Thank You, x10 to everyone who read and reviewed. This story has made over 1,000 hits, which is just insane. I'm beyond glad that you all liked the last chapter and the confrontation between Claire and her father. There will definitely be more conflict with that in later chapters.

The song for this chapter is Three Days Grace. "Just Like You" the words from the song really stand for Caleb and Claire's thoughts on their parents and their decision to be nothing like them even though they're dealing with drama of their own but the title of the song really stands for them being more alike then they had first guessed. So I hope that really shows through in the chapter.

Reviewers: cmunoz.22, WitheringSage, hecate's apprentice, KaylaSimms1990, broken writer, before-the-storm, Luida, gxaxbxbxy, writersword, and MS. T3. You are all amazing. I thank you so much for your wonderful reviews.

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own The Covenant; I Only Own Claire & Any Other OC's

On With The Story…


I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you

I could be fake
I could be stupid
You know I could be just like you

You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you (Just like you)
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you

I could be cold
I could be ruthless
You know I could be just like you

I could be weak
I could be senseless
You know I could be just like you

You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you (just like you)
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you

On my own, cause I can't take livin' with you
I'm alone, so I won't turn out like
You want me to

You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you (just like you)
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you

I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you

Three Days Grace – Just Like You


CH.6

Just Like You

Saturday morning came and Caleb lay in his bed thinking about the night previous. He had been at a loss for words when Claire had called him. She had sounded so helpless and that thought scared him. He was used to seeing Claire being tough, even when she was sharing something private, but when she had called him the night before she was different. He was already concerned when she told him that she and Aaron were going to dinner at her dads, he hadn't known much about their relationship but from the little he heard from Cassie he figured they weren't close.

When she had called him the night before he had already had a long night and was beyond ready to crash but the sound of her voice as it came through the phone brought him to full awareness. She asked him to come and get her, which was simple cause he was already heading for his car without so much as a second thought holding him back.

They hung up and the silence that came from not hearing her voice only made him drive faster. He violated several laws as he raced towards Spenser. Concern and worry were driving him mad and for a moment he could feel his power flare inside of him. It had been so numbed in the past few days he had spent with Claire and he hated that it was back. 'It would be quicker' he thought momentarily as he considered using to reach Claire faster.

He scolded himself for the thought but a part of him still considered it. He wondered how she could affect his powers so easily. She could make him forget about them and in times like this when all he wanted to do was make sure she was all right, he would use to get to her. He didn't understand it, sure she had said that all he needed was a distraction and she herself was a perfect distraction so his power being weaker when she was around made good enough sense. Yet here he was willing to destroy himself to protect her from anything and anything that caused her pain. He never felt anything like that before, even when he was with Sarah and he loved her. So what that said about Claire was the question that shot throughout Caleb's mind like a game of pinball.

He continually fought against his powers before he pulled in front of the Spenser dorms. He rushed from his car and into the dorms. He reached Claire's dorm and found her sitting with her back against her door. Her face was stained with tears, something he'd never thought he'd see, and something he never wanted to see again. She looked at him and didn't say anything and he understood completely, sometimes the words make everything worse. He pulled her into a tight embrace for a moment and let her cry. Not long after he helped her off the ground and guided her to the car, anchoring her left arm on his shoulder while he used his right arm to keep her on her feet. He knew Claire wouldn't want to feel anymore vulnerable as she surly would if he had just carried her like he wanted.

He helped her into the car as if she were breakable glass before climbing into the drivers seat and heading back towards his house. They didn't talk but it didn't matter. All that Caleb could think was that she was safe with him, she was upset and quiet but she was in his view where he could watch over her.

They reached his house and with a bit more control than she had, had before, Claire climbed out of the car on her own and followed Caleb inside his family's mansion. He led her to his room, and began searching through his drawers for anything that might fit her comfortably so she could change. The only thing he could find was a T-shirt and an old pair of gym shorts. She took them with a small smile and trailed into his personal bathroom where she took a quick shower and changed.

