Disclaimer: I don't own Being Human, and I don't wish I did because it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as it is, and it would get cancelled when I made sure Damien Molony was in every scene!

Sorry you've had to wait a little while for this one, but it's been hard to find time to write over Christmas. Just a very little warning for swearing near the end, and look out for Vampire Flirting 101 from Hal too. Don't worry, it's not what you think :) Thanks for the reviews, enjoy! x

Chapter 6: Cats and Dogs

"Good afternoon Miss Arthur. And how are you today?"

"Marvellous. You?" Bethan grumbled into the phone, looking around to make sure no one was listening. She walked out of the crowded cafeteria, darting into an empty office a few doors down the corridor.

"A little perturbed if I'm honest. Last night didn't quite go to plan, as you might imagine." Rook drawled, voice dripping with his trademark confidence.

"You did have a plan then. It was hard to tell, what with the breaking and entering, the threats, and the fighting." She said dryly.

"Quite. But you did try to hit me with a stake, as I recall."

"After you pinned me up against a wall!" Bethan hissed, only just remembering to keep her voice down.

"Let's not get into specifics. I wondered if, having slept on it, you were willing to reconsider my proposition."

"To join your organisation? If I say no are you going to kill me? Serious question."

"No." He chuckled coldly. "But I'll be disappointed. It's not often someone manages to give me the slip. You show great promise."

"Still, I'll politely decline if it's all the same."

"Very well. Then there's just the issue of your silence to settle."

"Yes, about that. I will stay quiet, I swear. I can't see it doing any good to reveal the existence of... well you know what, to anyone else. Humans are better off not knowing."

"And what about your friends at the B&B?"

"I think they already know."

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit Miss Arthur. Have you told them about what happened last night?"

"Only the basic outline. I didn't tell them who you are, or what you do. Hal recognised your smell on me though, so he worked out that you were involved in the disappearance of Alex's body."

"Oh did he now? I hope you didn't let him get too close to you, vampires are extremely dangerous creatures you know."

"Hal's fine, and to be honest, he's the least of my problems at the moment."

"I'm sure you won't be saying that when he's ripped out your throat. Then again you might like that. You silly girls and your obsession with vampires. I hope that's not why you're doing this."

"To get close to Hal? Don't be stupid, I haven't got a death wish. I'm not as stupid as you obviously think. Besides, why's it all about the vampires with you?"

"Oh, so it's Thomas you like? You're "Team Jacob", as they say. Less deadly than the vampire but I'd still keep a silver bullet under your pillow just incase."

"No, I'm just sticking up for him, that's all. Anyway, can we get off the subject of my completely non-existent love life and back to reality thank you? Speaking of Alex's body, she would very much like you to give it back to her family." Bethan tried to sound sure of herself, even though she didn't feel it.

"Would she now? Keep silent and I'll see what I can do." He said, taking Bethan by surprise. She hadn't really believed he would agree.

"And you'll leave me alone from now on?" she asked cautiously.

"I'm afraid I can't promise that. You know entirely too much, far more than I'm comfortable with. I wouldn't usually allow that. But who knows, perhaps I'll need you for something. Or maybe I'll grow tired of you. It's hard to tell." The malice was clear in his tone, and the line went dead before she could say anything. He wanted her to know that she was at his mercy, and she certainly felt it. Her heart raced as she fought down fear. It looked as though she would be returning to Honolulu Heights after all.

"Alright, house meeting in session. We should take a vote. All those in favour of the motion..." Alex began to raise her hand, but Hal cut her off.

"Hang on, shouldn't we discuss this?"

"Discuss what? Where else can she go?" Alex clasped her hands on the kitchen table, a sign of her agitation. Tom rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair, all too familiar with the scene playing out infront of him.

"I don't know, to a friend? A relative? That's beside the point anyway. Look, she cannot stay here any longer."

"It's only been one night Hal, Jesus! Anyone'd think she's been touching your dominoes or something." The ghost mumbled testily. "Anyway, you're the one who keeps saying that you two got her into this mess. The least we can do is let her stay, just until this all dies down with the creepy weirdo guy."

"No, the least we could do was let her stay for one night, now you're suggesting a month, or more perhaps? That is simply out of the question."

