Strangers in the Dark (Max, Bobby,Open)

[erik]

Erik was restless. That was the only explaination for the fact that he'd dragged Max out of his comfortable house and away from his beautiful wife for a guys night out on the town. The fact that Lexi's "Pops" was in resident didn't hinder the shapeshifter as he'd meet the man long ago when the blond was just a teenager.

Erik had been looking after the girl until something could be arranged and the older man had seemed the perfect choice. Although Lexi had never known it, Erik had always done what he could to keep her safe and had taught her to defend herself when it looked like no one else would. The foster system that should have cared about her was a poor excuse for child safety. On more than one occasion, the pretty little blond had showed up at his loft covered with bruises and looking like someone had taken a whip to her. Every time, he'd make a trip over to the house and beat some sense into the drunk who was her "father".

As she had grown older though, the dangers had intensified. A brutal, all most rape had been the final straw and he'd been forced to "relocate" the bastard before the girl could be assaulted again. From that point on, he'd made it his business to check into other "alternatives" for her. When Bobby Singer had come along... Well, it seemed a match made in heaven. The old man needed someone to take care of him and Lexi had needed someone to watch out for her. All it had taken was her showing up on the man's doorstep covered in bruises and wearing a scared but defiant look upon her face for the old junkyard dog to take her in.

In all honesty, the wolf had been glad to wash his hand of her care since she had hit that adolecent stage and he had no idea of how to deal with all those female hormones and volitale tempers. That didn't mean, however, that he hadn't stayed in touch with her or checked in on her whenever he could. It had been a stroke of luck when she'd opened the bar in Oklahoma City and he'd been able to help her out getting started.

Now, however, she was a married woman with a baby on the way and her new husband was someone Erik actually LIKED. Considering there were many humans that he actually got along with, that was saying something. Max Blair had earned his loyalty with the care and devotion he'd showed the blond and the hell he'd been through getting the girl back for the sadistic bastard who'd tortured her to the point of death. From that point on, he and the dark haired hunter had become close friends and that was the reason the dude was now walking into a club that would surely get him into trouble should his wife find out.

Needing to talk to the owner of the club, Erik glanced around the darkened establishment and nodded towards the bouncer. The huge black man's eyes widen a moment before nodding and motioning him towards a back table. Following his directions, the shapeshifter glanced at Max and headed toward the corner. Sliding into the booth, the blond looked towards the stage and smirked as he took in the beautiful blond on stage.

"Now.. this is my sort of place...." he said over the music to his companions.

[bobby]

Bobby took in the ambiance of the Club as Erik lead the way to a table near the back of the room. He had been in a lot of rundown, sleazy dives in his time as a Hunter, but this place was as far from those kinds of places as you could get. These girls actually looked like they were enjoying their work, not hustling a buck. They knew what they were worth and didn't cheapen themselves for anyone.

Upon reaching the table he sat himself down shifting so that most of his back was to a wall. The place might be top notch: however it was full of people he didn't completely trust, not that they had a reason to trust him either. So caution was to be the watch word.

"Now.. this is my sort of place...." Bobby had to agree it did have its charms. One of them was on stage.

“I think I could get used to it too.” the Hunter added with a grin as he waved a waitress over and ordered a round for the table.

[max]

Max and Erik had know each other for a while, it was somewhat ironic that their friendship had really started when he was drunk and desperate when Lexi had been kidnapped by a insane monster and in a foul mood he had punched Erik. They had met before, but that had been the moment that really had brought them close and made them develop a major respect for each other.

Now however, it seemed like the shifter was trying to get him into trouble with his wife. After all, he never knew a wife to be happy when she discovered her husband been into a club full of exotic dancers. Would she buy it if Max said he was only there to keep Erik company? He doubted that…but after all it wasn’t as if he was cheating, right?

Walking with the others as they went into the club, he let his gaze scan the area and off course he took in all of the good looking girls in the place. There was no harm in looking.

Joining Bobby in the table he had picked, he raised a brow at the old hunter’s comment. What Lexi would say if she was to hear her Pops at that time? The idea made him smirk, though neither one of them would think it was wise to ask her.

“It’s a nice place here Erik, and the view is not bad.” He said with a smirk as the cute waitress came with their drinks and got a smile out of her before she walked away. He was married, but knowing he still had an effect on other women appeased to his ego.

