A familiar face {Alex}

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie parked her car outside Maverick's and let out a happy sigh. She felt better than she had in weeks, since Greg had disowned her and taken off with the Lupus Virtus pack to parts unknown. It was fine with her, since Jason had accepted her back into Orion and she was determined to prove to him that he could trust her not to leave, even if her Uncle came back from wherever he went.

Climbing out of the car, she walked up to the door to the bar and pushed it open. Thankfully, the band wasn't playing tonight, and there was a buzz of conversation coming from people sitting all along the bar and in booths. She managed to slide up to the bar, in between a couple of humans she only vaguely recognized in the way you do with small towns. One of them tried to grab her ass, obviously drunk, and she shifted and 'accidentally' stepped on his foot. He jumped back, cursing, and she batted her lashes at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, was that your foot?" She smiled at him, a predators smile, and he backed off, muttering to find an empty booth. She snorted and turned, amused now that the creep was gone, and found a familiar face.

"Alex!" She grinned. It'd been, what, a month or so since she'd seen him? He looked better, more filled out than before. "Hey, how have you been? Do you work here now?"

[kahira]

It was good to finally have some money in his pocket, even if it wasn't a lot, and he was also happy he didn't look like a walking skeleton either anymore. Washing tables and sweeping messes wasn't exactly what he wanted to do, but his knowledge of the whole alcohol business was practically ancient, he didn't drink much at all, and when he had it had just been whatever Julia had gotten. A man who didn't really drink? Insanity! He managed though.

Aside from cleaning, he was on the lookout for drunken morons who started making a fuss. He was strong now, and his muscles were defined well enough through the black long-sleeved shirt he wore, it's sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the top three or so buttons left unclasped revealed his chest as well as a simple white tank-top beneath, his leather jacket was tucked away behind the bar counter, safe from spills and other messes. Any man who dared to stir up something in the bar ended up with Alex's hands gripping their arms tightly, shoving them out the door with a good kick in the butt for good measure sometimes.

He was currently cleaning off a small round table close to the bar itself when he heard his name being called by a familiar voice. Was that- no... it couldn't be... could it? "Connie?" his head lifted to look for her as his hand withdrew from the table, though took the rag with it. Yes! It was her. He chuckled as she asked how he was and if he worked here now. "I've been moving along. Heh, and yeah, not the best job I must say, but it's better than nothing. Puts money in my pocket, which is good enough for me." he smiled as he approached her, "And you? I haven't seen you for awhile, how have you been?" he asked, setting the rag next to him on the bar table though he didn't sit.

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie smiled when Alex came over, looking surprised and amused. "Hey, a job is a job." She shrugged but smiled a bit. She knew how it felt. "But yeah, working clean up at the bar isn't anything to cheer too loudly over. You look better though! It doesn't look like I need to feed you again." She grinned up at him, he was quite a bit taller than she was. If she had known him a little better, she might have reached out and poked his stomach, but held herself back from it.

"I've been good," She said with a little laugh. "Busy with pack business, and work on top of that. This is the first night in nearly a month since I've been able to get out and have fun." She grinned. "Of course the night I do, some creep tries to grab my ass." She scowled a little towards the man and his friends who had slunk off to a booth after Connie had stomped on his foot. A bright idea hit her, a way to keep the guy away from her, she hoped.

"Hey you wanna buy me a drink?" She asked, amused by her thought. The guy would probably think twice about trying that again if someone as big as Alex was "buying" her drinks, even if it was just a pretense. When she came to the bar she usually only drank beer. Even though alcohol didn't really affect her, she still didn't like drinking and driving. Probably something drivers ed shoved into her head when she was learning how to drive.

[kahira]

Alex leaned against the bar table as Connie spoke, yes, she did have a point. A job was a job. Alex was happy to have one for sure, but she wondered how Connie would feel if and when he told her that he was currently just living out in a shack. He frowned when she said a guy had grabbed her ass. He had been too busy with the table to notice, but he followed her gaze, looking at the group of guys at the table. "Mmm... do I need to kick someone's butt out?" he asked looking back at her, "Because I can." he said and then gave an evil smirk.