"Could I just..." Tom tried to interject, but Hal and Alex could go for hours like this, and his attempt fell on deaf ears.

"You know you can really be a cold-hearted bastard sometimes." Alex narrowed her eyes at Hal.

"Oh, you think I'm being callous do you? Then you'll be surprised to know I actually quite like her. Which is precisely why I don't want her staying here with us."

"Oh. I see. You like her and you're worried you won't be able to control yourself around her and then you'll end up hurting her. Aw Hal, that's actually quite sweet." Alex smiled.

"What? No! Don't be stupid." He sighed exasperatedly. "I mean that if she stays with us, sooner or later something will happen and she'll get hurt or worse. Humans and supernaturals cannot live together, it just doesn't work. Take my word for it." He huffed, knowing she wouldn't.

"You're back in control, Tom transforms in the cellar and I'm no threat, so what are you worrying about? It's better for her to live here with the safe monsters for a bit, rather than get killed by the evil human out there. Better the devil you know and all that."

"Safe?! You think we're safe? Mark my words Alex, if she stays here, she'll be like one of us before the month is out. I'm telling you, she will!" he crossed his arms huffily.

"Right! Enough! She's been sitting on the doorstep for the last five minutes while you two have been arguing, so let's just vote shall we?" Alex and Hal stared at Tom incredulously for a moment, surprised at his outburst. They nodded begrudgingly. "All those in favour, raise your hand." Hal sat back sulkily as Tom and Alex both raised their hands.

"That's settled then. We have a new lodger." Alex beamed, barely able to contain her excitement.

"I don't know why you're so happy about it, you can't even speak to her." Hal muttered. Alex grinned and stuck her tongue out at him.

"I'll go and get her, tell her the good news." Tom grinned, bounding up from the table and out into the hallway.

"This is a terrible idea Alex. We shouldn't be doing this." Hal grimaced, sounding genuinely worried.

"Oh pipe down will you. Everything'll be fine. Why don't you just take this as another sign that we trust you?" she smiled at him reassuringly, happy now that the argument had been won. Tom came through the kitchen door, followed by a sheepish-looking Bethan.

"Thanks for letting me stay. It's just until I figure out what to do long-term, unless something changes with Rook." she said quietly.

"We don't mind, it'll be nice to have someone else around the place. It's too big for us three anyway." Tom grinned. "Do you want to pick anything up from your place? We can take the car over before tea if you want?"

"That would be nice, thanks." Bethan replied gratefully. Hal narrowed his eyes slightly at the fact that Tom had volunteered his services without asking first, but rose to get his car keys nevertheless, smiling slightly at Bethan on his way past. It was obvious that she felt uncomfortable about the arrangement, and after all, it wasn't her he was annoyed at. When it came down to it, Rook was the one causing all the upheaval.

When they arrived at the flat, Bethan unlocked the door and led them in apprehensively, as though part of her still expected him to be there. She crossed the room and picked a photo frame up from the floor. That and a stake resting on the other side of the room were the only signs that a struggle had taken place the night before.

"I hit him with this." She said, staring at the frame in her hand. She shook her head and placed it carefully on a small table. They looked up nervously as they heard a quiet thud from the kitchen. The door opened, apparently by itself, and Tom moved infront of Bethan protectively. Hal rolled his eyes at the werewolf as the culprit, a cat, jumped onto the sofa, meowing agitatedly.

"Toby! I'm sorry sweety, it's alright, I'm here now." Bethan crouched down and made a fuss of the cat, who responded by purring loudly. "I won't be a moment, I just need to feed him and go and talk to one of my neighbours about looking after him while I'm away. Make yourselves comfortable." She disappeared into the kitchen for a minute before heading back out into the hallway.

"Cheer up a bit mate, it might be nice having her at the house for a bit. It's been quiet, you know, with Annie and Eve gone." The werewolf finished sadly. Hal rested a sympathetic hand on his shoulder for a moment, before removing it uncomfortably.

"Yes, it has. They're in a better place now though, the same as Leo and Pearl." He frowned, remembering his former best friends. He wondered what Leo would think of everything that had happened to him in the past few months, and tried to shake the feeling that his old friend would be disappointed.

