A/N: Stefan is another one of my original creations. He turns up in several of my stories since I like his character. He meets Dylan in this chapter.

Chapter Seven

Across town in his mansion, Stefan closed the door to the bathroom and gazed at the tub. Normally, his tub would not hold that much interest for him, but at the present moment it was filled with steaming hot water, bubbles and a pretty girl. She had big, brown doe eyes and sleek brown hair cut into a short bob. He had been out clubbing and came across this little gem. He had taken her away form the lout that she had been with. And he had every intention of finding out if her blood was as sweet has he thought it might be.

He strode to the tub which was a huge affair that sat in the middle of the bathroom. It could hold three very comfortably and he knew this from experience. He was wearing a silk robe and he sat on the edge of the tub and poured a glass of champagne and handed it to the girl.

"So, aren't you just a little afraid to be with a vampire that you don't even know?" he asked her.

She giggled and said, "Oh, you're so cute. You wouldn't hurt me."

As she sipped the champagne, Stefan idly moved his fingers through the bubbles. Not too bright, he thought. Hopefully, the taste of her blood would make up for her lack of intelligence. But, he thought, maybe he shouldn't judge the girl so harshly. There were few who knew just how dangerous he really was. And the girl was only in danger of losing some of her delicious blood tonight.

He picked up a bath sponge and moved to the marble floor beside her.

He leaned in to kiss her lips and said, "Let me wash you."

Stefan pushed up his sleeve and, holding the bath sponge, dipped his hand into the water. He started at her ankles and slowly massaged his way up her legs while softly kissing her. As he reached the top of her thighs, she sighed and arched her head back. Stefan moved to her neck, gently kissing and trailing his tongue over her skin. When he began a more intimate cleansing, she gripped the sides of the tub and moaned softly. He took his time, teasing and pleasing her, until she was almost there. At that moment, he took her wrist in his other hand and brought out his fangs. He bit into her soft flesh and continued his efforts. The girl came with a loud moan and he gently caressed her a moment as he savored the taste of her blood.

It was at that moment that a knock on the bathroom door was heard. A look of extreme aggravation passed over Stefan's face. If the girl had been looking, it would have probably frightened her. But, her eyes were still blissfully closed.

Reluctantly, he withdrew his fangs from the girl's wrist and said loudly enough to be heard by his assistant outside the door, "I don't like to be disturbed when I am entertaining a guest."

"I'm sorry, Sir, but there is a call on your special line," said his assistant.

Stefan ran his tongue over the girl's wrist and said, "I'll be right there."

He looked to the girl who was still relaxing in the afterglow. He kissed her sweetly on the lips.

"Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back," said Stefan. "And I'll make up this interruption to you."

"Do you promise?" she sighed.

Stefan smiled and said, "Now, would I break a promise like that?"

He walked into the next room and picked up the phone. He gave a stern look to his assistant who quickly departed.

"This is Stefan," he said.

"Eric has the girl back," said his spy.

It was too bad that he didn't find the girl first, he thought. Eric was no doubt punishing the girl since he had heard what she did to Pam.

"Is he punishing her or planning on killing her?" asked Stefan.

"Surprisingly not, she is working in his bar as a bartender," said his spy.

Now, it was a surprise that Eric let the girl off so lightly, thought Stefan. He wasn't a vampire to cross and get away with it. Any girl that could get on his good side after what happened with Pam deserved a look. He decided to pay a visit to Fangtasia tomorrow night.

"I'll have your usual fee sent to your account," said Stefan as he hung up.

He walked back to the bathroom and found the girl exactly where he had left her. She opened her eyes and gave him a smile.

Stefan graced her with one of his most naughty smiles and said, "Now, where were we?

The next night, Stefan arrived at Fangtasia accompanied by just his bodyguard. Pam was manning the entrance as Stefan walked up.

"Stefan, it's a surprise to see you all alone," said Pam.

Stefan was a source of irritation to Pam. Thankfully, he rarely came to the bar since he usually frequented the regular clubs. It wasn't that he did anything to antagonize her. She simply found his ability to charm just about any girl including the ones who did not usually associate with vampires aggravating. It must be his looks, she thought. Most vampires looked like vampires, but Stefan still had his boyish appeal. He could effectively blend in and seem totally non-threatening.

"Maybe, I'm here for you, Pam," said Stefan.

Even though vampires didn't usually like to be touched, Stefan took Pam's hand and sweetly kissed the top of it. Surprisingly, Pam did not remove it. Pam gazed into his pretty face that had just the right balance of innocence and naughtiness and wished that he was not a vampire because, boy or not, she would have made him a pet.

"Okay, I know that you're playing me, but you're good," said Pam with a smile.

"You have no idea how good, Pam," said Stefan with a smirk.

