6. Surprise

"Do you have to go already?" Jason asked. Totally displeased. His anger seemed to make me laugh. He was like a little bunny trying to fight a bear. Guess who was the bear. His expression was hurt a little bit.

"Angel could you wait for me back at the house. I need you to check out on our visitor." I said while looking at her. She nodded with understanding then leaped out the window with so much grace that I was jealous. I have had 4,128 years of work and I could never walk like she ever did.

"What visitor?" he asked feeling left out. I smiled at him and walked to his side and put my hand to his face. His skin was so warm and perfect. I was jealous of him. Why couldn't I be human and be able to live a human life with him?

"Nothing you need to worry about, love. I need to go, but I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow so go ahead and tell your dad, that way you guys don't kill each other in a fight." I said. I wasn't kidding. I wouldn't let him get into a fight with his dad over me. He was the only family he had left.

"Claire?" he asked just as I was walking to the window.

"Yeah?" what more could Jason want? I can't answer all of his questions in one day and I wasn't going to keep him up all night.

"When you kissed me…" he trailed off. "Never mind. Forget I said anything." He was using reverse psychology. Skylar used that on me for a while and for a while I believed. I gave in just to satisfy him.

"No tell me, now." I told him.

"When you said you were making too many mistakes, was kissing me one of them?" I winced. His voice wasn't joking he really wanted to know.

"I was making a lot of them." I said being sure of myself. "Jason when I kissed you it felt right. It the best thing I have done in my life. The only mistake I did while kissing you was putting you in danger, the way I let it go too far. That could have disastrous for you." I was by his side in an instant. He wasn't scared; he was used to this even only being near it for a few hours of hanging out with Angel and me. I hoped he got to meet the rest of my family.

"Thanks then. I…would you be mad if I said I really enjoyed it?" his tone was joking, serious at the same time.

"Nope. Because I enjoyed it a lot too. So much that you have no idea." I leaned into him and kissed him gently and then I leaped out the room just like Angel. Suddenly I was in my room, with Angel, who was sitting next to Cody.

He was jolting in pain and suddenly I felt worse all over again. "How's he doing, Angel?" I asked while sitting next to him. I put my hand on his forehead and suddenly his eyes snapped wide open.

"W-why?" then he gasped. "This burning make it stop!" he pleaded. His voice was so scared and tortured. I knew I felt when I was changed. I was in such pain and agony that I just wanted to die. I almost got that wish.

"I wish I could, Cody. Don't worry it will be over by Monday, I promise." I hoped I was right. I counted three days in my head. It had to be Monday if anything else tomorrow, but that was impossible.

His heart looked like it was going to jump out of his body, and maybe it was, but I hoped not. That would be way too much blood for me.

I watched his face go to horror then pain then back to horror again. It was a never-ending cycle. Why couldn't he at least help me feel a little bit better? Either way he couldn't even if he tried.

I turned to look at Angel. She was shaking. I then noticed that her eyes were coal black. "Go hunt." I ordered. With the voice I used not even Skylar would hesitate to it. She nodded and then went to find a worthy animal. I knew the others felt no guilt when it came to hunting, they weren't killing lives like I was. I wish I could change.

He was watching me now. His face was in pain, but he was curious to what I was and what he was going to become. I didn't need to be a mind reader to know that question. He had the same look on his face as Skylar did when I changed. I don't regret changing him, but I hate making him into a monster. At least he has his mate now, if only she was with him right now.

"I suppose you're wondering what is happening to you. I was wondering the same thing when I was changing. I know you're in pain and it's hard to think, but I need you to listen to me. Then after done listening to me I need you to believe me. Do you understand, Cody?" I didn't expect and answer, but slowly he nodded his head.

"You asked me what I was and now I can tell you because you're about to become on of us. I am the world's most dangerous predator. Not only because of what I am, but also of the gift I posses; I'll tell you about that later. I am a vampire. I know that sounds whack, but it's true. Your scent is what drew me to you. I'm sorry I pulled you into this, but once I started it was hard to stop." I stopped to see if he was still listening; he was.

"Is Jason going to suffer through this too? Is he already one of you? Did he ask you to change me?" his voice was soft, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

"I would never do that to Jason, unless that is what he truly wanted. He knows what I am, but he doesn't know about you yet. I don't really plan to tell him," I confessed, "I plan to tell him you disappeared and then everything would go back to normal."

"Normal?" he choked. "You're going to lie about to me just so you can have him? I've never met someone so selfish before! Now when someone asks me do define definition I won't even have to think about it. I'll just blurt out your name. Oh I can't wait to see your face when he turns you down-" I stopped him.

"Don't you dare say that! Don't you ever say that! Jason loves me for me. I gave him the chance to run when I told him about me. I told him if he wanted me to leave I would go without hesitation. I love him, but if he doesn't love me and he wants me to disappear then I will. I'll do whatever I want!" I was pissed. Normally I can keep my mood under control, but he just touched a sensitive spot of mine.

