In the Belly of the Beast **Jack** - 01/18/05

[hopefullyedward]

[The sound of pool balls colliding and sliding across felted surfaces tugged at Edward's sensitive ears. The buzz of the tattoo gun that was running in the back could almost be felt in his bones as the sound waves emanating from it displaced air and moved through the solid walls of the building.. His golden-eyed vision roamed over the walls even more as Jack talked. Her dad's shop, also unexpected. His attention had been “Your dad has more than one Tattoo Parlor?” He asked, curious as he continued to gaze.

At her direction Edward's attention was directed to a detailed an vicious looking feline; all claws, teeth and stripes as it tried to stalk its way off the paper on which it was etched. Her scent came closer to his body as she approached and pointed out the faerie as well. His eyes followed her fingers as she touched her abdomen lightly. Instantly he was curious as to what the skin art looked like. Embarrassed that he had been peeking previously, Edward failed to complement the work on Jack's back, instead turning to the wall once more as she left, trying to keep his thoughts off of her stomach and the ink blended into it.

More shouting occurred and a dreadful excuse for music blared through the concrete block structure. Irritated as his attraction and curiosity, Edward felt mischievous. He moved along the wall at a normal pace, looking as if he was taking in the pictures on the wall. Instead he was listening. At the moment when he knew Jack would have lined up a shot, and was sliding her cue through her slender fingers to strike the ball, he sprung. In less than a second he was peering at a pair of sparrows, tossing the cue ball in his hand, wicked grin sliced across his features.

[hound]

"Yeah, this is just one of the two he owns. He likes to have a foot in multiple places." Jack said as she was bent over, ready to take her shot. As she went to hit the ball, she gasped in surprise as she felt the air unsettle beside her and the next thing she knew, the cue ball was gone. Pushing her lips together and narrowed her eyes, with a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. As she stood up, the song Headstrong by Trapt began to play. Smiling, she looked at Edward, tilting her head to the side and raising an eyebrow. He was looking at a piece of art of two sparrows. Sighing, she played with her shirt, which had slipped up slightly when she bent over. That reminded her of how Edward had looked down at her hand when she had touched her tattoo through her shirt. That made her smile even more. So he was curious, and he was playful. Laughing softly she walked up to him and saw the cue ball, in his hand.

"Really?" She laughed as she held out her hand over his shoulder. As she peeked around she saw his smirk and had to smile along with him. It was amusing, but the fact that he was acting like he'd done nothing wrong was just amusing. And a little cute. "Do you want to play?" She asked, tilting her head toward the table and a smile and a challenge in her eyes. Why not, she knew he would most likely kick her ass, but who cared. It would be a fun game.

[hopefullyedward]

Jack's light laughter made the smile on Edward's face grow wickeder even still. So she enjoyed being played with. That was a definite plus. He felt and smelled her as she came closer, from the vibrations on the floor as she walked, to her scent lingering on the air the moved lazily through the building. A hand covered with olive skin draped over his shoulder as she reached for the ball. He feinted returning the ball, before turning to face her. “You want to play pool? With me?” He inquired, looking beyond what one would consider amused.

Tossing the ball once more his vision took in her face, the lines of her jaw and the curve of her lips as she smiled. Shrugging he nodded his head in agreement. “Sure, why not.” He sauntered to the table, using his speed to help him gather the balls that had already been pocketed and resetting the table. Pool stick in hand, he looked at her once more, “Are you sure about this?” He asked, eyes dancing mischievously, “You're going to lose.” Extending his arm he offered her the cue, signaling that she should take the first shot. After all, it was only fair to let her get at least one shot in.

[hound]

Jack watched as Edward became amused. She had to laugh herself. "Obviously with you. Who the hell else is in the room that I can play pool with?" She snapped slightly, but it didn't sound right with her laughing. She had played pool twice before with a vampire and both those times with the same vampire, Stefan. Each time, she had learned something new. She hoped to learn something out of this game as well, whether it be related to the game or not.

With a crooked smile she watched him set the rack in a blur and stepped over to the table with a raised eyebrow, leaning on her own stick. Jack took the cue ball from him with a cocky tilt of her head and guffaw that made her sound like a horse. "Cocky aren't we?" She asked with a laugh. She couldn't take her eyes off him. She was drawn to him, and at the moment, she didn't give a damn.

