Midnight VIP [Alyson/Sebastian]

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

All too quickly he was pulling her through the mall and she felt her heart race. They were really doing this, weren't they! It had been so long since she had done something so stupid and spontaneous. At least four years. Her old high school friends would be proud. Or at least they would be if it was 2008.

She didn't know where he was taking her, but it wouldn't matter. Al had the distinct feeling he had done this sort of thing before, and probably often. He wasn't sure how to do it with her, though. There probably wasn't much for him to do than to play around in closed shopping malls considering he was awake all night.

She moved into to store with him and looked around. How would they hide together? She listened to his careful instructions, his hand in her hair and she did her best not to make a big deal out of it. She wanted to both swat at it, and lean into it, but she decided to just not act on either. Her eyes were obedient as she gave a gulp and a nod, wishing he would leave her curls alone. It made her even ore confused than she already was.

"...And then I'll take care of everything else. But you can't move until I come back." He tapped her playfully on the tip of her nose, and she felt almost like a child. Her nose wrinkled a little as he let her go and she took a step back, not having said anything. Words just escaped her tonight.

Alyson waited, watching as Sebastian moved to the sales lady and started flirting with her. She assumed he was flirting, anyway. She felt her cheeks flush and her teeth grit. Why did that make her jealous?! What did she care, she didn't want him! Keep telling yourself that. Her teeth clenched.

When she felt no eyes were on her she slipped under the furniture as he had commanded, making herself small and getting comfy. She wished she had her MP3 player with her. Music would definitely help the time fly.

The time ticked slowly. She had no idea how long she was under there, but her mind wandered. Her thoughts went from,
home, to school, to work, to Sebastian. Why had no one recognized her? Surely she was a missing person by now. Part of her was glad, though. What would happen to Sebastian when the caught him? Would they figure out he wasn't quite human? What WAS he?

The lights in the store shut off and Alyson was draped in darkness. She sighed, not believing she had agreed to do this. Not only had she agreed, she'd asked to! Was she really interested in galavanting in a deserted all all night with Psycho Supernatural Sebastian?

Apparently, since she had been hiding under furniture in the dark for him! She was going to need a shrink after this.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Sebastian had gone into the store and pretended to be interested in the furniture when he wasn't. Luckily for him the person working was a woman. He'd been known to charm a man or two in his time but it was harder with men. First you had to figure out if they were homophobic or not, and if they were then you went with another route. But that wasn't the case this time. He'd managed to flirt with the woman long enough to get Alyson under the furniture. He had managed to get the woman's back turned to the rest of the store so he could watch as Aly squeezed herself under one of the bean bag sacs and before he was done he'd gotten the woman's phone number on the back of a business card. He'd given her false hope that he'd call and slipped out of the store.

Once he left the store he glanced back and the girl had waved to him, clearly thinking that he was looking back at her. He offered her a wave and his best fake smile but it was Alyson he was looking for. He couldn't see any sign of her which was good. And until the mall actually closed, all he'd do is stroll around. Because it was during the week and the way the economy was, the security detail that the mall had wasn't very large. And they usually patrolled the areas outside from his experience. Sure, there'd be one inside but he'd deal with him.

The cages came down by the employees of each individual store, locking up for the night. Then the lights were the next thing to do. Sebastian didn't have to do much, watching as they all began to slowly leave through back doors. One of the security guards was heading in his direction and he slipped easily around a corner that lead towards the restrooms. He could see the light of the flashlight coming across the floor growing brighter and just as the security guard was about to pass Sebastian reached for him and pulled him close to his body. The man cried out in surprise but Sebastian's arm was already wrapped around the man's neck, resting his throat in the crook of his arm and holding him firmly in place. It wasn't long until he felt the man grow limp and get heavier. He slid him towards a janitor's closet that was in between the men and women's restrooms and placed him inside. But first he grabbed his ring of keys and his radio. Then checked his pockets and found his cell phone. Sebastian took the keys and the radio but left the cell phone on the floor outside of the closet as he locked the man inside. Hopefully he'd stay out for a while.

When he was satisfied, he clipped the radio to his hip and shoved the small ring of keys into his pocket. If anyone radioed he'd be able to handle it.

