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Description
I crouched down low in the brush. I needed to catch my breath; I had been running around in circles for a while. It's an unnerving thing to be hunted. I scanned the horizon, then the trees. Nothing. Stay or leave? Hide or run? I licked my lips. Staying meant I was just waiting to be cornered. Running could easily give away my position. Then again, maybe I had lost him.

I couldn't hear anything aside from normal forest sounds. My toes twitched inside my shoes. Why hadn't I grabbed a weapon? No telling how long this would go on for now. This wasn't a foe I could take down bare-handed. I needed a weapon. Something, anything. Time to go.

I took one last look around before dashing toward the next patch of growth. I heard a thump behind me. Fuck! Forget the hiding place-weapon. A downed tree limb offered a chance. I ran for it.  I reached out only to have my legs snatched out from under me. I yelped on the way down, but managed to use the momentum to drive my fingers into the dirt and fling the resulting clod backward. I heard the resulting sound of dirt on fabric- not what I'd wanted. I kicked out managing to scoot forward a few precious inched before being pinned at the thighs. Now. I had to do it now while I could still twist. I put all my strength into. I stretched out and seized a hunk of branch and threw my hip into it. The move knocked him off balance, he had to catch himself with one arm just to stay on top of me, but he lost his hold and I was able to slam the makeshift stake home.

Levi looked down at his chest and then to me. I panted watching the color return to his eyes.

"These work better if you use the pointy end." He chastised.

I licked my lips between breaths. "Quit trying to weasel out of it. I won this time. You know it."

He tugged the bit of wood from my grasp and looked it over. "I don't think you could get this through a ribcage without it breaking." He then snapped it between his fingers. "Nice try though." He leaned in over me. "I don't think you could kill Robert."

I put my hand over his face and pushed him back. "No. No. No! That was a kill shot. I won damn it! I get dinner- not you!"

He sat back looking me over. "You realize Robert isn't going to brush the rotten wood off of his shirt and say 'Oh ho ho, close enough' and let you go."

"You can't buy me dinner if I actually kill you." I said firmly.

He sighed. "Okay, I'll give you that one, but we're going again. I'll even give you a ten minute head start."

"I've been running around the woods for hours- you don't get tired like I do. There is no way, I won't have a chance this time!" I griped.

He leaned in close and grinned. "I know."

"You cheating dick!" I snarled staggering to my feet. "You just can't let me enjoy my victory!"

"Maybe, but you're wasting your head start."

"Asshole!" I snapped running off.

Needless to say I didn't fair nearly as well the second round. Then again I'm not entirely sure he even waited the full ten minutes.  This whole exercise had started out as just an addition to our general (Damascus free)sparing sessions. Levi, however, got just a little too into it and freaked himself out. I quickly realized how valuable such training could be though and we struck a deal. Every time I win I get dinner, but if he wins... he gets dinner. He was against it at first, this was the man that was so proud of not having to hunt. That stuff was beneath him, he was civilized. It's almost amazing how quickly he got over it once he realized that he wasn't the only one who enjoyed it and no one was going to get hurt. Between the tea Bob had given me and the occasional blood donation from Levi, we'd been able to do it a few times a week without any lasting effects. I was tired, sure, but that had just as much to do with our regular sessions and still working part-time. As much as I had to admit it, he's a great trainer. The dick doesn't cut me any slack- girlfriend or not.

  "So," Levi started as we headed back to the house. "We gunna get cleaned up and go to dinner?"

I snorted. "Nice try, it's after eleven. No way you are getting off with a Taco Bell drive through meal."

"Fine, another night then." He said wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

I rested my head against him as Marshal's van came into view. After nearly three weeks I was getting used to seeing parked behind my trailer. We went on into the house through the back and found Marshal at my stove stirring a pot.

"I figured you two would be wandering in soon." He said in greeting. He was wearing one of my old aprons.

"What have I told you about digging through my stuff Marsh?" I asked making my way to the sink to wash up.

"It was in the same drawer as the dishrags." He turned to Levi then, holding out a spoon with his hand cupped under it to catch any drips. "Here, tell me if this needs anything."

I rolled my eyes as he took a taste and gave a thumbs-up. "Delish-e-oh-so."

Marshal laughed. "Your Italian is atrocious, but I accept the compliment."

"I have to ask is your incredible tolerance to garlic a part of your unique condition or is that something all Italian vampires have?"

He shrugged. "No idea. Are you ready to eat?"