About twenty minutes after she entered the bathroom she exited through the door, hair slightly damp and eyes still red from crying but her face looked less worn. Caleb entered the bathroom and changed into a pair of pajama pants before heading back into the room. For a moment he just stood still and watched Claire as she layed snuggled under the blanket of his queen sized bed. Should he sleep on his sofa, would she mind if he slept on the other side of the bed or did she want him to leave the room. Caleb's mind raced as he tried to figure out what was going on in Claire's complicated mind.

She had said that she didn't want to be alone, but what did that mean. He started for the small sofa that sat on the other side of his room before Claire's voice caught his attention.

"Caleb." Her voice soft and slightly strained called out.

"Yeah?" He asked

Claire didn't say anything; she just patted the open side of the bed to let him know that it was o.k. for him to sleep there. He walked over to the bed and slowly climbed under the covers. What shocked him was that Claire snuggled closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you." She said quietly

Caleb lifted his arm and began rubbing small circles on her mid back in an attempt to soothe her. Moments later her breathing slowed and signaled that she had fallen asleep. Caleb craned his neck slightly to see her face, she was lost in a deep sleep and a small smile had graced her lips. Caleb had already known she was beautiful but at that moment there were no words to describe her. Caleb rested his head back against hid pillow and soon fell into his own deep sleep.

So now here he was, the early Saturday morning light shining through his window and illuminating the room. He looked down at the sleeping beauty in his arms as the sun caught her face and brought out the small highlights of light brown and gold in her dark hair. He couldn't put a name to the feeling that she had inspired within him but it was amazing. Just holding her made everything different. His powers would dissipate to the point where they felt almost non-existents, he would feel free and genuinely happy and most importantly he would feel understood.

He layed in bed almost completely content, the only thing that bothered him was that him and Claire hadn't gotten a chance to talk about what had happened at dinner and he didn't want to have her upset when he asked. He figured she wouldn't be awake for a little while and decided to throw her clothes in the wash so she would have something to wear when she woke up. He quietly slipped out of bed and ignored the empty feeling that crept into his gut when he was no longer holding her before grabbing her clothes from where they sat on top of the hamper in the bathroom and headed out of his room and towards the laundry room.

As he reached the laundry room and put her clothes in the wash, Caleb remembered what his plans for the day had been and smiled. He'd had it all planned out for after school the day before but Claire had to go to the dinner with her father so they couldn't make it. He had been so worried about Claire and had forgotten all about it before that moment, but as soon as he remembered he new it was the perfect thing to make Claire happy and hopefully get over what had upset her so badly.

He waited for the washing machine to stop before he placed the damp clothing in the dryer. While the dryer ran Caleb figured he could go back to his room and see if Claire was awake. He back tracked to his room and opened the door lightly so to not wake up Claire if she was still sleeping. As he opened the door his eyes immediately shot towards the now empty bed. A second of panic hit him before he quickly looked over and saw Claire sitting on the windowsill with a cigarette in hand.

He sighed in relief before walking across the room and sitting at the foot of the bed. He looked her over and smiled at the sight of her wearing his clothing. He hadn't gotten much of a chance to think about it the night before but right now he was finding highly exciting. Not that they were together or anything but every guy had that fantasy of seeing an extremely gorgeous woman wearing their clothing and Claire was without question gorgeous. She sat with one leg dangling off the side of the window and brushing against the floor while the other one was hitched up on the windowsill. His shorts having been to big on her slid down on her elevated leg and gave a clear view to Claire's now exposed thigh. Caleb stared at her for a moment before forcing himself from his thoughts.

"Morning." He said, giving her a warm smile.

Claire's smiled at the sight of the smile that since her dream nights before had become one of her favorite things in the world. Not that she would admit that. "Morning."

He let out a short breath not sure where to begin so he settled with starting small talk. "You know I wasn't kidding before back when I said those things can kill you, you really should quit."

"Tell me something," Claire started with a light laugh. "Would you rather had smoked cigarettes and gotten lung cancer or had not have smoked cigarettes and still gotten lung cancer?"

Caleb thought about it for a moment and it oddly enough made sense but his recent protective nature when it came to Claire didn't care if it made sense. "Fair enough argument, but still. What if you smoke and get lung cancer only to had not had gotten it if you weren't smoking?"

