Stephen with Laszlo in tow arrived safely back at the Refuge, Melly and Dinah having left before them to do something unspecified but that he figured came under the heading of girl stuff. He headed for his office, saying, "I need to talk to Tommy before I do anything else. Why don't you meet me at Marc's office in about twenty minutes or so?"

"Sure," Laz said, "I want to check in with Paul anyway," and headed off.

Stephen continued on to his office his lips twitching as he considered the likely events about to unfold. He walked into his office, saying "Afternoon Tommy. Did I miss anything while I was gone?"

Tommy, startled, looked up, replying automatically, "No, nothing I couldn't handle."

He was about to say something else when Stephen totally confused him by sitting down in the visitor's chair, saying, "Tommy, I'm sorry."

"Uhm, what for?"

"I disappeared this morning without letting you know where I was going. How did Marc take it when you told him?" Stephen replied, keeping his face straight, his voice bland only with the greatest of effort.

Tommy flushed red and then demanded indignantly, "You knew?"

Stephen nodded, smiling. "It seemed a reasonable conclusion after he talked to Doni that he had or would enlist your aid as well in the cause of keeping me alive."

Tommy looked at his blotter gathering his courage, "I suggested he talk to ah…Doni."

Stephen studied his aide for a moment in silence considering that piece of news. Finally he said, "Well I expect if you hadn't, he'd of thought of it on his own."

Tommy digested that for a moment. "Then you don't mind me telling him about you leaving and stuff?"

"Well, let's say that I understand why you're doing it and its ok if you keep on letting him know. However," and Stephen's voice changed a bit, becoming less bland, "just remember that there may be times, then, when I disappear without telling you where I am because I don't want him to know. I don't want to put you in the middle between him and me and I know you did what you thought you had to do."

"I was going to tell you. I didn't like doing it." Tommy was miserable again.

"I know you would have. Just as I imagine you didn't like it. But don't forget, at the end of the day, Tommy, you work for me, not him. I, on the other hand, will do what I can to ensure you're never put in that position again. So far as I can see, though, you did nothing wrong."

Tommy blinked at him, not sure he'd heard the last part right. "I didn't?"

"Nope. You picked the best of a bunch of bad choices. That's all you can do."

Tommy nodded, relieved.

Stephen, reading his face with great ease, smiled at him again. "Tommy…"

"Yeah?"

"You really are indispensable. I don't know what I'd do without you. And I feel certain I don't make my appreciation for your efforts nearly as plain as I should."

"It's ok," Tommy said blushing.

"And," Stephen resumed as if he hadn't spoken, "Tabitha was making it plain to me the other day that we're short on space here in the House and I heard Reno was getting a wing in Marc's house…so wanting to do something tangible to express my appreciation I made arrangements with Cal to put a new house on the lot where my old one was. I was thinking, in the interests of aide de camp equity that perhaps you might want to work with Cal regarding the house and come up with something that works for you…as a place for you to live. And, if you like, you can even work out some sort of sharing arrangement with someone, if you don't want to live there by yourself. Or even build a duplex."

Tommy was speechless. Reno had a wing, but he was getting a house.

"Think about it and then go see Cal. He's expecting you. Now I need to go see Marc and then I'm going home to Doni who I am certain is ready to yell nearly as loudly as I'm betting Marc wants to. See you tomorrow."

Tommy just nodded, still speechless.

Stephen grinned at him and left, satisfied with the results of that encounter. The next wasn't nearly so manageable, but had a corresponding higher potential for disaster. Sometime tomorrow though he was going to have to have a frank and detailed discussion with Marc about all the things Marc didn't know that he's never had time to tell him. It would be interesting to see how he took them.

Stephen entered Marc's office with the same unconcern and innocent demeanor he'd used with Tommy. "Afternoon Reno, is your boss in?"

Reno looked up at him and said, "Yeah, he's in."

"Is he busy or can I see him?"

"I uhm, think he'd be very glad to see you. Go right in." Reno answered hoping they'd leave the door open so he could eavesdrop.

Stephen gave him a mock salute and walked into Marc's office, saying, "Hope I'm not interrupting. Got a few minutes?"

Marc was sitting in his desk chair. He'd had it turned around to look out over the scenery. As Stephen spoke the chair did not swing around right away, so Stephen took the visitor's chair awaiting the explosion. Stephen had awhile to wait. Reno, standing near the door, frowned, trying to listen in on the eruption he fully expected to hear.

Finally Marc's chair swung around. "Trevor wants to lock down the Refuge tomorrow. He also wants to brief you, me, Cal, Cassidy and our aides tomorrow. If you'd like anyone else there make sure Reno knows how many to expect so he can have the conference room ready."

Stephen thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, there's a couple. I'll let him know."

"Good. Anything else?" Marc asked.

"It's OK to yell."

"Would it do me any good?" Marc asked.

"You'd feel better," Stephen replied. "And, it might do you some good in other directions. On the other hand, if that isn't to your taste, it might help to know that I took Laszlo with me to...er...fill a number of roles, including that of security."

"Did you indeed. How nice. I suppose it is too much to ask that you tell someone before hand so they don't worry."

"No, it's not," Stephen acknowledged.

Marc sighed. "I don't mind you keeping secrets, Stephen, but I will mind very much if you get yourself killed. You'll ruin all my planning and I truly hate that."