"Yeah, sure." I said and began getting all my junk off of the table. That was his thing, he'd make a fancy dinner, but we had to eat at the table. I stepped over Justina Maria , Marshal's geriatric dog, on my way back to the counter to get out the plates. Any concerns I had about her chasing Dinah were unfounded, the dog barely moved and was content to sleep on the floor vents all day. So, all in all they weren't the bother I'd wholly expected them to be. Marshal's culinary prowess was really just a bonus. I guess roaming Europe for a century or two you pick up a few recipes.

"Oh, you got a call while you were out." Marshal said as he filled my plate with pasta and calamari rings. "I let the machine get it, but I caught that it was from someone named Bob, said he wanted to talk with the two of you."

"Did it sound urgent?"

He shook his head. "If it had I would have gotten a hold of you."

"Okay," I said grabbing a fork. "I'll call him back after we eat."

I'd never really gotten around to apologizing to Bob, but we had been chatting back and forth through texts. Nothing serious, just making sure we were both still I alive I guess. It was still more contact than I'd had with Rowan. While I forgave him for trying to kill me, I wouldn't trust him again for a very long time, if ever. It's also really hard to start up a normal conversation after something like that. The last few weeks had just been me, Levi , and Marshal for the most part. I didn't have time for much else.

I was putting a dent in my restaurant quality squid when I hear my phone ping from the counter. "Is that the first text I've gotten?" I asked wiping my hands on a paper towel and standing to check the message.

"Yes." Marshal said with a bit of distaste in his voice. I guess getting up during our meal was a little rude, but I've got too much shit going on to just ignore any of my handful of contacts.

I no longer took my cell with me on practice runs; I didn't want it getting broken. Levi had already had to get one on his plan after my pre-paid had been smashed. It was still a flip phone, but now it was a nice flip phone.

I opened it to find another message from Bob.  I looked back at Levi. "He says he wants to meet us tonight if possible. He gave me an address, it's actually pretty close to Vanessa's place. We could stop by there too, I haven't seen Kevin since we started training. Want to go?"

Levi swallowed down a mouthful of pasta before answering. "He didn't say what it was about?"

I re-read the message for any hints I may have missed. "No, but he did add a 'please', so I guess he really wants to talk."

"Yeah, I guess." he said wiping a bit of sauce off of his chin. "But I'm not rushing."

"I'll tell him we'll meet him in about an hour then." I said as I clumsily texted back.

We arrived at the park Bob had suggested. I should have known something was up when he gave me an address that was out of the way for both of us.

"He didn't give you any idea as to what this was about?" Levi asked as we got parked.

"I told you, no. Why are you asking again?" I grumbled unbuckling myself.

Levi shook his head. "You really, really, need to start paying better attention to your surroundings- whether I'm with you or not." He pointed out toward my window.

Sure enough, I had failed to notice that there were two vehicles besides ours. There was Bob's bike and a very familiar pick-up. I felt my chest tighten.

"Rowan..." I chewed on my bottom lip. "Do you think Bob arranged this or he just showed up?"

Levi shrugged. "Well, we can go find our or we can go home. Your choice."

I sighed and opened the car door.  "We're already here."

We found the two of them sitting at a picnic table. Bob looked pretty annoyed while Rowan was smiling as sweetly as he could with his hands folded in front of him. His kind expression only faltered for a second when Levi put his arm around my waist protectively. Even as I told myself to play it cool , I realized I was taking the seat across from Bob. Levi took the seat separating the two of us. Rowan rubbed his thumbs together. Though no one had said anything there was no losing the message that had been sent.

I kept my eyes either on Bob or the table. Maybe I had been avoiding Rowan more than I'd let myself believe. I had forgiven him, hadn't I? Rowan had hurt me before and I'd always shaken it off. Getting hurt was always a risk when dealing with the supernatural. Any little mistake...  My stomach flipped as I re-ran the whole situation through my head. What had I done wrong? I wasn't myself at the time, but I couldn't pin point any supernatural snafu. Nothing.

"So, what's so important that you drug us all the way out here?" Levi asked looking straight at Bob as if Rowan didn't even exist.

Bob crossed his arms. "I hear you two have been training in case Robert makes a move and..." He let out a huff "I'm compelled to ask if we can help out."

"Not my call." Levi muttered glancing my way.

I took a deep breath. So, this had been Rowan's idea. He wanted to be part of the gang again, but then why hadn't he just asked himself?

Rowan must have kicked Bob underneath the table, because there was a thump and Bob grunted before adding through clenched teeth. "It could be valuable to learn how to evade multiple attackers... Even if Robert works alone."

