"Hey Poppy; how're you feeling?" James murmured softly. Poppy blinked sleepily, in the darkness she could make out James' clean, handsome features and she smiled automatically in response.

"Okay. I feel...weird, like my body...it feels like it's changing."

"It is changing," James reassured her. "And you're doing great."

"Is it time?"

James nodded, kneeling down beside her bed. "Yes Poppy. Are you ready?" His voice was soothing and gentle, but there was something tight, something suppressed inside of him. She tried to get a grip on it but James smoothly covered his thoughts.

"Don't worry about me," he chided gently. "Just focus on the blood and relaxing. Okay?"

Poppy nodded trustingly. James gently squeezed her hand, focusing on Poppy intently. Her green eyes burned into his, he felt suddenly uncomfortable, as if she could see inside of him.

"Can I ask you something?" Poppy asked seriously. She was biting her lip intently, something was on her mind.

"Sure, Poppy, anything."

"I know you and Phil haven't gotten on in the past and I wanna say that I'm glad that you've buried the hatchet." She paused as if she were contemplating how to vocalise her thoughts. The mention of Phil set his stomach muscles clenching painfully.

"What about Phil?" James asked carefully.

"He's acting really weird."

"We're all under a lot of stress. I mean it's not exactly and ideal situation for any of us." James said.

"It's not about me; or not just about me." Poppy said slowly, thinking it out, she was looking over James' shoulder at the wall. James was glad; he didn't think he could lie to her face.

"I'm thinking about all the things I'm leaving behind. And it's easy for me, I mean I'm gonna have a whole new life, but Phil has to look after Mom and Cliff. He has to lie to her every day."

"Phil's good at that."

"I know. But he shouldn't have to. I just wish I could tell him that...that I'm grateful for everything."

"He knows." James assured her.

"Has he said anything to you?" Poppy asked looking straight into James's eyes and James shifted nervously. He would rather have another meeting with his parents then have this conversation.

James had to clear his throat twice. "Phil and I aren't exactly best friends Poppy."

"I know but I feel that we've been thrown together and you've been hanging out more. I just thought..."

"You need to focus on you right now, Poppy, okay?" James said urgently. "Phil and I are here for you. We can't do this for you, only you can do this and I want you to know that we are here for you every step of the way."

"Hey."

James jerked back as Phil appeared in the doorway. He looked tired and drawn but his usual composure was intact. From the bed, Poppy beamed at him and her smile drew Phil fully into the room. He stood next to James but he gave his full attention to his sister.

"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.

"Better; I feel better already."

"You look better." Phil agreed.

"It's the vampire blood in your system Poppy but soon you are gonna feel sick and then..."

"And then I'll die," Poppy finished; she looked straight at the boys without fear "I know the cost."

"We should start," James said softly. Poppy nodded solemnly drawing herself up in bed. James sat down beside her, rolling his sleeve up. Phil swallowed heavily.

"I'm gonna go wait downstairs."

"Don't go far," Poppy said. Phil smiled and gently kissed her on her forehead gently.

"I'll stay close by."

"I know; I know you don't trust James with me," Poppy joked, her green eyes lighting up with a glimmer of the old Poppy spirit. Phil and James tensed, neither looking away from her. Phil cleared his throat audibly, and when he spoke his voice cracked.

"I'll let you guys..." He trailed off meaningfully and with one last glance at Poppy gently shut the door behind him.

"You'll talk to him...after; make him see that it's the right thing to do?" Poppy pressed.

"Knowing is one thing, Poppy, but actually witnessing it is something else. I don't blame Phil for not wanting to be around right now."

She shuddered as James drew her hair back away from her neck and carefully bit into her neck. She still wasn't completely comfortable with the feeling but the closeness to James was amazing. She felt as if she knew her best friend inside and out now and that made her joyously happy. She could feel his mouth on her neck, slowly taking her blood and as he promised she was starting to feel the affects. He held her still as he let her go and then guided her to his wrist. The first taste was always a strange mix; not pleasant but not revolting. Perhaps when she was a vampire she would enjoy it more.

Poppy never got tired of being in James's mind; it was beautiful and alien but somehow familiar. A stray thought hit her 'I wonder what Phil's mind would be like?'

Up to then James had been slightly apart from her, allowing her time to explore but not engaging her, now he snapped back protectively but not before light shone in the deepest part of him and with a sense of understanding Poppy suddenly knew why things had been so weird for the past few days. For a moment she felt as if she had been doused with ice cold water, all her nerve endings seemed alight and she felt as if she couldn't draw an even breath. Somehow she couldn't make herself be surprised, the pain was a dull ache, her childlike dreams ripped to shreds and fluttering around her like wrapping paper. The heartbreak of knowing James wanted someone else wasn't new, she had watched as he had dated other girls for most of their lives but knowing that the person he wanted was her own brother was a bitter pill to swallow and for a moment, Poppy feared she couldn't get past it. But his mind was wrapped around her tightly, protectively and she could feel how much he cared, how much he hated having to do this to her, and his complete denial over how he felt about Phil and suddenly her anger fell away. James was battling against his feelings and Poppy was awash with pity for him, for how lonely he seemed and a lingering sadness that she wouldn't be the one to fix it.

The pain that both James and Phil were inflicting upon themselves was worse then how betrayed Poppy was right now.

Her natural instinct was to reach out and comfort him, but as if had sensed he had revealed to much he drew away from her and Poppy was left with an ambiguous sense of loss as she felt herself return to her body. She blinked several times, seeing James with new eyes.

James gently pulled her away. Poppy watched him curiously, trying to figure out if he knew she had peeked. He looked stressed and uneasy. She waited for him to call her out on it.

"Are you okay?" James asked gently, "I didn't scare you."

Poppy laughed lightly. "You could never scare me, Jamie. Not really."

He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "So you didn't see any of my deep, dark secrets?" he asked jokingly.

She could say something now, she knew. But she didn't. It wasn't her business. It was between Phil and James. She felt something in her heart shatter but a deeper part of her was somehow relieved as if a piece of a puzzle had finally been put into place.

"I knew you liked Annabella Atia's music really." Poppy smirked, feeling her mind start to cloud and her thoughts begin to run together. James rolled his eyes at the familiar teasing.

"I like the one song. And you can never tell anyone." He mock threatened. Poppy's smile turned dreamy.

"I promise," she whispered.

James's expression turned more serious. "It's starting Poppy. So I'm gonna tell Phil. Okay?"

Poppy nodded, "You should tell Phil."

James paused, staring at her, but Poppy's eyes were already beginning to close. Phil wouldn't get much time with his sister if he didn't hurry. James gently brushed the inside of her wrist with a finger and then stood up.

Time to finish the charade.