"Well, you know...that's the thing, I'd mind very much getting killed as well. And, I have discovered that I actually like you and would dislike upsetting you." Stephen paused, looking at his hands for a moment. When he continued his tone was wry, self-deprecating. "The trouble is I dislike being managed. It's something of a dilemma. Hence the surrender to a childish impulse."

"You, of course, being above attempting to manage me." Stephen sighed. "No. As demonstrated by today's exercise. I made sure that it was unlikely anyone would be in doubt of my whereabouts, if they gave the matter a modicum of thought and that I had someone with me who earns his living in, among other things, security work. Stephen paused, choosing his words carefully. "I have every intention of cooperating in what I expect will be an extremely distasteful exercise. But I am not, unfortunately, above being pissed that you chose to approach my aide and Doni before you approached me."

Marc spread his hands. "My only defense is that I am unused to working with a partner. Truce."

Stephen held a hand out across the desk, "Truce...and a new respect?" he said, the faintest hint of a query on his voice.

Marc took Stephen's hand in a firm grip. "I apologize. You're right. It was disrespectful, even if that was not my intent."

"And I apologize for behaving like a five year old. Wanna spank me? I probably deserve it."

"Which would lead to a death spiral of accusations of disrespect and apologies. No thank you. I'll apologize to Tommy as well, I know it made him very uncomfortable. But I confess to being quite concerned about your safety. Especially in light of..."

"Yes?" Stephen asked, sensing the tension apparent in Marc's demeanor.

"Bella is dead. Quite horribly. I found her the other night on Home."

Stephen sat, very still, for several minutes. "There was a time when she was much different from what you knew." He sighed. "Do you have any idea who killed her?"

"Yes. Me." As Stephen was speechless for a moment, Marc added, "I spoke to her a few days before. I accused her of murdering Lily and Richard. I read her mind and came away assured she was not involved. And I asked her to help us." "And you think that's ..." That was as far as Stephen got because at that moment Reno popped his head inside the door, saying to Stephen, "Laszlo's here. He says you told him to meet you here."

Stephen flicked a glance at Marc and then nodded to Reno. "Yes, send him in, would you." Then turning to Marc, he said, "I thought it was time you two were properly introduced. Laszlo, formerly of the Navy Seals and the CIA, the latter an association he regrets, now runs a free lance security, intelligence gathering and mercenary supply service...assuming he approves of your goals. He has been helping me for years."

"Well, I suppose I should be pleased to have survived our previous encounter in one piece then," Marc said as held out his hand to Laz.

"Dude, you got a pretty righteous punch so I don't think you need to worry."

Stephen looked from one to the other and decided not to ask. "I'm hoping Laz will supply the actual warm bodies Trevor will be suggesting we need, since I'm not sure I want to trust any one else."

"Any Awakened you mean?" Marc asked with a frown. At Stephen's nod of agreement, he returned his gaze to Laz. "These people are talented but outside the covenant?"

"Yes. If they weren't they'd be no good to you. I specialize in the er...specialized security requirements for talented and non- covenanted Awakened. I don't know everything that's been going on, Stephen didn't want to fill me in until you agreed so I can't say in any detail...but I think I can help you out there and I know you can trust my people."

"Do you know Trevor St Cyr? You two should trade secrets. He's former MI5 and Interpol. He provides security too. For normals however. I'm sure he'd appreciate your expertise."

"His is a name I know. He is highly regarded. Stephen said he was designing the system for you. He's who I'd have recommended if I'd been asked."

Reno interrupted again, this time accompanying Melly into the room. "She says she's invited, too."

"Yes this is my day for proper introductions. Marc, I know you've met Melly in her guise as an archaeologist and researcher, but in real life she runs an incredibly effective intelligence network for me on Home. She'll be briefing tomorrow afternoon."

Marc sighed. "Have you many more surprises for me, Stephen? Reno shut your mouth before a fly gets in it."

"Oh," Reno said. "Sorry. I'll just..."

"Oh hell, stay," Marc said. "I'm quite certain you haven't missed a word up to now. No sense jeopardizing that now."

"Uhm, thanks, I think," Reno said and took a seat off to the side, all attention.

Stephen laughed. "Just two...Melly, where's Dinah? I thought she came back with you?"

"I left her at the hotel hours ago. She said she needed to take care of some things there that had come up. I expected her to call a while ago, but I guess it's taking longer than she thought."

"At the hotel?" Laszlo repeated.

"But she's supposed to..." Stephen said.

Marc said, "Melly, take me there please."

"Not without me," Laz added. The three of them winked out.

Stephen and Reno were left staring at each other. "I guess Marc's still horny," Reno commented.

Stephen looked at him and sighed. "Wanna join them?"

Reno grinned. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Stephen zapped them to the hotel, where it was late afternoon. He found the others in the lobby and waited.

Mabel was sitting at a table by the pool doing some of the books. She looked up with a frown at the sudden mob who trooped out to the pool area..

"What's all this then?" she asked. "Hullo Melly, trying to get rid of your problem children?"

"We're looking for Dinah," Laz said with a frown.

Mabel looked him up and down. "Don't take that tone with me, mister. Why are you asking?"

"We're worried about her," Marc explained.

