A/N: Good October everyone. I apologize for not posting sooner but I have been hard at work with a new job as a maze painter and now Halloween Monster. I have just finished the first weekend of Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland and tonight was the coldest. I want to thank everyone who has read the story and for those who have helped in making it better… LAELYN! So I do not own the character names of the Newsies since they belong to Disney and I don't own Irish because she belongs to the Lady of Tir Na Nog. Please review at the end of the chapter. I'd love to read what you think so far.

Don't be over self-confident with your first impressions of people.

~~ Chinese Proverbs quote

The lasting first impression

Is what you're looking for

I said oh, is that your first impression

And is that good enough for you?

~~First Impression by Duran Duran

Stepping outside from her apartment building, Dodger took in her surroundings as they were now bathed in a different light. Building windows were lit up, looking as though they had hundreds of eyes; she could feel the bass from the cars on their way to the clubs and bars. Dodger's own truck now had a few neighbors after spending the afternoon alone, though the other vehicles didn't have large furniture pieces still in the back. She had spent her time strictly on the boxes and getting them into their respective rooms. Once that had been accomplished, she felt her stomach clawing away at her insides for food, so she took a break and went to an internet café a few streets over for dinner and some email time. There wasn't anything too exciting except for a few articles on strange disappearances forwarded by her contacts overseas. Her class schedule was there along with a note from the head Librarian. He stated that her advisor back in New Orleans had such a high recommendation that he'd like her to start the next day for work. This way she would be able to familiarize her surroundings before the other students arrived. That was the end of her good news. The next email was from her landlord stating he wouldn't be able to help move the bed frame or other large furniture that night.

"Looks like I am on the floor tonight." She checked her watch and saw she had thirty minutes before the time she liked to start her rounds.

"Something wrong miss?"

Dodger turned and saw a figure under the street lamp. After a quick survey of his clothes, she had to bite her lip from laughing. The person was male, looked to be between the ages of 20 and 25 and was dressed similar to Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He had on a pair of black jeans with a few faded areas on the thighs and a black t-shirt that formed around his torso like a second skin. Black combat boots kept his feet dry from the imaginary rain as did the knee length black leather trench coat. The only difference was his hair was a natural blond unlike Spike's bleached color and he wore glasses. She resisted the urge as well to roll her eyes and then shook her head.

"Just moving in issues is all." Dodger kept her heart rate steady as he walked towards her with footwork that had grace and a posture that screamed breeding. The night sky surrounded them and while the building windows gave off a glow, she wasn't able to fully assess his features until he stood under the street lamp. An untrained eye would have seen his appearance has bad boy but Dodger could see past that. In truth, his skin and eyes gave him away. The skin that peaked out from the black clothing was almost translucent while the eyes behind the glasses had iris's that were a bright blood red. She had seen this tactic before and knew he would try to lure her into a false sense of security so she would invite him inside.

Taking a glance at her truck, the man noticed what seemed to be her problem and a small smirk appeared on his pale lips. That movement alone gave even more meaning to his intentions and hopeful plans. Dodger shifted on her feet to make him think she was unsure- she never wanted to give away her identity too soon.

"Perhaps I could give you a hand. Four hands are better than one."

Predictable.

"Thanks for the offer…" She watched as his lips started to curl into a smirk. "But I'll just wait until tomorrow. More daylight to see what I'm doing." The vampire's mouth fell instantly into a frown. "Besides, I don't really know who you are." The man moved quickly, taking hold of her wrist before she could step back. Her heart rate spiked slightly and one could almost see the lust grow in his eyes from the idea of her being frightened.

"I can tell that you're new around here so I'll introduce myself. The name is Samuel Dutchson though my friends call me Dutchy."

Dodger watched as he took her hand, brought it up to his face and sniffed along the inside of her wrist before placing his cold lips there. Resisting the urge to throw him against the wall, she tugged her hand back and wiped the skin against her jeans. He didn't seem to notice the motion of her hand, but rather kept his eyes on hers, hoping to find another meal or pet for the night. He moved around her in the light, assessing her features and breathing in the sweet scent of her blood. "We can't have you sleeping on floor now… it could ruin that beautiful posture of yours."

Dodger had heard from her contacts and read in her grandmother's journal about this Samuel Dutchson… or rather, Dutchy. He was a smooth talker with a silver tongue having been born and bred into high society during the late 1800s. He was often sent out to find locations to set up and feed for covens. As to who he worked for now, she wasn't too sure.