He raised a brow as she asked him if he wanted to buy her a drink. He chuckled then and nodded, "Alright. I suppose I might as well spoil you on your night off." he teased as he waved over the bartender. "What is it you want?" he asked, watching the man walk over to them.

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie laughed at Alex when he asked if he needed to kick someone out. "As of yet, no," She said, though she thought he was probably eager to. "I stomped on his foot hard enough to make him limp so chances are he won't bug me again. But if he does, then by all means you can be my knight in shining armor this time." She grinned. "Since I was yours last time." She winked, then looked towards the bartender as Alex summoned him over.

"Ah, just a Bud Light for now, thanks." She smiled at the bartender before turning back to Alex. "Hey, if I thought you were going to spoil my night I wouldn't have said anything when I saw you." She smiled as the bartender came back and passed her over the beer. "Thanks," She said and took a swig from the bottle. "So besides working, what have you been up to? Met anyone new?"

[kahira]

Alex smiled, "I do owe you a lot. Heh, if buying you beer and keeping men from bothering you is what it takes to start paying back my debt to you, I'll gladly do it." he chuckled and briefly watched the bartender leave them be before looking back at Connie. At her questions he pondered, but it wasn't a long one, just enough to get his thoughts in order.

"Well, aside from work, nothing really. It may not be the fanciest of places, but I found an old shake a few miles out of town, I think it used to hold farm equipment or something. It's roomy for sure and it's better for a home than living on the streets." he said softly, not really wanting the conversation to be overheard. "As far as meeting new people? Aside from those i work with? No. I haven't ran into any others of us yet... I suppose that's a good thing." he chuckled, but it lacked humor.

Did he want to meet other werewolves? Part of him did, just to see what they were like, but another part of him wanted to stay as far away from them as possible.

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie smiled at Alex and waved a hand. "You don't owe me anything, Alex. I don't want you to think you do." She used one arm to hop up onto a bar stool that opened up beside her and she plopped down, comfy. She shifted on the stool, twisting back and forth as she watched Alex ponder her questions.

"Old farm... I think I know which one you mean. That's not a bad place." She sipped on her beer, thinking. "You must be good at avoiding everyone," She said softly. "In a town this size, I'm surprised. But it's not impossible. Have you been out running lately?" If not, she knew of a few spots the pack didn't go to since there were closer spots. While someone could resist the change for the full moon, it usually made them cranky. She knew, she'd resisted for the past couple of moons before she'd met Alex.

She shifted on her stool again, enjoying herself as she sipped on her beer. "Have you run across anymore hunters?" Her voice dropped lower than she'd had it before, and there was no way anyone but Alex would hear her over the other conversations in the bar. She wanted to know if he'd seen anymore. If they got worse, she'd have to warn Jason. She was still worried about the ones who shot at him before she'd found him and fed him. If there was anything her pack needed to worry about, it was hunters.

[kahira]

Alex watched as Connie twirled in the bar stool, he couldn't help but smile at that, it had to be one of the few things Alex never expected her to do. So she knew of the place he was staying? Perhaps he had just been lucking out, but with everything, Alex knew that this luck would run out, and when it did... he wasn't too sure what he'd do. The smile faltered, "I haven't gone out running yet... no... I... actually haven't changed for a few weeks now." he mumbled. He had been keeping track of the moon though... god what would he do when the full moon came? He had never had to worry about it before, he had been far from people, in the wild. He didn't have to worry about hurting someone. This time though? He wasn't sure what to do. He knew those flimsy metal doors on the shed weren't going to be enough to keep him inside if he really wanted out. Now he was getting worried, damn, why did he have to go thinking of this stuff.

He came back to reality has Connie asked her next question. "Thankfully no... I haven't seen anymore." he answered, his voice kept low, like hers. "Personally I hope I don't... but I've been on lucks good side for some time now... it's bound to run out sooner or later, and knowing me... it'll probably be sooner." he sniffed and his eyes glanced around the bar, making sure everything was in order. He wished he could share a beer with Connie, but like all jobs, drinking was looked down upon, and he didn't want to get fired over a simple bottle of beer just because he wanted to enjoy the night.

