Unfortunately for them, the accepted ones never had the courage to even try and be careless. They would imagine what it would be like to socialise with the group on the hill. When no one was looking, the popular girls would let their eyes drift over to the infamous misfits and wonder what it would be like to go to the loud underground concerts or to attend the early morning poetry readings at the obscure unknown coffee houses. But the popular girls would never admit it. They were happy in their cell-phone jock boyfriends with convertibles world. The jock boyfriends with convertibles were happy with the easy popular girls. Everyone knew their places and it was okay to dream as long as no one caught them dreaming about the other world. They knew better than to bother each other.

The group on the hill was comprised of different people, almost the typical American melting pot. Mary sat in the middle idly strumming her ever present and sticker laden guitar, singing quietly, unmindful of the people who were listening, while Lane hummed along. Vin sat on the stop of a stereo that was silent. The batteries had run out. Beside him sat Noel, as they were the group's token happy couple. There were others, scattered about, and on the fringe of the group was Gabrielle, watching and taking it all in. Sometimes she participated in the conversations, initiated as always by Nick, the patron saint and savoir of them all. Usually, she listened and watched.

She was different from them all, but it didn't show. She would rather listen then converse. It just made more sense to her. It always had. If she listened she could learn to read people, and find out what made them who they were, what made them tick. It wasn't that Gabrielle was shy, or that she didn't know what to say, or that she didn't even want to. As it always happened, these people were beginning to grow boring to her. What was deliberate silence before grew into thoughts of wasted opinions. If she spouted her intelligence to them, they wouldn’t even be smart enough to think about them logically and retort.

As the sky grew grey and the threat of cold spring ran overshadowed the warm day, Gabrielle sighed and watched her way through lunch. The time passed remarkably quickly when there was nothing to do but think. An alarm like sound shot through the air seeming to signal the end of the brief freedom lunch presented. Everyone began to move reluctantly, except Gabrielle. Her eyes remained fixed on the field and the greying horizon above it until she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"The bell rang…" Mary told her in her soft, quiet voice. Gabrielle nodded.

"I'll get up in a second." Mary took the dismissal silently and Gabrielle sat for a moment more. At the end of the field she could see a tall figure moving closer, clad in black with long blonde hair that seemed to shine despite the clouds over the sun. Staring for a moment at he walked - glided it seemed - across the field she quickly averted her gaze as their eyes came into contact. There was something oddly unsettling about his stare, something strangely familiar that made Gabrielle's brain stir. Grabbing her grey flannel side bag, she scrambled up off the hill before he could reach her, heading into the school lest she be later for a class she dreaded.

The halls were sparsely populated as Gabrielle walked to class. She could feel his eyes still on her and they had been ever since she entered the school. After what seemed to be a long walk to English class, she was sure they would part ways. Gabrielle, drawing a breath, turned the doorknob and slipped inside. She felt a weight being lifted as soon as he couldn't see her anymore. Sitting in her seat, a far corner in the back, Gabrielle was relived to notice a television at the front and took it an indicator of a movie. She idly brought tout a notebook and began to draw while she tuned out the annoying voices. The door opened and the class turned to glare that the straggling student walking in. Gabrielle turned only when the figure took the best beside her and flashed a grin. She was met with the same unsettling stare she had seen before, and the eyes that had followed her were on her again.

Her heart, for some indeterminable reason, skipped the preverbal beat. His shockingly blue eyes stared into hers and it took all of Gabrielle's strength to tear her own gaze away. Hunching over her notebook Gabrielle scolded herself silently for keeping his gaze a little too long. She was aware, even in the darkened classroom, of his eyes staring at her. At least he didn't pretend to be looking at something else like half of the other people who stared, Gabrielle reminded herself. Putting her head down on her notebook, she drifted into a restless yet blissful scholarly sleep and soon realised why he looked so familiar.

It was the dreams she'd been having lately of blood, of darkness and of death. He was always there, almost overseeing everything that happened in them. For a time his image was just a brief flickering one, but as time passed it grew stronger and more realistic. Sometimes Gabrielle even expected to see him when she was startled awake by an alarm or a bell.

This time, neither woke her. It was a hand gently massaging her shoulder. Looking up, she saw those eyes again. There was a horribly overwhelming sense of déjà vu.

The other students filed past, leaving Gabrielle and him almost alone, save for the teacher at the front of the class, staring at him in question.