"Don't be so full of yourself, I've played scarier character's than you." She said as she placed the cue ball in place and bent to make the break. "And trust me, Stefan can trump you any day in the trying to be scary vampire catagory any day." With a smile, she hit the ball, and broke the rack with a crack. Two balls were pocketed, both solids. Smiling, she walked around the table, and took another shot, missed. She stood back and let Edward take his shot.

As she stepped back and leaned against the glass counter, In the Mood came on blaring smoothly from speakers. Jack closed her eyes and smiled. She had a weakness for old music. Not all old music just some, and In the Mood was one. It was from the 1930's and was a fun song to listen to. She tapped her feet softly on the floor and hummed the tune as she watched Edward. He was such strange creature. She had known some of his kind, but none quite like him. He was different, and she didn't know if it was the fact that he looked her age, or that she found him strangely attractive. Either way, she couldn't help but watch as he walked around the pool table. Shaking her head, she caught the beat that she had lost and began to tap her foot again and sway a little with the music.

[hopefullyedward]

Edward was glad that Jack appeared light hearted about the game, it would make it much more entertaining for him. In fact, he might even let her win if she were a good enough sport. At the mention of his cockiness, Edward’s grin changed, from wicked to predatory, his eyes hiding the laughter which threatened to fall from his lips. “If only you knew.” He responded dryly, thinking of Alice’s frequent comments on the size of Edward’s ego.

Openly his eyes roamed her body as she set up the shot. Her pheromones were in full swing, and while it only made the scent of her more apparent, it was nice to have that effect on someone, any one at all actually, other than the insipid girls at his school. Even they didn’t respond as such anymore. His eyebrows rose at the comment, “Scarier than me?” He inquired, watching as she took her shot. “Impossible.” He feigned insult over the comparison to this other vampire. He could care less, however. Being the scary vampire wasn’t what he was going for. Edward wished to stay as far away from the ‘monster’ image as he could.

Making an impressed nod, Edward took up his own cue. “Nicely done.” He said, vision already focusing on the balls that were left on the table. Ah, stripes, his preferred selection. Milliseconds of decision and calculation went by before Edward leaned down to take his shot. An old favorite of his came on the stereo then, a song he hadn’t heard in a good while. Hell, he had even seen Glen Miller perform live, shook the man’s hand afterward as well. Carlisle was there too, as was Esme. It had been a good night for the lot of them. A memory that would be kept through his eternity, tucked away so that it might never be lost. The song incited something in his body, and in a blur Edward had shot all the stripes into the pocket. He pointed to the side pocket with his cue. “Eight ball, side pocket.” He declared, before he shot, the ball sinking instantly, the cue however, splintered in his hands. He looked down at the wreck of a stick in his hands. “I’ll replace it.” He said, his face apologetic. He had gotten just a little too excited at the music that blared through the room.

Shrugging he laid the ruins on the table, dashing over to Jack’s side with all the speed he had in him, one hand going round her waist to rest on the small of her back, his right hand searching out hers, locking their fingers together. In one swift moment he had connected the two of them and taken her onto the open space of the floor, leading her like no man had likely before, his steps falling in the rhythm of the music as they danced in the shop. “Good song.” He said softly as he twirled her around, the grin gone, a soft and thoughtful smile in its place.

[hound]

Jack glared, fighting the laughter that was trying to escape her lips. She couldn't hold it long though. She burst out laughing, throwing her head back. She couldn't count how many times her father had broken a cue, but it had been many times. In his anger or just being drunk or just fooling around. But the look on Edwards face was priceless, although, she should probably have been kinder and not laughed.

"It's okay. Really. My Dad breaks them all the time, and its funny that you broke one too." She laughed. He had kicked her ass, and all she could do was laugh. That felt good. She closed her eyes and stood for a moment, emersing herself in the feeling of happiness.

Smiling, she heard Edward place the broken cue on the table. She expected him to just stand there, or go get another one. What she didn't expect happened. She felt an arm snake it's way around her back and smelt Edward suddenly close. His hand on her lower back was cool, but felt nice against her skin. Her eyes flew open and she briefly realized that her hand was in his and that she was extremely close to him. She fought the urge to move closer, as he led her into the open area of the room, dancing. She just laughed, spinning around, getting slightly dizzy, but trying to take her eyes off of him. He was surprising.

"Good song."

She smiled softly and eyed him. It was a good song. It was one of her favorites. "It's one of my favorites. But I wouldn't suspect you to be into this kind of music." Oh goddess she was rambling. She bit her tongue trying not to ramble. She moved with him and the music, dancing a smiling. He was good looking, no matter how many times she would try to deny it, and he seemed like he had the attitude to match. Damn. It was just who she was to fall for a guy that she wasn't technically allowed to have. She smiled softly up at him and thought nothing bad could happen, but she thought to soon. She jumped when she heard footsteps coming out into the front from the back. It gave her an excuse to move away from Edward, and try to bring her mind back to earth, it was stuck in day dream land, and she didn't want it to go away.

