A/N: Okay the story is back, but the title changed - sorry. It still is Which is w(h)i(t)ch?
Hold up (Helen)
Bottle of Pain, by Combichrist
"Well I brought this bottle of Pain, and I got Murder on my brain.
Come on and give it a try if you wanna Die!
If we're going to Hell tonight, I ain't going without a Fight.
I know I can't take you on, but hell, I'll try... But hell, I'll try."
I turned back to my last guest. "Your boss trusts you, doesn't he?" he said when Jake had left. "Yeah, he does." He held up his glass. "Two more to go." I raised an eyebrow. "You really wanna drink them all?" I wondered. ""Yep." Short and crisp. I took a new glass from the shelf and poured the 8-year-old Wild Turkey. "This one also naked?" The salacious undercurrent of his voice wasn't lost on me and blushed a little. "Yeah, but not hand-warmed." He just grinned. "May I invite you, Helen?" he asked. I was surprised. "I don't drink during business hours", I replied. "Well, technically speaking this place will close in", he peered on his watch, "five minutes. So, come on, don't be stuffy." I hadn't noticed what time it was, but now I pondered on it shortly. This wasn't the first time I'd been alone with a last guest and he would have one more bourbon before he'd leave. Why not? I told myself. "Alright, but only if I get your name", I replied and took a new tumbler, pouring myself a single barrel on the rocks. We clinked our glasses. "Damon Salvatore, pleased to meet you." I grinned. "Helen Corey, cheers", I returned. Swirling the bourbon for a moment, I inhaled its scent and sipped at it.
He scrutinized me, I saw it from the corner of my eye. The bourbon burned a little bit on my palate, but not unpleasantly and I closed my eyes to enjoy the taste without distraction. "How come a young woman like you works as a bartender in this area?" His question brought me back to reality. He cocked his head to the side and gazed at me. I leaned forward on the counter, resting on my elbows. "My family lives here and Baton Rouge is not the worst place in the world. One's got to make a living somehow, right?" He shrugged. "Yeah, that's right." I looked him over. His leather jacket was a little out of fashion, but not worn out. Either it was very good leather or he really tended to it. Jeans and shirt were pretty new. All in all, he looked dapper and pretty stylish despite of his casual appearance.
"Found something interesting?" he asked and now he eyed me up. A little flustered by his inspection, I took another sip. "Nice outfit", I muttered and averted my gaze. "I have to return the compliment", he answered and ignored my blush. He emptied his glass and gave it back to me. When I took it, our hands touched and a palpable electric jolt shot through my hand. I dropped the glass, but he caught it and put it on the counter. "I'm sorry", I said. "Thanks." He just grinned. "No worries." Slowly I got antsy. There was something between us, a certain tension hung in the air. "What are your plans for later?" he suddenly asked. I was baffled. "I'm going home", I replied. "Alone?" I inhaled deeply. Was he inviting me for a one-night stand? He was hot, yeah, and I felt attracted to him, but was that enough? I decided to ask back. "What about you?" He smiled. "Depends on the decision of a certain young lady", he answered and held my gaze. The tingling in my stomach grew fast. Should I risk it?
The decision was taken away from me, because one moment later the front door loudly banged open and a masked robber stormed inside, waving his gun at me. Damon and I froze on the spot. "Hands up – give me the money!" he yelled and directed me back to the cashier with a wave of his gun. I tried to hide my fear and opened the drawer. "Are you kidding me? Where is the money?" He pushed me back against a cabinet. I groaned from the pain and clenched my teeth. "My boss took the money earlier. You're too late", I replied. "LIAR!" His voice overturned with rage and he raised his gun to my face. "Hey! Leave her alone!" Damon called and got up from his barstool. "Shut up", the robber screamed and aimed at him. "Please, don't shoot", I said, but he turned around and hit my face with the back of his hand. A little dizzy I stumbled back and heard bottles breaking when Damon jumped over the counter and tackled the man. He slapped the gun from his hand and the guy staggered back. I took my chance, having his back towards me, and grabbed for a bottle. Swinging high, I crashed it over his head and he broke down. Damon kicked the gun out of reach and secured his arms on his back. "Call the cops", he said calmly.