"Bell rang." He said absently as he brushed past her to hand a bright green slip of paper to the teacher.

"Thanks…" Gabrielle replied quietly, stuffing her notebook and pen into her bag and walking out of the room.

"Wait a sec…" She heard him calling after her but not rushing to catch up. Gabrielle stopped short in the middle of the hall, not turning to catch his attention. When he was beside her, she began to walk to her incredibly messy locker. "You've got math next." Gabrielle blinked. It was a statement, not a question.

"Uh, yea." She answered almost nervously. "You?" Gabrielle already knew the answer. He nodded and stopped walling when she came to her locker, leaning against the one beside it. Cursing under her breath, she fumbled around the piles of paper within for her math notebook to no avail as the case always was.

"Paper? I've got some." He told her. "Don't worry about a thing." Gabrielle started to smile at him, but stopped herself. I do not smile, she chided herself mentally, and I do not flirt. Use his paper, but ignore him became her game plan. Slamming her locker shut, she started towards class leaving him still leaning on the ugly reddish locker door. He quickly caught up with her still grinning. "Is it this way?" Gabrielle nodded coolly.

When they stood in front of the door, she reached for the doorknob as he did at the same time. Their hand touched for a small moment, sending electricity through Gabrielle's body and mind before he opened it and gestured for her to go in. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and stifled another smile. He took the of course empty chair beside her. Gabrielle ignored him or at least appeared to until the dire need for paper took over. When she raised her head to look at him, she found he was already or still as the case was, grinning. "Paper?" Gabrielle nodded as he placed a pile on her desk.

"Thanks," She said dryly. "But I only needed one piece." He shrugged.

"It was my pleasure." Once again, she had to stop herself from smiling. They did their respective work for the remaining forty-five minutes in silence until the annoying bell-like sound once again made itself known, signalling the end of the day. Walking out together, he once against accompanied her to her locker. Finally, Gabrielle asked one of the questions that had been lingering in her head.

"I don't know your name." She told him, putting the lock back on her locker.

"And?" He said as they walked down the hall.

"I'd like to know." He cocked his head and looked at her, a wide sly grin on his face.

"Fine. But first, Gabrielle, what may I call you? What do your friends call you?" A bitter laughter rose and fell from her, and he narrowed his eyes in silent question.

"Friends are few and far between, real ones at least."

"So you have no friends?" Gabrielle sighed deeply, shoving her hands in her pockets as she pushed the orange door open with her shoulder.

"No one I can really love and trust like I should. But I'm perfectly fine with it. NO one here is really worth my companionship." She told him casting a sideways glance to see his reaction.

"What about me?"

"You?" She said with a shrug. "I don't even know your name." He rolled his eyes and stopped on the sidewalk.

"I like the mystery." Gabrielle continued to walk past him.

"I don’t." She shouted back over her shoulder, turning down a path that led through a small wooded area. He ran up to her, walking backwards, holding her eyes with his.

"What's it worth to you?" Gabrielle pushed past him in mock annoyance. "Hey, don't leave me Gabby."

"Gabby?" She questioned, stopping short.

"Yea, that’s what I'm gonna call you from now on. Is that alright with you Gabby?"

"Please, that is the most annoying childish name anyone could have." She told him, knowing she loved it anyway.

"Well, seeing as I am your first friend - "

"I never said - "

"You did."

"I was kidding."

"Sure you were." He said simply, taking his place at her side once again. She looked up and scowled. "Edge." Gabrielle blinked.

"What?" He smiled.

"That’s what you get to call me." Smiling, she lowered her head and let her hair cover her face.

"Is that your name?"

"No, but its what you get to call me."

"Okay then…" She said slowly, and suddenly the part of her brain that pushed away from everyone kicked in and she became silent once again. He continued to walk beside her, also dangerously quiet.

Her apartment loomed close and he, almost sensing it began to speak to her again.

"What are you thinking about?" Gabrielle sharply inhaled, thinking of something to tell him. She'd only embarrass herself by saying she was thinking about him, about how good they'd be together, how sweet he might be, how nice it would be waking up with him tomorrow morning, and how much she wanted to invite him in. Sighing, she walked the path to the apartment doors, still not answering his question. "Well?" He prodded though his voice seemed to have all the patience in the world.

"You. I was thinking about you."

"Thought so." He smiled proudly. Gabrielle shook her head, fumbling through her pockets for the key.

