A/N I finally got a review! Yay! I'm so excited you guys are actually reading this. Okay I'm better now. Sorry this chapter's been so long coming. I've had one hell of a couple o' weeks. Anyways here it is. R&R please. Also you guys, just so you know I know nothing about motorcycles. I envision Charlie's cycle as being a Harley but also being a racer that can make jumps like the one I describe in this chapter. Is there a Harley that can actually do this crap? Please let me know. And I will be moving the story along past the first night soon after this chapter, I promise. Birgitte, this one's for you.
Disclaimers: I own nothing. Isn't it sad?
Chapter 3
When the two got outside, they settled where Charlie's bike was parked. Even with Cash's heightened senses, he didn't seem to notice most of his clan follow them outside to watch. He was too engrossed both with Charlie and her motorcycle. It was a vintage Harley-Davidson with a black paint job and red leather seat and "saddle bags." He couldn't stop himself from striking up yet another conversation about the bike.
"You sure do know a lot about cycles." Charlie commented, "Do you ever race?"
Cash froze. He hadn't really thought about it in a while. As Gangrel Primogen, he rarely had time to himself, especially now that he was Julian's bodyguard. Most of his free time was either spent with his clan or with Sasha.
"I used to... a long time ago. I haven't really had time lately." Cash answered. That was an understatement. To the Gangrel it felt like an eternity since he'd felt the adrenaline rush that came from beating out another rider.
"Life's short. I say, have fun while you still can." Charlie said. She mounted her bike, giving Cash a challenging, almost impish look.
Cash looked to the sky. It would be dawn soon. Julian had given him the next few hours off and he really didn't have much of anything better to do. Since he had Hunted earlier, the sun wouldn't be a real problem for a while. *Why not?* he thought to himself. Cash mounted his own bike and pulled up alongside Charlie.
"What are you doing Cash?" Lorraina asked, approaching her Primogen.
"Girlfriend?" Charlie mouthed, giving Cash a suspicious look. He shook his head in the negative.
"Charlie, this is Lorraina. Lorraina, Charlie." Cash introduced. "Charlie here has challenged me to a race. And I have accepted."
Lorraina looked both perplexed and amused at the thought. Cash hadn't raced in a while. But still, he was the fastest rider, Lorraina had ever seen. He'd been unbeatable when he was Warm. And Cash was Gangrel now. However, the last time the man had raced was before Stevie-Ray's Final Death. Lorraina herself had challenged him to race time and time again, but he had always refused. It made Cash's brood sister happy, if not a bit jealous that this human had successfully challenged her Primogen. *Got to hand it to the girl.* she thought, *But she doesn't knowe what she's gotten herself into.*
"If Julian asks where I am, tell him I'm racing. If it's an emergency, tell him to beep me." Cash informed his subordinate. The inflection he placed on the word emergency told Lorraina this meant solely life or death Kindred buisness.
He turned to Charlie. "So, where are we goin?"
Charlie grinned happily. *Hook, line, and sinker* she thought mischeviously. "Here to the Bay. Under the Bridge. First one there wins. Any way you can."
He knew instantly what this meant. They'd race to where San Francisco Bay met Golden Gate Bridge. Each rider could take any route there and the first one to get there would wait for the loser.
Cash nodded in acknowledgement and they pulled up to the same point in the street. Both riders donned their helmets and revved thir engines. The traffic light above them turned green and they were off.
Cash took the lead early on. Although, she had the option of taking a different route, Charlie let her companion lead her down the alleys and back roads of the city so as to avoid cops and traffic. Their speeds were fast to begin with. But as Cash realized that Charlie was gaining on him, he accelerated even more.
Suddenly, Charlie pulled ahead. They were on the road that led to the docks at the shoreline of the Bay. At this point, both rode at nearly inhuman speeds. They quickly approached the docks and Charlie glanced back at Cash to see if he was still with her. She didn't see the end of the docks coming up until seconds before she plummeted off it.
Luckily, she turned back just in time. There wasn't time to think. Charlie pulled hard on the handle bars, dragging both herself and her bike high into the air.
Cash saw where the street would end and quicklypulled his bike around before he ran off it. He stopped just in time to see Charlie make the jump over the railing that sectioned the road off from the rocky shore of the Bay. Cash stared at her a few beats as she landed. He couldn't believe his eyes. She had actually made the jump over the railing.
As soon as she was safely on the ground, Charlie stared up at Cash. A few seconds passed between them and they just stared at each other in shock. Charlie cocovered before her opponent and turned a right angle to speed toward the Bridge.
After deciding once and for all that his companion was completely and utterly insane, Cash raced after her. Though Charlie was riding on much rockier terrain than Cash, her momentary head-start allowed her to reach the "finish-line" before him. He pulled up under the bridge moments after she'd already parked her bike.
