ATTENTION: Supernatural High is on hold indefinitely. I've never done so before, I hate putting stories on hold, but my heart just isn't in it anymore. It was taking a long time to write a single chapter and that was holding up all the other chapters.

Now then welcome to this new short story!

Legal: I own nothing but the idea.

Important things to know before reading:

*Begins with elections for senior class president in Clare's junior year.

*Fitz served his time in juvie and was released, he did cyberstalk Clare, and try to warn her about Eli.

*After Eli's crash Fitz backed off, he still works at The Dot, but no one seems him that much aside from The Dot.

*Everything else you need to know is in the story, so enjoy!

Ch.1 Started Down a Dirty Road

(CLARE)

"Stupid braindead jock!" I grumble as I storm out of Adam's house. "Drew doesn't know anything, there's no way he can run the school next year," I mumble to myself.

Drew had gone against code and thrown a party to get himself elected president next year. So, I showed up to crash it, if he was going to campaign for himself that way then I was going to use his party and campaign myself. When he insulted me and said I was only running because I got dumped, I lost my temper and pushed him. He fell back into a kiddie pool they had stocked with ice and drinks. Then I stormed out, Bianca and Dallas saw, they didn't say anything, I'll assume they are now helping Drew up.

Adam was smart and stayed away from the party, he's out with Maya tonight. The two became close in Whisper Hug, and then after Cam's suicide and Becky spurning Adam they comforted each other. They claim to still be just friends helping each other through hard times, but I expect them to announce that they're dating any day now. I never wanted Adam to be in the middle, but I announced I was running for student body president first.

While I'm stomping my way home, fuming over Drew's idiotic, block-headed stubbornness, and presumptiveness, I hear someone getting beat up in a nearby alley. We're very close to the ravine, I assume it to be kids from the ravine, drunk or high and letting off some steam. I stop at the drugstore and peek around the corner anyway, blame it on my curious journalistic nature.

What I find is not kids letting off steam, but three boys ganging up on Fitz! Two are holding him by the arms while one repeatedly punches Fitz in the stomach! I'd never let anyone get ganged up on, but I know Fitz, not all that well granted. Still, this is not a fair fight, and especially after the night I've had I'm not going to stand for it.

"LET HIM GO YOU BRUTE!" I scream as I whack the one punching Fitz in the back of the head with my purse.

I get him hard enough that he stumbles back dazed. He rubs his head, looks at me, his eyes narrow. Fitz looks up at me, he looks bad, I see a black eye at least. His eyes blink as though he's trying to focus, or perhaps just not believing it's me.

"Fucking bitch, that was stupid," growls the one that I hit. He grabs my arm roughly, and I stomp on his foot with all my weight. He lets go of me and I kick him in the nuts, down he goes.

Fitz uses the distraction to knee one of the ones holding him. Then Fitz kicks him again, in the face this time and the boy goes unconscious. The third one looks at his friends on the ground, then me and then Fitz.

"We're leaving, try and follow us and I call the cops. My friend's dad is a cop I'm sure he can be here in a couple of minutes," I threaten.

Fitz straightens up, puts his hand at my back and we walk out of the alley. He walks straight and tall past a couple of houses, and then he slumps and leans heavily on me.

"Who were they? What happened?" I question Fitz. We're walking a lot slower now.

"The one hitting me is my stepbrother Steve, pissed because he thinks I took his stash. I never touch the stuff, I bet his dad took it. Steve's been trying to get to me for days, I've spent the last few nights at the ravine."

"You're coming home with me, you can sleep there tonight," I assert.

"Why do you even care?"

"What do you mean why do I care? I wouldn't let anyone get beat up like that, especially someone I know. You seem to be hurt pretty bad, I'm not letting you stay in the ravine tonight, we need to see how badly you're hurt. Someone should keep an eye on you tonight anyway. Seeing as that was your stepbrother I'm not letting you go home."

"Sheesh, I didn't know you were so bossy. Or such a fighter, you got Steve pretty good, remind me never to piss you off," Fitz says. He's kind of half joking, it makes me smile, and then Fitz starts coughing. He stops leaning on me as he hunches over to cough, leaning on my neighbor's fence instead.