"Yea. I'm glad Annie found her door. She deserved to be happy, and little Eve's with her mum and dad now."

As soon as Bethan came back, she set about packing things to take with her, busily moving from room to room with armfuls of clothes, toiletries and other miscellaneous items, piling them onto the sofa in organised stacks. The cat wandered back into the living room and sat infront of Tom, washing itself languidly. The werewolf jumped slightly as it got up, stretched, and rubbed itself on his leg, looking for attention. He stepped backwards nervously.

"Tom, are you scared of cats?" Hal asked, a small smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

"No! Of course not. They're just... unpredictable that's all." The werewolf swallowed, staring at the cat, seeming unable to take his eyes away from it. He tensed, as if the cat was about to leap at his throat. In reality, it wandered unconcernedly over to Hal and rubbed itself up against his leg, seeming to sense that Tom was a lost cause.

"Hey Tom, there's a suitcase on top of the wardrobe in the spare room, would you mind getting it down for me? It's just through there, past the bathroom." Bethan smiled, excusing the anxious werewolf.

"Right, I'll just go and get it." he swallowed, edging out of the room still watching the cat cautiously.

"Who knew. A werewolf who's scared of cats. Whatever next?" Bethan chuckled to herself as she busied herself with picking out books to take with her.

"What's his name?" Hal asked, bending to pick the cat up.

"Toby. What, you like them?"

"I don't mind them. Budgerigars and small animals in general are my idea of hell on earth, but I've always held cats in high regard." He tickled Toby under the chin and the cat stretched in his arms and purred happily.

"What's wrong with budgies?" she asked distractedly, searching for something. She climbed up on to the sofa and pulled a copy of Wuthering Heights from the top of the bookcase triumphantly.

"What's right with them?" Hal mumbled. "I've always felt a kind of affinity with cats. Easy going and laid back if you leave them be, but hostile if you annoy them. Just like me really."

"They like a cuddle too. You don't strike me as much of a cuddler." She grinned, her attention still on the bookcase.

"I didn't say I was like them in every way. Besides, cats are only affectionate when they want something. I'm not quite that shallow. Usually"

"Do you really think of yourself like that, or are you just using my cat to come on to me? I'm not sure which would be worse." Bethan raised an eyebrow amusedly.

"Certainly not the latter. No offence meant."

"None taken. You're not my type. Not that you're not insanely good looking, but I prefer my men a little less... dead? Immortal? Bitey? Take your pick."

"I am not bitey. Not anymore." Hal grumbled under his breath as Tom came back into the room carrying the suitcase he had retrieved from the loft. Bethan set about filling it with her belongings, while the young werewolf kept a close eye on the contented cat now dozing in his friend's arms. When she had finished with the case, Bethan took Toby from Hal. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his fur for a minute, saying goodbye.

"Come on you, time we got you to Mrs Jacobs next door. It's just for a while, until I can come back home." She swallowed down the lump in her throat, and Tom hesitantly rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, keeping as much distance between himself and the cat as was possible. Hal picked up the case and followed them out into the hallway.

When they got back to the house, Hal was surprised to see that Alex had bothered to tidy up the living room a bit in anticipation of their new house guest's arrival. Not that it had been that messy in the first place. He had made sure the house had been spick and span ever since he had been freed from the chair. Mess depressed him, and it did nothing to calm him either. He made a mental note to emphasise to Bethan that it was in her best interest to tidy up after herself, lest he did start finding it tough with her living there.

Bethan excused herself and went straight upstairs to unpack, while Alex, Hal and Tom gravitated to their natural evening routine of sitting on the sofa arguing about what to watch on the TV. For all their bravado about how safe he was now, Alex and Tom had still made sure to put Bethan in the room furthest away from his. Part of him was slightly hurt that they didn't seem to trust him as much as they let on, but he knew it was for the best. He still wasn't entirely sure he could trust himself just yet, let alone have them trust him. Still, he was comforted by the fact that he hadn't had any strong urges to kill Bethan yet, despite the small matter of the blood on her lip the night before. That was a good sign. He settled back into the sofa, content with the thought that he might just make it through the next month with a human in the house.

"Alex? How are you gonna talk to Bethan? If you're here with her on your own I mean." Tom frowned at the ghost inquisitively.