"Mm," Claire said shaking her head. "To early in the morning for reverse psychology."

"Consider it." He said quickly and she nodded.

"Thank you," She said after a moment of silence. "For last night."

Caleb nodded slowly, before giving her a small grin. "We got the sleep over out of the way, one out of four is pretty good."

Claire gave him a small smile. "You were there for me… you were there for me when I needed you. So on balance I think we can just forget about the bar fight and the tequila, and as far as the embarrassing moment goes I think my crying last night covered that."

"That's nothing to be embarrassed about." Caleb defended quickly.

"It is for me." She said in a quiet voice.

"Hey," Caleb said making eye contact. "Not with me… don't be embarrassed about that with me."

"I'm really sorry," She said with a light glint in her eyes as she fought back tears. She looked at his expression and could tell he was confused. "About before when I thought you were an ass. I mean you were." Caleb laughed at that. "But you had your reasons."

"To be fair," Caleb said jokingly. "I judged you too, so I think we can call it even."

"O.k." Claire agreed.

"So… friends?" Caleb asked hopefully.

Claire nodded. "Absolutely."

"So," Caleb started nervously. "As a friend, can I ask what happened last night?"

"Oh," Claire breathed. "Yeah, that was a disaster. I tried to sit there and ignore it all, I really did but I don't know. Just hearing him talk like everything was normal just sent me over the edge and I went off on him."

"And you're mad at yourself for not controlling your emotions better." Caleb stated understandingly

"Yeah," She said quickly. "I mean I've hardly even spoken to the man since my mom died and he dumped me and Aaron on my grandfather so I figured it wouldn't bother me as much as it did…"

"But it did." Caleb added

She nodded. "I just want it to be like it was before when it was like he didn't even exist you know? But now I just want to hate him and it's driving me insane. Then throughout dinner it was just an endless reminder of what kind of person he is. He completely disregards Aaron who tries so hard to make him proud but he can't even say good job, he just acts like doesn't notice. His wife brings a new definition to the word 'bitch' but he gives her everything she wants and don't even get me started on her daughter."

"So when Cassie said that you were forced to move here?" Caleb pressed

Claire sighed. "They were having dinner with a client and his wife let it slip that he had a daughter. The client is real big on family values or something so he asked if we were close and they said yes. Of course that only holds up as long as people can put a face to a name so next thing I know daddy dearest sends someone to pick me up and bring me here. He didn't even have the guts to come himself and face my grandfather which was one hell of a slap in the face for someone who raised your children for years without complaint."

"You miss it there?" Caleb asked sadly.

"All the time," She confessed. "Everything was peace, I could sit out on the porch for hours and just take in the sights. My grandfather is one of the best guys you could ever meet, he's funny and caring and at times he's just like a kid. He could be a friend when I needed one or just grandpa, but he was always first and foremost my dad. He was the one who was there for me when I was sick or hurt or scared and just like that they dragged me here."

"I'm sorry Claire." Caleb said not knowing much else to say.

"Don't be," She said shaking her head. "You didn't bring me here and believe it or not you make being here a little bit better. Even when we were fighting, it was a good distraction from reality."

"I think I know what you mean." Caleb said thoughtfully.

"Dude… we are really fucked up." Claire said and her and Caleb started laughing.

"So…" Caleb said after a moment as he stood from where he was seated at the end of the bed. "We should get some breakfast while your clothes finish drying, then after we get changed we can head back to the dorms so you can change into something that's preferably not a skirt."

"Why?" Claire asked confused

"Don't you remember?" He asked with a small smirk. "You're stuck with me today."

She gave Caleb a huge smile as she put out her cigarette. He helped her off the windowsill and they exited the room before heading down the long hallway down the stairs and towards the kitchen.

"Don't get me wrong," Claire said thoughtfully as she looked around the Danvers mansion. "I come from money and my house in Texas was pretty damn big but are all houses in Ipswich like this?"

Caleb chuckled lightly. "Well I'm sure you know a bit about or family."

"Yes," Claire said quickly. "One out of four founding families of the town, old money but the rest is from Aaron and since you guys don't really get along I think you should tell me the rest."