Making his way back to the Love Sac store he pulled out the keys, knowing that he probably had specific keys for different gates. As far as he knew everyone was long gone. The mall was silent and the music was off. It took him a bit but he found the right key and unlocked the gate, sliding it halfway up and crouched before stepping into the store. "Oh Aly, come out come out wherever you are." He said in a playful sing song voice. It was dark and he couldn't recall which piece of furniture she'd hid under.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

The floor under the bean bag chair thing was hard, but the soft chair on top of her was comfy and warm. It was easy to lay underneath and she found herself relaxing. She wasn't really tired, but her eyes slid shut because keeping them open in the dark room, while under something, felt weird to her.

Her mind drifted more easily after that. She was really laying there in a closed mall waiting for her... captor? Was he even a captor anymore? She seemed so willing these days. Either way, whatever he was to her, she was waiting for him to return to collect her. How stupid was she for even doing this? Alyson reprimanded herself in her mind, telling herself she was an idiot, she was stronger and smarter and braver than this. She was short changing herself by staying when there had been so many opportunities to run. Tonight, even, there would be opportunities to run but she knew deep down she had no intention of doing that. She hated how willing she had become to stay and care for him, even. Oh, the shrinks would have a field day with her, that was for sure.

What would happen if she ran? Would he really kill everyone she knew? Would he hurt her like that? She reminded herself he nearly strangled her to death just last night. It seemed like forever ago. Had that really only happened the previous evening? Time was slipping away. Wasn't she supposed to call her parents tonight? She had been so caught up in going shopping, of all things, she had forgotten his promise to call home.

Tomorrow. She told herself. She would call tomorrow. She wanted to hear her parents voices, to hear that people in the outside world cared that she had gone astray. Was her boss angry? Cassidy was probably livid she had missed so much work. Her professors were likely failing her. It cause her gut to sink when she thought of the outside world, a world she was letting slip away while hiding under a damn bean bag chair in a deserted mall to go play with the man who had taken it all from her. And she had asked to stay!

Her eyes had begun to tear slightly as she realized, for probably the hundredth time, that this was all so very wrong. She was letting him keep her. She had even gone so far as to kiss him back in want when he'd forced his lips on hers. The metal gate that was pulled down over the door rattled back into life and she was ripped from her thoughts. She couldn't think about all of this now, not after practically begging him to not take her "home" yet. She felt like such a child.

"Oh Aly, come out come out wherever you are." His words did nothing to help the unsettling childlike feeling in her got squirm around, making her feel almost ill. Why was she so willing to allow him to destroy her life?

She stayed put, not making a peep as he came in and looked for her, huddled under the chair. She needed just another minute to try and compose herself! She wiped the wetness from her eyes, hesitating a long time. Would he lose his patience if she didn't come out right away? He promised to behave if she did.

After a minute or two she slowly pushed the bean furniture off of her and slid out, tucking her hair behind her ears as she slowly pulled herself to her feet, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. She had to forget all of that stuff. She had to force herself to concentrate on only him, and enjoying herself. It was how she had to survive. It was the choice she had made and she reminded herself she wasn't entirely miserable. He hurt her and frightened her a few times, but all in all he had showed he cared. Like an abusive husband.

"I'm here." She called out, coming slowly and hesitantly towards him. She took a few deep breaths to get her uneasiness out. "Where to?" She asked, forcing herself to try and sound something resembling excited, but she wasn't sure how successful she had been. She could make him out easily, the dim light from the outside part of the mall shining through the open door, shedding a strange glow around him and her, everything looking eerie.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Sebastian looked around before heading to the counter and leaning against it. Either Alyson had made a run for it or she was taking her sweet time showing herself. Of course it was the second and when she appeared she was encased in shadows so he could hardly make out her expression. He pushed himself off the counter and strolled casually over to her, brushing past her and heading back out by ducking under the gate and waiting for her to follow behind. At least in the larger area it wasn't as dark, especially since there were high windows. The purpose they served was unknown to Sebastian.

