My head was still hurting a little but it was more annoying than anything worth worrying about. By the time it was around eleven I was standing across the street from the pub named "Abbey" trying to window-gaze. It was one of those bars, you could tell. The audience there was there for ages and the newbies were stared at. It helped that I was a girl, girls are always welcome.

The wind blew sharply sending my hair right at my face, covering my eyes and making my use my hands to wipe them away. I wrapped my leather jacket around me tightly and strolled through the road and straight into the pub.

It was crowdy. Well, it was Saturday, so understandable. Taking a look around, I couldn't detect my target and settled for the bar.

The music was loud, the alcohol was all around and tipsy slash drunk people were playing billiards and…socializing. A rather big man bumped into me and trying to apologize spilled one of his pints.

"Ouch!" But I was fast enough and jumped out of the way, bumping into someone myself. The bar on Saturday night is an unstoppable domino effect.

"Sorry, lass!" He screamed over the noise.

I raised my brows but didn't try to answer and just continued with my way.

"Can I buy you a drink?" The question flew near my ears before I even positioned myself on the stool.

"Hold on, tiger." I said as I finally took off the jacket for there was rather heated inside with all the people and booze going around but left the scarf on. I looked to my left at a rather nice guy in his mid -twenties with dark hair and mischievous eyes.

"Done? So how about that drink?"

"Ok."

"What's your poison?" He slammed a hand on the counter.

"Tequila." I supplied.

"I pegged you for one of those fancy lil' drinks ladies!" His laughter boomed into my ear and he slammed the same hand on the bar to draw the bartender's attention. "Terry!"

"Beers for me and the boys and tequila shot for my new lady-friend here."

"Two." I corrected him.

He looked at me amused for a second and turned back to the elderly gentleman behind the counter.

"Two."

I smiled in thanks as soon as the drinks arrived.

"So, your first time here?" The guy asked, he was rather nice but apparently didn't understand that I was about to except only tequila from him.

"Yes."

I dropped back one shot.

"I'm Swill."

I licked the salt from my hand and took another shot, concluding the deed with the bite on a lime.

I cracked the bones on my neck slightly feeling the liquor travelling slowly through my system and turned to Swill, taking the jacket in my hand:

"It was nice to meet you, Swill."

I smiled and took off to the other end of the bar where I spotted Terry.

"Wait!..." But whatever he was saying got lost in the music.

I saw Terry entering the door with the "Stuff Only" sign and re-entering the bar with a several bottles in hands while a young girl filled his spot behind the counter which was a definite shock for her, she seemed to be slightly frightened of…well, everything that was going on around. She was blond, around eighteen and had eyes like a bambi cartoon that blinked to fast.

"Daisy!" Terry screamed apparently to her but she was oblivious.

"Hey, you're Terry, right?" I caught him on the way.

"Yes, who's asking?"

"Doesn't matter. I just have a quick question."

"Well, look around, bird! There's chaos in here. Only one waitress and the zombie I took behind the bar is obviously of no use." He scowlded and the bottle of Jack Daniels almost crushed the floor but the instincts kicked in and it was in my hands before it could get acquainted with the floor.

"Nice catch." Terry mused.

"What's so hard about two pints, two shots of vodka and a cocktail for my girl?" The man with a couple bills in hand was very angry and shouting at the young blond.

"Daisy!" Terry tried again potting to bottles on the shelves.

"Did you say? Two…" Daisy seemed to wake up but to no avail actually.

I sighed and pushed past Terry and moved Daisy slightly with my hips, throwing my jacket on the small stool at the end of the bar.

I looked around and my eyes caught all the general liquid placement. I spinned a vodka bottle, taking out two shot glassed on the counter. I poured two shots.

"Your vodka. Beer is coming." I smiled to the bewildered customer.

"Daisy." I called. She looked at me unsure. " be a doll and get two beers for the gentleman over here."

The blond gazed behind me but didn't question and went for the drinks.

"Now what kind of cocktail would you like for you lady?" I smiled a perfectly fake smile with my hands on the counter.

"How should I know?! Something sweet…for a girl!" He said again.

"Well let's use our imagination then…" I took out a deep glass and threw some chopped ice in. "How about we start with some cranberry juice and some fresh lemon juice."

The customer was watching as if I was showing some kind of a magic trick.

"One third cuantro…and a single pitch of Tabasco."

I blew at the glass so the spice would cover the surface evenly.

"It will blow her mind." I whispered devilishly and looked up. "Trust me."

"Wow! Thank you, sweetheart! Keep the change." He handed me the bills and glared at Daisy who came back with the pints.

Wiping the counter I turned to see very amused Terry, smiling at me.

"What?" I smirked. "Your girl was having a panic attack and he was about to start crushing this place. And to your luck I used to work the bar. And what's more your luck – every bar is the same."

"What's you name again, bird?"

I chuckled but told him. "Calina."

"You old enough to drink?" Basically his question meant if I was old enough to serve alcohol.

"I'm twenty two." I said simply.

"Good enough. What was your question earlier, Calina?"

"I need to find Peter Dunham. And his neighbor told me he's here often."

"You need Pete Dunham?"

"Yes! Do you know him?" I turned to look at the older man while slicing lemon.

"Tell you what, kid. Help me with this mess tonight. You work the bar, I pay you good money, even extra plus all your tips. Then I take you to Dunham." He smiled slyly and I knew that the old fox was not telling me something.

A moment later I nodded:

"What the hell? I wouldn't say no to some extra money."

"That's ma girl. Daisy, you listen to Calina tonight, you got it?"

Not bothering to listen to whatever answer the blond was offering Terry took off to the other end of the bar and I looked up to my former drinking buddy roll up to the counter once again.

"What can I get you, Swill?" I asked still slicing the lemon.

"What's going on? You work here?" He asked truly shocked.

"Just for tonight. So?" I looked up. "Let me guess? Beer for you and the boys?"

He grinned boyishly. "And don't forget a shot for yourself."

I half-smiled, turning to grab the drinks.

"How do I call you if you and I gonna see each other more often?" He tried again.

I sighed. "Call me whatever you want, Swill. Whatever you want."

And I knocked back the shot of tequila he paid for.

A\N – And I solemnly promise you Pete in the next chapter!))

Please, your thoughts\reviews\suggestions\flames are welcomed!