She was halfway between Metropolis and Florida. Halfway to the story of the century. At least that was the bill of goods that Perry had sold her. Maybe he had a bridge she would like to buy too?

Okay so she was skeptical but that was because after 7 hours on the road the thought of at least another 15 wasn't making it any easier to get back in her car. She should have taken a plane. She still was unsure why she was convinced that driving was a better idea.

She could have called it a gut feeling. Instinct maybe. For some reason when Perry suggested it she said no. She would rather drive. Now after a full day on the road with no end in sight she was really starting to question if she was just insane.

Pulling off the highway she decided to stop for the night. She didn't have a deadline looming. She was freelance now. Her big story was a cold case. It wasn't going to get any colder in three days. She wasn't racing against a dozen other journalists to get the front page. A small part of her missed that. The rush, the race, the fight. But mostly she enjoyed freelance. The ability to go and do what she wanted. To write about what she thought would make an interesting story It had been a while since she was Watchtower full time. The league had expanded and with that had come someone willing to sit in front of the cold screens. They had at least 4 new recruits who could run Watchtower as well as Chloe. Not that she would ever tell them that. She enjoyed getting her life back. Having not everything be about evil megalomaniacs or aliens and meteor rocks. She was never going to have the life she had envisioned for herself so long ago but at least she was able to find a balance. Doing the two things she loved the most. Helping heroes and reporting.

The car crunched over the gravel parking lot as she pulled up to the lobby of the small but impressive looking hotel. It had an old feel but either it was well maintained or a reproduction. Either way Chloe felt optimistic about staying the night.

Standing at the front desk she rang the bell and waited. Within a minute a tiny pixie like girl was standing there offering her a room.

"Queen or a king?" She smiled brightly at Chloe.

"King please." She smiled at the thought of asking for a queen. She could just hear Oliver's dark voice in her ear. The flirting was a constant between them. Never going anywhere, never leading to anything. For the most part she was fine with that. As handsome as Oliver was she just wasn't interested but sometimes she was lonely and Oliver's flirting only served to remind her of that.

"Great, we have a room overlooking the gardens ready, there is room service till eight but the Bar and Grille stays open till midnight." She handed Chloe a key and some paperwork.

Signing everything she followed the desk clerks instructions to her room. Smiling at being right she looked around the room. It was the perfect blend of new and old. The bed could have been straight out of pride and prejudice but the TV was plasma and shiny. She also saw a card that advised free wifi and grinned. It was better than expected.

Settling in for the night she opened her laptop and logged on. She was 2 hours into her research when she paused. Her stomach was growling and the single brew pot of coffee that was provided in room had long since gone cold.

Picking up the phone dialed room service.

"Hi, this is room 36."

"Good evening ma'am. I'm sorry but the kitchen's closed." Glancing up at the clock she wanted to curse. 805 pm. Dam it. Looks like she was going to be forced to head downstairs and be social.

Looking at herself in the mirror she saw the road weary look she was sporting and sighed. She wasn't vain. Certainly she had been seen in public in worse but something told her to change. A little voice in the back of her mind told her to make the effort. She had packed a few nice outfits. Just in case. You never knew when snooping would require you to crawl through an air duct or sneak into a black tie event.

Pulling out a simple skirt and blouse she jumped into the shower. It was nice to wash the road grime away and let the hot water relax her muscles. Jumping out she slipped into her clean clothes and put on a touch of makeup. Nothing much. Just a dab of eyeliner and some lip gloss.

As she walked down to the grill she felt better. There was definitely something to be said about matching your insides with your outsides. She was going to be staying here tonight, she might as well enjoy herself. She could sit downstairs and enjoy a nice cup of Irish coffee and maybe a cheeseburger.

Walking over to the bar she picked a stool on the middle and settled herself. Within a minute the bartender was taking her order and pouring her that much needed Irish coffee. She took a long slow sip and let the warm slow burn relax her.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" Before turning towards the voice she looked at the other side of the bar and saw no one there. But when she turned the sarcastic remarks that was sitting on her tongue died. The man standing before her had the bluest eyes Chloe had ever seen nestled in the most impossibly dark lashes.

Wow was the only word her brain could muster. She felt a shiver of heat run down her spine that was quickly followed by alarm. That little voice in the back of her mind was talking to her again. Shaking herself into action she gestured with her hand for him to have a seat. Watching closely for anything that might explain why all the alarms in her brain were going off. Instead she was forced to take in the impossible cut of his jaw and what appeared to be a very toned body barely hidden by a clinging t shirt. She hadn't seen it but she was pretty sure the rear view would be just as impressive.