"Why?"

"Because I can read your mind." Her eyes shot up at him sceptically.

"You can?"

"Uh-huh." Shoving her key in the door, she turned to address him. "So right now, Edge, what am I thinking?"

"I'd love to come in Gabby. Thank you for asking." He grabbed the handle and pulled, walking inside. Gabrielle, shocked, angered and awe-struck stomped in behind him.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm going to give you what you want, what you were thinking about. You know, waking up with me." He walked to the elevator and pushed the button, waiting for the car to arrive. Gabrielle stalked up to him, hands on her hips.

"What in the hell makes you think you now what I want?" His face was finally ridded of the grin, but his eyes danced with sharpness. He delighted in tormenting her, which was just what he was doing. The elevator chimed and the door swung open. Edge stood with one hand out to Gabrielle, while she waited with no intention of getting in. He held the door open when it began to close, gesturing again for her to go in. She simply stood glaring at him.

"You're not coming? I thought you wanted me to come in?"

"No!" She shouted sharply. "I never said that. Get out of here. God, I don't even know you!" He again grinned wildly.

"You didn't need to ask. And don't worry, you'll know me." With that, he stepped forward grazing closely past her, taking her hands in his. "In time, you'll know me. More than you ever wanted to know Gabrielle." He leaned in head in and brushed his lips over hers briefly, much too briefly and pulled back, walked out of the lobby without a look back. Gabrielle stared after him, still feeling his lips against hers.

Shaking her head, Gabrielle walked into the elevator, trying to imagine all hell breaking loose if she had invited him up. For a short time, he had made her forget about her roommate, Heather. She would probably try to take Edge out of her infatuation with all men tall and blonde. Absently going through the same routine she always did while she walked to her apartment, she noticed small things along the way. The burnt out light outside of 31B, the rabbit shaped stain on the blue wall outside of 40C and, on her own door, the 2 was crooked. Shrugging, Gabrielle opened the door was welcomed by the smell of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Heather's speciality. Heather sat in the kitchen, her black hair falling in a long braid down her back. She glanced over her shoulder and pointed at the pot on the stove.

"There's some left for you Gabby." Gabrielle smiled contentedly, throwing her side bag down on the couch and grabbing a bowl, dishing herself out a huge heap of the somewhat cooled orangish congealment in the pot. "School was?" Gabrielle rolled her eyes at the question.

After her dad had kicked her out of her house a year and a half ago, Gabrielle moved in with Heather, fresh from her sophomore year in college, while Gabrielle finished hers in high school. They met at a now forgotten and unimportant mutual friend's party and bonded over the hellaciously strong spiked punch that was more vodka than anything else. A week and a half later, Gabrielle moved in. They were closer than blood relatives could ever be, and at times shared a brain. Today appeared to be one of those days.

"Meet anyone special?" Heather asked speculatively as Gabrielle sighed.

"Actually, yes I did." Heather's eyes lit up at the promise of a good girl talk.

"Well, what's he like?" Putting down her fork, Gabrielle smiled and found her self in good spirits. So rarely did she find herself even remotely attracted to someone, and when she did, gushing about them was always the most perfect way to spend an evening.

"He was in two of my classes, and he's new - "

"What's his name?" Gabrielle hesitated before answering.

"He told me it was Edge, but I'm guessing that’s just a nickname or something."

"So what does he look like?"

"Tall, blonde, dressed all in black…his hair is really long and…" Gabrielle continued on excitedly while Heather commented about how perfect they would be for each other. Gabrielle left out the cryptic words in the lobby. When she was finished, they both sighed in unison.

"I think he's perfect…" Gabrielle mused, staring into her empty bowl. Heather smiled at her.

"I think I've got a love sick girlie rooming with me." Gabrielle glanced up with laughter in her eyes.

"Nah, I just want his body…" She remarked, bursting into laughter when she was done with her astute observation. Heather started laughing along, and soon, out of breath, they collapsed on the table.

"Well?" A familiar voice echoed through the darkness of the small two-story house and invaded Edge's silence.

"Well what?" He snapped back, throwing his long coat on the couch, beside where the owner of the voice sat.

"Is she the one?"

"Yes, Christian, of course she is."

"And how did it go?"

"Fine. She's trying to hate me. It's just her antisocial ways. She'll open up." In the darkness, Edge knew his brother was nodding.

