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The world around Peter was engulfed in an orchestra of mayhem and suffering, stepping out of the once quiet and peaceful existence that once was and into a chaotic battlefield. Soldiers screamed war cries; their battalion leaders barking orders to press on and attack raising their rifles high and letting bullets sweat profusely across a foggy landscape, metallic rapping echoing as bullets ricochet. The buzz of something electric begins to wash out all other noises until a wailing blast fires from the opposite end; a blue-ish ball of energy flashing pass bullets as they disintegrate in its path. The soldier's cries are silenced as dozens become eviscerated by the ball of light's impact, a mass explosion left in its wake as dirt, blood, and body parts fly leaving one lone soldier witnessing the chaos to scream in anger and cross enemy lines. Peter watched as the lone soldier maneuvers in swift motion and precision timing, taking down waves after waves of fantastic alien creatures trying to out flank and surround him but to no avail. It was as if the soldier knew what he was doing guided by the omnipotent design of someone else's strategic mind and fury.

"You're mine, BITCHEZ!" screams that particular omnipotent force, a large stout man named Don, tapping in rapid succession the buttons and joysticks on his game controller that made his game character, the lone soldier, move and fight. Don's devious elation is sucked from his eyes; jaw dropping in stunned disappointment, as the entire room booms with a gut-retching cry and followed by a deafening explosion, the television screen illuminating and audible playing the fantastic battlefield and bloody carnage fades to black with the message "GAME OVER...Continue?" painted over the center.

"FUCK!!!" Don shouts, whipping his head with his entire body, his game controller arm jerking as if ready to smash the device against his coffee table before coming to his senses. "That's the tenth time, the TENTH Time! These bastards are asking for it now." Taking a deep breath expelling what rage consumed him, Don regained his composure sitting up straight on his aged beige leather couch accepting the option to continue as the television screened returned to the last checkpoint on the digital battlefield.

Peter and his best friend Danny, whom had just walked into Don's house moments before his character had been killed, exchanged matching awkward glances; Danny sighing.

"You're playing this game again?" Danny asked Don as he walked towards the open folding chair next to the couch already set out for him, his unofficial self-proclaimed spot whenever he visited Don. He set his tan backpack down beside him, normally filled with all sorts of movie entertainment goodies he would share...if he could get Don away from his game that is.

Peter stayed near the door of the tiny household; a structure that Don's parents converted from a car garage years ago so their son could have his own place until he was financial equipped to move out. He already knew he had the bed to sit at as always but he felt like standing a little longer. The hour long car ride just to get here and the cramped space in Danny's car did a number on his legs and just weren't ready to sit down again; keep them stretched and straight.

"Very Hard mode, now," Don finally replied to Danny taking a quick swig from a plastic cup filled with a mixture of energy drink and alcohol, letting it rock unsteadily back on his coffee table as he was quick to react to a surprise wave of energy shots zooming past his game character's head. "NOPE! Saw that you freaky fucks. You're mine now!" Don cried with a jubilant insane growl.

"And how long have you be at this now?" Peter questioned as he massaged his ears to sooth the ache the volume of Don's sound system's drumming inflicted, the bass turned up to what felt like unnatural heights.

Don either ignored or could not hear Peter's inquiry, offering no answer. Shaking his head, Peter approached the home theater set-up kneeling down to the sound system and turning the knob to lower the volume. Don's shoulders dropped giving Peter a cross glare.

"Really?" Don groaned.

Danny snorted. "You kidding me Don? If your miniature house wasn't so soundproof outside you'd be waking the whole damn neighborhood. Besides; you sure they're comfortable having their ears blown off?"

Peter looked at Danny blankly until he saw him point a finger across the living room (which was pretty much the entire house) to Don's bed. Somehow Peter had been unaware of the two women occupying Don's Queen-size mattress, the two expressing different emotions now that they were added to the conversation.

"Yeah Don," the woman laying against the wall closest to the pillows agreed, sporting a army camouflage tank top and denim black jeans trimmed below the thighs to mimic shorts, arms crossed pessimistically. "Maybe you like to have some consideration for everyone else's ears? Not everyone wants to go deaf before their wrinkly old folks."

Don snickered to this woman. "You didn't seem to be complaining when I started it up. Then again; I didn't complain when you were wailing like a banshee every time I rocked your world."

"I was faking it," the pessimistic woman rebutted, blowing air at loose strands of auburn hair hanging over her forehead and eyes.

"Wait," Danny spoke up tilting his head slightly looking perplexed at Don. "Did I miss something here?"

"I know I did," Peter muttered to himself, rubbing his ears hoping to make the high-pitch wail die down. He felt a bit awkward standing silently with little to say to the mysterious visitors he never met before, further uncomfortable about the sudden discussion between Don and the Tank Top woman about who had the best sex with whom. Peter glanced to the other young lady sitting at the bed's edge, wandering eyes admiring the straight lengths of her platinum blonde hair and light peach complexion. He started to overlook her buttoned midriff jacket and high-rise denim skirt, quickly dropping his gaze to the floor after when the young lady's hazel green eyes caught him in the act of innocently exploring her appearance. His cheeks grew hot, embarrassed that he may have flagged himself as a pervert. When he looked back she had the same awkward expression turning her head away uttering a quiet gasp.

Was...was she checking me out? Peter wondered, his blush brighter as he questioned what a petite yet voluptuous woman would find attractive about him. Sure he had a fetching complexion if not for the stubble of a three-day-ago shaved beard and a messily clean mop of light brown hair, but other than that; underneath his vagabond fashion of a worn-out blue cotton jacket and light blue jeans and tattered sneakers, Peter wasn't really athletic or toned to be anything but desirable.