"Ah, the friend of Stephen's," Mabel said with a knowing nod. "I approve. She's out. Gone dancing. No doubt having a grand time. Go home."

Marc's voice was soft, his intent deadly, "Where?"

Mabel eyed him. "Jealous sort?"

"We're worried about her safety," he explained.

"No doubt. Don't blame you one bit. She's with Julian and Carmine. You'd better hurry. They're at The Club. In Monaco."

"Where in Monaco, Mabel?" Stephen asked, sensing that things were getting tense.

"Around the corner from the Monte Carlo Casino. Ask the valet at the casino for The Club and tell him I sent you."

"I know where it is," Laz said.

"I think you all can handle things from here. I have a date at home. See you in the morning." And Stephen winked out before he burst out laughing and had to explain why.

Laz zapped the rest of them to the casino and found the valet, listening carefully to the explicit directions Mabel's name elicited. Then he led the way to the club. The doorman took one look and said "Formal attire only," then watched while they changed in front of him. He decided, after that, to waive the password, and held the door wide, reflecting that he could use a few days off...

-----------------------

Julian, watching as Dinah walked off to have a heart-to-heart with someone commented, "Somebody is still glowing. I'd have liked to have been a fly on the wall in that room last night."

Spence almost choked on his drink. Jolene just grinned and sat back.

The mage waved a hand and a cell phone and wallet appeared on the table before him. "Where'd I put that card Michael left me," he muttered to himself.

Spencer one-handed his PDA and passed it to Julian. The mage squinted at the screen. "You input all my personal cards too?" He frowned at Spencer.

"Well, you'll never find the original," Spence offered.

"Grrrr," Julian muttered as he picked up his cell phone and dialed.

"Yo Michael! Jules here."

The others could hear Michael's booming voice right past Julian's ear.

"That club old fellow? The one you mentioned the other day? I assume all are welcome?" A pause. "Reservations? You've got to be kidding me." A pause. "Yeah, the lady whose house you trashed." A pause. "Yeah, you better get us a table." A pause. "With WHOM????????????? You've got to be kidding me." A pause. "Don't you lecture me about forgiveness, talk to HIM!" Julian put down his cell phone.

"Okay, go get your dancing shoes on Jolene. We're going out dancing." Julian looked at his watch. "It's in Europe so it's about the right time to get there too. So scoot! You too, Spence."

"You gonna tell me where we're goin' so I can let the babysitter know where to find us? Just in case there's trouble with the kiddies?" Jolene asked, finishing her drink as she stood up. Jolene didn't believe in wasting good booze, the only kind served at Dinah's.

"it's a little place in Monaco. Dammit, how is it there's a cool club 30 kilometers away from my villa and I have to hear about it from an angel of questionable tastes."

'Maybe it's because his tastes are questionable...unlike yours?" Jolene offered as she headed off to tell Mabel and then change.

"I'll get you for that!" Julian called after her.

The four of them, Dinah, Jolene, Julian and Spence arrived via magic. All were dressed to the nines, appropriate attire, for those who didn't bring it, courtesy of Julian.

There was a very plain looking door in front of them, no number, no nameplate, only an old fashioned brass knocker.

Julian reached for the knocker but the door opened before he could grasp it. A head popped out of the door. "Password?"

"Oh you've got to be kidding me," Julian groaned.

"Sorry, them's the rules," the head replied.

Jolene burst out laughing. "Jules, it can only be...supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

"The lady got it one. Come on in folks." The door opened wide.

"Grrr," Jules said to the head. The head laughed. Then hissed, "If you wreck the furniture..."

"Hey, I've never even been here before!"

"Yeah," Spencer said, "but how many other bars in the world have you had a hand in wrecking?"

"Oh hush," Julian said as they weaved their way through a dark and narrow hallway. At the end of the hallway was a double door. Julian grabbed one door, Spencer the other and they swung them open together, bowing the ladies on through.

Jolene and Dinah stepped though and stopped so suddenly, as if on cue, that Julian and Spencer walked into them. It was a room out of a movie, designed for melodrama, Apache dancers and intrigue, smoky and dim. From where they were standing there was a short flight of stone steps leading to the main area, filled with small tables. It was lit with candlelight and torches, supplemented by practically invisible recessed lighting. Around the edges of the room were discreet booths, that had curtains that could be drawn for privacy. There was a live band and a large dance floor that probably doubled as a stage. To the right was a bar and immediately on their left was another set of steps that led downward to an Olympic sized swimming pool, complete with three diving boards at various heights, obviously designed for competition.

What made it memorable was that the pool was also lit with torches magicked to cast shifting pools of blues and reds, greens and yellows. The pool itself resembled a fog shrouded lake, the mist a mass of shifting, swirling colors from the torches.

A body came up out of the fog shrouded water then, a body Dinah recognized immediately since she'd seen it once before wearing only a similar minimum of clothing. "Carmine!" she called with a huge grin.

"Signorina Dinah. I am so pleased to see you once again."

Dinah rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically. She walked towards him, her hands held out to him, saying, "No one, absolutely no one, calls me Signorina like you do, Carmine. It positively makes me shiver."

Jolene was behind her, appreciating the view and grinning at her friend. "Don't be selfish Dinah, introduce me."

Dinah executed a sweeping gesture towards her friend, "I am yours to command. Jolie, this is Carmine Abrizzi. Carmine, this is Jolene Darden long time partner is mischief with an inspiring imagination for innocently starting trouble while staying out of it. Don't say you weren't warned."