"I win!" Charlie chirped happily. She didn't want to be pushy but she just had to assert herself.
Cash removed his helmet and stared at her. Charlie could have easily died doing that jump but she barely seemed phased. It was like it hadn't happened. What was almostmore amazing to Cash was that she'd beaten him. Him! The Gangrel Primogen, racer extrordinaire and she'd beaten him.
Charlie sat down at the water's edge and removed her army boots to let the cool water wash over her feet.
"Where the hell did you learn to ride like that?!" Cash asked incredulously.
"Oh, here and there." she shrugged as he sat down beside her.
Seeing his ovious shock, Charlie smiled at Cash. "Oh, don't look so disappointed. I beat you, fair and square. Besides, pouting only works if you use puppy dog eyes. See?" She demonstrated the expression by sticking out her bottom lip like a child.
Cash sat up straighter and crossed his arms over his chest. "I do not pout." he laughed.
Charlie feigned surprise. "Oh, you don't do you? So, what was that look a minute ago?"
Cash shrugged. " I have no idea what you're talking about. But you've obviously got your pouting technique down." Suddenley, he grabbed Charlie and began to tickle her mercilessly. She cackled in surprise and mirth.
"So now we se your weakness! You're ticklish!" he proclaimed with delight as Charlie backed away. He began circling her like a school boy with the intent to get her. He almost reminded the redhead of a predator stalking his prey.
"Cash! Don't!" she shrieked laughingly. It was no use. Cash pounced on her and began to tickle her again. As Charlie laughed, she struggled against him. Cash lost his balance and tumbled into the surf taking Charlie with him.
Charlie pulled herself out of the water. Looking down she said, "I'm all wet." Her face locked oin mock anger while her eyes laughed. "Now you're gonna get it."
Cash didn't even try to dodge her when she jumped on him. Again they tumbled into the water. They rolled over one another in the surf. When the two stopped wrestling, Charlie was lying on top of Cash, pinning his arms above his head.
Almost immediately, Cash realized the position they were in and what they had been doing. It occurred to him that he should be upset or at least embarrassed about his position. Strangely, he wasn't. In fact, Cash realized he quite enjoyed it.
"You give up?" Charlie asked humorously.
"I surrender!" Cash smiled back at her. He wasn't aware that his grin was so mischevious that it gave away much of his desire for her.
Something above Cash's head caught Charlie's attention. The sand surrounding the area where their hands met was beginning to bubble and steam as it melted into hard glass. *Shit* she thought.
Cash watched Charlie suddenley get up and pull herself off of him. His body instinctively cringed at the loss of contact with hers. Her smile turned to a frown. Then, she turned her back to him.
To say the Gangrel was confused would be an understatement. "What? Did I say something wrong?" He lightley touched her shoulder.
"No. It's just getting late. I really do have to get back to the gallery." Charlie said, going over to her bike. *Back off, Charlie! Just back off!* she thought, trying to calm herself. Being in that position with Cash had really worked her up. And a worked up Charlie could be very hazardous to everyone's health.
"Perfect!" Charlie shouted. She threw her hands up in frustration. "I've got a flat."
"You make jumps like that a lot, do you?" Cash asked, trying desperately to return some levity to the conversation.
Charlie smiled again. "Only when I'm in danger of losing."
Cash smiled back at her. *God how I love her smile* he thought. "You don't seem the type to avoid danger."
She shook her head. " Danger I'm okay with. Losing! It's losing, I hate." Charlie's face fell into a serious expression as she stared into Cash's eyes. He leaned in to kiss her. They embraced a few moments. The kiss became deeper and deeper until Charlie pulled back again.
"You know what? I really do have to get back. Would you mind giving me a ride to the nearest garage so I can have them pick up my bike?" she asked tensely.
Disappointed, Cash shook off the impulse to kiss her again. "Don't worry about it. I got a mechanic friend that owes me a few favors. He can have it back to you tomorrow, good as new. I'll take you home."
Charlie considered the offer a few minutes before pulling her boots back on and replacing her helmet. "Sounds good to me." She climbed on Cash's bike behind him and wrapped her arms around his midsection.
"Alright." Cash exclaimed as he sped off in the direction Charlie had indicated. Neither one of them saw the trail of bubbling asphalt the bike left in it's wake.
On the way to Charlie's house, all Cash could think about was their kiss on the shore. Briefly he wondered if he was betraying Sasha. However, he had not felt guilty about the kiss at the time. Cash had felt so right with Charlie in his arms, like that was how he belonged. He had loved Sasha for a long time and had committed himself to her even during their "off" periods when Sasha had found other "diversions." But Cash had naver felt for Sasha the intense fire and passion he had felt from just one kiss with Charlie. After a few minutes of intense internal debate, Cash decided to let himself go with Charlie. After all, it had been Sasha to end their relationship this time, just like always.
