Even though Max had gone stateside for what was only eight months now taking care of the business that seemed to continually interrupt his life earlier last year in his new adopted town, his vampire birthplace. Life had seemed to go to on without him. Though everything was basically the same it was clear that something, for him at least, had changed.

Finding out the things he had that summer, the fact his old employer Uncle Sam knew he was “still alive”, and that they soon found out he was more than “alive,” coupled with the discovery of a sire and a grand-sire for that matter who were combined thousands of years older than he was and the discovery that he really had feelings for the vampire, no the woman, who had taken it upon herself to be the sire that his failed to be as he underwent a very difficult transition having taken in…ugh it was enough to drive a man to drink, not that he needed an excuse he chuckled to himself.

As he walked along the highway with the duffel over his denim covered shoulder past the city limit sign he wondered what he should do first. He had money for a hotel so he was not too worried about shelter for the day that would come in a few hours, but rather should he make any attempts right away to find anyone. He decided that could wait until he had found a place to settle in and call his own now that he was back. No tonight he would get a room, get a drink and perhaps feed before calling it a day.

Catching a taxi on the outskirts of town he watched as the lights and people of the city became brighter and more crowded. He missed this downtown, the life on top and the danger below, and he partook of both. After about thirty minutes he found the taxi had stopped to drop him off at his favorite hotel and at this realization smiled and paid the cabbie giving him a hefty tip.

Walking inside he saw Sara who had over the last couple of years had come to know this eccentric customer and smiled as though she was seeing a relative she liked after quite sometime. “Welcome back, Mr. Otera. It has been quite a while since you last stayed with us, we are glad your back.” With the mannerism of habit she grabbed the paperwork and keys for the room that Max usually stayed in as it had come to suit his needs. Laying down the cash for the room he took the key after signing the form and said, “It’s good to be back, Sara, have a good night.” They exchanged smiles and Max made his way to his room, settled in, took a shower, and put on some clean clothes consisting of jeans, white button up shirt, cowboy boots and a three quarter length brown leather coat that had obviously travelled the world.

Making his way out the front of the hotel and decided that he would go to the White Mice, as it was the only club he had actually been to since coming to this town in the last couple years. It would be a good place to get a drink and collect memories.

After about fifteen minutes he had made his way into the club with a group of people and stood just past the entrance, in plain sight of anyone who was noticing, taking in the sights and sounds of the hundreds of people within these walls. This, he decided, was the right decision.

Closing her eyes she smiled as she looked over all the people in the club. It wasn't really her to be here, but today... Today was different for some reason. She wanted to be around people. She wanted to feel that life really was going on around her and that people were enjoying it despite the hardships.

These times, like any hard times, were a test of the human spirit. College kids, ones who were graduating, going in to a difficult work force... Most of them would be under employed, working a bookstore as they struggled to pay back loans they'd gotten for school.

But it was as if in these walls... Just for a few hours, nothing really mattered to them.

An older gentleman though, maybe close to her age when she'd been turned, approached.

"Well, it seems the crowds in here are getting younger all the time." He said, his brown eyes looking at her. Tori smiled, leaning her chin on her hand as she looked at him. Her daughter and even her son said that she should at least try to date again. Get back out on to the playing field as it were. That had shocked her, as she thought that if she had, they might think that she was trying to replace their father. That would never be the case of course but...

"Or we just keep growing older and forgetting to grow up." She said with a chuckle, flashing a white smile.

The man smiled wryly and shrugged. "Well I'd rather grow old than grow up." He admitted, the smile that came next taking several years off of his face. He really was quite handsome... But... She just couldn't bring herself to... To what? Try to love another human? To love at all? She wasn't sure...

"I... I'm sorry." She bit her lip looking away. She knew how to play her hand right. "I lost my husband recently... Just getting used to the idea of being... single again..." She said hesitantly.

The man's smile soften. "It's okay. I'm here with a few friends, so... If you'd like to talk, I'm over across the way." He nodded his head, indicating a direction. Victoria smiled and looked up at him, her eyes filled with thanks. "Of course. I'll try to stop by sometime. Maybe after I have a bit more daring in me." She said, holding up her drink slightly.

He smiled, nodded and headed back to his table with two other men and a woman sitting there.

The vampiress sighed at looked around. He was handsome. And rather charming if she let herself think about it. Not to aggressive, but not weak either. She sipped at her drink, wondering what had happened to change the music of the times so much...

But it was then that she noticed... She wasn't the only vampire in the building at the moment. Her eyes sharpened as she caught the unique scent. As if a guard dog who sensed something she looked around. If they were here to hunt... They had another thing coming...

Max took in the scene of the club thinking that it was pretty much like the last time he was here with Catherine over a year ago.

