This is my first fan fic attempt. It started off as smut, but I began liking my gal and decided to write a whole story with her in it. I don't own any of the characters except Cael. Feedback is adored.

The way station was quiet as she stepped inside. A few figures were scattered around the dark interior. None looked up as the Fae woman entered. She took a deep breath whilst dark eyes searched out the bar and booted feet moved her to a spot on the corner. She climbed atop the first stool she found, eyeing the shelves laden with wonderful, mind-erasing alcohol. She needed something hard tonight. Beer just wasn't going to cut it. She laid her purse on the stool to her right and began rummaging through it for her wallet.

"'Evening. What can I get you?"

A soft voice pulled her head up and her eyes connected with that of a small man behind the bar. His eyes were kind and he looked almost concerned by Cael's disheveled appearance. She glanced behind him into the mirrored reflection of the back bar—two dark eyes stared back, equally dark eyeliner a bit smeared and light blonde hair looked like she'd just woken up. She sighed and raked her fingers through her mane, wincing as she caught a tangle and grinning ruefully at the barkeep. "Whiskey, rocks, please." He nodded and turned to fetch a bottle. Cael continued smoothing down her hair and fixing her eyeliner as the small man returned with her drink, placing it in front of her and smiling slightly before turning to greet another patron who had walked up to his bar. " 'Bless you…" She murmured and placed the glass to her lips, allowing the mixture to burn its way down her throat. She took another large sip and set the glass down, glancing around the way station. Mix and match furniture littered the old place—yes, old, but not uncared for. Celtic-themed banners hung on a few walls and there was an air of safety to the place. Way stations are a place new Fae must sign in and both sides were welcomed here. Neutral ground. Cael took a deep breath and another gulp of her cocktail before pulling a map from her purse and spreading it out in front of her. This seemed like a good town to stick around in, and until she had another plan, it was her only option. Brown eyes studied the red and blue lines while a hand retrieved her drink and brought it to her lips again. Finished it. She glanced up and saw the barkeep already pouring her another and she smiled thankfully, trading him her empty glass.

"When you're ready, I'd like for you to sign in, if you don't mind." He said brightly, placing the empty glass on his wash rack. "Just passing through, or is this your destination?"

"Eh," she shrugged, "I think I may stick around a few weeks." She looked around appreciatively at the place. "This place is great, is it yours?"

The little man beamed. "It is, thank you. Trick." He offered his hand to her and she shook it. "Would you like anything to eat?"

"Hi Trick" She smiled back. "No, thank you. I'm alright with my whiskey." She winked and took another sip at which he nodded and bustled off to greet another patron.

"Are you Bo?" A low voice asked from behind her. Cael turned and met the gaze of a short, well-dressed man. He looked to be in his mid fourties.

"No, I'm sorry. Wrong person." She said and turned back to her map. The man apologized hastily and retreated to a table at the far end of the bar.

A dark haired woman and a blonde had bellied up to the bar a little to Cael's right. Trick greeted them and spoke to the brunette in a low voice that Cael could just barely make out. "Bo, that gentleman over there was asking around for you." He gestured to the short man. Cael followed the woman's gaze to the man.

"Hmm." She mumbled and quickly glanced back to her map, taking another sip of her drink. I'm sure Ontario is nice this time of year. She thought, tracing a line along the route with her finger.

"….Cael Hemingway."

Even spoken in a hushed tone, Cael heard her name. She looked up quickly to the two women who were now conversing with the shorter man. No one seemed to recognize her. OK. She thought, don't panic. Just chill for a second. She returned her eyes to the map, but couldn't focus as her ears strained to hear the conversation. The man was continuing.

"…and my employer needs to find her as soon as possible. Can you help me?"

The woman spoke now, "I'm not sure. Your employer is dark Fae, isn't he? I'm not a bounty hunter." She turned the bar and picked up her beer. "I'm not in the business of finding Light Fae so your kind can punish her…. Whatever she did."