Carmine took Jolene's hand and brought it to his lips. "Buonasera, Signorina Jolene. You will do me the honor of allowing me to call you that?"

"Oh, for crying out loud," Julian muttered from behind them. Spencer stomped on his toe.

Jolene gave Carmine a dazzling smile. "I see what she means about the Signorina. Please, allow me to honor you a lot...call me that frequently."

Dinah stepped aside, gesturing to Julian and Spence. "Carmine, this is..."

"Cara, I know the mage quite well. Unfortunately. And I've seen this young man before, I do believe."

"Spencer Smythe, Prince Carmine, Julian's factotum."

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I quite forgive you for working for Julian. And, as I was asked by a mutual friend to share my table with you, Signorina Dinah, I will not attempt to murder him tonight." Carmine bowed and led them toward a front row table.

"I'm glad to hear it," Dinah said dryly. She exchanged a glance with Jolene and followed Carmine to the table.

Jolene turned to Spence, took his arm and whispered, "He's a prince? He wants to kill Jules? You shouldn't keep secrets from me Spence, it isn't nice at all."

"He's a vampire prince," Spence explained. "Although rumor has it his family was merchant princes, so he could probably claim the title quite legitimately in human terms too. Carmine has drawn a blade on Julian before and came quite close to doing more than that. I'm not sure what it's all about, but I do know it was a very long time ago."

Michael was waiting at the table, flirting with the waitress trying to get his order. He gave it up as soon as he saw Jolene. He'd been hoping Jules would bring her.

"Jules, you made it. Now we can have some fun."

Julian and Michael did one of those complicated and utterly guy-thing handshakes.

"Carmine, you do like to show off that body, don't you," Michael said.

"Ah, forgive me. I forget. Allow me to dress," the vampire said as he bowed to the ladies and walked away. There was a burly fellow standing off to the side of the dance floor with clothes over his arm. Carmine took them and entered a room that looked as if it were there just for the purpose.

"You are a pain in the ass, Michael. You know he's never forgiven me for not killing him."

"He does tend to hold a grudge," Michael admitted. "Oh well. I'm sure you can manage to get along for one night."

Michael cast his eye towards Jolene, saying to Jules, "Certainly there are better things you might interest yourselves in this evening. You know Jules I'm most peeved with you myself. You never introduced me to this gorgeous woman at that hotel and still you keep her identity a secret." Michael bowed to Jolene, taking her hands in his and drawing her towards him, kissing her on both cheeks. "I am Michael, and you have filled my thoughts since I first saw you." Then he kissed her again.

"Geez," Spence muttered. "I need a drink."

Carmine rejoined them then perfectly swathed in an Italian made tuxedo. The band was warming up. He held out his hand to Dinah. "Signorina, may I have the honor of a dance?'

"I'd be delighted."

Julian rolled an eyeball and watched Carmine lead Dinah to the dance floor. "What a ham," was his comment.

"You should know," Spencer replied, rolling his own eyeball at Michael making time with Jolene. Dammit, he didn't have a, er, prayer.

The band was good. They were playing electronic trance, the beat filling the club with its powerful sounds. The dance floor filled up quickly but there was a noticeable circle of space around where Carmine was egging Dinah on to forgetting herself in the music.

"Wow," Spence said. He'd heard about Carmine dancing with several women but this was the first time he'd seen it.

Dinah watched Carmine's eyes, giving herself up to the music. She began to match her movements to the mood of it...taunting and flirting, daring him...and he responded, his movements seductive and powerful. She moved closer, haughty temptation in her motion and then tossed her head proud and willful making it plain he'd have to convince her, her every movement an explicit challenge, an implicit promise. He pulled her back, enticing her, tempting her to give in.

At the top of the stairs, four people had entered the club, the pair on the dance floor riveting their attention.

The crowd moved back completely, giving them the floor and they took advantage of it, moving apart and then using the music to return; using the fluidity they'd discovered together in Amalfi and their own natures to choreograph temptation and seduction; she a strong woman, intrigued, awakening to desire, alive with the power she commanded to enthrall him, demanding to be won on her terms and he a strong man, dominating and sensual, proud and passionate; confident in his determination to win her, to woo her, willing to accept nothing less than total surrender.

Jolene's mouth was hanging open watching the dance. Julian scowled. Michael was laughing. "Those Italians. All fire." Spence ordered a drink.

"Damn," Jolene said. "She sure wasn't like this in high school."

And the music went on, the tempo ruling them, the beat deep and pulsating, driving, like pounding blood heavy with passion, thick with tension. Dinah and Carmine were alive with it. The crowd had fallen silent, aware that something special, something they might never see again was unfolding on the dance floor between these two people.

Slowly the dance moved to its climax, Dinah, her head thrown back slightly, was beginning to surrender, her back bowing a bit, as Carmine caught her hand, drawing her into him, their bodies halting inches apart, his arched over hers, his mouth hovering above hers. Then in an incredibly fluid and powerful motion he drew her up, taking command of her body and bent her back again over his arm and she began to yield, fluidly, gracefully, utterly passionate and seductive. Her body taunting him to take that last, final step...and he did, claiming her utterly as the music stilled and the crowd went wild.

