Hello there. I'm glad you've stumbled upon my story and decided to read! I hope that you'll stick with me through this one…I've got a lot planned and it'll be a doozy. I am assuming that it'll be a bit shorter than some of my previous work but who knows? Maybe I'll end up cranking out a thirty chapter story. Probably not but whatever. Enjoy and don't forget to review :)

Also I am aware that I have an unfinished story. But please, bear with me. I just started uni and it's been hectic to say the least! Plus I am sooo unmotivated with it right now. That is how this story spawned. So, maybe its not so bad? Enjoy :)

WARNINGS

This story will be dark. Lots of pain and sadness than I hope to counteract with a bit of humor and humanity. However, you've been warned.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, sadly.

Also, there will be a character death. I won't say when or where but it'll come. Be warned.

Set in late season 6

When my mind plays tricks on me I can deal. But when my mind plays tricks on my mind I can not tell what's real.

- Stanley Victor Paskavich

Forcing her eyelids to peel apart, she took in her surroundings through narrowed eyes. The steady pitter patter of the rain on the shattered windshield broke through her clouded mind. Why was the windshield shattered? She wracked her brain for the answer, ultimately coming up empty. Wincing at the sudden sharp pain in her head, she brought her hand up to her forehead and instantly felt the warm, sticky liquid on the tips of her fingertips. She stared at the crimson substance that slowly dripped down her fingers. Bleeding, she must be bleeding. She struggled to put the pieces together. Why was she bleeding? Why was she in a damaged car?

Then, it hit her.

"You think you're so funny, big guy." Emily said, a small smile slipping onto her face.

He forged a look of shock and hurt. "What, you think I'm lyin'?"

She scoffed and took a sip of her iced latte. "C'mon. You really expect me to believe you bench press four hundred-fifteen?"

His bright brown eyes glanced at hers, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Gotta keep up my reputation, ya know Princess? The chicks dig it."

She nearly spit the cold drink all over the windshield, barely able to swallow it before allowing herself to laugh. "You've gotta be kidding me. What ladies?"

"Ohhh," his smirk get wider and he used one hand to point at her, waving the finger up and down. "you're jealous."

"Ha! Don't get your hopes up, buddy."

Derek brought his hand up to his cheek and lightly slapped his cheek as if she had struck him herself. "Ow. Now that hur—"

Just before he finished his sentence, Emily saw the truck barreling towards them. Unable to force the scream that seemed to be lodged in her throat, her eyes widened and she gripped the armrest.

Then, everything went black.

"De…Derek…" She said behind closed lids. A sudden wave of nausea and drowsiness washed over her, but she had to see him. Blindly, she reached her trembling hand out to the drivers side. She felt his firm bicep and relief washed over her. He was there. Briefly, she opened her eyes and saw the back of Derek's head. His face was turned away from her but from what she gathered, even in her current state, he was okay.

The darkness continued snaking its way into her vision until it completely overpowered her and forced her into the dark oblivion.