Disclaimer: Don't own any of Atwater-Rhodes's stuff.

Blood & Booze

"You bring whatever you want. As for me, I won't be using anything, not even 'mental warfare'. As for how we defeat the other, opening old wounds." As he spoke, he drew nearer to her and held up his marked handwhile tracing the scarred slash on her forearm with cool fingers. Xena felt an avalanche of chills crash down her spine, and her heart thudded so loudly, she was sure Kurda would hear it. When she brought herself to look at him, he was gazing at her with such intensity, she felt more uncomfortable than ever and pulled away.

"Do I get any say in this?"

"You could say yes. Midnight. Las Noches." His words drifted into nothingness as he did, leaving Xena standing there all alone.

Kurda was sitting inside an unusually empty Las Noches, downing his third bottle of whiskey. The buzz of it felt good, and he didn't have to deal with hangovers and all that nonsense that came with being drunk.

As the bottle emptied, Jeshickah came behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Jeshickah, what brings you here to New Mayhem, away from Midnight?"

"Jaguar was busy drooling over that Turquoise girl. I was lonely, so I dropped by here."

"And, of all people, you want me to be your company?"

"Why not? You're irresistible."

What she said was true. He was extremely pale, but his hair, slightly longer in the front than it was in the back, was as black as raven feathers: a high contrast. Under his tight black T-shirt, she could make out every taut muscle, from his sculpted chest to toned abs. He wasn't one of those stocky muscular guys. Oh no. He was a six-footer and very lean. A Roman nose and a distinct jaw outline made a very good profile view. Even the faint scar of a crucifix on his right hand could not tarnish his image. But most mesmerizing about this incredible being was his eyes. Instead of the usual black, they were a mixture of blue-green and grey. He had bottled perfection.

Kurda could only smile as pulled her into his lap. His long, ghostly fingers ran down her bare back, and he planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Sorry Jeshickah, that's all I'm giving." He then set her back on her feet and turned back toward the bar.

As he motioned for another drink, the front door flew open, revealing a very irritated witch. An attractive witch. Her slightly arched brows were knitted and drawn over her golden eyes. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, a visible sign of anger. Kurda found himself looking up and down her slender frame as she pushed a lock of mahogony hair out of her eyes. Similar to his, her body was also shapedfrom vigorous workouts and training. Each time she took a step her muscles flexed through her denim jeans. Her sleevless shirt exposed the scar, which hardly showed against her fair skin.There was a thin trickle of blood on her neck. Obviously, she had been busy.

"Xena, I wasn't expecting you for another two hours. Here, sit and enjoy yourself."

Thank God he's still sober. Anything more dangerous than a sober vampire is a drunk one. "Skip the formality. Stand up and fight."

"You know, your voice is much sweeter when you're not barking orders."

Xena lunged at him. However, Kurda was quick to block her blow. And quite unexpectedly, he kissed the inside of her wrist. This only brought an enraged shriek from her. She tried to cut him down again. Again, a kiss; this time on the shoulder. And another angry shout. She tried to punch him, but he caught her fist and twisted her around so that her back was leaning against his chest. Yet again, a kiss, on the cheek. Unsurprisingly, she gave a furious yell as she elbowed him in the gut. When he doubled over, she dived in for the kill.

Kurda looked up and dodged just in time. He grabbed the knife, in the process cutting his own hand, right over the first part of the cross. He then spun her hand to the point where she could no longer hold onto the blade and it dropped. Catching it, he pulled Xena toward him and swiftly dragged the knife down the scarred part of her arm.

How strange. She didn't feel any pain. She then noticed that he had tilted the knife so that it would only make a cut similar to what paper might do. Amazing. Was it weird that she thought this was amazing? She jumped a foot in the air when she felt Kurda's tongue cleaning away the blood. What was he doing? What the hell was wrong with him? Maybe he was drunk...

"Here's your knife." It was covered in more of his blood than hers.

Without another word, he went off to find Jeshickah, who had mysteriously left when he had given Xena the first kiss.

She was probably feeding and looking for trouble... and how right he was.

Well, what do you think? I'm sorry if it sucks and that its short. I re-did the whole thing and I was typing the second chapter before I even finished the first.

Anyway, my first permanent AA-R fic. Plz review! flames are okay. I can take 'em.