Laszlo and Marc looked at one another. Reno whispered, "Damn." Melly whispered, "You go girl!"

Carmine swung Dinah around to take a bow and her eyes lit immediately on the four newcomers.

In for a penny, in for a pound, she thought and waved to them, pointing to the table, before turning to say something to Carmine as he led her, breathless and glowing, back to the others.

She was laughing with Jolene as the newcomers approached. Her eyes sought Marc's and she waited.

"Hullo," he said. "You look... You're lovely," he finally settled for.

Her smile exploded on her face, her glow growing by an order of magnitude. "Thank you. I don't know how you found us, but I'm glad you did."

Julian, watching, muttered, "It figures, Stephen's friend."

Reno and Melly were sitting down next to Spencer who was introducing himself. "Ah another minion!" Reno chortled.

Laz, who knew Carmine from other venues, mostly of questionable repute, nodded at him, saying, "Well, you'll have to teach me how to do that."

Carmine laughed, "It is not something that can be taught. One is born with it. Signorina Dinah, cara..." He kissed his fingers at her and bowed to her. "It is the lady, though, who makes such a dance possible." He glanced from Dinah to Marc and back again. "You are a lucky man, Signore, but please, I beg you...do not forbid her to dance with me."

"I wouldn't dream of it even if I had the right to attempt it. I enjoy watching her dance with you, Signore."

"Ah, a wise as well as a lucky man. So, Laszlo, Roma has quite recovered since your last visit. It must be time for you to visit my country again."

"We aren't going to discuss that, unless you want me to start talking about that time in Tangier's..."

"No, no, I think you are right. But instead, I will introduce you to my friends and also my enemy. Then you may introduce me to your friends."

Once the complicated ritual of introductions were completed drinks were delivered and things calmed down just a bit. At least for the moment.

Michael, distracted by an acquaintance as the band returned from a break, freed Jolene. She leaned towards Spencer and demanded, sotto voce, "Save me, I'm drowning here; ask me to dance."

"Your wish is my command." He rose, helped her up and headed to the floor. Maybe prayers were answered.

Micheal broke from his conversation long enough to hiss, "Thief!" at his back.

Reno grinned, "I guess that means it's going on his, er... eternal record. Would you like to join them?"

Melly, laughing, nodded and took his hand, following him out onto the floor.

As they left Michael returned his attention to the table. "I have just been informed that tonight there will be a diving competition for those who wish to compete." He glanced at Laszlo and Marc before bringing his attention to bear on Jules. "I would like to propose a contest, if you feel that you are up to it, my friend. After all you owe me the opportunity after Paris when you won our little magic contest by the most foul sort of cheating."

Julian looked smug. "You're just a sore loser. But sure, I'll give you a rematch."

"A diving competition?" Marc asked.

Michael nodded. "Yeah. Any are welcome to compete, and...if you wish...to join with me and Jules. The diving itself, that'll be nothing. It's the game I have in mind to play as we dive."

"What game, Michael?" Laszlo asked, a speculative light growing in his eye.

"Well, if you are all interested...?"

Four male heads nodded answering his question in the affirmative.

Michael glanced at Jules and considered. Then a wicked smile lit his face. "What I propose is this...we divide into teams of two, and during each dive we must provide accompaniment of an imaginative sort....visual, you understand...using magic or talent."

Carmine frowned. "I am at a distinct disadvantage, caro Michael. We vampires have speed and cunning on our side, but our magic is limited."

"Hah, too much for you, Carmine?" Julian challenged.

"Easy for you to say who can appear in a monk's cell with a sword in the middle of the night," Carmine hissed, his fangs making a sudden appearance, and his eyes turning red.

Micheal intervened hastily. "That is why I am suggesting teams. It is up to the team to decide the accompaniment...and your partner can help out, Carmine."

"Who decides the teams?" Marc asked.

Dinah, stunned, gasped at him, "You're going to compete?"

Carmine and Julian were still staring at one another threateningly. Marc, watching that said, "Yes. Why not. I suggest we draw lots. With the proviso that one or two teams might need to be tweaked. I also volunteer Reno since he isn't here to defend himself. That gives us an even number."

Michael nodded and signaled for the waitress sending her off for another round, made up to his specifications and then conjured a glass bowl with folded slips of paper. "On the paper," he said "are the numbers one through three, two of each...the pairs are the teams. Who'd like to draw first?"

Dinah groaned, leaning back in her chair.

"Oh hush," Julian said to Dinah, as he drew first. "It's all in good clean fun, after all. This will get Marc all testosteroned up, and you can get your glow back later."

"Uh HUH. I saw Carmine's fangs," she whispered back.

"Oh, he's such a show-off," Julian replied with a shrug.

Michael drew next, watching the others return. "Ah, you're just in time," he said holding the bowl out to Reno. "Pick one"

Reno did, puzzled but willing.

Spencer, with vaster experience, took one look at the table and said, "Uh oh."

"What?" Jolene asked.

"These guys take their games pretty seriously," he whispered to Jolene. Then aloud. "I'll keep score," trying to fend off any attempt to rope him into it.

"Coward," Julian said with a grin.

"You said it," Spence agreed. Then, sotto voce to Jolene, "Trust me when I tell you this, when I say 'duck," duck."

