Boring, Boring, Boring...

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Alyson had made the list as expected of her, putting on her favorite food, her clothing sizes and colors she despised. She added a few things on there just for kicks, like what sort of hair products she used and specific deodorants and even a bracelet she'd been eyeing. Naturally she added laptop, but she knew that wouldn't happen. On top of her list was Freedom, but naturally that wasn't even an option.

Come morning she had practically everything she asked for. There was clothing in her size set on the piano, folded neatly. She sorted through it all as she ate breakfast which had also been left for her. She was glad for the bowl of fresh fruit he'd left at her desire, picking at the fruit all day.

Alyson cleaned up the room that third day, getting the last of the debris together and into a corner to be taken care of later when she could have Sebastian throw it away. It had been a long day for her, and the night, surprisingly, had been uneventful. Sebastian had come to let her out and that was it. he hardly spoke two words to her, asking if things had been to her satisfaction and if she needed anything else.

She avoided him that night, being a skittish rabbit, and he had allowed her to do that. Day four had been very much the same day. The same on the fifth day. By day six she was ready to bang her head against the wall out of sheer boredom.

When Sebastian let her out she watched him silently as he did what he needed to in the room and then made himself comfortable in his own home. The silent treatment she had been giving him was making her want to pull her own hair out, and his lack of doing or saying anything drove her even crazier. Why wasn't he throwing remarks her way? Pushing her buttons? Caring when she'd made messes? It was like he was smoking her out of her whole and she was getting tired of the game.

She was glad he wasn't yelling or harming her, but when he did that at least there had been moments when he was pleasant. Now? He was nothing. It was like he had turned off, which wasn't so terrible, but maddening.

He was winning and she knew it, but her own patience was wearing thin. When he went off to do his own thing on that sixth day she followed him, storming around towards the end. "What gives!" She snapped at him, throwing her hands on her hips. "What's even the point of having me here? I'm not doing anything! All you're doing is spending money on me and that can't be fun...even if you have the money to blow. Just let me go already, Christ!" She snapped, ready to pull her hair out. "This is nuts!"

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Patience, Prestine had said. Sebastian didn't have patience. So he did the next best thing; ignorance. He could just ignore someone and act like he could care less. Which was what he had done towards Alyson for the last couple of days. After he had destroyed his own bedroom he had realized he needed to settle down. It wasn't fair to him to destroy his own personal belongings because of some measly human.

Not only that, but his mood had started to go sour from the lack of sexual activity he was getting. So on a few of those nights he'd taken to the clubs after Alyson would go stay in the room away from him. He'd find a hot young thing who was just the right amount of drunk and then he'd take her right in the back alley. It was easier than taking them home and having them see Alyson there. Not that he cared, but he wanted to make sure he was getting laid.

By the sixth night once he'd unlocked the bedroom for her he noticed her tagging along where ever he went. He'd gone into the kitchen to grab a jar of mixed nuts then headed for the living room. But he wasn't satisfied there and decided to go out and stand on the balcony to eat his snack. And that's when it seemed Alyson had finally grown sick of having nobody to talk to.

"What gives!"

He heard her say from behind him since he was leaning on the railing just enjoying the fresh night air. But he didn't even turn around to look at her and just grabbed another couple of nuts and threw them in his mouth, chewing away.

"What's even the point of having me here? I'm not doing anything! All you're doing is spending money on me and that can't be fun...even if you have the money to blow. Just let me go already, Christ!"

Sebastian hardly spent a cent on the girl. He'd bought a few items for her but most of it he'd just steal. It was easy for him and who was going to stop him? Some little security detail? The store manager? It was laughable even thinking about it. When he finally turned around he held out the jar and shook it a little to make the nuts hit the sides as if to prove there were still some inside. "Would you like some?" He asked and seemed as if he were going to ignore her freak out for the moment. But then he ran his tongue over his teeth to make sure he didn't have any of the nuts stuck between them and then decided it was time to talk.