Disclaimers: I own nothing. Isn't it sad?
Chapter 3
When the two got outside, they settled where Charlie's bike was parked. Even with Cash's heightened senses, he didn't seem to notice most of his clan follow them outside to watch. He was too engrossed both with Charlie and her motorcycle. It was a vintage Harley-Davidson with a black paint job and red leather seat and "saddle bags." He couldn't stop himself from striking up yet another conversation about the bike.
"You sure do know a lot about cycles." Charlie commented, "Do you ever race?"
Cash froze. He hadn't really thought about it in a while. As Gangrel Primogen, he rarely had time to himself, especially now that he was Julian's bodyguard. Most of his free time was either spent with his clan or with Sasha.
"I used to... a long time ago. I haven't really had time lately." Cash answered. That was an understatement. To the Gangrel it felt like an eternity since he'd felt the adrenaline rush that came from beating out another rider.
"Life's short. I say, have fun while you still can." Charlie said. She mounted her bike, giving Cash a challenging, almost impish look.
Cash looked to the sky. It would be dawn soon. Julian had given him the next few hours off and he really didn't have much of anything better to do. Since he had Hunted earlier, the sun wouldn't be a real problem for a while. *Why not?* he thought to himself. Cash mounted his own bike and pulled up alongside Charlie.
"What are you doing Cash?" Lorraina asked, approaching her Primogen.
"Girlfriend?" Charlie mouthed, giving Cash a suspicious look. He shook his head in the negative.
"Charlie, this is Lorraina. Lorraina, Charlie." Cash introduced. "Charlie here has challenged me to a race. And I have accepted."
Lorraina looked both perplexed and amused at the thought. Cash hadn't raced in a while. But still, he was the fastest rider, Lorraina had ever seen. He'd been unbeatable when he was Warm. And Cash was Gangrel now. However, the last time the man had raced was before Stevie-Ray's Final Death. Lorraina herself had challenged him to race time and time again, but he had always refused. It made Cash's brood sister happy, if not a bit jealous that this human had successfully challenged her Primogen. *Got to hand it to the girl.* she thought, *But she doesn't knowe what she's gotten herself into.*
"If Julian asks where I am, tell him I'm racing. If it's an emergency, tell him to beep me." Cash informed his subordinate. The inflection he placed on the word emergency told Lorraina this meant solely life or death Kindred buisness.
He turned to Charlie. "So, where are we goin?"
Charlie grinned happily. *Hook, line, and sinker* she thought mischeviously. "Here to the Bay. Under the Bridge. First one there wins. Any way you can."
He knew instantly what this meant. They'd race to where San Francisco Bay met Golden Gate Bridge. Each rider could take any route there and the first one to get there would wait for the loser.
Cash nodded in acknowledgement and they pulled up to the same point in the street. Both riders donned their helmets and revved thir engines. The traffic light above them turned green and they were off.
Cash took the lead early on. Although, she had the option of taking a different route, Charlie let her companion lead her down the alleys and back roads of the city so as to avoid cops and traffic. Their speeds were fast to begin with. But as Cash realized that Charlie was gaining on him, he accelerated even more.
Suddenly, Charlie pulled ahead. They were on the road that led to the docks at the shoreline of the Bay. At this point, both rode at nearly inhuman speeds. They quickly approached the docks and Charlie glanced back at Cash to see if he was still with her. She didn't see the end of the docks coming up until seconds before she plummeted off it.
Luckily, she turned back just in time. There wasn't time to think. Charlie pulled hard on the handle bars, dragging both herself and her bike high into the air.
Cash saw where the street would end and quicklypulled his bike around before he ran off it. He stopped just in time to see Charlie make the jump over the railing that sectioned the road off from the rocky shore of the Bay. Cash stared at her a few beats as she landed. He couldn't believe his eyes. She had actually made the jump over the railing.
As soon as she was safely on the ground, Charlie stared up at Cash. A few seconds passed between them and they just stared at each other in shock. Charlie cocovered before her opponent and turned a right angle to speed toward the Bridge.
After deciding once and for all that his companion was completely and utterly insane, Cash raced after her. Though Charlie was riding on much rockier terrain than Cash, her momentary head-start allowed her to reach the "finish-line" before him. He pulled up under the bridge moments after she'd already parked her bike.
"I win!" Charlie chirped happily. She didn't want to be pushy but she just had to assert herself.