I felt myself frown. If he hadn't asked himself then he must know that he was in the wrong. So, why was I keeping my head down? I hadn't done anything wrong.

"Okay."  I said at last.

A victorious smile spread across Rowan's face.

Oh, No Sir, I thought meeting his eyes.  "But." I added firmly. "You'll be on two legs the entire time and you will not touch me. Break the rules and you are out." And even though I didn't verbalize 'for good' , I could see the confidence drain from his face. He had gotten the message. I was getting better with the subtle body language of the supernaturals;  the most important things are left unspoken.

"Well, That's settled." Bob said abruptly standing up. "We can settle on the details later-"

"Nah-ah!" Levi pointed at the table. "You're not going anywhere until you explain this shady ass shit."

Bob scowled and plopped back into his seat.  "He wouldn't leave me alone, alright?"

Levi arched an eyebrow and looked between the two of them. "Would this have anything to do with Jaynoa?"

Bob's face went red. "Levi, please, keep your nose out of my bloody business!" He glanced over at Rowan who had gone back to smirking. "It wasn't even my idea-I just asked the wanker to do me a favor and now he's bloody blackmailing me!"

Levi shrugged "You should've known that I'd know-"

"I don't give two fucks what you think!" Bob snapped before getting a sickened expression. If Rowan and Levi already knew and he didn't care- there was only one other person at the table.

"Ya'know, you could just tell me and save yourself the trouble." I said.

Bob shook his head. "Stop throwing fuel on the fire, Dani. You don't want to know."

"Fine." I said standing up. "Come on Levi, we've still got other things to do tonight. See you guys later."

"One more thing," Levi leaned in over the table. "don't ever pull this sort of shit again."

"It wasn't that big of a deal." I whispered on the way back to the car.

"It was a small betrayal and they probably only realized it once I pointed it out, but it was a betrayal none the less." Levi said flatly. "How would you feel if someone pulled that on me?"

"I see your point."  I tugged at a strand of my hair. "I just figured Rowan must have something pretty good on Bob- and don't tell me."

Levi shut his mouth and frowned at me. "It's not good enough to manipulate you the way they did."

"I'll just have to take your word for it." I said hopping into the car.

He got in and cranked up. "It involves sex."

"Shut up Levi." I muttered buckling up. I really didn't want to know.

Description
I crouched down low in the brush. I needed to catch my breath; I had been running around in circles for a while. It's an unnerving thing to be hunted. I scanned the horizon, then the trees. Nothing. Stay or leave? Hide or run? I licked my lips. Staying meant I was just waiting to be cornered. Running could easily give away my position. Then again, maybe I had lost him.

I couldn't hear anything aside from normal forest sounds. My toes twitched inside my shoes. Why hadn't I grabbed a weapon? No telling how long this would go on for now. This wasn't a foe I could take down bare-handed. I needed a weapon. Something, anything. Time to go.

I took one last look around before dashing toward the next patch of growth. I heard a thump behind me. Fuck! Forget the hiding place-weapon. A downed tree limb offered a chance. I ran for it.  I reached out only to have my legs snatched out from under me. I yelped on the way down, but managed to use the momentum to drive my fingers into the dirt and fling the resulting clod backward. I heard the resulting sound of dirt on fabric- not what I'd wanted. I kicked out managing to scoot forward a few precious inched before being pinned at the thighs. Now. I had to do it now while I could still twist. I put all my strength into. I stretched out and seized a hunk of branch and threw my hip into it. The move knocked him off balance, he had to catch himself with one arm just to stay on top of me, but he lost his hold and I was able to slam the makeshift stake home.

Levi looked down at his chest and then to me. I panted watching the color return to his eyes.

"These work better if you use the pointy end." He chastised.

I licked my lips between breaths. "Quit trying to weasel out of it. I won this time. You know it."

He tugged the bit of wood from my grasp and looked it over. "I don't think you could get this through a ribcage without it breaking." He then snapped it between his fingers. "Nice try though." He leaned in over me. "I don't think you could kill Robert."

I put my hand over his face and pushed him back. "No. No. No! That was a kill shot. I won damn it! I get dinner- not you!"

He sat back looking me over. "You realize Robert isn't going to brush the rotten wood off of his shirt and say 'Oh ho ho, close enough' and let you go."

"You can't buy me dinner if I actually kill you." I said firmly.

He sighed. "Okay, I'll give you that one, but we're going again. I'll even give you a ten minute head start."

"I've been running around the woods for hours- you don't get tired like I do. There is no way, I won't have a chance this time!" I griped.

