Again, all rights to Rachel Caine. As with the last one :P

Thanks to ATescoLifeWithATwinAndMonkey for proof reading this :D Love you Emilytrain! 3 x.

Enjoy :)

Claire's POV

I take several deep breaths, in and out. Oh God. Why did I sit through this! I shouldn't have done it. I shouldn't... I can't take this anymore. I just can't! All this pain, sorrow, regret! All for me! I don't deserve this! I'm not exactly special am I! I just wish everyone would stop moping and get on with their lives! They can survive without me, can't they? It's not like their lives revolved around me.

I sigh and turn away from the scene in front of me. Everyone crowded round the TV but no one actually paying attention. No one is saying anything and they all have depressed looks on their faces. Urgh. I just wish they could start being happy again! I hate to see them like this. I stare at the wall and contemplate what happens next. This must have taken a long time as people started leaving gradually. My parents were the last to leave. I turned around to see this.

My father spoke first. He extended a hand out to Michael. "Thank you Michael. You have our thanks for letting us come here today." By the end of this his voice was gravelly and he sounded like he was holding back tears. I was holding them back that was for sure.

"You are welcome Mr Danvers. It was the least we could do." Michael replied. I thought my mother was going to say something then but she just burst into tears. Seeing my mother cry like that felt like I was being shot all over again. I don't think I had ever heard my mother in so much pain. I took more deep breaths and realised that sometime during my internal babbling that Eve had started crying and she and my mother were embracing each other.

I turned away once again as I heard the final goodbyes and hugs. Several minutes later I heard the front door finally close. I sigh. Its over. Now to deal with the fact that I may not actually be dead. Still I can't just reveal myself. One at a time. Maybe Michael first? He might understand. Seeing as he was a ghost. I wonder what it was like for him... Anyway. I think he will accept the fact better than Eve or Shane.

So what should I do? When should I do it? I think I should definitely get Michael alone first. But how? I don't exactly want to follow him into his room at night. Even if he is a vampire... how about when he goes to get blood? At least that way Eve or Shane definitely won't be around. Yes. When he goes and gets blood then. But how long will I have to wait for that? Oh. Not long apparently. During my planning session Eve and Shane have gone upstairs. Perfect. Looks like I don't have to wait for a trip to the kitchen.

Okay then. I take a deep breath, stand up and reveal myself from my hiding place to stand straight in front of Michael.

Michael's POV (After Claire was shot)

I throw my phone onto my dresser and collapse onto my bed. Amelie will deal with him, I'm sure. I can hear Hannah arriving with various other policemen now. They can explain. I ponder what is going to happen next before falling into a deep slumber...

"WHAT THE HELL!" I awake to the sound of Shane screaming. "NO! YOU IDOTS! LET ME SEE HER!" I jump out of bed at vamp speed, no need for getting dressed as I fell to sleep with my clothes on, and speed down the stairs to see Shane being restrained by two of Amelie's guards. What has he done now?

I see him trying to get past Amelie to presumably Claire's body which is underneath a sheet, covering the worst of the blood stains. As soon as he sees me he makes a run for me. I thought he was going to punch me or something for being so careless, and I wouldn't blame him for wanting to. But, as he reaches me he wraps his arms around me and starts crying into my shoulder. It takes me a while to get over the shock of what he had just done, but as soon as it registers I return the hug, being careful not to break his ribs.

"What happened man?" He asks me tearfully and with a hint of anger in his voice. "Was it a vamp?" He looks me straight in the eye.

"Nah" I reply, with barely the strength to speak coherently. "Jason." I spit the word out between bared teeth. As Shane starts moving towards the door I grab his arm. He turns around and I nod toward the second body-shaped heap on the floor covered in another sheet. "Suicide" I say morosely. He lets out a sigh and leans against the wall as tears run down his face. I lean next to him and we stay like that for a while until Amelie faces me.

"We have taken care of everything Michael. We have informed Claire's parents. You can return to your business." She says with a sad smile. Her grey eyes filled with sorrow. She then, unexpectedly, pulls me into a hug and whispers "Stay strong" to me before turning and leaving at vamp speed through the back door.

Shane sinks to his knees and burys his head in his hands. I can hear the small sobs coming from him. Just at that moment Eve appears at the top of the stairs. She looks bad. Really bad. Her eyes are red and puffy, she is deathly pale and she has serious bedhead. I run up the stairs and wrap her in a hug. We all stay in our respective positions for what seems like years. Then Shane trudges up the stairs and into his room, slamming the door behind him. I take Eve in my arms, who is just falling to sleep, and put her to bed. Then I go back to my room and once again collapse into unconsciousness.

I have to honestly say that was the worst night I have ever experienced. Well, apart from the night I got killed. Anyway, I have no desire to ever do that again. Eve kept having nightmares. I ended up sleeping with her just to stop the screams. I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a coffee. God, I need this. I also shove a sports bottle into the microwave. I'm going to need that too...

Eve pads into the kitchen and wraps herself round me. I hold on to her until the microwave beeps at me and then I pry myself off her. After all, I don't desire to be attacking my friends and family at a time like this. Me and Eve stay in the kitchen all day. Neither of us wants to go into the living room and Shane stays in his bedroom all day. I know he is alright as I can hear his heartbeat. No need for panic there. We are just going to have to get by this one step at a time...

The day of the funeral (As Claire's parents are leaving)

"Thank you Michael. You have our thanks for letting us come here today." I could tell that Mr. Danvers was on the verge of tears by the end of this.

"You are welcome Mr Danvers. It was the least we could do." I replied. I shook his hand and he pulled me into a hug. Wow. I never imagined Claire's father as one for hugging. At least, hugging me. We weren't exactly his number one fans. During our hug Eve had started crying again along with Claire's mother who embraced for quite a while.

We say our final goodbyes and I escort Claire's parents to the door. As I see that they have safely made it to their car I shut the door to see Shane and Eve trudging up the stairs. They need their sleep. It's been a long day. I sigh and move back into the living room and stare at the wall for a second, just thinking, about what happens next...

Right people. I have hardly been getting reviews. So. If I don't get at least 5 on this one. No more updates! And I mean it. I have enough revision to do to keep me occupied. :D

REVIEW! :D 3 x.