"When you came here I said you had to behave. I didn't say you had to do anything unless I told you to. Well, I haven't had anything for you to do the last few days. Get over it." He told her and then brushed past her and headed for the lush couch and plopping himself down casually. He didn't seem to be looking at much of anything as he stared off. He was personally bored out of his own mind. How did Prestine deal with this patience thing?! But it was only a moment before he was looking up at the girl again.

"You want to leave? That's out of the question. We've gone over this already. If you're bored, then think of something you want to do. And we'll do it." He offered and then he just watched her, waiting. He wasn't about to come up with something.

"You're too stubborn and pigheaded to do what I suggest. So think of something you want to do that doesn't involve leaving here. We'll do it. Otherwise I'm going to suggest something, you're not going to do it and I'm going to break things. And I can't guarantee one of those things isn't you." At least he was being honest in his matter of fact way of speaking to her. And it sounded calm enough to him.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Alyson pursed her lips, her nostrils flaring when he offered her nuts. She didn't want any of his damn nuts, she was GOING nuts! She huffed and was about to storm off when he pushed past her back inside. She glared after him, not liking being ignored.

"When you came here I said you had to behave. I didn't say you had to do anything unless I told you to. Well, I haven't had anything for you to do the last few days. Get over it." She grit her teeth, her hands clenching into fists. She wanted to go nuts on him, but she held back. He was so aggravating!

When he went into his little tirade about how she didn't like his choice of activities and that when she fought him he wanted to break things, particularly her, and that she should just think of something to do, she threw her hands up into the air. "FINE! Let's just do NOTHING then!" Se yelled and stormed off to the bedroom, slamming the door hard behind her. She was having a full fledged tantrum, pacing angrily back and forth in the room. After a few moments of that she grew tired of it and threw herself on the bed, pushing her face into a pillow and screaming at the top of her lungs. She was on the verge of breaking things herself, and the only thing stopping her was her fear of the boy in the other room.

She knew a large part of all of this was simple cabin fever. She had been cooped up for so long! It had taken a solid twenty minutes for her to calm down from the moment she stormed out of the room and away from Sebastian, but she knew what she wanted to do, and she knew he wouldn't allow it.

Unless she had something to bargain.

After she had regained some amount of composure she made her way back into the living room, moving to stand in front of him, arms folded. "Alright, we need to make a deal." She said, her voice more calm now than when she'd stormed out, but still tense from being so aggravated. "I need to get the hell out, and before you say no, just hear me out!" She insisted, holding a hand up to stop him from talking. "We go wherever you want. I'll stay right beside you, won't say a word to anyone about anything. And to prove that I'll "behave" then the same rules apply out there as here. If I try an' run, the whole friend and family threat still holds." She didn't know if he would go for it, but she was climbing the walls there!

"Hell, I'll even wear what you want me to!"

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Sebastian let the girl storm off when she threw her fit. She was nothing more than a child at times it would seem. He could hear her muffled screams but he just sat there, munching on his snack in the living room. He debated going out and just ignoring her but by the time the thought came to him she was standing in front of him again. He looked up with her with very little interest and popped a cashew into his mouth.

He listened to her trying to make her case and realized that keeping her locked in the condo was probably going to drive her mad on its own. He didn't like the idea of taking her out though. The thought of taking her somewhere that she could potentially run off didn't sound that great. It was cute that she wanted to try and make a deal with him. And of course, the same rules would apply. He had anticipated one day taking her out but not so soon. But maybe.. maybe that was just what she needed.

He looked down for a second before he leaned forward, reached around her and set the jar down on the table. He'd been eating too many of those damn nuts. He stood up, dangerously close to her as he looked down at the girl, putting his hands firmly on her arms. "Dress up nice." Was all he said and he let go of her and sat back down on the couch.

"But." He stuck a finger up as if to draw her back in if he started to lose her to the thrill of being able to go out. "You're going to behave. No funny business or there will be sever consequences."