"So what's on the agenda for tonight, my little rule breaker?" Sebastian asked and had a sly look across his face. He winked at her playfully before he turned his attention to the stores. There was an entire mall full of stores, upstairs and down. He knew there was a sporting goods store somewhere, and of course the stores for people who surfed and skated. He wouldn't mind grabbing a skateboard off a rack and going down the different ramps. Not that he could skate. But if he just stood on it he'd be fine. Or maybe he'd push Alyson on it if she wanted.

Then he realized that she had talked about pizza. Maybe she was hungry? He definitely was, although he could always hold off. But he wasn't sure about her. And ordering pizza to the closed mall wasn't going to happen. "How about we go see what's in the food court? Maybe we can figure out how to make something." He offered, wondering if that was what she really wanted to do.

Sebastian would have been content just sitting there watching over her. But he had a feeling that whatever they did she would want him to join in with her.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Success. Alyson is relieved Sebastian doesn't notice the grief in her tone. She had masked it well and she lets out a sigh as he makes his way past her out the store. She takes a few deep breaths, regaining the little bit of composure she lost and follows him out. "So what's on the agenda for tonight, my little rule breaker?" She pushes a weak smile on her face and shrugged. "I don't know, but I'll take that name over Princess." She informs him, her eyes looking him over. He was her life, now. Everything she did from then on out would be at his side, until he freed her. She needed to get over it and except it! She knew the more she dissected it in her brain the harder it would be. Let go, it's okay.. and she wasn't sure if it was the logical or the carnal part taking over. It could be either.

She walks easily at his side, her mind still heavy with thoughts, though none of them seem to be lucid. She's running on autopilot, and it isn't until he mentions to food court that she snaps out of it, looking over at him slightly dazed. Tomorrow. Tomorrow you will call your parents and everything will be fine after that. You'll see. Her mind promises and for now she relinquishes herself to the man, if that's what he is, beside her.

"I'm getting hungry." She says, trying not to let her feelings show in her tone. She needs to snap out of it! Alyson bit her lip and looked around, clearing her throat, freeing her mind. "I still haven't had that Italian food, and pizza isn't really Italian. Though I guess I really could just go for anything. Taco Bell probably has stuff already made." She laughs. "I don't want tacos.. Uhm..." She can see the food court coming up and strains her neck trying to remember what they even have in there. The area still smells like dinner and her stomach rumbles. She didn't have a decent meal that day. Only the cheese, grapes and crackers that had been left from the previous night.

"Can you cook?" She asks, raising a brow and looking his way, "Or am I your new chef. Because if that's the case, you're going to walk away very hungry still." She could cook a few things, but she needed recipes. She should have had her mother teach her... She pushes away the lump forming in her throat, thinking about her parents. Her mom will teach her one day, she decides. Just gotta make him love you.

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

"Can you cook?"

Sebastian looked at Aly with his are-you-serious? look and then shook his head. "I guess we'll just have to see what we can come up with." He told her just as they were reaching the food court. He looked around and heaved a sigh, trying to figure out what he was willing to try and make. "Is there anything microwavable that isn't too disgusting?" He muttered, knowing that Alyson would be able to hear him. It wasn't as if there was any other noise around them except for their own voices. Maybe he should figure out how to turn on the music.

He stood there looking around, not sure where he wanted to go. He wasn't used to cooking his own food. Their kitchen was more there just because it came with the condo. Although their mother did know how to cook and did cook them meals when they were younger. But he had no interest in ever learning, and with the amount of money he had he could eat out every night. He looked down at Alyson and then nodded, gesturing for her to lead the way. "You first. I don't think I could even work half the things back there."

It was true. Sebastian wasn't exactly the most technical person, and when it came to kitchen stuff he was even worst. He'd probably burn the place down, but he did start to make his way towards one of the stands, one called Hot Dog on a Stick. It seemed simple enough. Hot dogs were such a simple thing that they couldn't possibly be difficult to make.

He made his way around the counter and looked around. Everything was put away. He didn't have the slightest clue what to do or what to pull out first. "..I think we should have just ordered pizza." He grumbles.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"..I think we should have just ordered pizza." She snorted. "Not too late to." She offered. "Just tell them to leave it outside of the mall." She knew he wouldn't, and her tone was joking. Pizza did sound good, though. Anything sounded good.

