The bar would be filling with people soon and Seth felt as keyed up as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Mindy, the bar tender and culebra, walked around to the various tables lighting candles as Scott and the band set up on the stage. Seth had spent the majority of the day trying to get everything organized for tonight. He felt guilty about missing Kate's birthday and decided to do something special for her. Plus, he figured that maybe this would get her to open up and out of her room.

Mindy got behind the bar once the candles were all lit. Seth had a moment of panic when he looked up at the lavender streamers. What happens if one falls and starts a fire?! Then he brushed the thought away. Mindy started wiping down the bar when Seth gave her the nod for a drink. She poured him a bourbon and handed it over with a smile. Mindy was okay. Seth didn't care for the Culebra's in general but she and Brandy seemed to be semi normal.

Richard stepped into the bar and took a quick look around. He seemed amused by the low lighting, paper lanterns and few decorations that adorned the place. He saw his brother and walked over to him.

"Taking a class in interior decorating?" Richard joked. Mandy passed him his usual drink which he swallowed in a gulp.

"Screw you," replied Seth as the band started their sound check.

"Are we going to be amused with a piñata? Maybe even a magic show?" Richard said.

Seth chuckled.

"How about I make your teeth disappear?" he replied.

"What's with all the purple?" asked Richard.

"It's her favorite color," replied Seth with a shrug.

The brothers bantered like this all the time and it was a comfort to both. Even through everything they still had a kinship with one another. It was a bond too strong to break.

In an hours' time the bar had filled and the regulars seemed confused by the décor however, Seth noticed it seemed to please most of them. It was nice to bring some class to the classless, he thought dryly. Every so often he would glance back towards the hallway to the back of the building. He couldn't wait to see Kate's face and he hoped that she would be pleased. With the raw deal she had been given, he wanted happiness for her.

When he finally saw her and Brandy emerge from the living courters he was a little taken a back. Brandy had done a damn fine job! Kate wore a black dress that showed off her figure but, left a bit to the imagination. Her long brown hair was pulled up with soft curls tumbling down. Her makeup was evident but, she didn't seem like she was suffocating from coats of it. For once, she looked her age.

Seth vaguely remembered the day he met Kate. She seemed so young and childlike. Then when they had joined together doing jobs he found himself always feeling like she needed protecting because of how naïve she seemed. He didn't see a little girl anymore, he saw a young woman. It was a good feeling yet a sad one. Like watching your sister grow up and yet you still want to be there to protect her even though you know it's unnecessary.

Seth hadn't been the only one to notice her entrance either. Plenty of other men and women saw the young girl emerge. Richard stood at the farthest end of the bar closest to the stage and when he heard the whispers around him he turned his head to see Kate's eyes locked on him.

He too couldn't believe the difference in her. She had been cute but, had she always been beautiful. There gaze held for far too long before Seth stepped forward and took Kate's hand. He led her to a table in the center of the room and they both sat down. Richard watched them for a moment and felt an odd pang of jealousy towards his brother. Seth ordered himself a drink and whispered something in Kate's ear that made her smile. It was a genuine smile and Richard longed to do the same.

"You okay boss?" came a bubbling voice. Richard eyes left Kate for a moment as he turned to see Brandy putting on an apron and begin her shift. He nodded before walking towards the table. As he moved he adjusted his tie.

He reached the table as the waitress brought Seth and Kate's drinks.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked smoothly and before either Kate or Seth could answer he sat down on Kate's other side.

"This was really nice, you guys," Kate said looking up at the paper lanterns and the lavender colored streamers.

"Well, Seth has to take the credit. He was always better at making shit look like gold," replied Richard. The acid in his voice was tangible. What the hell is his problem? Thought Kate but, she ignored him.

Seth glared across the table at his brother.

"So does Scott play with the band a lot?" asked Kate as she watched her brother strumming along with the house band. She felt a swell of pride for Scott. At least he hadn't given up music.

"Yeah. Actually he has a surprise for you," replied Seth. The song ended and Scott stepped up to the mic.

"This one is for Kate. Happy birthday," he said and the crowd applauded. Kate looked from Seth who smiled in amusement to Richard who seemed like he had been sucking on lemons.

Scott sat down in front of the mic and adjusted it then his guitar. Kate's eyes filled with tears as he started playing the beginning chords to Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. Their dad had been a Clapton fan and ever since he had let Kate stand on his shoes to dance, it had been there song. It was the best birthday gift Scott could give her and her heart swelled with happiness.

Seth was happy to see her smile but, then he could see all the candles in the room seem to glow brighter. The flames swelled with Kate's emotion and to avoid a fire he grabbed Kate's hand.

