Jake slid into the booth after Evelyn. Joe and Adrian were nowhere to be seen, and the Baron was quietly contemplating the color of his drink.

"Where's Joe?" asked Evelyn.

"Um, off dancing with Adrian," he replied, as if he wanted her to think that was the most natural thing in the world.

Evelyn gave a little frown, but said nothing.

Adrian? queried Jake mentally. Are you out there? There was no reply. Talbot!

And then there he was, sliding into the booth next to Jake, another glass of wine in his hand.

"I thought Joe was with you?" shouted Evelyn over the raucous finale of the band.

"He found another partner," answered Adrian easily.

Adrian certainly looked happier than he had a few minutes ago, thought Jake. Happier and... well fed. Jake put down his beer. He had a queasy feeling.

"Are you all right?" inquired the Baron.

"Bad beer," answered Jake. "I'll be right back."

He bumped Adrian out of the way and headed across the crowded dance floor to the washrooms. Somewhere a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show had just let out and the place was filling up with costumed fans.

Jake entered cautiously. He wasn't sure what he was going to find, but whatever it was, he was sure his stomach was only going to feel worse.

"Joe?" he queried the closed stall doors.

"Ain't no Joe in here, honey, just john," answered a voice that might have been male or female.

Jake scratched his head. He knew Joe was here -- where else would Adrian have taken him, and been back to the table so soon? This wasn't Toronto, where he knew his way around, and he didn't have the keys to Jake's car, so....

"Joe? You in here?"

Go away, said a miserable voice in his head.

Jake sighed. Okay, that was Joe's voice in his head. At least he could conduct this conversation without embarrassing himself.

Are you all right?

He checked under the edges of stall doors. Ah, yes, black hi-tops that had to be size 12.

Joe opened the door and stepped out. He was holding bunched toilet paper to his neck and the light in his green eyes seemed to have gone out.

What happened? inquired Jake.

Whathafuck you think happened! responded Joe hotly, although outwardly he was moving with slow deliberation. A stream of obscenities followed as he ran some cold water and bathed his neck. Jake turned away from the sight sickened.

Get out, growled Joe.

"I came to see if you needed help," Jake hissed back. He was tired of being treated hostilely by this boy who had a lot more reasons to be his friend than his enemy.

Then go seduce my girlfriend.

"What?!" Jake couldn't help but say it out loud. Men at the urinals gave him strange looks.

Joe was intent on his reflection in the mirror, and his outward demeanor gave no hint that he was carrying on a conversation with Jake until he turned his shadowed eyes on him.

"Keep her distracted so she doesn't notice this," whispered Joe in a dry voice. Besides, I know you want to. It was not a taunt, it was resignation.

No, no, no, this was just too bizarre, thought Jake. He didn't want to get caught up in the middle, but he wasn't sure that he wasn't already hopelessly snagged. He stopped at the door and looked back at Joe, who seemed to be waiting for an answer.

What are you going to do? he asked. Did Joe have any options, unlike himself after Adrian had marked him? After all, he was Evelyn's first, and no doubt more often.

Go home and sleep it off, answered Joe slowly.

Jake walked away from the washroom shaking his head. Go seduce Evelyn! Oh, sure, just like that. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but the idea of Joe giving him permission, asking him to do it was just... repulsive.

He must feel awfully guilty for what he and Adrian.... Jake didn't want to go there, even mentally. The sight of blood on Joe's neck was enough, he didn't have to think about the sexual aspects of it.

That was it. He suddenly stopped and saw people staring at him, and moved on. Joe felt guilty, and he wanted Jake to help him assuage that guilt by doing the same thing.... Shit. He was getting tired of being a pawn in this game. Not only were the vampires using him, but now this purely mortal boy, too.

Jake pushed his way back to the table. He leaned over it so Evelyn, who was seated at the back of the U-shaped booth, could hear him.

"Look, Joe's sick, I'm gonna drive him back to your place."

"Sick?"

"He musta had some bad beer too," said Jake, restraining himself from looking at Adrian.

"Joe doesn't drink beer," answered Evelyn. She was getting her purse.

"Well, must be the flu or something then. Nothing serious. You stay here, I'll go, it's okay. I don't wanna interrupt any vampire nightlife."

You're leaving me here without transportation? asked Adrian.

You're a big vampire, you'll manage, Jake answered curtly.

"All right," said Evelyn, settling back.

Back in the washroom a Columbia look-alike was trying to flirt with Joe, without much success. Jake couldn't see an Adam's apple on him/her. He wasn't sure which bothered him more -- a man in drag propositioning a vampire's boyfriend, or women freely wandering into the men's room.

"C'mon, I'll drive you home," Jake ordered more than invited.

"Hm?"

"I told Evelyn you had the flu. Go hide under the covers, by tomorrow night you'll be fine." You might even get away with it, he added mentally. He didn't think Joe deserved to, but what she didn't know....

"Kay," Joe answered wearily.

Once they were in Jake's car he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Joe. He was listless in the seat, and it was more than the effects of providing Adrian with dinner.

"He, uh. Adrian didn't...." Jake sighed.

"It was consensual," Joe answered and saved him the embarrassment.

"He didn't use any hypnotism?"

"No, just...."

"What?"

Joe took a minute before answering. "I didn't really know what I was consenting to."

Jake clenched the wheel. Talbot, someday you're going to mess with the wrong vampire! he thought, but didn't broadcast. What was the point? Adrian triumphant would not listen to scolding from a bloodling.