That hadn't stopped the ladies before a sly voice whispered in the back of his mind, Peter squinting his eyes to blur out past memories.

Don't fall so hard this soon, Peter a more moralistic voice announced. Remember what you promised yourself. She seems very pretty and sexy, yes; but that doesn't mean you should try any funny stuff and hope she's the one. That didn't work out for you in the past. Keep your hormones in check.

Peter agreed with a sigh as he opened his eyes, hoping his stationed self-pounding hadn't stirred any awkward attention from his friends or the women. When he glanced back to the platinum hair lady though, Peter was surprised to see her staring at him once more and not adverting so quickly, noticing she had a light innocent smile observing him. Peter's entire body blushed underneath his clothes, sticking his hands immediately in his pockets wishing to avoid making any silly gestures.

Guess she didn't mind me staring Peter thought, grinning bashfully.

"That's right," Don bellowed mystifyingly snapping Peter out of his thought. The game was paused giving the occupants a much needed reprieve from the bombardment of violent sounds. "You two never met Roxanne. This is my ex-girlfriend." He gestured to the auburn hair woman in the army tank-top. "Roxanne and I use to be a couple until...well; we had a falling out and figured it was best to see other people."

"Ok," Danny said unconvincingly. "So; no offense, but why is she here then?"

"Because," Roxanne spoke up, shifting her legs tucking one in and the other out, "I'm on my way to visit my folks in Oregon, but then my car decides to stop working properly and blew out my coolant tank. And since I don't have any real money until my direct deposit kicks in a few days I can't pay for the repairs I need or for a trip back home afterward."

"So," Don continued, "I just happened to be passing by the mechanics shop Roxanne took her car to, caught up on old memories and offered to let Roxanne and her friend crash here as long as thye need."

"Like I believe it was a 'chance' encounter," Roxanne mocked. "Don't think you're going to get lucky tonight either."

"Like I want to get back into that tight pussy again," Don joked vulgarly. "I learned my lesson about sticking my dick into a Venus Fly Trap."

Roxanne hurled a pillow at Don's head; the two exchanged some heated gazes, looking about ready to snap at each other's throats. It was strangely reminiscent to a time Peter had happen across a tense exchange between two stray dogs standing face to face a foot apart at the park one time, body language fuming with the canines intent to attack one another any moment.

After ten seconds; however, Don and Roxanne smiled and laughed heartily instead. Peter's brow furrowed at the bizarre display between the ex's.

At least they didn't start humping each other Peter thought disturbingly, recalling how the heated exchange ended with those two dogs' minutes after. It wasn't something he was eager to witness ever again.

"I'm guessing the break-up wasn't all bad, then?" Danny muttered to himself, if not to Peter, not really expecting an answer as Don returned to his game and the room went silent again, excluding the blaring sound effects and music coming from the game.

"You can sit here if you want," the other girl with the platinum hair shyly muttered to Peter, scooting away from the corner edge of the mattress.

"Thanks," Peter said taking a seat next to her. "I'm Peter, by the way,"

"Valerie," she replied, smiling warmly with a nod as she went back to scanning the room observing Don, Danny, and Roxanne...and occasionally back at Peter. She would blush and look down embarrassingly whenever Peter caught her gaze. He did the same, finding it difficult to not take his eyes off Valerie. She was, in Peter's first impression, beautiful.

"This isn't too slutty, is it?" Valerie suddenly spoke up, still tilting her head and eyes to the ground but directing her question right at Peter. He squeaked a little like a mouse, eye wide and sweat forming over his forehead uncertain how to respond to such a question. He wasn't sure if his staring had brought up her concern or if this was a general question.

"Must be, Val," The Cameo-fashion woman Roxanne gloated, a wide wily smile stretching over her face as she leaned back against the pillows heaving her chest out. "Your new friend obvious is forming some nasty fantasies in his head looking at you."

Valerie grinned nervously looking down between her legs, Roxanne chuckling. Peter darted his eyes away from both of them briefly, ashamed that Valerie's crude friend wasn't far from the truth if not so nasty. Looking back into the center of the room he caught his friends Danny and Don looking back; Danny giving him the same annoyed frown as Peter did while Don gave his own study on Valerie acknowledging favorable results. Peter sighed disappointedly glancing at Valerie twice before finally speaking.

"You look fine..." After a few seconds of silence Peter realized he needed to say more than that. "I mean; I just don't normally meet a lot of wo...people that dress like that...around this time of night...when it's cold outside."

Smooth Peter ridiculed himself. You're out of practice, son.

"I know," Valerie spoke, smiling shyly than nervously. "I'm more accustomed to the weather back home; it's mostly warm during the night and hot at day. Plus...it was my friend's suggestion to look a little more 'appealing' when visiting the city."

Gee, I wonder what other wonderful tips her 'friend' gave her Peter thought sarcastically, finding more reasons to hate Roxanne. One word summed it up pretty well.

"So you and Roxanne are friends," Peter asked, keeping the conversation alive to get to know Valerie more, his interest in her developing at a radical rate.

Valerie nodded. "We were classmates back in college. We ended up working at the same coffee shop for another year. We just...got along pretty well."

"I'm pretty much your only friend," Roxanne added, rolling onto her stomach pretending to be asleep.

Peter felt like rebutting Roxanne's remark but held back realizing he wasn't sure if her comment was true or not, not wanting to embarrass himself further. Instead, he inhaled deeply and asked Valerie, "What about any boyfriends?" his complexion feeling as if it had been drained opposing such a question so early waiting for a harsh answer.

