Life After High School. Is It Scary? You Bet.

By Risty Maskell and Silver15

Disclaimer: We own nadda but our own characters

Summary: Stuff it. We dunno.

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(Billee's POV)

The next morning, me, Jaime, Legolas, Damon and Benny all went to meet Mr Silverblade at the tavern. Damon had the ten thousand firmly in his pocket and I was really relived. Once the money was handed over, Emma could just get on with her life. I only hoped that he wouldn't make things any more difficult.

We went in and found that the three of them were already there, waiting for us, in a corner near the door. We went over and sat down. Damon took the money from his pocket and showed it to them.

"Here's your money" he said, slowly and carefully. "Take it and get yourself as far away from here as possible"

Mr Silverblade took the money and sat back smirking to himself. "Oh yes, I'll go" he said finally. "But there is one more thing I want first"

"Hey, that isn't fair" I spat. "You said just the ten thousand and you'd go away from here"

"And I will" Emma's father agreed. "As soon as I have the other thing I want"

"What is that?" Damon asked, his voice trembling in anger. I knew that he and Jamie were fighting to keep from hitting him. "Anything, as long as you leave her alone"

"It's not that much of a big deal" he replied with a shrug. "But we know what Benny Hockey did for a living before bar work and the three of us wish to…try his services out for nothing so to speak"

Jaime and Legolas looked gobsmacked. I must have done too. It didn't take someone of major intelligent to work out what he was getting at. Benny was looking down at the table, his face pale. Damon glanced at us.

"You three go" he said firmly. "Wait outside. I'll be out in a minute"

There were a lot of questions we wanted to ask, but we knew that now was not the time. So the three of us stood up, glaring at Emma's father as we did, and went outside into the bright sunlight. We stood there looking at each other, not quite sure what to say.

(Damon's POV)

When the others had gone, I got up and pulled Benny to his feet.

"Five minutes" I said to Emma's father. "We have to talk about this"

We wandered over to a quiet area, where I knew they could see us but not hear us. Then I folded my arms and looked at Benny.

"You aren't going to do it, are you?" I asked, already knowing the answer. "He's a raving lunatic. You don't know what he might do to you"

"I'll be alright Damon" Benny said quietly. "It seems to be the only way. Besides, I can take care of myself. Don't worry, just go home and act normal for the others, okay? Don't tell them anything unless you have to. I'll be back as soon as I can"

"Benny…" I started. He shook his head.

"Please don't try and talk me out of it" he whispered. "I've made up my mind. Just go Damon. I'll catch you later"

I had no choice. I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, then turned away and walked out of the tavern. I knew the others were dying to ask what was going on, but I just shook my head, telling them not to ask. I was too worried to speak. Benny was my best friend and I didn't know what I would do if I lost him. Still I figured that if Benny came through this in one piece, Emma's father could make no more demands on us. There were still Jaime's parents to worry about however. I couldn't help wondering what part they had to play in this.