Heavy metal pounded the walls, ceiling, and floor of the White Mice, the hottest nightclub in town (by Lisa's standards, anyway). It was only nine o'clock, but already the place was packed and there was a long line of self-starved teenagers waiting outside to get in. Mostly, though, they were smoking and handing out coke - whenever the cops across the street weren't looking, of course. One of those inside the club had been there for almost an hour now - and she'd already had her fair share of vodkas on the rocks. She'd had three just in the first fifteen minutes. Since that time, she'd had four more. While she wasn't exactly wasted yet, she was slowly getting there.

As she came off the dance floor, she did a little whirl and said, "Whoo!" She laughed and went up to the bar. She could still walk okay, but it was clear that she was very satisfied - for the present, anyway. And like an idiot, the bartender was still serving drinks to those already drunk off their asses. Lisa cleared her throat as she adjusted her bright-yellow suede jacket, the zipper done up halfway to reveal an equally bright yellow t-shirt. She plopped down on a stool and shouted over the noise, blinking slightly as the brightly coloured strobe lights flickered over the place where she was sitting. It was like a disco bar, only with better music. Fear Factory was always good.

"Hey! I'll have another vodka on the rockses!"

She didn't notice yet the way her voice was slurring, but in truth it was the first time it had slurred all night. Only now was she actually starting to get really drunk, though she was still semi-sober enough to remember at least some of what was going on around her.

Toby had come here to hunt... He really had. But he'd turned from the hunter to the protector as he saw a girl nearly stumble off the dance floor and order yet another drink. She was a decent looking girl too. Not as pretty as some, but he could tell that she could be drop dead gorgeous if she wanted to be.

But still she was pretty enough, and now drunk enough, to attract any attention. Those damn bastards that called themselves men wouldn't be too far behind, and none would be as kind as he would.

So as smooth as he could, Tobias slipped into the seat next to her, as if he'd been there the whole while, taking a puff of his cigarette.

"I don't think you should have any more baby girl. You look like you've had enough, and I'm sure the rest of the drinks have yet to kick in." He said with a soft smile, his voice silky and persuasive.

Damn... Him and his need to protect women. Well, his mother had always wanted him to respect them and treat them right, and well, saving their lives was the ultimate respect wasn't it? Or if not their lives at least their innocence.

"I can't believe a pretty little thing like you even needs to drink to have fun." He chuckled softly, looking at her curiously.

She turned to him abruptly, like she was startled, but she looked more indifferent than anything else as she turned back just as abruptly to exchange a five for the drink. Vodka was expensive here, and she always ordered a double.

She downed it in one gulp and ordered two more after. She handed over a ten and turned back to the guy and smiled.

"Hi there."

She more plopped down on the stool under her than sat down, and then she got all serious on him - mock serious, anyway.

"Fun is overrated..."

And then she burst out laughing.

"But dancing and vodka are too good to reresist."

She didn't even notice the err in her speech.

"Beeesides, I can...hold my own."

That's when the two drinks came. The bartender gave her a frown, but he didn't say anything. If she wanted to get drunk off her ass and wake up in the morning feeling like she'd been crushed by the San Andreas, that was her business - not his. He walked away, leaving her to her drinks - and her new friend, whom he glanced at but said nothing to. It just wasn't his business.

Lisa downed one of the drinks the way she had the last.

"See? No problems. But you're nice-looking."

She smiled again.

He sighed and shook his head as she stated that well... Basicly that she could take care of herself. But she wouldn't be able too soon.

"Darling, please." He had tried sweet talking her beecause well, he really didn't look old enough to be her father or even close to that age. But he didn't want to sound like an old man. It just made him feel old. Older than he really was even since he had been turned.

"No more drinks okay? You're barely able to stand as is, and I don't want to see you on the front of the newspaper or on a milk carton okay?"

Tobias couldn't help but sigh again and hang his head as she down another shot. But there was something he could do, and that being the only option he saw, he shot out his hand and grabbed the other shot and downed it before she could say a word. He winced at the taste of the vodka, he'd always prefered rum. Better flavor... Or Whisky. Better bite.

"Look. I'm only gonna tell you this once more." He said turning her face to his. The expression on his face was concern, and almost a pleading. "You've had enough for the night. Don't make me keep an eye on you all night long now, ya hear? I don't want to have to walk you home and make sure you get to bed alright. I don't want to have to do that. But I will if I have to, you understand?"

She rolled her eyes.

"You're just jealous because you can't hold your liquor wellllluh," she said, winking and grinning at him.

