I am so sorry! I accidentally uploaded the unfinished version of this chapter & didn`t notice! SO SORRY! I promise not to make this mistake again & if I do, you have every right to hate me.

Disclaimer: I don`t own the DP. Thought that you would like to be enlightened with this info.


(5 years later)

"Get the hell out of here!" I yelled to the drunken teenager standing in front of me. The said person, Trent, has been living with me and helping out with with the club for about two months now, and I`m already about to kill him. I love him to death, but can`t he just follow the rules for once?

"Go straight back to the house, and when I see you tonight, your ass better be sober," I called after him as he made his way down the street. Sure, it was dark and on the way to the house you have to pass through an allyway, but I wasn`t worried about him. I mean, he has a pretty awsome knock-back spell. I turned back to the club and took a deep breath. I own a club called Ice Illusion, along with Zeke and Jamie. It`s like an under twenty-one club where teens can just hang without getting into trouble. Also, it doubles as a safe meeting place for supernaturals because we don`t let anyone into the house without clearance, unless they`re friends of course. Speaking of, Jamie is having some friends of hers come and stay with us for a while. I wonder who-

"Scar, you okay?" Zeke asked, poking his head out of the back door and succeeding in cutting off my inner monolouge. He knew who I really was, but we decided it would be best to use fake names in public. His was Kyle.

I looked around and realized that I had been standing in the middle of the street, spacing out. I nodded, but his eyebrows were still forrowed with worry. I smiled at him to give him some kind of reassuance, and he seemed to take it because he stepped up beside me and put an arm around my shoulder.

"So," he started, "what`s going on in that weird mind of yours that`s got you so out of it?" He started leading me back towards the club. In the red light of the Exit sign, his face looked as if it was glowing. He had white blond hair and anti-freeze blue eyes. He was about six inches taller than me and was kind of lanky for a werewolf.

This thought made me chuckle to myself. One of my very first thoughts of him were that if it came down to it, he was lanky enough to where I might have a chance at taking him down.

(Flashback)

I was getting a better handle on my powers and was headed to a safehouse where there was someone who could give me a few pointers. I was in a convienience store looking to boost up my energy, and at the same time not give me a sugar rush. The problem was, the energy bars were on the top shelf and, as you know, I wasn`t the tallest person in the world. Not even close. I gripped the shelf closest to my head and took a tentative step onto the bottom one. I repeated the action a couple times unitil I was face to face with the bars. Then, some genius decided to bump against one of the shelves on the other side, sending me flying. I waited for the impact of the fall, but it never came. A pair of hands suddenly gripped my upper arms, holding me up. I slowly opened one eye and looked up. A blonde guy with scary bright blue eyes was smirking down at me.

"You okay there, shorty?" he asked, amusement filling his voice. I just stared up at him with wide eyes. He looks so familiar, I have to have seen him before. I stood up straight, blinking, and really looked at the guy. Tall, muscular; not as much as someone I know, but also kind of lanky. If it came down to it, I might be able to fight him off. I let my gaze travel back up to his face, noticing that he was still waiting for an answer.

"Yeah, I`m good. Oh, and don`t call me shorty," I added, remembering all of what he said. He chuckled, and took a deep breath, freezing in place; as did I. He looked around, as if to see if anyone was watching, and pushed me against the shelf.

He got real close to my face and, in a dark voice, whispered, "Who the hell are you and who are you working with?" He slammed me against the shelf again, managing to hit my head; my vision started to blur.

"What are you talking about?" Did this guy have major paranoia issues or what? Then it clicked. The eyes. They were like his; big, clear, and way too bright to be human. My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat. I gasped.

"Y-you`re a w-w-werewolf." He smirked, which was weird, me still not getting the concept of a smiling werewolf.

"Ha, ha. I`m so gonna believe the whole 'I`m just here on coincidence' thing. I mean, don`t you idiots remember what happened last time? But, then again, you do have a different smell to you." He backed down a little a that. It didn`t matter, he was playin with me. Of course, when isn`t someone.

So, very calmly I said, "I still have no idea what you`re talking about. Just thought you`d like to know." He narrowed his eyes and looked straight into mine, which were returning his gaze just as intensely.

He leaned back on his heels and huffed. "You`re telling the truth, I can tell by your scent. God, I`m sorry," he breathed. He sniffed again, and added, "What kind of supernatural are you?"