"Thanks, Dutchy, but really I'll wait till tomorrow when I can get a hold of my landlord. Have a good night though." Before he could even respond, Dodger turned and headed back into the apartment. If he tried to follow her, he wouldn't be able to get past the main doors. Signs that read 'Private Property' worked wonders when this sort of thing happened. She could hear a growl as she walked away and couldn't help but smile at his discontent.

Once inside Dodger took the stairs two at a time. She needed to change before she went on her rounds and in her mind they started in ten minutes. She unlocked the apartment door and made a beeline straight for her room. Boxes were on the floor placed as to where their items were going to belong so finding the equipment wasn't all that hard. A pair of loose black jeans with leg pockets, a navy blue tank top and a grey hooded sweater jacket sat atop the stakes that she had kept in her kit. She changed quickly before stocking up on the pieces of wood.

Making her way down, she decided to leave her truck in the parking lot just in case Dutchy was looming around wanting a second chance at his lost snack. Cutting along the sides of the buildings and avoiding the downtown area, Dodger made her way towards one of the city's cemeteries. The idea of doing rounds in the place of the dead may have seemed like a cliché but she found that she got her best visions there and would have a better way at finding the newborns. This was also the place she hoped to get a vision of Saoirse. She knew already that the woman was a slayer and that she frequented the cemeteries at night but as to whether or not the tombs would give away her home was another question. Looking ahead of her, Dodger saw the gate and noticed it was already open a little. Someone was there already or someone had already left. Walking up to the gates, Dodger took in more of the detail. The wrought iron held grime and rust, hiding the black beneath. These areas of decay told her that this was one of the older weather worn locations.

"Stupid Dutchy," she muttered under her breath as she walked in. Though it was night and there was a slight breeze, the August heat was already making her sweat. Her jacket came off quickly and she tied the arms around her waist. Dodger's eyes had adjusted to the night and she could make out the tombstones and mausoleums. Trees were casting their shadows creating unknown creatures among the dead. "All right, let's see what this city has to offer."

Dodger made her way deeper into the cemetery, listening for any sounds that would give a being away. Out of the corner of her eye, she sensed and saw movement. Hand ready, she turned only to have someone grab her from behind. Instincts running high Dodger brought her foot down on her assailant's and brought her elbow back into their gut. Their grip loosened as they let out a grunt. Dodger turned around only to see a vampire turn into ash. Once the dust and ash cleared the air, Dodger saw a young woman with a stake in her hand. She wore a pair of worn jeans, black converse shoes and a jade color shirt. She had from what Dodger could see chestnut brown hair with a blue streak that set off a pair of very pissed-off blue eyes.

"What the hell are you doing here? Do you know you could have been killed?" Her voice had a soft lit to the tone telling Dodger that this woman wasn't from the area; that she was from Ireland. All she needed the woman to do was say her name and she would know for sure if this was the person she was looking for. "Well?"

"I was looking for vampires. Cemeteries are one of the best places to look for them." She rolled her eyes and moved to one of the taller tombstones.

"Let me guess. You watched Buffy growing up and wanted to try your hand at being a slayer. I saw you move in today. Let me give you some advice- stick to your books and leave this slaying to someone who won't get herself killed." A brazen slayer. Dodger's grandmother's books told of these. Often they were ones who sought revenge for the killing of a family member. The woman turned grabbing her things and Dodger followed after her.

"I know what I'm doing."

"Yes. Getting grabbed sure shows you know what you're doing." Dodger could hear the disgust in her voice.

"I managed to get free didn't I?"

"Sheer luck."

"Not luck. Practice." Dodger grabbed the woman's wrist before she could shoulder the bag but should have known better. In the past whenever she touched someone who was experiencing a strong emotion, Dodger would get bombarded by visions. Flashes of the young woman growing up hit her: one of her running with other children, another of a funeral with three coffins(,) all marked with the name Callan, and finally her fighting a series of vampires over the years. Dodger let go of her shaking off the lingering effects.

"Listen, Callan," Dodger said, narrowing her eyes. "I know more than what is shown by Hollywood."

"How did you know my name?"

"I know more than just your name. I know that you grew up in Northern Ireland. I know you lost your parents and brother to a vampire when you were 15 and I know you've been seeking the one who did the damage." Callan gripped the bag and slung it over her shoulder. "I also know that if you keep going at this pace, you'll be killed before you find him." Dodger could tell from the look on her face that she was wary but also still angry.

