Bobby strode into his office with a light step and a smug smirk plastered across his face. His men looked at him with concern, since seeing him smiling was not something they saw often, but said nothing.

"Is everything ok sire?" One of them finally dared asking

"Everything is just perfect guys" he turned to the room with his arms spread in some sort of grand gesture "Christmas came early this year!"

They followed him into the office where he sat down behind his desk, still supporting that same smug smirk "Someone just tried to kill Kane, his ex-girlfriend who happens to be a killer is back in town in violation of kindred law…things could not be better!"

"I don't understand Sire, how does that help us?"

"because the enemies of my enemies - are my friends!" Bobby leaned back in his chair "We need to find whoever took out that hit on Kane, and we need to do it before he does! Get everyone out on the streets, contact everyone we know - I want names!"

Gabriel checked a few hiding spots at the edges of the city until he found what he was looking for. The neighborhood was mostly deserted this time of night except for the occasional thugs and drug dealers who did their best to see nothing and avoid being seen at the same time - a fact that suited him just fine. In this neighborhood most people went to bed early, and made sure to close the blinds and lock their doors. Down the street he could see the only house on the block that did not follow that pattern. Soft light was coming out of the windows and the front door was wide open, several silhouettes could be seen moving around inside the house and on the front porch and even from a distance he could clearly sense that they were all kindred. When he came closer they all eyed him suspiciously but said nothing - not even bothering to greet him hello - but not seeming even slightly surprised to see him. He got the clear sense they had been expecting him for some time now Finally one of them stepped forward and motioned Gabriel to follow him inside.

As he walked into the semi-dark house, he could still feel the ones left on the porch staring after him, burning holes in his back. He found it somewhat amusing that they did not enjoy the idea of him being here anymore than he enjoyed it himself. As he walked further into the house he realized the light wasn't coming from electricity, instead, there were candles lining the floors and staircases, casting shadows on the walls around them. They arrived at a back room where about 15 kindred were sprawled on various sofas and large cushions that were thrown on the floor. A kindred was sitting by an old piano, playing softly, a few females were swaying slowly to the music. The atmosphere was sensual, almost like a Harem

At his arrival the conversation stopped and all eyes turned to him, all except one woman, who was sprawled comfortably on a sofa in the middle of the room. She was twirling a strand of blond hair that belonged to the young female kindred who was sitting at her feet around her finger. He knew instantly that this was the woman Sebastian was looking for.

Sebastian sat in front of the fire in his private study, deep in thought, he didn't hear when Dalamar stepped into the room and took a seat beside him, only when he spoke did he finally realize he was not alone.

"Do you know some of the Tremere have the magic that allows them to read other kindred's minds?" his small smile was slightly crooked.

"Then what is in my mind?" Sebastian sighed and leaned back

"For that my friend - I do not need magic…"

Sebastian chuckled slightly, then grew serious again "Why would she come back here? She knows what I will be forced to do!"

"Maybe she hopes you will not have the heart to do it"

"I don't" Sebastian sighed "But this decision will be forced on me - and my heart will have nothing to do with it…"

Dalamar was about to reply when Cassandra walked into the room "Sebastian, there is someone at the Door - An FBI agent named Ryan Clayton"

Dalamar and Sebastian exchanged a meaningful look before Sebastian replied "Wait a minute and then send him in"

When she left Dalamar gave him another nod and took his leave as well. Sebastian stood up and took a deep breath to clear his mind. When the door opened again and Agent Clayton was showed in he was already in full control of himself. Ryan looked around at his surroundings before fully entering the room. The house was magnificent, even on the upper west wide scale - Kane apparently bought two houses and remodeled them into one because the place was huge - he thought to himself. He noticed the antique furniture, the fine art on the walls, the dark curtains were drawn back revealing a spectacular view of the park. The beautiful red headed woman who showed him in closed the heavy doors behind him with a thud and he shifted his attention back to the man in front of him.

"Specail agent Clayton - what brings you by here at this late hour?" Sebastian said pleasantly

"I came to ask you a few questions about the shooting tonight"

"I didn't realize the FBI has an interest in such cases…"

"We've taken an interest in the case" Clayton replied but didn't explain any further "What were you doing at the club?"

"I own part of the club, along with my business associate Cassandra Morgan whom you've just met…"

"Yes, I see you own quite a few businesses Mr. Kane" Clayton opened a small notebook and read from it "A shipping yard, a few nightclubs, a television station, a bank, a few buildings…"

"I'm a business man Agent Clayton" Sbastian shrugged and took a seat behind his desk "I have a lot of businesses"

"What kind of businesses is what I'd like to know Mr. Kane"

"You know, Clayton is a very unusual name, I seem to remember knowing someone by that name a while ago.."

"Don't play games with me Kane" Ryan said bitterly "We both know who we are - you used to work with my great uncle - Victor, you knew that the second I walked through the door - just like I knew who you were the moment they told me your name"

"Victor was a good man…" Sebastian started quietly

"Victor was a crook, he was a mobster - and you - Mr Kane, are just the same…"

The two man remained quiet for a few moments - staring each other down.

"Will there be anything else Agent Clayton?" Sebastian finally asked

"Probably - I wouldn't leave the city in the next few days Mr Kane" Ryan sneered "Don't bother getting up - I'll show myself out"

Sebastian and Cassandra sat at their usual booth at the Haven, listening to the slow music playing in the background. To the outside observer it seemed as if nothing had changed – but Gabriel noticed from his place at the shadows of the balcony that the atmosphere around them had somehow changed. They were sitting too far apart, not talking, not even looking at each other.

The doors to the Haven opened and a brush of cold air entered the room. Ashton came in followed closely by a male companion. Cassandra rose from her seat and went over to greet them. From his place on the balcony Gabriel couldn't help but survey the two women. They were both stunningly beautiful, but while Cassandra's beauty and sex appeal was deliberate, goal driven and calculated – Ashton was a whole different story. Her beauty was much wilder and uninhibited, as if she was aware of it but not bothered by it , she moved like a cat as she walked across the room towards Sebastian's booth her steps seemed to be in perfect harmony with the music that surrounded her.

As she came closer Cross could not believe this was the same woman he met in his stairwell only a few days earlier. She was much taller and slender. Stunning body wrapped and leather pants and black tank top that did little to hide it. Long dark hair that was tied in a pony tale nearly reaching her shoulders, and big green eyes that were bordering on yellow. She gave a small smile as she passed him and then moved on to take a seat at Sebastian's table.

"Ashton, it's been a while…" Sebastian started slowly, his eyes were intent on the wine he was swirling in his glass, taking his time before finally glancing up and looking at the woman sitting opposite him. "You were banished from this city. You know what the punishment is for breaking that rule…"

"Well technically I wasn't inside the city…" She replied casually "I came because you called for me"

"You were inside the city when you saved my life…"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

He made a small gesture with his hand and four Gangrels came and took their position around the booth. Ashton made a motion to move but he grabbed her hand on the table "Did you really think I wouldn't recognize you Ashton? I'd always recognize you – no matter what form you take…"

He got up slowly and buttoned his jacket "You have broken kindred law. You will be taken before the council who will decide your fate. Come quietly Ashton – don't make matters worst then they are…"

With that – he left, Cassandra following quickly at his toe. Ashton seemed to be considering for a moment before getting up quietly.

"Your weapons…" Cross stepped forward between his men

Ashton produced a gun from a holster under her arm and a knife from her boot, smiling sweetly at him the whole time as if the whole situation was amusing her immensely. She didn't resist when Cross and the 4 men with him formed a circle around her and escorted her out of the club. None of them noticed Ryan sitting at a side table, watching them intently.