She looked around in the little hut for food. It was basic; they had hot dogs, they had buns and all the damn fixings. It wasn't rocket science. She peaked around and found the on switch for the rotisserie that cooked the hot dogs and then opened the fridge and pulled some out. Easy enough.

One by one she placed four hot dogs on the rotisserie and watched as they rolled on the metal rollers. When she was finished she rinsed her hands and then grabbed a paper cup, filling it with some sprite. "That wasn't too hard." She told Sebastian as she hopped onto the counter, dangling her feet over the edge as she sipped at it, staring at the man she was with.

She watched him for a moment and then put her cup down, gripping the edge of the counter as her feet swung back and forth. "Maybe we can finish clothes shopping after." She suggested, the smell of hot dogs wafting towards her from the rolling metal bars. "Or mirror shopping. Or... is there anything you actually want?" She asked figuring she would give him far opportunity to make the best of this little trip. "Have you done this before?"

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Alyson was suddenly asking an array of questions once she had put the hot dogs on the weird rolling heater. She obviously had a clue how it worked when he didn't. He didn't even know what that was until she turned it on and threw the hot dogs on it. The smell wasn't one that he'd welcome usually, but because they were a pair of non-chefs he couldn't disagree with the scent of something that wasn't burning. They surely weren't going to burn down the mall by making hot dogs.

Slowly, Sebastian moved closer to Aly where she sat on the counter. He placed his fingers on her legs, pretending they were walking up and down her legs before he grabbed her knees and separated them so he could move between and leaned himself against the counter facing her. He didn't try to force himself on her or any other funny business. He did grab her hand that held the drink and tip it so he could take a taste before letting go of her hand so she could have her drink back.

"Yes. I've done this before. I do it all the time. Mostly smaller stores closer to home. They don't stay open all night and sometimes I have shopping to do." Sebastian actually knew some of the codes to some of the stores, so once the workers left he was able to turn off the alarm system. Of course sometimes it changed and he'd end up triggering it, but it wasn't that big of a deal to him.

"And clothes are a great idea. You can never have too many clothes. And I think I could use a new pair of suspenders myself." His eyes were fixated on her, recalling the time that she had been wearing his clothes and playing the piano, getting the keys all dirty. He'd thrown a royal fit that night.

He thought about her question now, pondering if there was anything that he wanted. There were plenty of things he wanted, but were any of them in the shopping mall? "I don't need anything. When I need something I buy it or take it. What do you want, Alyson? If you could have anything in the world - uh!" He stuck a finger up in case she tried to say anything. He wanted her to think about it for a moment. "-don't you say anything that we've agreed you wouldn't say. If you could have anything in the world other than the unmentionables, what would it be?" If she said she wanted freedom he was going to go ballistic. And he didn't want to do that tonight.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Hazel eyes watched his fingers carefully as they walked across her leg, stopping at her knee. She felt her heart race slightly, unsure what he would do to her. Had he done any of the things he was doing now just two nights ago she would have been quick to tell him to back off, but now she allowed him to separate her knees and move between them, trusting him to not do anything as he promised. She had to trust him, and though technically he was doing something, he wasn't forcing himself on her in an extremely compromising way. He kept just enough distance between them to keep her comfortable he wouldn't breach her trust. Though even Alyson couldn't deny how sexy he could be. The way his hand slid on hers, moving it to allow him to drink from her cup and then place it back down... the way his eyes bore into her like he could see right in the depths of her soul, and the smirks that made her feel like he was amused by what he'd seen there. She felt his body heat radiating off of him, warming her as he stood maybe a little too close. She didn't give away how she felt towards him at that moment, forgetting all about the logical part of her brain that said to never trust him. He'd hurt her over and over, and he would do it again if she let her guard down, which he was slowly breaking down, even despite her earlier thoughts on freedom, her parents and escaping his grip on her.

She knew she shouldn't be all too surprised. How many times had she woken up to new things in her room? Surely the stores weren't open after she had gone to bed, which left one thing; he stole them in the middle of the night. Unless he was going out during the day, but considering how he skirted around the "daytime" talk, she had the feeling he wasn't shopping during the day. Otherwise he would take her.

"You can never have too many clothes. And I think I could use a new pair of suspenders myself." Her cheeks flushed at the memory. The night they'd drank too much and he'd attacked her. Had his suspenders broken? The night was a blur, but she did recall she'd had them on, and that he'd removed them.

