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Tristan entered the club and looked around, hoping to find Bethany. He didn't see her yet, so sidled up to the bar and slid in. "Jack Daniels, please, and you can leave the bottle." He threw some money onto the bartop and smiled at the bartender. The alcohol burned on the way down his throat, but it was a nice, relaxing burn. He smirked and settled into his chair.
" Well, well, long time no see." Bethany commented with a faint laugh and a slow smirk. He was the last person she had been expecting to see. Luckily the club was quiet so she was able to project her voice. She herself was stood at the top of her stairs, her eyebrow lifted and her brown eyes bright with amusement. Her hands curled around the banister of the stairs and as always, she looked stunning. Black slacks and a black top accentuated both her figure and legs.
Tristan turned and grinned at her. He stood, grabbing his bottle, and slowly walked towards the stairs. "And you are as breathtakingly beautiful as ever. Did you miss me?" He gave her a wink and took a long pull from his bottle.
Bethany eyed him as he took a long drink from the bottle." Someone's starting early I see." She rested her hip against the banister and smirked slowly." Maybe I did and maybe I didn't." Bethany laughed softly and simply gestured for Tristan to follow her as she made her way back towards her office.
Tristan drained the bottle and sat it on an empty table before following her up the stairs and into her office. "I've been busy, I guess you could say. But you never strayed far from my mind." He hoped that was mutual, but he'd never say so.
" I have a new friend that wishes to meet with you. " Bethany said with a small grin before she sunk down into her leather chair." And of course, you have been on my mind. Not causing too much trouble I hope?"
Tristan thought back to his encounter with the blonde slayer, and his latest kill. He smirked. "No more than usual. But, I'll tell you about that later. Who's this friend of yours?" He crossed his legs before him on the leather chair, his hands stretched out on the arm rests.
Bethany folded her hands together." A man by the name of Jason Toren. He works for the law firm of Wolfram and Hart. Does the name ring a bell?" She asked with a lift of one eyebrow before simply leaning forward to cross her arms over the top of her desk.
Tristan smirked. "What demon hasn't heard of them? They are our protectors, at times. And always a thorn in the side of the good guys. I'm sure I'd admire this Mr. Toren if we met."
" So do I have your permission to arrange a meeting?" Bethany asked, her hand snatched up a nearby pen.
Tristan nodded. "If you trust him, then sure, I can make the time to meet with him. What does he want?"
Bethany lifted her shoulders in a shrug." I really have no idea. I believe he wants many things and all those things are part of a bigger scheme." Her thoughts went to her own contract.
Tristan leaned towards Bethany. "What has he asked of you?" He knew how Wolfram and Hart worked. They'd protect you, but only for a price.
" I scratch his back, he scratches mine. We share profits and I help him with whatever schemes he needs help with and I am guaranteed protection and someone in my corner." Bethany answered before she scribbled some notes down on a nearby piece of paper." He and I have been sharing information and he has his eye on a great many in the town of Searchlight."
"Well, that does sound intriguing." Tristan sat back in his chair and rested his hands beneath his chin. "Have you ever heard of a slayer in Searchlight named Jo? I didn't catch her last name."
Bethany shook her head, placing the book back into her drawer." I can't say that I have. Had problems?"
"I wouldn't say that. We had, a confrontation. It wasn't finished, if you know what I mean, and that's what's been keeping me busy. I need to end it, but she seems to be a wiley one." Tristan shrugged his shoulders and played with the buttons on his stiff leather jacket.
" New jacket?" Bethany asked as she ran her eyes over it. She noted the way it was, how stiff it was against his body. It had to be new.
Tristan nodded stiffly. "My old jacket was ruined in the scuffle with that slayer. Bitch put a hole in it. It had been a gift from my Sire. I guess that's why I'm so pissed off about it all." He shrugged, knowing it was quite pathetic, but for some reason he felt he could open up to Bethany.
Bethany nodded her head." I can see why that would piss you off. How old was that jacket?" She asked with a sincere expression.
"Over a hundred years old." His voice was quiet as he said it. He knew the bond of one's sire ran deep. It troubled him that Rhiannon had yet to respond as deeply. He supposed that would come, eventually. "Not very manly of me, I suppose?" He gave her a little wink then, trying to show he was okay with being uncomfortable around her. "Let's not tell Mr. Toren."
She shrugged." We all grow attached to things, Tristan. This is the same for vampire and human alike." Bethany leaned back into her chair before chuckling softly." I won't tell Jason, I promise."
"I've rarely seen hide nor hair of Stetson. I may not have been in frequent touch with you, but I promise I have been keeping a watchful eye." He cocked his head and studied her. She was a beautiful woman, and there was no denying that. He was certain she had kept company without him.
" His time will come." Bethany answered with a certain tone to her voice. The tone that promised she would see it one way or another." It's going to take time to bring him down but I am more than willing to wait."
"Having Wolfram and Hart in your corner should help with that." Tristan knew he was hardly needed anymore. This was a very capable woman. But he was still thankful to be on her side. She wasn't one to be reckoned with.
Bethany rose to her feet and smiled slowly." Yes, it should." She walked to where Tristan was sat and perched against the chair's arm." So, other than fighting with Slayers. How has life been?"
Tristan gazed up at her and grinned. "No complaints, really." He moved a finger to slide it slowly up and down her arm. "The most interesting thing I can think to tell you was that I met a child vampire the other night. She was a bit crazy. I entertained her for a bit before she wandered off mumbling something about her brother."
" Really now?" Bethany lifted an interested eyebrow before smirking." Sounds like Searchlight is just getting interesting."
"It is an andventure every day." He chuckled and smiled into her eyes. "And you? Other than being wined and dined by Wolfram and Hart, what exciting events have occured in your life? You're well, I hope?" He recalled finding her inside the club, badly beaten. That had not been a good day.
Bethany nodded her head." Things have been going well. In fact, business has gotten better in the last couple of days." She thought to Milly and the other night and smirked lightly as she thought about it. That had been an interesting encounter.
"That is excellent to hear." His finger left her arm and he clutched his hands tightly in his lap. "Don't have much use for me anymore, do you?" He wasn't being self pitying, just stating a fact. His eyes almost glowed as he looked at her. "We did have fun, however. Didn't we?"
" We are friends, aren't we Tristan?" Bethany asked softly with a small smile." And whilst I may not have many uses for friends in my life. I do have use for you."
"Ah, friends. That dreaded word." He chuckled and locked his eyes onto hers. "I do like the sounds of that last bit, however."
Bethany smirked lightly and gave Tristan a nudge in the side." I thought you might."
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