Valerie shook her head, Peter's paleness regaining color. "Honestly; the only time I'm around other people is with Roxanne or my parents."

"Oh," Peter muttered softly, again uncertain how to reply without sounding like an insensitive idiot. A beautiful shut-in, huh? Looks like the perfect match for you, Peter.

"Sounds like you need to hit some clubs and parties and get your freak on, missy," Don suddenly exclaimed, performing a stationed belly dancing pretending to be in a rave.

"How eloquently put," Danny groaned, disturbed by Don's theatrics.

Are you fucking kidding me? Peter's thoughts bellowed staring at his stout horny friend with repulsion. Do you treat all women like this, Don? I still have some respect even when I'm cour...

"That's the whole plan," Roxanne agreed, giggling as Peter's mile-long stare slowly panned to her. "Val needs to liven up, meet some guys, and maybe get laid." She turned to Valerie; her limbs scrunched together displaying the worst case of humiliation Peter had ever seen, Roxanne crawl over the bed behind her friend hugging (more like fondly). "You know I mean well, Val; right. I just hate seeing you always as stiff as a board whenever you're around guys. You're folks are out-dated narcissistic prudes not letting you experience fun and pleasure; life."

Valerie clammed up, her mood struggling against feeling humor and guilt, and Peter was growing sick of the way Roxanne talked to her friend; of Roxanne in general. No wonder Don dumped her, and yet they seem like they should have been the perfect couple.

"So Valerie," Peter coolly said, working to break around the awkward conversation spurred on by the auburn haired witch, "You said you don't live here in California?"

Valerie looked back to Peter, smiling weakly as if appreciating the change in topic as Roxanne smirked and went back to her corner on the mattress. "Nope," Valerie answered stoically, her mood brightening. "I've never be in California until today."

"Oh? Where do you live...um, if you don't mind me asking?"

Valerie giggled. "Arizona. Born and raised."

"Really?"

"Yep."

Minutes passed as Peter and Valerie carried on their conversation without anyone interrupting them or adding some derogatory comment. While not much else was discovered about the sweet platinum-haired girl during that time, Valerie got to know more about Peter than he intended to divulge. Luckily; it merely related to how long he lived in the town a few miles down from Don's, his current job and housing status, and his own carefree life. He wasn't ready to reveal everything...not unless it turned out that Valerie could be his 'one'. Though that would be one in a million by this point the way his track record went with woman.

Still; there was something particular about Valerie he couldn't fully describe. They both shared each other's moment of awkwardness and shyness, but personal characteristics wasn't exactly what attracted Peter to her. And; yes, if given the opportunity there was no doubt he would love to caress such a slender porcelain feminine figure and help her experience the joys of carnal relations for the first time (that is if she hadn't already without Roxanne knowing). But common qualities and lust aside; something about Valerie made Peter's heart race much more sporadically; made his body float off the ground; made him so much more anxious to speak or act around her without being a fool. She managed to rekindle an old dried out wicker rising to flame burning brighter any time she showed the slightest interest in him; beamed a smile or uttered a cheerful giggle.

I haven't felt this way about someone since...

Peter shut his eyes tight and turned his head away to hide his frowning face, an old memory reminding him why that flame had died out long ago.

You're just horny, Peter that moralistic voice echoed his mind once more. She is very pretty and I know how much you want it to be her, but you'll just be a disappointed as before. You need to stop thinking having sex with women will ultimately expose your soulmate. Sure you're a much better lover than you view yourself to be, but you can't believe having one-night stands will allow the cosmos to eventually reveal your 'one'. It just doesn't work that way. Don't ruin yourself again, or this innocent girl, just for a night of bliss and regret.

I know Peter acknowledged mentally to the voice, nodding to himself in agreement as he sighed. But when will it happen? When will I met her?

"Is everything ok?" Peter heard pulling him out of his thoughts and glancing back at a worried Valerie.

Peter grinned nervously scanning his knees. "Yeah; I'm fine."

Valerie smiled, but she didn't seem convinced. "Are you sure? You look troubled all of a sudden?"

Roxanne jeered as she sat up from her comfortable pillow arrangement. "He probably realized he's got no chance with you. Must have never gotten laid in his life."

Oh shut up, you bitch Peter glared.

"That's not true," Danny spoke up ready to defend his pal despite the dumbfounded wide eye stare Peter was giving him this moment. "He's had...well," Danny caught his petrified gaze and stuttered in his next line of words. "He's done it before; probably more than I can say for you."

Roxanne was appalled at Danny's comment, though Don just laughed. Peter would have joined in but he was too ashamed to know his secret was out and Valerie just heard it. Then again, she only knows he's had experience. Maybe it wouldn't deter any possible chances of...

"My boy's got you there Roxy!" Don bellowed happily. "Peter was a mother fuckin' player after high school. It still baffles me how easily he managed to catch so many fishes, but damn was he the talk of the town. In fact; I remember he stole this curvaceous chick from me without knowing it back in 2008. You remember that, don't you Peter? She was dressed all in this sparkly green outfit like some glamor queen, and whatever you said to her got her hot and bothered so quickly we ended up needing to call a cab because you two split so fast, being our only ride and all. Remember?"

"Seriously?" Roxanne exclaimed. "This fashion-less wreck got woman into bed with him? I find that hard to believe."

"Hey!" Don boomed pausing his game and setting his controller down on the coffee table as he turned his body to meet Roxanne face to face, no longer very cheerful. "If you're going to keep talking smack about my friends then you can get the fuck out of my house now and find a motel to sleep at. I've been charitable letting you stay over until your car is fixed because you're my ex; there is still some respect left between us, and I personally don't like leaving ladies out on the street when crap happens to them. But while you're in my house you will be respectful. You don't need to respect me; hell, you can talk shit about me all you want. But talk that way about my friends again and I will..."