Good. No one seemed to know who she was. A discussion about tracking her was happening not ten feet away. Cael fidgeted on her barstool and finished the last of her drink. Trick had asked her to sign in before she left. That means she'd be found out in a matter of hours. Who the hell wanted her found? And why dark Fae? She took a shaky breath, trying to get her heartbeat under control. Stay here and drink. She thought. I don't have to sign in until I leave. Maybe they won't stay long and I can get an idea of where I'm going next. She tried focusing on a route to Ontario, but felt it wasn't far enough away. Her eyes shifted down to the states. Colorado in particular. Cael drew in another deep breath and felt herself steady a bit. I can always try Aunt Rita. She thought. She glanced back to the two women who had moved to a couch. The man had followed them and was still talking. Neither seemed very interested in what he had to say. Good. Maybe he'll go away. She fixed her scarf—more for fashion than keeping her warm—a little higher on her neck, and pulled her blonde hair to cover the side of her face. He obviously doesn't know what I look like. He had no idea he was talking to me! She breathed deep again and motioned for another drink when Trick's eyes moved her way. He happily obliged.

By the end of this drink, she was feeling the alcohol take its effect and she felt herself relax. She glanced around for the man but found he had left. She exhaled and stared back at her map. She hadn't been gone from home for more than a year. She was tired of living the life her father had insisted as sole heir to their estate and the children's foundation her mom had left when she died. Cael was Fae, a life her mom had wanted nothing to do with for the good part of her years. She felt their instincts and powers were better spent helping humans. This resulted in her not completely knowing the extent of her powers and learning almost nothing about the Fae people. Her father—he wasn't her biological father—was human. Her real father had died before she was born. The human had adopted her as his own after his marriage to her mom. He resented the fact that Cael was different, but he loved her all the same and tried to make life as normal and human as possible for her. When she came of age and it was time to pick a side, of course she had picked Light, because, hell, what 18 year old wants anything to do with a life-time commitment to something called Dark?

She went to college then left to Canada to work at a wolf rehab and rescue where her time was spent for several years before Mom's death had brought her back home. She couldn't handle life back there after her mom was gone, so she left one day. Just up and left. Maybe it was selfish, but it was all she could do to retain her sanity. Cael worried her bottom lip and gazed around the bar. People watching, she called it. Well… I guess they're not really people. More like Fae-watching. They were so interesting. And nothing she was used to. Cael still hoped she'd meet someone who could teach her about the race of people she was and the history behind them. But then again, she kept moving around so much that those hopes were almost totally out the window. The door opened and in walked two men. The first was dark skinned, impeccably dressed, handsome. The second was lighter, rugged, even more handsome. Cael watched them as they walked past her, studying the second man. What's his Fae? She mused, smiling a little to herself. Ooh he knows he's good looking. She watched him stop as a woman approached him and gave him a hug. He returned it with little enthusiasm. Probably a jerk. But there was something about him, Cael couldn't break her gaze away.

He was tall, lean, well-muscled as was evident by the slim fitting black shirt he wore beneath a leather jacket, the top two buttons left undone. His hair was short, curly and a color somewhere in the neighborhood of dark blonde. His face was peppered in a short scruff matching the color on his head. He looked like he could be of Scottish decent. He moved with a surprising grace up to the bar to clasp hands with the barkeep. Cael looked back down to her map, then back up at him. He was watching her. When he caught her gaze, the corners of his mouth curled upwards a bit. Cael was taken aback. Those eyes. Light blue-gray. But it wasn't the color that surprised her. There was a depth to them she had never seen before. They were out of place in his young face. Those eyes. They were terribly old and wise with secrets. Cael exhaled sharply, realizing she had been holding her breath. Good God, Cael .She scolded herself and offered him a tiny smile before looking back to her map. Don't. Look. Up. She told herself.

After a few minutes she glanced up cautiously and saw he was gone. Ugh. She grunted to herself and finished her drink.

"Good evening, pretty lady." A voice from her left made her jump and set her glass down with a clunk. She turned and was greeted by the dark skinned man. Mr. Handsome's friend. He flashed her a dazzling smile and sat down next to her. "Didn't mean to startle you! My name's Hale. Haven't seen you 'round here before."

Cael smiled back and shook his hand. "Cael." She said automatically, and froze. Sneaking a glance to the two women from earlier. Still on the couch. Leaning against each other in a lovers embrace. They hadn't heard her. "C-Clarkson." She finished with the fake surname. "I just got into town today." She eyed a police badge hanging around his neck.

Hale followed her gaze. "Oh, 'scuse me." He flipped it beneath his shirt. "Off duty now." He flashed another smile. "So Ms. Clarkson, do you play pool?"