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

She wasn't sure what she was willing to bargain if he'd asked for more than she offered, but she would hear him out if he did. Not only did she want to get out, but she needed something to do with him. She didn't like the thought of spending a whole lot of private one on one time with him, since the last time they'd done that he'd tried to rape her and then flipped right the hell out when she locked herself in the bedroom, causing her to cut her foot after he'd broken a door, table, bench, lamp and mirror. The mirror was still shattered and there was still nothing to sit on when poking keys and the piano and she was ready to rip every last curl out of her head!

When he stood up and practically got in her face, Alyson gulped but held her ground, intent on getting her way by making a case for herself, but he seemed to go with what she'd said. "Dress up nice." Was what he'd said and she was a little thrown. She was sure he would try and strike a bargain with her, the two of them going back and forth about what she needed to do first or with him afterwards, but there was no talk of that. Her heart raced with excitement of the prospect of getting the hell out, even if it meant coming back with him at the end of the night.

"But." There it was. Every fleeting happy thought she'd just had simmered down at that one, tiny, three letter word. "You're going to behave. No funny business or there will be sever consequences."

She had assumed this already and he had proven to her already that it was better not to cross him. She would certainly be thinking twice before doing that again, unless it was to save her own skin, especially from him.

"Yeah, yeah.. you kill me and everyone I know. We've been over that part." She said with bitterness and backed away. "I'll be ready in a minute." She was excited about leaving, even if it was with him and they were going somewhere he wanted to go. She went back to the room and shut the door again, his time with far less force, and went through the clothing he'd gotten for her.

The clothes weren't all her taste. Many of them were much nicer than she would have chosen, but all of it was pretty and most of it was flattering on her, even if it wasn't entirely her style. Some of the things were a little on the sluttier side, and he'd chosen nothing but fancy undergarments for her to wear which both excited her and upset her. She liked feeling beautiful and sexy underneath her clothes where no one but she knew it was there, but she hated that he knew. He'd chosen everything, he knew what was under her clothes which, surprisingly, bothered her very much.

Despite her uneasy feelings about her underwear, she had chosen the nicest ones he'd picked which were black, lacy and surprisingly comfortable. She then threw on a dress and heels, grabbing a little sweater in case it got chilly. She didn't need a purse, not that she had one anyway. He'd stripped her of all the things that should be in her purse, anyway.

Which suddenly reminded Aly; her purse! Had he taken it that night? Had they left it at The Lilly Pad? She wasn't sure but decided to leave it. What good was her purse anyway? Someone could run up her credit cards and she wouldn't be able to stop them, and if he really had her forever then it wouldn't matter what her credit looked like anyway.

Last stop was the bathroom. She had showered earlier that day and her hair was already done, but she ran some product through it anyway keeping the curls bouncy looking and cute. She even dabbed on the makeup he'd gotten her, which had been more than she had requested. She decided either he wanted her to wear a lot of makeup or he had no clue what she wanted so got everything. Either way she had more to choose from than she would ever need. Alyson then debated on the fancy perfume that was in there. Did she really want to smell nice for him? She decided she didn't, but then thought maybe she might get noticed more if she smelled good. People might look her way and if there was any chance of someone maybe hopefully recognizing her, then Sebastian would have a lot of explaining to do, not her. With that thought in mind she grabbed the little bottle and spritzed some on her neck and wrists.

Alyson took one last look in the mirror and left the room, sliding her feet into the nice heels he'd brought back for her, and headed into the living room. "I'm ready." She called out to him, looking away. She didn't want to see him look her over like he was her father and she was getting ready to go on a date. Or worse, like a piece of meat. "Let's go." She added, folding her arms over her chest.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

He could tell that she was expecting him to give her a more difficult time. But he knew just the place that he could take her and not have to worry too much about her. Sebastian watched as she trailed off towards the bedroom to get changed. He was glad that he didn't have to drag her in there and force her to wear something else. Hopefully she'd do what he instructed and come back out dressed nice enough.

In the time it took Alyson to get ready, Sebastian had gone to his sister's door and knocked. When she answered he asked if she'd care to join them but she declined, wanting to spend her night with the disgusting 'kitten' that she kept in her room. He could hear it breathing and that was enough to make him lose any appetite he might have had.

