Sarah took a soft breath in, about to thank him for such a compliment, but then the air between them became electric as his lips came so near to hers. She lost all her words- both English and German. She was gazing into his eyes, feeling her heart race. 

As the map fell to the floor, so did the last of her inhibitions. Her hand slid up the front of his open shirt, then curled softly along the slope of his shoulder. Only for a moment, Sarah drew away and whispered to him

"Du hast schöne Lippen. Ich mag es, wie sie sich fühlen."

Erich shook his head ever so slightly.

"Ich weiß kaum, wie du dich fühlst, Sarah, ich kann dich kaum berühren. Es steht so viel im Weg."

He reached up with one hand and tugged ever so slightly at the knot that was holding her scarf together letting it come undone. He used his lips to replace it, touching her soft skin on her neck, knowing that the chill of having it touch the night air for the first time since at least before dinner, and the warmth of his breath would mix to send a shiver through her.

"Sarah."

He cooed softly into her ear.

"Wenn dir zu kalt wird, werde ich dich wärmen."

He slipped out of his shirt then, letting his upper body be exposed to the dim light of the room. His skin was pale under his blonde hair, but it was clearly muscled from hard labor. It was not the sort of muscle a man built by fighting or by training in building it. It was the sort of muscle that could only be built out of practicality, and constant daily use. Erich never was the smart one in the family, that was all his sister. Erich, was the ox, Adele the Golden Eagle that sat atop it pointing the right way to go.

"Lässt du mich deine Nacht wärmen?"

His whispers and touch ignited an excitement in her that she hadn't felt in some time. For months, she was nothing but a toy; an object to be gawked at and manipulated for money. There was desire in Erich's eyes; not the empty, shallow gaze of someone looking for temporary fulfillment. Sarah let her head fall softly to one side as his lips traversed her porcelain skin.

"Ja. Es ist zu lange her, seit ein Mann mich so sanft berührt hat"

"Dann werde ich freundlich und sanft sein, bis der Moment kommt, in dem keiner von uns etwas mehr will."

Erich slipped his arms under Sara and lifted her from the couch, moving slowly toward the bed.

"Du bist klein und schön, es ist fast so, als müsste ich nichts tun, um dich abzuholen."

Her arms circled over his shoulders as he picked her up from the couch, and her eyes didn't leave his.

"Ich habe noch nie einen Mann gekannt, der so stark ist, um so süß zu sein."

As he so carefully laid her on the bed, Sarah felt a sudden rush of lusty desire for the fair-haired man hovering over her. Leaning up, she crushed her lips against his, hungrily, and began frantically fumbling with the buttons of her blouse. The thought occurred to her, briefly, that this may have been his objective all along; but she couldn't find it in herself to care. Freedom has many flavors, after all, and Sarah was ready to taste every one of them while she had breath to do so.

Erich was the first to wake in the morning, and he did not open the curtains so as to not wake his companion. He was honestly surprised that she remained. They had both certainly enjoyed one another, but she had her own room in the hotel. It struck Erich as a waste of money to have left that room empty, but from what Sarah had said, her employer was paying for it so it was no drain on her finances.

He rose slowly and quietly to take a shower and decided that as soon as he was out, he would phone down to the front desk to have them bring up breakfast for the two of them. It struck him that he did not know what the woman next to him desired, so a simple breakfast would do. Eggs, sausages, toast, and a grapefruit half accompanied with coffee and juice made its way to the door. As the bellhop knocked, Erich opened the door, still in naught but a towel, he gave the man a quarter for a tip and watched as he retreated down the hall.

Erich was not sure if it was the knock, or the smell of freshly cooked food that had begun to awaken Sarah, but she was stirring now.

"Guten Morgen, schöne Frau. Ich warte auf das Frühstück und dachte, es wäre das Mindeste, was ich tun könnte, nachdem Sie mir letzte Nacht bei allem geholfen haben."

He did not smile, but instead lifted the lid off the tray to reveal the food.

"Ich war mir nicht sicher, was ich bekommen sollte, also dachte ich, diese Artikel würden Sie ansprechen, egal wie Sie Ihr Frühstück mögen."

