Claire's grip tightened as Michael drove his vamp-mobile up the darkened street to the Glass House. She looked over at Shane, his face blank; he'd said nothing throughout the entire drive and as much as she hated it, she understood. Had she seen her own father turned into the one creature that had torn her family apart and caused so much pain, then yea...she'd be silent too. She wrapped her free arm around his and rested her head on his shoulder. She felt his body shudder then felt his lips pressed against the top of her head while Michael's eyes reflected in the rear view mirror. He sighed as he pulled up alongside the house, parked and got out of the car with Claire and Shane a few steps behind him.

Eve stood on the porch her eyes wide as saucers and stake in hand, "Shane!" She shouted, leaping from the porch, gluing herself to him for several minutes before she peeled herself from him, a smile spread from ear to ear, "Well c'mon! This calls for a celebration," Claire flinched, celebrating was the furthest from her mind, "Aw…CB, don't be like that. You should be happy that your lover boy is out of the slammer," Eve added as the teens entered the house.

Shane stopped shortly after crossing the threshold, backed up against the wall and slid until he hit the floor. Claire looked back at Shane, then to Eve, "I am happy that he's out, really," Claire replied, "it' just...well...some things happened..."she trailed off.

Eve looked from Claire to Shane and then to Michael, who had planted himself on the couch, before throwing her hands up in frustration, "Will someone please tell me what the hell has crawled up your asses and died?"

Claire glanced back at Shane, "Bishop turned Shane's dad into a vampire…" she breathed.

Eve took a step back, staring at Shane in disbelief, "No..."

Shane looked up, "Yep...My dad's a filthy bloodsucker," he replied through gritted teeth, "Ain't that a bitch,"

"Hey!" Michael interrupted, "Don't talk to her like that, it's not her fault."

Shane stood up, his eyes narrowed as he walked towards Michael, his face was inches from Michael's, "You know what? You're right, Glass...it's not Eve's fault," Shane's voice was low and harsh voice, "It's yours."

Claire grabbed Shane's right arm and pulled him back towards her, "Shane, stop it, it's not his fault. If you have to blame anyone…blame me."

Shane's lips parted slightly, but it was Michael who spoke, "No Claire, it wasn't your fault. Shane has every right to blame me. I was there…and I didn't do anything."

"You mean to tell me that you just...watched?" Eve's voice was hard, "How could you just watch something like that?"

Michael turned, "There was nothing I could have done. If I had acted out...Bishop would have realized that I am no longer in his control."

Shane's eyes narrowed, "That's strike one...three strikes and I stake you," he threatened, returning to the wall, sliding to the ground and running his hand through his dirty messy hair.

Claire walked back over to Shane and took a seat next to him. She tilted her head back to the wall and began to wipe away the tears that had spilled onto her cheeks. As her hand touched her cheek, she felt his warm hand take hold of hers. He pulled it to his chest and with his free hand, began to wipe her tears away. Once her cheeks had been wiped clean of tears, Shane let his hand linger on her left cheek. Claire turned so that she was facing him, "Hi." She said in a quiet whisper.

He smiled, "Hey," he replied, "What's with all the tears?" Claire lifted her left hand to take hold of his right one, and then turned her face so that she could kiss his palm. "I feel terrible…about everything." Shane to her took her face in both of his hands and kissed her forehead softly. "You have nothing to feel terrible about, Claire. You did nothing wrong."

"But Sha-"He stopped her protest with his warm, dry lips, pressed against her cool wet ones. It took her a moment to comprehend her current situation before she began to move her lips in sync with his. His right hand caressed her left cheek, as it slowly began to move to the nape of her neck. She let her hands become entangled in his messy brown hair, as he body slowly moved to sit on his lap. He pushed himself deeper into the kiss as his hands wandered down her sides before resting at her hips, teasing the hem of her shirt. Oh how she wanted him to just rip of the piece of fabric right then and there. But then she realized that she didn't deserve this…especially after what she had done. Her body tensed, she stopped kissing him and placed her hands on his chest, "No," she whispered, "I…I don't deserve this, Shane, I don't even think I deserve you. Not after what I did," she said, pushing herself away.