As he was figuring out the most direct path to an open bar stool he sensed that a pair of eyes had fixated themselves on him. He knew what that meant, a vampire who was feeling a bit territorial in a city of vampires. Turning his head he looked and met her gaze keeping a straight face taking in her features.

Breaking in a polite smile to the female vampire he broke the gaze and made his way to the bar taking a seat between a couple of groups of people that were mingling there.

Ordering a bottle of tequila and a glass he dropped the bills down for the bartender and took to drinking. Shaking his head as he took a drink he thought about how it seems that he can’t go an hour without finding some sort of potential trouble.

Filling the glass he spun on his stool and leaned back and watched the crowd.

She watched the man who looked at her. Good... He knew she was here too. Maybe if he'd been looking for trouble, he'd steer clear now...

But no... Maybe... Maybe she'd judged him wrong.

Slipping her way up from the table she noticed the other man looking at her. Well there was a complication. Easy enough to deal with though. So she made her way tot he bar casually, finishing off her drink quickly. She needed another of course.

Victoria smiled as she slid into the stool next to him.

Her lips moved slightly, speaking softly. "Well... Good evening. Is it just the tequila that brings you here or the Bloody Mary's?" She asked, her eyes not moving to him, but knowing he was there, feeling him close. "And it better just be the tequila... I don't want any trouble this nice night..."

Max of course noticed that the other vampire placed herself into the stool next to. He of course understood fully the question being asked. And of course he understood he complete lack of tact in her implicit threat if he was there to hunt. Man this town had all types he thought.

He topped off his glass and took another drink.

After letting her wait long enough to make it clear that she was not setting the tone of the conversation and that this was not a topic he felt obliged to discuss he finally said, “You’re cute, would you care for something to drink.”

This vampire was stuck in predator mode tonight, but that didn’t matter. She was young like him by the make of her, but it was clear she was not the monster he was—nobody was. Besides he was as open to sex as he was a fight or just getting drunk.

"I can order my own drinks thank you." She said with a slightly stiff face.

"But... I just want to make sure you're not going to hurt anyone here. I don't think that this is the most... Suitable place to..." Hmm... What were the words she should use? "Satisfy your needs I guess." She trailed off slightly.

She ran her fingers through her hair, pulling out a knot.

Her eyes only flickered over to him every now and again, but she was able to take everything about him in. He wasn't quite young. Around her age actually. But she wasn't sure about how old he really was. He didn't feel too powerful... But she couldn't be too sure.

"But if you are buying... I suppose I shouldn't really refuse." She said with a sigh, leaning her chin on her hand. Her eyes were on him now, and admittedly... A vampire would be a better lover... A better companion than a human would... But she wasn't sure that she could... Let go of everything.

"Why are you here though?" She asked, curious now rather than defensive.

He turned his stool towards her and reached over the bar grabbing her glass and filled it half way with tequila out of his bottle.

“Oh your one of those vampires that protects the innocents, nice,” was all he had to say to her statement. Max wasn’t worried about subtle conversation no-one would hear them and if they did who cared.

Max looked at her and in her eyes watching the curiosity churn in her head. Questions ranging from how old he was to how powerful he was were of course some of the standard questions a vampire asks themselves when encountering another, but rather questions about him the man and possible flickering of how he could fit in her world if even only for this conversation appeared to be the full extent of this relationship.

“I have been out of town for the last few months and now that I am back I would like to drink heavily and find some female companionship for the next few days.”

He smiled and took another big drink.

"Oh..." She mumbled almost regretful as he poured the tequila in her now empty glass, pouring the clear burning spirit in. She'd never been one for tequila... Even on her honeymoon she hadn't touched it.

"I just don't like violence... Especially against someone who can't protect themselves." She said with a shrug, the smell of the near rubbing alcohol hit her nose hard, making her wrinkle it. But she picked up the glass, swallowing the mouthful, sighing as it burned it's way down her throat.

Ugh... It tasted just as horrible as it smelt.

Maybe she'd have to rethink that 'free' thing.

"Female companionship hm?" She asked. "Now just what kind of companionship might you be looking for exactly?" She was curious... After all... Maybe a real relationship wasn't really what she needed. Just a tasting... Just a sample.

He smiled at her obvious displeasure with his choice of drink…good it meant more for him.

Raising his hand to the bartender he told her to give the lady whatever she wanted to drink. After she was served, he spoke. “I don’t know if I should be insulted by your obvious assumption I am a ruthless killer and not just a vampire who needs to feed like any other.”

Giving her a look up and down he placed his hand gently on her knee and said, “But you have an honest enough look about you and I find your concern for the mortals to be touching.”

“As far as what I mean by female companionship, I simply mean a few days of room service as we used to say in the mortal coil.”

