The Flashing "Once Bitten" sign should have been an indicator to Arizona Winters that she was not in Louisiana anymore and most assuredly now out of her element. The line of overeager and obviously drug intoxicated young teens and adults grouped in front of the bar made her frown, however, it was the insanely tall and handsome vampire bouncer standing at the entrance. He had short blonde hair and tantalizing red eyes that betrayed what he was. His stance was that of an offensive warrior. He looked, well, intimidating.

Straightening in an attempt to gather her courage, Arizona walked up to the line in her JCPenny faded jeans and plain black T. It had been a long and tedious ride from New Orleans and the vampire bar had been the first sign of civilization that presented the possibility of edible food. Arizona had never been in a vampire bar, in fact she had been advised to steer clear of that sort of 'scene' but desperate times caused for desperate measures and the insistent loud growling coming from her stomach were all but refusing such actions.

Standing in line wasn't all that bad considering how many people were lined up. She'd been to clubs before that took forever to let anyone in. This line seemed to serve the purpose of keeping the chaos at bay rather than checking for ID.

She was certain that she stood out among the crowd because of her attire. The couple in front of her was dressed in slimming and skimpy barely there attire. The boy was dressed in a button down shirt that went with slacks, and the girl had a very short skirt, black pumps, and tight camisole. His arm was around the girls shoulders in a lazy-barely there-style. The group standing behind her were a bunch of gothic teen-around nineteen or twenty- that were baring a majority of their flesh. One goth girl with coal black hair wore cuffs around her wrists.

Swallowing, Arizona inched forward as the couple in front of her was admitted into the club. The bouncer raised an eyebrow at her and gave her a quizzical look. He knew that she didn't belong either. His gaze moved over her in vague interest and then gestured her inside. Relieved that he didn't give her a hard time, she quickly entered the bar, not even realizing that he hadn't even asked for her ID.

She had to admit that while standing in line she had let her imagination run away with her. She'd expected the inside to have a fountain of blood in the middle of the room, and heavy metal music blaring over the dance floor. Perhaps even vampire bats hanging from the ceiling.

Fortunately inside the club was nothing like that.

There were however, tinted windows. Everything else seemed pretty mundane and set up much like any human bar would be. The bar was circular and set up so that it was in the middle of the room; two there was a bartender on each side to cater to customers. Tables were set up along the walls for those who wanted to sit and eat. And the dance floor around the bar, which was being utilized by plenty of the patrons and to Arizona's surprise there was a variety of music playing. Towards the back of the room there was a stage set up; where a few exotic dancers were entertaining the guests.

Someone shoved her from behind. Looking back she locked gazes with the goth girl with the cuffs.

"Move it Lady!" she shoved passed her and swung herself onto the dance floor. Shrugging off the girl's rudeness Arizona approached a table and sat waiting for a waitress to serve her. Almost immediately a lively looking girl with curly blond short hair appeared with a bright smile. Her name tag read Terry. Arizona couldn't help but smile back at the woman who couldn't have been more than thirty.

"What can I get ya?" The woman said with a very familiar southern drawl. Already feeling a little homesick, Arizona appreciated another quality country gal.

"Rum and coke, no ice, and a burger please, with fries." Jotting down the order the waitress nodded.

"Be right back," she said and disappeared towards the bar.

Sitting there Arizona continued to observe the bar's activities. While watching the dancers perform, she noticed the way that the girls expertly avoided the grabby hands of the males around them. One in particular had gathered an enormous amount of attention. She had long curling red hair and startling blue eyes and a very curvaceous body to go along with it. Watching as the girl did an intricate twirl in front of a man sitting in a lazy boy recliner, Arizona found herself wishing that her curves were as filled as the dancer's. Apparently, the other dancers would probably agree with her. She noticed the way they were glancing at the red head with envy.

Tilting her head, it occurred to Arizona that she hadn't seen any of them flash, or take off their clothes. Not once. Curious at that she turned her gaze to the dance floor. People were bumping and grinding to the sexually induced music. The bartenders are busy fixing drinks for the people standing around them, one is a boy with dyed blue hair and a goatee and the other a girl with a pixie cut jet black hair with blonde tips with the skinniest frail body Arizona had ever seen.

"Here ya go," Her waitress returned with her rum and coke and placed a few napkins on the table. "You look like a fish out of water, where ya from?" Terry asked cocking her head. Arizona grinned sheepishly.

"That obvious huh?" Terry shrugged and shook her head causing her curls to bounce.

"Nah, just used to a certain crowd in here ya know?" She gestured to Arizona's dirtied kicks. "You look like the girls back home." And she must've looked a little on the disheveled side as well. The drive had taken a lot out of her and shed left in a bit of a rush. She still had on her mascara from three days ago and desperately needed a shower.

"New Orleans," Arizona said sticking her hand out to the other woman. "Sorry I'm not looking my best." Terry waved her comment away.

"Honey, if you only knew some of the people that I've served. You would NOT be apologizing." She took Arizona's hand readily and then proceeded to place her other hand over it as well. "It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman. You have such beautiful skin. I'm Terry." Arizona looked at their joined hands. While Terry's was crisp white skin with freckles leading up to her arms, Arizona's skin was a light caramel that right now was casting its normal golden hue under the dim lights in the bar. She replaced her hand in her lap.

"Thank you, Arizona." Arizona said introducing herself. Terry smiled again and waved to another table.

"Well Arizona, I'll be right back with ya food. You must be hungry after ya long trip."

