A/N I'm so glad you guys like this. Please keep the feedback comin. Okay I know I'm taking a long time to set up the relationship between Cash and Charlie. But I will get to the main conflict soon. Probably after one or two more chapters. Anyway, on with the show. R&R please! I'd love any ideas you've got for me.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Poor me.

Chapter 4

For the next two weeks straight, everyone around Cash was left to wonder after the constantly smiling Gangrel. It was not completely against Gangrel nature to be cheery but the Primogen seemed to be taking it a bit far. Cash walked around with a slight bounce in his step and went out of his way to be cordial to everyone he met. He hadn't even given his customary growl to Cameron when the Brujah had visited the mansion. Not only was Gangrel Clan all abuzz about their Primogen's attitude, but Cash's new candor had taken its place in the gossip vines of the Luna Mansion's staff. At one point, The Prince of the City felt obliged to ask his bodyguard about it.

"Cash!" Julian shouted as he entered his posh looking office.

"What's the matter, my Prince?" Cash entered the space a few minutes later, having heard his employer's call.

"Come in here. I'd like to speak to you privately." The Gangrel shrugged and sank into a large leather chair opposite Julian's desk.

"Is there a problem, Julian?" The tone the Ventrue had used made Cash uneasy.

"I wanted to talk to you about your attitude around the house lately." Julian tried to be delicate. He didn't want to offend Cash but he was concerned about the boy. At the rate he was going Cash would ruin his image. And for a Primogen who relied on the fear and respect of those around him to maintain order, image could do a lot.

"My attitude?"

"Yes, you seem to be really upbeat lately. I was just wondering what's prompted this sudden burst of joy."

Cash looked offended, "You mean I'm not allowed to be happy? I'm sorry. I didn't see that in the job description."

"No, that's not what I meant.."

"Look, Julian," Cash cut off his employer, "if my 'so-called' attitude is affecting my duties as Primogen, I can see why you'd want to talk to me about it. If it's altering my ability to act as your bodyguard, that's fine too. But otherwise, with all do respect, I don't see how it's any of your buisness." Cash was really angry. Julian could see his body tense and his eyes take on a predatory tint.

The Prince stared at him coolly for a moment, basking in a Ventrue's dignified aura, before having the grace to look embarrassed. "Cash, I'm not addressing you as your boss or as your Prince, but as your friend. And I'm not trying to meddle in your personal affairs. There's just been a lot of talk going around lately. Mostly good, but not all. I just thought that if there was some new development in your life to make you so happy, you might want to share it. That's all."

Now it was Cash's turn to look embarrassed. He hadn't meant to lash out at Julian. He was pleased that Julian wanted to befriend him but he had a feeling the reason for his recent euphoria would not be met well, namely Charlie. He'd been going to her studio nearly every moment he could spare to watch her work. The Gangrel would be going to a carnival with his new girlfriend as soon as he got off work that day.

It wasn't that Cash thought his involvement with Charlie would anger the Prince. As far as Julian knew it was just a passing fling. What he feared was that Julian still expected him to be committed to Sasha. Althought the Brujah had broken up with him numerous times, Cash had clung to the hope that they might end up together. He hadn't been with any other woman since meeting Julian's niece. Except for Charlie. Surely Julian didn't expect him to fawn over Sasha for the rest of his existence.

Seeing Cash's worried look, the Ventrue asked him about it. "I guess I just thought you wouldn't understand about me and Charlie."

Julian paused to consider the explanation for a moment. "You're right, Cash. It is none of my buisness what you do with your free time. I realize that things between you and Sasha are all but over. She was never really your responsibility to begin with. The Brujah took her from you as well as me. So, I don't expect you to spend your life chasing after her. You have a right to happiness. But I do think I should warn you about this human you've been seeing."

Cash shifted uneasily at the sound of Julian's tone. "Why? What's wrong with Charlie?"

"This is the same girl who was at The Haven a few weeks ago, correct?"

Cash nodded in the affirmative. Julian hesitated a moment. "I've been talking to Daedalus. He says that she is a being with incredible power. He can sense her passion and rage lying just below the surface. You see, you were not the only one to notice her that night. Lillie has also been observing her. She's expressed an interest in the girl as a candidate for a Toreador Childe."