Taking his hand off her leg he leaned back slightly in his stool and took another drink.

"Well when I have mortals to look after personally, it makes me feel more responsible for others." She said simply. "I haven't been in this world very long, but it's one of the few reasons I'm still around." There was a smile on her face, one of thoughtfulness. She had promised to be around to watch over her children... But how long would she really be around? She didn't know.

She laughed as he explained further. "Ah... I haven't heard that word in ages." She said with a smile at him. She thought about it though, wondering if it really could be worth it.

"Just a few days? No connections afterwords?" She asked casually, taking a sip of the hurricane she had ordered a few moments before.

"Just a few days of wild untamed sex?"

She didn't have to explain why she wanted something like that. And really, she wasn't sure she was. But.... But if she really wanted to be happy again eventually... She had to start somewhere. After all... How long had it been since she'd actually had sex? Well... Not since Jason died.

"Because I suppose I could be game."

“Game for what.”

Max simply sat there straight faced waiting for her reply.

Victoria blinked and looked up from her drink.

"What? I... well I had thought I'd made that quite clear." She said as she looked over at him, frowning with puzzlement. "It sounded like you were looking for a companion, you don't seemed to be too objected to my appearance, and I could use a jump start back into the world of singles." She gave a shrug.

"But like I said. I would be game for a few days of wild, untamed, sex with no strings attached." She said simply. After all, she was single was she not? Her kids had been telling her to find someone and maybe they were right. Of course she had all the time in the world to find the right person, but she at least needed a start.

"That was what you are looking for isn't it?" She asked, sipping at her drink again.

He thought about it for a second, “I hadn’t really considered it happening, the hunt is usually the fun and definitely not with another vampire.”

A broad smile showed his very human in appearance teeth, “But you know what I am very happy to hear the offer”

It had been awhile since he had allowed himself just to exist, but what of Catherine. Though his heart was hers to play with did they have a real commitment at this point—what a complicated relationship that turned out to be.

Max took Victoria’ hand into his and pulled her close to him giving her a kiss on the lips, tasting her drinks and taking in her scent.

With a whisper he said, “Would you like to dance?”

"Well if you're hunting, you better not do it around me. Besides, I would think sex with a vampire would be better than with a human." She said casual, as if it were just part of the conversation. "No need to stop for food. No need to have those little interruptions for bathroom breaks and what not." She said with a smile. She noticed that. It seemed just as she was really getting into it, Jason would have to stop her, needing a few minutes break. Or food or something else that to her, only took precious time away from them being together.

He pulled her close though, kissing her. It felt like such a long time ago since she had felt something like that. She couldn't help but enjoy it.

"Soooo does that mean yes? Because if sooo... You wouldn't have to worry about getting a hotel or anything. You'd be welcome at my place." She said with a smile.

"Dance? You think you can fit in with that crowd? I know I can't dance like that." She said with raised eyebrows.

“I already checked in before coming here, my suite is just down the street,” he said with a broad smile.

Leaning into her ear he whispered, “And that isn’t exactly the kind of dancing I was talking about, but yes I can blend in with that crowd I’m not that out of touch with this time by any sense of the imagination.”

He ran his hand slowly up the inside of her thigh while talking to her taking in the texture of her subtle flesh allowing himself to warm up to the idea of this off chance hit and run sexual encounter.

"Oooh A Suite?" She said with a little grin.

She couldn't help the chuckle though as he said that he could blend in with the crowd. "I'm not that old either you know..." She murmured. "I've just never been that kind of person. But what kind of dance would you be talking about?" She murmured, trying to ignore the moan that wanted to come out. She wasn't a whore or anything like that of course. But well, why ignore the sensations that she hadn't felt in so long?

Simply because she didn't want to seem like she was too loose.

"So... What kind of dancing did you have in mind?" She said with a smile.

He let the tip his tongue trace the outline of her ear and down the side her neck ever so lightly, “perhaps a slow dance,” he said.

And then before any possible reaction he moved his hand even further up her thigh with fingertips hovering at an impossible closeness wanting to venture further but daring not at the moment, “or perhaps something more salsa.”

And then with his other arm he pulls her body to his pressing them together, “or maybe a tango.”

Then as suddenly as he had taken the liberty he stepped back with a bow as was custom when the gentleman asks the lady to dance in ballroom and then turned to the door offering his hand as though to lead her onto a dance floor that does not exist.

“We can be there in 10 minutes.”

Her eyes fluttered as his lips, his tongue caressed her skin. The only thing she'd have to make sure she didn't do was confuse lust with love. It would be a hard separation in her mind, but she would certainly try.

Her lips parted in a silent sigh as an ache ran through her body. It felt so good... So exciting...