[Simi James]

The place was really hopping tonight. The tables were filling fast and more than one dancer had already meet her normal tip for the evening. Sibeal herself had danced Shannon's set plus two of her own so she was aware of how busy everyone was. With the death of their fellow dancer, all the girls were picking up the slack on the weekends but Sibeal was taking up the most. Thursday night had been her only night off and it had been an enjoyable one.

As she thought about it, a smile slide over her face and she exited the dressing room to stroll through the main floor of the club. As she did so, she noticed a group of men at a corner booth in the VIP section that was reserved for friends of Derek or important business meetings.

Immediately, her attention was snagged and she turned her mind to listening to their thoughts. The huge blond was a blank slate and he immediately looked up at her and gave her a slight nod. His blue eyes glinted wickedly and the dance thought she caught a glimpse of devilish amusement lurking in the depths. He would be more than a handful for any woman to manage.

Returning the greeting, she let her eyes rove to the good looking dark haired man and a small grin of amusement crossed her face as she realized he was a bit worried about his wife finding out that the blond had dragged him into the club. That aside, however, he seemed to be having a good time like any red blooded male would. Sibeal had often had married men dragged into the club by a single buddy or a bachelor party but she kind of figured that they were only human when they looked. It was like admiring a fast car even when you had one you adored at home. Just cause you thought it was good looking didn't mean you had to do anything more about it. By her reckoning, this fellow feel into the "retired rake" category and he'd appreciate a fine female body but it would never go any further than that. He had the look of a man who'd been around the block but wasn't the slightest bit tempted by forbidden fruit. Sibeal wondered if his wife knew just what a lucky girl she was.


As her gaze past on, the pretty blond did let a chuckle escape. The older gentleman sitting with the pair had a crusty, confirmed bachelor look about him and he was wondering to himself what he was doing here in the company of a wolf and his "daughters" husband. He was thinking the "Brat" may murder him in his bed if she found out. Then, deciding that he might as well enjoy it, he sat back and smiled at his companions. Sibeal heard his appreciation for the women of the club and made a mental note to make sure his drinks were free the rest of the night. It wasn't often she came across a guy who actually thought about the woman BEHIND the pretty face.

That decided, the petite dancer moved towards the bar and leaned over it to whisper to Sebastian. Nodding to the table in the VIP section, she gave him her instructions and grinned as the bartender gave her a look and then rolled his eyes before nodding. A quick wink from the dancer and then she was off again. Charlie caught her eye and she went to his side. The huge black man leaned down and said in low tones.

"The VIP table is here to see Derek. The blond is Erik Kincaid... He's the new leader of the shapeshifter pack in New Orleans. I imagine he had business with the boss man."

Frowning, Sibeal cast another look in their direction before turning back to Charlie.

"Derek left about 15 minutes ago... Something about a lead on Shannon's killer that he couldn't afford to miss..... You think I should go talk to them instead? At least let them know hes not here?"

For a long moment, the head bouncer was silent. Then, sighing, he nodded.

"It might be wise. I hear that this Erik is not one to piss off. I'll come with you..."

Nodding, Sibeal exchanged a look with the bouncer and then allowed him to trail behind her as she made her way up the steps to the VIP section. As she approached the table, she put on a welcoming smile and nodded in greeting.

"Hello gentleman.... I hear you are looking for Derek? I'm afraid hes not in right now but.. .Is there something I can do for you? I'm his assistant manager..."

Holding out a hand, she introduced herself.

"My name is Sibeal Montgomery... and you gentleman would be?"

[erik]

Erik smiled as the old man made his comment about getting used to the place and he nodded at the waitress that approached. Giving her his order, he allowed the others to do their thing as he took in the club and all its sights. His senses were on full alert and he wasn't sure exactly what it was he was looking for but something was off. There was an air of unease about the place and a ripple of fury underlying it.

As he gaze over the crowd, his eyes caught sight of a stunning young blond leaving the dressing room. Her own eyes were upon him and he smiled as he nodded to her. He felt the probe of a keen mind but it barely rattled his barriers. When she nodded in return, he knew exactly who she was. This was the young woman Derek spoke so highly of and who was a valuable asset to the supernatural community. His friend always knew when a human was lying because she could read the thoughts of any mortal in the room. Rumor had it.. she could read some unnatural minds too. If he remembered right, she could also hear spirits and talk with the dead.