Cash's eyes blazed when he heard the last part. He'd already know that his girlfriend was powerful. Anyone who spent ten minutes in her presence could feel fire and power literally coming off of her in waves. It was the part about Lillie that got his attention.

Julian stared at the ferocious creature before him. Once, long ago, he'd seen that look in Stevie-Ray's eyes. It was the look of a very pissed off Alpha male wolf concerned for his mate. With Stevie, it had been a look he'd given to Julian when they had fallen for the same girl. The Prince had not realized up until that moment just how emotionally invested Cash was in this woman. He tried to calm the hotheaded Gangrel down with little success.

"Cash it would not be wise to go up against Lillie even with your clan's carte blanche to Embrace. She's a formidable opponent believe me. I wouldn't take her on unless you really want this woman for your own." Cash calmed a bit as the Prince guided him back into his chair. "Now, Cash I need you to tell me one thing, honestly. How far are you willing to go to have Charlie? Do you want to Embrace her?"

Cash sat stock still for what seemed like eons, contemplating the question. He couldn't quell the rage he felt bubbling up inside at the thought of Lillie or anyone else Embracing Charlie. He hadn't really thought about it until now. He'd only just met the redheaded siren a few weeks ago. Did he want to Embrace her? Usually, Gangrel's would tail their prospective Childer and leave them to fend for a while by themselves after the Embrace. That was how it had been with him and Stevie-Ray. But could he really wish that on his girlfriend? If Cash Embraced Charlie, they would be part of each other forever. But it would also mean that Charlie would be cut off from the light like all Kindred. Would she still be the same passionate being he'd come to love? *Love?* Cash thought. *Yes, love.* he decided. He'd fallen in love with Charlene McCall in the short time he'd known her. So, that begged the question, was he going to Embrace her or let her go knowing that Lillie might not do the same?

"Yes." came the reply. The word was so soft Julian could barely pick it up with his preternatural hearing. "What, Cash? I didn't catch that."

"I said, Yes." Cash stood up abruptly. "I will Embrace Charlie, if she'll have me for her Sire."

"You are prepared to take on Lillie, then?" Julian said, rising from his own seat. Pride as well as concern welled up in him at the sight of Cash's resolve. *He does so remind me of Stevie.*

"If it comes to that. Then, yes. I won't let Lillie take her away. Charlie was meant to be Gangrel. I lost Sasha, I will not lose her." Cash walked to the door before turning back once more."If that's all my Prince, I'll be going. It's nearly 9am and I have to meet Charlie at the gallery."

"Of course, are you sure there's not anything you'd like for me to do, Cash? Perhaps I could speak to Lillie about the matter."

"I'm sure. But thanks, Julian." With that Cash stormed out of the office, very little of his anger abated. As soon as he got out the door, he was intercepted by the last person he wanted to see at the moment. She also happened to be the only Brujah he would not kill on site right then.

"What crawled up your ass and died?" Sasha asked, casually inspecting her nails while blocking his decent down the staircase. She had been quite upset about the rumors circulating about Cash and his new human paramour. Now, the "Brujah Bitch" was in full-on attack mode and was in the mood to irritate her sometime lover to the fullest extent of her abilities.

"Just...don't, Sasha. Okay?" Cash tried to push past her.

"Going to see your little Warm tart, are you?" Sasha sneered.

Cash came right up into her face and snarled at her. For a moment, his eyes glowed. It was the first time Sasha could remember actually being afraid of the Gangrel. "Look, Brujah." he spat, emphasizing the title as he did with the same venom he did for all members of his rival clan. "I am really not in the mood for your childish little games right now. So, why don't you go get some of your clanmates and go rob a bank or something? Just STAY OUT OF MY WAY!"

Sasha stared at him incredulously for a moment. Then, she flashed him a glare that could melt stone before finally turning up her nose and pushing past him into the hall.

Cash gazed after her for a moment, realizing that he had very likely just finished it forever between them. He took a deep breath and turned back to the stairs. *Don't want to keep my lady waiting.* he thought.