"Jaya, is-?"

"She's in bed! Go to work, geez."

Tooth sighed, running her fingers through her hair. She hated leaving the kids home alone, even if it was necessary. She could hardly take them to the bar, and she couldn't ask anyone to watch them, since she often wasn't home until 1 or 2 AM. It wasn't even a safety thing; North lived just across the street, and she was fairly certain the large Russian man would beat any robbers attempting to harm her sisters. Each room had a phone in it with which they could call, and any screams would surely be heard just across the street. It was just that Baby was only fourteen, and India, Jaya and Jai were only 12 – too young to be burdened with the taking care of young children as they were. She'd often come home to find one of the little ones in Jaya, Indira, and Jai's bed for comfort from nightmares, or Baby sitting with Ai on a rocking chair, dog tired but bound by sisterly duty to comfort the crying four-year-old. And that wasn't okay.

But it was even less okay for her not to have this job.

So she gave a wave and a bright smile to Jai and Baby as they watched her go from the window, and took off with a bounce in her step. This night had gone well. Baby had forgiven her, the little ones were in bed, and it was only 9:15, so she had plenty of time to get to work.

All things considered, it was looking to be a good night.

The trend only continued when she got to work. The bouncer was none other than Fishlegs, who was a sweetheart and probably the only one who didn't hit on her on her way in. The girl she was bartending with was none other than Rapunzel, who was also a sweetheart with whom Tooth could talk about much of anything, and who was so enthusiastic about everything and anything that it was hard not to get excited along with her. They'd even gone to college together, for the short time Tooth had attended. So as the music got louder and the crowd began to show, she slipped behind the bar with a happy grin. Despite the late hours, she really didn't mind working here; it was fun. Getting hit on by drunks wasn't, but the atmosphere was pretty enjoyable.

Her eyes slid along the walls until they settled on the one she'd been looking for: Pitch Black.

Her mood dropped immediately at the sight of him, even as they met eyes and she forced a smile. It wasn't that he was a bad boss; he could be very kind when it suited him. He paid them well, and while he sometimes looked at her and the others like bugs he'd like to squish and examine, he'd never done anything outright to make her afraid of him. It was his appearance, which she knew was a poor way to judge a person, but she really couldn't help it. He wasn't unattractive; tall, lanky, with positively gorgeous golden eyes. He was very pale, almost sickly-looking, and gaunt. His hair was perpetually slicked back. Despite all this, he was rather attractive…he just had an aura of gloom that tended to frighten people.

He returned her smile with a crooked, predatory one of his own, and she averted her eyes.

"I don't like how he's always out here," Rapunzel muttered, sliding next to her.

"Likes to keep an eye on things, I guess."

"Yeah, it's just…creepy. He's always watching."

She giggled, turning to her with a dark grin. "Careful…he can smell fear."

Rapunzel pretended to give a little shriek of fear, running to the other side of a bar. There she was snagged by a customer, shooting Tooth an apologetic smile. Tooth waved the look away; no big deal. She sighed, glancing over the sea of the people dancing, drinking, having a good time. It wasn't a bar so much as a club, and a reasonably alternative one at that. You were more likely to see pink-haired punks with more piercings that brain cells than you were to see any drunken businessmen, that was for sure.

"Hey, girl! Can I have a drink?"

She sighed, then smiled brightly as she turned to the customer. "Sure! What can I…" the words died in her throat as her eyes settled on the man who'd been speaking. Or rather, the boy. He certainly didn't look old enough to be drinking. But that wasn't the point!

He was none other than Jack Frost.

"A little startstruck, pretty girl?" He asked, winking teasingly at her.

Immediately, she was a blushing mess. He was just as rude as she'd thought! But he'd called her pretty… It wasn't like she was unaware that she was attractive; pretty was just rarely the adjective she received. Rapunzel was the one men called beautiful, or pretty – in fact, by the looks of it, the girl was currently being flirted with by none other than Flynn Rider – while Tooth got adjectives like 'exotic' or 'sexy.' It was sort of understandable; her Indian heritage was clearly visible in her darkened skin. Her dark-brown hair was lined with strips of colors, blues and pinks and greens, and a feather peaked out the hair in her ponytail. And her eyes…well, they were bright violet, a nearly-glowing amethyst.

Grateful for the darkness of the bar that hopefully hid her blush, Tooth shot back, "Not startstruck; just wondering how someone so young managed to get past the bouncer. Did you lose your mommy?"

His close-mouthed grin just got wider. "Wow. That stung."

"You wanted a drink?" she asked, leaning over the bar and smiling at him.

"Oh. Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away. Was he blushing? "Surprise me."

She quickly poured him the most expensive drink she could manage, handing it to him. He winked at her as their fingers brushed, and she rolled her eyes. Wow. He really was an arrogant little brat. At least he was funny.