Sarah felt somewhat sluggish upon opening her eyes, but the distinct smell of breakfast sausage perked her senses right up. Before sitting upright in bed, she rubbed her eyes and took mental inventory of herself. No headache, thankfully; but also no clothes. Drawing the sheet up, Sarah began to vaguely recall the encounter with the young, blonde haired German in the hotel bar. It was the choice of that very man that she then heard speaking to her as he lifted the cloche from a tray.

With the sheet tucked under her arms, Sarah smiled a little shyly and ran a hand through her disheveled red hair. 

"Vielen Dank. Das Essen riecht wunderbar."

As she rose from the bed, she considered dragging the sheet with her for modesty, but then remembered the provided bathrobe in her own room. Assuming there was one in this room as well, Sarah remained undressed and slipped into the bathroom.

A moment later, she returned with the bathrobe loosely draped around her and joined Erich at the table.

"Ich hoffe du hast gut geschlafen. Sie waren durchaus der Gentleman, wie ich mich erinnere."

She poured herself a cup of coffee and gave him a little wink, wondering if she'd be able to elicit a smile from him. 

Erich nodded and let his mouth turn up at a corner.

"Ich würde sagen, dass Sie eine Dame waren, aber Sie hatten viel mehr Spaß als das."

He then slid a plate closer to each of them and began to dig in. Today would be a quick day, he only had to make the one stop. He wasn't sure though how long the young woman still in his bed would be staying. If she was staying longer, he had one very good reason to delay.

"Wie lange wirst du in Detroit bleiben? Sie haben vielleicht gestern gesagt, aber ich habe es vergessen. Es muss allen Spaß gemacht haben."

He took a bite of grapefruit as he waited her reply.

The food was surprisingly tasty for being hotel food. Sarah enjoyed a bite of eggs and sausage together before replying.

"Ich soll heute nachmittag gehen. Ich werde nach Philadelphia fliegen, um mich mit einem anderen Mitarbeiter zu treffen - in einer persönlichen Angelegenheit."

For the first time in several hours, the weight of the task ahead invaded her thoughts. But she was confident enough in her decisions; something had to go right for once.

"Ich hoffe, Sie denken nicht an mich wie eine Frau, die viele One-Night-Liebhaber hat. Und ich hoffe, ich habe mich letzte Nacht nicht zu dumm gemacht. Es war viel Spaß."

Sarah lifted the coffee cup and took a sip of the warm, bitter drink.

"Niemand, der die Art und Weise liebt, wie Sie es tun, ist ein Dummkopf. Es hat viel Spaß gemacht, stimme ich zu. Es ist bedauerlich, dass Sie so schnell gehen, aber in Zukunft werden wir uns in Philadelphia sehen. Es sei denn, Sie wollen letzte Nacht ein Geheimnis zwischen uns behalten?"

He finished his breakfast quickly and waited, keeping his distance from her a bit. He did not know what she was going to say or do. Perhaps she was the type to keep her forays with men quiet. It would be interesting to see her make the attempt to use Erich for that. He wouldn't say no most likely, but he would also become much more guarded about what he might say around her.

 Flakester needs a place to stay the night so he walks in this fancy place to stay  to The Chaise Hotel to reserve him a room tonite.he walks  up to the desk attendent and tells him he wants a room .the Manager gives flake' his credit card back and his room pass..iit's still a lilyoung of a nite he heads out for a drink.

Luis was in town for a business meeting and needed somewhere elegant to stay, he had heard of the famous Chaise Hotel and decided that it would be worth a shot to give it a try.. better than sleeping on the streets right? He took one final drag off his cigarette before tossing it into the gutter and exhaling a large cloud of smoke as he turned and proceeded inside...

"Hope this place has good room service, last place we stayed was the shits..." Luis scoffed as Joe held the door open for him

"Literally, the shits boss... I couldn't get enough pepto-bismol in me to save my life!" the two men laughed

"Indeed Joe..."