After the door was shut he strolled back into the living room and waited, standing almost in the same spot he'd been in when she'd left. He was still debating where to take her. He could take her out for a bite to eat, or he could go some place much more secluded. Like the cemetery just outside of the city.

It wasn't until she came out looking like a brand new person that Sebastian made up his mind. He'd take her somewhere both secluded and where they could grab a bite if they really wanted.

"Let's go."

It appeared that she thought because he had agreed to this that she was able to decide when they'd leave. Not that he was complaining, he was ready to go. He smelled well enough and he was clothed so that was enough for him. "I'm glad to see you clean up nicely." He told her and then headed for the front door and opened it and took a step back so she could go out first. He was a gentleman, after all. Or so he was telling himself in that moment in his head.

He pushed his hands into his pants pockets and walked beside the girl. He wasn't exactly tall but he was taller than her. He hated when a woman was taller than he was. Then again they had to be giants if they were taller than him. The elevator was halfway down the hall and when they arrived to it he pressed the button with his thumb and then stood there, his eyes moving to the side to look her over. "I know how much you love to dance. So you'll have plenty of opportunity to where we're going." His words held a certain degree of sarcasm in them. She had been very reluctant about dancing with him before and figured she would be this time as well. Though he wasn't in the mood to dance this time. He'd simply lounge around and make sure she didn't try to flee.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"I'm glad to see you clean up nicely." The comment annoyed her but she found it best to simply allow him to say what he wanted. It wasn't worth a snarky response sometimes, since he would shoot one back and she also feared it would be followed with some unwanted behavior, something she was nervous he would try and do tonight. They were going out, which meant it would probably be a test to see how well she did outside her "cage", which meant he could do anything he damn well pleased and she would be expected to "behave". But at least she was getting out, and even if it was with Sebastian, she was glad.

She wondered where they were going since she was asked to dress nice. Was it just because he wanted her to or was there a reason? They could go to a damn convenience store for all she cared. Fresh air and exercise were what she needed, even if it was in heels. Alyson had never been big on heels. She wore them, of course, but she found them more obnoxious than most girls probably. Wedges were better, but she didn't have wedges, and even if she did they wouldn't have worked as well with this dress.

She internally chastised herself for caring what she looked like for him. It wasn't like she was dressing up for him, though. Or at least that's what she told herself. She was dressing up for her.

"I know how much you love to dance. So you'll have plenty of opportunity to where we're going." Alyson immediately snorted and rolled her eyes. "As long as it's not with you." She said before she had a chance to stop herself. Her brows instantly furrowed and her lips pursed, realizing she had set him up for a sharp witted reply in return.

Her head, which had been facing forward turned a hair in his direction, her eyes looking up to meet his, afraid he would change his mind. He still could, the elevator hadn't even arrived yet! "I mean.. just don't try anything." She said a little softer, less attitude in her voice. The comment was more pleading than anything else, wanting to make clear that she just wanted to enjoy herself, even if that meant enjoying him too, something she couldn't do if he was forcing her to do things she wasn't interested in doing.

Alyson knew if he wanted to try something he would, and she also knew there wasn't a damn thing she could really do about it. She would have to play the night by ear, but when the elevator gave a little DING and opened its chrome doors to her, she moved in quickly, afraid he would drag her back to her prison before she really had a chance to be a real person again.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

The words that Alyson spoke would only dig her in deeper. At least if she had been Prestine's prize, it would have. But Sebastian loved her snarky remarks. He found them interesting enough and although she wasn't rubbing herself up against him and desiring him the way that he wanted, he liked how they could banter back and forth. Whether she was doing it because she simply despised him or because it was just the way she was. Either way he enjoyed it.

When the elevator dinged to let them know that it had arrived he could see her eyeing him from the corner of his eye. Although he acted as if he didn't even notice her looking and stepped into the iron cart and pressed the lobby level button. Once she was inside with him he hit the button that would close the doors faster. He hardly ever used the elevators. He didn't have a need when he could just escalate up the side of the building like it was nothing.