He waived the bartender over and ordered himself a drink. Nodding to her to see if she wanted another too.

"I hope you don't mind me joining you. I just didn't want to sit in silence tonight. I'm Damon." He reached his hand towards her and she grasped it. Feeling the electricity shoot up her arm and the heat pool low in her core.

"Chloe, and I know what you mean." She smiled brightly at him and tried to keep reminding herself something was off about him. She learned long ago that her instincts were rarely wrong if she could just listen to them.

"Visiting or passing through?" Chloe was always cautious of questions but this seemed genuine. Nothing to get alarmed about, and while the bar wasn't crowded there were certainly enough people that if she caused a scene everyone would see.

"Passing through." She took a sip of her coffee and watched him. "And you?"

"Resident. Long time resident." She looked up. Something about the way he said it. Cocking her head she looked at him inquisitively and smirked.

"Funny you don't look like you could have lived anywhere a long time."

"I've aged rather well. Why don't we go back to your room?"

She laughed deep and loudly at that, tossing her head back "Sorry but you're not that charming and there's a hamburger coming with my name on it."

She saw shock on his face and then he looked at her more closely. How was it possible she could resist his compulsion. He saw no vervane. Smelt nothing on her. Saw no cursed charms. Nothing and yet she had laughed at him. He hadn't intended to feed again tonight but he wanted to snuff her out. Wanted to end her. How dare she temp him with her glow? Killing her would quiet the pain for just a little bit. From the moment he had seen her walk in he hated the way she shined from within. Happy and content.

"I'm sorry you're right. I don't know what I was thinking." He should walk away. Curiosity killed the cat and he had enough problems to contend with right now. But as the moments ticked by he stayed. Waiting for her to shoo him off. To tell him he had to go and yet she said nothing.

"Apology accepted." her eyes were torn from his with the arrival of her dinner. Something was definitely off with him. Something wrong. She still wasn't sure if he was evil though. She tried to remind herself she already had a story and this was none of her business but the part of her that had spent too much time with heroes couldn't walk away. Not if he was a danger and not if there was something she couldn't do to stop him. If he needed stopping. That one was still up in the air.

She wanted to laugh at that. The only danger she had been able to find so far was his control over her hormones. It had been too long since someone had shown interest in her and as sloppy as his come on was she wouldn't lie and say she wasn't tempted to say yes. She wanted to talk him back to her room and see just how dark those eyes got when they were clouded with lust. Just the thought had a tiny moan escaping her lips as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Trying to ease the sudden tension in her body.

"Perhaps by the time you are done I could change your mind?" He could smell her. Her pulse was a hammer in his ears and that moan was more temptation then a man should have to endure. He would have her tonight. He would slake his lust for her body and then he would drain her. He smirked suggestively at her. At least she would die satisfied.

"Perhaps." her hormones were drowning out her mental alarms. Tingle or no tingle Chloe wanted him. One nights stands were not something she had ever considered but she had needs. Needs she was pretty sure Damon could help her take care of.

He watched her eat. Fixated on her throat every time she swallowed. By the time she was done eating his fangs were throbbing and he could barely resist the urge to take her right there.

She took another long sip of her coffee and let the pleasant buzz wash over her. Turning back towards her bar mate she smiled. Slow and shy, " I'm not very good at games."

"That's too bad because I am a master." his words sounded dangerously seductive and sent another shiver of warning across her skin. Before she could react though his hand moved forward and his fingers traced her ear. Tucking a stray strand of hair out of her face. Just like that the warning was gone. Completely replaced by desire. Warm and welcome. Her body needed this.

"Ask me again." Her warm eyes flashed with challenge and part of him wanted to tease her. To draw this out but then she licked her lips self consciously.

"Take me to you room." He put every ounce of compulsion he had behind it. He didn't want to take any chance.

"Ask me nicely." Wasn't good at games? She was playing pretty good with him. Again she resisted his compulsion.

"May I come back to your room?" He would ask but he wouldn't say please. It was too close to begging and even though he wanted her that just wasn't an option. Damon didn't beg.

"Yes." She slid from her stool and hesitated. Was everyone watching her? Did they know what she was about to do? Were they judging her? Then she felt his hand on the small of her back and the heat returned.

AN story is done. The rest will be posted tomorrow. Hope you enjoy.

As always reviews are welcome.