Hello! This is my fourth chapter, and the last that I have completely ready. I'll try to get the next chapter done when I can. Please, if you are enjoying the story, review it.

Chapter Four: Asher

About 2,000 miles east of Los Angeles, a man sat in the sunlit window of a small café enjoying his cup of coffee. It was a cool morning, for the summer's heat hadn't come yet. As he took small sips from his hot drink he watched from his window seat the pedestrians pass to and fro busily, most likely on their way to work. He smiled to himself. I wish I could be like them, ignorant of the true horrors. They don't know what goes bump in the night. These people have no idea of their danger. He thought seriously his smile turning into a grim frown. He couldn't think about that now. It was morning and he was determined to enjoy this rare moment of peace while it lasted. He hadn't had a few hours to himself in a long while, and he knew it would end as soon as Thomas came which should be any time now.

"Mind if I take a seat?" A voice called to him. He looked up and noticed for the first time the distinguished gentleman standing over him.

How long had Thomas been standing there? He wandered. A few moments passed before he reacted.

"Thomas, sorry, I didn't see you there. Please, take a seat." He said apologetically gesturing to a seat across from him.

"Lost in thought again, 'ey, Asher?" Thomas asked. Asher swore he saw a twinkle in the older man's gray eyes.

"Would you like something to drink, Thomas? Some Irish coffee, perhaps?" Asher asked politely, ignoring the question. He might as well get some of the pleasantries out of the way before broaching the true topic of the meeting.

"No thanks, I had some coffee before I left this morning from the O.C.M." Thomas let out a contented sigh as he eased himself into his seat. "That's much better. I've been on my feet all morning and I haven't had a chance to sit." He chuckled and took a deep breath. Asher shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He wanted the rendezvous over already so he could go back to his peaceful morning.

"How is everyone at the O.C.M.? With my… studies I haven't been able to go back for months now." He worded carefully as he flicked his eyes from side to side briefly behind Thomas. The café was suddenly empty compared to what it had been a few minutes earlier. No one was close enough to his and Thomas's seats to eavesdrop. Feeling slightly more at ease, he turned his gaze to his cup. Damn, he thought, almost all gone.

"We are worried about you, Asher. Your reports have come back grim." Asher looked at Thomas vigilantly before answering. So much for pleasantries.

"Why are they worried about me? I'm doing what we do best. Observing." Asher drank the last bit of his coffee in one gulp. The liquid was warm and it coated his throat with a unpleasant after taste. He swallowed hastily to wash the bitterness away.

"I'm- Mmhmm," He cleared his throat, "-going to get some more coffee. Are you certain you don't want anything?" He waited for Thomas's response before getting up from the chair. Thomas shook his head in a polite gesture. Asher sprang from his seat and strolled over to the counter and returned with a new cup of steaming coffee.

"Speaking of reports, I have my next one for you." Asher started as he slid back into his seat. "Quite a bit as been happening with Darke as of late. He has been in contact with a Dragonetti." Thomas looked at him with mild interest in his cloud colored eyes. Asher grabbed the manilla envelope sitting on the seat next to him and tossed it across the table. It landed in front of Thomas with a small sound and a tiny slide.

"Is this the report?" Thomas asked.

"Yes, everything I've learned in the past month is in that file." Asher took a sip of his new coffee. It was boiling temperature compared to that of his last coffee's gulp and he drank charily taking care not to burn his mouth.

Thomas eyed the youth with scrutiny. He seemed worn out from the assignment. His dark honey-colored short spiked hair seemed unkempt and unwashed. His smoky hazel eyes drooped and under the eyes were large bags as if Asher had not been sleeping much. Darke must have had him working day and night.

Thomas took his eyes away from the boy and to the manila envelope in front of him. He picked it up and placed it in his briefcase.

"I also came with new orders for you, Asher. Your services with Darke are over as of tomorrow." Thomas stated.

"Tomorrow?" Asher couldn't believe it. He had worked hard to get this close to Darke and now they're reassigning him?

"What about Darke? Who's going to watch his movements? If I leave tomorrow it's going to raise questions about me. Knowing him with the connections he has he'll launch a full investigation and find out about us. Besides what about the tattoo I have? It just screams 'familiar, object of Andre Darke'." He voice was low, urgent and almost whispered. He looked around him covertly, checking for eavesdroppers.

Thomas caught the edge in his voice. He had known Asher long enough to know that the lad was exasperated but did he also detect fear? "We already have that covered, Asher. Do not worry about the O.C.M. we've been keeping our organization secret from our 'nightly friends' for over 20 generations. What makes you think that someone like Andre Darke is going to find us out now?" He chuckled a warm baritone laugh and slapped his knee. Asher said nothing but Thomas caught the flash in his companion's eyes. "The tattoo is nothing we can't take care of. You already have a schedule with Maureen this evening. And we already have a story to give to Darke for your sudden disappearance. Besides, we're sending Mathew to replace you." Thomas assured him.

"Well that's just bloody brilliant. We both know Mathew's not as good as I am." Asher muttered. "Why are they taking me off of the assignment?"

Because you're getting to close too this vampire, and we're afraid we'll lose you. Thomas thought silently. He didn't voice his thoughts, but merely opened the briefcase again. He took out a file and gently set it down in front of Asher. "We have something else more pressing, and we'll need our best man to work this assignment. We need you to track and find out all you can about the hunter known as the 'Daywalker.' "