As he pulled her against him she nearly lost control. She wanted to press herself closer to him. She nearly kissed him, stopping her lips just shy of his. "I would think we have time for a little bit of everything... Don't we?" A normal human wouldn't have been able to hear her words, let alone the slight ache in her voice. But she was sure that he could.

But as he pulled away she had to blink to clear her head. Strange... Maybe she'd been out of the game too long.

She took his hand with a smile though. "I suppose it's a good thing I didn't drive here." Victoria smiled, slipping off the stool, closer to him. She couldn't help but think of the human who'd come to her before... But she realized then that even if she had accepted his invitation, she wouldn't have gotten anywhere... Even if she had decided to be in his company tonight, it wouldn't help her 'get back in the game'. It wouldn't remind her who and what she was... It wouldn't put things in the right perspective. She wasn't a human anymore, despite how well she may blend in, despite how much she cared for them and wanted to protect them.

She was a vampire... To love a human would be flaw, folly. There would only be pain and disappointment ahead, ones that weren't usually involved in the dating process.

Max was not aware, nor did he care about the thoughts that ran through Victoria’s mind as they departed the bar; his mind was full of his own thoughts. This tryst was nothing more than satiating the beast within him, a beast that may very well if the moment overwhelmed the mortal shell that hid it succumbed to an overwhelming pleasure at some point during the night.

No his mind was being invaded by who he was in Demaitre. Who he was in relation to the ancient line that sired him and now by two generations directly connected to him. His mind wandered over to contemplate who he was to a beautiful 300 year old vampire that looks over him and seemed as he did to one day find the means and peace to be together. Who he was to this complete stranger he now led to his hotel for a nothing more or less than raw sex, hopefully with no or fewer strings attached; but as he thought of that he chuckled a bit knowing that was not his karma.

The fresh air of the street hit his face giving new energy to his movements. Looking over to see he had her securely in hand he smiled and proceeded to lead her casually down the street towards the hotel he had left behind a few hours ago.

“You may call me Xavier,” he said after a few moments. He chose to use his middle name for two reasons, to keep a sense of distance between them and security for as far as he knew she could always be a part of the game he was mixed up in.

"Well, and I'm Tori." She said with a smile.

"And I see I'm not the only one who didn't drive. But then if we're not too far away..." She smiled slightly. This really wasn't her style, but why not give it a chance?

"But... You aren't as relaxed as you seem." She said with a smile. "You're hesitant... Distant... Even for just a little tryst." She couldn't help but notice. It was her gift so to speak. Feeling, sensing emotions and for weaker humans slightly manipulating them as well.

"Is there a problem Xavier?" She asked, genuinely concerned.

He let out a laugh, “Yeah I really don’t drive much anymore. Had a bad experience in a car three years ago—changed my life, it left me a little undead.”

A brief pause and then he continued, “No, sorry I am a bit pre-occupied with my thoughts tonight. It is by no means to be a reflection on you my dear.”

Noticing that there was a break in the crowd and a private alley immediately available he spun with her into the darkness and embraced her neck with a passionate kiss. Whispering, “by no means is it a reflection on you.”

He took her lips into his and kissed her deeply, pressing her body with his against the wall with his left hand holding her head and his right her hip.

Max did not want to talk or share his feelings.

"Well why are you so worried about it now? You wouldn't have to worry about it at all anymore." She said with a smile. "You could walk away without a scratch." She added.

Her grin broadened as he pulled her to the ally, kissing her eagerly. Well that made her feel a bit better. But she was already feeling pretty damn good. She of course returned the kiss just as passionately, letting the more primal urges that she'd always felt inside take over. She'd never really been able to let herself go, so why not tonight? Why not with this guy? She could have a chance to let everything go for the night, for the weekend.

She pulled away though, reluctant.

"I'm not opposed to having fun here... But are you sure you don't want to make it back to the hotel?" She asked, her lips running against his neck.

Taking a nip at her ear he said, “I suppose you are right.”

Suddenly, he had the sensation that he was being watched and stiffened slightly and looked around. He realized that a man short in stature in a fine cut suit was observing them from the art gallery across the street.

Stepping back and taking her hand he led her from the alley, “We should get going.”

As he led her down the street he looked back over his shoulder to catch Thefarie shaking his head and disappearing back into the gallery.

“Shit,” he muttered.

He stiffened in her arms, making her instantly alert.

"What's wrong." She asked with a frown, looking at him as if trying to figure out what was going on. "Xavier...." She murmured. What was he so damn jumpy about? Why did he seem to be so on edge.

"Wha? Okay." She said, looking around but not seeing what he evidently did. "Xavier... I wish you would tell me what's wrong." She said as she followed him, still looking around. "Your paranoia is making me paranoid." She said, rolling her eyes slightly.