Letting his gaze follow after her, he noted each person she spoke with and then cast his eyes towards Max when he saw her approaching. Leaning forward a bit, he said in low tones.

"The woman approaching...... She can read anything in your mind so if you have anything you'd rather not let her hear... Nows the time to put it aside."

Giving the pair a wicked grin, the wolf then stood up and acknowledged her presence in a gentlemanly fashion. Old ways died hard and he was ever concious of how a lady was to be treated. When she held out her hand, he bowed over it and greeted her in return.

"My name is Erik Kincaid.... but i imagine your friend here has already told you that..."

Smiling wickedly, he turned to his companions.

"The dark devil is Max Blair and the older gentleman is Robert Singer. They are friends of mine....."

Then motioning her to a seat, he waited until she sat down before reseating himself.

[war]

The demon stared trough the blinders from where night time crawled in. A bloody curling urge burned inside him, leaving a hole where his soul should be. It caused a hunger that claimed for death and destruction, begged him to let go and give in to the dark urges that laid just under the surface.

“Come back to bed baby.”

He looked back and watched them, both perfect visions of beauty calling for him. Everything in the girls was perfect and desirable, the kind of women that most man could only dream of having. Nothing but a pair of groupies that had went to bed with him just so that they could brag about sleeping with a celebrity in the next day. It had been just sex, nothing more, nothing less. The girls were so beautiful and yet so shallow, cheap. It would be so easy to kill them and leave the hotel room before anyone knew what took place, so easy to get away with it. The temptation was great and it chilled him to his core.

“Get out!” he told them with a dismissive look.

“Come on baby…”

“GET THE HELL OUT!” he demanded again, raising his voice in anger, barely able to control himself.

The girls stumbled around for their clothes and left, not before a nasty strain of curses left their mouths. They were the kind of women that would easily break a man, leave him useless and broke. Warren wasn’t an ordinary man, he didn’t know if he could even be called a man anymore.

Slipping into his black leather pants and a plain white shirt, not bothering to button it down, he left the room behind. He was starting to feel claustrophobic and overwhelmed by his darker side.

Getting into his black corvette C6RS, he speed away through the streets, paying no mind to the speed limits, the demon left everything behind with the feeble hope he could run from himself. Finally when the feeling of dread momentarily faded, he parked outside a nightclub and moved in.

At times like this he didn’t felt safe around a crowd, it was hard to trust himself. Walking straight to the bar, he ordered a whiskey with a beer chaser. Maybe he would have better luck in drowning the darkness inside.

[bobby]

"The woman approaching...... She can read anything in your mind so if you have anything you'd rather not let her hear... Nows the time to put it aside." The hunter wanted to belt Erik.

'Right just tell someone to not think of an Elephant, and guess what he'll do?' Bobby thought as every secret thought flashed like lightning through his mind in a moment. “Damn Wolf.” he muttered under his breath.

Like Erik, Bobby rose as the Blond approached. Though he didn't bow over the offered hand when it came his turn, he shook it instead.

”The older gentleman is Robert Singer.” Bobby nearly growled. His annoyance triggered for the second time in as many minutes, by the same man. 'Look who's calling who old. Keep it up and I'll use a wolf pelt as a throw rug.' he thought. However he covered his irritation with a genuine smile for a beautiful woman saying, “Make that Bobby. Robert Singer was a politician from New Jersey.”

The elephant was still at the table and no matter how he tried, a thought still flowed to the fore-front of his mind, 'That is one nicely put together woman.', damn Kincaid, it was all Erik's fault. Maybe it would be best if he looked around the room instead.

Remembering that it was Erik who was here on business not himself, Bobby took his own internal advice; and turned toward the stage. Only to have his view temporarily blocked by a man just entering the club. The young man looked like he had gotten what he had asked for, but it wasn't what he wanted; not by a long shot. 'Another tormented soul.' Bobby reflected as his eyes finally found the dancer.

Though the show didn't keep the Hunter from listening to the conversation at the table.

[max]

Max raised a brow at Erik, the woman could read minds? If she wasn’t just a few steps away, he would curse the wolf. “Thanks for letting us know in advance,” he replied sarcastically. And yes, when you tell someone to not think about something, that’s exactly what they will think of.