He leaned in close and grinned. "I know."

"You cheating dick!" I snarled staggering to my feet. "You just can't let me enjoy my victory!"

"Maybe, but you're wasting your head start."

"Asshole!" I snapped running off.

Needless to say I didn't fair nearly as well the second round. Then again I'm not entirely sure he even waited the full ten minutes.  This whole exercise had started out as just an addition to our general (Damascus free)sparing sessions. Levi, however, got just a little too into it and freaked himself out. I quickly realized how valuable such training could be though and we struck a deal. Every time I win I get dinner, but if he wins... he gets dinner. He was against it at first, this was the man that was so proud of not having to hunt. That stuff was beneath him, he was civilized. It's almost amazing how quickly he got over it once he realized that he wasn't the only one who enjoyed it and no one was going to get hurt. Between the tea Bob had given me and the occasional blood donation from Levi, we'd been able to do it a few times a week without any lasting effects. I was tired, sure, but that had just as much to do with our regular sessions and still working part-time. As much as I had to admit it, he's a great trainer. The dick doesn't cut me any slack- girlfriend or not.

  "So," Levi started as we headed back to the house. "We gunna get cleaned up and go to dinner?"

I snorted. "Nice try, it's after eleven. No way you are getting off with a Taco Bell drive through meal."

"Fine, another night then." He said wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

I rested my head against him as Marshal's van came into view. After nearly three weeks I was getting used to seeing parked behind my trailer. We went on into the house through the back and found Marshal at my stove stirring a pot.

"I figured you two would be wandering in soon." He said in greeting. He was wearing one of my old aprons.

"What have I told you about digging through my stuff Marsh?" I asked making my way to the sink to wash up.

"It was in the same drawer as the dishrags." He turned to Levi then, holding out a spoon with his hand cupped under it to catch any drips. "Here, tell me if this needs anything."

I rolled my eyes as he took a taste and gave a thumbs-up. "Delish-e-oh-so."

Marshal laughed. "Your Italian is atrocious, but I accept the compliment."

"I have to ask is your incredible tolerance to garlic a part of your unique condition or is that something all Italian vampires have?"

He shrugged. "No idea. Are you ready to eat?"

"Yeah, sure." I said and began getting all my junk off of the table. That was his thing, he'd make a fancy dinner, but we had to eat at the table. I stepped over Justina Maria , Marshal's geriatric dog, on my way back to the counter to get out the plates. Any concerns I had about her chasing Dinah were unfounded, the dog barely moved and was content to sleep on the floor vents all day. So, all in all they weren't the bother I'd wholly expected them to be. Marshal's culinary prowess was really just a bonus. I guess roaming Europe for a century or two you pick up a few recipes.

"Oh, you got a call while you were out." Marshal said as he filled my plate with pasta and calamari rings. "I let the machine get it, but I caught that it was from someone named Bob, said he wanted to talk with the two of you."

"Did it sound urgent?"

He shook his head. "If it had I would have gotten a hold of you."

"Okay," I said grabbing a fork. "I'll call him back after we eat."

I'd never really gotten around to apologizing to Bob, but we had been chatting back and forth through texts. Nothing serious, just making sure we were both still I alive I guess. It was still more contact than I'd had with Rowan. While I forgave him for trying to kill me, I wouldn't trust him again for a very long time, if ever. It's also really hard to start up a normal conversation after something like that. The last few weeks had just been me, Levi , and Marshal for the most part. I didn't have time for much else.

I was putting a dent in my restaurant quality squid when I hear my phone ping from the counter. "Is that the first text I've gotten?" I asked wiping my hands on a paper towel and standing to check the message.

"Yes." Marshal said with a bit of distaste in his voice. I guess getting up during our meal was a little rude, but I've got too much shit going on to just ignore any of my handful of contacts.

I no longer took my cell with me on practice runs; I didn't want it getting broken. Levi had already had to get one on his plan after my pre-paid had been smashed. It was still a flip phone, but now it was a nice flip phone.

I opened it to find another message from Bob.  I looked back at Levi. "He says he wants to meet us tonight if possible. He gave me an address, it's actually pretty close to Vanessa's place. We could stop by there too, I haven't seen Kevin since we started training. Want to go?"

Levi swallowed down a mouthful of pasta before answering. "He didn't say what it was about?"

I re-read the message for any hints I may have missed. "No, but he did add a 'please', so I guess he really wants to talk."

"Yeah, I guess." he said wiping a bit of sauce off of his chin. "But I'm not rushing."