"My house is close, I need to get you inside and see how bad your injuries are," I insist as I put his arm around my shoulders again.

"What about your mom? I don't think she'll be too pleased about you bringing a thug home," Fitz comments.

"You're not a thug Fitz. My parents should be in bed by now, Jake is probably in his room. We just need to worry about getting you up the stairs to my room without my mom seeing you. My stepdad won't care I'm sure."

"Your stepdad doesn't care what you do?"

"Glen's a good guy, I think he just doesn't feel like he should discipline me or really get involved. He's also far more laid back than my mom."

"That's cool," Fitz remarks just as we start up the driveway to my house.

The porch light is on, the curtains are closed, it looks like the kitchen light is on which is a good sign that everyone else is upstairs. When we get up the front steps I have Fitz lean against the railing while I unlock the door. After stepping in and peeking around to be certain no one is downstairs I bring Fitz in and lock the door behind us. I put his arm around my shoulders again, and we start up the stairs slowly and quietly. The stairs creak a couple of times, but we manage to make it to my room without my parents or Jake coming out of theirs. I close and lock my door as soon as we're in my room, helping Fitz to my bed. He groans as he sits down, I know he's in a lot of pain and I worry how bad his injuries are. Repeated hits to the stomach can cause a lot of hidden injuries.

"I'm going to get some ice and basic first aid. Stay here but take off your shirt so I can see how bad it is," I order Fitz.

"I'm fine," he responds. I put music on to stifle the sound of his deep voice through the walls.

"No, you're not, now take off your shirt," I demand again sitting near him on the bed.

I grip his hoodie ready to take it off over his head, Fitz leans forward and couples his lips with mine! Pulling in a shocked breath, everything freezes for a second. Then I begin to relax into the kiss and the feel of his lips. His kiss is passionate and tender, his lips are strong yet soft. I release a breath against his lips, parting my lips slightly. Maybe it's all the emotions from the night, or the craziness of the last few weeks, but I find myself titillated by the sensuous kiss. His lips start to part ever so slightly, I feel his tongue just starting to probe between his lips, and my logical self takes over breaking the kiss.

"I'll be right back, take that shirt off and don't go anywhere," I order again.

Getting up from my bed quickly, so he doesn't have a chance to stop me I quickly leave my room. I close my door most of the way as I step out to the hall. Just as I'm about to go into the washroom Jake comes out of his room.

"How was the party?" Jake asks.

"You were right, I shouldn't have gone. Drew said something stupid and insulting, I pushed him into a kiddie pool full of drinks and stormed out. Tomorrow will be interesting," I sigh.

"I doubt Drew will give you any more problems," Jake tries to assure me.

"I know, but everyone saw me push him, I don't know how many heard what he said. It could work in my favor or against me."

Jake pats my shoulder as his brotherly gesture, he goes into the washroom before I can get in however. I glance into my room, but Fitz is out of sight, he better just be hiding and not have slipped out the window. I go downstairs grabbing a couple ice packs, when I return upstairs Jake is out of the washroom. I get the anti-inflammatory cream and a couple of hand towels for the ice packs. Grabbing the first-aid basket just to be safe, though I don't think he has any cuts, just bruises. Returning to my room, I find the door closed, but when I open it I don't see Fitz anywhere.

"Fitz?" I call quietly after closing the door behind me.

He steps out of the closet giving me a sly grin, then lies on my bed with his arms behind his head. At some point he took his boots off, either he put them in my closet or under my bed because I don't see them anywhere. In this position I can see his whole torso which is quite pleasing, and I find myself a little excited by the sight. At the same time, I'm slightly horrified at the number of bruises on his torso.

"Oh, Fitz," I gasp sitting next to him on the bed.

"I'm okay," he says with an aloof tone, "a lot of them are older ones. Mostly from Steve, a few from my stepdad, a couple from fights."

"That's really not that comforting, repeated blows to the stomach can be very dangerous. That's where your internal organs are after all. Lie still, you need to keep these ice packs on for twenty minutes," I tell him wrapping the first ice pack and placing it on his stomach.

