A/N: So...I know it's been awhile since I updated this, and I would like to apologize. As any of you who follow me know, I've been uploading my Twilight fic "WarmYouUP revised" quite a bit which has taken me away from my other fics more than I like. Thankfully for you devoted readers, that story has come to an end therefore giving me more time to focus on others. Also, I would like to point out that this chapter took more than one try to get to a semi-decent state. I am still not happy with it, but you all deserved a new upload. Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I'm going to do away with these for this story from here on out. They are annoying and we all know that I do not own Bon Jovi's songs, Morganville, its vampires, or their yummy human munchies;)

ThornInMySide

I've been pushed around
Been knocked down
Lost a round or three
Life took a couple of things I loved
When I was too blind to see

Shane let out a strangled yell, as he skidded around another of the numerous turns he had taken trying to catch up with Britni. This was completely crazy. Running around any place at night was ridiculous, but, in Morganville, it was suicidal. Not worried about his own safety, Shane pushed himself faster. He had to keep her in sight. He couldn't lose her. Not like this.

When she had initially ran off, he hadn't been expected much of a chase. Sure, Britni looked somewhat fit, but apparently she was stronger than she looked under all the clothes she layered on herself. As the wind picked up, it flipped up Britni's sweater and, despite the distance, Shane could tell that her body was lean and muscular. Not body-builder muscle, but she definitely was athletic. At least before Morganville. Now, she didn't do much of anything, but stay cooped up in her bomb-shelter of a room and watch him play video games.

In fact, he didn't know much about her. But that was one of the things that drew him to her. She was strong and determined, but there was a definite hardness in her that didn't seem right; as if it was a defensive mechanism that wasn't letting her real self shine through. He felt connected to her.

When she had first arrived at the Glass House, she seemed so alone in the world, fragile, and emotionally beaten. There was something about Britni that called to him. He felt like he had to protect her; keep her safe. Like he couldn't do for Alyssa.

Thorn in my side
You just won't quit
Once in a while when I crack a smile
You rub my face in it
Thorn in my side
You won't let me run
God bless the fights
That I've lost and won

Everything seemed to remind him of his dead sister now that he was back in Morganville. Her death was a constant reminder of his failure and inability to protect those he loved. After Alyssa's death his father had told him that loving something condemned it to death. Love was a curse. His mother had wasted away from the loss of Alyssa; the loss of someone she loved had ruined her. Love was pain and nothing could be gained from such a treacherous road.

In the beginning, Shane had felt the same. He could never allow himself to be as vulnerable again. But being back with Michael and Eve had brought his humanity back; their friendship and love had melted the ice around his heart and really let him feel again. His father would say he was cursed, but, for Shane, he was blessed. More so now that Britni and Claire had joined their unconventional family.

Britni.

What was it with this girl that made everything so complicated when she was around? He was never very good at reading people, usually he just got a vibe off of them, but with Britni everything screamed at him that she needed someone to shield her from the harshness of the world; to heal whatever damage that cruel world had already done. He wanted to do just that, especially after seeing the shattered look on her face minutes before, but first he had to catch her.

Shane sighed heavily, as he pushed his body faster. He could tell she was tiring and wished to catch her before she got too far from the house. Already, the lights of the residential area were dimming behind them enclosing them in a gradual darkness that threatened to overwhelm them.

This felt like something he should be doing with Claire. Claire was so young and naïve. Shane often wondered how she would survive Morganville. The truth was she probably wouldn't; not with the help. And help was exactly what Shane would probably end up doing if what she had said about being bullied by Monica was true; which the purpling bruises covering her verified. Shane always seemed to be helping damsels in distress. Why should this mess with Britni be any different?

But it was.

He felt more for Britni. More than he had anticipated. At first, Britni had been more of a nuisance than anything. She was so jumpy and scared all the time. It was as if every noise threatened to throw her into a panic attack. Overtime, she had grown more confident and comfortable with her housemates, but outsiders, outsiders like Claire, well, she never really adapted to them. They had hoped that Claire being so innocent and small wouldn't intimidate or upset Britni, but something had obviously set her off. That much was obvious after tonight. Shane wanted to know what was going on in Britni's head sometimes, especially now.

Ahead of him Britni turned a corner sharply and was lost from his sight. A sudden gasp followed by a tumbling sound came from the alley. Shane called out to her and rounded the corner prepared to fend off whatever had attacked Britni, but what he saw was not what he was expecting.

Britni was lying curled up on the ground, her arms clutched desperately around her drawn-up knees. Her hair was strewn about her in complete disarray and her face was turned into the concrete as she attempted to muffle the sobs wracking her chest.

Shane stopped in disbelief. She looked so small. The pain she was feeling must have been more immense than he had ever imagined. Here, like this, Shane couldn't help but be reminded of Alyssa. An extreme desire to comfort her swept over him and he stepped forward and knelt beside her. Moving a lock of her mangled hair from her face, Shane's heart tore as she looked up at him, tears streaking her face, her eyes raw with some emotion he couldn't quite place. Her pale lips started moving and it took Shane a moment to realize what it was she was speaking.

"Please. Please. I'm sorry. Please. Don't leave me." She clutched at his hand, pulling him near her.

Ignoring all rational thought and the danger that staying in this dark alley would put them in, Shane pulled Britni to him. His arms circled her fragile body and cradled her against his chest. Tucking her head under his chin, he brushed his lips against her hair and swore that he would never leave her.

If love was a curse he may just have cursed himself to the inner most circle of hell.

But I'll survive
I gave up on luck but I'm still getting by
Yeah I'm going to be alright
You can test my faith
But you can't take my pride
Thorn in my side, thorn in my side

A/N: REQUEST: if any of you are artists, I was wondering if you could draw your favorite scene from this story, or any of my fics. I know it is extremely selfish of me to ask, but I'm slightly obsessed with fanart right now, and I would love to see what you guys can create from my stories. Sorry if this is so bizarre I'll try to upload another chapter as soon as it's written. Much Love, Cour8ge