Alice actually enjoyed the evening, much to her own surprise, and everyone elses. Even though she would never admit it, Damon was pretty good company. He showed a whole new side of himself, that Alice had never seen even as much as a glimpse of, in the years she'd been his lawyer.

He was charming, joking, and apparently unable to keep his hands off her, not caring if anyone saw them. Of course she knew it was just a game to him, but she didn't mind. He was taking her mind off things, which she deeply appreciated. So she played along.

People were curious as to who her handsome new boyfriend was, but she managed to satisfy them with vague explanations, that she knew him from her job.

She left the ladies room, where she'd just been, and tried to locate where he was. When she couldn't see him right away, she started circulating the room, nodding politely to the people she knew.

Suddenly someone grabbed her, and as she was spun around to face his crystal blue eyes, she laughed.

"That was so not the reaction I hoped for," he said, pouting.

"Well, I can't keep jumping like a crazy person every time you touch me. Our cover would be destroyed."

He just shrugged dissapointedly. "You might have a point there. I was heading for the bar, care to join me?" As always, he didn't wait for her answer before dragging her along.

They sat at the counter, waiting for the bartender to see them.

"So, I never thought I would see my tight-ass-lawyer loosen up like this." Damon said jokingly.

"What the..." Alice exclaimed, slightly offended. "It's not like you act yourself either," she retaliated. "Where's your menacing look, huh? You could almost be confused with someone who cared."

"Guess I deserved that," he smirked, before turning to the bartender who finally seemed to have noticed them. "Scotch for me and the lady," he said, before looking him directly in the eye, "on the house of course."

The bartender turned around to get their drinks. The two glasses were placed in front of them, the man smiling.

"On the house of course." When he turned away to the next customers, Alice eyed Damon suspiciously.

"This is a fundraiser, you know?"

"So what?"

"So the profits from the bar benefits homeless people." Her voice had an edge to it. She grabbed her purse to find her wallet. Cheap ass.

"Hey," he placed a hand on her arm stopping her. She looked at him furiously.

"Don't..." she hissed, trying to snake out under his grip, but he held on tight.

He sighed.

"I forgot, okay?" Alice wondered what he meant by that. Did he know that she'd been living on the streets for years? Or had he forgot it was a fundraiser? She was distracted when Damon turned to the bartender and raised a hand. "Free drinks to everyone, on me! Let's get this party started." People cheered and rushed for the bar.

He turned back to Alice, letting her go. "Better?"

She sat frozen for a long moment, before regaining her speech.

"What was that about?"

"Well, you said it yourself, it's a fundraiser, and since I have the funds..." he trailed off, before suddenly changing subject. "Did you know that Stefan likes to sleep in a coffin?"

Alice almost choked on her drink. "He what!?"

Damon chuckled. "Nah, just kidding. It would fit him though, he's such a brooding guy."

Alice couldn't help but laugh.

Their conversation took a lighter tone after that, and Alice soon forgot about the tensions.

Hours later, and lots and lots of drinks later, Alice found herself being half carried, half dragged out of the room. She heard Damon shuffle through the wardrobe, while she lunged against the wall, unable to keep her balance otherwise.

"Why do we have to leave already?" she pouted. Damon reemerged with her jacket, already wearing his own. He leaned in close.

"Do you really want to know?" His voice was low, and his lips so very close to her, that they sent shivers down her spine. She looked into his eyes and nodded feverntly. He waited a second, just looking into her eyes. Then a mischivious smirk appeared on his face.

"It's because you're such a lightweight."

He burst out laughing, and Alice humphed annoyed. Mumbling "Jackass," under her breath.

"I heard that," he chuckled, before handing over her jacket. Still a bit grumpy, she put it on, following him outside. She shuddered in the chill air, pulling her jacket closer around her. Damon didn't seem to notice the cold, instead he seemed somehow lost in thought, as they started walking down the deserted street.

Alice kept up, the drunken buzz in her brain slowly subsiding a bit to the night air. She couldn't help shooting glances at the vampire walking next to her. He looked like he was somewhere else completely. The question that had been rumaging in her mind kept surfacing, but she didn't really know how to ask. Suddenly he turned his head looking straight at her.

"What is it?"

His sudden words caught her by surprise, and she blushed, quickly diverting her eyes.

"Nothing," she mumbled.

"You've been staring at me for the last 10 minutes."

When she didn't respond he stopped dead in his tracks. She followed suit, but now outside she seemed to have lost the ease of looking at him. It was like they were suddenly back in the real world, where she was just a girl, and he was a vampire.

He lifted his hand, gently touching her hair, before reaching for her chin and forcing her to lift her head.

She bit her lip, and then met his eyes.

"I was just wondering..." she trailed off. He didn't say anything, just waited for her to pick up again.

"Well I just... Why did you do it?"

He frowned a bit. "Do what?"

"You know, safe me, give me your blood, be nice to me." She trailed off.

"Well, as I said before, I like to piss off my brother." But Alice shook her head.

"It's not what I meant..."

"What did you mean then?"

Alice struggled for words, annoyed by herself, before finally letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Never mind..." She turned away starting to walk again.

"Alice." Damon hadn't followed. She stopped but didn't turn around. Suddenly he was right in front of her. Dammit! Vampire speed.

He leaned close to her, and she felt her heart miss a beat. When he finally spoke, his voice was so low she had to strain her hearing to make out the words.

"Do you want to know a secret?"

She didn't respond, just tried to control her breathing. He was so fucking close!

Sorry about the seriously long wait. I'm terribly sorry, espescially since I received so many fantastic reviews from you guys. Please let me know what you think about this chapter, and I'll try to update really soon...