Shane frowned, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Claire, what could you have possibly done to not deserve me?" He asked, his hand running through her hair.

"I…Its all my fault you're dad's a vampire," she confessed. Shane placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her back, so he was looking at her face. "How so?"

"Theo Goldman believed that Bishop wouldn't keep the promises that were made with Theo's
family. He was going to leave Morganville with his family," Claire said, removing herself from Shane's hold and moving to the hardwood floor next to him. "What does that have to do with you or my dad being turned?" Shane asked.

"Theo wanted to take me with them; I wasn't going to leave without you, he knew that...so he sent two of his children to break you out of jail. I was so happy. I knew it was dangerous, but all that mattered was that we'd be together. But then, that bitch-vamp, Ysandre, ruined everything. When I was brought to Bishop, he knew about the Goldman's plan to leave Morganville. Then he brought you in and, well…I guess you know the rest." Claire said, her head buried in her knees. Shane sat there, his face blank, she glanced over to him, "Shane…I understand that you're pissed beyond hell at me…"

He held his hand up, stopping her. "Claire. Stop...just...stop," he sighed, his head thumping against the wall, "I'm done with this...all of it," he mumbled.

Claire's breath caught as she listened to each word he said. Each one felt like a puncture wound to her heart. She'd expected this, though. How could she honestly think that he'd have any other feelings—other than hatred—for her? She was the one responsible for his father's transformation. The familiar burning sensation of tears began to form at the corner of her eyes. No, she would not cry here; not in front of Shane. She stood up swiftly and power-walked to the stairs, not saying anything.

Shane's head snapped up, "Claire, where are you going?" He asked, she shook her head and walked faster. Shane jumped to his feet and followed her, "Damn it Claire! Talk to me!"

She bolted for her bedroom, slamming the door and retreating to the comfort of her bed. She buried her face in a pillow and cried until no more tears would come. There was a knock on the door, "Go away," she mumbled into the pillow.

The door opened slowly and Eve's head poked in, "Claire, it's just me," she said, stepping inside and shutting the door behind her. She walked over to Claire's bed and sat next to her, "Shane's an idiot who doesn't know how to think before he opens that big mouth of his," she explained, smoothing down Claire's hair.

Claire turned, so that she was facing away from Eve, "I knew he wouldn't want me after I told him the truth, but…I didn't think it'd hurt this much."

"Claire…about what Shane said, he didn't mean it the way you might think..."

"Eve," Claire interrupted, "I know what I heard…he doesn't want me anymore, not after what I've done."

Eve sighed, "You are both idiots. Shane's and idiot because, well, he's Shane and you're an idiot for thinking that he doesn't want you anymore. So…you know what Claire, you're right. How could I possibly know what Shane meant, I mean…it's not like I've known him most of my life or anything," Eve said, sliding off the bed and heading for the door, "Fact is; I know Shane better than anyone and I've seen the way he looks at you, Claire…there is no force in heaven or this goddamn town that would convince Shane otherwise." She said, letting the door close behind her on her way out.

She did have a point, she thought to herself, but…she didn't see the look on his face. She sighed and grabbed a pair of jeans that were lying over a chair, a t-shirt from the closet and clean undergarments from one of the drawers. She made her way down the hall to the bathroom. As she walked passed Shane's bedroom, she couldn't help but to let her eyes linger. She sighed and opened the bathroom door across the hall, set her clothes on the counter top, locked the door and turned to stare at herself in the mirror.

