Chapter 2

"You're late" Mrynin said gruffly, grabbing Claire by the wrist and pulling her from the door and into the lab.

"I know, I'm sorry" Claire's face looked troubled and her eyes seemed to be filled with tears that threatened to spill over.

"What's wrong little one?" his voice was softer now, out of sympathy.

"It's nothing" she deflected, but mrynin saw her hand unconsciously go to her large jacket pocket. Mrynin made a lighting fast grab for it and a small white card was in his hand before he could she could even make a sound in protest.

"I, Amelie bishop, founder of Morganville, grant permission for Shane Collins to exit town boundaries and live outside of the town of Morganville"

Claire looked down sadly at her feet the whole time Mrynin read out the note, her eyes brimmed with tears

"Oh, so you have to leave for a while?" Mrynin would miss having her around of course, but she would be back. What was with this sorrowful reaction?

"Do you see my name on the card?" Claire shot back

"No…"understanding dawned for Mrynin and he saw the problem. Shane was possibly leaving Morganville. Without Claire.

"Why has Amelie granted permission for him to leave?" Mrynin asked a confused expression on his face.

"I don't know…"

"Why is he leaving?"

"I don't know"

Mrynin raised a single eyebrow "Claire, have you even talked to Shane about this?"

"No! Ok?" Claire admitted "he doesn't know I know. I found the note hidden in his room…I was staying in there last night" the last part was in answer to the questioning look that Mrynin threw Claire at the mention of Shane's hiding place.

"Ok don't you think it would be wise to talk to him about this first?" Mrynin wondered, eyeing her downcast expression with concern.

"Don't you see? He hid this from me! He shoved it in some far corner of his room and neglected to tell me anything. He didn't want me to know" Claire's voice was an odd mixture of anger and hurt. Mrynin could also detect the slightest hint of betrayal in her voice.

"I'm sure that's not true" Mrynin wasn't sure why he was defending the boy but he was sure Claire would be happier seeing the best in Shane. He wanted her to be happy.

"But why is he doing this? Why is he leaving me?" Claire's voice broke a little at "me" but she recovered herself admirably. Taking a deep breath, she continued "maybe you're right; I should just talk to him. I'm afraid of what he might say though…"

"Claire, you work for a mad scientist boss with homicidal tendencies and you're afraid to talk to Shane Collins, a human boy about his plans for the future and how they involve you" Mrynin couldn't quite contain a grin as he said all this

"You're not as scary as you would like to think…" Claire smiled back

Mrynin's grin widened at her words and he tried to ignore the small jolt of pleasure that also accompanied them. "Maybe you're just immune to it"

Claire chuckled "maybe. What are we doing today?"

"Well," Mrynin began "you're cleaning, the labs a mess. I'll be in here, thinking" Mrynin moved away from Claire than towards a wooden door that led just off the main lab. He laughed silently with his back to Claire as he heard her grumble irritably "stupid mad genius vampire" oh Claire, he thought amused, I'm going away from the lab to help you…

(So what you think? a little short I know, but review anyway? I would love some feedback let me know if you want more! :))