Caleb understood completely, and for a moment felt worried that his and Aaron's hatred for one another would effect his friendship with Claire but reasoned that Claire was nothing if not independent and headstrong. She wouldn't let other people's influences affect her decisions.

"Well," Caleb started. "Not only were we the founding family's but we also have several relative who have made good in different careers. So to be clear, over a hundred years could pass from now and our family's will still be loaded."

"Damn," Claire said in admiration. "And you're going to be a lawyer on top of that?"

"Just doing my part," Caleb said with a grin as they entered the kitchen. "O.k. what would you like for breakfast?"

"I bet you make a mean bowl of cereal." Claire joked

"I'm serious." Caleb defended.

"You cook?" Claire asked shocked

"Yes," He replied simply. "Even guys know how to cook."

"Well I know that," Claire said quickly. "I just didn't think you could."

"Ouch," Caleb said in mock hurt. "I've got to be able to cook, what if I get married and my wife can't cook?"

"Takeout." Claire joked.

"What if my wife wants me to cook for her? You know, be romantic." He asked

"Order takeout and lie and say you made it." Claire said with a laugh.

"That's not very romantic." Caleb argued

"Technically, feeding your wife shouldn't be all that romantic," Claire, argued back playfully. "Now, long walks on the beach at nighttime, swimming naked in the pool, staying in bed on the weekends. I never did get that whole flower petal thing though. To much to clean up afterwards."

"One out three of those was more sexual than it was romantic." Caleb stated.

"Romance is a stepping-stone for sex," Claire said with a small smirk. "Aren't all guys supposed to be imprinted with that knowledge?"

"They must have got my programming mixed up with Cassie's." Caleb joked.

Claire gave a small smile. "I won't argue that."

"So," Caleb started. "What'll it be?"

"Well," Claire said excitedly. "Since we're testing your culinary skills we might as well go all out."

"So…" He pressed

"Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and chocolate chip waffles," She said quickly. "Do you accept the challenge?"

"Watch and be amazed." Caleb said before he went to work.

"So…" Claire started as she watched Caleb move like a pro throughout the kitchen. "When you said that you would cook for your future wife is that actually something you think about?"

"Yeah," he said honestly as he pulled a bag of chocolate chips from the cupboard. "Don't you ever think about a life with someone you love more than anything else in the world?"

"Wow, you are a romantic." Claire joked but silently admired that he thought like that. Most guys their age that she new were only thinking about which girl they would hook up with for the night. Well at least all of the cute ones she new. "But honestly I haven't really given it much thought. I guess its cause I've never really seen a couple that has really worked out. Whether it was because of death or divorce or something else."

"But if you where in love?" he questioned

"Then I'd probably think about it," She said thoughtfully before growing quiet for a moment. "Did you think that, that was what Sarah was for you?"

Caleb considered her words for a moment without insult. "Yeah, and sometimes I still do to be honest but I've been questioning myself a lot lately on whether I ever truly loved her that much."

"Meaning?" She asked confused.

"I don't know," Caleb started, not wanting to tell her that his conclusions stemmed from moments he spent with her. "I guess it's because Sarah came into my life at a time where we were kind of pushed together. The love was there and it made our relationship work but after a while things got complicated. I don't even know how to explain it but I just think that we moved to fast and I thought that I loved her a lot more than I actually did and now that we're not together I can see that more clearly."

Claire stared at hi for a moment before responding. "Are you sure you want to be a lawyer. Cause, as I'm sure you would make a great lawyer cause lets be honest there's not to many people in the world that can hold there own against me in an argument like you can that was some serious knowledge you just dropped. Maybe you should be a psychologist."

"Or I can just be both." He joked

"Or that," She said as she watched him make their breakfast. "How bout kids. What are your thoughts on kids?"

"I'll be a better parent to my child than my parent s ever were to me." Caleb said confidently and Claire could tell that he meant every word of it.

"Yeah." She agreed

Caleb finished up with their breakfast to which Claire gave her approval to as they ate and joked around. Caleb was just finishing up with the dishes when his mother entered the kitchen and was eyeing Claire suspiciously.