She cleared her throat and slid up against him, like she was trying to snuggle.

"But you're a big, strong man...you can take me home if you want."

Clearly, she'd misunderstood - and clearly, she wouldn't have cared at this point if she had understood.

She ran a finger down his chest and snuggled close to his neck.

"Maybe you can be my new boytoy, hm? Wouldn't that be nice? You, me...and Charlie!" she finished in a melodic voice, as though she were singing. Of course, it was clear what 'Charlie' meant; she wasn't talking about Charlie Brown, after all. She giggled.

"Whaddayasay, hunk? Hm?"

"I can hold my liquor just fine thank you..." He said calmly. But he was a lot less calm as she sidled up against him, pressing close. She was beautiful... But the most enticing thing was her heart... The way it beat swiftly, strongly beneath her her skin. It was almost as intoxicating as her scent.

"Of course I'll walk you home. But that will be it." He said firmly. Obviously the other drinks were kicking in, making her current situation worse.

He shuddered with a mix of emotions as she caressed him, snuggled close. But the entertainment value wore off as she called him 'Charlie'. He stiffened significantly and pushed her away lightly. "Don't call me that." He said almost sharply.

But then again, how was she to know? How was she to know what he'd been through in that damn war?

She hadn't even been born yet, not even thought of most likely.

"My name's Tobias. But no. I don't think I'm your type sweetheart." He said smiling fondly at her, reaching out to caress her cheek. Perhaps that was a bad thing to do... But he was already stuck with her for at least the night.

"Oh, come on," she said, pouting slightly. "How could you possibly refuse this beautiful body? Hm? Maybe you think I'm too ugly for you...I could change your mind," she said with a cunning grin and a coy tone to her voice. There was a dangerous sparkle in her eyes - part drink part mischief...part something else. Depseration? Lust? Desire? Something, anyway. She put his arms around his neck and put her lips close to his ear.

She whispered softly, "Maybe I can rock your world, baby..."

The bartender had now noticed, of course, and he was practically dying trying not to burst out laughing. If he did, he'd probably be laughing all damn night. Lisa, of course, didn't notice.

"Oh, it's not that darling. Not that at all." He said with an almost sad grin. "In fact, it's quite the opposite. Far to beautiful for a haggard warhorse like me." He admitted. After all, he wasn't the most handsome man in the world, he knew that. And not to mention his scarred and battered body... It wasn't really something he was ashamed of... It was just something women didn't like. They liked scars to a certain extend, but when your whole body was covered with them...

Well, the effect wasn't that appealing.

"Oh, I know you could." He chuckled. "But probably not when your drunk." He pointed out as he turned to steal a quick, but wanting, kiss. He couldn't help himself. Besides... Maybe he could... entertain her now... And meet up again with her on better terms. "Ten to one you'll throw up. And two to one sweetheart... That you'd pass out on me." He said as he slid her off of him.

But then again if he played along... He could get her home, make her fall asleep and leave. That was the easiest thing to do really... But he hated toying with people...

She pressed into his lips and moaned softly.

Sex...I need sex...just shut up and fuck me already... she was saying in her mind - a surprisingly coherent mind for someone finally starting to feel the full effects of the vodka. She really could hold her liquor, even if her senses - and judgement - were impaired.

"I ain't never puked, baby...just take me home with you, hm?"

Her c-cups were pressing into his chest eagerly, rubbing against the muscles that were no-doubt prevalent on his body. She started nibbling on his ear.

"Take me, baby..." she mumbled softly...

That little moan as she kissed him told Toby just about everything. And in truth, he would have loved nothing more than to oblige. But... He couldn't take advantage of her like this... because that was what it was. She didn't really know what she was doing, she really didn't know what she wanted.

So he would do what needed to be done.

"Alrighty then, if you insist darling." He said with a slight sigh. "But how 'bout we go back to your place? I've been kinda busy so my place is rather a mess now, and this way if you do pass out, you'll already be home." He said with a slight grin.

"C'mon, what do ya say?"

Of course he didn't have to tell her that he'd just drop her off and leave her. But it really was the only thing he could do now.

"My apartment's a mess...but you're welcome in it any time, honey," she said, smiling, as her hand slowly came down from his neck to caress his chest. While one hand remained at his neck, the other one slowly but surely approached the waistline of his jeans. She had a sappy smile on her face the whole time, and it wasn't long before her fingertips were brushing the top of his pants...

It really was a good thing that he didn't need to breath. As it was, his heart was already racing, his body tense and eager for her.

God did he want her.... He hadn't been with a woman in so long... but...