"Have you fed? I was just about to leave." Edge shook his head, declining his brother's invitation, instead choosing to think about his course of action tomorrow and how to get Gabrielle to open up.

Heather was distracted from her cup of coffee by a rousing knock at the door. Cursing whoever it was as she rose, Heather walked to the door and was knocked breathless by the vision that stood there. Judging by the long black coat, height and wavy blonde hair, it was the annoying, yet alluring male that Gabrielle had gushed about the night before. Stopping for a moment to breath and attempt to put together a sentence, Heather ignored his impatient look.

"Yes?" She choked out, feeling her face grow quite red.

"Is Gabby here?" He asked as his eyes swept the apartment.

"She's still sleeping, but I’ll tell her you came by."

"No trouble, " He replied, pushing his way past Heather easily. He started walking to the door of Gabrielle's room before Heather rushed over and slipped in-between the door and him.

"I'll get her, you go sit on the couch or something…" He stood in front of her and began to press closer as his hunger started to surface. Edge was practically breathing down her neck before he backed off with a shrug and fell dramatically onto the couch. Heather stood, rapt in the vision of him before opening Gabrielle's door and slipping inside, leaving the door open a crack. She bounded excitedly into the room, childishly jumping on the bed to wake up a very much asleep Gabrielle.

"Gabby! Wake up! You've got a gentleman caller." Gabrielle groaned and rolled over, burying herself under the maroon blankets. Heather stopped bouncing and began explaining. "That Edge guy you told me about last night…He's sitting on the couch. He wants to see you or talk to you or something" As Gabrielle sat up, leaning against the headboard, Heather started clapping. "Gabby's got a boyfriend! I'm so - "

"Heather, he's NOT my boyfriend. I don't even like him!" She growled out, aware of the slightly open door.

"But you said - " Gabrielle put a finger up to her lips, letting heather know this was a good time to shut up. She nodded. "So should I get him or tell him to go away, or…" Gabrielle thought as Heather trailed off.

"Tell him to come in."

"What, to your room?" She asked, shocked. Gabrielle shrugged simply.

"Why not?" Heather paused before answering.

"Because he's a guy…probably older, we don't even know…he's phenomenally gorgeous…and last night you said you wanted his - " Heather stopped as the door creaked open to reveal Edge standing there, his eyes fixed on Gabrielle.

"Gabby, we’ve got school you know. I just wanted to walk with you. If that's too much trouble - " She smiled as Heather excused herself and left the room casting a foreboding glance in Edge's direction.

"Well, it is in fact my policy to never attend school on Fridays, so I'm afraid you'll be walking alone." He started further into the room, closing the door behind him. Gabrielle swallowed discretely with nervousness, awaiting his next move, which was to sit just on the end of her bed.

"Then what do you do on Fridays?"

"Sleep in. But seeing as you've made that impossible - "

"So go back to sleep. You can have company, can't you?" A million different warning lights flashed in her mind, and 'no' was already being formed on her lips when suddenly, her voice disagreed.

"Sure." Was the answer that came out, with a simple shrug. Cursing herself the moment the word died on her lips, Gabrielle watched as he flicked off the small light and shed his boots and trench coat, crawling onto the bed then underneath. Silently thankful he didn't disrobe more, Gabrielle still sat up, dumbstruck at her reaction and at his, until he pulled her down and into his arms. No one had ever done that, and she'd never taken the time to wonder what it would feel like. But not a second later, she was enjoying it, then she was sleeping, her head buried on his chest, with her arms wrapped around his neck.

Edge smiled down at Gabrielle, happy at how easy it had been to win her trust. He knew it was mostly deviance that made her want him, but soon she'd feel love because that was how it was supposed to happen. Thinking on her roommate heather, edge smiled, knowing from her mind the weakness she had for men such as him. He decided she'd make a good diversion, something fun to play with along the way, providing his brother didn't put an end to it, or possibly want to share.

As noon rolled around, heather started to walk to Gabrielle's room to wake her up as per the usual Friday routine when she remembered Edge. He hadn't left her room, and god only knew what they were doing. Biting her lip as she stood before her friend's door, Heather put an ear to the door and heard nothing. Knocking lightly, she heard a soft moan, and stirring within. Voices whispered quietly until Gabrielle finally told heather to come in. She opened the door a crack and peered in. Gabrielle lay on the bed in the darkened room and next to her was Edge, with his arms thrown casually around her. Heather assessed the situation to the best of her ability. Gabrielle's much pondered remark the night before about 'wanting his body' put suspicion in her mind for a second until she realised Gabrielle would never do anything with someone she barely knew, even if he did happen to appear physically perfect.

