Disclaimer - I do not own Morganville Vampires or any charactors in this story, the fabulous Rachel Caine does, the only things I own are Tom and the story line.

P.S - Would have done a disclaimer on the previous chapter but didn't really know how...

SPOV

I must have been shooting at various things for a while because my eyes had started to go weird, the zombies running towards me transformed into rhythmic shapes moving to the beat of my pounding shotgun. It was a miracle that I managed to hear the faint ring of the doorbell. Unconsciously my muscles immediately tensed, it was very rare to have visitors at your door in Morganville, especially friendly ones. Not only was I distracted by the echoing sound that seemed to vibrate through the walls of the Glass house but simultaneously my fingers froze, and the character that represented me on the screen was violently slaughtered.

Maybe I was losing my zombie killing touch. "Brilliant" I grunted to no one in particular as I trudged my way to the door that desperately needed painting. So did the rest of the glass house as a matter of fact, outside and inside, we would do it someday. Maybe I could get a paintbrush out today if Claire ever came downstairs so we could finally go wherever she was thinking of going in Nowheresville. I was pulled out of my pondering – and Eve said I never used my brain! – when I reached the door. After briefly both mentally and physically preparing myself for whatever Morganville had to throw at me this time, I heaved the door open in one big sweeping action.

It took my misleading eyes a few seconds to adjust to the blazing sun of mid-day Texas. Gradually a pair of rusty brown combat boots came into my vision. As my eyes ascended I found that they connected to a well-built man covered in camouflage material. I investigated him for a while with my eyes; he was a bit taller than me, had light green eyes and very short dark brown hair that was barely visible under the army cap that rested on his head. He reminded me of this guy I saw in a dance movie with Claire, oh what was it; it had Anne fletcher in it, er, Step up! That was it, yeah he looked that guy.

What was the guy out of step up doing at my house? I'm guessing he is in the army, cos' of the camouflage and the combat boots and all and don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for the army, out there, fighting for us. At one point I was considering joining, you know, to get back at the world for Lyssa and Mom's deaths, but it wasn't right, I was only doing it to get away.

"Err, hi." Oh yeah, I forgot he was standing at the door.

"Yeah?" I questioned, he might be in the army but I wasn't in the mood for anyone pissing me around today.

"I was wondering if Claire was here," my muscles immediately tensed again, Claire? What did he want that had to do with Claire? "Claire Danvers, I think she lives here?"

"Oh yeah, who's asking?"

I could see him mutter something inaudible under his breath, this guy really wasn't making a good impression. He extended his arm after a moment's hesitation, "I'm Tom, Tom Da-".

"Ahhhhh!" Tom, supposedly, was cut off mid-sentence by a high pitch squealing sound coming from behind me. I instantly turned around – a scream was never good news in Morganville – to find my beautiful Claire with eyes as wide as an anime character and a mouth as big as a tunnel opening for a nearby train. My eyes hurriedly scanned up and down here body, as if routine, in search of any misplaced stakes or bullet holes. It took a few seconds before I realised that injury wasn't the cause of the searing scream, but ecstatic happiness.

TPOV

I was frozen in a trance, my eyes locked onto my baby sister's. When had she become a woman? How had she become so beautiful? I knew Mom was pretty as a kid but my little sister was gorgeous.

It had been three years. Three years since I left for Afghanistan, a place with so much hatred and so much violence, that I thought I could never forget. Yet somehow, by looking into those pure hazel eyes I found myself full of love. Not only had all feels of hatred vanished, but they were replaced with memories, fond memories of love and generosity that my sister had once given me and I had cherished forever.

I sensed movement as my sister came towards me, she moved as beautifully as she looked. Lightly dancing down the steps on tiptoes then leaping into my arms ever so gracefully. Her legs around my waist and her arms tangled around my neck, she squeezed tightly. I squeezed back in response, I held onto her as if I would never let go.

The constant squealing slowly died down and was replaced by gentle whimpers. Using one hand to support her light weight, I used my other to tilt her head out of my neck and to face me. A single, silent tear rolled down her rosy check. I cupped her check with my hand and wiped away the precious tear. "Shhh." I whispered in her ear to comfort her, the way I always did was she was younger. When the other kids picked on her at school and she came running home crying the entire time, into her big brothers comforting arms. And I held her, as I did now, I held her as she wept away, I listened to her as she poured out every single detail and I comforted her by telling her it was all going to be all right.

"I missed you." She whispered in my ear, like it was our little secret.

"I love you." I whispered back. She replied with a delicate yet oh so powerful smile that managed to reach inside me and shower my heart with warmth. I slid her down my body so she gradually regained contact with the earth and pressed my benevolent lips to her forehead.

God I missed her.

(A.N) I just wanted to thank everyone for the lovely reviews, I really appreciate them!

Please review to tell me if you liked this chapter, I am a bit worried as it is a bit different to the previous one.