This isn't my first fanfic, but I am REALLY sorry if some of the characters are out of character! I tried to keep them as close as possible…

But anyway, let's get this show started. and unfortunately, I do not own the Darkest powers... Kelley Armstrong does..

DPOV

We were on the road again, for the second time since the whole "getting reunited with Dad" thing.

The long car rides I hated, especially in tiny rented cars. When I got my own car, I'd get a big and spacious one. Or if not, I'll just walk everywhere.

It didn't help that Chloe was sleeping on me and Tori on her. Its not like I wanted her to get away from me, I was just claustrophobic.

Lauren glanced back and did a double-take. She grinned. "How sweet," she crooned.

I gave her a slanted smile, then brushed Chloe's hair from her forehead. She began to stir and I stopped short, but then she went back to sleep. I stroked her hair again. It took my mind off of feeling like I was suffocating.

We stopped at a gas station and I jumped out to stretch my legs. Everyone else went to the bathroom while Dad filled up the tank.

"Are your legs asleep?" he asked, looking amused.

Have been for hours. "Not really."

"We'll be there soon enough," he assured me.

I nodded and went into the gas station as well. The guy at the register eyed me. I ignored him and made my way Over to the bathroom line, behind Chloe and Lauren, who were waiting for the girl's room.

"How long has Simon been in there?" I asked.

Lauren jumped. Chloe, for once, didn't. "Too long for a pee. For a guy, I mean." She grinned up at me. I tilted my head to meet hers in a head-butt. She made her eyes roll back and cross.

Lauren still seemed to be trying to slow her heart rate. I straightened up and said: "Sorry I scared you."

She shook her head. "No, no. It's fine. I guess I wasn't listening."

"You were. Derek's just quiet," Chloe informed her. I thought this was old news for everyone, but apparently no one had filled Lauren in.

"Oh. His were - thing, right?"

Chloe and I nodded, glancing at the guy in front. He was watching TV on an old screen behind the counter.

"Sorry. I should be more careful," Lauren amended.

"It's fine," I said.

Soon after, Simon walked out, drying his hands on his jeans. Chloe brushed past him and me, who was about to enter. "Gotta go," she said, shutting the door.

Simon, Lauren and I looked at each other. I shrugged.

"Get away from the door, Derek!" she said through the door. She knew I could hear everything.

I smirked and stepped back.

"I'm going to help dad," Simon said, backing away. "See you in a few."

Lauren and I nodded, then descended into silence.

"So you're quiet."

"Yeah."

"You must be light on your feet."

"Like an animal," I said in an icy tone.

She looked up at me. "I didn't mean . . ." She sighed. "Derek, I'm -"

Tori saved me by stepping out of the bathroom then, her hair fixed and everything. No wonder she took so long.

"Sup wolfie," she said to me. "Your turn," she said to Lauren.

She nodded and went in. I was left alone when Tori went back outside. Thoughts swirled around in my head. Was Lauren about to apologize? For everything in the past?

I shook my head. No. It was too soon.

Then I heard the toilet flush and Lauren came out. She glanced at the men's door, then at me. "I trust you'll protect her?"

"Course."

She left.

Chloe came out not long after. "Sorry," she said, wincing. "I have cramps."

"You should."

She cocked her head quizzically.

"I can smell you from a mile away," I said. "Up close, I can smell . . ." I trailed off.

Her eyes went round. "You creeper." She smacked my arm. I laughed.

"It's not like I chose to have this ability."

"Yeah, but you don't have to be searching for that."

"It's hard to miss. Especially when you're cranky out of the blue."

She smacked my arm again for good measure. I grabbed her and lifted her off the ground. She squeaked and tried to get down.

A cough from up front made us look round. The guy watching TV gave us a look. I put her down and we hurried out.

...

The new house wasn't that large, but the property around it was huge. The trees surrounded it like a forest, which I wanted to walk through, after a few more hours in the car. But we all had to get out stuff inside and claim our rooms.

Of course, Simon and I shared a room again. Tori and Chloe shared as well. Lauren and Dad took separate rooms. It was cramped inside with all of us, and only had one bathroom as far as I could tell, but it was perfect if it meant it was away from the Edison Group.

Speaking of them, we hadn't heard of 'em in a few months. I was starting to get worried, as I'm sure everyone else was, but if so, none of us said anything.

I was just waiting for something normal to happen. You know, for one of us to get, like, abducted or something.

Damn, just jinxed myself, didn't I? Shit.

I hauled my stuff to my room and onto my bed. Simon began to unpack on the other side of the room (which wasn't that far) and turned around to me. He said: "Hey, bro . . . you might want to help her."

I tilted my head and could hear Chloe coming up the stairs. Yes, I did know which footsteps were hers. Pathetic, I know.

With that, I headed out of my room and stepped in front of Chloe, blocking her way.

"You have to stop doing that," she said, putting a hand on my arm and trying to move me aside. I didn't budge. She sighed, crossing her arms. "What?"

I held out my hand. She rolled her eyes, but gave me her bag, which weighed practically nothing. I placed it on the bed that Tori hadn't vacated and she told me thank you.

"Yeah, thanks for all the help, lover boy," Tori muttered, pulling out her shirts one-by-one. "Chloe, you and I have to go shopping soon. Otherwise, we'll have to wear our birthday suits."

My nose crinkled at the thought of Tori's birthday suit. Chloe grinned at my reaction, but it slid from her face when Tori faced us, glowering at me.

"We do have to shop for more clothes," Chloe said quickly, directing the attention onto herself again. "But it won't be a shopping-spree. We don't have money to throw away right now."

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm getting a job soon," Tori announced.

"Yeah, cause that's a great idea," I mumbled. Neither of them heard me.

"As what? A waitress? You don't seem like the serving type, Tori," Chloe said, and began to unzip her bag and take clothes out. She folded them on the bed.

"Not a waitress. Maybe I could work at Abercrombie or someplace like that."

I took a shirt from Chloe and folded it for her. "You do know that you need a work permit if you're a minor, right?" I asked.

"Shit, that's right." Tori plopped down onto her bed, defeated.

"We'll figure something out," Chloe assured us. Always the optimist.

"Behold: our little rainbow of light," Tori said, falling onto her back and rubbing her eyes.

I heard something that made me look up. "You're hungry." I looked at Chloe.

She smiled guiltily at me.

"Damn, that's still freaky," Tori said, looking at me. "You'd think I'd get used to it, but no."

"I think it's cool." Chloe grinned up at me.

Tori snorted. "You would."

As if on cue, Lauren called up from the stairs: "Someone want to help me make dinner?"

I didn't want to, actually. But I knew that I had to get Lauren to trust me completely. I was getting somewhere, obviously, but had to keep it up before it broke into a million pieces. So, even though Chloe glared at me, even though I'd much rather be doing something else, I went downstairs to help.

I know. Lame ending. But it's the first one. More Derek/Chloe action soon, I promise! Trust me, they're like my favorite couple EVER.

So? What do you think? R&R please!