"Oh yea, please." She replied and Terry turned to make her way to the other table, took their order and then headed back into the kitchen. Suddenly Arizona's phone went off. Fishing it from her purse she noticed that she had nine missed calls, most of them from her mother, and one from Alec. The latest text was from her best friend Connie. It read:

Where are you?

Deciding not to answer it-at least not yet-she slipped it back into the purse and zipped it up, effectively shutting out her now previous life. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Connie, she just wasn't ready to acknowledge anyone from back home yet; Connie, her mom, or…otherwise. Feeling the familiar sting start to creep into her heart she sipped on her drink to burn away the rising ache.

"Bon Appetite." Terry said startling Arizona from her thoughts. She set down the burger and fries in front of Arizona.

"Thank you." Arizona said as her stomach all but whimpered at the sight of the meal. Her words came out a little husky at her hunger. Terry grinned knowingly.

"Not a problem, let me know if you need anything," But before she turned her face became curious. "You staying in the area?" Already biting into one of the fries, Arizona nodded.

"Yeah, here is as good as any. Why not?" Terry pursed her lips and looked around the bar.

"You looking for a job?" Blinking-because to be honest she really hadn't thought that far ahead-Arizona licked her lips and shrugged.

"Guess so." She followed Terry's gaze to a closed room beside the stage where the dancers were. She picked up another fry. "You guys hiring?" Terry looked at her with a brow raised.

"Not officially, but" she glanced again at the door. "The boss just fired one of our servers about a week ago. I can talk to him if you like." Feeling overwhelmed with gratitude Arizona smiled wide.

"Thank sounds perfect. Should I give you my number?"

"Actually, I can go talk to him now. He's very personal; he'll want to talk to you himself. Just let me know when you're finished eating." Arizona nodded surprised and pleased with herself. Wow, five minutes here and she may have already gotten herself a job!

As Terry retreated to cater to her other tables, Arizona started in on her hamburger which felt like heaven in her mouth. So focused on eating, she jumped when a girl ten feet away from her gasped loudly. Her eyes went wide as she witnessed a scene that could only be viewed in films. Goth girl from earlier was leaning in the arms of a tall, dark and handsome…vampire. His fangs were bared and his eyes not just red but GLOWING. He looked fierce, and horrifying. Goth girl was so enthralled that Arizona figured that her gasp must of come from pleasure and not fear because she showed no signs of struggling. Gulping, Arizona pushed back her own fear. She had forgotten that this was in fact a vampire bar. There were probably a few other vamps around here that she just wasn't paying attention to. Still, the scene going on in front of her seemed a little too exclusive for her tastes.

The vampire caressed Goth girl's neck and then leaned down in preparation of biting her. As he did Arizona's heart accelerated, she almost reached for her own neck when a blur came of nowhere and grabbed ahold of the vamp. Once, he slowed down the blur became a man. Well, not a man. Another vampire, but this one was…gorgeous. His long shaggy brown red hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck and his eyes red but with a twinge of green glowed with menace. He was HUGE. He yanked the other vamp from the girl and shoved him away.

"Cayden, NO." It was a sharp crisp command that spoke volumes of his anger. This man(Vamp) was not one to be messed with. His words were spoken so calmly that you knew he expected obedience. And would accept nothing less. Arizona looked at the crowd; she hadn't noticed but the music had stopped and everyone had focused their attention on the two vamps. The Bartenders were especially curious; the girl had jumped up on top of the counter and was in battle ready mode. Her eyes glowing the telltale red, claiming her for the vamp she was. Jeez, she had missed a lot, thought Arizona. She looked back at the disheveled Cayden, who was now straightening himself. He stood shorter than the other vamp but his hostility didn't lessen. Obviously Cayden wasn't intimidated by his authority.

Well Arizona was; the look the vampire was giving Cayden-if turn on her would make her melt in a pool where she stood. Cayden's next words sounded more submissive than he looked.

"My apologies." The other Vamp's eyes flashed dangerously, he must of known the rebellious look in Cayden's eyes but he quelched his anger. He jerked a hand towards a back room door next to the other one that Terry had pointed out earlier.

"There is a place for that. Not here, understood?" The air was tense around them and no one else in the bar moved a muscle, except Goth Girl. She stood up then and ran to Cayden clutching onto his arm for dear life.

"Cayden come on, let's go." She cast a fearful glance at the other vampire but didn't meet his gaze. "please excuse us, Demetrius. It won't happen again." Demetrius's gaze bore into Cayden's not once acknowledging her.

"Will it?" It was directed to Cayden. Cayden stiffened, and looked ready to fight but suddenly he flinched and blood started to appear in sweat looking drops across his forehead. He clenched his teeth and snapped at Demetrius.

"Damn you, NO!" Smiling, after doing-something-that had obviously swayed Cayden to reason, Demetrious turned to the crowd with a big influencing smile.

"Alright, you may proceed with your activities!" he announced. And just like that the music once again blared, and people started to move. The Female bartender hopped down from her perch glaring after Cayden whom was dragged into one of the back rooms by goth girl. Demetrius straightened his tie on his suit and blinked. His eyes dimmed and became the normal red-green.

Terry scurried up to him and they exchanged a few words before she pointed to Arizona. Freezing in mid-bite Arizona watched as Demetrius turned toward her. They locked gazes and it felt like she'd been hit by a ton of bricks. Those eyes were so…tantalizing. He assessed her with curiosity and then meandered over her body with a slight interest. He raised a brow at her attire and then turned back to Terry. They spoke again, before he nodded and moved away from her. And toward…Arizona.