When the cart started to move that's when he decided to begin speaking to her again. "The street music is pretty nice. I've heard people say that it gives street musicians in New Orleans a run for their money." Sebastian wasn't sure if she knew about the street musicians or not. But every few nights he'd walk by them if he took to the streets instead of the rooftops. And the smooth sounds of jazz were always better in person than it was on a record. Not that he had any jazz records since he didn't usually listen to it unless it was there.

At first he had intended to just take her to the Silent Stone, where he knew if he gave the word nobody would let her leave. It was a hot spot for his kind, after all. But then he decided that he wasn't willing to share her with the other Gargoyles. He didn't want to chance there being someone there like him who would find her golden locks mesmerizing, her face the kind that they'd want to see every night. He didn't want to run into someone who might take her away from him. It was his own insecurities but he had decided against going there. At least for now.

When the elevator finally dinged again and opened its doors to the first floor he waited for her to go out first. "Lucky for us where we're going isn't very far so we can just walk." He told her, not wanting to get into a cab. He didn't have his own vehicle but he definitely wouldn't get into a cab.

"Go out the door and right." He instructed, wanting to stay close to her but also wanting to make sure she knew which direction they were going in so she wouldn't go the wrong way. Especially since he wasn't leading but simply following her. It was easier to grab her if he was behind her instead of in front. At least while they moved through the lobby.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

When he stepped in casually beside her, and didn't offer a retort to her comment, she breathed a silent sigh of relief. She was almost certain he would have done or said something, but it was almost as if he didn't hear her, though she knew he did. He chose to ignore it, and she was grateful.

When the doors to the elevator shut and he opened his mouth, she feared she would see his wrath, but again he surprised her, going on about the Jazz musicians who took to the streets of Scriptor Bay. Her brows knitted as she stared at him, a little confused by his nonchalant attitude.

Things had changed with them. He had stopped trying to get her to come around. He had stopped trying to do anything other than keep her locked up. It made life more boring and she knew what he was doing; he was smoking her out. She was well aware. Aware as she was, she couldn't help but allow it to work. She was going nuts without any real human contact, and it was depressing her. She knew deep down if she wanted to keep her sanity she would have to suck it all up and play nice with him. She would have to allow those comments to slip out more, because he obviously didn't mind them now.

"I've been to New Orleans." She said softly, the smallest hint of a twang in her voice. The old saying was true; you could take the girl out of the country, but you couldn't take the country out of the girl. She would always be a Texan, whether she liked it or not. "It's hard to give them a run for their money."

When the elevator opened she instinctively waited for him to make the next move. They would be walking and she didn't know where they were going, though she had the feeling they would be passing the Jazz musicians on the way, otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned it.

"Go out the door and right." He instructed her and she offered another curious look in his direction. She sighed and moved out the door, hearing and feeling him lurking a few steps behind. She felt a little annoyed by this for some reason and moved through the elegant foyer of the complex and out the glass front doors, walking casually since walking in heels was no easy task for the blond.

She turned right as he had told her to and began walking in that direction, feeling alone though she very much wasn't alone. Why was he walking behind? Was he checking out her rear? The dress was tight enough, he could probably make it out perfectly fine, a thought which made her suddenly a little self conscious. Maybe he thought she would run? Staying behind her would make it easier for him to spot when she made a move. He already proved he was fast, he could catch her in a second, not that she could run very far in those little high heels.

After a block she decided enough was enough! Alyson stopped in her tracks and folded her arms, turning to glare at him. "I'm not going anywhere!" She snapped at him, jutting her hip out to show her attitude. "You made it perfectly clear I'd be an idiot to try and run, and I can't run in heels anyway. And quit starin' at my ass!" What was he going to do, slap her? Drag her back? There were a handful of people walking around which made her feel not only safe but braver. He would be more inclined to behave, she thought, if he felt others were watching and could catch on easily to what was going on there.