"Ah," he hisses, "that's cold! What am I supposed to do while I lie here for twenty minutes?"

"Play games on your phone," I shrug setting the other ice pack on him.

"My phone is a piece of crap, a burner it doesn't really have games. We could go back to kissing, I'll do that for twenty minutes," he grins wriggling his eyebrows at me.

"I don't think so, how about we talk?"

"I'd rather kiss, but fine we'll talk. You broke up with Eli, so why won't you kiss me?"

"Fitz, I'm not going to kiss you while you're resting and supposed to be lying still. It has nothing to do with me no longer being with Eli."

"When I'm done with the ice you'll kiss me?"

"Lie still," I demand ignoring his question. "Why would you stay in the ravine? Don't you have friends you can stay with?"

"Bianca's got problems of her own. I've never even been to Owen's house, besides he's all busy and super chummy with his new Ice Hounds pals. I'm better off at the ravine than Bruce's or Chloe's. Johnny lives in a dorm room now, can't really stay with him. I crash at Lucas' on occasion, but I never feel quite right sleeping in Jane's room."

"Why not move out then? Go to the authorities about your parents?"

"I've tried that before, it never really works out. I don't make that much at The Dot, I'm trying to save up, but I have to hide the money where Steve won't find it. The best I could do now is a crappy studio in a bad part of town. Even then I'd barely be able to pay the bills. I've got some money saved, unfortunately my car takes a lot of money, seems like something on it is always breaking. I'm not in school so I won't get any money from the government."

"At least, you have your own car, I have to borrow Jake's truck."

(FITZ)

Clare talks to me the whole time I've got the ice on. When it's time for the ice to come off she gives me this cream stuff, and tells me to rub it all over the bruises, she says it will help. While I'm doing that she takes the ice back downstairs and puts it in the freezer. When she returns she has an arm full of blankets which she puts on the end of her bed.

"You'll have to sleep on my floor. My parents will freak if they find you sleeping on the sofa in the morning."

"I could just sleep in the bed with you," I suggest.

"Not happening. There's a camping mat in the garage or I can get the extra comforter in the closet? If the comforter is folded two or three times it should be pretty comfortable."

"The comforter is fine," I shrug.

Clare steps out to the hallway again, then reappears a few second later holding a large fluffy comforter. It looks kind of old and has flowers all over it, but I'm not going to be wearing the thing just sleeping on it. I get off the bed and help Clare spread the comforter onto the floor. She gives me a pillow from her bed and then puts the blankets over it all.

"I'm going to brush my teeth, if you want to brush yours we have some extra toothbrushes," Clare offers.

"Nah, if I sneak out to the hallway someone might see me," I shake my head.

"Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable, in your bed Fitz not mine," she stipulates while she gets pajamas from her dresser. "If you're bored you can borrow one of my books," she comments before going through her door again.

She closes the bedroom door behind her, I hear the washroom door open and close again. I take off my jeans and get in the bed, I have no interest in reading a book, so I just look around her room. She's got a lot of posters up, three of them have quotes on them from writers or about writing. There's a lot of photos too, and what looks like things she cut out of magazines. Then there's some random things; a fake rose, a napkin from some hotel, a few postcards, a bunch of random pins stuck into a bandana that's hung on the wall. I'm still looking at the stuff on her wall when Clare comes back in the room.

"You need anything?" Clare questions.

"Beer or something harder," I reply. Clare twists her mouth at me. "Water then? I actually am thirsty."

Now she smiles and disappears through the door again, she returns with a glass of water for me, and a full reusable bottle for herself. She hands me the water, I take a few gulps while she turns off the light and gets into bed. She still has the music on, but she's turned it down a little. Other than that the room is pretty silent, I close my eyes and try to sleep, I'm not that tried although getting beat up was a little exhausting. After a few moments I hear Clare rollover, then a few minutes later she rolls over again.

"Worried about tomorrow?" I question.

"No, not really. My outburst and Drew's party could work in my favor or against me. Drew's an idiot, but he's pretty popular and he was a big sports star. I don't think most of the kids vote based on the issues anyway."