"Okay Aaron, come back in next week and I'll fin..." Tony stopped where he was as he saw Jack, who was now sitting on the pool table, raise an eyebrow at him. He just shrugged and continued. "As I was saying come in next week and I'll finish it." The guy just nodded, eyeing Jack, walked out the door. Jack just glared, marking him on the list of customers she didn't like.

"New friend Jack? Or are you a customer?" Tony asked as he stepped behind the counter and turned down the music. The song was ending and going over to a song Jack had, had an obsession over for a short amount of time: Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry. It was a good song, with a good beat, but not so great and appropriate lyrics. As Jack watched Tony eye Edward and then glare at her, like she had done something wrong, she knew. She cussed loudly and jumped up, pacing back and forth.

"God dammit Tony!" She snarled and went back and jumped on the pool table, laying down, with her legs, from the knee down hanging off of it. The position had pulled her shirt up and revealed her coyote paw on her stomach, but at the moment she didn't give a flying rats ass. Jack let the silence, with just the music go on for a few minutes. She was pissed and frustrated and was considering murder.

"When did he call you?" She asked finally. Tony knew what they were, and her father had obviously called him telling him that there was drama in the family. She snarled to herself, knowing that her eyes shone golden hazel, with the coyote ready to take control. "Just before you got here." Tony replied, eyeing Edward again.

Jack read his mind without having to look at him. "Yes, Tony. He's what you think he is." She felt extremely miffed. Her father could never keep his goddamned nose out of other peoples buisness, especially hers. "I'm sorry, I didn't give a proper introduction." She said sitting up. "Tony, this is Edward. Edward this is Tony. Tony, Edward goes to my school and is a friend." She glared at Tony. Maybe she would commit a double homicide, make it look like a total accident, a coyote or wolf attack. That kind thing could happen.

[hopefullyedward]

Edward enjoyed the feeling of Jack in his arms as they danced around the shop, she was just as graceful on her feet as he would have expected. Shapeshifters tended to have better agility than most, and dancing with this one was more than pleasant. “There's a lot about me that you don't suspect.” He replied, his voice a low purr, crooked grin spread across his face as his eyes looked into hers. The moment was quickly ruined, however, when the sound of footsteps issued from the back. At the noise Jack pulled herself from Edward's arms and moved quickly across the room, seating herself on the pool table as two men, one of them most likely Tony, came from the back.

The vampire stood as composed as possible, for having just been abandoned and watched the scene that played out in front of him. One of the two men left, and the other, most definitely Tony spoke to Edward. The young mans face had changed from one of relaxed happiness to the guarded expression he often wore. The tension in the room had escalated exponentially since this Tony had returned. Jack's outburst startled Edward, and his vision was drawn from Tony to her form as it paced the floor.

Instantly Edward felt bad for her. This was obviously a family thing, and he had had enough of family things for a while, himself. It was difficult to begin with, not being human, having the huge secret to hide from the world, having to hide the trueness of yourself from people you met, but to have your family on you about that or about your 'responsibilities' all the time, it was exhausting and infuriating. Edward was slightly thrown by Jack's admission of his secret but then again, every one in his family was aware of her secret as well.

He bowed low at the introduction, “A pleasure to meet you, sir.” He said, in a pleasant but formal tone directed at Tony. He looked toward Jack worried about the thoughts that were running through her mind. Not worried for his owns safety, because she was young yet, and not strong enough to harm him, but he didn't want to have to stop her by force. He was hoping that she was just angry and not seriously thinking of hurting anyone in the establishment.

[hound]

Jack could feel Edward's and Tony's eyes upon her as she lay on the pool table. She felt ridiculous. She had completely gone off, and coyote was too close to the surface, trying to take control. Jack shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to make the color of her eyes become normal again and trying to gain control. She had succumbed to coyotes will in years, and she wasn't about to do it know. Looking at Edward out of the corner of her eyes, she sighed. This had to be the most awkward situation in the world. At least her father wasn't there, and she knew he wouldn't be there, for he was in Seattle.