Cael nodded, "A bit. I'm not very good, really."

"Well, neither is my buddy over there. But he needs an opponent and alas," Hale rolled his eyes dramatically. "I have a previous engagement."

Cael looked over to where Mr. Handsome was sitting near the pool table, talking to a man, balancing a pool cue in his palm. He looked oblivious to what his friend was doing. "What do you say?" Hale asked.

"Erm." Cael motioned to a new bartender—Trick had disappeared—that she needed a refill. He came over with a smile and she ordered a beer this time. "I guess. I mean, does he need you to do all the talking for him or what?" She teased.

Hale shook his head. "Nah, not that one. I just remembered something else that I had to do while I was up here, getting our drinks." He lifted the two mugs as proof. "But, wouldn't you know it, I gotta run. I got your tab, little mama, if you will play a few games with him 'till I get back."

Cael arched an eyebrow at him. "I got my own tab, thanks. But OK. I'll see if he even wants to play me."

Hale grinned and nodded in approval. "Thank you Cael. It's wonderful meeting you. I will be back shortly. Would you bring him this for me?" He handed the two beers to the girl and bowed, kissing the back of her hand. "M'lady." He strode off, leaving Cael with three mugs of beer and a grin.

"Alright. What the hell." She sighed. "Let's see what happens." She gathered up her map, shoved it in her purse, and slung it over her shoulder before handling the beers and walking over to Mr. Handsome. "Hey." She offered. Sitting down in a chair across from him. He man he was talking to quickly excused himself with a grin. Mr. Handsome's eyes slid over to Cael and it was all she could do to keep her breathing steady. Damn. He is different.

"Hello." He spoke and his nostrils flared. His voice was low and soft. "What's your name?"

"I-I'm Cael. Clarkson." She said, forcing confidence on the last word. Lie. "Your friend Hale told me he had to run and asked me to deliver your beer. And his, I guess." She slid the drinks over to him.

He smiled softly and nodded, reaching for one of the beers. Their fingers brushed at the exchange. "Thank you Cael. I'm Dyson. Did he also tell you I needed a partner for pool?" He twirled the pool cue in his hand. "'Cause I'm suddenly without one."

"He mentioned you might." Cael returned the smile. "I'm warning you, though, I'm not very good."

"Neither am I." Dyson grinned and stood up, handing the cue to Cael and grabbing a second for himself. "Where are you from?"

"Colorado." She said, lie. "I'm up here visiting my aunt." Another lie. "What about you?"

He chuckled as he racked the pool balls and aimed. "All over really. I live here now, though." He studied her. "Light." He said simply. It wasn't a question. She nodded in response, taking a deep drink of her beer and pointing at him. "You too, huh? Police like Hale?"

Dyson nodded, setting his pool cue down to roll up his sleeves. "Yeah. He plays the good cop more often than not." He grinned casually, picking the cue back up.

"So you play bad cop, huh?" Cael grinned sideways at him. Well, he's not a jerk. She thought and took a shot, getting two balls in. Stop trying to flrt, Cael. You're not good at it. She chastised herself and looked back up to where Dyson was smiling.

"I try." He laughed, motioning that it was still her turn to shoot.

Oh, yeah. Mr. Handsom's got me all twitterpated. She took a deep breath and made another shot, missing this time. Where's my beer?

Dyson handed her her mug almost as if he had heard her. "So, who's your aunt?"

Cael reached for it and took a long drink, trying to buy time to think. "Well," She started and met his gaze. He knows I'm lying She thought, suddenly panicked. I… Her thoughts were lost in those eyes. Wise and deep and full of… good? For the first time in a long time, Cael felt she was in the presence of a truly honest person. Someone she could trust… maybe. "She's…" Cael couldn't look away. "OK." She sighed, setting her beer down. "I'm not here visiting anyone. I just… move around a lot."

Dyson seemed to be thinking. He nodded slowly. "Ah." He leaned down to take a shot.

Ah? That's it? You're not gonna ask why I lied to you? Cael was dumbfounded. How was this soft-spoken, handsome cop able to make her feel like she could tell him anything? She thought about it, too. Someone was looking for her and maybe Dyson could help. She sighed, if her mom had taught her one thing about the Fae, it was that even the Light couldn't always be trusted… And if she'd learned anything from college, it was that bars were not the best place to find completely trustworthy men. She grinned a bit to herself and glanced up to see Dyson watching her silently. Those eyes. She felt small and unsure beneath their gaze. "My turn." She forced some energy and changed the subject, jumping from her chair and analyzing her next shot. She made it again.

