Okay, I just want to clear something up before I start. I may have accidently let on that this story was ending. That's a big whoops on my part. When I said the end was sappy, I meant the end of the chapter, not the story. Believe me, the story is NOT over yet. I still have stuff planned out.

Anyway, this chapter skips ahead to the weekend. Also, I'm not going to really describe what the house looks like. I suck at that.

Warning: There will be a lemon in this chapter

Disclaimer: I do not own The Darkest Powers

Derek's POV:

I glanced at the address once more before turning off the road onto a long driveway. I couldn't see the house from the road, so I was hoping I had the right driveway. I looked at Chloe from the corner of my eye and sighed. She hadn't said a word the entire ride. When I tried to start a conversation, she'd give a noncommittal answer and continue to stare out the window. I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't force an answer out of her.

We broke the tree line and I smiled. Definitely the right house. It looked exactly like it did in the picture. I looked over at Chloe to see her eyes wide and her jaw hanging slightly open. I smiled. So far, so good. I pulled up in front and killed the engine. I got out and took a minute to look around the front of the house. Whoever had owned the house prior had really taken care of it and the property. I drew the key from my pocket and walked up the door. I waited for Chloe before opening it. I let her go in first and I watched her face as she look it all in. Her expression went from surprise to delight, especially when she saw the kitchen. I could keep the smile off my own face when I saw the pure delight spread across hers when she saw how big the kitchen was and the large oven separate from the stove itself. She delicately ran her hand along the counter tops and took in every detail. I followed her from room to room as she took in everything. I wasn't really bothering to actually look at the house. Her reaction was all that I needed. When we got to the master bedroom, she looked around and seemed to think about it.

"I was thinking a new paint job," I said. "Maybe something softer."

"Yeah," she said. "Something blue maybe, or green."

"This is the one I'm really considering," I said. "I think I might make an offer. If everything goes okay, everything should be ready in a month or two."

I watched as the smile fell from her face and the room suddenly became a few degrees colder. She kept her face straight as she nodded and walked out. Confused, I followed her out. What was wrong? I thought everything had gone fine. She seemed to have really liked it.

"There are other houses," I said as I followed her down the stairs. "I can schedule a time to see them if you want."

"Whatever you want," she said.

"I-"

"Really, Derek," she said. "Whatever you want is fine by me."

Still confused, I shoved my hands in my pockets and nodded. I locked the door behind us and we left. The drive back home was just as quiet, but the tension had doubled. Something was wrong. She seemed really happy by the house. What had caused the sudden change? Was it something I said?

When we got back to the apartment, Chloe excused herself to the bedroom and shut the door. I took that as she didn't want me to follow and settled for the kitchen. I plopped down at the table and drew the folder of house options in front of me. Reaching across the table, I lifted off the cover on the cupcakes and pulled out a green-frosted one. I really wanted to call Simon and get his opinion about everything, but I didn't want to disturb him. Especially if Emily was successful. That wouldn't be a fun phone call.

I flipped through the pile of available properties and pulled out a few good ones. Standing up, I walked over to the bedroom and hesitantly knocked on the door.

"Chloe?" I called. "You up for more houses?"

She opened the door and I stepped back.

"Actually, I'm going shopping," she said, walking past me and over to the door.

"Oh," I said. "Is there something you need? I can give you a ride."

"That's alright, I'll walk," she said.

I watched as she shut the door behind her without as much as a goodbye. Looking down at Noah, we shared a look.

"What do you think, boy?" I said. "You think something's wrong, too?"

He nudged my hand with his nose and I nodded. I wasn't an expert on pregnancy, but I really didn't think her sudden mood was due to hormones. And if I wanted my much more pleasant Chloe back, I'd need to figure out what was going on.

…,,,…

Chloe's bad attitude didn't change over the next few days. She came with me to every house, but she never so much as smiled at any of them. In fact, her mood became colder and colder with every house. I tried to get her to open up to me, but she'd brush me off and act as if nothing was the matter. She wouldn't let me touch her and every time I tried to kiss her, she'd dodge. She wasn't mean, but she wasn't herself either. Lucky for me, Simon got back last night and now I can talk to him, which I was doing over lunch.

"How was Vegas?" I asked when he sat down across from me.

"I don't remember," he said.

"So, a bust?"

"No, I really can't remember," he said. "I woke up yesterday morning and couldn't remember anything."

"Lay off the booze," I said.

