"Buy me a drink?"

Jesse gave a cursory glance at the woman that had come to stand beside him and had to do a double take. He had been drinking- a lot and he had wanted to continue until he forgot everything…that is until now. He nodded for her to take a seat and signaled for the bartender to get her a drink. It wasn't until she had taken a sip or two of her drink that she turned to him and spoke.

"Thanks…ahh…" she looked him up and down with an impish smile.

"Jesse."

"Why don't we go to the back? Bet we could have a little fun…"

Why the hell not…

He followed her down the hall past the restrooms and to a back room that looked like an office and storage room of sorts. She sat on the desk and scooted back slightly making her little black skirt ride up a bit.

This is a bad idea. I should get out of here.

She reached into an inside breast pocket of the sparkling black jacket that she wore and pulled out a little clear sachet to dangle before him.

"Why don't we forget our problems together?"

He watched as she ran a tongue across her ruby stained lips and turned to set up the lines for their hit. Jesse watched her through the haze of scotch that burned through his body. He was mesmerized by the fluidity with which she did everything. Before he knew it, she was done and facing him with a smile and handing him rolled up dollar bill that she had used to take her hit. He started shaking his head but she kissed him on the side of the mouth with that impish smile that he was beginning to love to see.

"Come on Jesse; let's go to a whole other level together."

It'll be nice to forget everything for a while. I need to get through tonight and everything will be okay…

Later…

"Jesse?" Val's voice cut in through the haze of him feeling no pain. He blinked his eyes trying to focus on her face.

She's probably pissed about something. She looks pissed about something.

"What're you doing?" Val looked from him to the young woman wrapped around his arm in confusion. "Trent came by looking for you. He seemed worried… What happened?"

"I am," his words came out airy and slurred. "I'm just mellowing out a bit." He smiled hoping that would put her at ease. It did not.

Val leaned in closer taking a harder look at him.

"Are you high?"

He laughed and so did his companion.

"On life…"

What the hell is his problem? And why is he with the bimbet?

"Come on Jesse; let's go somewhere and talk. You can tell me what's going on."

"Now that is something that I definitely don't want. Come on, join us," he gestured to an empty chair. We could chill and have some fun."

"Jesse…"

"You're not my mom and right now you're bringing me down. Either join in or leave." He looked down at the girl on his arm that was smiling up at him as though just realizing that she was there. "Val-" he looked back up, but Val had already left. He looked back down at the dark haired vixen looking back up at him.

Oh well. I'll make it right later…