The Black Velvet Rose : Ch. 5- The Secret Life of Stacy Datres

   Tristan casually walked across the park, looking around and checking his watch. He finally saw a tall, lean blonde waiting for him by the fountain.  "Stacy." He greeted, walking over to her. Stacy smiled, "Tristan, I was a bit suprised when you called." She kissed his cheek and they both sat down on the bench. "Yeah, I hope it wasn't wierd or anything, I know you barely know me." He slightly laughed. She shook her head, "Not at all, Kieth and I talked about you a little so it wasn't so wierd." Tristan nodded, "Good."  "So," Stacy shrugged, "What did you have to ask me?" "Why don't you talk to Kieth anymore?" Tristan blunlty asked, a little defence in his voice, "He's been really down, I guess he felt that you guys got pretty close and then he said you don't even talk to him now..." Stacy sighed, "Tristan... have you ever drank a little too much and then ending up saying a little too much as well?"  He nodded, even though he never drinks anything except the obvious. She forced a smile, "Yeah well that perfectly explains that night... I was definatly way over my head and I shouldn't have said half the things I said." Tristan nodded again, "I understand. So, why don't you just tell him that, so he doesn't think he did something wrong?" She seemed agitated now, "I wish it were that easy." Stacy rose, "Some secrets aren't meant to get out, you know?" Tristan began to feel a little uneasy, "What was the big secret?" She stared at him, a bit of a glare forming. "Kidding." He lied, adding a fake laugh. No emotion. "Nice talking to you Tristan, if you would excuse me, I have to go." She turned and walked away, glancing across the park. He looked to see someone watching her. By the time Tristan looked back for Stacy, she was gone.

 "Kayla," Tristan sighed, "Can you put your brother on the phone?" He climbed into his car. After a few moments of waiting he heard Kieth's groggy voice. "Hey man," Tristan laughed, "You sound like you're feeling last night." Kieth forced himself to laugh. "Anyways, I talked to Stacy, don't worry .. you didnt  do anything wrong." Tristan explained, "I guess she's a little embarassed because she thinks she said too much that night." Awkward silence. "Dont worry,  she didnt tell me anything that was said." Tristan added. Still - silence. Tristan turned the key, causing his engine to growl. Through the windshield, he could see the person who was watching Stacy, arguing with her. He grabbed her arm and threw her in the back of a car. "Hey Kieth..." Tristan muttered, "I have to go, I'll call you back." He tossed his phone on the seat next to him and put his car in drive.

 Twenty minutes later, Tristan pulled up to a familiar abandoned building. 'Why would they come here?' He thought to himself, secretly parking alongside the sidewalk, blending in with neighboring cars. Tristan watched as Stacy was escorted into the building. When it seemed to be clear, he got out of his car and jogged up to the side of the building then slowed down.

 "Who was that guy in the park?" A male  angerly demanded. "I told you, he's just a friend of a friend." Stacy explained, sounding a bit nervous. "How many friends have you been casually talking to lately Stacy?" He asked, stepping towards her. Tristan stood in the hallway, listening to everything in the next room. "I told you, it was just Kieth, I haven't told anyone else..." She explained. "Well you better hope he doesn't remember your secret binge." He warned. Stacy sighed, "We were both pretty drunk, he doesn't remember anything." 'He remembers something, that's for sure.' Tristan thought to himself. "I didn't give him any names..." Stacy defended herself, "He doesn't even know about Tristan." Tristan's eyes grew wide. "You better hope not. We can't afford any of our covers getting blown. We've worked too hard to get where we are now."  The male retaliated. Tristan closed his eyes. 'No...' He thought to himself, 'Not her... not Stacy Datres....' "If Kieth does remember... you know what we'll have to do, right?" He asked. Tristan felt his blood warm. Stacy sighed, "Yes. And I'll be the one to do it if it comes to that."  "No." Tristan growled, growing defensive. He turned the corner, revealing himself, "If my friend remembers you admitting you're a vampire and our covers blown... then we should do what needs to be done with you.. for risking our lives."  The other male looked at Tristan then back at Stacy, realizing the more appealing alternative. Tristan gave her a warning glance then turned and left, feeling all of them watching him as he walked away.