"Don't worry you're smart, even if Drew is elected president I'm sure you'll find a way to do things the you want to do."

"Thanks Fitz," she says and I can hear the smile on her lips. In the dim light I see her rolling on her side again, this time she looks at me.

"Well, it's true. So, if you're not worried about tomorrow why can't you sleep?"

"It happens a lot, I can't turn off my mind and then I can't sleep," she replies.

"Must be a smart people problem, my mind goes blank pretty easily. So, you hear from your sister much?" I ask hoping to distract her.

"Not really, she emails every so often, she can't really call she's too far. I was e-mailing her a lot in the beginning, but she would only e-mail back every couple of months or so. I started to only e-mail her for the big things, and then just kind of stopped, Mom e-mails her every few months to catch her up on things. I'm not even sure what she puts in the e-mails, but I don't think she puts in anything bad, I think she just tells Darcy the good things. I know Darcy knows about the divorce and Dad's affair. Of course Darcy knows about Mom and Glen's wedding. She knows about Eli's first breakdown and the car crash, but I don't even know if Mom told her about this most recent breakup with Eli. She's been gone so long, and out of communication so long that in a lot of ways I don't even miss her presence from my life. She's really been gone for every big event in my life, good and bad. Not that we ever had that much in common, and by the time I was interested in boys or doing anything that I could use her advice on she was already gone."

"Sorry, that sucks. That must be hard," I comment.

"It was at first, when I was starting like boys, my very first relationship, I could have used my sister's advice. In a lot of ways Alli has filled that role. Jane, Mia, even Holly J have over the years. Jake and I dated, so I don't really go to him for advice on dating or boys, but he's a good brother. In some ways he did fill the void that Darcy left."

"That's good, Steve was never any kind of brother, so I've never known what having a brother was like. Or a family really, if I hadn't spent so much time at Johnny's house I'm not sure I'd know what a good family is even like."

"What about your mom?" Clare asks quietly.

"She chose my stepdad over me. She works, she drinks, she takes his abuse, she lets him and Steve abuse me. I probably shoulda gone to the authorities when she was first with my stepdad, when it all began. I was only seven though, and I wanted to stay and protect my mom. By the time I realized she chose this path just to not be alone and I couldn't do anything it was too late. I met Johnny at the ravine when I was twelve, I had just found the ravine really. After he realized I was sleeping in the ravine he brought me to his place. It was a small house like mine, not far from mine, he even shared a room with his brother like Steve and I did. It was just them and their dad, but there wasn't fighting or beating or putting each other down. It was the first time I'd really ever seen that."

"It's good that you had Johnny's friendship, is that when you became part of his gang?"

"Yeah, I became friends with Lucas and Bruce, and later with Owen and Bianca because they hung out at the ravine. Bianca's aunt kinda sucks though and Owen never talked about his family."

"Probably because Owen was dealing with Tris coming out. At least, I hope so, it's the only explanation I have for his treatment of Riley, Zane and Adam last year."

"Riley and Zane probably, but Adam was different. None of us understood about Adam last year, just seemed like a freak and Bianca was all pissed and offended that Adam had hit on her. She told Owen and me to take care of it, we thought we were being good friends and it got out of hand. I still don't really understand what Adam is, I don't get the whole being born one way and knowing it's wrong. But, I know who Adam is now and he's a good guy, I have nothing against him. I've apologized for last year, we all have."

"I know, Adam told me. I don't understand his situation either, but he's one of my best friends. I don't understand what he's going through, but I know he's extremely brave for being who is."

"Yeah, it's gotta be tough," I reply yawning at the end. It's been a long day for me, and the beating didn't exactly help.

"Goodnight Fitz," Clare yawns.

"Night Clare."

I fall asleep quickly and sleep well all night, woken when Clare's alarm goes off. She yawns, stretches, turns her alarm off, yawns again and rolls to her side to look at me.

"I'm going to use the washroom and I'll see if my parents are still here. You should stay here for the day and rest. Once Jake and I go to school no one will be home until at least five," Clare says.