He looked surprised I got so angry. Did I really look like I was someone who was sweet and gentle? Was that how male humans saw me? It doesn't matter if they do. I love Jason, and that is whom I will always love.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that," he paused for the pain, "That was really low of me. The truth is I'm jealous of Jason. I always have been. He seemed to get everything he wanted. He had looks, he has money, and the only thing he ever struggled at was basketball. The girls just love him that when they look at me they call me Jason's friend. They don't know my name or anything. When he got you, I was just at the point to yell at him. I know he doesn't do this on purpose. I'm pretty sure he doesn't wake up everyday saying 'How can I piss off Cody today? Oh I know I'll start dating that one hot girl at school'." I laughed.

"What?"

"I'm sorry that was just a really good impression of him. He does do that. I hear him everyday. He never stops talking about it." I teased. His face lit up. I couldn't help but smile.

"Listen, I'm not the right girl for you. Our kind lives forever. You have plenty of time to get a girl who loves you for you, not just because of your looks. And I should warn you now. Girls will be all over you because of that so make sure that the girl you choose actually like you for you. Trust me on that." I said while holding back a laugh. He laughed too-if you count laughing with painful sigh to it a laugh, and then yeah I guess you could say he laughed.

"So how long is this burning going to last?" he couched and wheezed in pain. It was hard to understand him, so I'm sure if he said this to a human they would have had no idea of what he just said.

"Three days at the most. I'm not sure how much venom I put into you so, if you're lucky, it might be over tomorrow." I smiled.

"That quick? I guess that's cool, but what am I going to do when this is over?" he was afraid and curios at the same time. He didn't want the answer because he knew what it was, but he still had to make sure because-like all humans-he was curious.

At that moment Angel popped in. how could she be back already? She had only been gone for about 10 minutes. "We have a problem." That was all she had to say. In the same second I got into a position to protect Cody from what was coming.

She laughed and then I glared at her. "That wasn't funny. You can't joke with me on that, not when Jason is in trouble!" her laughing stopped at once.

"I didn't mean it like that. Skylar is back and he's coming here, now. So do you want to hide him or let Skylar know?" her voice was strained. By the way she said Skylar I knew that Nick wasn't coming back, not yet at least.

"He is going to be one of us soon so let's let Skylar face the music now." I sighed and Angel just chuckled. Of course she could laugh, she didn't have to face Skylar's wrath. He hated changing people, even as much as me.

When his face popped in I saw his eyes go wide. "What the hell is this, Claire? How could you? Damn it Claire I thought you were against this kind of thing!" he yelled at me. I just rolled my eyes and began the story.

"So this was all an accident?" Skylar asked now that he was past the blind fury stage of the story. "You were hunting and you never meant to do this, right?" he was making things clear to himself, but it was hard for me to tell the story. I didn't like it anymore than he did.

"Yes. I never meant for it to happen. I couldn't save him because if I did he would know too much and then he could tell. I didn't want to risk our existence over something as small as this." I tried to have a soft voice, but it's hard after hearing Skylar yell at me. Some of the words he used I have no idea where he got them from; so I would rather not repeat them.

"Well then I'm sorry I yelled at you before, I didn't know. I thought you changed him just to change him. I didn't mean to yell like that, but when I caught the scent of another vampire I thought something was happening so I was already angry when I came through the door." He was grinning now that things were being put together.

"What are you doing here? Is Nick ok? Did something happen?" Angel's voice was frantic with fear. She doesn't know if anything has happened. Her Nick could be in danger. I was in full leader mode and ready to take action at any moment.

Skylar saw both the worries on our faces. "Now before we all freak out I'm going to tell you all is well. Nothing has gone wrong. If something has I wouldn't leave Nick out there all alone to defend him. I just had to see you guys again. Not knowing if we'll ever be together again takes a toll on your emotions. Wouldn't you say so?" Skylar was worried about us? He never really showed any emotion. Skylar was the tough guy of the group and he just admitted that he missed us and was worried.

I stepped over to him and I gave him a big hug. His arms tightened around my waist and I held him closer. The truth was that I missed him so much. It was hard to see my best friend walk away and me not ever knowing if he was ever coming back to me. He kissed my head only as a brother would. He rubbed my back and leaned down to my ear. "Admit it, you missed me." He breathed.

"Of course I did. How could I not? You're my brother and I worry about you out there. How am I supposed to know if you guys are still alive?" I said. It felt like I could cry, but with this body I know I cannot.

"I need to talk to you alone, Claire." That was all he needed to say. I looked at Angel and she nodded. I walked out with Skylar and he led me about a mile away from the house.

"I would never admit this to anyone, but you, Claire. I'm so scared about us. I so worried that I've lost Taylor forever. How can you always be so calm? How do you do that? How can you be rational at a time like this?" he didn't even give me a second to answer. It was so fast that I didn't know that it was coming. Usually nothing ever surprised me, but this was so unexpected that I couldn't think. Skylar was kissing me. He was so gentle and afraid that I was confused on what to do. He pulled me closer to him and put his hand on my waist. My breathing quickened. Skylar knew this would frighten me. Why would he do this? Was he suicidal?