He gave her a wink and went inside, closely followed by his bodyguard.

Stefan settled at a couch and began texting. He could at least accomplish some work while he was here, he thought. He had his bodyguard prevent any fangbangers from approaching him. Stefan preferred to do the hunting, not the other way around. He surreptitiously glanced at the bar, looking for the girl. And when she finally made her appearance, he studied her. She definitely didn't belong here, he thought. He could understand why even Eric might be lenient with her. He wondered just how attached Eric was to her. He decided to find out. The most Eric could do was throw him out. His bodyguard was at least capable of diverting Eric's attention long enough for him to escape. Stefan would never be stupid enough to outright challenge the Sheriff. There were much more subtle and effective ways of getting rid of problems, permanently. He highly doubted Eric would do anything except warn him off the girl.

Stefan finished his texting and, with a nod to his bodyguard, approached the bar. The girl was stocking inventory and had her back turned to him as he settled into a stool. When she was done, she turned around and saw him.

"What can I get you?" she asked.

"B negative," said Stefan.

"Oh, you're a vampire," she said.

Stefan only gave her a smile. She turned and got his Tru Blood and warmed it up. When she sat it in front of him, he gave her a generous tip.

Dylan muttered a thanks and moved away.

She focused her attention on wiping the counter. She found herself in a melancholy mood. But she seemed to be that way most of the time. She tried not to think about the Sanders and Kyle but her mind always seemed to return to them whenever she let her thoughts wander. As she went over the same spot again and again, Stefan startled by saying something to her.

"I could make you forget about him," he said. "At least for a little while."

"I don't know what you are talking about," she said.

Dylan now studied him. He was probably one of the cutest boys that she had ever seen. He didn't look much like a vampire. He didn't have that hard, arrogant look that they all seem to develop. He had been made vampire young in his life. He had slightly shaggy blonde hair and vibrant cornflower blue eyes. He was wearing a silk shirt in a blue color that complimented his eyes which was a change from the standard black that everyone here seemed to wear. She noticed that he had a bodyguard in attendance and wondered why he needed one.

"I'm sure that you do since I recognize that look," said Stefan.

"And what look is that?" said Dylan.

"The look you get when you have lost someone," said Stefan.

"And what would a vampire know about losing someone, don't you all live forever?" said Dylan.

"We do, but those we sometimes love do not," said Stefan.

Stefan's interest in Dylan had not gone unnoticed. Eric and Pam watched them from Eric's chair. As Eric watched, he wondered if he was jealous.

"Your little minx is about to fall victim to Stefan's charm," said Pam.

"She is not so easy to charm or glamour," said Eric.

"In case you haven't noticed, that boy doesn't need to glamour girls," said Pam.

Eric watched and said, "He's harmless."

"I'm surprised by your reaction," said Pam.

"She would be more tightly aligned with vampires if she was involved with one. It's obvious that she has little love for you or me," said Eric. "Stefan is a weak and frivolous vampire that I can control."

"I thought vampires did not love humans," said Dylan.

"Every vampire started out as a human whether they want to admit it or not," said Stefan. " And every lover they turn began that relationship as a human."

"Why would you have lost anyone since you can turn them?" asked Dylan.

"Sometimes, they don't want to be turned. It would be a selfish and cruel thing to turn them against their wishes just because you are afraid of being alone," said Stefan.

Dylan did not know what to say to that. She had never had a conversation where a vampire had ever admitted that he had feelings.

"Why are you telling me these things?" asked Dylan.

"Because I pretend about a lot of things, but I wanted to let you see a glimpse of the real me," said Stefan.

"And why would you do that?" asked Dylan.

"I want to get to know you, the real you, and I wanted to show you how serious I was," said Stefan.

"Aren't you afraid of what Eric might do to you?" asked Dylan. "He says that I am his."

"But, you're not," said Stefan. "And I'm not afraid of Eric because he doesn't think that I am worth his concern. He believes that I am just a nobody. He hasn't stepped in and ordered me away from you, has he?"

Stefan took out a card and passed it to Dylan.

"I don't expect anything from you," said Stefan.

He gave her a small, genuine smile and then got up and headed for the door, his bodyguard on his heels.

As Stefan passed Pam and Eric, a shadow of a smile passed over his face, just enough to irritate Eric without outright insulting him.

"That boy has balls," said Pam.

Eric noticed that Dylan had kept the card. Stefan had made an impression on his prize little half-vampire, he thought.

"He is braver than I thought," said Eric. "But, just as stupid."

"Hopefully, that hellion of yours won't do him in," said Pam.

"Why, Pam, I might start to get the impression that you have a crush on him," said Eric.

"I used to like boys a long time ago, remember?" said Pam.

Eric smiled a little half-smile and said, "I remember."