Her eyes widened as she realized that this could be her chance to get an autograph for Baby. This really was a good night. Before she could ask, he was talking again.

"Hey...what's your name?"

"Huh? Why?" She tilted her head to the side curiously. She really hoped he didn't entertain any hopes of sleeping with her. She wasn't that type of person, and she couldn't spend the night with anyone anyway; she had to get hope to the girls.

"Just wondering if such a pretty girl has a pretty name. Besides, seems unfair for you to know my name when I don't know yours."

And that damned blush was back. "How do you know I know your name?"

"Everyone knows my name."

"Wow, rude and arrogant. Charming."

He laughed, unrestrained then, and her eyes widened. His mouth had opened wide enough for her to see his teeth for the first time tonight. And…

Oh. My. God.

He had the brightest, whitest teeth she'd ever seen. They sparkled like diamonds, like freshly fallen snow. Immediately, she smiled dreamily. Toothiana had, ironically enough, an extremely deep affinity for teeth. She'd always found them beautiful, fascinating, wonderful! Her parents were probably to blame for that, although her father more than her mother. Before dropping out to take care of the girls, she'd been going to college for dentistry. She let out a happy sigh, leaning her head on her hand.

Evidently noticing her expression, his laughter stopped, and he regarded her curiously. "Uh…you okay?"

"O-oh!" She jumped back up, trying to wipe the adoration from her face. That was humiliating! "I-I'm fine."

"What? See something you like?" That smile was back, and his teeth were on display again, and she smiled brightly back. She could forgive an arrogant attitude if it came along with those teeth!

"Well…yes! Your teeth!"

This threw him off-balance. Evidently, through all his flirting, he wasn't quite used to that compliment. "My…what?"

"You have gorgeous teeth!" She laughed as his expression only got more confused, but he did smile as he realized he'd been complimented.

"Thanks. I think."

She nodded, taking the glass from him when he finished off the alcoholic drink, flinching as she refilled it. Alcohol, on those gorgeous teeth! It was a crime! He had better brush at least three minutes after tonight…

"So, you never did tell me your name."

Her eyes widened. Oh. She sighed. After having amply displayed her love for teeth, this was going to be entirely humiliating.

"…Toothiana."

His eyes widened. "You're kidding."

"No, I'm really not. My Dad loved teeth nearly as much as I do." She laughed softly, shaking her head. She waited for his impending mirth, not looking at him; she really didn't want to get laughed at. It wasn't something most people meant maliciously, but it still hurt.

He never laughed. Instead, he said, sounding thoughtful, "…It fits you. I think it's pretty."

She audibly choked. "…Really?"

He smiled at her, not a smirk, but a real, sincere smile. Like he realized that she'd probably been teased for it before, and was trying to make up for it somehow. Maybe he wasn't so bad. "Yeah. Really."

She blushed, glancing down and brushing some hair behind her ear. "Thanks." Eager to change the subject, and knowing she'd get scatterbrained and forget if she didn't, she suddenly exclaimed, "Um, could I have an autograph? For my sister; she's your biggest fan."

She was just making his head spin. He struggled to keep up with her sudden change of topics, and then nodded with a smile. "Sure." He grabbed a napkin, pulling a pen from the pocket of his hoodie. "Who am I making this out to?"

"Baby."

"Tooth and Baby? Your parents had a thing for weird names, huh?"

She laughed. "No. Baby's a nickname. Her real name is Ankita; it's Indian. But when she was little, she sort of imitated me…so everyone called her Baby Tooth. Baby just stuck." She laughed slightly. For a while she'd hated that nickname. Now the girl responded to it more quickly than her real name.

"Okay… here you go." He handed her the napkin with a grin, and Tooth bounced on her toes joyously, smile widening.

"Oh, thank you! She'll be so excited."

He shook his head, apparently unused to such sincere praise. "It's nothing." He glanced away, before his eyes settled on the dark figure in the corner. He stiffened immediately, and Tooth tilted her head.

"What's wrong?"

He glanced back at her, forcing a smile. "Nothing. I've gotta go. Nice meeting ya, Tooth." He shot her a wink, and she rolled her eyes in response. He laughed softly, but sound was strained, and he seemed in quite a hurry to get out. He handed her a pile of bills – more than he owed for his two drinks, but he turned and hurried out before she could say anything. He shot her a wave as he got out the door.

"What in the world was that?" Rapunzel's voice was suddenly in her ear, and Tooth was forced from her daydreams and curiosity by spinning to face her. Of course she'd been watching; the blonde girl was one of the best people-watchers Tooth had ever met.

"I…really don't know. He was flirting with me, and then he got all freaked out and just…left."

"Weird," Rapunzel muttered. "Was he just as immature and arrogant as he looks?"

He had beautiful teeth; he hadn't made fun of her for her name; called her pretty… Tooth held the autograph to her chest, smiling softly. She shook her head. "Nah. He was okay."