"Oh we aren't going to bring the place down on anyone's head," Laszlo replied. "It is all in the best spirit of competition."

"Sure it is," Dinah replied watching Marc whose mind was obviously plotting strategy. "And none of you mind losing, either."

Carmine reached for his number, as a thought occurred. He glance speculatively at the women and grinned. "It occurs to me, we need those who will score our efforts, you understand, say on a point system?"

Four male heads nodded, immediately perceiving his point and possibly his direction.

"I suggest that we ask the ladies to assume that responsibility," Carmine said as he handed the bowl to Marc. "I'm certain they will judge fairly."

The ladies looked at each other.

"Judge what, exactly?" Reno asked, his voice going up an octave in panic.

"Who looks the best in a speedo, of course," Jolene laughed.

Reno made to slink off and was grabbed by Marc and shoved down into his seat. "Now I'm sure Melly wants to see what she's getting."

Micheal's look became thoughtful. "Yes, that would work perfectly, But they will need other attire for the pool area, I think. Now, does everyone have a number?"

They all nodded.

Melly whispered to Dinah, who was groaning again "Attire?" .

"He means, I am sure, bikini's. They are going to enter a diving competition and add special effects. We've been elected to stand around like the pom pom squad and hold up numbers." She glared at Michael as she said it.

Reno, listening, tried to leave again and was restrained by Marc.

Jolene laughing, said "Well, where do we change?"

"No need of that," Marc said, waving a hand. All the women now wore very tiny bikinis.

Melly returned the favour and put the guys in thongs.

"Hey!" yelped Reno.

Melly eyed him critically. "Very nice, I must say. You've nothing to worry about."

"And the teams are," Michael announced, "Laszlo and Julian, Marc and Reno, and Carmine and myself. I suggest a toast," he said, raising his glass. "To the competition, may the best team win and no obvious cheating."

Six glasses clinked together, Marc aiding Reno.

Spencer, his eyes on Jolene, downed his as well. He offered her his arm, saying, "Shall we lead the way? I want to be sure of a good view."

Jolene met his eye and said blandly. "I think you've already found one."

The crowd, sensing trouble, responded with cheers as the contestants moved to take their places. Chairs were gotten for the ladies and large signs on which they could pen their marks. One set for diving form, one for magical accompaniment.

The crowd abandoned the dance floor and streamed over to line the pool area. The band, used to this, switched to Queen's "We Are the Champions."

The contestants were at the foot of the diving board playing scissors, paper, rocks, to determine the order of competition.

Spence, using Jolene's discarded red bra, appropriated it for the signal flag. The crowd roared it's appreciation of that and Spence took a bow.

"Gentlemen and Vampire Prince, are you ready?"

Nods affirmed that they were, and Laszlo climbed the steps to the high diving board, having lost the placement game.

He thought for moment and then stepped out onto the platform, testing the spring of the board. Then he bounced, one, twice and on the third he moved into a twisting double flip while simultaneously creating arching rainbows over the pool, then used them their surfaces to make waterfalls as he entered the water. The dive was perfectly placed amid them, and ended with a smooth entry into the water, his back only slightly curved and his splash minimal. The crowd applauded while he swam back to the edge. He left the rainbows in place and took a bow, reflecting that, for an opener he hadn't done too badly. He waited for his score.

The ladies went into a huddle, while the crowd shouted suggestions Then they stood and held up three cards, using a ten point scale. 7.75, 8.5 and an 8.0 for the dive, followed by slightly better marks for the magic.

Spencer totaled the averages and announced them.

Michael sniffed, "A simple effort. Easily bettered."

Julian sent for another round.

Reno downed his drink in one desperate pull. It was his turn. He climbed up the diving board tower and stood there. Melly smiled at him encouragingly and he screwed up his courage. He tested the spring of the board. Turned his back to the crowd and bounced several times to attain height. The ladies in the crowd appreciated the effect the thong gave it all. Finally, on the fourth jump Reno took off, back to the crowd. He flew upward, did a one and a half somersault, added a twist and hit the water cleanly. During all of this, magical neon coloured sparkles traced his every move in the air, and dove down into the water with him, but when he cut the water cleanly the neon sparkles bounced upwards and then swooshed out like a splash toward the crowd.

The ladies huddled, again the crowd having its say. Finally three cards appeared 8.0, 8.0,9.0 for the dive and all 8.0s for the magic.

Reno, relieved to have survived, hopped out of the pool, but his chance for a retreat was blocked by Marc, who clapped him hard on the back.

Next came Carmine, who consulted briefly with Michael before ascending the platform. He too stood with his back to the water, while the crowd established their own point system for rear ends so perfectly displayed. He briefly acknowledged the appreciation before balancing on the edge of the board with his toes. He bounced once and moved with unspeakable grace into a twisting pike, ending forward in a somersault and entering the water perfectly vertically. Meanwhile Michael magicked the mist into a chorus line of multi-hued synchronized swimmers, who flew up into the air, ribbons fluttering, as he performed the dive, matching his twists and exploding into fireworks as he entered the water.

The crowd rose to it's feet, roaring their appreciation. The owner of the club, heretofore a silent spectator, but well acquainted with Michael, groaned and contemplated his insurance premiums.