"Nice to meet you Edward." Tony grunted slightly, turning away to look busy, and stealing quick gazes at Jack the whole time. Jack just ignored him. This was hard for her. She had moved from San Diego to a new place, and now she liked a guy, and her dad was most likely going to fight her the whole way about it and on top of that, she had Ben on her ass, over the phone, telling her to keep out of trouble. She was beginning to see a pattern in the whole manly testosterone thing and shape-shifters. "Sorry Edward." Jack whispered softly, knowing he would hear. "I havent' lost control in a long time, and I nearly just did."

It ashamed her. Not only that she had almost lost control, but that her father tried to shelter her so much. It's not like she's randomly going to obtain breast cancer. No she wouldn't turn out like her mother. They knew that something in her blood prevented it. "The coyote was too close. How did I let her even get that close to squirming out of m my skin without noticing her." Jack mumbled to herself. Shaking her head roughly, she sat up and looked at Tony in question. He had stopped doing whatever it was that he had been pretending to do, and was staring at the wall and then down at his hands. "What else did he tell you Tony?" She asked on a sigh. She knew it was something, but what it was, she didn't even want to try and guess.

Tony looked over at Jack with a sad look. "He told me to tell you that he is here." He said, emphasizing the he. Tony looked at Edward then back at Jack hoping she got the hint. She didn't. She just raised an eyebrow and questioned him with her eyes. "Ben." Jack's heart dropped. She couldn't believe it. Why the hell had he come. He wasn't supposed to. Why had Adam even let him leave San Diego, he wasn't safe from other werewolves anywhere else with his reputation. Looking at Tony, then Edward she pushed herself up and stood leaning against the pool table.

Trying to brush everything aside, and lose the sad and pitiful attitude she had sadly gained, she smiled at Edward. "So you live around here. What is a fun thing to do, that doesn't involve a lot of people being around?" She asked casually. It was a random question, but to get her mind off the inevitable, pain in the ass at home, she had to ask something and it seemed to be the first question to come to mind. Well maybe not the first, but the easiest.

[hopefullyedward]

The tattoo artist known as Tony replied in kind to Edward and turned back to his work. The vampire was left concerned about the young woman that brought him here, and his vision swept over to where she lay on the pool table. He could see her lips move and hear her voice clearly even though the words were barely being breather. Edward shook his head tensely, trying to get across the fact that she shouldn't apologize. He knew what it was like to loose control, and she was much less experienced than he in their situations.

He could feel the shame rolling off of her, and hear her thoughts about her mother in his mind. His stoic expression faded and instead a thoughtful frown crossed his features. Somethings were just to private for anyone to hear. Jack was a strong willed teenage girl, and he was sure that she wouldn't choose to share the information about her mother just yet. He heard her mumblings, feeling awkward and out of place standing in this tattoo parlor in Port Angeles listening to a shape-shifter try and convince herself not to shift and being ignored by one of the shop's artists. What a day this had turned into.

Frown gone, non-readable expression in place, Edward watched as Jack raised to a sitting position. Hearing Jack and Tony talk felt like he was eavesdropping on a private conversation. Then again, Edward was always eavesdropping. It wasn't exactly something he could not do. He caught Tony's inflection and look, and curiosity flowed through him. Who was this Ben person? And why did Jack's pulse rate change when his name was brought up. Perhaps an ex-lover, or an enemy?

And then the conversation was over. Jack was standing and smiling at him, asking what there was to do. “I'm afraid I don't get out much.” He admitted with a sad smile. Edward had no reason to go gallivanting anywhere in the local area. He tended to grow bored with what humans liked to do rather quickly. Most of the time he spent with his family, playing games with Alice, sparing with Emmett, discussing theories with his father or just listening to music for hours on end. “I am sure that we can find something to do, however.” He began to walk to the exit, more than happy to leave the parlor and the tension that hung in the air there. “It was nice to meet you.” The young vampire said to Tony, moving to the door to hold it open for Jack. “Shall we?” He asked, waiting for her to come along.

_{OOC:Want to bring Ben in?}

[hound]

OOC//That was my plan

Jack listened as Edward admitted to not getting out much. How did he survive? She got out, but she went running or did something weird that humans usually didn't do. Nodding she turned as she walked backwards out the tattoo parlors door. "Hey Tony, have fun with the shop, and if Dad calls, just tell him I'll come home when I'm ready." She smiled as sweetly as she could, adding hints of sarcasm to her tone as she spoke. She wasn't even thinking of going home, at least, not with them knowing she was there. Smiling she turned back to Edward, not waiting for Tony's reply, and headed out of the building. She kept in step with Edward, and on a thought, she had to apologize.