"Ah, I already thought of that!" she rentaghosted out of the room, returning a minute later with a white board and a pen. "I'll use this. I found it in the attic." She smiled happily, sitting back down between them.

"I'm still not sure about this." Hal muttered, not taking his eyes away from University Challenge.

"Oh pipe down. She's staying and that's final. Besides, I thought you liked her." Alex reached over him and grabbed the remote from the arm of the sofa, making him sit back and put his hands up to avoid any uncomfortable accidental contact between them. He rolled his eyes as she began flicking through the channels.

"I was watching that. Anyway, me liking her isn't relevant. Even if I didn't, I still wouldn't relish the thought of killing her. Mind you, technically the problem is that I might relish the thought." He frowned thoughtfully, earning himself a disbelieving stare from the ghost.

"You're not helping yourself Hal."

"I was being philosophical. Obviously I don't want to hurt her, but the vampire in me does."

"Well tell it to fuck off. And stop being philosophical. You think too much." She retorted distractedly, smiling happily as she found a trashy reality TV show to watch. Hal groaned and tried to grab the remote from her hand.

"Yes, you're right, it's that easy. I'll just tell myself not to kill anyone. Why didn't I think of that before?" he said sarcastically. Alex snatched the remote out of his reach easily and nimbly tucked it down her top.

"You want it, come and get it." She grinned smugly, knowing full well that he wouldn't. He flopped backwards and folded his arms sulkily.

"Fine. I'm going up to my room. I shan't be back down so goodnight."

"Night." Alex mumbled, already engrossed in the TV.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Tom asked before he reached the doorway, peering over the back of the sofa.

"No, I'll be fine Tom. But thanks for the vote of confidence." He called shortly over his shoulder, not stopping to look at the werewolf.

"Suit yourself." He heard Tom retort moodily. He felt a little guilty at that, but kept going up the stairs. They probably thought they were helping, but they were only making it worse by bringing it up all the time. Reminding him of what he was missing out on.

The little voice in the back of his mind, the vampire gnawing away at his defences every day, knew exactly what it wanted to do to her. It wanted to keep going, past his door, and straight to the other end of the corridor to hers. It wanted to knock politely, smile charmingly, say something comforting to welcome her to the household, brush against something and knock it over, feigning clumsiness to take away any anxiety she might have about him being dangerous. It wanted to start up a conversation about something that interested her, pay her veiled compliments to relax her, nothing too obvious, just enough to conceal the fact that she was being seduced. It wanted to move steadily closer to her, slowly increase the amount of eye contact, and eventually to build up to physical contact, the odd brush of his finger tips over her arm, perhaps a reassuring squeeze of her knee, perfecting the delicate balance between being over friendly and leaving her wanting more. That was what the hunter in him liked more than anything. Killing was easy. What Hal had enjoyed more than anything was making them come to him. He liked to take his time, flirt but not make any definitive move. And when she was ready, when she wanted him, craved him even, he would indulge her for a while, perhaps all night if she was talented enough. Might as well reap the full benefits his quarry could offer him, he had needs other than drinking blood after all. And by the time he had worked his magic she would be oh so enthusiastic, eager to please him, just the way he wanted her. Putty in his expert hands. Then when he got bored, when he grew tired of keeping the monster contained, he would sink his fangs into her and drink his fill. A successful hunt always made the blood taste sweeter in the end, or at least it seemed to.

He stepped into his room and closed the door. That was what the vampire wanted, but the man just wanted peace. And the man was winning, for now at least. He sat on the floor and retrieved his case of dominos from under the bed, triumphant over the monster in his head again. Not that that made him feel any better about the particular situation Bethan was in. He would do his best to keep her safe from Rook, as he knew Alex and Tom would too, but it still didn't stop the niggling doubt that she wouldn't be returning back home in one piece once the situation was dealt with. One little scratch from Tom at the wrong time, and she would be a werewolf. One little slip from him and she would be dead, or recruited, if the thought occurred to him in the moment of frenzy that would surely come after he had killed her. And then there was the danger Rook himself posed. Werewolf, vampire, ghost, dead, mentally traumatised. He couldn't help but feel that Bethan's future looked rather bleak from where he sat.