A glimmer of anger burned in her eyes as she thought about how cruel he'd been that night, and how gentle he had been later when she stepped on the glass. He may have drove her away and harmed her, but she knew she had given him reason to get angry by running. Though it had been he who scared her into running into the bathroom.

She gulped and shut her eyes, wanting to forget that night happened. Memories like that would make moving past it all harder to do than it already was.

"What do you want, Alyson? If you could have anything in the world - uh!" She hadn't even parted her lips to speak before he was stopping her. She knew why he held a finger up before he explained it. It was their new "rule". He liked to pretend he wasn't keeping her there against her will. Was he? You could have run! Her eyes were open again and she pursed her lips as he continued to warn her against saying anything that would inevitably upset him.

What would she want if she could have anything? She looked into his eyes, thinking, and then tore them away to look around and think. "Nothing tangible." She told him, looking back at him now. "I've always wanted to travel." That dream was slashed now. She wouldn't be taken anywhere by him, and even if he did decide to take her to Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Sydney....all those places would be worthless without getting to see them during the day.

She pushed him aside and slid off the counter, not looking at him as she moved to the hot dogs. She picked up the clean prongs by the side of it and put the hot dogs into buns. "There's toppings in the fridge if you want." She offered, wanting ketchup and mustard herself, which were already out. She helped herself to the condiments and leaned against a different counter, not wanting to get so close again so quickly, unless he pushed for her to. "I guess I wouldn't say no to a new pair of converse shoes, though." He pushed a small smile no her face, taking a bite of her hot dog. Not bad...

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Sebastian listened to everything that Alyson said, keeping quiet and his eyes focused intently on hers. He always seemed to have a scowl on his face, looking angry even when he wasn't. It was his go to expression and it was easy. It was expected with him. He thought about what she said about traveling. He could never take her travelling and he knew that. He wouldn't even give the false hope of it. When the female pushed him out of the way he took a step to the side and watched her as she made herself one of the hot dogs.

He followed suit after her, using the tongs to grab a hot dog and placing it in the bun. He didn't bother with the condiments. A hot dog tasted like a hot dog no matter what you put on it. And he practically shoved half of it in his mouth in the first bite, chewing it with his back teeth making his right cheek protrude out awkwardly. He didn't say anything while he ate, waiting until he was between bites before he looked over at her.

"Maybe you'll go to those places one day." Sebastian's words were soft and kind instead of dripping with sarcasm and wit. If she played her cards right, then maybe someday she'd be able to go wherever she pleased and no longer have to answer to him. It was too early to tell though. It had only been a week.

He finished off the hot dog and rubbed his hands together trying to brush the crumbs off. When he swallowed the last bit of the mystery meat he leaned against the counter in the same spot where Alyson had been before.

"I guess I wouldn't say no to a new pair of converse shoes, though."

His eyes fell on her once more and slowly moved down to her shoes. She looked like the type of girl who wore Converse. He found it amusing how thirty years ago they were considered the shoes of the poor, but in this day and age they were actually pricey. He'd never actually owned a pair and he never would. "I guess a shoe store can be exciting." Sebastian rolled his eyes a bit but this time he was clearly being sarcastic. He wouldn't mind hanging in a shoe store if that was what she wanted to do.

He didn't mind doing what Alyson wanted tonight. Tonight was for her, he told himself, although he also knew it was an easy way for him to keep an eye on her while being out of the house. It was perfect. She had all the space she needed and not a soul to come and speak to her except for him. He liked it that way. He wasn't the kind that shared.

"Are you done stuffing your face yet? I'd like to do something before the sun comes up." He scolded in a mocking tone and stepped out of the hot dog area. He wasn't planning on leaving her there, he just wanted to be in the open area of the food court and not just that small little area. He stepped onto one of the chairs that were on the floor and then went up onto the table. He table hopped since they were so close together. The thing he always noticed about food courts was everyone looked uncomfortable. They tried to squeeze so many tables and chairs into such a small area to get more business. Comfort clearly wasn't in the plans.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

She was unsure what he'd meant about her one day going traveling. Did he mean off his short chain he kept her on, or tightly clipped to it? She looked into his eyes as if expecting to see the answer flashing there, but it didn't as he chewed the hot dog. She ate her own, her stomach grateful for the substance. "Are you done stuffing your face yet? I'd like to do something before the sun comes up."