"I'm sorry about that in there," She said facing him as she walked. "Family issues really suck. Especially the ones that involve people who aren't family." Ben. He was the non-family that was in all the drama. It was amusing that he had shown up. Adam must have really gotten sick and tired of his moping about. Jack wondered how everyone was and about her old family. Yes. Old. They were no longer her family. At least at the moment. Larry had taken her away from them, not trusting them to protect her. So they were no longer family. Her father had made sure of that. Pushing aside the sad thoughts, she looked at Edward with a smile a little mischeif in her eyes.

"Come on," She said, leading down towards the harbor. "I've got an idea." She left her bike parked in front of the shop. That would be weird if her father saw it, but she'd come back and get it. As she led the way down to the harbor, she started to think about if she wanted to explain to Edward what he had just listened to. She had only known him for a few hours, but for some reason it seemed longer. Looking at him side long she spoke. "Obviously, we're walking to the harbor if you haven't noticed." She laughed softly. "You don't mind do you? I find that the ocean has a calming affect."

Turning she looked at Edward and took a breath, one she wished she hadn't taken. They weren't too far from the parlor, but when she turned and walked backwards she saw him. Talking to Tony by the door, his hair a mess as always and his face questioning, and hurt. Turning back around quickly, Jack kept walking away, knowing by the voice behind her, he knew she was there. Crap! She thought. Why? Why did he have to meddle?Turning to Edward she grimaced. "Okay, no need to alarm you, but be prepared to see a nasty argument, at least if he gets that close."

[ben]

Ben took a deep and smiled. He was almost there. He could see the shop in front of him and watched as a two people, a young man and a young woman walked out. when the breeze picked up Jack's hair, her sent blew towards him, he almost ran to her, but he didn't know the young man with her, so stayed back, looking to Tony, who stood by the door shaking his head.

"Hey Tony." Ben smiled. He couldn't help but look towards Jack, who was know looking at him. He could see the bewildered look on her face, and hear the murmur of her voice. Damn how he'd missed her. Yet, he felt a worm of jealousy as he watched her walk with that young man. Coming back to the living, he looked at Tony, who had been speaking to him. He raised an eyebrow. "What?" Tony seemed flustered. His face was becoming red and he was ranting about Jack and that guy, Edward. As Ben listened, he smelled the air around him, he cursed loudly. Looking back at Jack, who was farther down the walk now, he nodded to Tony and headed after her a brisk pace.

A vampire. She just had to stick her nose into a hornets nest didn't she? She hadn't been there more than a month and she had already become friends with the one thing she shouldn't have. Snarling softly, he weaved through the crowd and followed to two "young" people, catching up easily, and walking slowly behind. He watched Jack, who was comfortable with the vampire. She always was a strange one. She had been close with Stefan back home, but Ben knew and trusted Stefan, and didn't even know this vampire. A snarl slipped through his chest again, and Jack turned her head slightly, seeing him and glaring. Ben kept following though. He needed to talk to her, and now seemed the best time to do it.

"Hey there Jacky." He smiled as he grabbed her shoulder and turned her quickly. She jumped from his grasp glaring, fighting the urge to raise her lip and snarl. "How have you been girl? We've missed you back home. I bring love from Warren, Jesse, and surprisingly Adam. He misses you bunches by the way." Ben smiled, pulling her into a hug. Stepping back, he looked at her companion and held out his hand. "Names Ben." He said easily, eying the young man coldly as he assessed him.

It was interesting to see a vampire such as this. The family in Santee had liked to stay out of the sun. Preferring the cliche of vampires and night. It was a plausible way of life though, since they lived in southern sunny California. But he wasn't in California, and the young vampire next to him was out during the day. Looking at Edward, another thought crossed Ben's mind, was this young vampire the only one? Or was he part of a family. His eyes were different. A golden color, and he didn't know why. Stefan's eyes had always been red or black, a total cliche about vampires, and they had laughed over and over about it. Everything about this vampire was different, and all Ben could think of, was the fact that Jack had once again, put her nose where it didn't belong.

[hopefullyedward]

The door swung closed behind the two as soon as Edward released it. Which he did when Jack walked through the entryway and out onto the asphalt parking lot. “Don't worry about it.” He said, thinking of his own family issues, and how they never involved others. Except recently. A frown tarnished his features and lines furrowed his brow as he remembered everything that waited for him at home. Specifically Angel and Amanda and the trauma that they brought into the Cullen household. Jack spoke, drawing Edward from his depressing thoughts, and he did not fail to notice the twinkle in her eyes. A grin slowly crept it's way across his face, she had an idea, and with the way this girl, shape-shifter, whatever drove, her idea was likely to be exhilarating.