Luis arrived at the counter but did not seem to see a receptionist anywhere.. A silver ringer bell was present so he tapped it a few times, sending the loud ringing noise echoing through the lobby.. He waited a few more seconds before tapping it again angrily.. This time it seemed to work as he could hear footsteps approaching in the distance...

"Hello? I'm looking to rent a room.. is anyone here?" Luis called out

"Just a second..." a muffled voice called out

A few moments later, a small figure appeared from a door nearby smiling at them and sitting down at the desk..

"A room you said correct?" Luis looked back at Joe with a confused look on his face before turning back and nodding

"Perfect... That will be 5$ for the night... card or cash?" the receptionist replied

"Cash... here you go..." Luis said slowly as he pulled the cash from his broccoli wad

The receptionist filled out some quick info, before having Luis sign the document and taking his cash deposit...

"Thanks, your room is on the 4th floor, room 20..." the receptionist muttered as the key was exchanged

"Enjoy your stay!"

Luis and Joe quickly scurried over to the elevator and hopped on before they both turned to each other and shook their head...

"Well that was interesting.. first time I've met a uh.. he-she before..." Joe scoffed

"Last of my worries... They put us in damn room 420 again.. this is the 3rd time this month we've had the same room number at a hotel..." Luis said angrily

"Hopefully this time it doesn't smell like marijuana...god damn stoners..."

Luis and Joe step off the elevator and quickly find their room, much to Luis satisfaction, the room was extremely tidy and didn't smell like pot.. He kicked his loafers off and flung himself back onto the bed... Sleep was on the much near horizon, he thought to himself before slipping slowly into the dreamworld...

Alucard ran his hand over the long brass bar on the outside of the Chaise Hotel.  He hasn't really been back to the Chaise Hotel since that night, which feels like an eternity ago now.  He paused for a few moments, thinking over everything that he can remember has happened from then until now. He ran the fingers of his other hand over his eyes.

"God, that really was a lifetime ago. Things are so different now."  He said to himself before finally pushing open the door and walking in. 

Maggie gave him a shocked looked, an almost borderline relieved expression. Before glowering at Alucard when he walked in the door. 

"Well look what the cat dragged in..." She snarked when she finally noticed who the man was that walked in.  "See you finally decided we were worth your time again."

Alucard gave Maggie a smile, saying, "I've missed you too Maggie."

The older woman rolled her eyes, as the young maid, Alice wrapped her arms around Alucard.  "Boss, I'm glad you're alright! It's been so long." 

"It's good to see you too Alice." Alucard smiled as he returned the young lady's hug.  He released the hug, and grinned at Alice. "We can't go hugging for two long now, I'm an engaged man now."

Alice jumped and squealed in surprised delight. "OMG Alucard!  The brunette?!"

Alucard felt bad laughing as hard as he did, "No, lord NO!" He said shaking his hands in front of his face, "The blonde that use to regular here, Integra.  My childhood sweet-heart you might call her.  She's the uh, mother of my daughter."  He smiled as his mind drifted off to his Integra. and beautiful daughter Seras. 

"YOU'RE A FATHER?!"  Maggie barked out in hysterical shock.

Alice smacked Maggie at the base of her skull causing the older woman to stumble forward.  "Hush Mags.  Alucard, I'm SO happy for you!"

"Its actually funny you mention the brunette, I'm actually here to meet her husband,  Billy_Mastrosimone .  If I'm not at the piano, I'll be in my office.  Will you let me know when he arrives."

"Of course sir!"  Alice said in a cheery voice.

Billy made his way into the hotel. He had never actually set foot inside the place, and yet it seemed as if he knew it intimately. Maybe it's because when you know a person, you know the place.

He smiled at the older woman who offered to take his coat.

"No thank you miss, but perhaps I could get your name? Mine is Billy."

He offered his hand and she reluctantly took it and shook.

"I'm here to see my brother."

The look she gave him told him everything he needed to know. She had no idea who he was, or who he was to Alucard. Billy laughed.

"Alucard, I'm here to see your boss. You have any idea..."

The woman cut him off by pointing to the lounge from which quiet piano music was playing. Billy shrugged and made his way over to the room he was pointed to and immediately recognized the man playing.