Caleb shifted nervously where he stood and Claire noticed. "Uh, Claire this is my mother Evelyn Danvers, mom this is Claire Abbott. Claire's in my English class and we've been paired together to work on an assignment that involves getting to know people. Or partner to be more specific."

Mrs. Danvers gave Claire a quick and scolding once over and noticed that she was wearing Caleb's clothes. "And exactly how well are you supposed to get to know your partner?"

Claire could see that Caleb was stumped for an answer so she intervened. "Oh, I'm sorry Mrs. Danvers I know what this must look like but what happened was, was I came over to meet Caleb and I spilled a drink on my outfit so he offered to wash my clothes and gave me these to wear."

It was a logical lie but even in her drunken state Mrs. Danvers could see right through it. "I appreciate your attempt but I heard the door last night and the smile on my sons face when I entered this room wasn't because he indulged in chocolate chip pancakes."

Claire immediately went quiet and felt a small sliver of fear for the woman in front of her.

"Nothing like that happened mom." Caleb said defensively and caught his mother off guard.

He usually just ignored her best he could and she new it. Evelyn looked between her son and the girl who was standing by the counter. She saw the quick yet caring look her son gave her and couldn't help but feel happiness for him somewhere deep within her misery. She walked to the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of scotch. She headed towards the door and stopped in the doorway.

"She's prettier than the last one." And with that she left the room completely.

Claire stared at the door, she had never asked Caleb about his mother and had officially added it to her recent list of things she felt like a bitch for. Strangly enough most of those things on her list revolved around her first assumption of Caleb. She silently noted to never give someone crap who might have actually been having a tough time before she gave Caleb an apologetic look.

Caleb gave her a look that said don't worry about it before he finished washing the dishes and asked her if she was ready to go. She nodded in reply and they left the kitchen.

3 hours Later at Nicky's Pogue sat at the usual table waiting for Aaron to show up while Reid and Sarah sat across from him arguing for the billionth time.

"So not that I wanted to hang out with you," Sarah started, her voice like a dentist drill in Pogue's ears. "Cause I was actually enjoying my freedom but where were you last night?"

A mystified look crossed Reid's face and Pogue was afraid the smirk that appeared would be eternally stuck there.

"Last night was the best night of my young life," Reid said in a far away voice.

"And coming from him that's saying something." Pogue joked

"What skank did you hook up with this time?" Sarah asked sharply

"Why does she have to be a skank?" Reid asked giving her a dark look. "Because she's actually comfortable doing the same things I'm sure you've done countless times but don't talk about in order to preserve your good girl image?"

"Whatever." Sarah muttered.

"Let me tell you," Reid continued slipping back into his trance. "She was a goddess."

"What," Sarah snapped. "Busted, blonde, bimbo?"

"Beautiful," Reid clarified. "And yes she was blonde and she was most certainly not lacking."

"Wow. Reid Garwin just called a girl beautiful," Sarah said shocked. "I didn't think that was possible, especially for a guy who's famous pick up line is telling a girl she reminds him of his grandmother."

"I only use that line on the cheep ones," Reid said thoughtfully. "And strangely enough you're the only girl I've ever used it on."

"Go to hell Garwin." Sarah shouted and Pogue began rubbing his forehead.

"While I'm down there will you be my roomy?" Reid asked sweetly, batting his eyelashes at her.

"Ugh." Sarah tried to calm herself by taking deep breaths.

"Are you getting angry Sarah?" Reid asked

"Stop it." She said through her teeth

"I can give you a hug and make it all better." He offered jokingly

"If you don't stop I swear I will…" Sarah started but Reid cut her off.

"You'll what?" he asked. "Throw the bleach you used on that die job at me."

"I should have never come to this school." She groaned.

"You're right," Reid mused. "The playboy mansion would had been ten times more fun and you'd even get your own room."

"Alright, cut it out you two," Pogue said annoyed. "This is funny once, twice maybe but after that it's just down right annoying."

"Thank you Pogue." Sarah said in a grateful tone.

Pogue gave her an annoyed look. "I didn't do it for you. You deserve it and honestly seeing you get all worked up is the funny part but right now I'm not in the mood."