"I'll tell him we'll meet him in about an hour then." I said as I clumsily texted back.

We arrived at the park Bob had suggested. I should have known something was up when he gave me an address that was out of the way for both of us.

"He didn't give you any idea as to what this was about?" Levi asked as we got parked.

"I told you, no. Why are you asking again?" I grumbled unbuckling myself.

Levi shook his head. "You really, really, need to start paying better attention to your surroundings- whether I'm with you or not." He pointed out toward my window.

Sure enough, I had failed to notice that there were two vehicles besides ours. There was Bob's bike and a very familiar pick-up. I felt my chest tighten.

"Rowan..." I chewed on my bottom lip. "Do you think Bob arranged this or he just showed up?"

Levi shrugged. "Well, we can go find our or we can go home. Your choice."

I sighed and opened the car door.  "We're already here."

We found the two of them sitting at a picnic table. Bob looked pretty annoyed while Rowan was smiling as sweetly as he could with his hands folded in front of him. His kind expression only faltered for a second when Levi put his arm around my waist protectively. Even as I told myself to play it cool , I realized I was taking the seat across from Bob. Levi took the seat separating the two of us. Rowan rubbed his thumbs together. Though no one had said anything there was no losing the message that had been sent.

I kept my eyes either on Bob or the table. Maybe I had been avoiding Rowan more than I'd let myself believe. I had forgiven him, hadn't I? Rowan had hurt me before and I'd always shaken it off. Getting hurt was always a risk when dealing with the supernatural. Any little mistake...  My stomach flipped as I re-ran the whole situation through my head. What had I done wrong? I wasn't myself at the time, but I couldn't pin point any supernatural snafu. Nothing.

"So, what's so important that you drug us all the way out here?" Levi asked looking straight at Bob as if Rowan didn't even exist.

Bob crossed his arms. "I hear you two have been training in case Robert makes a move and..." He let out a huff "I'm compelled to ask if we can help out."

"Not my call." Levi muttered glancing my way.

I took a deep breath. So, this had been Rowan's idea. He wanted to be part of the gang again, but then why hadn't he just asked himself?

Rowan must have kicked Bob underneath the table, because there was a thump and Bob grunted before adding through clenched teeth. "It could be valuable to learn how to evade multiple attackers... Even if Robert works alone."

I felt myself frown. If he hadn't asked himself then he must know that he was in the wrong. So, why was I keeping my head down? I hadn't done anything wrong.

"Okay."  I said at last.

A victorious smile spread across Rowan's face.

Oh, No Sir, I thought meeting his eyes.  "But." I added firmly. "You'll be on two legs the entire time and you will not touch me. Break the rules and you are out." And even though I didn't verbalize 'for good' , I could see the confidence drain from his face. He had gotten the message. I was getting better with the subtle body language of the supernaturals;  the most important things are left unspoken.

"Well, That's settled." Bob said abruptly standing up. "We can settle on the details later-"

"Nah-ah!" Levi pointed at the table. "You're not going anywhere until you explain this shady ass shit."

Bob scowled and plopped back into his seat.  "He wouldn't leave me alone, alright?"

Levi arched an eyebrow and looked between the two of them. "Would this have anything to do with Jaynoa?"

Bob's face went red. "Levi, please, keep your nose out of my bloody business!" He glanced over at Rowan who had gone back to smirking. "It wasn't even my idea-I just asked the wanker to do me a favor and now he's bloody blackmailing me!"

Levi shrugged "You should've known that I'd know-"

"I don't give two fucks what you think!" Bob snapped before getting a sickened expression. If Rowan and Levi already knew and he didn't care- there was only one other person at the table.

"Ya'know, you could just tell me and save yourself the trouble." I said.

Bob shook his head. "Stop throwing fuel on the fire, Dani. You don't want to know."

"Fine." I said standing up. "Come on Levi, we've still got other things to do tonight. See you guys later."

"One more thing," Levi leaned in over the table. "don't ever pull this sort of shit again."

"It wasn't that big of a deal." I whispered on the way back to the car.

"It was a small betrayal and they probably only realized it once I pointed it out, but it was a betrayal none the less." Levi said flatly. "How would you feel if someone pulled that on me?"

"I see your point."  I tugged at a strand of my hair. "I just figured Rowan must have something pretty good on Bob- and don't tell me."

Levi shut his mouth and frowned at me. "It's not good enough to manipulate you the way they did."

"I'll just have to take your word for it." I said hopping into the car.

He got in and cranked up. "It involves sex."

"Shut up Levi." I muttered buckling up. I really didn't want to know.