"That's a nice tune, do all you englishmen know how to play piano? It really makes us Americans look bad you know."

He winked at his brother and then flung his arms open to embrace him whenever he finished.

Alucard grinned and laughed, as he embraced his brother.

"Billy, how many piano-playing englishmen do you know?  I thought I was your only one!  You wound me, brother!"

He laughed as he mocked covering a wound over his chest. 

"It's good to see you my friend. Very damn good to see you actually. I trust Maggie treated you well?  She's really good at her job, it's just she can be a little currish when she knows I'm involved in something.  Unless it's her paycheck, of course."

Alucard looked around his hotel, his memories of his last time here like photographs and static-filled motions pictures in his head. Part of him wasn't sure if he should laugh, cry, or be sick.  Especially since his first time back here, is to meet up with Billy... of all people.

"Oh yeah, thanks about the song. Chopin's Nocturne number 13, in C-minor."  Alucard said, trying to take his mind off the thought that had temporarily consumed it. "The Nocturnes are my favorite pieces to play actually. If you actually liked the playing, I'll tell you what... You and Rora come to the opening of The Black Wolf Lounge in Seattle, and I'll personally be the one playing opening night."

He shook his head at his rambling.  "Come on, lets us go get some food and drink!"

Billy nodded.

"The Black Wolf huh? Sounds like a date. Do I finally get to meet the kiddo? How is my sister doing by the way? I hear it's always rainy up in Seattle. I would hate that crap. Make for fewer chances to go on enthusiastic walks."

He smiled and followed Alucard to the table and took a seat opposite him.

"How have you been though? I feel like we haven't see each other properly in well, it feels like forever, and that just won't do."

Billy smiled at the waiter.

"I don't know what the hell a Shooter's Sandwich is, but it sounds like my kind of thing."

He watched as the waiter nodded before he turned back to Alucard.

"Everyone is right here in Detroit you know. After Vegas, well, we had to come home for a bit. Staying in my old apartment while the house is being built. If you want, after this we can go pay everyone a visit. Or if you've got a phone I can get them all down this way?"

He leaned back in the booth and nodded.

"It's good that Integra is taking to motherhood though. Mom's are great at doing their thing, but between you and me, I know which of the parents the kids like more. Hell, Aurora speaks French, I sure as shit don't. It makes a difference you know?"

Alucard smirked when he heard Billy mention that he didn't what a Shooter's Sandwich was, but kept his comment about getting some British meat into him one way or another, to himself. 

"The Shooter is a British sandwich brother, you hollow out a long loaf, put in cooked steak. We use quality Filet here.  Then add sauteed mushrooms, and some salt and pepper, you refill the bread, then compact it and cut it into triangles... Similar to how you would cut a round cake, I suppose."

Jerry came back with the wine Alucard ordered, and he took the glass swirled it in the glass.  He took time to appreciate the bouquet, before taking a sip from the glass.  Alucard gave a warm smile from ear to ear when he heard Billy mention about paying everyone a visit.

"I would love to see everyone.  There is a phone at the front desk, and in my office, if you would like to call. I'm dying to meet the little ones."

His smile reflected the genuineness of his words. 

"Billy, my brother.  When it comes to a child's love, especially your own child's.  There is no competition, kids just love you no matter what. Mine even loves me, if you can believe that.  Even though she's a baby, I'm pretty sure she's already aware that she's daddy's little girl."

Alucard looked down into his wine glass as he swirled the liquid, watching the liquid spin. 

"Billy, I need your opinion on something.   I proposed to Tegs, I mean she said yes.   It's just the marriage thing, I.. I don't overly feel like we need it, the ceremony and all the fancy that goes along with it.  I've never been one to like ceremonies, or being celebrated... and I already feel in my heart that she is my wife. I've been in love, and loyal to her, since the day she turned 18.  She, and our family,  they're my life.    Is it wrong to not feel the need for a ceremony?" He paused and lightly sighed. "YES, I know I need to discuss this with her, I just wanted to make sure I'm not being an ass... I guess."