Quickly shaking his head as if it would help, he did his best to focus his mind on something else, trivial thoughts mostly. With so much beautiful women around like the one who was closing in to greet them, it wasn’t as if that was a really difficult task. Still his playboy ways were past him, he was a married man with a baby on the way and couldn’t be happier about it. There was no temptation enough in the world for him to risk what he had with Lexi.

Rising from his chair as the woman reached them and introduced herself, he nodded to her and took her hand. “Nice to meet you, Sibeal.” He replied and waited her to be seat as well, before returning to his chair. It wasn’t because he was in a club with exotic dancers that Max would forget about manners. He was raised to be a gentleman after all and he had dated a few dancers in the past. It made his brother shake his head concerned about what it would do with his family’s reputation as some pictures hit the papers, but all Max would do was laugh. Just because a girl took off her clothes for a living, it didn’t meant anything about her character.

However, he couldn’t help to be curious as to what business Erik may have there, as he couldn’t help to take quick peeks at the woman in the stage.

[Simi James]

As Erik bowed over her hand, Sibeal immediately knew why so many of the supernaturals in the community were terrified of the wolf. He was an old soul and there as a ruthless streak about him that gave him an air of dangerous control. As if at any given moment, he could shed the layer of civilization he wore and become fully the ancient warlord he was rumored to have been. His eyes bore into a person soul and ferreted out any secrets they may have. Careful to keep her gaze lock on his until he grinned, the blond arched a brow and knew he'd taken her number in that brief moment.

Giving him a soft smile of acknowledgement, the delicate dancer then turned to the two other men. Obviously, the wolf had warned them of her talent as they were frantically trying to think of anything besides what most men thought about in a club like this. Smiling sweetly, she shook their hands and said.

"You can be at ease. I'm blocking you out now that I know who and what you are. In a place like this... your normal thoughts go in one ear and out the other, so to speak. Mr. Blair, I'm sure your entirely faithful to your beautiful wife. Alexis is a lucky woman to have found a mate such as yourself."

Turning back to the older gentleman, the blond grinned again.

"And Bobby.... Thank you for permission to call you that.. I think you will find that we appreciate gentleman who know that a girls career isn't a choice at times. All of the girls here are working hard to make their lives better in the only way they can. Most of them even have college degrees and are better educated than most men I know. The bartender has been instructed at your drinks are to be on the house."

Giving him a wink, she turned back to Erik.

"Derek was called away because of a lead on one of our dancers killer. He thinks he may be able to find something out. Hopefully, he will return soon. You are welcome to hang out up here if you like while you wait..."

WHen the blond wolf nodded, she smiled and continued.

"All right then.... Just let the waitress know what you need and we'll be sure to make sure you get it. If you will excuse me... I need to see to the main club floor. I will check on you all in a bit."

With that, she excused herself looked at Charlie. The huge black bouncer nodded to the men and then turned to follow the young woman as she moved away. The way the big man stood behind the dancer made her seem like a petite china doll.

"Whatcha think, Missy... Do we need to prepared for trouble?" he asked in a hushed, low tone.

Casting him a smile, Sibeal shook her head.

"No... Erik isn't here because of anythign Derek has done. I think that he's checking in on an old friend. You got to remember, Erik and Derek go way back..... Maybe he'll even help us find Shannon's killer."

Then, shrugging a bit, the blonds eyes fell on the newcomer. He was obviously something beyond the norm but his thoughts were a jumbled mess to her. Worried about trouble, she forced her mind to focus on his and caught his waves of dispair. Frowning, she put a hand on Charlie's arm and said.

"Excuse me for a moment, Charlie... I need to talk to someone..."

Without saying another word, Sibeal approached the dark haired man cautiously and then slid up to the bar a foot or so away from him. Nodding at Sebastion, she ordered a cranberry juice and then looked at the stranger.

"Hello...... Your a new face... I don't think I've seen you in here before...." she said softly without the slightest bit of flirtatious huskiness to her voice. She had a feeling that this man wasn't here for a woman's company but rather a way to just get away from it all instead.

[war]

As the beverages were poured before him, Warren wasted no time in downing the whiskey shot. Welcoming the burning sensation that followed, he reached for the beer. It wasn’t an easy task to get a demon drunk, but he was determined to accomplish that. Anything to take his mind away from the evil urges that frightened him.

The music on the place started to flow in his ears and that helped sooth his mind. Music was his greatest passion and it never failed to help him to center himself. There was times when he thought nothing made any sense whatsoever, but the music always did.