"You'll what?" Roxanne interjected, hastily climbing onto her hands and knees as she crawled closer to the edge of the mattress and leaned forward matching Don's stern stare. "You'll slap me around again like you did when we broke up?"

Don looked as if he was about to shoot steam out of his ears. "Didn't I recall having to get physical when you kept belittling me in front of my folks? What the hell was up with you anyways; you never gave me a real reason for shooting your mouth off that night."

"I gave you plenty of reasons why I had it with you and your perfect hillbilly family."

"Hillbilly? Where are you getting this from?"

"Do you want me to count how many guns your dad parades in his rec room, or how bad your brother's teeth look, or question why your folks keep a stock of chickens out in their backyard in the middle of the neighborhood?"

Don and Roxanne went at it like this for a while, and though Danny turned his attention to his smartphone playing whatever games he had on it, Peter was distracted by the fact Don had just boasted about his prowess with woman. His heart sank to his stomach knowing Valerie was most likely as stunned and horrified, unable to shift his eyes to see the astonished expression himself. There was really nothing Peter could do now to sugar coat it; how could he easily justify his multiple sexual conquests to Valerie with her giving him the stink-eye and cold shoulder. Sure he always did it protected, but what innocent virginal female would still be attracted to an ex-Quagmire like him?

Thanks a lot, guys. You really backed me up there.

"Was it really that many?"

The raincloud forming above Peter's head seemed to clear up once he finally; reluctantly, looked up to Valerie's face. Surprisingly; she was grinning, and showed an odd real fascination in his next answer as if it wouldn't phase her as sickly as he would have expected.

Despite knowing this, Peter was still inclined to hesitate before answering, wondering if he should lie and hope his friends would butt out on clarifying or simply be up front with her and pry she was understanding.

"I...don't really remember. There's just too much to count." Peter's awkward smile pulled at his face as he scratched the back of his head, chuckling anxiously. "NOT that there were that many, of course. It's just...I haven't really been much of player for a long time."

"Oh?" Valerie sounded, notably sliding closer to Peter as she looked on eager to hear more. "How come? Why did you stop swooning women to your casaba"

Peter's anxiousness began to ebb once he realized Valerie was still just as absorbed in knowing about him than ever, grinning authentically as she waited to hang on to his next string of words. His cheeks blushed at the comprehension of this and deeper yet when it dawned on him how Valerie was postured. Her legs were pressed against his along with their shoulders. He could even sense her fingers gently caressing his while getting himself lost in her hazel green eyes. She appeared absolute unfazed by his promiscuous history, perhaps even turned on by it, and it was simply a mystifying marvel to see that in a woman.

Is she...is Valerie really that ok with my past? She's not disgusted by it? I can't believe this. She's so...so understanding and passionate. So..so sexy.

"See! There he goes, working his charm. Told you he was a stud."

Both Peter and Valerie broke their gaze as they looked back to Don and Roxanne, their argument suddenly ended with the two of them laughing or smirking.

"Guess you're right," Roxanne admitted as she flung herself backwards onto Don's pillows. "Maybe he could show Val a good time tonight if he's as good as you say."

Don snickered as he grabbed his controller ready to return to his game. "Well he may not be a dirty little animal like me, but he's certainly doing something right if the ladies approve."

Roxanne rolled her eyes as she turned to her side and once again pretended to be disinterested and fall asleep. Peter exhaled a deep sigh, still embarrassed from the whole ordeal, as he watched Valerie giggle softly enchanted by her figure and overall personality.

Maybe...maybe she is the one Peter thought elatedly before the moralistic side resurfaced to dash such thinking.

Don't be fooled, Peter. She's taking your sex-filled past way too calmly. Even if she does put-out for you, what makes you think she's really interested about 'you' and not about the now proclaim legend of your sexual prowess? She could be another...

"Have you ever gone camping?" Valerie suddenly asked stealing him back from his rampant thoughts. After all the talk about how much of player he was, Peter was a bit relieved to divert that line of questioning to something more wholesome. He wondered what suddenly brought camping to Valerie's mind though; and yet it didn't matter much now, grinning as he cleared his throat.

"A few times," Peter uttered, confidence short-lived in his voice. "I only started going camping annually two years ago with Don and Danny. Another guy we hang out with owns this private property in Washington."

"Cool," Valerie said, sighing. "Private property, huh? So you guys get to do whatever you want then?"

"Kinda. It's not a huge plot of land or anything, just a small area we can camp at and mess around if we wanted to."

"Is it in the woods or are you near other campers like at national parks?"

So you like camping huh? "Well, it's more like a nature housing zone or something. There are a couple of houses and trailers along the road so people live there, or at least come back to them during the summer or something. But the property is far enough that we aren't bothered, close too if we needed to make a run to the local market."

"You don't hunt?"

Peter hesitated on this question. "No...and yes. I don't personally. The other guys like to bring guns to the property just for the fun of shooting things, cans and stuff."

"And they have A LOT of guns," Roxanne muffled against the pillows, snickering as she hoped it would rile Don up some more like earlier. It did make him turn his head and pout irritably before focusing back on his game.

"But, yeah," Peter started up again, "Don and our other friend do the hunting sometimes. They've only ever come back with a Squirrel and a Toad, though they claimed they found deer and rabbits before. I've gone out with them hunting last year and almost took out a raccoon. But...I didn't have it in me to kill anything."

