Author's note: I realize at this point you all probably hate me for not updating. My old computer died, literally the motherboard was fired. It was so sad, I finally got all my files off right before I left for vacation. Now that I am back I intend to update on a more regular basis. We're talking once or twice a month. I'm a busy girl, but there will be updates! Sorry this took so long!

Chapter 10

Pogue was still in the hospital, but Caleb was making Tess go to the fall fest with Sarah, Tyler, and Reid. He thought she would be safer with them than alone at the hospital.

Tess glanced briefly at Sarah as they got ready. "So…," Tess said slowly. She was carefully curling her hair as she spoke. "What's the deal with you and Caleb?"

Sarah looked down and blushed slightly. "I care about him, a lot actually. It's all happening so fast though. Do you think it's to fast," Sarah asked in a rush.

Tess released a curl from the iron and met Sarah's gaze. "Honestly, I've known Caleb my whole life, I can tell that he really cares about you too. He wants to protect you, once this is over things will slow down," Tess said reassuringly.

Sarah nodded slowly. "Ok let's be girls here for a few minutes, show me your dress," Sarah demanded.

"If you insist," Tess said quickly. She walked over to the closet in the guest room they were using. She grabbed the garment bag off the back of the door and unzipped it. She revealed a navy blue v-neck dress with a long tiered skirt. "What do you think?"

"I think Tyler is going to have a hard time keeping his hands to himself," Sarah said with a laugh.

"Don't let you hear Reid hear you say that," Tess replied. "Pogue told him to kick Tyler's ass if he tried anything."

Sarah rolled her eyes and checked her hair, "I'm going to get dressed I'll be right back."

Sarah left the room and Tess stared down at the dress. She was putting on a brave face for Sarah pretending she was excited about the dance, like she wasn't worried at all. In reality she knew that things could go terribly wrong tonight.

Tess stood in front of the mirror studying her midnight blue dress, a pensive look on her face. The door behind her opened slowly and Tyler stuck his head in. Their gazes locked in the mirror before Tess turned to look at him.

"You look amazing Tess," Tyler said as he came in the room. He closed the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment just looking at her.

"You don't look half bad yourself Simms," Tess said blushing under his gaze.

"I brought you something, it belonged to my mom," Tyler explained as he pushed away from the door. "My dad gave it to her when they first started dating." Tyler reached into his pocket and pulled out a slim blue jewelry box. He held it out to Tess waiting for her to take it.

"Tyler, that's a Tiffany box," Tess pointed out.

Tyler stared at her for a moment before blushing slightly. "I thought girls like jewelry," he said sheepishly. "You don't have to take it if you don't want to, I just thought you would like it."

"No, Tyler it's not that!" Tess quickly took the box from him and opened the lid. She gasped slightly as she touched the bracelet. It was a simple black cord, but the flower in the center made it exquisite. White gold and diamonds it sparkled brightly as Tess lifted it out of the box. "Tyler, it's beautiful! Thank you."

Tyler blushed again as he helped Tess put on the bracelet. Tess leaned in and kissed him hard letting him know how much his gift was appreciated.

"Come on we should go downstairs, Reid and Caleb are waiting," Tyler said as he took her hand. They quickly headed downstairs to join the others.

Reid whistled lowly as Tess descended the stairs. "Damn Tess if I had known you looked that good in a dress I would have made baby boy make a move sooner," Reid said.

Tess rolled her eyes and punched Reid on the shoulder. "I can still kick your ass even if I am wearing a dress," she reminded him.

Someone cleared their throat in the corner of the room catching Tess' attention. Evelyn Danvers, Caleb's mother was staring at her an irritated look on her face. Tess shrugged slightly and moved closer to Tyler.

"Caleb you cannot do this on your own, we have to go to the others," Evelyn said as she crossed to Caleb.

"We can't do that. He'll kill us all, including you. Pogue was the final warning," Caleb explained. Tess leaned against Tyler at the mention of her brother. The doctors still weren't sure that he would make a full recovery.

"We have to go to your father," Evelyn said.

"No, I know what you're thinking mother and you know what will happen," Caleb replied. Evelyn laid a hand on Caleb's face and studied him.

"But he loves you," Evelyn whispered. Tess felt incredibly uncomfortable being witness to this moment for Caleb. There had always been that doubt for him about his father.

"Well then he'll die with that secret," Caleb said pulling her hands away from him. Caleb glanced at Tess. "You look nice, where's Sarah?"

"Thanks, she's upstairs changing," Tess said.

"You should never have involved her," Evelyn said from next to the couch. Tess shot a glance at Evelyn and sighed.

"You're right but I can't change the past, and he's using her against me, all of you, and it's going to stop," Caleb said firmly. He paused for a moment and leaned against the sofa in front of him. "I want you to take Sarah and Tess to the dance. I'll meet you there. I don't think he'll try anything in the open."

"Would you just let us help you," Reid asked. "You know we've got your back."

"I know you do, but please this once do what I ask," Caleb pleaded.

Tyler was the first to nod as he slipped an arm around Tess' waist. Reid rolled his eyes, but nodded in agreement a moment later. Caleb turned and caught a glimpse of Sarah coming down the stairs.

Her champagne colored dress fit perfectly. Tess had helped her pick it out the week before. Her hair was tied back in a simple knot.

"You look beautiful my dear, so do you Tess," Evelyn said realizing she had not complimented Tess. "You look like your mother."

Tess stiffened thankful for Tyler's warm arm around her waist holding her steady. She hated being compared to her mother. Especially now, when her mother was half way around the world and her son lay in a hospital bed.

"Thank you Mrs. Danvers," Tess whispered.

"Ready," Caleb asked. Everyone followed Caleb out of the house and down the drive to where the hummer was parked. Tyler helped Tess in the passenger seat before heading around to drive. Reid climbed in the back and looked out the window at Caleb and Sarah.

"What do you think they are talking about," Reid asked.

"If she's smart, she's scared," Tess said softly.

Tyler glanced briefly at Tess before unknotting her hands in her lap and holding one. "Everything is going to be ok Tess, you'll see," he replied.

"You can't promise that Tyler," Tess pointed out.

Tyler turned in his seat, ignoring Reid and looked deeply into her eyes. "I swear I am not going to let anything happen to you," he said firmly.

Tess nodded and kissed him as Sarah climbed in the car. She met Caleb's steady gaze. "Be careful Caleb," she ordered.

"You all be careful, I'll call you," he replied as Tyler cranked the hummer. Caleb shut the door and stepped back allowing them to pull away.

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