Alyson huffed and moved her body to show she was done talking about it and ready to continue their journey. "Just lead." She said with less attitude now, dropping her arms back to her side.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Sebastian was perfectly content strolling down the sidewalk behind Alyson. He could look around and relax, keeping his strides short and slow so that he didn't run into her and step on the back of her heels. She didn't look very comfortable in them, he decided. Not that it mattered, he liked the way they looked. Heels always made a woman's legs look leaner and much sexier. He didn't see why they didn't wear them all the time.

It wasn't until Alyson stopped and made it perfectly clear she wasn't too happy that he was walking behind her. The comment about her ass made him laugh out loud though and he only shook his head. "I hardly noticed it until you said something." That was when he took a peek at it and realized that entire time he could have been watching it. It was too late now, although he knew that he had plenty of time to watch her ass as she walked.

He moved over to her side and his eyes moved around to the other people who had decided to go for a stroll. He gave a forced little grin and took his hands out of his pockets before shoving them right back in. Otherwise he'd end up grabbing her and that would potentially go sour fast. He wanted the night to go without a hitch. Especially since he'd gone a few days hardly saying a word to the girl.

"You should be enjoying this." Sebastian told her and continued to walk with the girl by his side. She was right. She would be a fool to run off, and like a good little girl Alyson stayed by his side just as she should have.

It wasn't long that the sound of the smooth jazz could be heard and Sebastian gestured for them to round a corner, now setting west towards the beach. He knew that there might be people, but the likeliness of them staying long since it was after dark was slim. Nobody liked to hang around on the pier at night alone. Not to mention the pier was huge and they'd have plenty of it to themselves.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Alyson's eyes moved to his hands when he extracted them from his pocket and then up to his eyes, a little nervous about what he planned to do with them. Grab her? Slap her? Hold her hand? None of them seemed like options she wanted, but he quickly let them slide back in. Whatever it was he had briefly thought to do, he had decided against ti, and she was grateful.

"You should be enjoying this." he remarked and she had nothing to say in return. She felt like a dog on a leash. Yeah, she was out for a walk, which meant freedom, but only so much. In the end she was getting dragged back to her cage and it was up to her "owner" to decide she would get her next dose of freedom, which seemed to not be during the day. Ever.

He was strolling by her side now, which made her feel almost equal to him, though they both knew that wasn't so. It was more comfortable with him at her side than behind her where he was unpredictable. At least at her side she could see if he was intending to try anything or not.

Alyson soon recognized the part of the city they were in. The music blew through the wind to her ears, a slight chill in the air. She gave a little shudder, her curls bouncing in the breeze. When he turned a corner she knew they would be heading in the direction of the pier, something she had mixed feelings about. It would be more secluded than the streets, which meant he would have more control to do what he wanted with her. But it was also beautiful and she always loved the ocean. She loved the smell of the sea, the taste of the salt in the air, the sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline.. She had hardly seen the beach as a girl growing up, so to have it so near was wonderful.

Then it hit her. She may never see the beach during the day again. Her heart sank and the depression took over once more, as it tended to do from time to time. Her throat closed a little as the thought choked her up a bit.

"Where do you go during the day?" She asked, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Do you sleep in the other room? Why do you sleep during the day? There's so much to do.." She asked, the mystery weighing on her.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

The walk had grown quiet mostly except for the music that was growing louder as they kept walking. A saxophone player was just to the right of them as the sidewalk merged with the street and turned into walking room only. The cars couldn't go this far, at least not down the street with the musicians. They'd have to take another route and find parking. Good thing, too. Sebastian didn't want Alyson running in front of a car and getting herself hurt like the fragile human that she was. That's when he snapped back to reality. She was running her mouth again asking questions.

Sebastian simply rolled his eyes at the questions and then turned his head so that he could face her. "Don't you ever get tired of asking questions over and over again?" He asked her and then looked straight ahead again, continuing down the wide pathway. Although it was starting to get a little more congested. It always did right before you got to the pier and then it opened up again. That's when he decided to let his eyes land on her again. He could grab her and force her to hold his hand, but he wanted to try and trust her. He wanted her to prove him wrong.

