I know, I have two recently started projects at one time (gee, is this a surprise to anyone??). 'James & Poppy' is just really hard to focus on, but I will get another chapter of that out this weekend. This is just something that started from nowhere, going from hand to keyboard to computer screen. I like it, so I put it up.

To my dearest Emmanuelle: I swear, you give me way too much credit! But thank you, again. You alone are going to cause my ego to explode from getting so big! =) The constant bickering at each other is just my natural sarcasm kicking in, and I felt I needed to make a strong werewolf character, since I'd never really seen one portrayed from the main character view in other fanfics. Plus, I wanted to stick up for our little furry friends. =) I hope you like this as much as 'Discovery' and 'Lilac.'

On with the story! =)





*Chapter 2*



Tala slid her sunglasses over her eyes, walking out into the beautiful Florida sunshine. Key West was the only place she knew of where she could walk around in a pair of running shorts and a tank top the week of Christmas and not get a chill.

"How can it be the holidays when it's eighty degrees outside?" she mumbled to herself.

"What? Did you see a cat?"

She had forgotten her new partner was following her to the car. Taking a good grip of the green file folder in her right hand, she turned and asked innocently, "What did you say?"

"I said, 'What? Did you-'" He was cut off with a folder to the back of the head.

She stood there, arms crossed, waiting for him to realize what happened to him. "For a vampire, you ain't so quick."

"Ain't. It's a wonder why your kind is considered the lowest of the Night World species."

She rolled her eyes, not letting his comments hurt her. "Let me get something straight for you, bloodsucker. First of all, I'll point out that I am twenty years old with a bachelor's degree in English Literature, and am half-way to my master's in Composition, so you can keep your werewolf stereotypes to yourself, buddy. Second, you heard Thierry. I am running this assignment. I can behave as long as you quit wasting oxygen and keep your mouth shut unless you can improve the silence. If you have a problem, take it up with the man, because the complaint department here," she pointed to herself to emphasize the comment, "is closed. Understood?"

He gave her a vicious glare. Not intimidated at all, she tapped her foot, getting slightly irritated. "If you want to make a problem out of this, I'm sure one of us can be put on another assignment."

Something flared through his eyes, quickly hidden away. Tala thought she saw something that looked like fear, but figured it better not to say anything. Like she cared, anyway.

Monroe cleared his throat. "Fine, boss," he spit out the word as if it was something new to him. "I'll be a good little vampire and do as I'm told."

She felt a light pang in her chest. She didn't like being mean and nasty, but when you get harassed every day for what you are, you begin to grow a thick shell. She clicked a button on her key-chain, turning toward her Suzuki Vitara. She hopped into the driver's seat as he climbed through the passenger door.

Throwing the car into gear, she squealed onto Duval Street, flying past horribly dressed tourists on their rented scooters. Getting onto Highway One, she started heading north, since there was no other direction to go. She reached for the play button on her CD player by habit and started the CD. Rock-opera began to fill the air around the vehicle.

Trying to be nice, she spoke to the passenger, who seemed to be on another planet. "If you don't like this music, I can put in something you like."

"It's cool, I like Trans-Siberian Orchestra." He remained where he was, staring out the window.

She turned down the volume a little, hoping to carry something of a conversation. "See? We have something in common, besides being Daybreak agents. Is this your first mission?"

He spoke, still not looking at her. "Second."

"So you haven't been in the Circle long, have you?"

"I thought it was obvious." He gave her a look of disdain. "You were the one who called me a 'pompous rookie.'"

Gripping the steering wheel harder, she continued, watching as the keys passed her from bridge to bridge. "Why did you join Circle Daybreak, anyway? Most people who do usually don't have problems with particular species."

"Wolves just piss me off."

And I'll be no exception, she thought snidely. It was very hard to keep positive with this attitude in the car with her. "You didn't answer my question."

"Exactly."

Disregarding the speed limit signs on Deer Key, she slammed the car into fifth gear. She turned up the volume again, drumming her fingers with "Carol of the Bells," trying to ignore the undead lump on the other side of her car.