Valerie nodded, looking down to the floor with a weary smile. "I've gone camping a few times, but there isn't much of a woodland preserve near where I live. If I'm camping it's out in the middle of the desert watching my dad trap these large lizards for a snack. The sights are still beautiful, and the calm of being out in the wild is great. I only remember this one road trip I went with my folks a few years ago across the states in Virginia. We decided to camp out instead of staying in a hotel for the night during our trip. We ended up camping for only one night before we moved on. But I remembered how lush and green the woods were, all the different sounds and smells a forest had compared to out in the badlands. I almost wished I could stay; it was...fulfilling.

"...That's not weird to say, is it?" Valerie finished, looking to Peter clumsily as if she had done something embarrassingly.

Anything you say is breathtaking Peter amorously thought, mentally shaking his head so those exact words didn't slip out. "No, not at all. I mean, I'm not that much of an outdoorsman myself. But I get the stuff about how you feel entranced and relaxed, like every care and worry you have gently flows down the river; an escape."

Peter felt his freedom metaphor had been too cheesy, but Valerie's giggle wasn't one of mocking. He smiled, trying to hide his undying blush coloring his skin as he felt Valerie's leg once more brush up against his. The two stayed staring at each other for the longest time, not caring about the audible scoffs from Roxanne or the puzzling gawking coming from Danny, or even Don's ranting as his game character was blown to bits again.

_I just can't believe she's still listening to me. After finding out I'm not entirely a chaste man; she really wants to be close. Gosh; I want to ring my arm around her waist so much. I want to touch her skin, her lips. I want to...to...well; I know what I want to do to her physically. But; I want more from her. I want to know more about her. I want...dammit; I don't care if this does lead to sex; it would be worth it to see if she could be...if she might be... _

The front door knocked in a rapid rhythm, Don crying "come in!" without diverting his eyes from his game. All eyes but Don's, including Peter and Valerie, turned to the door as a young tan man sporting a thick sports coat and hat; a black bandana hidden underneath the hat, and baggy pants walked in with a sly grin and a hipster attitude.

"Sup' Dog?" The ghetto man exclaimed.

"Blake, my brotha," Don greeted back in similar fashion. He paused his game again and placed the controller on the coffee table, standing up to give each other some skin in a gangster-like fashion.

Peter didn't know Blake very well, only from Don. The two of them had made some pact when Don and Blake had been stuck in juvenile hall together; appreciating the common qualities they both shared. Even though Don had maintain a legit lifestyle (to an extent) after his time in prison, Blake was one of those convicts that continued to act like they knew what it was like to live "gangsta" even when he had it made with his rich parents; pretending to be rebellious and against authority...at least Peter thought he was pretending. In any case; Blake was a hardhead, unpredictable and borderline nuts. Peter never tried to get to know him better, not able or willing to relate to this Blake's ghetto lifestyle. Because of Peter's bitterness around him, Blake would occasionally snap a joke or two in Peter's expense, an attempt to 'livin' you up' he would say. In short, Don may be able to get along with him fine, but Blake was just an annoying character personally.

Great; so now we get to spend the rest of the night hearing this gangster-wannabe chatter on about poppin' a cap in someone's ass or his glorified street smarts.

As Blake and Don continued to talk, Peter looked back to Valerie who looked very skittish and confused about the newcomer in Don's house. It took him a second longer to register something gripping his hand on the mattress, Valerie's hand to be more precise. Feeling her hand holding his made Peter's chest swell up with elation...that is until her grip got a bit tighter. Holding back a yelp while chuckling bashfully looking for the right words to ask Valerie to loosen her grip, Peter finally noticed what was making her tense up. Something shiny was sticking out of the back of Blake's baggy pants, and it was obviously the butt of a pistol.

"Afraid of getting jumped tonight, Blake?" Peter spoke up getting both Blake and Don's attention. The gangster shrugged until Peter pointed to the back of his pants, which Don then realized what his friend meant, his face locked on his ghetto buddy sternly.

"Blake? What have I said about bringing guns into my house?" Don's arms were crossed steamed but patiently waiting for an answer.

"Chill dog," Blake coolly replied, pulling out his piece and handing it to Don as if it was casual. "It's not loaded; I'm just bringing this to this guy I know when I leave tonight."

"To do what with it?" Don asked, still miffed.

Blake seemed annoyed for being questioned twice. "To pawn off, dude. Don't you realize what this piece is man? It's gonna hook my boy up with some Benjamin's; finally afford the repairs to his Pussy Wagon he's been wanting to ride to the club up at Vegas."

"Up in Vegas?" Don asked suspiciously, studying the silver pistol.

Blake and Don continued to talk as Valerie's grip lessened, Peter relieved to see the tension draining. "It's ok," Peter whispered to Valerie, trying his best not to sound like he was talking to a scared child or some portentous knight in shining armor, "Blake pulls this BS a lot and never amounts to anything dangerous. He respects Don's rules; otherwise, his ass would have been hitting the driveway by now."

The joke seemed to cheer Valerie up letting out a quiet giggle as she turned her sights back on Peter, grinning. "What is Don's rule about guns?"

"Never bring a loaded weapon into his house and unannounced...unless he approves it beforehand or falls in love with it. Either way; he's technically not allowed to have any gun on the premises to begin with, which is why he gets strict when some moron thinks its cool to just waltz on in with his piece and think they're the boss."

"Has that happen a lot?"

"One or two that I know. One of Blake's friends came by and pulled that sh...um, crap on Don and the other guy...let's just say he had to go to the hospital for a week."

Valerie gasped before Peter could add, "broken arm, nothing life threatening," with a smug smile, her gasp shifting to amused chuckling.

