Page 43 of Night Shift

"There's still a couple hours before sunrise. Would you like to grab some breakfast?" Tyr fell into step beside her. "It might help settle your nerves before trying to sleep."

Beth paused, her hand on the car door. She was feeling restless and edgy, and the idea of going straight home after the night's events was unappealing. "What about the clinic security?"

"Tobi's here." Tyr brushed snowflakes from her shoulder. "He can call if there's any issue. The diner's close enough I can get back quickly if needed."

Beth's stomach growled, making the decision for her. She hadn't eaten since her lunch break, too wound up after Brenda's outburst. "Breakfast sounds perfect. Lead the way?"

The snow crunched as Tyr walked to his motorcycle parked a few spaces away, its sleek black form already dusted with snow. She watched, admiring the graceful way he swung onto the bike, his movements fluid despite the cold.

Her car's heater blasted warmth as she pulled out behind him, his taillights glowing red through the falling snow.

The diner's neon sign cast a warm glow across the nearly empty parking lot when they arrived. Tyr dismounted, snow clinging to his leather jacket and hair.

"How can you ride that thing in this weather?" she asked as they walked toward the entrance. "Don't vampires get cold?"

Tyr's laugh echoed in the pre-dawn quiet. "Oh, we definitely feel the cold. I've got a truck I'll have to switch to once the snowgets heavier." He held the door for her, warmth and the smell of coffee washing over them. "But for now, the bike handles fine in light flurries like this."

The hostess led them to a booth in front next to tall plate glass windows. Outside, snow drifted lazily through pools of streetlight. Beth slid into the worn vinyl seat, appreciating the clear view of both the parking lot and entrance.

A waitress appeared with two cups and a steaming pot of coffee. "Good morning. Coffee?"

Beth waved off the coffee pot with an apologetic smile. "No coffee for me, thanks. Just finished up graveyard shift… I'm heading straight to bed after breakfast."

"Oh honey, I know that feeling." The waitress - her nametag read 'Alice' - tucked the pot against her side. "I used to work nights myself. How about some hot chocolate instead? We make it with real milk, not that powdered stuff."

"That sounds perfect, actually." Beth smiled gratefully.

"Coming right up." Alice's pen hovered over her pad. She looked at Tyr questioningly. "And for you, Sir?"

"Coffee's good," he told her.

She filled his cup from the steaming pot and whisked away the empty cup she'd set before Beth. "You need a minute to look over the menu?"

"Yes, please."

The waitress moved away to get the hot chocolate, and Beth studied the breakfast options, her stomach growling at photos of fluffy pancakes and golden hash browns. She glanced around the nearly empty diner - just a couple truckers at the counter and an elderly man reading his paper several booths away.

Leaning forward, she lowered her voice. "Can I ask you something? About... vampire things?"

Tyr's blue eyes sparkled with amusement as he sipped his coffee. "Of course."

The waitress returned with a large mug of hot chocolate, decorated with a swirl of whipped cream and topped with sprinkles. "Ready to order, hon?"

"Yes, please." Beth smiled up at her. "I'll have the blueberry pancakes with extra butter, and a side of crispy bacon."

"Nothing for me," Tyr added, handing her his menu.

"Coming right up." The waitress topped off Tyr's coffee before bustling away.

Beth sniffed appreciatively at her cocoa, licking at the whipped cream before taking a sip, and sighed in pure appreciation. Her eyes danced and she leaned forward. "It's good… but not as good as Mark makes it," she whispered confidentially.

He chuckled. "I'll be sure to tell him that, it'll make his day. So, what is it you wanted to ask about?"

"I was just curious about the… well," she paused, looking at him doubtfully.

"The blood drinking?"

Blushing, Beth nodded.