"Necromancer," I sighed when he let me go. He nodded, taking in the information. He looked up and held out his hand.

"Kyle."

I put my hand in his and said, "Scarlett, not Shorty."

(End of Flashback)

I later found out his real name, Zeke Mathers, and that he had a super sensitive sense of smell (which was how he knew I was a supernatural and wasn`t lying) because when he was still in the womb, his mother had a sorcerer place a spell on him, heightenin his senses. I also found out that he was so paranoid that day because he was a wanted man. He helped people escape from groups like the Edison Group and Cabal. He also had a bounty over his head because of it. I, of course, told him my story. All of it. Every single little detail, he knew.

"Hey...hey! Helllllllllllllooo!" Zeke half-shouted at me, snapping his fingers in front of my face. When he saw he had my attention, he leaned back and smiled. "Did you even hear what I said? Y`know what, don`t answer that, 'cuz I don`t wanna know." This is what I loved about Zeke. Whenever it`s just us, he`s so laid back and just so easy to talk to. One of the many reasons we`re best friends. "Anyway, I just got a text from Jamie sayin' her "guests" are there, well, that and that she was gonna kill you for sending Trent to her like that." I laughed. Leave it to Jamie to blame me on her little brother getting drunk. By now we were at the front entrance of the club, and I was locking up.

"Hey," I said stuffing the key in my purse, "how many did she say were coming?" We walked onto the cold, silent street. Thank god, for once I didn`t trip.

" I think she said there were five of them. Three guys and two girls." I nodded, taking deep breaths of the beignet and incense filled air. I never thought I`d end up in Louisiana, New Orleans of all places. Normally, we`d stop at Cafe' Du Monde for coffee or something, but we didn`t have time tonight.

We hurried hurried down the street, finally coming to the front of the building. To anyone passing on the street, it seems like an abandoned apartment building. To us, it`s an old plantation-style mansion. Jamie put special charms on it so that only certain supernaturals can see it. I mean, we just don`t let anyone know we`re here, y`know? I took my key from hanging on a chain around my neck and unlocked the door. I hurried in, Zeke staying out for a few seconds to see if anyone was following us. When he was satisfied that there was no one, he stepped in. I locked the door behind him and hung up my coat. When I first heard that the house was silent, I was worried. Then, I jumped when I heard a loud "bang" come from upstairs. Zeke laughed at me. I guess Trent made it home to oh, so loving and forgiving sister. Please take note of sarcasm. Zeke was already making his way up the stairs to meet the "guests," so I went to the kitchen and grabbed him a water bottle. He always felt the need to drink something as soon as we got home. It was weird that he wouldn`t tonight. Whatever.

Walking up the squeaky stairs, I called out to Annie. Annie was, well, I guess you could call her the house ghost. She was telekinetic, so we had some extra help around the house. Her full name was Anne Marie Boudreaux, but it reminded her too much of her past so we called her Annie. When alive, she was one of the slave servants living in the house, and was killed when Confederate soilders set the house on fire. She and her owners were trapped, meeting a horrible end. She popped up, smiling. She was really nice, but she gave credit to her master. She said that he was nicer than the others. He tought her how to read, wright, and act like a lady.

"Hello, Chloe. How was work this evening?" she asked in a delighted voice.

"It was good thank-you. Are the visitors in my office?" She nodded.

"Oh, yes ma`am. And, may I say, one of them is exceedingly handsome!" she squealed. She`s always out looking for guys she thinks I might like. I laughed. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, Annie. Why don`t you rest up, or whatever it is that ghosts do." It was her turn to laugh.

"Good-night," we both said.

Opening the door to my office, I noticed two things. One, there were five people standing awkwardly around the room, one sitting in my chair, and another laid out on my couch. Two, four of the five people standing were the people that I both dreaded and hoped to see again. When I opened the door, he was the only one who looked up, because of his super hearing and what not. I met his gaze and was overwhelmed by the emotions taking over me at the look in his emerald eyes. Shock. Sorrow. Happiness. Anger. I gasped, causing the others to look at me. They all looked the same, just had a more mature look about them. Kit, a lot more gray hairs. Simon, taller and a stronger looking face. Tori, a little more filled out. Derek, even taller and finally looking his age. There was another, smaller person there, but I couldn`t keep my eyes off of them.

Jamie sat up from my chair and Zeke did the same, just giving me a confused look instead of a happy one.