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie's eyes went a little wide when he said he hadn't shifted, then they narrowed in speculation. She wondered if he knew they didn't have to change on the full moon. "I know of a place we can go running together sometime," She said. "Pack won't bother you, and most strays usually stay to themselves. Or I can tell you of a few places where the pack doesn't usually go to since there are other places closer. If you're on the farm I think you're on, that's safe territory for you." She shrugged. "Or you could just not change. But it'll suck." She warned.

Connie sighed with relief and she leaned back against the bar, quitting her twisting on the bar stool. "That's good," she said softly. "That's really good. I was afraid that with the increase in the stray population around here, the hunters were going to get worse but it doesn't seem to have happened yet." She glanced back up at him and smiled. "If you have a problem call me. Did I give you my cell number? I can't remember. But if you give me a call I can come help." She smiled, and the predatory smile she used on the creep earlier came back. "I'm good in a fight.'

[kahira]

Alex frowned, he had been getting a bit jumpy lately with little knowledge as to why. Was that a side effect if you ignored your wolf half? What about on full moons? He had never bothered to ignore shifting before, there was no need to. If he had to... could he? "Heh, well if you're up for if I suppose I can manage. I probably should..." he mumbled, he didn't want to put himself or others in danger because of his ignorance.

Her number? No, Alex couldn't recall her ever giving him her number, "No, I don't think I ever got your number Connie." he chuckled, "We'll have to swap them sometime. I just recently got a cell so I might as well start loading up the contacts." he chuckled.

"Oi? Alex." a man's voice called.
"Hmm?" Alex mumbled, looking up, away from Connie. It was the manager, "You're shifts up, though I'm sure you'd be willing to waste away the time anyway talkin' to pretty ladies. Lucky for you I'm in a good mood." the man grumbled and Alex seemed puzzled, was it time already? He glanced at the clock on the wall. Well would you look at that.
"Heh... well, we could always hang out here I suppose, or we can go enjoy your night off somewhere else." he teased with a chuckle as he reached over the bar counter to grab his jacket which he set on his lap.

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie nodded. "Just let me know when you want to go, and I'll show you where you can run safely. You could run safely where the pack does, but some might not be happy about it." She shrugged. "Some are more territorial than others."

Connie grinned and pulled out a pen. "I left my phone at home charging. I killed it earlier and didn't feel like bringing a dead phone with me to the bar." She reached out and took his hand, writing her number across his palm. "There, now you can't forget." She smiled at him and shoved the pen back in her pocket. She might not go everywhere with a phone, but she usually had a pen. She found writing things on her hands helped her remember stuff she needed to do.

She glanced back at the manager when he called back at Alex and said his shift was over with. She grinned when he said something about a pretty girl, and Connie sent him a wink for his compliment.

"Hey, let's boogie. I can show you one of the places to shift. I wouldn't mind a midnight run, it's a nice exercise." She hopped up off the bar stool and put down her empty beer bottle. She grabbed the coat she'd taken off when she'd come inside, and tossed it back over her shoulders and slid it on. She didn't notice when, but the rednecks from earlier had left the bar. She sighed, at least she wouldn't have to deal with them on the way out.

Connie smiled as she walked out of the bar, waving at a couple of familiar faces before she slid outside. "My car is just over there," She said, pointing towards it. It was dark where her car was. Funny, she thought street light was working when she'd gone inside. Maybe the bulb had busted or something.

As she walked towards her car, she heard a shuffle of feet and she glanced back. "Oh shit!" She shifted, shoving Alex to the side just as one of the rednecks rushed at them. "Really dude? I step on your foot and you attack me in a parking lot?"

"Stupid bitch," The redneck said, throwing another punch at Connie. She dodged it, stepping back fast.

"Oh for gods sake..."