The ladies rose, having by this point reached several decisions of their own. They held up their cards, turning and assuming various nymph-like poses, to the vast appreciation of most, if not all, of the male spectators, while Melly conjured flowers, floating through the air, landing at Carmine's feet as he left the pool. He gathered them, his teeth gleaming white in the light and presented them to his judges with a flourish as he returned to the competitor's area. His scores were 8.5 across the board for the dive and 8.25's for the magic.

Michael looked at Jules and stuck out his tongue.

Julian frowned at Michael as Marc climbed the steps to the board. Marc, knowing he was outclassed, was forced to think of something a bit different. He stepped out to the end of the board and executed a hand-stand. The crowd roared. Marc let himself fall out of the hand- stand and flipped. But instead of falling with gravity, he shot upward like a bullet, used his hands to ricochet off the ceiling, and then dived straight down into the water. As he hit the water fireworks exploded just below the ceiling.

The ladies huddled, the crowd roared, Julian cried, "Cheat!" Marks for the dive were all 7.5s but his magic marks were much higher.

The last two participants glared at one another. Michael, smirking, stepped to the tower. He floated up, disdaining the steps. He landed lightly on the end of the board and played to the crowd for a few moments.

Julian sneered, "All show, no action."

The owner pulled out his cell phone and checked his speed dial. Michael pranced to the edge, bouncing, displaying his back side and then pushed off and up into a pike position, before turning into a triple twisting flip. As he did this the surface of the pool burst into fire while an enormous fire breathing dragon rose up below him, his jaw opened wide. Michael completed the last flip and headed straight into the flaming mouth.

The crowd gasped, stunned and were on the edge of panic as the jaws of the dragon worked. Then the dragon exploded, spitting Michael back into the air, where he did a reverse tuck and headed back down into the water, while the dragon remains became gold scales floated lightly through the air, and the flames on the pool surface shot upward, licking the ceiling as he entered the water.

The crowd went insane and the ladies gave him 9.5's across the board for his dive and his magic. The owner pressed the button his cell phone.

Julian didn't even bother with the board. The hell with that. He zipped up into the air above the pool, raising his hands like a conductor and called the flames to him. They licked upward and he, glowing a brilliant white, turned and crouched into a cannonball as he fell from the air at a speed that was certain to kill him at the end. The crowd gasped. The flames rose, sirens could be barely heard through the din, and the human cannonball hit the wall of fire. The flames roared outward from the blast of Julian hitting the water. But just as they reached the crowd, that was near to panic (all right, were indeed in panic mode), the flames turned into tiny dragons that roared and swooped over the crowd.

Julian's body came up out of the water shooting straight upward until he hovered over the chaos, with a satisfied grin on his face.

Police poured into the club and the owner passed out.

The Police rounded up the entire group of participants irrespective of just who it was who created the most chaos. The guys, still in their thongs, blew kisses - quite a few of them magical - to the crowd. The vampire lovers began chanting, "Carmine! Carmine! Carmine!" as he flashed his, uhm, make that his fangs. The ladies, still in their bikinis, stood to the side, Spence, who'd hidden Jolene's red bra under his shirt, did his best to look totally innocent.

Everyone followed the cops and the arrestees out into the cool of the night. The paddy wagon, full of ladies of the night, stood waiting. The ladies of the night howled come-hithers at our heroes and slapped bare asses as they climbed into the wagon with them. The cops began to have second thoughts on the wisdom of taking these guys to their nice neat and perfect jail. Oh well, too late now, as TV cameras had arrived and were rolling, winging pictures onto BBC, CNN, and even to Mongolian TV.

Dinah watched the paddy wagon drive off, her eyes narrowed. She had serious plans for the culmination of her evening and there wasn't a cop alive who would survive getting in her way. Hands on her hips, she confronted her companions, calling them severely to order. "Ok, Spence, what usually happens next? They zap themselves out of there as soon as they get the chance?"

"And lose the opportunity for all this attention. Ten to one they reject bail," Spence replied.

"But," Melly said thoughtfully, "what about Carmine. He's far too cute to end up a tiny pile of dust in a jail in Monte."

Meanwhile at the jail, our heroes had arrived and had been forcibly separated from the ladies of the night. It hadn't been easy, let me tell you. Julian was taunting Carmine, "a tiny little insignificant pile of dust in the corner, hah!"

Carmine bared his fangs and might have jumped Julian then and there but luckily Michael stepped between them. Marc was sitting bemused in the corner and Laz and Reno were pacing the cell, like hungry leopards.

An hour passed, and now it was taking three men to stand between Julian and Carmine. Marc decided he'd had enough and punched Julian when he wasn't looking. The mage went down in a heap, out cold.

"Caro Marc, I thank you most kindly," Carmine said with a bow.

Then cops in riot gear poured in to surround the cell. Guns pointed at the inmates, the cell door was opened. "The judge was called and you will be hauled into court now!" the commandant hissed. He'd had quite enough of them for this night.

The guards threw a bucket of water on Julian and the led them out.

The courtroom turned out to be an improvised office. Spencer, clothed in a suit over which he'd donned the obligatory robe and sporting a powered wig and rimless glasses on the end of his nose above a pencil thin handlebar mustache was presiding from behind the desk.

"Is counsel for the accused available, " he drawled, sounding both bored and peeved, after pounding the gavel, and denting the desk, while calling the court to order.

Dinah stepped forward, still in her bikini and answered in the affirmative.