Cash removed his helmet and stared at her. Charlie could have easily died doing that jump but she barely seemed phased. It was like it hadn't happened. What was almostmore amazing to Cash was that she'd beaten him. Him! The Gangrel Primogen, racer extrordinaire and she'd beaten him.
Charlie sat down at the water's edge and removed her army boots to let the cool water wash over her feet.
"Where the hell did you learn to ride like that?!" Cash asked incredulously.
"Oh, here and there." she shrugged as he sat down beside her.
Seeing his ovious shock, Charlie smiled at Cash. "Oh, don't look so disappointed. I beat you, fair and square. Besides, pouting only works if you use puppy dog eyes. See?" She demonstrated the expression by sticking out her bottom lip like a child.
Cash sat up straighter and crossed his arms over his chest. "I do not pout." he laughed.
Charlie feigned surprise. "Oh, you don't do you? So, what was that look a minute ago?"
Cash shrugged. " I have no idea what you're talking about. But you've obviously got your pouting technique down." Suddenley, he grabbed Charlie and began to tickle her mercilessly. She cackled in surprise and mirth.
"So now we se your weakness! You're ticklish!" he proclaimed with delight as Charlie backed away. He began circling her like a school boy with the intent to get her. He almost reminded the redhead of a predator stalking his prey.
"Cash! Don't!" she shrieked laughingly. It was no use. Cash pounced on her and began to tickle her again. As Charlie laughed, she struggled against him. Cash lost his balance and tumbled into the surf taking Charlie with him.
Charlie pulled herself out of the water. Looking down she said, "I'm all wet." Her face locked oin mock anger while her eyes laughed. "Now you're gonna get it."
Cash didn't even try to dodge her when she jumped on him. Again they tumbled into the water. They rolled over one another in the surf. When the two stopped wrestling, Charlie was lying on top of Cash, pinning his arms above his head.
Almost immediately, Cash realized the position they were in and what they had been doing. It occurred to him that he should be upset or at least embarrassed about his position. Strangely, he wasn't. In fact, Cash realized he quite enjoyed it.
"You give up?" Charlie asked humorously.
"I surrender!" Cash smiled back at her. He wasn't aware that his grin was so mischevious that it gave away much of his desire for her.
Something above Cash's head caught Charlie's attention. The sand surrounding the area where their hands met was beginning to bubble and steam as it melted into hard glass. *Shit* she thought.
Cash watched Charlie suddenley get up and pull herself off of him. His body instinctively cringed at the loss of contact with hers. Her smile turned to a frown. Then, she turned her back to him.
To say the Gangrel was confused would be an understatement. "What? Did I say something wrong?" He lightley touched her shoulder.
"No. It's just getting late. I really do have to get back to the gallery." Charlie said, going over to her bike. *Back off, Charlie! Just back off!* she thought, trying to calm herself. Being in that position with Cash had really worked her up. And a worked up Charlie could be very hazardous to everyone's health.
"Perfect!" Charlie shouted. She threw her hands up in frustration. "I've got a flat."
"You make jumps like that a lot, do you?" Cash asked, trying desperately to return some levity to the conversation.
Charlie smiled again. "Only when I'm in danger of losing."
Cash smiled back at her. *God how I love her smile* he thought. "You don't seem the type to avoid danger."
She shook her head. " Danger I'm okay with. Losing! It's losing, I hate." Charlie's face fell into a serious expression as she stared into Cash's eyes. He leaned in to kiss her. They embraced a few moments. The kiss became deeper and deeper until Charlie pulled back again.
"You know what? I really do have to get back. Would you mind giving me a ride to the nearest garage so I can have them pick up my bike?" she asked tensely.
Disappointed, Cash shook off the impulse to kiss her again. "Don't worry about it. I got a mechanic friend that owes me a few favors. He can have it back to you tomorrow, good as new. I'll take you home."
Charlie considered the offer a few minutes before pulling her boots back on and replacing her helmet. "Sounds good to me." She climbed on Cash's bike behind him and wrapped her arms around his midsection.
"Alright." Cash exclaimed as he sped off in the direction Charlie had indicated. Neither one of them saw the trail of bubbling asphalt the bike left in it's wake.
On the way to Charlie's house, all Cash could think about was their kiss on the shore. Briefly he wondered if he was betraying Sasha. However, he had not felt guilty about the kiss at the time. Cash had felt so right with Charlie in his arms, like that was how he belonged. He had loved Sasha for a long time and had committed himself to her even during their "off" periods when Sasha had found other "diversions." But Cash had naver felt for Sasha the intense fire and passion he had felt from just one kiss with Charlie. After a few minutes of intense internal debate, Cash decided to let himself go with Charlie. After all, it had been Sasha to end their relationship this time, just like always.