Rabbit In The Headlights
Disclaimer: The characters of 'Angel', are not mine, they belong to David and Joss.
The room was dark, cigarette smoke leaving a blue haze across the dimly lit club. Bodies clung to bodies, space at a minimum. He felt uncomfortable but habits were habits and he needed his fix. He could see her on the floor, in the dress he wished she wouldn't wear. Her eyes were closed as the music pulsated through her body. She was on her own world now, probably in a world where her problems no longer existed. Her body moved in a way that seemed unnatural yet awaked the primitive instincts in every man around her. Their eyes just watched, just like his did, knowing that this goddess in front of them was well out of their league. She knew they were watching her but still she didn't open her eyes. He wondered if she could sense him the way he was able to sense her. If there was a tingling feeling in the base of her spine like his, that pushed him closer to the point of need than was controllable?
The song changed but the same deep, slow beat repeated through it and the goddess kept on dancing, eyes closed to the world. They had agreed she needed a life outside of him but this was not what he had in mind when he suggested going out for a night off. A guy moved towards her, responding to her rhythm. She responded to him, turning her back to him so she didn't need to see his face, retreating further into her own world.
The song finished yet again. Her eyes flew open as she searched the room, looking for the eyes that were studying her with such intimacy. He realised with joy that she too could feel him. She searched where she knew he would be, the shadows, always the shadows. He took one last look at her as she stood on the dance floor in conclusion and began to walk away. He had gotten too close, nearly got caught, his secret was nearly revealed. He couldn't run the risk again. He only needed to know he was OK.
The cool midnight air, hit him but there was a hint of dusk on the horizon. The stranger pulled up his collar around his neck, for anonymity rather than protection from the cold. A curt nod to the doorman signalled his departure and he began to walk away from the pounding music. A light hand on his shoulder stopped in his tracks.
"Now, what's a man-pire like you doing in a place like this?"
Bugger. He had been caught. He turned around to face the long-haired brunette to whom the voice belonged. Before he could reply the shrill ringing of the a mobile phone caught his attention. The lady stared expectantly at him as he answered the ringing sound.
"Angel Investigations. We are the Hopeless!" Angel muttered ironically into the phone.
"Damn straight you are." Cordelia stated, wagging her painted finger at him.