"Noon already?" Gabrielle said, her voice rough with sleep. Heather nodded and realised she'd been staring a little too hard at Edge when he grinned back smugly.

"Nothing happened, I assure you." He told her, his tone thick with amusement.

"I never said anything did." Heather stammered back. "Gabby, I'm going out for lunch, McDonalds probably. You in?" Sitting up, she nodded. "You care to join us Edge?" Stretching, he shook his head.

"No, I'm gonna get home and do some stuff." Heather shrugged and turned away, closing the door.

"I'm leaving in 10 minutes Gabby, so get your ass ready." She yelled as she sat back down on the couch.

"She thinks you fucked me." Gabrielle told Edge softly as she climbed out of bed and stood before the closet, pulling out whatever was black and smelled clean.

"She thinks we did, but she knows we didn’t."

"Yea…" Gabrielle responded absently, quickly changing with her back to him.

"Why didn't you kick me out when I got in your bed?" He asked with a mischievous grin. Gabrielle drew a sharp breath and turned to face him.

"Because I trust you, even though I don't know you. And once I was with you I felt, " she shrugged, at a loss for words, "Safe I guess." She crawled back onto the bed and sat cross-legged in front of him, smiling slyly. "So what made you want to get into bed with me?"

"Because…I want you. A lot. The whole bitch thing yesterday just made me want you more. And besides, you're cute when you sleep. Like in English class…" She blushed, putting her hand to her head.

"Its cause I'm nocturnal, you know." She told him matter-of-factly.

"Oh you are?"

"I am. The night is so much better than - " Gabrielle was cut off as the door opened and Heather peeked her head in.

"Gabby, I'm going, so get your ass in gear or you're not." Gabrielle sighed and looking up at Edge.

"I'm, uh, leaving now, so you've gotta go." He nodded and crawled towards her, lightly pressing his lips to hers while his hand caressed her cheek.

"I'll be back tonight. You can see what the night is really made of." Gabrielle sat with her hand over where his had just been as he walked out of the room, nodding swiftly at heather as he passed her and left. As soon as the front door slammed shut, Heather raced into Gabrielle's room and bounced onto the bed.

"You better damn well tell me every single thing that transpired between you to or else no ice cream and cookies for a week!" She said excitedly and cheerfully. Gabrielle went thought every detail but wondered in the back of her mind why he had to be so cryptic.

After the journey to McDonalds, they came home to a rare message for Gabrielle on the answering machine.

"Um, this is for Gabrielle…its Mary, I was just wondering if she wanted to go out or something." Her voice was even more childlike and innocent on the record tape of their ancient answering machine. "I hate these things, just give me a ring." She finished after a long pause. Heather shook her head and laughed under her breath,

"A guy in bed and a call from a friend. Gabby's rackin' em up." Gabrielle stuck her tongue out and flopped down on the couch, flipping on the television. "Wait, you're supposed to call her back." Heather reminded her, standing behind the couch.

"Yea but - "

"But?" She asked, eyebrows raised. Gabrielle shot her a 'you know' look and Heather drew a breath. "Edge, right? I forgot that dark brooding man of mystery is going to continue his conquest to get down your pants by sweeping you off your feet again." Gabrielle rolled her eyes.

"First of all, you're just jealous, and second, I'm going to let him." Heather scoffed, moving Gabrielle's legs off the couch so she could sit.

"You damn well better, or I'll scoop him up." She said, only half joking as she remembered his breath on her neck and the shivers his eyes gave her. Surely there was no shame in being attracted to him.

"She's got a nosey as hell roommate." Edge told his brother upon entering the house. Christian shrugged.

"So kill her." Edge shook his head thinking.

"No, they're best friends. But I can make her question her friendship and leave my girl alone."

"So do that." Christian told him. "The mental tricks and everything." Edge grinned his most feral grin.

"Oh yeah. And it starts tonight."

Mary sat by the black phone in her black room, waiting for Gabrielle's call. Something in her knew she could never give up on Gabrielle, even if it killed her. They had to Sighing and grabbing her also black side bag, Mary left her room and began the walk to Gabrielle's apartment.