Suddenly my body got the best of me and I was kissing him back. He pushed me into a light post on the street and I swear that there is going to be a dent in it tomorrow. A dent of two people kissing. I held back a chuckle. The laugh cleared my head and now I could think clearly. I realized that part of Skylar's polo shirt was unbuttoned. I pushed away from him quickly and I watched his eyes fill with horror, fear and betrayal. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know what I was thinking. I'm so confused, Claire. What am I going to do? She Se growled at me. My one true love left me; she was going to attack. She would, I saw it in her eyes. She would have attacked me if you hadn't of stepped in." his face was so twisted in anger and pain that I was afraid it would stay that way.

"I understand, Skylar. It's hard to lose a love. Now that I've found mine I'm afraid that I'm going to lose him. I just can't lose Jason. He's nothing like the other humans. He is so different and special. My body wants him more than anything else that I have found does. Of course I wouldn't give you guys up either." I added.

"I won't let you lose Skylar without a fight. You've seen what it has done to Keith since he has lost Sierra. He is so lost and in the dark, I couldn't live with myself I let you become like that…Claire what is it? Did I say something?" Skylar asked.

I just remembered something about the night Sierra died. Keith blamed it on me that Sierra had died and he wouldn't talk to me for about a decade. He thought it was my fault that I couldn't get there fast enough. He promised me something that night. He said 'I swear to you, Claire. Since you made me lose my love, when you find yours I will let you know how I feel. You will lose yours. Since I can't be with mine, you won't be able to be with yours.' At the time I blew the threat off, but I had no idea he would mean it.

"Claire tell me!" his voice was urgent and alarmed. I looked back at him and shook my head.

"Tomorrow. I promise I'll tell you, but right now I have to go watch Jason for the night. I can't let my guard down on him. Talk to Cody though. He is very sweet and he needs some help while going through this. Do it for me please." My voice was so sweet I'm sure not even the devil would have been able to refuse me. He nodded and went back to the house.

"What happened? I heard talking then nothing. Did something happen?" I heard Angel's confused voice in the house.

"Don't worry…" I heard his voice fade away as I ran down the street, too fast for human eyes. I made my way to the similar rode when Jason lies in his bed asleep.

His room was dark now as I opened his window. I heard his deep breathing from the corner of him room where his bed is. His dark sheets rose and then went down from his chest. He seemed peaceful enough. I looked around his room trying to pick up any scent that may or may not be his.

I searched his room for another scent that I knew wasn't there. Suddenly he was jerking in his bed. It looked like he was running, running away from something, and fast at that. He twisted up and down and it seemed like he was having a seizer. "Get away! I thought you loved me! Why are you doing this! Claire get away! I don't love you anymore, please leave me alone! No! Please," be begged, "Please don't kill me, just disappear." He was dreaming of me and this time I was the monster. I have always been the monster. I sat on his bed and his eyes jerked open and he saw me there with my head in my hands.

"Claire? What's wrong? Is everything ok? Has something happened?" Jason's soothing voice asked me.

"Is that what you want?" I asked him. "Do you want me to go away? Do you not love me anymore? You want me to disappear? I guess that's fair seeing everything I have done to you." I told him.

He looked at me with regret. "You heard me that?"

I nodded.

"I was dreaming about you, but that you in my dream wasn't the real you, please believe that." He said and then he attacked me. Not in the literal attack, but he kissed me fiercely. He held me close again just like he had before, but something was different. He kissed me like Skylar had. He put his hand down my back and he had to break away from air. I didn't let go. I slid down his throat feeling the blood that pulsed inside the skin, but I ignored that as he pulled my lips back to his. He held my leg and pulled it around him and laid down on top of me. I didn't want to stop, but I knew I had to before Jason got hurt. His hands slid down my waist and on my thigh. His other hand traced my side and part of my back over and over again. I kissed with the same power he had started with me. I rolled over on top of him and grabbed both his wrists, locking them to the bed. I had stopped when I knew I didn't want to, at all.

His breathing didn't slow like I hoped it would. I was just getting kissed today like I had won an award. "Claire I…" Jason said before I cut him off.

I put my lips to his and then pulled away before he got the wrong intention. "Don't you dare apologize to me, Jason. It was my fault I let it get that far again. I just can't seem to control myself around you." I breathed. I held him close, not daring to let him go, and I laid my head on his chest since I was still on top of him. "I love you Jason; don't ever doubt that." I smiled at him.

His hand still rubbed my back, but it was hesitant, making sure that he didn't make a move that I didn't like. I took both his arms and constricted them around my waist and mine around his. We both laid there for a little while, being silent. "Je aimed, Claire." I laughed. "Did I not get it right?" he asked laughing himself.

"It's Je t'aime, but you were close enough for me to understand." I sat up, but his hands refused to let go.

"Don't go yet." He said, his voice shaky. He didn't want to me go. I laid back down in the same position and hummed something soothing until I knew he was asleep.