Disclaimers: All characters belong to rightful owners.
Story concieved by Lee.


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You know, he really _had_ cared about not letting Para pay. Up until, say, half a second ago.

Darran firmly squelshed down all thoughts of death-glaring the saleslady into a little smoking heap of ashes and tried to collect his thoughts. "Um... medium, that South American brew you've got, yeah..." And then coffee, money, and all such mundane notions were promptly forgotten again as he oh-so-casually wound a light arm around Para's back. And hoped for a favorable reaction. *She's _not_ getting away unkissed this time...*

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Para smiled as Dar placed his order, then had to giggle at the expression on the saleslady's face; really, if loks could kill then the _both_ of them would be dead on the floor. Still, it was worth it. In fact, some small part of her was still lamenting the moment which said saleslady had broken; that could have been _such_ a sweet kiss! Again, though, this was all forgotten as goods and services were exchanged and, scooping up what she could, Para happily turned a great big smile to Darran.

"Alright, then?" She asked cheerily as she winked quickly. "Anything else you wanted, hon?"

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"Good thing you met me then." Kisoku smirked at the boy with a wink. "If there's one thing people will tell you about me, it's that I do not get into ruts. My life is one adventure after the other with barely enough time to grab a cup of coffee in between!

"Speaking of coffee, you want to go get a cup sometime? I know this place that makes a fabulous mocha latte." It was a shameless offer, and he knew it. However, he had a feeling that even his most smooth moves wouldn't get past Dante.

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Lucia's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. It was comforting to see Sam's concern for his best friend quickly melt away in favor a small moment of happiness with her. Afterall, his connect with Lukas was finite, doomed for the very beginning to fall at the hands of either conflict or death, but his relationship with her was different. They were friends, kindred, lovers, siblings. It had been that way since the dawn of time and would be that way until the end of time...

No. That was a lie-- a lie that Lucia was afraid to think about or face. Sam was mortal now, and that was her fault. He would inevitably draw his final breath. Perhaps, she'd even be there to watch his bright life existinguished...

She tried to push the thoughts out of her head, but they persisted. And so it was that she replied to him in the most unsteady of voices. "Really? Y'think? Are you sure my ass won't get too fat or something..."

An unsteady, unconvincing giggle followed. She doing horrible at this play acting-- maybe not by normal standards but certainly by her own. "...I've missed you Sam. I don't think I tell you enough."

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"You don't get into ruts, huh?" Dante chuckled as he cocked an eyebrow at the other. Amused by both the smirk and the wink, he slowly shook his head. He was, seemingly, being picked up by this young businessman and all his mind could think was how this Kisoku would respond if he made it known that anything more than a simple conversation would require the exchange of bills; hell, if he were feeling stingy, he could probably charge for even time conversing. Then again, if it were anything like his last conversation with a young businessman, then it would be a very bad idea, indeed. "Must be rather nice for you."

"Asking me on a date?" He couldn't help but smirk slowly at this as he cocked an eyebrow at the blond. Still, some small part of him noted that, yes, he was very much in favor of that idea, regardless of whether it was on official time or not. This Kisoku was really quite amusing. "Are you sure you want to do that?"

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"Luc, your ass is now and always will be one of the best on the planet." Sam replied fervently as he patted just lightly at this same. Still, as the unsteady and overly fake tone was noted, he stopped short and, turning to her, he cocked his head on side. Of course, he wouldn't know if her expression had given any of this sadness away, but he could most definitely tell by her tone that everything was far from being fine and dandy.

"I... really missed you too, Luc." He responded quietly but earnestly as he inclined his head. Though, of course, there was no reason why he should be feeling it, he noted a hard, almost painful, ache at the very center of his being and, at the heart of this, was lonliness, betrayal, love spurned; all were emotions that had no precedence in this case, but they were there and they were true. It was as if he were being reunited with the person who was his oldest and truest friend. In a case, he supposed this was true.

"I'm... not really sure of anything, but," Laughing a bit tremorously, he brushed back a bit of hair as he offered the woman a slow, fond smile. "I know that I missed you. I've been wanting to meet you again for a long time..."

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Nathan sighed as he tooked the blood-stained hanky from Addie's hand. "If that's what you want," he said hesistantly as he placed it into his coat pocket. Searching through his other pocket he pulled out a gum wrapper and a pen. Scribbing down a few numbers and his name, he tore the paper in half and handed one half to the young man. "Now I want you to call my cell phone if you run into trouble or preferably when you get home, okay?" he said sternly as he raised his hands to the young man's forehead. He could feel the warmth generating from his palm as he brought his hands to the wound. He had no idea how effective his healing powers would be on the half- angel; he was a human being now after all. "And get that checked."