Dodger took a step back keeping her eyes on Callan and put her hands up. "You're angry. I get it. Trust me- I feel the vibes radiating off of you. You say you watched me move in which means you know where to find me. When you calm down and don't have the urge to throw me into some tombstones, you know where to find me." Dodger put her hands into her pockets and turned weaving her way back through the graves. If she wanted to earn Callan's trust and make sure that the vision she'd had comes true, Dodger would have to make sure this was on her terms.

~*~*~ A Week Later~*~*~

With a bag full of books over one shoulder, a small suitcase on wheels filled with the same in the opposite hand plus groceries and an extra large tomb balanced in her hands, Dodger somehow managed to make it from her truck to the service elevator inside.

"I should have taken two trips."

"It might have been easier if you had." Dodger looked to the voice, recognizing the lit as hers. Her clothes were casual but clean. Over one shoulder she had a similar messenger bag to the one Dodger had, while behind her ear was a cigarette.

"I don't choose the easy way often. Besides it was either I leave a book over 200 years old or my ice cream. Neither of them do I want to leave in there."

Callan's eyes surveyed the surroundings before looking back at Dodger. As the elevator arrived, she moved over and opened up the gate with one hand while taking two of the grocery bags and the roll case. No words were said between the two of them until they arrived at her floor and they were walking into the apartment. Dodger set her groceries, the tomb and the bag down on the kitchen counter.

"Those bags can go on the table. Dry goods and all." Dodger heard the thud of the bags against the wood top.

"You've got a pest problem."

Pest? Dodger paused for a moment before cluing in. She meant Dutchy.

"A blond one, yeah I know. I've caught him a few times watching around dusk. One of the reasons I haven't gone out for patrol… that and the fact I've been trying to catch up with work."

Once Dodger got the ice cream and other fridge/freezer foods into their homes, she headed into the living room where she found Callan looking at the books on her shelf. "Those are just the ones I could bring out of storage. There is still half a storage container in New Orleans." Her head turned towards Dodger a little surprised.

"You're from… but your accent it's not…"

"I've lived in more places than I can count. The New Orleans accent becomes more noticeable when I'm mad but that's because I lived the longest."

Callan simply nodded and continued her solo tour around the room. Dodger heard her laugh a little when she came upon the punching bag- pushing it a little causing the chain to squeak.

"I'm Saoirse Callan, though I'm pretty sure you already knew that. I usually go by Irish though."

"Skye McClure though I get Dodger now and then." She watched Irish to see if there was any recognition at the name. Nothing. She just kept looking around the living room.

"So what are you studying? Law… because you sure as hell got enough books."

Dodger rolled her eyes.

"Christian Theology during the Renaissance though I have a B.A in film studies focusing on the occult." Irish turned and looked at Dodger again. It was a little difficult to sort out what the look was. "What?"

"Is that why you're interested in vampires? Because of TV and film."

Dodger bit back a groan. Irish obviously didn't believe that she knew what she was doing and when the time came, would run into a situation blind.

"To answer your question from the other night, yes. I watched Buffy growing up, but all that did was spark my interest in kickboxing and self defense. I've had an interest in this… well in the supernatural for as long as I have lived." Dodger could feel the energy in the room shift to Irish becoming tense. "Listen, if you want to see that I can handle myself, then we'll go tonight and you can see it firsthand." Irish shifted on her feet and Dodger could tell right away what she was thinking: she didn't want to put an innocent in harm's way.

"Alright, fine. The gates to the cemetery; we meet at 9 o'clock." With those words, she walked out of Dodger's apartment.

Dodger spent the rest of the afternoon doing any homework she had from her teachers, checking her emails for any sightings of Jack, Spot or Kid and she even made up a few freezer meals for the course of the next week. Once that was finished, Dodger saw that she still had another hour to go before she needed to head down to the cemetery. Grabbing the stereo remote, she decided a quick workout with the punching bag would get her blood pumping. She hit the play button and laughed as Evanescence's hit from Daredevil blasted out from her speakers.

"I'm no Elektra." And hit next to hear a techno pulse that would work fill up the room. Dodger quickly wrapped her hands and started swinging and moving around the space. The pulse of the bass matched her heart as she envisioned the bag to being a vampire. She had to be careful though since she'd already managed to break three bags in the last four months.

