When she began to shiver, she finally pulled the plug out of the drain. Markus had arranged the towels on the rack closed to the heat vent, so that they were warm and comforting as Mary wrapped herself up in them.

Mary: "Mental note: If you ever become wealthy enough to afford a butler, make damn sure he's gay."

She dried off and slipped into her pajamas before heading downstairs. Markus and Serge were camped out on the couch, both sleeping soundly under the glow of the Christmas tree lights. Mary smiled softly to herself, unplugged the tree, and took a mug of hot cocoa, long since chilled, outside to the back porch.

Chris: "You're awake."

Mary jumped, dropping her mug to the ground. Its contents spilled, but the mug did not break.

Mary: "What the fuck are you doing here?"
Chris: "We need to talk."
Mary: "No we don't! Go home!"

Chris watched as Mary crossed her arms and took a step toward him. The girl was a walking contradiction. He wasn't even entirely sure why he was there - all he knew was that one of them was not supposed to make it until morning alive. He'd lain awake for an hour after Mary left his house, wondering what he would tell his "boss". Although Stone had technically told him he could do with Mary "as he pleased", he knew the real meaning behind the words. The only acceptable explanation for Mary not being dead would be his dusted body scattered throughout his foyer - an alternative that didn't much appeal to him.

Killing the girl, then. A simple enough prospect for a vampire - pounce, bite, suck, swallow, repeat those last two a few times, and Bob's your uncle.

Chris: "Come now, Pet, surely you're not worn out already."

The look that flashed across her face was priceless. He could see the words before they ever left her mouth.

Mary: "Of course not. I mean, yes! No, wait… now listen here! Tonight was… you got a break. Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll get two."

Chris fingered the knife that was concealed in his pocket. Mary's face was turning as red as her hair. He stifled a laugh, lips twitching as he tried to maintain a serious expression. She was cute when she was angry.

Chris: "Oh, bugger…"

Mary narrowed her eyes as Chris' face turned a shade paler than usual. She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see Markus and Serge with several large wooden stakes, but they were still sleeping soundly on the couch.

Mary: "What? What is it?"

Chris took a deep breath as he realized his mission would be a failure, now and always. The girl had left him wanting more. He didn't want to end it, though he wasn't sure there was really an "it" to end.

Chris: "Hold on, I'm rationalizing. Give me a minute."

If he couldn't get rid of her, he'd have to get rid of Stone. That was all there was to it. Might as well make something useful out of the muck that was running through his head. At the very least it would give him time to sort things out.

Chris: "Stone. I can help you."
Mary: "Why?"
Chris: "You think I like being ordered around by that experiment in Abnormal Psychology? You want to be rid of him and so do I."

Mary glanced over her shoulder again before taking a few steps closer to Chris. Once again, he could read her face like a book as she weighed her curiosity and determination to make Stone disappear from her life against the risks of getting involved with the likes of Chris Peterson - Vampire, Kidnapper, and all around Bad Guy. Curiosity and determination won, as Chris was sure it did every time. It was the same mistake she'd continue to repeat for the rest of her life without ever realizing it.

Mary: "What can you give me?"
Chris: "Security codes. Locations. Hell, I'll draw you maps. If you think you know even a quarter of Andrew Stone's activities, you're sadly mistaken. The man has his hands in everything. Literally - nothing goes on in this town that he isn't at the beginning or the end of. Usually both."

Mary tightened her arms around herself as she looked Chris in the eye.

Mary: "And I suppose you'll want something in return for this information."

Chris slowly and subtly ran his tongue across his upper lip, feeling almost giddy as he watched Mary's discomfort grow by leaps and bounds.

Mary: "No."
Chris: "Don't flatter yourself. In return, you do all the dirty work. As far as Stone's concerned, I'm just some pathetic weak vampire who got his arse kicked by an angry girl with severe psychological problems. Not even worth the bother of dealing with."
Mary: "Fine. Come inside, and be quiet. I don't think even my severe psychological problems will protect you from Markus if he hears you."