No. He couldn't. She was young and she was drunk. He could deal with the first but not the last. He knew she wasn't thinking properly, so he wouldn't take her words at face value for the moment.

"Good... And if you want... I'll be over there every... Single... Night..." He said between kisses at her neck.

Shit... He took a sharp breath and hissed softly as her hand went down to his belt line. "Not now baby. Lets get to your place before we get too carried away, shall we?" He asked as he stood up, moving away from her slightly, but slipping his arm around her waist instead.

He was only a man after all... He could only take so much, and by all rights, most other men who'd say no to a girl that's throwing herself at them would be gay. "I've got some things in mind for you that... Well..." He leaned in to whisper into her ear. "That should only be done behind closed doors." He said with a grin, sucking on her ear slightly.

"Mmm..."

She moaned slightly as he nibbled on her ear. Behind them, the bartender ducked into the back room. Mortals would have heard nothing over the noise in the place, but any vampire could have easily determined that the bartender had just bust up laughing so hard he was most likely bent over trying not to have an asthma attack. It was so clear to anyone watching what Lisa was doing to the guy, and it was a wonder he hadn't slammed her down on the bar and done her right then and there. Most guys would have melted totally by now; it was a wonder Lisa's new 'friend' was still solid.

She leaned against him comfortably, relying more on him than on her own two legs for balance and still trying to feel him up all over. As it was, she managed to get her hand to the outside of his jeans and squeezed. She grinned.

"Ooh, nice one..."

Oh, Lisa's new friend was very solid indeed... Which was why his will was weakening quickly and he needed to get her home now. Well he had a bit of will power left. But who knew how much he'd need to get to her place.

Good, so she was willing to leave now then. Well of course... She was far more than willing.

Ignoring the scene around them he lead her out to his car. Nothing special, a nice restored '87 Chevy Beretta that he'd had well... Since 1987. It was his baby really. The only thing of value he really had.

"You still okay to give me directions? Or at least an Address?" It was a good thing he knew his way around the city...

"Need to know the way to get there of course. And then the fun can be had by all." He said with a grin. "Well, at least the two of us."

"Oh, let 'em watch," she said with a grin in response to 'by all'. She gave him the address and apartment number. Then she settled into the car and got as close to her 'driver' as she could.

She giggled at the thought, too.

"Driver...hehe...yeah, you're probably a really good driver, too..."

Of course, she wasn't talking about the car.

"Uh... Darling..." Because by this time he realized he didn't even know her name. "Sorry, but I need you to get over. It's a manual transmission." He said almost apologetically. "But truth be told, I'm not much of an exhibitionist. Besides. I wouldn't want to embarrass you by making you beg in front of all those people." He chuckled lightly.

Well... Perhaps if they ever got there he would... But no.. Not tonight.

Just the image of her on top or even beneath him and then her throwing up... Well, that was enough to hold his willpower together for a bit longer.

Once she was of the stick shift he made his way through the streets and towards the address she gave. His memory was good enough to be one of those GPS things any day really.

"Don't call me darling," she said grumpily. She hated being called darling. It made her sound like some rich fuck's pet. Sweetie made her sound like some grandmother's favorite workhorse. Honey...well, let's just say she didn't particularly like being associated with food. Especially after that last guy she knew...

What guy? She'd forgotten what she was thinking about already. But then she smiled seductively.

"But you can call me anything else you want, baby. Even baby. I'll be your baby."

She finished this last by reaching her left hand over and starting to massage a certain appendage through his jeans while he was busy trying to shift and turn a corner...

"Well fine then. How about your name? You haven't given that to me yet. And as we really don't know each other, I think names would be more appropriate than meaningless pet names." He said simply.

Focus on the road... Focus on driving... He told himself as she began to caress at his leg first. But then her hand began to wander... Other places. Places that they shouldn't be. And it just wasn't a good time.

His hand moved faster than the human eye to remove her hand and then regrab the steering wheel. "Don't do that again." He said sharply, no hint of a smile on his face. "Unless you want to get yourself killed."

He sighed softly then. "But I'm Tobias. You... You probably won't remember in the morning though." He mused the last part almost silently.

Lisa blinked. What the...she shook her head. She was imagining things...what things was she imagining again? Oh, well. It didn't matter. She smiled again and put her arm around what she believed her soon-to-be lover.

"It's Lisa," she said.

She started stroking his arm with her other hand lightly.

"Lisa huh? Well, it's definitely been a pleasure meeting you tonight, and I hope that we'll run into each other again sometime." He said with a smile.

