Warnings: none

Disclaimer: First chapter

Notes: was the delay long enough? Sorry. I've been out of it. Surprisingly, with Berk having the most reviews I didn't get any ideas on how to continue it…guess that's going to keep on its path of never ending….I dedicate this chapter to Danielle, who inspired me to write another chapter. This is a good way to channel my boredom…think I'd work on it more…anyway! On to the story!

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Chapter 9: Club Ravine

The walk to the club was enjoyable. Tall maples lined the streets, their branches making arches over the roads. Small stores made up the wall of the streets, set back about 10 feet from the curb, making a big sidewalk to easily walk and pass other people on. I stopped into a coffee joint across the street from the club in order to survey the front without looking suspicious. After receiving my coffee and a small muffin I found a seat by the window and watched the club.

After about an hour of sitting there I was able to determine that the "bum" resting on some steps next to the club and the book stand set up across the street form the club where both security for Ravine and keep a watch out for anything out of the ordinary. I was also able to determine that the woman handing out flyers in front of the coffee shop I was residing in was a cop, her subtle movements to talk into the mic on her collar and her lack of forcefulness about handing out the flyers made her stick out like a sore thump…at least in my opinion.

I was tired of sitting inside, so I decided I'd get a closer look at the club. It was on a corner, so it was going to be relatively easy to have an idea of what all four walls contained. I stayed across the street, making my way around the club but keeping the appearance that I was window shopping. By looking through the glass on the stores front windows I was able to see that the only doors that lead to the street were the front doors. To find any that would be in the back I would have to get closer.

There were no windows on the entire building. And the tan stucco sides gave the illusion of a large hard box. The front of the club had a single door to let people in, and one a few feet away to let people out. A station for a bouncer was set up at both doorways. A big Blue and Green sign was above the doorways mounted to the side of the building that read "Club Ravine" in what look to be a font similar to that of papyrus. A quick scan of the back of the building while walking past showed that there was a single door in the back on the left side whose use was for deliveries and staff, from what I could see, there were also no windows in the back of the club. By the time I had finished my preliminary search I walked back to the hotel to start my map and report and get ready for tonight.

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It was about 7 when I got back to my room. After finishing the map showing the exterior of the club I walked to the closet where I had put my clothes away and opened the door on the side that held my clubbing outfits. All dark and all tight, I knew I'd have a hard time picking out with one to be uncomfortable in tonight. Since tonight was just getting to know the feel of the place and trying to keep a low profile while doing it, I decided on a pair of black tight corduroy boot cut paints and a black skin tight V-neck that made me feel like I was more exposed then I would be if I had no shirt on.

Commander Blake had given me make-up, mostly eye shadow and mascara. I used the black eye shadow to put around my eyes to make them stand out more. My hair was a mess but I had been told it looked good like that so I didn't touch it. Grabbing my fake ID, compliments of Blake, and stuffing a few bills into my wallet I checked the clock to see it was a little after 9. I'd get to the club around 9:30, and after that it was all a matter of seeing how long it would take to them to let me in.

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Turns out I didn't have to wait long. When I got to the club there was already a line of about 75 people standing out front. There was a bouncer standing at the door, arms crossed, looking stern and pissed and two more walking the line looking for anyone who fit the required description. I went to the back of the line and waited. In the short time it took the bouncers to get to me ten people had gone behind me and more could be seen coming. When the bouncers got to me they stopped, pointed, and handed me a ticket and stamped my hand with blue ink in the shape of a cross. The bouncer closest to me told me to go up to the front and hand the bouncer in front my ticket and show him my hand.

I did as I was told and got disdainful stares from everyone I passed. When I got to the front bouncer I handed him my ticket, which he took, ripped in half, and gave me one of the halves before moving aside and opening the door for me. I was surprised to see that the door opened to a staircase that went down. The Club was at least two stories high. If the front entrance lead downstairs, then what was above it?

I didn't waste time thinking about this, but instead just walked inside, only to have to door close behind me and leave me in darkness except for the torches lining the wall. The air chilled the farther down I went until finally I finally hit the floor and found myself in a hallway. The lighting didn't improve much, but the vibrations started picking up from the music that could faintly be heard. Up ahead I could see a big door, which I could only assume lead into the club.

As I got closer to the door the vibrations and music grew stronger. The door was solid steel and had no door knob. I began scanning the wall for a something to press to open the door when it started opening on its own. By the time I reached the door it was completely open and I could see into the club. Colored spot lights where the only addition to light besides the torches that still lined the walls. Bodies were dancing close together to the beat of the techno playing loud overhead.

The door opened onto a narrow balcony and few more steps down to the dance floor. The bar was on the far wall raised a few steps above the dancers. Tables lined the other three walls. There were no doors, only one other set of stairs to the left of the bar that lead upstairs. It was a mystery to me how this club was able to pass fire inspection. I walked the perimeter of the club in order to make it over to the bar with relative ease. The bar was the longest bar I had ever seen; stretching just about the entire length of the wall, just leaving room for the stairs. On the wall, a few feet from the stairs was a doorway to the bathrooms with a neon flashing sign that read "Reliever Rooms."

I found a seat at the bar and took it. There were five bar tenders and the one closest to my seat came over to me.

"What can I get you?"

"Corkscrew"

The tender turned around to make my drink and then placed a glass of the mixture in front of me. I lifted the glass and took a sip. Strong, but smooth, it tasted like there was twice as much alcohol as there should be, but it was hidden well behind something. I kept my eyes on the stairs to see if anyone went up or down, and on the dance floor, just to keep from looking suspicious. I had a few people approach me. They chatted me up awhile and I responded as politely as I could while trying to sound interested. Inevitably they all asked me to dance and as they kept buying me drinks it kept getting harder and harder to say no. Finally I realized I was drunker then was safe on a recon mission.

I stopped accepting drinks and became dismissive towards people. I was just starting to lose the double vision and becoming confident that I would be able to muster a walk that didn't look like a drunken stagger when a hand landed on my should and a soft male voice whispered in my ear, "leaving so soon?"

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I know it's short! I'm sorry!!! But I wanted to get this out. And I will try to post sooner…and I will try to not make that a broken promis!