The noise escalated more, the music louder and the chattering of other people who were in close proximity forming around the musicians to listen to them play. Some of them dancing in place. He found himself having to raise his voice a bit, deciding to give her some form of response. "I don't sleep." He told her and gave a little smirk, his lips parting on the side and revealing his canines just a bit. He had sharper canines than usual, it was almost strange. But they were hardly noticeable unless you were actually looking at his teeth. They made it easier if he ever needed to bite as a defense. Not that he had since he became a Guardian.

"I don't like the daytime. Because they don't have jazz music." He teased her lightly and raised a brow at her, wiggling it almost as if he were attempting to be playful with her now. If there was anything Sebastian liked to do it was to play around with people. He just liked to do it in his own sick little twisted way. Not that it was a bad thing. For him anyway.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"Don't you ever get tired of asking questions over and over again?"

It shouldn't have hurt her feelings, but it did. Perhaps it was the timing, or because she was trying to get to know him as he had seemed to want to do earlier in the week and had been rejected. Either way his words pierced a nerve and she felt even more let down. She could care less if he liked her. She hoped he wouldn't. But to be put down in a moment she had been feeling vulnerable had put her in a more sour mood than she had been already.

Alyson felt her face grow taut, desperate not to show emotion. She busied herself looking at the musicians, her eyes slightly red with the threat of tears. She suddenly didn't feel much like being out and wished they could just turn back, though she knew when morning came she would regret asking him to return home. No, she had made her bed and she would lie in it, even if it meant putting up with this prick all night.

"I don't sleep." She heard him answer, but she didn't look his way. She never saw the teeth he showed off to her, refusing to pay him any attention now. If he didn't care to speak with her, and if he decided he was going to act like a complete ass for her opening her mouth to ask a question, then she just wouldn't speak the rest of the night. He'd get the picture eventually.

"I don't like the daytime. Because they don't have jazz music." Aly folded her arms, annoyed with his attempt at being playful now. The damage was done, her feelings were hurt and she was in a sour mood. She pretended like she hadn't heard him, her arms tight over her chest. He didn't want to answer her questions until he made her feel like an ass first? No problem! She just wouldn't give him the time of day. ...Or night.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

He spoke, explaining in his own way his little truths but Alyson was wouldn't have any of it, or so it seemed. He let out an exasperated sigh since she wouldn't even look at him and her arms were folded so tightly it looked as if they might just fuse together and stay that way permanently. Sebastian tried to move his head, craning his body to try and get himself to a point where she would look at him but it seemed as if it wouldn't work.

"Alright, if we're going to play the silent game that's fine with me." He said coolly and looked away from her nonchalantly before his eyes peered back over to her again. The music continued and the crowd began to thin out as they came up to the very beginning of the pier. The pier was huge. That's when he stopped and cleared his throat, stepping in front of her to stop her from walking any further and putting his hands gently on her arms as if that would get her attention. This gentle business wasn't Sebastian's forte but there was a first for everything, right? Maybe the Gargoyle truly had a soft spot deep down under his thick skin.

"I am truly, deeply sorry. From the bottom of my heart." He told her and he tried to catch her eyes with his cold hues, trying to get her to look at him. He was going to keep her like this until she looked at him, no matter how long it took. He sounded apologetic and even tried to soften up his features a bit. As hard as that was for him to do, he felt he was doing a pretty good job at it.

"I didn't mean to upset you. Now why don't you tell me what will make you feel better? Ice cream? Candy? Maybe something a little more illegal?" His brows raised and his voice sounded both playful and deep as he said the word 'illegal'. He didn't think she wanted to get high with him and he was okay with that.