Turning to Alexei, he handed the boy the other half of the paper. "You too. If you're staying, you make sure he goes home all right," he leaned into the young boy and continued. "I'm also curious about this girl and blind boy you speak of. Please give me a call if you run into them again." He then pulled back and gave the small catcus in his hands a quick pat before turning back to Addie. Flashing him a reassuring smile, he headed out to the street. "Be careful, you two."

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Alexei pocketed the number with a subdued sense of delight. He wanted desperately to know more about Nathan, particularly as it related to Nathan's overwhelming goodness. The man had seemed interested in knowing him, as well, and in his knowledge of Them. This pleased Alexei; he knew most people did not believe in Them. He hoped Nathan had some idea of what happened to Sergey after his death. He was certain Nathan knew quite a bit more than your average person. Would he know the One who had killed Sergey?

He smiled as these thoughts washed over him. It would be comforting to know more about his enemies. It would be more comforting to be with Nathan. His smile changed to a rather goofy grin of adolescent puppy love, and he turned to Addie. "We will walk you home, if you like. You should not go by yourself," A dreamy sigh escaped his lips, "Mr. Nathan is so very extraordinary, do you not agree?"

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"Nah," Darran replied as he picked up the rest and walked back to their table, realization only hitting him as he put down the cup and plate. "_Hey_... you paid for everything!" He tried to narrow his eyes and look extremely affronted, though the look promptly curled up and died on contact with Para's eyes. *That's what you get for letting her distract you...* he thought, and couldn't help laughing sheepishly.

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"I..." Addie had been about to tell Alexei that he needn't bother walking him home, but he could already see that this might not be the best idea. After all, his mother would likely be more comforted if he didn't take the walk alone and, with Addie's luck, he'd run into some sort of trouble on the way, regardless. Shaking these thoughts away, he turned a soft smile to the other as he nodded. "Alright, if you're sure that you don't mind.

Still, as the topic turned to Nathan, this smile wavered. Addie knew that he had no reason whatsoever to be suspicious of Nathan nor to think that he would be anything but good. He also knew, though, that he had the oddest feeling when near the man and it seemed to really be the only time when the marks on his skin still bothered him. That couldn't be good, right?

"Nathan, he's..." Addie fumbled as he tried to find the words to finish that. He didn't want to speak badly of the man, especially in front of someone who was clearly fond of him, but Addie didn't know what that really left him to say. "He's... really an interesting man."

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"Oh, did I?" Para asked in completely unbelievable innocence as she blinked lightly at Darran. Of course, she soon let this look get lost in a bright smile as she tossed him a wink. Absently, she noted that she rather liked the way Darran looked at her-- not as a wildcat would see a gazelle but more as a devout disciple would look at his dearest deity-- and also that she'd rather like to keep that expression there. He really was so cute, so sweet.

"I know!" She exclaimed once she broke free of her reverie. Breaking a bit from her cookie, she let this soak in her coffee for a minute before nibbling on it. "You can pay for our next date, okay?"

Yes. Next date. No. She wasn't getting ahead of herself.

Shut up.

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"You got it," Darran assured her almost before the words were out of Para's mouth. Hell, a second date? _Nothing_ was wrong with that concept, that was for sure!

"Better than my plan, anyway..." he reflected after a sip of coffee, then grinned at her and explained, "Slipping a ten in your pocket when you're not looking..."

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"Hey, there's something to be said for that plan!" Para giggled as she slipped him a quick wink. Head set on side, she started to break apart her cookie into little bits as she continued. "I mean, it's suitably clever."

"Just too bad," She continued mournfully, rather at odds with the grin lighting her features as she winked. "If I caught you doing that, God, alone, knows what'd happen."

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Lukas couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Arvel's floundering defense. Again, the urge to ruffle his fellow red-head's hair was almost overwhelming, but the Cajun managed to resist the temptation. Estelle's question, however, caused most, if not all of his newfound good humor to melt away into nothing.

"I... couldn't tell you for sure one way or t'other, cherie..." he replied, a faint tinge of bitterness coloring his voice as he added, "He been spending so much time with that Lucia-girl, I hardly seen him all week... I 'magine she prob'ly ask him already though... An' if she ask, no doubt he accept." The knowledge rankled more than a little; and more than that, it hurt him to know that Sam, his best friend since childhood, preferred That Girl's company to his own. And it was no good saying anything to Sam; as fond of him as the redhead was, there was no denying that when it came to fans and admirers, the singer rarely displayed the sense to pour piss out of a boot. Sam's good sense-- which, although well-hidden, he *did* possess-- always took a nosedive out the nearest window in the face of ego-stroking... a fact the Cajun knew well. His own reluctance to use this particular form of manipulation put him at a serious disadvantage when trying to talk sense to his friend, but he'd find a way... somehow.