"So you're all just out to get me?" Sarah asked angrily

"No," Reid said insulted. "Just me and Pogue are. Tyler's found something that he enjoys more and apparently Caleb has to."

"What…" Sarah started but was cut off as Aaron raced up to the table looking pissed.

"Where's Danvers?" He asked pissed.

Everyone just stared at him for a moment and remained silent before Reid shook his head slightly. "Nope, that's not the way to do it. Go back through the door and try again only this time, ask nicely."

"I'm not in the mood for your bullshit." Aaron sneered.

"Yeah and nobody at this table likes you and yet you still came over here demanding that we tell you were Caleb is." Reid countered

"Just tell me where he is." He shouted

"Why do you want to know where Caleb is?" Pogue asked confused.

"He's finally realized that he's been deluding himself and that he's madly in love with him." Reid joked and Aaron looked like he could strangle him.

Aaron turned to Pogue and leveled his tone. "I can't find Claire and her roommate Cassie said that she wasn't there when she came home this morning. Caleb's her partner so I figured she'd be with him. So can you just call him and see?"

Pogue sighed and pulled his phone from his jacket pocket before dialing Caleb's number but no one picked up.

"He didn't answer." Pogue said quickly.

"Did you say Cassie?" Reid asked randomly, gaining that look he'd worn earlier.

"Yes." Aaron said as he tried to call Claire for the tenth time.

The phone rang and rang before Cassie's voice mail picked up. "Damn it."

"Calm down Abbott," Pogue chided. "It's Caleb how much trouble can they get into?"

"You could end up with a Danvers, Abbott hybrid," Reid said quickly. "And if you ask me that is trouble enough in itself."

"What the fuck are you talking about Garwin?" Aaron asked angrily.

"Are you all really that stupid?" He asked shocked.

"What?" Pogue asked

"You've got to be kidding me." He said laughing, "All that fighting and arguing, underlined sexual tension. They like each other, I'm not even around them much and I know that."

Pogue suddenly became lost in thought. Aaron shouted 'bullshit' and Sarah went into shock.

Claire and Caleb had been driving for over two hours since they had left the dorms. They joked and played random car games, like I spy and the license plate game but for the most part Claire had been trying to get Caleb to tell her where they were going. Even after the thirtieth time he still hadn't budged.

For a moment Claire stayed silent and thought about what had happened to Caleb's mother. It was understandable that she was upset about her husbands' death but she had a son who clearly loved her and she was throwing her life away. Now she could slightly understand why Caleb had a problem with smoking and made a mental note to quit. She wondered if her father had ever been like that after her mother died. She hadn't seen him since the funeral and wouldn't know. He hadn't really expressed much emotion right after it happened and Claire was still very young at the time. A part of her hoped he was, that way she could say that he had actually gave a damn once upon a time.

"Caleb," She started breaking away from her thoughts. "It doesn't say anything about you." She new he already new what she was talking about and she enjoyed that he understood her the way he did. "Your parents decisions aren't yours and you've chose to make better for yourself. And for the record… she does love you."

Caleb remained quiet before taking Claire's hand in his. "Thank you."

"God we really need to cut these chick flick moments." Claire breathed and then let out a small chuckle.

"Well," Caleb started with a grin. "As long as Molly Ringwald doesn't come popping out of nowhere I think we're safe."

Claire rolled her eyes. "I was thinking more along the lines of Rachel Leigh Cook, but o.k."

Caleb laughed as the car came to a slow stop.

"We're here." Caleb said giving Claire her favorite smile.

"Where's here," Claire asked as she looked out her window and fell quiet for a moment. "Caleb?"

Caleb's smile grew wider and he climbed out of the car and made his way over to her side and opened the door. "Come on."

Claire silently complies and follows Caleb towards a large farmhouse.

"This is an old friend of my dads house." Caleb said quickly when he saw the question shimmering in her eyes.

They quickly bridged the gap between Caleb's Mustang and the house and Caleb knocked on the door. A few moments later a man in his early forties answered the door and immediately greeted Caleb with a manly hug and introduced himself to Claire as Simon Grant.