[kahira]

Alex was confused when Connie took his hand, flipping up his palm and squiggled numbers on it. It tickled a bit, he didn't think he was even remotely ticklish on his palms. He chuckled though at the end realizing she had wrote down her number. When she said they should go, he nodded and slipped on his coat, following her outside, "Roland! Put the beer on my tab." he called over his shoulder, it had to be the bartender.
"You don't have a tab you moron."
"Make one then." he said just as the door of the bar closed. He was sure the other man was rolling his eyes or cursing at him under his breath.

I certainly was dark out, Alex glanced up at the moon. He always dreaded full moons. Sure it wasn't there yet... but it would be soon enough. He'd have to ask Connie to help him with that, as he was unsure how to handle himself in a populated area. He frowned at where her car was parked. Odd... the lights were usually always on. Had the bulb burnt out?

He shrugged it off, thinking nothing of it as they approached the car, but let out a surprised yelp as Connie grabbed him, shoving him back. Then he saw the man and seemed to almost growl in response to his comment. At the punch towards Connie, Alex leaped into the fight, reaching his hand out to grab hold of the side of the man's shirt to pull him back away from Connie as he readied his other hand and fist to launch a punch, right towards the man's face. Bars... such wonderful places.

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie was so annoyed by the guy punching at her, that when she went to hit back and her attack missed she nearly growled. She realized it had been Alex, jerking him back and hitting him in return for attacking Connie in the first place. She huffed, but wasn't annoyed at Alex. Actually, she found it good for the ego that someone else help her out in a fight. She was amused at herself.

But when another scuff sounded just behind her, she realized Redneck number one had friends. She spun and brought her arm up just in time to get a nice hot burning slice across her forearm. Jesus, was that silver on the knife?

"What the hell? A knife?" Connie kicked his wrist, and she heard the bone break and the knife skitter off. Blood welled and dripped down her arm, and she scowled darkly as the second guy cried out in pain and shuffled off. She knew there was at least one other guy, but he was no where to be seen. "Alex, you okay back there?" Maybe the third guy had booked, not wanting to fight a girl. Stupid drunken redneck humans. Jesus, that knife did have silver on it! She saw it sitting next to her car. It looked like a pocket knife that had silver inlay on the edges. Some pretty, fancy thing that probably cost a small fortune.

She picked it up, closing the blade. She made sure not to touch the silver as the cut on her arm burned and bled, and she glanced back at Alex. The first guy was on the ground, groaning. "Come on, let's get out of here. I think they had another friend."

[kahira]

Alex's first punch wasn't enough it seemed to knock the man to the ground, damn because that had hurt his fist. The man had managed to land a good kneed hit to his stomach, which had been off just a bit, hitting his ribcage. Nothing snapped, but it sure as hell hurt. He wasn't sure if he'd wind up with a bruise or not. Another punch managed to send the guy to the ground. Alex turned around as if on cue when Connie asked if he was okay.
"Yeah... I'm fine." he grumbled as he glanced down at the man as he started to groan. Alex was sure he had broken the man's nose.

He looked back at Connie as she spoke again, and realized her arm was bleeding. "Jeezus..." he cursed but they didn't have time to fiddle around here about it, not if this guy had more drunken friends around. They needed to leave for sure. Alex quickly walked around the car to the passenger side, though paused before getting in, "You want me to drive?" he asked, concern in his voice.

[Connie Lynn Marshall]

Connie smiled at Alex, though it was a little bit forced, and unlocked her car when he came over. He didn't look like he'd gotten hurt, and her cut would suck for awhile but it'd heal. She might have a scar though. Damn silver. "No I'm fine, it's a small cut but it burns like hell. The dude had a silver imbued blade." She tossed the closed pocket knife at Alex as she plopped down on her seat. "Bring that with, no need to let him have it back. I think I broke his wrist."

She turned the car on and started it up, sighing as she waited for Alex to get in and then locked the doors. "Sorry Alex, but I don't think I'm up for running tonight. Want me to take you back home? You'll need to direct me to make sure we're both thinking about the same place." She winced as she twisted to get her seat belt and the slice on her arm throbbed. "Hell this is going to scar, just you wait."