"Have you ever had to get rough with anyone before?" Valerie asked.

Peter sighed heavily humming as a proud grin stretched over his face. "Around Don's place, no. But I had to get my hands dirty a few times whenever I went clubbing or to bars with my buddies; taking care of some rowdy drunks and idiots who thought they knew better and thought they could treat other people with disrespect."

Valerie crooned, her sitting posture much more relaxed and clinging to Peter's side than ever before, feeling her left hand leaving his right; both hands wrapping around his right arm intimately. "That must have won you over with some of your past lady friends, huh? Standing up for them against the hostile perverts and whatnot."

"Hehe; yeah," Peter gloated as his eyes darted to Danny watching him and Valerie shaking his head. Peter was never quite certain if his best friend had been jealous of his luck with bagging women or just mocking his method of coercion. Admittedly; Peter rarely got into scuffles with anyone with the exception of the few 'hostile perverts' disrespect a woman in public, but in those cases Don and Danny were the ones to back him up and, quite frankly, did most of the fighting. That isn't to say Peter was lying this moment, he had been in a brawl once.

"I'll let this slide this one time," Don bellowed handing back Blake's unloaded piece. "Next time, bro; you tell me if you bring things like this to my house first. Anyways; about time you got here. You bring some of that goody goodness with you tonight? I'm dry as a bone here."

Oh crap Peter groaned mentally, his mouth wide open with his chuckle dying and his eyes bugging as he understood immediately what Don meant.

"You know I do bro. I even got something special tonight." Blake proceeded to dig into his various pockets rummaging for something that clanked like glass.

"What are they talking about?" Valerie whispered to Peter, catching him once more off-guard as if the estranged pause never happened.

Peter was hesitate to say, panicky about what she would think of him if she knew he occasionally partook in their private extracurricular activity. "They're talking about...smoking; getting high and all."

Valerie uttered an indifferent 'oh' of acknowledgement before Blake pulled out a small glass jar. Tumbleweed shaped pods of green and yellowish marijuana jiggled inside the container as Blake shook it in front of Don.

"Doesn't look that special, Blake," Don said looking rather unimpressed.

"You'd think so," Blake said, "and you could be right. But that's the mystery; man, cause I don't even know how well this baby will fuck us up."

"You've never tried it before?" Danny asked as Don handed the container to him studying the contents inside the glass jar.

"Naw, homey. This is fresh off the line experimental shit. My guy I get my stuff from is staying hush-hush about where he got this weed from, but he tells me that some of his customers who tried this came back for more. The word is this stuff gives you a different high than most weed, turns you into a beast, dog. One wild party animal."

"Really?" Roxanne laughed shrewdly as she suddenly sprung from her resting spot, knees tucked in as she sat next to Valerie near the edge of the bed.

"Well," Don spoke, grabbing the jar from Blake, "I think we'll be the judge of that."

"I dunno, Don," Danny said uneasily. "I like smoking and all, but do you think it's really safe to be smoking a product we don't know?"

"Trust me, dude," Blake coolly said, "My guy wouldn't be selling this stuff if he thought it was dangerous. If he's got his word of approval, I don't question it. I light it up!"

"What's it called?" Don asked Blake, packing a bowl into a small glass pipe he kept nestled in a table drawer next to his bed.

"It's got a weird name. I think it's some kind of flower, but something from out of a horror movie or something."

"A horror movie?" Danny questioned.

"Yeah...out of the Wolf Man I think. Fuck, I can't remember. The damn Gypsy lady says it in a poem or something."

"Wolfsbane?" Peter guessed, though he knew he was right. The quote the Gypsy woman in the movie speaks of has become very famous and hard to forget.

"Even a man who is pure of heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright." The room was quiet as all attention went to Valerie who utter the quote. She blushed when she noticed the many eyes gazing upon her astonished.

"That's it, man!" Blake exclaims, snapping and pointing his finger to Peter and Valerie enthusiastically.

Impetuously; Don flicked at his lighter, gave birth to a small flame, but Danny stopped him from taking a puff tugging at his jeans.

"Hold on a second," Danny exclaimed turning to Blake, "Are we talking about real wolfsbane or is it just a catchy name. Real wolfsbane, or mookshood in another name, is poisonous."

Blake shrugged. "Guess it's just a name then. After all; like I said, customers kept coming back for more."

Danny seemed unconvinced but didn't halt Don any longer as sparked his lighter again and began to inhale at the end of his glass pipe burning the weed called Wolfsbane. He lowered the pipe to his waist as he fell back against his couch, cocking his head back as his chest continued to expand slowly taking in the narcotic smoke filling his lungs. All eyes including Peters observed Don. His eyes were closed, looking peaceful and sedative. When his eyes sprung wide open Don began to hack and cough violently, doubling over as he gripped his chest controlling his reflexes to spit.

"Woohoo!" Blake cried jubilantly. "Mr. Iron Lung going deep!"

Peter's brow furrowed to Blake's comment, more annoyed by him then he was at Roxanne. He grew more uncomfortable as he watched Valerie looking on curiously, afraid at what she would think of him now once it was revealed he also smoked along with them.

Peter is; in some form or another, a pothead. And yet he wasn't honestly. He may have enjoyed getting high off and on with his friends, but he was still considered a rookie. He didn't really care about staying up to date with the new lingo or products related to marijuana, nor did he care to smoke it 24/7 like some in the group; Peter found it unnerving that this had become a regular pastime for his friends. But there were days when Peter was finally in 'that mood' to join in on their fun and get 'stupid' with the rest.