Going to the harbor wasn't exactly what Edward would think of as exciting, but as soon as Jack explained her penchant for the place, the vampire understood. Finding a place of calm was needed for him, and he had one of those as well, though he was loathe to share it with anyone. “No, I don't mind at all.” He responded as they walked, bringing himself somewhat closer to her body as their feet moved them onwards.

Jack's thoughts caught Edward off guard. Where moments before she had been thinking of the calm of the water, now she was upset about something. His eyebrow's rose in question and he looked down at Jack, trying to figure out what was going on. “Um, ok?” He replied, still not sure what was going on. It didn't take long for Edward to figure out what was up. As Jack and he continued on their path, Edward could smell the pungent scent of the wolf that walked behind them. That's what he got for hanging out with a shape-shifter though, he should have known that more were likely to follow.

It took most of Edward's restraint not to attack the young man as he grabbed for Jack and turned her toward him. It was obvious that she didn't want to be near him, or she would have gone to speak with him. While Jack managed to not snarl, Edward was not so lucky. His lip curled upward, revealing white teeth and a snarl ripped form his chest as this guy spoke so nonchalantly to the girl Edward was accompanying. “Edward.” He answered tersely, taking a protective step toward Jack.

[hound]

Jack couldn't believe her eyes. Ben was here and he was being a complete idiot as usual. With him being so close she realized how much she had really missed him. Mentally shaking her head, she narrowed her eyes. She didn't want him here. If she was going to have to leave the trouble, it meant leaving all the past in the past. The thought hurt, but it was what needed to be done. She couldn't even answer his questions, and stayed limp as he hugged her, surprised at the fact that Edward was putting himself between her and Ben. Oh this was going to be bad.

"Ben what the hell are you doing here?" She snapped. There was no room for niceties. He had walked up behind her, grabbed her, and then rudely acted like it was a great thing that he was here. Didn't he remember the argument they'd had before she left. Especially the one between himself and her father. But still he was here, in Washington state. Following her like a lost puppy, and it wasn't cute at all. Looking up into his eyes, she could see the anger, and see the resentment, and was that jealousy. No. He wouldn't stoop that low, especially at his age.

Sighing in frustration, she stepped around Edward and glared at Ben. "Go home. I don't know if my father called you hear to take care of me, but I don't need to be taken care of, especially by you." She said turning back to Edward, tears in her eyes as she remembered what he had told her before she'd been forced to leave. They were things not worth remembering, but they were harsh thoughts, and were painful. "You made that very clear the day I left San Diego." She turned, looked at Edward then tugged on his arm, trying to get him to leave, and trying to get away from Ben. She didn't want to be near him and she didn't want to argue with him, she just wanted to be happy and to live a life with as little drama as possible.

[ben]

Ben's eyes flashed and teeth bared when he heard the snarl, that Jack seemed to ignore. He watched how calm she was, while both he and this young man were glaring daggers at each other, ready to launch themselves at the others throats if need be. Ben clenched his jaw, eyes turning the pale yellow of wolf and teeth sharpening as he watched this young man. Edward was his name, and the fact that he was getting in between him and Jack pissed him off. "Back off young buck." Ben snarled, ignoring Jack's comment about what he was doing here. What did she mean what was he doing here, he felt bad about what she had said, and he couldn't live without her, even if he wanted to, Wolf wouldn't let him. Ben eyes went wide when he heard her tell him to go home.

"Jack..." He broke off, trying to control his anger and hurt. "Jacinth, what do you mean go home? The whole reason I'm here is to apologize and make up for the..." Jack cut him off. Turning away Ben watched as she tugged on the young mans arm to get him to follow her. Ben snapped, his anger and hurt filling him fully. He stepped quickly in front of Jack and grabbed her arm, harder than he should. "Whatever the hell is going on its not funny Jack. I left to come find you and make sure those to pups back in San Diego didn't follow you. Obviously you don't need me, you never needed anyone right?" He asked with a snarl, close to her face now. She was pulling back and the pain and anger, mixed with a little fear, were all apparent by her face. Her eyes were a deep hazel now, and Ben could smell the coyote on the surface. "Whether you like it or not I'm here to stay. Adam's orders. Anything you want to say about that, 'cause you don't seem at all happy about it." Ben glared into her eyes, and stood close, forgetting about the vampire for that moment in time.