"Wanna dance?" he asked her. He didn't miss the look of anger on Richards face. Why was his brother acting like such an ass?

Kate nodded and they both got up and walked to the dance floor.


Through Kate's eyes….

I had to laugh as Seth and I stepped onto the dance floor. What would he do if I stepped onto his shoes like a child?

Seth looked at me for a moment and I shook my head. No way was I explaining that to him.

"You look really nice Kate," said Seth as we swayed awkwardly to the music. I could feel my face flushing. I was never good with compliments. I glanced over to Richard who was watching us as if he was wishing we were dead.

"What the hell is his problem?" I asked out loud. Why did it bother me if Richard was being a jerk? Had I done something to upset him? Seth shrugged.

"You know how we Geckos can be," he chuckled.

Okay what did that mean?

Brandy walked to Richard and collected the drinks. He ordered another and slouched back down in the chair. Seth turned me as we danced so I couldn't see him but, I could feel a hole burning in the back of my head from Richards glare.

"Has Tanner found out anything new?" I asked trying to make conversation. I didn't know if I wanted the answer.

Seth scoffed.

"Yeah, he found out that banging in an rv is not how most women want to spend their night!" he said. "He says the blood moon should be in about forty to forty five days but, he has to wait for some lunar star thing to happen before he can determine it," replied Seth with a shrug.

"Sounds like bullshit to me," he muttered. I nodded. Okay so now I am waiting for a sex addicted vampire to determine my fate? Great! Just what I need, more waiting.

"Hey, it'll be okay Kate, I promise," said Seth he put a finger under my chin so I could look into his eyes. I smiled and felt reassured. Seth knew how to make me feel at ease ever since our "Honey moon," as Richard called it. The song ended and we pulled away from one another. I clapped and cheered for my brother along with the crowd. The smile on Scotts face showed how much this had meant to him.

Behind me I heard the cluttering of glass and the scraping of a chair. I saw Richard shoving people as he stormed out of the room towards his office.

That's it! I thought and stomped after him.

"Kate!" called Seth. I put a hand up. I was done with this crap with Richard. I needed to know what his problem was!

I heard the slam of his office door as I turned the corner and stormed in after him, the doors slamming open without me touching them.

"What the hell is your problem!?" I snapped. He turned and I could see the raw anger on his face. I noticed a spot of liquid dripping down the far wall with broken glass on the floor. Must have been his drink.

"I don't know what you're talking about! Go back to your little love fest with Seth and Scott," he snapped and turned towards his desk.

"What did I do?" I asked taking a few steps towards him.

"You won't just let things go. You are always in my mind hiding out, whispering things and I can't stand it!" he replied. The emotions on his face gave away more anger and anguish?

"What are you talking about?" I asked. This was insane almost like when Santanico was sending him messages. He was erratic, angry and then just plain crazy at times. I had hated the way he seemed drawn to her and now, somehow he was acting as if he was drawn to me.

"The day you came back I heard your voice calling to me. I didn't know it was you and now I hear it all the time!" he said. I took another few steps forward putting only a few feet between us. I took a deep breath.

"Richard, I didn't know. How could I? It's this power….I can't control it," I said. He seemed to relax. His facial features seemed to soften.

"It should have been me," he whispered. I didn't grasp what he had said at first.

"I should have asked you to dance Kate," he said a little louder. He was jealous, I thought. He didn't look at me opting to look at the floor and not for the first time, he seemed so small. Part of my heart melted for him. This was the Richard that I had seen before that made me want to know him. Not the Culebra or the business savvy bank robber or the crazy brother who needed a leash. Richard, the man. The one who had doubts and worried that he wasn't as good as his brother. The one who, like me was somewhat lost.

"Richie," I said as I stepped forward and placed a hand on his cheek. It was a gesture of comfort but also so he could see the honesty in my face. Finally he looked down at me and all I could do was smile. That seemed all the reassurance he needed.

Before I knew it I could feel his hand on my waste pulling me closer. My breathing slowed and my heart sped up as our lips seemed to slowly get close. Richards's eyes slid shut as did mine but, before our mouths touched, "well isn't this sweet."

My eyes shot open and Richard pulled away from me.

Santanico Pandemonium stood near the door with her arms crossed. A sneering smile splayed across her lips and I felt fire race through my blood.

"Kate, why don't you go back to the party," said Richard. I turned to him in disbelief. His voice and eyes gave nothing away. He placed a gentle hand on my back and gave a little push. I nodded and walked out of his office. As I passed Santanico, I had to fight the urge to set her on fire. As the office door closed I shot a glance to Richard. He only had eyes for his former lover.