Turning his head to face the woman that was talking to him, Warren raised a brow. While her question could be used as a pick up line, there was no flirtatious note in her voice. Good, she might be cute…alright, more than just cute, but he wasn’t in the mood to flirt. He wasn’t in this place even to watch at the show, otherwise he could have stayed back at the hotel. “I never been here before,” he replied with a slight cold tone before taking a heft swig of beer.

Closing his eyes for a second, he could slowly feel himself calming down, the quantity of sensations this place was causing him was doing a good job of masking the hollow spot where his soul should be. He was about to tell her to go away, he didn't trust himself tight then.

“I’m Warren, and you are...?” Maybe a little chat would do him good after all, keep his mind distracted.

[erik]

The keen intelligence in the womans' eyes put Erik at ease and he relaxed in his seat. Her words to the others made him grin and it was all he could do not to laugh outright at her nerve of getting right to the heart of the matter. There weren't many people who valued honesty like he did.

When she explained the owners absence, Erik nodded his agreement to stay and watched the soft sway of her hips as she walked away. TUrning to his companions, he raised his glass and said.

"Now... there goes a woman worth the trouble of taming... She is proof that there is a god somewhere. Beautiful, intelligent and full of fire.... To bad I prefer darkhaired beauties...."

Then, knocking back his shot, the wolf settled back to see what the rest of the night might bring.

[bobby]

Bobby wasn't sure he liked the idea of having his drinks free for the night. Not because of that reason anyway it seemed like cheating somehow. Just because he didn't see the women as mindless sex objects didn't mean he wasn't looking at them.

Okay so he would pay for the drinks anyway, just the dancers would get the money not the house. That would be acceptable to his conscience and as he wasn't planning on more than a couple drinks, so his wallet would be happy too.

Now... there goes a woman worth the trouble of taming... She is proof that there is a god somewhere. Beautiful, intelligent and full of fire"

"Hear, Here." Bobby said adding his glass to the toast. Thinking that it wasn't so much the hair color as the youth that he was objecting too himself, around Forty would be good.

[max]

Max couldn’t help to raise an eyebrow at the blond as she mentioned Alexis. He was trying to block any thoughts about his wife to protect her, and he didn’t quite like the idea of someone snooping inside his head. He still held on to his darkest secret, about the night he had been possessed years ago, a memory that still gave him several nightmares no matter how hard he tried to compensate and forget the events of that night.

Burying those thoughts deep in his mind, he nodded thankfully when Sibeal mentioned that she was blocking their thoughts from that moment on. He didn’t knew her very well, but he believed her sincerity if only to a degree. He was still burying his darkest secret deep down.

Rising his glass to Erik’s salute, Max smirked. If he wasn’t happily married to a gorgeous goddess, he would surely be tempted to go after that mind reading woman.

Taking a sip from the drink in his hand, he then settled the glass on the table and looked briefly to the girl on the stage. “So Erik, what kind of deal you have in a place like this?”

[Simi James]

As the young man stated he'd never been there before and then seemed almost to hesitate, Sibeal wondered if she had made the wrong move coming over to greet him. However, he seemed to gather himself and he turned to introduce himself.


“I’m Warren, and you are...?”

Leaning into the counter, the pretty blond gazed at him thoughtfully and then returned the courtesy.

"My name is Sibeal... or Venus as they call me around here when I'm on stage. Its nice to meet you Warren."

Glancing towards the bartender, Sibeal motioned for another round of drinks and then turned back to him.

"You look like a man with alot on his mind. If you like, I'll leave you alone to think...."

[war]

Taking another hefty swig of his beer, he considered what she had said and the truth was Warren was worried what he would do if he was left alone. The dark urge was almost palpable and the temptation of letting it go unchecked was too great to risk. More than once he had ended with innocent blood on his hand.

“Stay, I could use a talk,” he told her trying to tamper down an underlying surge of rage. Just a wave of his hand would be enough to throw her across the hand and snap her neck.

He watched the golden liquid swirl in the bottle in his hands as he considered his choices. To be the monster he was supposed to or to be the man he was born as. Sometimes it was hard to find a middle ground.

He glanced around for a while, finding that her company was actually helping him maintain control. “It’s a nice place you got here, good whiskey too,” he managed to give a faint smile as she ordered another round of drinks. Taking the whiskey shot in his hands, he hesitate.

“So what should we be drinking to?”