Okay, her arm around his neck, he could deal. That wasn't bad at all.

A few minutes later they arrived at the apartment and he moved around the car to open the door for her, offering his hand. "M'lady, shall we head up to your apartment and let the fun times begin?" He asked with a grin, readying himself for what he had to do. Being young, his powers weren't as strong as his sires... But he could influence her to sleep, especially when she was on the verge of passing out.

She took his hand and practically fell into his arms. She laughed. She had a nice laugh. She was far from passing out, though. She really could hold her liquor. It was just the memory that was going - not the consciousness. She started kissing him and, with one arm around him, rubbing his chest again. Yet again her hand slipped down where it probably didn't belong. Instead of squeezing again, though, she started grinding against him.

"I want you, baby..." she said in between kisses. She was practically using him like a stripper used a pole, and her c-cups bouncing and pressing merrily against him probably didn't help either...

Tobias returned her kisses eagerly, wanting her as much as she wanted him. God he wanted her... He hadn't been with a woman... Well not love really... Since Abrielle... And he missed her terribly. He ached to hold her against him again, ached to kiss her as he was kissing this girl now. He longed to feel her pressing her body against his as she did so long ago...

But those times were gone. They had grown apart even if he still loved her. They were not fit together, though how Tobias wished they had been.

He had to do it now... He had to make her sleep or he wouldn't be able to hold himself back for much longer at all.

"Call me tomorrow night when you wake up... Sleep as long as you need and call me tomorrow." He whispered in her ear softly. But then he pressed the thought of a deep heavy sleep into her mind as he held her close. Sleep... Sleep that would keep her happy and content past the wicked hangover that he wouldn't envy her tomorrow. "Good night, Lisa." He whispered with a final push of his mind.

"Take me," she was saying with a smile between kisses. But then she started to fall asleep. Perhaps it was the booze, or perhaps something deeper, but - for her, at least - it seemed to become more than lust just then.

"Please," she said faintly, "please, no...I don't wanna sleep. I don't wanna. Please...don't leave me...please...goddamn you, Jason...damn you...."

And then she was totally out of it. She began to slip toward the ground as Tobias' suggestions took hold of her mind...

He... He hated doing it, but it was his only choice... And She wouldn't really remember him making her fall asleep anyway. Toby could just tell him that she'd passed out before they'd done anything. That would work.

With a sigh he held her close for a moment before stooping to pick her up in his arms. He kissed her warm forehead with a soft smile and carried her up to her room. With her keys he unlocked the door and found her room easy enough.

He dressed her properly for bed, keeping his eyes modestly averted when he could. But then tucked her in, kissing her once again before bringing a glass of water and two advil to the nightstand. Finding a napkin he wrote his name and number on it and left it under the glass.

"Sleep well darling..." He stroked her hair softly, leaving her to sleep for the night.

He left quietly, locking the door before he left. But after the door was closed he breathed a heavy sigh of relief. That was definintely a test of his will power... And he'd only barely passed. But if tomorrow she wasn't drunk, and she was still interested of course. He'd be more than willing to give her a rain check for the night he kind of cheated her out of.

It was almost nine in the morning when she awoke in her apartment. her head was pounding. It was almost ten minutes before her vision cleared enough for her to realize she was staring at a couple of advil and a glass of water. She didn't really remember much of the previous evening - as usual. She probably ended up with some guy that left her when she was out to go get a beer and never came back. She wouldn't have been surprised. She moved slowly, eventually coming into a sitting position with her knees folded against her chest. She wrapped her arms around her and tears started rolling down her cheeks. She quickly fell into sobs, quietly crying for some time. It was always this way...

It... It was around five-thirty when Toby woke up, and he hadn't gotten a call from Lisa over the day.... Was she still asleep? Was she okay?

He'd been able to find her number by looking up her address on his computer, so he decided to get her a call instead. After all, that would be the more... gentlemanly thing to do. To make sure she was okay.

Dialing the number he let it ring, hoping she would pick up. If she didn't... Well what did that mean? It could mean anything really, but it would mean that he'd want to check just to be sure she was okay.

She was staring at the TV when the phone rang. She glanced at it, but she didn't pick it up.

Who the hell would be calling me? she wondered. Finally, after a couple more glances and a sigh, she muted the TV. Tossing the remote onto the couch and getting up, she answere the phone tentatively.

"...yeah? Hello?"

Toby smiled as he heard her voice over the phone. "Hey Lisa? It's Tobias, from last night. I just thought I'd give you a call and see how you were doing from last night. I was kind of worried after you passed out. I would have stayed with you to make sure, but I had to go to work."

