Alright, well I'm going to start by apologizing to everyone since I havn't updated...for like what? 6 months? And I feel really bad for not writing anything since not too long ago. I don't want to be making any excuses, but I was a little busy with sports and such, and most of the time I just didn't feel like writing...which could be called a tragedy because I love writing. But I finally kicked myself in the butt to do this and it was actually really fun composing it. I hope this chapter makes up for it, it contains a lot of Chloe and Derek fluffage. I'm not going to promise any updates soon, but I will do it! Especially with the Reckoning coming out tomorrow, people aren't going to want to read old stories...well then. I hope you guys are buying or reading The Reckoning asap because i know i will!

Let the true feelings show

I smiled back, which made him smile even more.

"Your smile is very contagious."

"Haha, thank you? And since when do you give out compliments?"

Laughing he said, "Umm I guess since now. Is that a problem?"

At that moment I felt so elated because Derek has just given me a compliment. Never have I ever hear him say anything of that sort, and never have I seen him laugh or smile this much, ever. I didn't want this moment to end, I really didn't.

"Not at all." And with that, I had to smile one more time. This was becoming like an endless smiling moment.

Derek still grinning asked, "So what do we do now?"

That was a very good question. Some part of me wanted to go back to the safety and warmth of the safe house, but the other part wanted to stay here with Derek. It was quite the dilemma. "I'm not sure…" It was true that Andrew, Simon and Tori were looking for us and it would be rude not to go back to them, but I couldn't bring myself up to suggesting this purely out of selfish needs.

"Well are you tired? Cause we can always go back to the house…But if your not, maybe this would be a good time to scout this place out, you know, for like future references and stuff…"

That made sense to me. Just in case we got caught at the safe house and that we needed to escape, we could always go through the forest if it leads to anywhere. But this seemed like just an escape for me and Derek, which was oddly something I really wanted to do. I didn't want to go back at the house, I didn't want to be under constant looks of Andrew, under all those rules. Tonight I didn't want to care about that. Tonight I'm going to be normal, or as normal as I can be…I just don't know if this escape means the same to Derek as it does to me.

"No, I'm awake now."

"Are you sure? You seem to never have any time to sleep lately…mainly because of me."

"That's not true. Although, I could say the same thing to you. I actually don't recall you ever sleeping since we left Lyle house…" I said trying to remember and failing.

"Well I have."

"Derek, an hour or two doesn't really count."

He sighed. "I don't know Chloe. Ever since we left Lyle house I feel different. Though it's probably the…" He looked at me with reluctance. "The wolf side of me kicking in."

"But it's so unhealthy to do that Derek. We don't expect you to always be the one to protect us…"

He looked slightly pained. "Chloe, I told you. I'm never going to hurt you, and that doubles for whatever is out there. I'm going to keep you safe whatever it takes and I'm not going to take chances."

I had a loss of words. I couldn't think up of anything to say other than look at him with a mixture of aw and affection. Derek is probably the most selfless person I've ever met.

He cleared his throat. "So, uh, should we go and look around?"

I tried to clear my head. "Um, yeah. Let's go." I started walking without knowing where I was going. I turned around to see him with a smirk on his face. "Maybe you should lead the way…"

"Yeah good idea." He chuckled.

"Hey! Was that an insult?" I said jokingly.

He walked by me, turned around and smiled. "Nope, just the truth."

"Oh you're gonna pay for that!"

"Oh really?" he said playfully.

"Yeah you better run cause I'm gonna go all kung-fu on ya! And trust me I've seen enough movies to pick up some tips." He started running, a little slow, which meant that he was going to let me win, but I didn't want that so I yelled "Is that the fastest you can run?" to taunt him, and it worked. He started to sprint and me running right behind him until he gave up, turned around and I smacked right into his chest having no time for stopping. Both of us were breathing really hard trying to refill our lungs. I still clung to him and we both looked at each other still breathing heavily.

Not forgetting why we just ran this far, I lift my hand from his chest and I sucker punch him on the arm. "Got'cha."

He smiled. "You're faster than I thought."

I laughed. "You better think twice before insulting me again Derek Souza."

"Haha, I definitely will."

We both let massive sighs at the same time.

Right then and there I felt the urge to kiss him with all my effort. I felt as though there was this undeniably big intensity as we both looked at each other. I really wanted to know what he was thinking. Was it the same thing that I was thinking? Did he even think of me that way? But something told me that this was going to be inevitable, that there really is something between me and Derek.

I just loved the way he looks at me. The way I feel so important around him. The way I feel safe and protected. He was really something to me.

At that moment it looked like he was reading my thoughts and conveying it wordlessly. I have a huge desire to do it that I won't be able to contain it anymore.

Without a second between my thought, he grabbed my face in his warm hands and looked at me with so much emotion, with so much passion. I think all the emotions in my body just let go, it was overwhelming. I felt affection, desire, ecstasy, joy, love, thrill and warmth. I was so ecstatic that he felt the same way.

He leaned towards my lips, testing if I was going to respond. Clearly I was going to and he was going a little slow for my liking so I crushed my lips on his with as much fervour as I could manage. I needed him at this point and I think he understood as he responded with just as much eagerness.

My fingers were feeling his chest with greediness. He was just so damn muscular that I couldn't resist. His hands by then were on my back closing the meager space that separated us. I didn't have much experience with this sort of things, but I've seen it countless times in movies, and this felt right enough.

We were now breathing heavily, but we both wanted more as we didn't stop. He was all over me, letting all his hesitation out. He kissed my lips then moved to my jaw, to the side of my neck. He let out a little growl that ignited ecstasy through my veins. Still kissing me, he propped me up on a tree, and I folded my legs around his hips to get him even closer to me if that was possible. I let out a little moan as the feeling was like sheer bliss. Another growl left his lips, as I encouraged him to continue. I'm no expert at this stuff, but I was sure he had a hard on, and that turned me on even more. I didn't know where this was leading but I didn't want it to stop. We then fell to the ground and he deliberately took off my shirt, leaving me with my bra and my jeans. I felt a little self conscious but it quickly went away when he looked at me and said "Chloe, you're so beautiful" with so much passion I melted. I couldn't help but let out a barely audible "Derek".

By this time we were all full of mud, but I didn't care. All I cared in the world at that moment was Derek.

Please review! Tell me what to improve on. What you like, what you dislike. I need it all. So just give it to me! haha

- YoursTrulyUlysses