The next two hours were filled with reporting to the cops and a paramedic examining my face. They'd been here within a few minutes and the robber had been arrested. His injuries weren't as bad as I had assumed. The bottle had just caused a small wound and a slight concussion. My jaw hurt, but it wasn't broken and my nose-bleeding had also stopped after I'd pressed a towel with ice on my face. Jake stormed in, completely shaken up. I had called him right afterwards. Wrapping me in his arms, he crushed me to his chest. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. I just nodded. He scanned my face. "Listen, take a few days off and come back when you've recovered completely, okay?" he said. No, Jake, I can't", I protested, but he shook his head. "Yes, you can. I'll talk to Jeremy. Call me when you're ready to come back", he insisted, looking almost pleadingly at me. I gave in. "Alright. Thanks, Jake", I said. Damon had waited nearby all the time. The cops had taken his statement and he could've left, but he hadn't. Now he sauntered over to us. "I'll drive her home", he stated, looking intently at me. "Thanks, and your drinks tonight are on the house", Jake said and shook his hand. Damon just nodded. I was surprised, but glad that I didn't need to drive. The cops had my testimony and Jake would take care of the rest. "Come on", Damon said and put his arm around my shoulder.
Outside, Sunday morning was dawning already and the crisp fresh air reanimated me a bit while we walked to his car. I would leave my car at the bar and retrieve it later. He took off his jacket and placed it around my shoulders before he opened the passenger door for me. "Thanks", I whispered and slid into the seat, burying myself deeper in the still warm leather. I was terribly tired, my face still hurt and without the adrenaline I suddenly felt drained. He let the engine rev and turned the radio on. "Where to?" he asked and I gave him my address in the north of Baton Rouge while he pulled out. The radio was playing quietly while he drove through the dawn. I didn't notice him stopping in front of my house – I had fallen asleep on the way. I just woke up when he put me on my feet in front of my door. He had carried me. "What… where are we?" I asked drowsily. "On your doorstep. You fell asleep in the car", he explained with a smile. "Oh." That was all I could muster and searched for the keys in my purse. I opened the door and turned around. "Is there somebody waiting for, somewhere?" I asked. I didn't want him to leave, not just yet.
He smiled faintly and his face finally showed his weariness. "No, there's nobody waiting."That sounded final and alone, but maybe I just imagined it. I took one of his hands. "Then come inside, Damon." He returned my gaze questioningly, but then he followed me inside and closed the door. I needed coffee or sleep, but the latter wasn't what I desired. I wanted to know more about the man who had saved me tonight and just hung his jacket on my wardrobe. "Coffee, or something stronger?" I asked and turned towards the kitchen. Holding my arm, he stopped me. "Neither, Helen. Come here", he murmured and pulled me into his embrace. I cuahgt my breath and needed a few seconds to realize that he was just offering a shoulder to lean on. The night's tension fell away and I let my forehead drop on his chest while my arms dangled loosely at my sides. His hands caressed my back in a soothing way while I breathed deeply. "Hush… it's over", he murmured and kissed the top of my head.
A lump built in my throat. My dad had soothed me the same way when he'd still been alive. My father had been a cop and taught me a lot of things. He'd also taught me how to keep cool in a situation like the one tonight, and I had needed it. I tried to regain my composure and put my hands on his chest. Tonight's events had shaken me quite a bit. Without Damon, the robber could've beaten me up or even killed me. Suddenly I remembered our conversation. "Where did we stop?" I murmured and raised my head. "Huh?" he wondered. "I guess I've made a decision", I said and he questioningly raised an eyebrow. I put one hand on his cheek. He didn't flinch, but he looked surprised. "I don't want to sleep alone tonight, Damon", I said. His eyes widened a bit, but then he smiled. "Good. I don't want that either", he replied softly and caressed my unaffected cheek with the back of his hand. I stepped back and took one of his hands. He watched me expectantly while I led him upstairs to my bedroom.