She sits up and puts her robe on. I get up slowly, everywhere I got hit yesterday is sore and moving hurts. I stand up and grab Clare's hand just before she reaches the bedroom door. I'm taking a chance that she won't pull away again, but I'm not missing an opportunity to kiss Clare. Putting my arm around her lower back I bring her to me, crushing my lips to hers and to my delight she responds. Her lips part, her fingers drag down my chest a little. My tongue slips between my lips and then between hers, caressing her tongue softly and I feel her body quiver just a bit. As much as I'd like to keep kissing her all morning I'm sure her stepbrother will come knocking soon, so after a moment I pull away. Then I step back and open the bedroom door for her.

When she's in the washroom I get dressed, I have no intentions of staying here for the day. I look out her bedroom window and see a way down, I'm gone before she gets back from the washroom. I have to be at work at noon anyway, and so I go to The Dot, Spin is here already, in the office doing paperwork.

"You look like hell," Spin comments.

"Feel like it too, had a run in with Steve and a couple of his buddies last night," I tell him.

"You want to take the day off?"

"No just rest until shift, mind if I lie down in the club until it's time for me to clock in?"

"No, go ahead. Take some breakfast with you, you should eat something," Spin tells me.

"Thanks Spin," I smile. I grab the keys to The Dot, get some coffee and a donut then go upstairs. I get some ice from the freezer up here and wrap it in a paper towel. Lying on one of the sofas I get the ice on the places it hurts the most and start eating breakfast while thinking about kissing Clare.

(CLARE)

I leave the washroom and Jake goes in. I don't hear anyone downstairs, but I go down anyway with the excuse of getting coffee. Mom and Glen are both gone, I get some coffee anyway and take it up to my room for Fitz. Only, when I get upstairs he's gone. I set the coffee down and check the closet and under my bed, but he's really gone. All his clothes and everything are gone. I find that I'm disappointed that he's not here.

I lick my lips inadvertently, while the kisses I shared with Fitz last night and this morning drift through my mind. I don't realize I'm standing staring at my room until Jake's voice behind me startles me.

"Clare, we have to get to school."

"Sorry, I'll be ready in a few minutes."

"Hey, don't worry it will be fine today," Jake assures me.

"Yeah, I know," I smile at my stepbrother.

I close my bedroom door and start getting dressed. I drink the coffee as I'm getting ready for school, and I'm ready by the time Jake is done with breakfast. I'm not hungry, so I just don't eat, I'm a little nervous for the elections this morning, mostly I'm thinking about Fitz. People can vote until the end of third period through the school website and their school ID. I vote for myself and walk to homeroom.

"I'm not voting, I can't," Adam comments when I get into class.

"That's okay Adam, I understand. I should probably find Drew and apologize for last night," I remark.

"Nah, from what I heard he deserved it. Drew sometimes needs to be told to stop, or smacked upside the head," Adam says.

"That's true, Drew definitely needs to be controlled," I reply with a smile.

"You okay? You're not worried about the elections are you?" Adam asks.

"Hmm? No, just something on my mind, it was a…strange night."

Adam knows I don't want to talk about it, so he just nods.

"I voted for you Clare," Connor says when he comes into class.

"Thanks Connor."

"And, I hear Eli's looking for you," Connor informs me. I look at Adam, but he shakes his head.

"I haven't heard anything, if he's looking to get back together he's keeping it from me."

"I don't think I can deal with Eli today," I huff.

Class starts, but I'm really not paying attention between Fitz and knowing Eli wants to talk to me my mind is too preoccupied, I'm not even thinking about the elections. To be sure that I'm hiding out from Eli I eat lunch on the roof. It's almost peaceful up here, but it gives me time to think. As I no longer have co-op my last two periods I'm doing independent study, mostly I'm getting a jump start on next year. When the bell rings I go out to the foyer awaiting the election results. Drew's out here too, waiting with Dallas and Bianca. When he sees me he says something to them and comes over to me.

"I'm sorry about last night Drew, I was angry, but pushing you into the pool was childish."

