Requested by skulduggerytidd (twitter)

I wimpered in pain as I stepped out of my car. The sunburn was killing me! You would think that living in Texas for my whole life would make me almost immune to the sunburn, but no. Of course not. I was on my way back to my old job at Common Grounds. The bloody coffee shop. With Oliver as the manager. I have to put up with the smell of coffee, and him from 9am- 6pm. How fabulous. I was only going back to work there as I got fired from my old job. Apparently swearing at a customer is 'anti-social behaviour.' And 'not acceptable in a workplace.' The fact that this 'customer' was a drunk guy from the university, and he threw his coffee at me didn't seem to matter.

I stepped in to the cofee shop, and the place was deserted. Oliver was standing behind the counter with a foul expression on his face. ''You're late.'' He snapped.

I looked at my watch. ''By two minutes.''
''And that's still two minutes over. You can stay here for an extra ten minutes afterwards now.''

''What? Bit unfair don't you think?''

''Life is unfair. Deal with it.''

I gave him the death stare. ''Bite me.''

He ran vampire speed up to me and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt. He looked me straight in the eyes. ''You should be careful what you say around here, Eve. Some people might take the things you say seriously.''

''And are you one of them?'' I knew it was dangerous, but I said it anyway.

''I am indeed one of them. But in this case, I will ignore the comment.''

''And why's that?'' I questioned.

''Because I do not want your husband coming in here and causing a scene when you are sent home from the hospital with two holes in your neck.'' He released me and walked back over to the counter. Great, I've been here less than five minutes and I've already been close to death.

It was 6pm and I was about to go home. I grabbed my bag and coat and was just about to open the door when Oliver appeared and said ''Just where do you think you're going?''

''Home. Where else?''

He raised his eyebrows. ''An extra ten minutes. Remember?''

''Are you kidding me?''

''No. Put your bag down and get your apron back on.''

I threw my bag on the table and muttered 'asshole' under my breath. He wasn't supposed to hear it, but obviously he did.

''Oh, what was that, Eve? An extra twenty minutes in that case.''

''What the hell?'' I screamed at him.

''Thirty minutes. Want to make it fourty?'' He seemed amused.

To this I said nothing.

''Good girl.'' He said.

''I've done the thirty minutes. Can I go now?'' I said.

''One more thing.''

I sighed. What have I done now?

''Lets go out for a meal sometime.''

''What?'' I spluttered.

''Us. Go. Out. To Eat.'' He said slowly.

''I'm not an idiot. Why are you asking me? Is this some kind of joke?''

''I'm being serious. I like you.''

I laughed. ''Sod off! You are 1000x my age! Surely there's laws against that somewhere?''

''You are over 18. No laws.''

''You know what, you're a creep. Stay away from me. I quit.''

''Now, it wouldn't be the first time that you have said that, would it, Eve?''

''I'm serious. And I'm telling Michael.''

''You'll do well not too.''

I laughed again. ''Are you threatening me? You can't hurt me. You like me, remember?''

''Perhaps not. But I can hurt little Claire.''

I paused and turned. ''You wouldn't.''

''Oh, I think we both know, I would.''

''She's under Amelie's protection. You're not that stupid.''

''She no longer has the bracelet. She isn't protected anymore.''

''She is close to Amelie and Myrnin. Are you seriously going to kill her? Are you thick?''

''Not kill. Only seriously injure. Or, permanently traumatize.'' He had a maniac grin on his face.

''You're mental. Stay the hell away from me.''

''See you at work tomorrow, my love.''

''It's Eve. And you won't be.''