"Well follow me." He said brightly before ushering them behind the house and towards the stables.

Excitement hit Claire like a tidal wave when they entered the stables and she saw the horses.

"So," Simon said while looking at Claire. "Caleb here tells me that you know your way around the stables?'

"Yes." Claire said brightly and Caleb new that bringing her there was in fact a great idea.

"O.k. good," Simon said giving her a small grin. "Cause Caleb doesn't."

"Hey." Caleb said insulted but Simon ignored him.

"I'm not kidding. I tried to teach him as a kid but it never took."

"And here I thought he was good at everything." Claire said jokingly

"So this is how it's going to be?" Caleb asked feigning hurt. "You two, ganging up on me."

"Dramatic are we?" Claire asked with a slight arch of her eyebrow.

"Aren't you two a cute couple?" Simon asked thoughtfully

"We're not a couple." Claire and Caleb said quickly in unison.

"If that's your story," Simon said giving them a disbelieving glance.

Caleb and Claire exchanged confused glances.

"So since Caleb doesn't know what he's doing it's your responsibility to keep him from injuring himself," Simon said to Claire. "Can you do that?"

"She already is." Caleb muttered to himself.

"Yes." Claire said and Simon left the stable telling them to have fun.

Claire looked around the stables mesmerized before her eyes landed on a chestnut colored Spanish Mustang. She smiled and walked up to it not even noticing that Caleb was watching her intently.

"Hey there Handsome." She said softly as she lifted her hand and patted it lightly.

It was the side of her that had been showing itself in increasing doses since the first day of their assignment and it continued to amaze him.

"You ready?" She asked, the excited gleam never leaving her eyes.

"Yeah." He said

She'd given him the crash course which consisted of him just getting on the horse and her laughing at his nervousness until she finally decided to explain the to do's and to not do's. Then they were off.

After he new what he was doing Caleb took to it rather quickly but in truth most of his time was spent watching Claire. She looked so free, he wondered if she was like that all the time back home with her grandfather. He realized that seeing her happy made him happy, like if they were connected in some way. She was so complex and came off as a hard ass but she'd had good reason. He still hadn't completely solved the puzzle that was Claire about but he new that a part of her, no matter how small it was, was just like him.

Night closed in and Claire and Caleb said their goodbyes to Simon with a promise to return as soon as they could before jumping into Caleb's Mustang and Heading home. The smile never left Claire's face on the drive home and for that, Caleb was grateful. She wouldn't stop thanking him as they pulled into the dorm parking lot.

"Claire," Caleb said stopping her next 'thanks'. "I had a great time today, you don't have to thank me. Just consider it my thanks for the race."

"O.k.," Claire said quietly. "But I do want to thank you for everything else, for being there for me and being my friend."

"Anytime." Caleb said honestly, ignoring the small tug at his heart as she said friend.

Claire leaned forward and placed a small and gentle kiss on Caleb's cheek before giving him a small smile and climbing out of the car and heading towards the dorms.

Two stories up, Sarah watched from her and Kate's dorm room window. Rage welled up inside of her as Caleb's smiled brighter than she'd ever seen as he watched Claire enter the dorms. She hadn't wanted to believe Reid and figured he was just trying to piss her off when he had said that there was something going on between the two but the look on Caleb's face had said it all. He was falling for Claire Abbott.

And Sarah was pissed.


O.k. where to begin. Claire and Caleb's relationship is evloving faster than i had originally intended but i am still holding back before the actually become more than just friends. Right now Caleb is at a point where he doesn't really know what it is he's feeling for her. Claire's just happy to have someone that she can trust that's not her brother but there is a cartain interest when it comes to Caleb cause she nows that he's just as messed up as she All good things in time though, remember they went from hating each other to being friends. These things must be entered in lightly.

WitheringSage: I hope you liked the Reid/Sarah convo. It wasn't my best work cause i kinda just added it into the outline last minute but it came out pretty funny.

The next chapter is called "Skin" and i will have it up as soon as possible.

Please Review And Let Me Know What You Thought.

P.S. I hope you enjoyed it.

Daba91