As one song ended and another began, Dodger switched from swinging to kicking. With this new motion, the difficultly level increased slightly since she didn't have a partner to hold onto the bag but the movement made the blood bump faster. She went through a few more songs before shutting off the system, and jumped into the shower. Once the sheen of sweat was gone from her skin, Dodger put on a pair of black jogging pants and dark green tank top topping the ensemble off with a worn pair of grey running shoes. Ever since she had met Irish, Dodger had been bombarded with partial visions of events. Often they looked like some sort of party but with dark colors swirling together around her. Tonight though she knew would be enough proof for Irish. Dodger made sure that she had her Grandmother's cross around her neck, tucked under the tank top. The stakes were in her messenger bag as she walked out the door.

She jogged to the cemetery that Irish had suggested and sure enough she saw her standing by the gate finishing off her smoke as she waited. Neither of them said a word as they went through the iron gates and walked towards the newest area. Dodger's pulse was steady and she kept her breath even as her eyes took in their surroundings. Even though the graves here were all under a decade old, the light here was worse. Some of the trail lamps were only emitting a soft glow while others had been smashed by trouble makers. The moon this week was partially out; hidden away by clouds. Dodger's eyes adjusted to the dimness of the light and she could see the outlines of objects around her, but she knew she would have to heavily rely on her other instincts tonight. Beside her Irish stopped in front of a fresh grave.

"Four days ago this kid was killed outside of a club. Police reports claim the attacker was a wild dog what with the teeth marks and the wounds on the arms."

"But you think that it was a vampire."

Irish nodded as she took a cigarette out from behind her ear and lit it with a match she had struck against her jeans.

"For about a month there were these kinds of attacks so the police set up these patrols to go around and keep watch for wild dogs. When nothing came up they figured that the dogs had moved on and the patrols stopped."

"When did this club open?"

Irish took a drag from the stick; blowing out the smoke towards the sky.

"Three months ago right after exams so of course the students went there to celebrate the end of the year. The attacks took place two months prior."

Dodger ran a hand through her damp hair before pulling the elastic from her wrist and tied the strands back. "How long have you lived here?"

Irish finished off her smoke and pressed the butt onto the top of the tombstone for good measure.

"Close to three years now. I was drawn here to finish up my schooling but also because I read that there were students dying off more than any statistical average. Turns out,

"There was a professor of Human Studies who was sacrificing his low grade students to a group of vampires as an initiation." Dodger finished off for her. Irish turned her attention to the other girl and in the darkness Dodger could feel her stare. "I had a vision of these events while I was in New Orleans. I was a click away from buying a plane ticket when another hit me of you and them."

Irish stared a little longer before nodding and sticking her hands into her hoodie.

"I was able to take them out with the method of surprise."

Dodger kept silent because she knew. She had seen the movements of the fight in one of her dream visions. That had been the first of many that included Irish; including the one that had ultimately secured Dodger's future in New York.

Pulling her attention away from Irish, Dodger looked around the cemetery once again. Shadows were creeping their way across the different tombstones and other than the one they stood in front of there were no other fresh graves.

"There won't be any newborns coming," Irish said, and Dodger turned her attention back to the girl. "This kid may have been killed by vampires but they drained him enough that there is no chance of him returning to prey on others like him. Though there will be a few who have made the old mausoleums their homes. Seasoned vamps. If you can handle yourself with these ones without my help, then maybe you're telling me the real deal."

Dodger looked at Irish wanting to roll her eyes but held the motion back and watched as Irish took to the shadows for cover. Shaking her head Dodger looked out into the darkness that surrounded her. There was a stillness in the air that was making the hairs on her arms and back of the neck stand on end.

Adjusting the messenger bag around her shoulder, Dodger reached inside and grabbed a stake slipping the wood piece into her pocket. In that same moment, she caught the scent of copper in the air. The stench was a mixture of fresh and stale with a hint of decay. Turning into the breeze, Dodger stood for a moment letting the creature catch her scent. A growl rumbled in her ear as she felt the grip on her should and the force jerk her into a stone wall.

"Such pretty skin."

Hearing the voice, Dodger realized that the stone wall was actually a chest. She felt a cold nose run its way up her neck, pausing under her ear. The creature sniffed once and then again before letting out a whistle that signaled two others to emerge from the shadows. "Family. Do you catch that scent?" Dodger hoped that the scent that he talked of was not Irish's. Each of them murmured their responses. "This is a strong blood. An everlasting blood. This one we will not share. This one is a blood I have had the pleasure of sampling before."