"You really should call that girl." Heather told Gabrielle again. "Its not nice to leave your friends hanging." Gabrielle merely shrugged and started to belt out "Otherside" as it came on the television. Heather sighed, then joined her in nearly screaming out the lyrics to a cherished song until Gabrielle stopped.

"Did you hear a knock?" She shouted eagerly over the music.

"What?" Heather returned, turning it down.

"The door!" Gabrielle narrowed her eyes in concentration and leapt to her feet as the knock came again. "Get it!" She squealed excitedly, "Its him!" Heather rolled her eyes, but was on her feet to get the door.

"Geez, Gabby. I'd say you're acting like a regular 17-year old girl right about now." She joked, bracing herself for the feeling she knew she'd feel around Edge. And sure enough as she opened the door and saw him, those eyes, that body, that total look, her head fluttered, and she struggled to wave it off.

"Hi again Edge. You want me to get Gabby?"

"Sure, but can I come in for a few minutes?" He half asked, half told her, once again brushing past. The heat from his body was fantastically overwhelming for a second and it took a few moments before Heather could come to her senses. Edge was now seated on the couch beside Gabrielle, talking quietly. After a second, he put his arm around her, and she snuggled close, her head on his shoulder. Heather almost frowned. It was too much, too soon and she knew it.

"Heather, come sit. We’re watching whatever the hell this is…" MTV had been replaced by HBO and what appeared to be 'Oz' was running on the television. Heather sighed and seated herself no the plush chair, leaving Gabrielle and Edge to stretch out on the couch. Half an hour of quiet whispers and giggles later, Edge and Gabrielle left for a walk, and as they left, Heather swore she saw Edge wink at her.

Mary hugged her jacket closer around her small frame as the turned down the street that housed Gabrielle's apartment building. She held her jacket even closer as a tall figure appeared arm in arm with someone just ahead. As they coupled walked closer, she realised it was who it was

"Gabrielle?" She questioned, stopping short. She heard Gabrielle swear under her breath and whisper something to her companion.

"Hi Mary…sorry I didn't call, I was just - "

"Who's he?" She asked her, almost pouting.

"That’s Edge…he's new around her and - "

"No need to explain, I was just on my way to drop by and see if you were busy, but I guess…I guess you are, so I'll be getting home now. I'll see you Monday." Mary said, rushing and stumbling through her words, turning quickly and walking away.

"Wait!" Gabrielle shouted after her, "Do you want us to walk you home?" She heard a muffled 'no' as Mary went on her way, her footsteps echoing dully as she left.

"She's infatuated with you, Gabby. As in, in love." Edge told her as they continued to walk hand in hand.

"What?"

"She is, and she doesn't want you with me, or anyone else."

"You're full of shit." Gabrielle remarked, but began thinking seriously. He did have a point.

Wiping the mascara streaked tears from her face, Mary threw her bag down on the couch and started upstairs. Of course Gabrielle would be with a man, she thought, of course she wouldn’t want me. Opening the door to her room, she took the silver fabric off of the black wooden trunk by her bed and collected the necessary items. Digging under her bed and brushing away more jealous tears, she pulled out the leather bound book and brushed off the cover. The arcane silver etchings glittered and shone from the small sliver of moonlight from Mary's window. If she had to give Gabrielle up, it wouldn’t' be without a fight.

Christian sat in the dark living room, watching the front of the house. There, by the streetlight, were Edge and the girl of his conquest. Her long dark hair flew behind her, and she shivered. Edge responded by pulling her into his arms, and warming her without a word. Walking away from the window, Christian sighed. For his brother's sake, he hoped she was the one. And for her sake, he hoped she didn't try and get away.

Edge pushed Gabrielle away reluctantly and started into her warm brown eyes before speaking.

"See that house?" he pointed at the small two story house in front of them. She nodded. "That’s where I live. I want you to spend the night." Strangely, his request did shock Gabrielle. She just sighed.

"Edge, I've only known you for a day and a half and I've already warmed up to you more than almost anyone, except Heather and I do like you but - you want me to spend the night at your place and - " She shook her head. "I can't do it. I'm sorry." He blinked at her, then took both of her cold hands in his.

"Gabby, please, I loved this morning and it wasn't enough…I want that all the time."

"Don't Edge." She said softly, looking down.

"But I need you forever…all the time." He told her with a seeming tremble in his voice.

