New York City

1952

"You wanna slice of pie to go with the coffee?"

The waitress leant over the counter, her red lipstick was applied somewhat imperfectly, the chip on her front tooth adding character to an ordinary smile. Her blonde hair looked cheap, her stockings old and the soles of her shoes worn thin; but in spite of her tired surroundings and her threadbare clothes, she maintained a certain vibrancy. Humming a constant nameless tune as she moved about the diner, coffee pot in hand, apron slung around her waist, the waitress offered up easy smiles.

"I'm fine thank you," Hal replied softly, his hazel eyes drifting upwards to meet the woman's. As per usual she giggled, most women did. There were other things Hal looked for: they might cross their legs, sigh, fix their hat or worry at a small worthless pendant that dangled from their neck – their most prized possession.

"You sure I can't tempt you? Best apple pie in the Tristate area."

Hal resisted a grin, "Temptation is such a funny word don't you think?"

"Funny how?"

"There's a lot of it going around…" Hal paused as the bell announcing the arrival of a customer tinkled. Glancing over his shoulder the vampire smiled. "Take my friend for example."

"Him?" The waitress jerked her head towards the newcomer removing his hat and coat before hanging them on the stand provided.

Hal nodded, "I've tempted him into doing rather a lot."

"Like?"

"Leave his wife," Hal replied sharply before sipping on his coffee.

"Why did you do that?" The waitress questioned, her voice faltering momentarily.

"Because I could."

"That seems a whole lot of unfair," the waitress eyed the man approaching the counter with a mixture of pity and wonder.

Hal laughed, "Life is, isn't it? But back to temptation, I'd have to say youare rather tempting."

"She is rather," the stranger sat next to Hal, pulling a menu towards him. "Coffee please darling."

Reaching out on reflex the woman poured a cup, her eyes flicking uncertainly between the two men. She was used to attention, but it was normally confined to playful flirting; nothing like this – nothing this mercenary, nothing so carnivorous. Nevertheless she was flattered, handsome strangers didn't often blow into her part of town.

Attempting a disarming laugh the waitress patted back her hair, "Both of you stop! You're making me blush!"

"Oh but you don't know the half of it Stella," Hal insisted, his hand shooting out to touch the waitress' as his gaze whipped to her name badge. "The fine hairs on the back of your neck that cling to your very scent. Your slim, delicate wrists – every vein visible under the taught skin, and those full painted lips that call for our attention."

"I saw it in Vogue…." Stella whispered, her coffee pot landing with a thud against the counter. Glancing over Hal's shoulder she only just noticed all the shutters had been drawn. "Where's Jimmy?"

"Yes Cutler, where is Jimmy?" Hal questioned, his face full of open honesty.

"Jimmy had to go home. He said we should see you back safe though." Cutler grinned, but all well meaning was lost with the show of teeth.

"I'll just take the subway."

"Nonsense, we have a car." Hal strengthened his grip on Stella's hand as he pulled her arm towards him. His thumb drew a delicate pattern on the inside of her wrist, marveling at the warmth.

He didn't know why he had chosen this particular diner, but Cutler had been willing enough to go along. As it turned out, Cutler was a somewhat messy eater, a cat with an unfortunate squealing rodent caught between its teeth.

"It's really no trouble," Cutler added, a glint of something in his eyes. And for a brief second the diner's lights flickered with the passing of a train and in that horrible moment Stella could have sworn Cutler's eyes were black.

"Oh I couldn't put you out of your way…"

"But you must be tempted?" Hal smiled widely, echoing Stella's earlier sentiment but his words were laden with a compelling menace.

"Jimmy made us promise," Cutler chimed in, and Stella saw something else lurking behind the veneer of respectability, a child like greed for something she could offer.

"Come now," Hal said soothingly before standing and reaching out with his elegant fingers to cup the side of Stella's face. "We're just two tourists looking to offer our services to a stranded local. Now, you'll accept our offer?"

The woman nodded meekly, her eyes fixed on Hal's. There was an irresistible need to follow him into the dark, to swallow whatever promises he threw at her and accept that she was his to do with what he pleased.

Leading the woman by the hand Hal took Stella out the back entrance of the diner, the bins close to spilling over and the guttering streetlight barely illuminating the cramped space.

"It's just down here!" Cutler called out, sing song. His overcoat billowing in the wind as he took several strides forward, dragging the girl along with him. Cutler's infantile excitement about the prospect of ripping out a woman's throat never failed to cause a twisted feeling of pleasure run through Hal's stomach. The man had once tired to defy him; he had attempted to carry out the ridiculous and pretend to be human, recanting blood and all that went with it. But they all came back; their love for it outweighed their horror and mental torment. And Cutler most of all, he had thrown himself into his new life, once the minor setback of his wife had been dealt with. Cutler's thirst made him both something wretched to behold and an ideal playmate for Lord Harry.

But then there were moments in darkened alleys; blood dripping from his mouth, a heart's final beat ringing in his ears that Hal wondered if it was all for nothing. A moment of cheap gratification to bury away the torment, to mask the pain of the horrible realization he was a killer, a monster that took life for the pleasure of it. Not for blood, not for survival, but because he could.

The sound of Stella's muffled scream snapped him back, Cutler had grown impatient, the waitress' head was pulled back in order for the vampire to gain full access to her neck. His teeth sank into her flesh and his eyes were black, the boy reveled in it. Hal walked the few steps towards their parked car, pulling open the boot her revealed the gagged girl they had found earlier in the downstairs bar at their hotel. Grabbing her by the hair he wrenched her from the small compartment. Hal's eyes met the girl's and for a second a flicker of hope glinted in hers.

"No my dear, you shall have to wait for absolution. I'm afraid you'll meet your end here. Because you see, I just can't help myself."

Pulling the girl towards him Hal bit down into her neck. Life was rushing from her body, the heady mix of blood and utter control were intoxicating. Why would he ever stop this? He had been cast the villain and why go against type?

A/N: Just finished this off the back of watching tonights episode. Can I say eek?! Hope you liked this and as always, let me know what you think.