"No, I should be apologizing, not you. I was being an idiot, I don't always know when to shut my mouth, actually I usually don't. I was thinking, if I win I want you to be my Veep," Drew says.

"It's V.P. Drew.

"You're smart and you know all this stuff. You could help keep me in line. I think we'd make a good team. If you win maybe I can be your Veep," Drew says hopefully.

"It's V.P. Drew, and I'll think about it."

Drew grins and goes back to Dallas and Bianca. I see Adam waiting down the hall, waiting to congratulate me or his brother. Principal Simpson comes over the intercom and announces Drew as next year's student body president. People cheer, Bianca kisses him, Dallas slaps his back as he congratulates him. Many of the other Ice Hounds including Owen come over to congratulate Drew.

"Sorry Clare, I voted for you," Alli says coming over, "Drew will probably ruin the school."

"I don't think he'll have that much power Alli."

"Yeah, well he's coming this way, probably to rub it in your face. You want me to stay?" Alli offers.

"No, I'll be okay," I assure my friend.

"You shouldn't have won Drew, you have no idea what to do," Alli comments.

"I know, that's why I asked Clare to be my Veep," Drew informs her.

"You mean V.P. but that's good, you'll definitely need her. Well, I'm going to go find Jenna," Alli remarks excusing herself.

"So? How about it Clare, will you be my Veep?"

"V.P. Drew," I say with an exasperated huff.

"I know how you say it, I just like saying it that way. So will y…"

"Clare," Eli calls cutting off Drew, "Clare we need to talk."

Drew starts to walk off, but I grab his arm. "Not now Eli, I have a school to Veep," I reply firmly.

"You'll do it then?" Drew asks.

"Yeah, come on we have a lot to talk about," I reply pulling Drew away.

Drew doesn't say anything, but he follows me out of school, I let go of his arm when we're on the steps. We walk to The Dot in silence, at least Drew is smart enough to know not to talk right now. When we get to The Dot Fitz is working, and I bite my lip upon seeing him.

"You want something?" Drew asks.

"Uh yeah, mocha, room for sugar and cream," I comment opening my purse to get out my wallet.

"No it's on me, find us a table," Drew tells me.

I smile at him and sit down at a table, at first I'm facing Fitz, but when he keeps glancing at me, and I keep glancing at him I move. I sit with my back to Fitz, so I'll stop glancing at him, though I can still feel him glancing at me.

"You okay? I hope you're not upset over the election, I bet it was really close, it's just I had the votes from a lot of the sports teams," Drew says sitting down and setting my coffee down.

"No, sorry it's not that, just things on my mind. Thanks for the coffee," I reply before taking a sip of my coffee.

"Welcome, things like Eli on your mind?" Drew inquires.

"No, not Eli, I don't want to talk to him. Let's talk about next year, we have to pick the rest of the senior student council. Of course, grade reps will be voted on at the beginning of next year."

"I was thinking Dallas as sports rep, and Adam as one of the social chairs," Drew says.

"Works for me, Adam will be a good social chair, Alli should be the second social chair," I comment and Drew nods. "How about Jenna as secretary and Connor as treasurer?"

"Yeah, those are all good. Don't think any of them will turn us down," Drew remarks. We spend about half an hour discussing things as we drink our coffee. Every so often I feel Fitz looking at me, and I refuse to look back at him. "You want a lift home?" Drew asks when we're done.

"No, that's okay I can walk. I'll see you Monday Drew," I wave as we leave the café.

I walk home and Jake is already here, getting a snack from the kitchen of course. He says he's sorry about the elections, I tell him about being V.P., and I don't think working with Drew will be too bad. I go up to my room and study for finals until Mom calls me down to dinner. Over dinner I tell her and Glen about Drew asking me to be his V.P. after he won the election. Jake and I have to do the dishes after dinner, then he sits down to watch TV. I return to my room and close the door without flipping on the light. I start to turn on the light when I'm grabbed and pushed against the door gently. I gasp and get ready to scream, until lips are smashed to mine!

Hope you enjoyed the first chapter, update soon picking up from right here! Next story to be updated is "The Way She Smiles When She Sees Me".