A/N: Another one that's under the 99-05 section of my stories, lol, though this was written between 2000-2001. The original version's OC was named Lyonene but when I decided to take that as my penname, I switched it out for Seraphina. Looking back I realize I was all about romance and fluff. *cringes*

1

It was the sound of heels clicking that made everyone look up. Standing in the doorway of the old, rundown bar was a young woman clad in all black. She wore a long black taffeta skirt, a long sleeved top that cut across her shoulders, black silk gloves and black leather granny boots.

The bartender frowned when he seen her. Yeah, they got some weirdoes in here but she was entirely different. She was too small, too quiet, too strange.

As if reading his thoughts she looked over at him. "You should talk." Her odd gold eyes seemed to say.

True, with his assortment of tattoos, pale demeanor, piercing green eyes and long red hair he was a bit out of the ordinary as well.

She was paler than him, her skin had a marble-ish look to it. Like she was made of stone and not human tissue. Long hair so black it bordered on blue, her clothes complimenting a shapely, hour glass figure.

Rolling his eyes, Mark turned his back on her. He went back to wiping down the counter.

The mysterious woman silently walked over to the bar, sitting down on one of the stools and folding her arms on the counter. "May I get a drink please?"

The sound of her low, throaty voice sent shivers down Mark's spine. Quickly hiding it, he looked at her over his shoulder. "In a minute honey." He took his time making his way to her. "What can I get ya?"

"A light screwdriver, please."

Grunting, he started making her drink. "Here." He set it down in front of her.

Her eyes narrowed as some of the alcohol splashed onto the counter. "You don't like me much, do you Mark?"

Mark's mouth curved into a frown. "How the hell do you know my name?" He demanded. "I'm fairly certain we've never crossed paths before."

The woman smiled innocently. "I don't know. You just look like a Mark." She took her drink and moved to a small table in the corner.

Mark stared at her a moment before tending to another customer. He quickly pushed all thoughts of her out of his mind. He sighed when he heard someone else walking in, looking towards the door.

There was a man dressed in an old-fashioned black suit with a cape slung over his right shoulder. He wore a top hat, white kid gloves and even carried a cane. He wasn't old though, he looked like he was in his mid thirties. He glanced over everyone with cold blue eyes before settling his gaze on the woman.

She was staring back at him appearing somewhat alarmed. She moved as if to get out of the seat but the man held out a hand. With a look of despair she sank back down. Smiling, he joined her.

"Seraphina, here you are my dearest." He said in an oily voice. "I was quite worried when I discovered you had left."

"Worried? The idea that you, Raoul, might actually worry disconcerts me." She sneered.

He feigned hurt. "My darling Seraphina! Your harsh words wound my heart with an indescribable pain. Why must you fight me at every corner?"

"Call it my human sense of pride."

Raoul curled his upper lip disdainfully. "Don't test me. I will put you back in your place, no matter how much it pains me to do so."

"I'm so very frightened." She replied sarcastically.

He got up. "Let's go Seraphina. It's time for you to come home."

Seraphina stood up and backed away. "No."

"What did you say?"

No."

Raoul's countenance darkened. "You insolent little wench! How dare you speak to me in such a manner!"

Mark looked up when he heard a slap. He found the strange woman holding her face while the even stranger man berated her angrily. When the guy went to slap her again Mark lept over the counter and hurried over.

"Mister, I see you hittin' the lady one more time and I'm gonna be doin' some hittin' of my own." He threatened, grabbing the man's hand.

Seraphina looked up at Mark bewildered. Raoul cursed.

"You fool! Let me loose! You have no idea what you are messing with!"

"You've had one too many drinks." Mark dragged the man to the door. "Leave."

Raoul straightened himself up, glaring at Seraphina. "You will come home, my Seraphim." He told her before taking his leave.

Mark looked around at the other bar patrons, they were staring at Seraphina like she had sprouted another head. "All right people, the show is over." He announced. "Either go back to what you were doin' or hit the pavement."

Seraphina scanned the room warily. "Is there another way out of here?" She asked softly.

Mark stared down at her. "Yeah, there's a back door. Are you gonna be okay lady?"

"I'll find out."

"What does that mean?" Mark asked himself.

"It means exactly what I said, I'll find out." She said absent-mindedly.

Mark frowned. "I didn't say nothin'."

"Hmmm? Oh yes, it was the look on your face." Seraphina pulled out some money. "This is for the drink. Will you please show me the way out?"

Confused, Mark led her to the storage room. "This way."

"Thank you."

"Can I ask you somethin'?"

"You may."

"Is that your name? Seraphim?"

She smiled, amused. "No, my name is Seraphina. I must leave now. Thank you again Mr. Callaway." Then she slipped out the door.

Mark stepped out only to find darkness. "I never told you my name!" He shouted. He could have sworn he heard her laughing at him.