He grinned. "Hey, Emily was paying. How was I supposed to say no?"

"Did you bleed her dry?"

"Came close," Simon laughed. "So, how was your weekend? I'm assuming my vacation wasn't the only reason you invited me to lunch."

I sighed. "Something's…not right with Chloe."

"Is she sick?"

"No. She's just…different," I said. "Colder. I took her to see a house on Saturday and she seemed to really like it. Then all of a sudden, she just…changed. I thought maybe it was the house, so I showed her others. Nothing."

"Did you say something?"Simon asked. "Something to piss her off?"

"I don't think so. And she doesn't seem angry. Just distant," I said. I thought about it. "Maybe it's not the houses."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe it's me," I said. "What if it's not the houses she doesn't like? What if it's the thought of living with me?"

"Dude-"

"Just think about it," I said. "She really likes the first house. I know she did. Then, when I brought up moving in, she suddenly became cold."

"Well, I guess that could be a possibility," Simon said, not looking convinced.

"What the hell am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"Well, there's only one thing to do," Simon said. "You're gonna have to make her want to stay."

"Meaning?"

"You're gonna have to seduce her," he said.

"You're an idiot," I said.

"No, it's true," he said. "When's the last time you guys slept together?"

I opened my mouth and stopped. When did we last sleep together?

"I rest my case," he said. "Now, here's what you have to do…"

Chloe's POV:

"How was Vegas?" I asked Emily as she walked in.

"A total bust," she said. "I can't even remember what happened. Numbnuts got me totally wasted and now the total weekend is a blur."

"So, a no-go?"

"A complete and utter no-go," she said. "How was your weekend?"

I sighed. "Derek's moving out."

She stopped walking to the couch and turned around. "Come again?"

"Well, not right now, but he's making plans," I said. "He's looking at houses."

She looked relieved. "You had me worried for a second."

"Em!" I said. "This is a big deal!"

"I get that, but you have to stop worrying so much. You're giving yourself wrinkles," she said. "Now sit down and explain. Oh, and grab me a cupcake."

I sat down next to her and drew my legs up to my chest. "He took me to see some houses over the weekend."

"And?"

"He's got his sights set on this one just out of town," I said. "Oh, Em, you should have seen it! It was gorgeous. And the kitchen was huge!"

"What's wrong with it then?" she asked, licking frosting off her finger tip.

"Nothing," I said. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Except that Derek wants to move into it and away from me."

"Oh, Sweetie," she said.

"He said that he might be able to move in within the next few months," I continued. I buried my head in my knees. "What am I going to do?"

"About what?" she asked. "What do you want?"

"I don't know," I said, throwing my arms up. "I don't know."

I hugged my knees and looked over at where Noah was asleep in the sunlight. "I want things to stay the same."

"He's going to move out," she said. "He had that planned before he even met you."

"I know," I said.

"And no matter what you do, you're not going to get him to stay," she said.

"I know," I said.

"But there is something you can do," she said.

I looked over.

"You can get him to take you with him," she said, smiling.

"I can't do that, Em," I said. "That would go against our deal. He moves out and I get the apartment."

"Oh, please," she said, scoffing. "You're almost three months pregnant and you're still sleeping together. To hell with the deal."

"Actually…"

"What?" she asked.

"We're not sleeping together," I said. "We haven't slept together since before the accident."

"There's the problem!" she said. "You have to show him what he'll be missing!"

"Huh?"

"Seduce him," she said. "Make him want to stay."

…,,,…

"Hurry up," Emily said, "We don't have much time."

I followed her into the bedroom with the bag containing my new apparel. I set it on the bed and she pulled open my top drawer.

"Not in there," I said.

I pulled open Derek's drawer and sifted through until I found what I was looking for.

"That's going to clash," she said.

"Yeah, but it's his favorite," I said, shutting the drawer.

….,,,,…

I heard the front door open and close and I took a deep, steadying breath. Show time. I shut off the lights and hid behind the door. Carefully placed candles lit the room in a soft glow. Footsteps came from the hallway and I held my breath. I watched Derek walk into the bedroom and stop. He looked around the room, confusion written across his face. I closed the door with a small click and he turned around, his eyes widening when he saw me. His eyes traveled down and took in my appearance. Thanks to Emily and her lingerie skill, I was dressed in an almost see through black negligee that hid my surprise for Derek.

He swallowed and said, "That's new."

"You noticed," I said, slowly walking to him.

