands in his lap so hard that his knuckles popped, Alek forced his eyes on the road before them.

”Please excuse my…reaction,” He said, voice a bit hoarse. He wanted to touch her, taste her, feel her hands on his skin again. ”You startled me. I do not like to be touched.”

[Abigail Sykes]

When Alek grabbed her wrist Abby yiped, having been startled by the abrupt movement. It was true she couldn’t die, but she’d been beaten enough that sudden movements like that made her heart race faster, her eyes widen just a bit as memories of being struck by her father flashed through her vision. After a moment Alek explained that he, much like Abby didn’t like to be touched.

Abby didn’t mind touch as long as she welcomed it, but if it was a sudden thing forced on her, well, even if there was no malicious intent it sent a jolt of fear through her. Though honestly, knowing how she felt about it, Abby shouldn’t have just assume it was all right to touch Alek. She had just become so mesmerized with his alabaster skin and dark eyes. He truly was beautiful and he had just saved her life.

“I’m sorry.” She shook her head and focused on the road. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have done that.” Feeling sheepish she bit her lip and decided the best thing to do was revert to the questions she had ignored when she’d been so caught up in his beauty.

“The Wolf’s Den doesn’t do ballroom dancing,” She explained regaining her bearings. “Just exotic.” She shot him a grin. Abby wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed by her job. It paid the bills. Well if she had any they would. The less money she spent at the moment the better though as she was still trying to save up to get a small apartment while she was in town.

Seeing a look of confusion cross over Alek’s face Abby raised a brow at him. “An exotic dancer? You know, a stripper?” Feeling like that wasn’t quite doing it she elaborated. “Basically I dance and take off my clothes for money.”

Abby watched him curiously waiting for his reaction. She had been shunned by a lot of people for doing what she did. Some people went so far as to call her a slut or a whore. Alek, though he had saved her life, seemed timid, scared of something.

The way Alek had clamped his mouth shut and turned away from her hadn’t gone unnoticed by Abby. This man or not man, piqued her curiosity.