Her hair was a mess, as well as her clothes, and her cheeks were red from all the crying she had been doing. She turned on the shower, undressed and stepped into the warm water. She washed away all the dirt and grime, letting her mind wander to the day's events; something she never wanted to relive in her lifetime. Shane's face popped up, making her heart sink to her stomach. Maybe Eve had been right about what Shane had told her. Claire pressed her forehead against the cool tile of the shower wall, whatever the case may be, Shane deserved better and if that better didn't include her, she would just have to deal with it. She reached down, turning the knob to shut off the water and stepped out on the plush bath mat, dressed, gathered her dirty clothes and went back to her room. On her way back, she ran into Michael—who looked like he'd just seen a ghost. "Whoa, what happened to you? Eve get to be too much?" She teased.

He shook his head, "Nah." He held up his phone, "Just got a call from Bishop, he wants to see us ASAP," he said, gesturing to both of them.

Claire's face went white, "Great…that's just what I need…" she trailed off, "Just let me drop my stuff off in my room and I'll meet you downstairs, 'Kay?"

Michael nodded and walked passed her down the stairs. Claire sighed, went to her room, and threw her dirty clothes into the basket by the closet, grabbed a hoodie—one of Shane's—and walked back out into the hallway. She paused outside of Shane's door, placed her hand on it, then her forehead. "Shane? I've got to go see Bishop, but when I get back…we need to talk," she lingered at the door for a few more seconds just hoping that he would respond with something, but nothing happened. She swallowed hard, tugged the hoodie over her head, jogged down the stairs and out the door. Michael's phone rang as Claire walked down the porch towards his vampmobile.

It rang twice before Michael picked up, "What?" He grumbled as Claire climbed into the passenger's seat.

Michael sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "You know I won't let anything happen to her." He replied, getting into the car himself.

"I promise to bring her back safe, alright?" Michael hung up the phone and turned the engine on.

"Who was that?" Claire asked, as Michael pulled out of the drive.

"Just Eve; she worried, that's all." Claire nodded and turned her head to look out her window.

The rest of the car ride to Bishop's was a quiet one. Neither Michael nor Claire attempted to make conversation; They were both too scared and nervous for what was to come of this unexpected meeting. He parked the car in the garage and cut the engine; they both got out and headed for the elevator. Michael pressed the button, then the doors shut and the large metal box began to move, ever so slowly, to the top. Claire took a deep intake of breath when the thick, metal doors slide opened to reveal a rather pissed off Bishop. He looked up and gestured the two teens towards the chairs near the elevator.

"Good morning, my children. How are we this fine early morning?" He asked, a little too cheerful.

Michael and Claire exchanged wary glances before Michael spoke, "Well...we were wondering why you've called us here."

"I'm so glad you asked. I assure you that this meeting won't take too long," he smiled, fangs sharp, "There was an escape attempt earlier this evening, as I'm sure you're both aware,"

"We wer-" Claire started, "Hush!" Bishop cut her off, "it's rude to speak while I am doing so," he cleared his throat and continued, "Anyway, normally escape attempts aren't too difficult to handle. In this case, however, those involved are very important to me and I felt that I should deal with the matter personally," Claire and Michael glanced at each other before returning their gaze to Bishop, "Sir, we didn't know about another escape attempt," Claire piped up.

Bishop's fist slammed down on the desk, causing it to quiver, "I don't take kindly to liars, Claire. Now, just tell me the truth or the consequences shall be irreversible!" He shouted, standing from his chair.

"I swear…we knew nothing of the escape!" Claire confessed.

Bishop's eyes narrowed on the two teens, "Very well, then. If this is how you want to play, I'll play," Bishop threatened, turning his attention to Michael, "Michael, have you ever tasted fresh human blood? He asked, in a smoother tone.

Michael looked warily at him and shook his head, "No sir, he replied.

Bishop smirked, "Well, today's your lucky day."

"Sir, I'm not quite sure I completely understand."

"I'm putting you in charge of delivering the punishment to the humans who thought they could leave, Morganville. Death." Michael winced and nodded his head slowly. "Bring them in," he ordered, nodding to two vampires standing in a corner behind him. They left and returned moments later with a middle-aged man and woman who had been blindfolded. Claire studied the couple intently, her eyes growing wide in horror as the recognition of the couple hit her like a bulldozer, paralyzing her body.

They were her parents.