"We could always go skinny dipping. It's a bit cold but I'm always in the mood for naked activities." He told her and knew there were probably two reactions he would get out of her for that. She'd either look disgusted and make some sort of witty retort, or she'd try to hide her smile like she usually did when he said something that she found amusing. He slowly dropped his hands back down to his sides almost as if a gesture of goodwill, that he wasn't going to do anything to abuse her.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

When he mentioned them playing the silent game once more, she grew even more upset. She had been silent all damn week, as had he, and this was supposed to be a nice night out, away from the condo, away from the imminent lifetime sentence she was about to serve at his beck and call. On the one hand she was glad they wouldn't be talking since h was such an ass hat, but on the other she missed using her voice, missing having a real conversation with someone. She wanted him to try. If he was going to keep her there, the least he could do was keep her happy, something he wasn't capable of, and if he was he certainly was doing a fine job concealing it.

When they turned towards The Pier she wasn't all that surprised. She had the feeling that's where they were headed considering the direction they were taking. That and she knew he would want to keep her away from crowds. There would be less chance of anyone recognizing her or noticing if he did anything shady with her. She couldn't expect to be in the public eye with him, but being in the fresh air was enough. Except for the lack of words being exchanged between them.

Suddenly they stopped and she sighed, looking away towards the distant sound of crashing waves instead of the man that was now standing in front of her. She didn't want to look him, knowing every time she did she would be reminded about how terrible things had gone so quickly in her life. One moment she was a clerk at a child's boutique, working hard to pay her bills and graduate college, the next she was captive in this gorgeous asshole's home. She chastised herself for being such an idiot. She should have seen it coming! But how could she have? She was scolding herself for something no one would have been able to see.

"I am truly, deeply sorry. From the bottom of my heart." Finally she allowed her annoyed hazel eyes to meet his, looking grumpy when she did finally make eye contact once more. Though his words sounded almost sincere, she knew him well enough already to know they were laced heavily with sarcasm. He didn't mean what he was saying, he just wanted her to come around once more. She knew he probably realized he'd screwed the night up and this was his attempt at making amends, even if he was sort of an ass about it.

"I didn't mean to upset you. Now why don't you tell me what will make you feel better? Ice cream? Candy? Maybe something a little more illegal?" Alyson rolled her eyes. The only thing that would make her feel better was turning around, walking away, and never seeing him again, but she already knew that he wouldn't let that be an option. "I'm not five, or a tripped out fifteen year old." She said snidely at his suggestions. Ice cream? Candy? Really? Drugs didn't seem so bad. At least she could escape her own mind then, but she didn't trust him to respect her if she were high. He already proved he would take advantage of her if the opportunity arisen. "We could always go skinny dipping. It's a bit cold but I'm always in the mood for naked activities."

"Please." She scoffed softly rolling her eyes at him again, her arms dropping once he let go of them. Alyson sighed, she knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but she was depressed.

"Honestly?" She told him, moving her eyes away from him, not wanting to see his sarcastic reaction when she spoke. "If you're going to force me to stay with you, just make it suck less. You don't have to be a complete ass the whole time. I already said I won't leave, unless your bullshitting me about hunting down everyone I know." She peaked over, raising a brow. "Because if that's the case I'd gladly bow out now." She wanted it to be clear she wasn't staying by his side because she wanted to or liked him. "Getting me stuff isn't enough. Want me to feel better? Take my mind off the fact that the only time I'm allowed to go out is at night with you, the guy who kidnapped me, tried to rape me, and has threatened the lives of my family and friends if I run away. Oh, and who apparently hates day time, which means I'll never get to do anything during the day again. Let's not forget that part."

Her eyes moved back towards the sound of the waves. She liked to sunbathe on the beach. Or rather, she had liked to. It seemed like a distant memory now. It never even occurred to Alyson that he wouldn't care about her happiness. What would he care if she was happy or not? He could force her to do anything he wanted her to do, but Alyson chose not to see that part. She was still immature, and young enough to be selfish.

"You could at least pretend to have a heart." She added more softly, glowering towards the ocean. She wished she could leave, that she could have her old life back. There was nothing for her with him aside from a life of misery.