He tried to explain before she could hang up or say something useless.

"So... How are you doing?"

Tobias? From last night...

"Um..."

She ran a hand over her forehead, pushing her hair back. Then something occurred to her. Trying to play along so she didn't seem completely stupid, she responded to his question with one of her own.

"How did you get this number?"

"I know your address don't I?" He said with a smile. "I could have used the phone book and done everything the old fashion way, but I just used the internet. I... I was worried about you, but thought this would be better than paying you a visit." He said with a smile, even though she couldn't see it.

"I mean I wouldn't object to it at all if you wanted me to drop by, but I thought I'd ask first."

Maybe if she did want him to come over... They could get to know each other without the help of alcohol.

"Well, that would work if mine was a listed number. And how the fuck did I get on the internet?" she practically demanded.

This...this was very creepy. Some guy she barely remembered from the previous evening was calling her after somehow having found her number on the internet?

"Google." He responded simply, grinning on his end, even though he could tell it bothered her.

"But I take it by all your questions you're okay. Probably don't remember too much after leaving the club... But you're okay. Am I right?" He couldn't help but chuckle softly. It was rather entertaining all things considered.

"Well, maybe if you're feeling okay we could meet up somewhere? I could pick you up if you'd like." He offered, hoping she would at least relax a bit. After all, he could have taken advantage of her if he wanted to, but he hadn't.

"That didn't answer my question. How the fuck did I end up on Google? You know what - never mind...look, I'm sorry, but I don't even really remember you. I mean, I kinda do, but I don't know you. I..."

She sighed.

"I don't even know your name, so just..."

She was going to tell him to fuck off - she should have - but something told her not to. The guy was just trying to help, whoever he was. Awful gentlemanly of someone she'd most likely ended up in bed with.

"Oh... Well that was how I found it." He said innocently. After all, it wasn't like he had put it up there.

But he gave a defeated sigh at her tone and her words both. "Okay... I got ya. Never mind then, I'm just glad you're okay and some other guy didn't get to you. Just be careful next time though... Not many men can resist a beautiful woman throwing herself at him." He said with a chuckle.

"Take care Lisa."

But he didn't hang up yet, waiting to see what she would say.

She didn't quite know what to say to that. Before some other guy got to her? What was he, a cop or something?

Hell, why not? She was getting tired of I Love Lucy, anyway. She could only handle so much of those idiots, who seemed to be all over the place on the TV suddenly.

"Um...what, exactly, did you have in mind?"

She rubbed her left eye and stifled a yawn with her fist. She'd been half-asleep when he'd called.

"I was thinking... Maybe some Miniature Golf." He said with another grin. But he was actually being honest. Something simple, fun... Something they could talk while doing. But then again...

"And as it might be a bit cold for that... Do you like to bowl maybe?" He offered. Granted the cold didn't bother him, but it was bound to bother her. "Just something fun you know? My treat of course." He said as if it were to be expected.

"What do you say?" Well it was a good thing he hadn't hung up then, wasn't it?

Her first thought was: Are you out of your fucking mind? She almost said that, too, but then she figured her poor ears couldn't take the loud banging sound of a receiver slamming into place. She'd already had one bad headache today; she didn't need another one.

"Um...you're not serious...are you?"

PLEASE say no...

He frowned slightly at her questioning tone.

"Well... Yeah, I am. I mean have you ever been bowling? It is a lot of fun you know. Maybe it's not the most high tech or fancy, but it's fun." He said simply.

Ah, kids these days. Everything had to be up to date and all high tech didn't it?

"What's so wrong with bowling Lisa? Maybe we'd get to learn about each other. After all, our time was cut a bit short last night. Can't really talk at the movies you know. And well I'm not big on eating out I have to admit... Medical diet of sorts." He mentioned casually, hoping she'd accept.

"Yeeah...well..."

She sighed. Great. NOW what did she say?

"How...how do you feel about pinball? Or pool, maybe?"

Pinball and a soda or pool and a beer...either way, at least it was something that she wouldn't look totally geeky at. For one thing, that old pool table in storage is what she used to practice on when she was a kid. She got pretty good at it, actually - and pinball? Please. No boy on earth could match her at a pinball table. Besides, she needed a beer.

"I suppose we could shoot some pool." He agreed. It was kind of along his lines of thinking anyway, and a less 'family fun' environment so he could be himself more.... But then again, maybe that would just turn her away...

"I know a little pool hall in the city we could go to if that's all right with you. I could swing by and pick you up since it would be on the way." He offered.