I sighed as I rushed out of the back, tying the short apron around my hips, hair bouncing in a ponytail on my head.

"Sorry, Mr. K," I call as I step up behind the bar, grabbing a pad from the stack to put in my apron along with a number of straws and napkins. "The other girl had to leave during closing. Wont happen again if I can help it."

"Don't worry, Kathy, you're only ten minutes late," Mr. K, a man in his thirties that looked in his late twenties and owner of M.K. Bar and Grill, says from his position behind the bar. 'There's a group in your section who needs serving, just in."

I rush over, a bright smile on my face as I stand with my pad and pen out. "Hi, I'm Kathy, and I'll be your waitress tonight," I chirp with a flip to get the bangs from my eyes. "I hope you didn't have to wait long, we were having a shift change."

A blond male, exceedingly tall, looked me over, bored and in all black. The male next to him was shorter, brown hair, youthful look. I hardly noticed the blonde woman and dark haired man on the other side of the table.

"Hello again, Kathy," the young looking male greets, the faintest lift to the corner of his lips.

"Hi! I didn't expect to see you here too," I chuckle, cocking my hip out to the side, the blond male's eyes flicking to my exposed mid thigh.

"Nor did I. I assume you finished safely then?"

"Only a few more slips and it was all fine, nothing too new. So what can I get you all to drink?" I ask as my eyes roll over the whole group, not spending too much time on any one of them.

"I'll take a tea," the female speaks up, human.

"True Blood, O if you have it," the male next to her says politely, his own version of a smile.

"And you, sir?" I ask as I look to the blond male.

I pause, eyes on his blues, blushing instantly at the intense look he gave me. "You're blushing," he mocks, voice velvety smooth, a weight to them.

My smile slips a bit as I lift a brow at him. "Is there something on my face?" I ask instantly, eyes crossing to my nose. I was completely serious as I lifted a hand to feel for anything. "I don't have grease on me do I?" I was self-conscious suddenly.

He was frowning. All eyes were on me with full force. I give a shrug, not caring any more, if it's there it's there. Wear it with pride. I flash a smile at him. "So what will it be?" I asks back to business. "We have types O and AB."

"He'll have an AB, as will I," the shorter man says as the other continues to frown at me.

"Warm?"

"If you could," the male next to the girl says with another of his odd smiles.

"I'll get them in a jiffy," I say with a bright tone before almost bouncing off to the bar.

I gave their order to Mr. K fast, rushing to the next table. The patrons were laughing and smiling along with me as they folded their menus, as most of my customers were. You could tell who my customers were compared to the other areas. All of mine were in good spirits and would smile and laugh with me, a lot of them regulars.

"Kathy!" a group greats loudly and happily.

I laugh and lean in to hug a few, kissing the cheeks of a few of the men. "Oh, you guys," I say with a bat of my hand at them. "What's new?"

"Nothing much, just back from work," the leader of the group speaks up as the other agree. "We'll have the usual."

I motion to Mr. K giving a nod. It was how he knew when a regular was ordering the usual. "We'll get that right to yall, but I've got to make my rounds boys."

"Go ahead, Kathy, we'll be here," another male says with a wink.

I giggle before grabbing the waiting tray from the bar and heading off to my first table. I light up a smile at my only quiet and unsmiling group.

"Here we are," I say as I use my hip to help hold the tray. I give each True Blood a firm shake before taking the caps off and passing them to their respective patrons. I smile as I place the tea before the girl, laying a straw by it. "Sorry about the wait. Are yall ready to order?"

My hand rests at my temple for a moment as I feel a pressure on my head suddenly. Did I have a coming migraine? I hoped not. The female was looking at me intently before furling her brow and shaking her head, it turned to a bubbly smile like my own seconds later.

"You know, I'm not quite sure what sounds good. Do you have and suggestions?"

I quickly step a bit closer and point out to an item on the list. "The soup today is amazing. Best broccoli and cheddar soup you-"

I cut off quickly as her hand touches mine, the pressure coming back ten fold. I yank my hand back fast, eyes wide at her as I cradle the thing to my chest. Her own eyes were wide, her hand to her chest in the same way.