"Are you sure you're not a pool hustler?" Dyson asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Are you sure you're not letting me win?" Cael shot back with a grin. She took another shot and missed.

Instead of moving to take his shot, Dyson watched her. "Seems like something's wrong, Miss Clarkson. Is there anything I can help with?"

Aaand there it is. Time to bail. Cael leaned back against the wall, her thoughts felt slow and clouded by the alcohol.

Dyson took a step towards her. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." She brushed a hand through her hair. The motion caused Dyson's nostrils to flare again. "Just a little too much to drink I think. I should probably go." She reached in her purse for her keys.

Dyson took another step towards her, setting his pool cue down. "You shouldn't be driving tonight." He warned. "Can I take you somewhere?" At her sidelong glance he continued. "Or call you a cab?"

"Officer, I'll be fine." She laughed. "It was really great meeting you, Dyson." She extended her hand.

Dyson took it hesitantly. "I'm serious about you not driving, Cael." He looked serious. A frown tugged at the corners of his mouth. He looked down at their hands, still clasped in a handshake. He looked puzzled for a moment. "At least let me walk you to your car. If you seem good enough to drive after you get some air, then I supposed I'll let you. As long as you're not going too far." He could tell she was stubborn.

Cael nodded. "Deal." And led the way out of the bar making a mental note that she hadn't signed in. Crap. She really wasn't drunk. She was tired and stressed and wasn't sure she could handle anymore conversation with Mr. Handsome Dyson. He's wonderful, don't get me wrong. She thought, glancing up at him walking along side her. But if I talk any longer, I'm going to let something slip. Better to just back off while I'm still vague. As they approached her car—an SUV loaded down with all her worldly possessions—a rumbling snarl stopped them both in their tracks. She looked through the dark windows of her car to see her dog, er, wolf, Hank. Yeah, a wolf. He was her best friend and loyal companion. And he'd saved her ass on more than one occasion. When Cael had left the wolf recue, she couldn't bear to part with him and he was never interested in returning to the wild anyway. When you travel your whole life, you have to have protection. Cael looked up to Dyson who was still, staring into the darkness of the car. His eyes had changed. She stepped back from him quickly, startled. The light eyes were gone and in their place was darkness lit with a bright amber light. An answering rumble sounded deep in Dyson's chest. Cael heard her own breath catch. Hank's nose was poking out of the cracked window, his eyes glinting in the meager light from the bar. His teeth were bared, but he was silent.

Dyson glanced from Cael to the car and back again. His eyes flashed back normal quickly and he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you…. Friend of yours?" He gestured to the car and Hank.

Cael took a deep breath and nodded feebly. "Yeah. That's Hank. He…we… look out for each other." She finished dully, hitting the unlock key on her remote entry. The lights came on in the SUV and Hank was clearly visible standing in the backseat, body rigid. He had put the fangs away but still he watched Dyson carefully.

Dyson chuckled and walked up to the car, sticking his face near the cracked window. Hank whined and pawed playfully at the opening, his tail started wagging. Cael shook her head. "He doesn't usually like men. I'm surprised he went from White Fang over there to a lap dog."

"I'm good with… wolves." Dyson said grinning and sticking his hand to where Hank could lick it.

"You are a wolf." The words had left her before Cael could stop them. She slapped her hand over her mouth and looked at him apologetically. "I-I'm sorry. That was rude." Her mind was spinning. A wolf shifter?

Dyson chuckled. "Although quite correct. No harm done. Look Cael, I know there's something you're not telling me. While that's fine, you barely know me, as the police, I'm here and I can help." He handed her a business card. "Please drive careful." He offered a casual half-smile but those eyes were serious.

"OK." Cael said, climbing into her SUV. "And thank you." She threw one last glance at Mr. Handsome and put the car in reverse. Hank leaned forward and licked her cheek in greeting before settling back down in the backseat. "Home sweet hotel, huh Hank?" She mumbled. She glanced in the rearview at Dyson's lithe frame, fading into the darkness. "Maybe we'll call him…"