A/N - Ok, here's the deal. I actually lost interest in this story a while back, which is why I haven't updated for so long. I didn't really have any intention of continuing it. Plus, the biggest exams of my life are just around the corner and I really have to concentrate on them.

However, I love my reviewers and I know what it feels like to have a story that you like left uncompleted and you're just waiting for the ending. So, out of love for you wonderful people, I'm going to try to finish this. I won't update every day but I will try to update as much as I can. I'm going to depend on you to let me know how much you want it.

Here's an extra long chapter to apologise for my abysmal updating. Un betaed, due to my ignorance of whether or not my beta reader likes the Covenant.

Chapter 10 - Consulting

Caleb wandered endlessly through his manor. He didn't understand Reid. Not that he had ever understood him but now, more so than ever, Caleb Danvers didn't understand Reid Garvin.

For most of Caleb's life, his feelings towards Reid had been strictly brotherly. The four of them, the Sons of Ipswich had grown up together, playing with each other as boys. But when they hit puberty, Reid and Caleb had also hit a wall in their previously solid, stable friendship.

It had started small with minor scuffles about little, insignificant things. As they got closer to ascending, the arguments got louder and more physical, until they bordered on violent.

And violent it had been.

Caleb cringed outwardly at himself, remembering the damage he had inflicted on Reid. He stopped his restless pacing and stood still, his mind recalling the glass shards that had littered Reid's back. The thought of that honey milk skin punctuated with blood and bruises racked him with regret. Caleb spared a glance at his watch, glowing red in the relative gloom of his room. It read Saturday, 7:10 AM. He had been up for hours, twisting himself into knots, all over Reid.

He debated on going to see Reid or sulking some more. Unable to make up his mind, he stalked over to his bed and grabbed his phone.

"Pogue? You got a minute man?"

"Caleb? Dude, it's Saturday? Why you up so early? Is it about the darkling? Because I'm as clueless as you are man."

"I really need some advice, Pogue," Caleb's bed sank softly as he sat down, his left hand cradling his cell while his right traced patterns on the bed covers.

"I'm all ears."

"Reid kissed me.

"What!" Pogue's voice was a harsh, disbelieving whisper. Caleb laughed a little, he could hardly believe it himself.

"While we were in the woods. We were talking and then he just…kissed me," Caleb leaned back until his head hit the soft material of his bed. Pogue was silent, letting him take his own time in talking.

"It was…I mean…I can't even…" Caleb huffed a little, unable to find the words to explain the shattering kiss that Reid had wrenched him with.

"Good?" Pogue questioned hesitantly, still unsure of what he was hearing. At this, Caleb smiled a little.

"Really good. At least, before we were interrupted."

"Huh? Oh right. Sorry man. I wouldn't have if I'd known you two were necking in the damn woods," Pogue teased, his voice light. Caleb felt as if a great weight had lifted off his shoulders. He had been a little worried that he and Pogue would lose their easy camaraderie, their solid friendship over this. He hadn't even realised it until he had voiced it out loud.

"Do you think I'm gay?"

"Wouldn't bother me if you were, man, " his best friend's voice was warm and understanding, accepting.

"How come?"

"Are you serious? We're the sons of Ipswich man! We can do all these insanely dangerous and cool things but we can't do too much or we'll end up like the crypt keeper and we've got this scary ascension thing coming around the corner where we'll be drowned in power, not to mention a whole other load of crap that we've been dealing with since we were kids. You really think your sexual preference is going to faze me? You're gonna have to do better men, like way better."

"Pogue I love you," Caleb said, feeling a wave of affection for his best friend. He didn't know what he would have done is Pogue had not accepted him.

"Shut up Caleb and tell me what happened next."

"I went back to the dorms, woke him up and kissed him. Then he asked me out for dinner and I said tonight wasn't good cause I had plans with Sarah…"

"Wait what? You kissed Reid and then told him you were ditching him for Sarah? You idiot!"

"Well, I didn't know what to do! I mean, I like her and I…I don't know what I feel towards Reid…but it's something…"

"Something worth fighting for?" Pogue asked, hoping that Caleb would give him the right answer. It took him a minute but he didn't disappoint.

"Yeah. I think it's time I had another talk with Reid.