Michael, his eyes gleaming, said, "I want my own counsel. I do not accept her."

Dinah marched over to him and hissed in his ear, "Accept it or I remove your wings permanently, right now...the choice is yours."

Julian looking like he'd been about to ask for separate counsel as well changed his mind.

Michael just nodded, grinning at her. He liked fiery women...a lot.

Jolene and Melly, also still in bikini's, were busy working the room, meeting and greeting the arresting officers.

"Order!" Spence barked. "Order! I will have order!"

"I want them out! NOW! Out of my jail!" the commandant wailed.

Spence pounded the desk. "Charges, on advice of the Police Commandant are hereby dismissed. Court adjourned!"

The cops cheered, delighted to see the back of this crew.

Dinah grabbed Marc's arm and tugged him behind her. "I thought you didn't know how to enjoy life. Or something," she muttered, irritated and amused all at once. Melly grabbed Reno's arm and tugged him behind her saying, "Your dive was great!". Jolene stood in front of Spence demanding her favorite red bra back, but he smiled innocently and pretended he knew nothing. Laz and Michael just shook their heads and Carmine stood aloof off to the side.

Julian, drenched and with a headache woke up, and suddenly all 10 of them were standing in the pool area of Dinah's Place. "Xavier! Asher! Hey Jazz! Man do I ever need a drink."

A woman Jules had never seen appeared in answer to his demands, at least those for attention. She was tall and lithe, hunting cat lithe, muscles supple and firm, proud breasts and rounded hips. Her eyes, black as onyx, were almond shaped and her mouth sensual, her hair was long, thick and braided close to her skill, as black as her eyes while her skin was tinted like snow over pale pink roses. She was also dressed in black, skin tight and matte, designed to melt into the night.

"Natha," Laz called. What are you doing here?"

"Paul called, said you wanted me to report. He made it sound like immediately," she replied.

Carmine, no longer so aloof, stepped forward, appreciation in the eyes that swept her form. "Laszlo, you should not keep secrets such as this from your friends. Introduce me," he demanded, bowing to her and raising first one hand and then the other to his lips.

Laz laughed, "Carmine Abrizzi, meet Nazareth Carvahlo."

"Cara, you are a vision of delight," Carmine said.

Nazareth replied, "Right," but her eyes were sweeping him appreciatively as she said it. The two, Nazareth forgetting her report, walked off to sit and, uhm, chat.

"Dammit," Laz muttered. He was still womanless and Dinah was still looking at Marc as if she were ready to take his thong off then and there.

Meanwhile, Dinah helped Xavier open the bar much to Julian's relief. She passed the drinks, starting with Jules and ending with Marc, her look making a number of things plain.

Then suddenly the place lit up as what looked like a shooting star came out of the darkness to end in a cannonball splash into the pool. A small body levitated out of it.

"HAHAHAHA! You are all over the news, Carmine!" Nicco said as he streaked over to Carmine, who, perforce, had to grab him rather than Natha. "Not fair!" Nicco said. "You should have picked me to be on your team!"

I'll show you!" Nicco added, and suddenly fireworks complete with musical accompaniment lit up and drowned out the night.

Two bursts of gunfire brought the entire demonstration to an abrupt end. Mabel, her feet planted solidly, stood, Uzi smoking in her hand.

Julian dove for cover behind the bar, one hand grabbing the scotch bottle on his way. Spencer used the gunfire to draw Jolene closer while Reno shoved Melly behind him.

Dinah whirled, speechless, at her first sight of Mabel and the Uzi. Marc sat up straight and Laz sat down and put his head in his hands.

"Enough!" Mabel hissed. "You are disturbing the PAYING guests!"

Michael was foolish enough to attempt to placate her, saying, "It wasn't us, ma'am. We were invited by Jules."

Natha, who didn't know Mabel at all asked, logically but unwisely, "And you're not, shooting off that thing?"

Mabel's eyes narrowed. "Out. Everyone without a room. Out! And as for you," she added, advancing on Michael, "just what sort of angel are you?"

"One currently in trouble?" Michael guessed.

"Git!" Michael got.

Mabel whirled around, "Nicco, take that Prince of yours home!"

"But I can't!" wailed Nicco. "It is past dawn at home!"

"Dammit," Mabel muttered, foiled on that front.

A voice from behind the bar said, "A tiny little pile of sad dust," and began laughing maniacally.

Dinah looked around and took charge. Reno and Melly had left. "Mabel, how many rooms are free?"

"One on the third floor, plus what we keep special on the fourth."

"OK, Laz you and Natha have rooms if you want them, plus there's a room on the fourth we used when Michael Fairlawn sent that vamp here to recover from the accident. Carmine can use that and Nicco can go home alone."

Mabel narrowed her eyes at Nicco and he didn't wait for more.

Julian, thinking it safe, emerged from behind the bar.  Bad move. Mabel grabbed him by the ear and drug him off to bed.

Carmine made sure to offer Natha an effusive good night.  Spence and Jolene had slunk away earlier.

Marc raised an eyebrow at Dinah.

She raised one back, eyeing him. "Want breakfast ocean side?"

"Sounds like a plan," he replied with a grin.

Within moments, as the sky began to lighten toward dawn, the pool area was empty, save for Millicent and David, who'd witnessed the entire thing.