Alyson rolled her eyes at her impatient partner in crime and slid off the counter, pushing the rest of her first hot dog into her mouth and carrying the second one, her fingers wrapping around the soda cup as she moved on to help quench her thirst.

She took a sip as he walked on the tables, her eyes following him as her mouth wrapped around the straw, sucking the fizzy soda down. It looked like fun, she noted but she didn't want to follow suit. Instead she nibbled at hot dog number two as she walked on. There had to be a shoe store somewhere!

Her eyes landed on the Journeys banner and she nodded at it. "Hey," She called out to Sebastian, who she knew was close. The gate was down, but that didn't mean anything. "Try here?" She asked, sipping the soda again and turning her hazel eyes in his direction. "I'm pretty sure they sell them here." She hd never been able to afford Converse shoes before!

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Sebastian was still moving between tables when Alyson called out to get his attention. He looked up and hopped right off the table easily and strolled by her side. He looked to the store that was named Journeys which he'd never shopped in before. They didn't carry the type of shoes that he wore. It looked like one of those stores that kids who were trying to be "cool" shopped in.

And Alyson obviously.

He thought shoe shopping was boring but he figured what the hell. It wasn't like he really needed anything. Not that night anyway. "Just a second." Sebastian told her and fished the key ring out of his pocket. He had to hold it up and squint at it, trying to find the same key he'd used before. They were idiot proof since each individual key was labelled what its use was.

"Here we are." He stuck the proper key in the slot and once all the pins were fit into position he turned the key and unlocked the gate. He took the keys out and pocketed them once more before pulling the gate up effortlessly. The gates seemed almost flimsy. Anyone could probably break through it. It was probably there more just to fend people off than for actual security. The mall security was clearly awful since they were able to just hang out after hours.

"Now what are we looking for?" Sebastian moved over to a rack and picked up a sneaker. At least that's what it looked like. Only it had weird swirls in greens, purples and pinks. It was the ugliest thing he'd seen. But then he picked up another shoe and this one had pandas painted on it. He'd been wrong. This was the ugliest shoe he'd seen. But he wasn't fully in the store and would have bet he'd find more hideous footwear.

"I hope this isn't your style." Sebastian muttered and held up a sleek stiletto that was animal print. Animal print was so tasteless and he'd never been a fan. He dropped it on the floor and continued looking. His expression showed that he didn't like anything he'd seen so far.

And why the hell were there backpacks and t-shirts hanging on the walls? Wasn't this a shoe store?

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

She waited guiltily, soda in hand, as he sorted through the keys and finally chose one. She watched him pluck the lock open and seconds later the store was open to her, like her very own personal shopping playground. The guilt festered deep in her stomach, but excitement bubbled there as well. It was sort of cool to know she had the run of the place and could choose anything she wanted without the hassle of a sales clerk looking over her shoulder or worrying about the price tag. Sure, it was illegal what they were doing, but one hell of a rush.

Alyson stepped in, looking around. Her hazel eyes took in the colorful shoes and accessories. The majority of the things in the store weren't things she would choose to wear personally. She liked some of it, but she wasn't a fluorescent kind of girl. She liked her shoes and clothes to be subdued a little, not as bold as the items available in this particular store. "Now what are we looking for?" "Shoes." She said back with mild sarcasm, her tone mostly playful. She didn't have an exact shoe she was looking for, just shoes.

She gave a look towards Sebastian who was clearly disgusted with the merchandise. She couldn't help but grin a little. He looked young, not terribly older than herself, but there was something so mature about the way he saw the store, like he was her grandfather maybe. Vampire! her mind growled and she shook her head. He would have bitten her by now, which he had not. He would have had a difficult time controlling himself when she had cut her foot and had been grazed by the bullet, but neither time he seemed disturbed by the sight of her blood. Definitely not a vampire, but what?

