(Derek's Point of View)

Derek got out of the shower feeling a lot better. Tons. He tried to put it down to the fact that he'd just had a hot shower, but he'd been feeling better even before that.

I can't believe I'm worrying about getting over a cold!

But Derek knew why he was.

A full moon last night and all the sudden the fever I've had ever since my last half-Change is gone?

Derek's dad had always assured him that the cycles of the moon had nothing to do with Changing, but could he really be sure? After all, he was genetically modified.

Derek had too many things on his mind. He'd never felt that way before. Derek could be preparing for seven finals, and three reports, and one college application, and he would never…never have felt like he did then.

Too many things were going on that were…mysterious. He didn't have the answers.

Maybe if the only thing he had to worry about was Changing he could handle it, but as it was….

Simon burst into the room. He was panting. Derek jumped up.

"What happened?" Derek asked anxiously. Then Simon smiled.

"Andrew's been helping me work out, and practice using my powers," Simon explained. "I had a really good workout."

Derek didn't know how he felt about it, but he didn't say anything.

"You should join us tomorrow."

"Yeah…maybe."

"I know you're not really into, well, showing off your strength or any…"

"No, it's not that. Andrew wouldn't want me." Derek could have killed himself. He couldn't believe he'd said that to Simon. Simon.

The last thing Derek wanted was for Simon to worry…or not worry about his problems.

"Sure he would. He wants us to practice, especially you, Chloe, and Tori."

"Maybe," Was all Derek said.

What's the point of arguing?

Simon sidled past Derek and into the bathroom. Derek shook out his hair, and then made his way downstairs.

Even without bionic senses Derek could have smelled the food cooking in the kitchen. It smelled delicious. Derek's stomach rumbled, making him remember how long he'd gone without good food.

Derek rounded the corner to see Andrew standing by the oven, having an animated discussion with Tori, but Chloe was nowhere in sight. Derek knew better than to ask about her.

"What's for dinner?"

Andrew jumped, almost knocking the wanton off the stove.

"Derek, I didn't hear you coming."

"You never will," Tori whispered under her breath.

"Sorry," Derek muttered. "You need some help?"

"Oh? No. Thank you."

Andrew watched as Derek pulled out a chair.

"I'm cooking some stir-fry. It should be ready in about ten minutes."

"Because of Simon?" Tori asked bluntly.

Andrew blushed, but shook his head.

"No…no, I just like stir-fry."

Derek believed him, but he wasn't sure Tori did.

Derek heard the door click shut before anyone else heard Chloe's voice say,

"Something smells delicious."

What does she think she'll find in that Ann girl? Derek wondered more than just a little bit melancholy.

Author's Note: Hey, sorry for the kind of short chapter. I normally put two chapters up a day, unless they're over 700 words, but today I'm only going to put one up. I only have one other chapter written after this one, and I like to have more than that. I'll try to write more, and hopefully'll have another one up today. Thanks to all of you who read this, I love the reviews!