As soon as I was in front of him, I gave him my best seductive smile and began to slowly unbutton his shirt one button at a time. His breathing was rough and heavy and I had to work to go slow. As soon as his shirt was completely unbuttoned, I ran my fingers gently up his chest and he shivered.

"Are you seducing me?" he asked, a slow smile developing.

"I don't know," I said as sexy as I could manage. "Is it working?"

"There's definitely an effect," he said, his eyes watching my hands as they traveled lower.

I stopped just above his jeans and stopped. His eyes snapped up to mine and I smiled. Pushing him backwards lightly, he sat down on the bed. I straddled him and pushed his shirt over his shoulders. His eyes were focused on what was right in front of his face, which was currently hidden. I lifted my hands to the string holding the negligee shut. His eyes widened and I smiled. I had his full attention. Slowly, I drew it over my shoulders until it fell in a pile on his lap. He sucked in a breath and then a grin broke out.

"The lacy, powder blue," he said.

He reached to unhook it, but I pushed him down and leaned over him, my hair falling over him.

"Uh uh," I said. "My seduction."

I leaned down and kissed his throat. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. I slowly made my way down. His rough breathing was getting heavier with every inch. I reached his jeans and unbuttoned them.

"I think I just fell in love," he murmured, grinning broadly as he stared up at the ceiling.

He lifted his hips and I pulled his jeans off. Reaching inside his boxers, I closed around him and he groaned. I pulled off his boxers and sucked him into my mouth.

He moaned deeply and said, "Oh yeah, this is love."

I held back the laughter and kept up my act. As I took him deeper and deeper, his moans became louder until I felt his hand entwine in my hair. I pulled back and his head shot up. Smiling seductively, I slowly made my way up and lowered myself, panty clad, just above him. Leaning over, I hovered just about his lips and whispered,

"I told you. My seduction."

"I don't get one?" he asked, that cocky grin crossing his face.

"You can have a seduction," I said, "Or…"

I slowly slid off him and stepped off the bed. He looked confused until I reached for my panties. I slid my finger into the side of one and slid it down slightly.

"I'll be good," he breathed, his eyes focused on my hands.

"I thought so," I said.

I lowered the panties seductively to the floor and stepped out of them. He kept eye contact as I crawled up above him. I gave him one last smile before lowering myself on him. I threw my head back and bit back a moan. It had been so long. Placing my hands on his chest to steady myself, I lifted myself off and dropped back down. Derek groaned in appreciation and gripped my thighs, pulling me down harder. I obliged and picked up my pace. I could feel myself lose control and I suddenly Derek sat up, pulling me against him and claiming my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on tightly. He took full control as I got closer and closer.

"Derek," I moaned, tearing my mouth away.

I through my head back and tried to reign in my breath. Derek didn't stop. He moved down to my breasts, nipping and sucking greedily. He reached around and unhooked my bra, pulling it off for better access. Wrapping his arms securely around me, he sucked my nipple into him mouth and bit gently. I gasped and dug my nails into his back, going over the edge. I cried out and rode it out, rocking against Derek. He tore his mouth away from my breast and laid his head against my neck. He stiffened and cried out.

My breathing ragged, I looked down at him. He gazed up at me, trying to control his own breathing. He lifted his mouth and I lowered mine. His arms around me, he lowered us so he was above me. When he pulled back, I gazed up at him and sighed. Looking into his eyes, I knew there was nothing I could do about him leaving. I wouldn't do that to him. But that didn't mean I was giving up without a fight.

"I think you should make an offer on the first one," I said.

"Huh?" he asked.

"The house," I said. "I think you should make an offer."

He stared at me. "You're serious?"

I nodded. "I thought the first one was the best."

He searched my face before smiling and leaning down to kiss me. I pulled back and looked him in the eye.

"Can I help?" I asked, biting my lip.

"With what?"

"You wanted to repaint the master bedroom," I said, "Can I help?"

"I was actually hoping you could pick out the colors," he said. "Not just for the master bedroom. But for the other ones as well. It might take a little longer to move it, but I figure it's better to do it now before everything is moved in and in the way."

"Blue for the master," I said.

"Blue it is," he said.

Looking up at him, I smiled. Not just for him, but for the fact that he would be around longer than he expected. That gave me more time to persuade him to consider us.

That was more rushed than I wanted, but I want to move on to later events. The next chapter will take place about a month after this one.