"Oh my God," she whispers as she breaks the very short silence fast, leaning over the table to whisper at me. "You felt that?"

"Oh sweet starburst," I groan, shelling as I avoid her eyes.

I was panicking, trying to keep myself under control as she pestered further, the men all intent on me, aside from the calm one who looked a little worried. The light over their table suddenly flickered, surging, the blonds eyes snapping to it before back to me. There was a gleam there I had never seen before. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath, a smile snapping onto my face.

"So how about that soup?" I chirp as if nothing had happened, trying to pretend it didn't.

She gave me a look, but nodded. "Sure thing."
I give her a pointed look, eyes narrowing for a moment before skipping off to put the order in.

She tried to touch me again every time I came to their table, she would try to talk to me about it too. I avoided it, making it clear that I didn't like it. When my lunch break came, I spent it with the cook out on the patio. He leaned against the railing that I sat atop, feet swinging as we looked out at the city.

"How's Courtney?" he asks between a puff on his cigarette.

I light up. "She's so quiet and such a shy girl. She's a lot like mom was, but she's pulling through. She's on the multiplication tables now and she's picking up fast."

"Good to hear. When's her next game?"
"Um," I bite my lip, looking up to the stars in thought, "Saturday, home game."

"Good, I'll be there to help cheer her on," he laughs a bit as he glances at me without my notice.

The sound of a clearing throat caused Ian, the cook, to whirl sharply, fist ready to strike if need be, blocking me behind his taller form. My head turns to glance over at the voice. The blonde vampire from my table when I got in. I had thought they had left, not expecting one to come back. I turn to straddle the railing, hands grasping it as I turn my head toward him.

"I'm sorry, did you need something?" I ask with a friendly smile.

His eyes remain on me as he speaks. "Leave," he snaps in an order.

I frown, as does Ian. "Sir, I'm-"

"Not you," he says, eyes pointedly glaring down at Ian, "you."

"Look here, I aint leaving her out here alone," Ian snaps, arm going around my thin shoulders in a possessive and protective way.

"Ian-" I try.

"She's not on clock right now so if you need something, I suggest you turn around and find another waitress."

Ian was strong willed and brave. I shrug his arm off my shoulders, sending him a look. "I'll be fine, Ian," I say while placing my hand on his shoulder. "Nothing I can't handle."

He meets my eyes, reading them for a moment before slipping off, not without a warning glare at the man. I watch Ian go, not really looking at the male who stared intently at me.

I did give a yelp when I felt his shirt brush my leg suddenly. He had filled the space too quickly. I jerk away, only the grip of my legs and hands holding my leaning body from falling over the two story drop.

"What are you?"

I give a confused look, eyes searching his face, taking in every detail to understand what he was feeling, asking. He was utterly serious.

"Sir?"

"What are you girl?" His face was only a few inches from mine, his form leaning down to mine.

"Look here," I huff as my cheek flame with embarrassment and anger. "I'm not a girl, I'm a woman, and I don't like being talked to like that. So Back. Up." I bit off, the last smile gone as I showed how utterly serious I was.

"You will tell me what you are, Kathy." He wasn't put off by my return.

I lean in this time, one hand on his chest, nose almost touching his, my eyes locked on those blues. You could see my raging emotions now, more clearly now that my smile was gone. "I demand respect, vampire. I am not some floozy you can push around. Now. Step. Off. Before I show you what it feels like to have a dead heart beat for the first time."

He lifted a brow, obviously not used to small women threatening him, nor standing up to him. He sent a daring gleam at me with his eyes. I give a dark smile before he suddenly bellows out in shocked pain, jerking away from me. I give a satisfying huff as I hop off the railing. He stood shocked and utterly stunned, hand slowly moving from where mine had been. The shape of my hand was burned into his shirt, over his heart where his skin was blistered, slowly healing.

"Don't threaten me," I hiss before marching back inside, where Ian sent the vampire a dark frown, pulling me into the kitchen.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: So there is a poll on my page requesting which story you, the readers, would like to see more of. If it is more than one, I will updated the highest voted titles. Please do take the time to possibly read the other stories posted last night, that sound the most appealing to you. Reviews with any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. 06132012