Dodger's eyes widened. She remembered reading about an attack on one of her ancestors. Annalise Thompson, Dodger's great-great grandmother had been surprised and bitten when she was pregnant. The vampire was named Sykes.

She felt him push her towards the middle of the grouping. Looking over her shoulder, Dodger took in the face of her attacker and what she saw matched the description and sketch in the papers to a T.

"Sykes…" Dodger straightened up and turned to face him. "I see you still have the gift Annalise left you with." She motioned to the cross that was burnt into his left cheek. No words came from the monster in front of her but a growl rumbled from his chest as he lunged for her. She made quick work of sticking her arm out ,catching him in the throat. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a retractable baton, flicking the metal out to catch Sykes against the temple as she stepped back. With the two hits Sykes ran into two of his lackeys before looking back snarling at her.

"You little bitch. I should have finished off your ancestor when I had the chance."

He nodded at the one to his left and the punk bared his teeth charging full force. Dodger turned using one of the granite tombstones to launch herself higher, kicking her new attacker in the stomach knocking him to the ground. Removing the stake quickly from her pocket, she thrust the wood into his chest watching as he sparked into flames and then ash. Once those flames were out Dodger turned her attention to the other vampires and moved towards the one on her left catching him off guard. She knocked him in the face with her fist while driving the stake into his chest. The sulfur smell became stronger as another swing came from Sykes.

"You won't live to see the morning."

"Well I'm pretty sure neither will you."

Sykes let out another roar and once again rushed Dodger. He swung out and in return she blocked with her arm but lost the stake in the struggle. Dodger couldn't afford time to worry about the loss. She instead focused on blocking the rapid swings coming from Sykes. His speed was a little faster than the ones she had faced in the past but she knew that the reason was his age. He had decades; centuries even, to improve while physically she only had a few years. What she had, that he didn't, was a visionary mind.

One of the visions Dodger had had over the course of the week was this particular attack. She knew what the outcome was going to be and where it would take place she just hadn't seen who the vampire would be. Taking a step back, Dodger swung her right leg out catching Sykes' causing him to stumble back enough to give Dodger some thinking room. She could feel no pain from the points he had struck her since her adrenaline was rushing like white water rapids. Following the vision she'd had, Dodger moved from the new tombstones, needing him to follow her to the oldest section where crosses were made of wood. She concentrated both on where her feet were going and whether or not he was following. Taking a quick look over her shoulder she saw that Sykes was close on her heels.

"Run little girl. Your blood will taste so much sweeter with all this fear running through you."

Making a quick left, Dodger turned down the path that she knew would lead to Sykes' second death. She felt a pair of hands grab hold of her shoulders, using strength to toss her into a few of the crosses unknowingly creating stakes for her. Dodger moved to her feet removing the messenger bag and placed it off to the side.

"Think you're hot stuff? Think you can do what your ancestors did in the past? You are nothing but a simpering whelp. You're going to die," Sykes growled, baring his fangs. Dodger rolled her eyes and straightened her shoulders looking at him.

"Quit yammering." She moved forward quickly knocking Sykes back a few feet due to hitting him in the stomach. Before he could respond, she let out a few more hits causing him to shuffle back towards one large cross. Reaching into her pocket, Dodger grabbed the new stake she had gathered from the broken cross. Her eyes focused on Sykes in the darkness as she let out another kick, knocking him against the cross.

"AHHHHH!" His scream filled the air as smoke started billowing from his back. "You… you…"

"Bitch. I know." Gripping the stake Dodger drove the piece of wood deep into his chest. Syke's scream became louder as flames and smoke erupted from his form. Within seconds he was nothing but a pile of ash. Dodger could feel her heart pounding within her chest. Blowing out a breath of pent up air, she moved back over and picking up her bag, she slung it over her shoulder. Applause filled the dead sulfur air. Looking over her shoulder Dodger saw Irish standing against one of the old elms.

"I take it I passed?"

Irish nodded.

"You passed… what caught my interest is that Sykes seemed to know you by the scent of your blood. How is that?"

Dodger made her way over.

"There is a history in my family. Let's leave it at that. So now that I've passed what happens?"

"Tomorrow is Saturday. I'll take you to where we will see a lot of work done." Irish turned starting down the trail before stopping. "Good work. I guess I shouldn't have held my first impression of you so high… not always what they seem." She turned back around disappeared into the night. Dodger watched as she left and knew that the track she was on felt right if only she could see the final outcome.