She went to the All Star rack and looked at the converse shoes. There was a pair of sea foam green ones that she liked and she picked them up, admiring them. There was nothing frilly about them, just simple. Did she have anything to match it? Not yet.. She bit her lip thinking about the damage she could do at these stores. She reminded herself that she wouldn't be greedy. These stores needed to make money, but they probably made loads of overhead. Really, taking from them was a drop in the bucket.

Was she really rationalizing it? "I hope this isn't your style." She turned and looked at the shoe, having to agree that it was hideous. Alyson wasn't into anything animal print. Sure, she had a few leopard print things back in high school, but that was mostly her best friends influence. In fact, most of the things she had were hand-me-downs from said best friend. Does she know I'm missing? Aly wondered. She would likely know something was up by her lack of facebook action, even more than usual.

"Oh, I love animal print." She teased. "In fact? I'd like an entire wardrobe of leopard and zebra." She smirked, "Neon zebra stripes! I want to see if i can make your eyes bleed." Her tone was playful and she gave him a wicked sort of smile before grabbing a box with her size. She sat down and kicked her left shoe off, pulling the little sea foam green free from its confines and slid it on her foot, tying it tight. She cocked her head looking down at it. Normally she wouldn't ask anyone's opinion, and she wasn't entirely sure she wanted Sebastian's anyway, but she turned to him and pointed her foot in his direction. "Thoughts?"

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

"Disgusting." Sebastian commented when he saw the shoe that she slipped on. But his face clearly showed the sarcasm that he'd put into the word. He moved to the counter and reached behind to grab a bag with the Journeys logo so that whatever she decided to grab he'd be able to just bag it and carry it with the rest of the merchandise. He took another look at the shoe and then up at Alyson's face. It definitely suited her.

"Why don't you throw your old shoes in the bag and wear your new ones around." He held the bag out for her to choose which shoes she wanted to throw in there. Although they weren't his taste he couldn't deny how much they seemed to go with her. They had a personality of their own and were tacky. They were perfect.

He got down on one knee in front of her and reached for her other foot that had her old shoe on still and slipped it off her foot. Then he reached for the hideous green shoe and pushed it onto her foot, sticking his finger in the back and straightening it out before her heel went in. "There."

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

She made a face at him when he said it was disgusting. When she realized he was playing she rolled her eyes at him and shook her head. He was such an ass, but he was being funny. She liked this Sebastian. She liked who he became when she was being pleasant, which only reinforced her behavior. She had force d herself to think of nothing other than shopping, which was a great distraction.

At his suggestion she gave a nod and then watched as he placed the other shoe on her foot, her stomach squirming. He made her feel like a child which was a little obnoxious, but at the same time it was nice feeling him take care of her that way. It was a small gesture, and she was wondering if he really did care about her on some level.

"I could care less if you're happy. You're here for me, sweetheart." His words from the previous evening rang in her mind. It had really been last night that he'd nearly strangled her. Could he care less if she was happy? Her brows lowered but her look wasn't angry, more like she was thinking, which she was. What had happened in 24 hours? Was it because she had stayed? Because she had cared for him when he certainly didn't deserve it? She could see in his eyes that things were different now, and he was certainly showing it.

Alyson looked down at her new shoes and flexed them pushing up on the toes and then back on the heels while still sitting. "Well, I like them." She told him, her voice low and content, looking back up into his eyes which were level with her own, and giving a smile of appreciation. She picked up her old shoes and put them in the bag before getting up, brushing past him as she went.

"There has to be something in here you like!" She called out as she went to the shirt racks. She picked up a charcoal tank with a skeleton cat on it and admired it. It was sort of short, but who cared? It was cute and fun! She looked back to make sure he wasn't watching as she pulled her shirt off and held it between her knees and slid the other one on. She could feel the difference seeing as her stomach showed in the new shirt and it was sleeveless. She looked in the mirror on the column and turned from side to side. It suited her.

"What stores do you usually shop in?" She asked as she moved to the belts, picking out a studded one and sliding it through the belt loops on her pants. She was like a whole new Alyson! "I still want to see you trying on that bra." She called out, not sure where in the store he was since she was browsing around. She grabbed a trucker hat and slid it on her head and grinned. Those things always looked stupid on everyone, herself included. "Hats looks so stupid with curls." Except for his fedora, she thought