Tonight was not that night, though the smell of the smoke wafting within the living room was becoming inviting. And as crazy as it looked, Peter caught Valerie's nostrils curiously sniffing as well. But there wasn't a chance in hell such a sweet and innocent woman like Valerie would be understanding to him having multiple partners before AND be partial to smoking too.

"A few seconds longer than I should have," Don coughed, grabbing an empty cup from the table spitting into it. He combed back his short mop of dark brown hair, ruining the combed look quickly shaking his head wildly and shouting enthusiastically. "Shit; I smoked too much. That's gonna go straight to my dome. Danny boy; you up?"

Danny seemed uneasy; quiet as he watched the pipe weave and bob in front of him, Don passing it out as his cough lingered, until he finally took it. Danny lit the pipe and inhaled, keeping the smoke locked in his lungs shorter than Don did, exhaling smoothly if not for a few rounds of coughing after.

"Dang," Danny groaned, passing the pipe to Blake as he rubbed his forehead scratching behind his ash brown hair. "That goes straight to your head."

"I know, right!" Don shouted, coughing a few more times before lying back against his couch relaxed and docile. "Tell you what, though; strangest weed I ever had. I can't tell if I'm getting high or just feeling hyper off that stuff. Where did this come from again?"

Blake was already puffing out his share as he handed it Peter, whom was hesitant to accept. "Up in Northern California; that's all I can say. Like I said; the guy is all hush-hush about his process. And give it some time, dog. You think all weed should work right off the bat."

"Well," Don sighed, "I guess I am feeling something different. It just doesn't feel...normal."

"Hey," Danny spoke up, scratching his right ear impulsively, "Is it true about the rumors with all the wolf sightings lately. Like some kind of population explosion or something?"

Blake wore a dopey grin licking his lips. "I hear you, bro. I didn't run into any wolves on the backroads back, but sure did hear about some wild stories though. I heard someone ran into a pack of those mutts, and the guy claimed they were huge ass mother fuckers; like bears or something."

"You're certain they weren't bears?" Don coughed tugging at the collar of his shirt.

"Nope; said they were fucking wolves man, giant fucking wolves. Must be something they ate."

"You gonna babysit that or what?" Roxanne spoke up directing her comment to Peter.

All eyes suddenly came down on Peter, head lowering in shame as he held the pipe and lighter anxiously in his hands. Peter smoked; it wasn't a big secret among his friends. But the timing could be any worse. With Valerie staring at him waiting for Peter to react, he was certain any chance he might have had to impress her was crashing right out the window.

Then again; with the smoke cloud filling the center of the room, you would think someone who might be aversive to activities like this would have walked out of the room before the smoking session started. Valerie hadn't moved an inch or seemed strongly fazed as half the party had taken their share and the weed cloud lingered within the room. Could she really be alright with being around people like this despite being sheltered most of her life? Or was there really something else to Valerie he just didn't know yet? Or maybe she was just navie.

"Something wrong, Pete?" Don asked, snapping Peter out of his pondering thoughts.

"I...uh..." was all that babbled out of his mouth, looking perplexed.

"Then pass it to Val if you're just gonna sit there like a dope," Roxanne rudely joked.

Peter looked to Valerie with a startled gaze causing her to blush and dart her eyes sheepishly. "Roxanne warned me you guys would most likely be smoking," Valerie said, her voice cracking from nerves. "I'm fine with that, but I'm not sure I want to smoke though. Isn't it bad?"

Roxanne scurried over Don's bed grabbing the pipe from Peter's hand brashly pulling out her own lighter as she took her hit. She exhaled as coolly and smooth as Blake, only coughing a few times as she handed the pipe to Valerie.

"Coke and Heroin and Speed are bad news. Marijuana is safe. Maybe it kills off some brain cells, but it's not enough to kill you or turn you into a vegetable. The only thing weed is going to do to you is feel like your floating and sedated, maybe a little loopy. Besides; you're already breathing in second-hand smoke, so you're already getting a contact high one way or the other. So stop being such a pussy and live it up."

Valerie looked discouraged, about ready to give in to Roxanne's impatient demand. Peter was now furious; wishfully thinking a meteor would crash into the house and knock her block off, save him the trouble of doing it himself...if he had the courage to do so, of course. At the last second before Valerie brought the pipe to her lips, Peter snatched it and the lighter out of her hands taking his hit instead. He couldn't think of a more subtle or gentle way of doing it, nor was he certain that what he did would accomplish whatever he was hoping to suggest to Valerie. Exhaling and coughing a bit, feeling the smoke burn his lungs and throat, he held the pipe and lighter back to Valerie.

"You don't have to smoke with us," Peter told Valerie sincerely. "No one pushed me to smoke; I decided that on my own. I'm certain everyone remembers the look on their faces when I asked for the pipe." He paused as he turned his gaze to Don and Danny.

"How could I forget," Don laughed scratching the back of his left ear. "I nearly took a pencil to my knee to see if I was dreaming it."

"Yep; Don's corruption won out in the end," Danny commented with grin, his tongue sticking out over his lips, panting, before retreating quickly back into his mouth.

Weird Peter acknowledged before returning his attention to Valerie. "I wasn't corrupted," Peter chuckled, his brow heavy knowing that it some ways Danny was right. "I chose to smoke. You have the right to choose too. Don't let anyone say otherwise."

Peter and Valerie kept a solid gaze between each other, looks of understanding expressed. Valerie gave a weary grin before slowly taking the pipe and lighter back. She looked to Roxanne, and then to Peter. She finally brought the pipe to her lips again and lit the bowl inhaling what she could. Peter was surprised, but at least he felt better knowing he said what he said. Whether Valerie fell into Roxanne's peer pressuring or was reassured by Peter's suggestion of choice, Valerie was now hacking up a lung like the rest trying to hold in the smoke as long as she could. Peter rubbed her back patting softly, hoping it would help clear out any smoke left inside her and breathe.