"Took you long enough, huh Scar?" She walked over and hugged me. She looked just like Trent; long, chocolate brown hair, gray eyes, olive-toned skin and a sturdy figure. She was gone for a few days taking care of some family business and returned tonight with her friends in tow. I gulped. Oh no. No, no, no, NO! This couldn`t be happening! These were the friends she was talking about? The people staying with ur for a while? Wonderous. I hugged her back, trying to act like normal, but Zeke was giving me the look. His 'you`re explaining this later' look before returning to his PSP.

"Scar, this is Marcus," Kit, "Chad," Simon, "Kayla," Tori, "Ian," Derek, "and Lacey," mystery girl I hadn`t taken notice in before. I looked at her and my eyebrows rose above my hairline. She looked exactly like I had before I died my hair a deep red and got midnight blue contacts. She was short (like me), frail (like me), clear baby blue eyes (like me), strawberry blonde hair (like me), and had an innocent look to her. The shocking thing was that she was attatched to Derek side as if it was life support.

They were all looking at me, waiting for a response, but I couldn`t talk. Couldn`t breathe. All I saw was Derek. He knew it was me. I could tell by how stiff he was that he recongnized the scent. Strawberries and vanilla, that`s what he said I smelled like. At that moment, Jamie decided to take the lead, aware of the tension and confusion in the air.

"Okay, since Scar seems to be having a moment, why don`t I show you guys your rooms and get you settled in, yes?" Not waiting for an answer, she clapped her hands together and walked out, expecting them to follow. They did, with one exception. Derek had to convince the look-a-like to go with them though. Whe the door was shut and the coast was clear, I turned to him.

"What are you guys doing here" I whispered, voice void of any emotion. He stiffened at the sound of my voice, and Zeke just became even more confused.

"Whoa whoa whoa, hold the cheese. You know this guy?" he asked, gesturing to Derek in surprise. I ignored him.

"You still didn`t answer my question." He looked up from his feet, looking me in the face, working his jaw. He took a deep breath and started looking around the room.

"Nice place you got here, hidden from even the supernatural eye. Clever. Tell me Chloe, did you ever think that maybe you`re not the only one in need of a safe haven? Of somewhere to sleep at night? The only one who-"

"ANSWER THE GODDAMMED QUESTION!'' I yelled at him, which surpried me. I never yelled. Zeke stayed silent the whole time, observing us.

"Jamie told it was a good place to stay," he said through gritted teeth, voice of steel. I pissed him off. Good. Looks like I`ll have to have a little talk with Jamie.

"Makes sense, she`s always trying to help," I stated. It was true, the girl just didn`t know how to say no. Then, the thought of Lacey suddenly popped into my head. "What about the look-a-like, Derek? I don`t shrug it off saying that she`s not bad. It`s my house I have a right to know who`s staying in it." His eyes flitted to Zeke, so fast I almost didn`t catch it. I turned to him.

"Okay, Okay. I know when I`m not needed. See you in the morning, Chlo," he mummbled out, catching on that Derek already knew who I was. I bid him goodnight and waited for Derek to continue.

"She`s been with us for about a year now, don` t worry, you can trust her," he spat out in a defensive tone. Just because she was there for a year doesn`t make her trustable. I,of all people, should know that when it comes to these people. He sighed.

"Chloe, listen, I know we didn`t trust you," I snorted," but, I need you to trust me." Oh. My. God. Was he serious? One look at his face gave me that answer.

"Derek," my chest ached at the sound of his name coming from my mouth, "how can you expect me to trust you? Really, I wanna know. After all that`s happened, I just made a life for myself, then you show up. What do expect me to do. Because, honestly, trusting you is out of the question." I swallowed the saddness that clogged my throat when I thought back to a time when I didn`t feel alone, when I still had an innocence about me, to when I was happy.

"I don`t know," he sighed. I looked a the time. 12:48. No wonder I`m exhausted. I couldn`t wrap my tired head around the situation at hand right now, so I suggested we go to bed. He agreed.

When I reached my door, I looked back and saw his retreating figure. I closed my eyes and whispered almost silently, "Good-night, Derek," but i know he heard. I slipped into my room, kicked off my shoes. I rubbed my hurting feet. God, I hate heels. I changed into my jammies and settled under the warm blanket, yawning. I slipped into a sleep filled with a half-naked werewolf and white roses.