"But..." he continued after a moment, turning to Estelle, a mischievous smile playing about his lips, "You never know, eh cherie? Maybe she not ask yet... Wouldn't hurt to give it a try, eh?"

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Estelle wrinkled her nose in annoyance, "Oh, drats. I'm sure she'll ask, and he'd drop me like a hot potato even if I asked first. Never mind."

"I'll go with you," Jeremy offered.

Estelle smiled at him, "You're a good friend, not letting me go alone. Unlike _some_ people I know." She glared pointedly at Arvel, who squeaked and hid behind Lukas.

"Don't let her kill me!!" he begged.

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Lukas shook his head, chuckling, "Sammy's not *that* bad, petite," he said,"If he say he go with you, then he keep his word... although... you prob'ly better off goin' with your friend, here... I love Sam like a brother, but... he got a bit of a wand'rin eye-- even with a pretty thing like you on his arm..." Although it would have given him no end of pleasure to wreck any plans Lucia might have Sammy-wards by launching Estelle at the unsuspecting singer, the Cajun's better nature reasserted itself. Estelle was a nice kid and in no way did she deserve the Sammy treatment. Better by far that she go to the dance with Jeremy.

Turning to Arvel-- who currently seemed to be seeking shelter behind his own taller frame, Lukas couldn't help but chuckle at the friends' antics. "Oh... I don't think she kill you-- yet-- Arvel," he replied, winking at Estelle. "And... hey... here's an idea... If you don't get a better offer before the dance, maybe you an' me can go together, eh?" Shrugging a bit, he offered the younger redhead a lazy grin, "Beats goin' stag, no?"

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Arvel became quite blindingly delighted with Lukas' offer. "Are you serious? Really? You'll go with me?" He very nearly melted on the spot. He hadn't seriously entertained any ideas that Lukas might want to go with him, but this new turn of events had hope fluttering high on shaky but eager wings.

"Alright, double date?" Jeremy suggested, "we could pool our money and do the limo and eat thing."

Estelle smacked Jeremy, "This isn't the prom, you freak. You only do limos at prom! And it certainly isn't a _date_!"

Jeremy's face fell, but neither Estelle nor Arvel noticed.

"I think that sounds okay, but I don't know if we could get a limo, even splitting the cost. But if Lukas wants to..." he turned a questioning gaze up to the Cajun. "What do you think, Lukas?"

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Lukas, however, did notice Jeremy's crestfallen look and inwardly winced in sympathy. Ouch... Did he ever know how *that* felt... In the process of making a mental note to have a little chat with Estelle, he noticed something else that caused any sympathy he had for Jeremy's plight to melt away... Holy shit! Arvel had a crush on him! The signs were unmistakeable-- how could he *not* have noticed? Simple... he'd been so caught up in trying to worry out a way to pry Sam out of Lucia's slimy clutches that he'd been oblivious to the rather obvious signals the younger boy had been sending him. If he'd known, he'd never have asked Arvel to go to the dance with him-- he'd simply thought it an expedient way to keep track of Lucia... since no doubt Little Miss Perfect would wangle Sam into going to the dance with her. The bitch... It had seemed a perfect plan, since neither he nor Arvel seemed to have anyone to go with... Damn... He wasn't Sammy... he couldn't just trample all over this kid's feelings... so he was stuck now.

"Well..." he said finally, offering Arvel a reassuring smile, "I think Estelle's right 'bout most people only takin' limos to the Prom... but *I* say... who give a fuck what most people do, eh? If we want a limo, we take one, n'est-ce pas? We can be trendsetters, eh? And... don't worry 'bout the cost-- it'll be my treat, okay?"

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"No, no! You can't pay for it all by yourself!" Arvel disagreed, and his two friends chimed in.

"We can't make you pay!"

"We'll pitch in!"

"But I think a limo would be lots of fun!" Arvel added, "And since we aren't old enough to go to Prom, except Lukas, we might as well make this super fun!"

Jeremy nodded in agreement, "Yeah! And we can set things on fire after we get home! Wee! Fire!"

"Oooh, great idea!!" Arvel chirped excitedly.

Estelle merely shook her head at her friends' pyrophilia. "Morons..."

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"Oh, we do not mind in the least," Alexei reassured Addie. "In what direction do we commence walking?"

He squinted his eyes and peered about, as though expecting a sign reading 'this way to Addie's home' to appear. He was determined to protect the younger boy, as he'd deemed him to be 'good'. Not the same way Nathan was good. Nathan was simply Pure and Uncorrupt. Alexei did not think anything would or could change that. Addie was more innocent and naive. His goodness could still be stained with the rottness of a rotten world.

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