"That a girl," Roxanne gloated falling back against the pillows with a smug look stretched across her face.

An odd spark of primal rage flustered over Peter's face that moment, feeling the muscles underneath the skin tense up. His lips urged to pull back; teeth clamped down tightly and nostrils flaring, feeling a tremor in his throat build into a low deep sound. Was Peter about to growl?

"Hey Blake," Don groaned, hands rested on his stomach; fingers fidgeting, "You sure that weed is normal? I feel more like I'm on a caffeine rush than feeling dopey."

It felt too early to tell after smoking just minutes ago, but Peter was getting the same strange feeling as well. Normally marijuana was supposed to numb the body and give you a floating sensation, which was why people call it a High. But that sedated feeling was nowhere to be found just yet. Instead, Peter felt his blood beginning to pump, adrenaline coursing his veins as if in the middle of a sprint. Energy fueled his arms and legs, aching to do something other than lie around like a sloth. His mind was plagued with unusual thoughts, desires that seemed rather...animal.

The only side-effect that was constant with being high that crept up on Peter fast was hunger, feeling his stomach churn and grumble for food.

"I heard that," Danny laughed, pointing to Peter. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I could go for some chow," Don agreed, smacking his lips. "Burger-Run?"

"Mmm, Meat!" Blake growled in an unusually beastly way.

"The nearest burger joint is 5 miles away though," Danny pointed out, "and I don't think I want to chance driving until I know exactly how this stuff is going to affect me."

"It's late, too," Roxanne added, flexing and stretching her body against the wall tugging on her tank-top. "Anything even open this late at night in this town?"

"There's that Mexican restaurant just a few blocks from here," Peter suggested, quickly leaping to his feet. "I could make a run there if that's cool with you guys."

Don and the others looked at one another nodding approvingly, grabbing a small notepad and jotting down everyone's orders. Most of them had to wing it since they didn't have a menu handy, but it made Peter's task quite easier as the constant in their orders were beef or steak burritos. When the list was made Don gave it to Peter. "You're cool going out, man?" Don asked.

"Yeah; I'm fine," Peter assured taking the list, folding it, and stuffing it in his pocket.

At least I hope. I just need some fresh air...and to move.

Truthfully; Peter was beginning to worry about his overall condition. It may have only been a few minutes since smoking but subtle effects were already transpiring in an unsettling way. The Wolfsbane weed was doing the opposite of what he was accustomed to when smoking pot feeling a sudden increase and rush of energy aching to be used. He might; in fact, run the entire way to the restaurant in hopes he could exhaust this wild surge plaguing him.

And then there was the smell; the room didn't just reek of secondhand smoke anymore. Peter could smell Don's dirty dishes and laundry, more pungent than they should even in close proximity. And then there were the people in the room, body odors that were far too acute and strong for a normal person to smell (not unless that person really hasn't been keeping up their hygiene). But it was the fact he could identify which odor belonged to whom; detect every individual scent in the room. The various scents bombarding his sense of smell were overwhelming enough to make him sick to his stomach.

Except for the women. While there was something off about Roxanne's scent there was also something right and pleasing. It almost made up for her abusive attitude...almost. But Valerie's interested Peter the most, her scent much more aromatic and intoxicating. It made Peter's boyish crush more like an obsession, unable to deter the quickening erotic thoughts of undressing her; of touching her; of ravaging her. If anything, Peter volunteered his services for the food run to get some distance from Valerie before he regretted giving into these urges so suddenly upon her, and around company.

As Peter made his way towards the front door he overheard an odd conversation taking place among the group.

"Hey guys? Is it me or do my hands look thicker?" Don asked.

"What are talking about, dog?" Blake questioned in the background.

"I'm serious. And the skin of my palms feel funny too. And..."

"Now that you mention it," Peter heard Danny cut in, "My back feels off. And I think something is jabbing me against the back of ass."

"What; the chair sticking it to you, homo?" Blake crudely joked, howling like a dog proudly.

Don and Roxanne simultaneously joined in, the room echoing the sharp canine pitch. Peter, stopping at the door, didn't care much for the obscene humor directed at his best friend...but something growing inside urged him greatly to howl along his buddies; simply exhilarated from their cries to imitate. It took a lot of willpower to suppress that urge.

Smelling scents, energetic and anxious, wanting to howl...why am I thinking like an animal? I really need some air.

"Not in me, you morons," Danny growled; the verbal aggressions strangely realistic of an angry dog...like the dogs in the park.

Oh god, no!

Peter inhaled, taking in the musky scents in the room, and hurried out the small house. The fresh air was a relief delighted with smelling nothing more than grass and trees and earth. Suburban fragrances; concrete, road, and car parts were caught within it, but Peter managed to syphon through them as he walked on down the driveway.

The front door clicked open and shut behind stalling Peter as he turned around and saw a figure walking towards him. It was Valerie.

"Is it alright if I can tag along?" Valerie asked, her eyes nearly pleading.

"I...uh..." Peter wasn't sure what to say. The whole point of him taking off was to get away from the musk, including Valerie's. If she joined him the chances of Peter behaving irrationally and perverted in his current state would most likely return. Then again; even as she stands next to him while they automatically continue to walk, the open air seems to help make Valerie's scent less intrusive. Finding they were already two houses away from Don; Peter accepted Valerie's company with a shy grin and nod.