"Edge, stop it." Her voice was tern and unwavering as she let his hands go. "I'm going to spend the night with you. I'm going home - " Gabrielle tuned to leave, but was stopped by his hand on her shoulder, spinning he around.

"I won't let you go…" He said sharply through clenched teeth.

"I'm leaving, Edge. Keep this shit up and you'll never see me again. You've been nice so far, but if this is you, then I don't want it. Now let go." She squirmed out of his grasp and almost ran down the sidewalk without looking back. Edge stood watching her as she ran, and knowing better than to stop her again. When the wind whipped too cold for him to stand, he finally turned and went inside, knowing he would hear from his brother about the events of the night.

The brown bottle cast its glow over the white tabletop in an eerie shadow that crept all the way to Gabrielle's face. The bottle was only half finished and it was only after midnight. Heather was asleep, or else Gabrielle wouldn't have started the bottle of whisky. Smiling to herself, she remembered when it used to burn going down. Now, it was comforting, like a lovers touch or a soothing word in her ear. It made everything better, for a little while at least. Until the last drops from the bottom of the bottle seemed to make her remember her anger at Edge, more anger at men for, in her few experiences, being utter assholes. With her last few thoughts, she sent the bottle reeling into the wall with a shattering crash before stumbling over to the couch and passing out.

Heather was startled awake by the crash and immediately leapt out of bed. She hadn't even heard Gabrielle come in. As soon as she opened the door, she could see the moonlight from the window glittering on the broken glass that littered the floor. On the couch was Gabrielle, her head cradled in her arms, her face deep in a concentrated sleep. Heather shook her head and went back to her room, to sleep. She'd deal with this once familiar scene in the morning.

The dream came again. Gabrielle's blood dream. It was changed. Edge was by her side, helping rather than overseeing proudly. She could almost taste the blood flowing from the victims pale open neck and she felt the pulse flitter and die in the small body that seemed so familiar to her. As the body was pulled away by Edge, its steel grey eyes were still open, but dead eyes flashed her a vision of an innocent loving friend she may have lost.

The sunlight hit Gabrielle full force and she saw red as her eyes snapped open and her head commenced the pounding that had once been well known. Rolling over and burying her head against the maroon fabric of the couch, the television blared a sudden loud noise increasing the pounding. Rolling onto her back, Gabrielle focused her eyes on the figure standing overhead, and recognised Heather's angry disposition.

"This is why you got kicked out of your house, remember?" Her tone was firm and almost parental. "Two months, Gabby, you've gone two months sober and now you down an entire bottle of whatever the hell you drank. I can't even tell because the goddamned bottle is in a million pieces on my floor!" Her voice rose to an angry shout. "You're lucky, you know what? I thrust you and I keep alcohol around and you blow it. That’s the kicker, Gabby, you blow it after such a good stretch." Gabrielle sat up, rubbing her eyes and Heather sat down beside her, sighing deeply. "But at least I know you have your reasons." She added quietly. "Aspirin?" Gabrielle smiled at her with relief.

"God, Heather, what would I do without you? Thank you."

"You owe me." She said, rising to get aspirin and water, shutting off the television and closing the blinds as she went. "So what happened?" Heather inquired, walking back and setting the bottle of aspirin and glass of water on the table in front of Gabrielle. "You wanna tell me?" She asked gently as Gabrielle sighed, downed the aspirin and water, and put her head in her hands.

"You know how I thought Edge was perfect?" She began quietly. Heather nodded. "Well, he's not." Her bottom lip quivered with eminent tears as she continued. "He walked me to his place and he wanted me to stay the night and I said no because that seemed like the best thing to do and…" She stopped, sniffling and running her hand across her eyes.

"Take your time, Gabby." Heather put an arm around her back comfortingly. After a moment, she continued.

"He just got so possessive. He said he needed me, and he wanted to be with me all the time and I tried to pull away but he wouldn't let me and - God, why was he like that?" She practically wailed out the last sentence, tears beginning to over flow.

"Because he's either the biggest prick on earth…or he really does care enough about you to never want you to get away."

"Equally cursed and blessed." Gabrielle said brokenly. "How do I know what's going to happen next?" Heather shrugged.

"For now, we assume the prick part. Which means ice cream, chocolate and chick flicks."

"No, vampire flicks." Gabrielle corrected, trying to cheer up, but already feeling lonely without him.